Church partners celebrate the completion of the first Faith Build Home with homeowner, Shan Melvin. (from left to right): Ian Carney, Eric Light, Nathan Malone, Tom Hays, Mike Pettingill, Lindsey Gallaher, Rev. Lou Parsons, Edymar Panagos, homeowner, Shan Melvin and her son, Trey Melvin.
Habitat for Humanity’s Senior Project Manager Roy Jarvis, presents a mock key to Habitat’s 278th homeowner, Shan Melvin, during a dedication ceremony held on March 22.
Habitat for Humanity's Development Director Dominique Brandt welcomes guests to the dedication ceremony of Habitat's first Faith Build Home.
Over the past 16 weeks, more than 130 volunteers representing nine local churches have worked alongside each other to build Chattanooga’s first Faith Build Home. Each church donated $5,000 to build the 3-bedroom home for a mother and her two sons.
The fruits of their labor were celebrated at a dedication ceremony held on Thursday of this week.
The churches that participated in Habitat’s Faith Build were:
· Christ United Methodist Church
· Collegedale Community Seventh-day Adventist Church
· North River Seventh-day Adventist Church
· Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church
· Ooltewah United Methodist Church
· Standifer Gap Seventh-day Adventist Church
· St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
· St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
· Two Rivers Church
"At work in Chattanooga since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area is committed to transforming the Greater Chattanooga area by building affordable and energy efficient homes.
"To date, Habitat for Humanity invested more than $26 million through the construction of Habitat homes in the Chattanooga community. And Habitat could not accomplish this great feat without the support of 32,000 corporate partners, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, volunteers and families. These volunteers have volunteered over 300,000 hours to build 278 homes providing more than 1,000 women, men, and children with the joy and security of Habitat home ownership," officials said.