We have reviewed First Presbyterian Church’s recent statements about its “Capital Campaign” and its plans to demolish the historic Medical Arts Building (“The Tower”) and replace it with a smaller, modern facility.
While we respect the church’s right to manage its property and meet the needs of its congregation, we believe the church’s own documents raise important concerns the wider community cannot ignore.
The church itself admits that for over 20–30 years, the Medical Arts Building was left with minimal repairs and deferred maintenance, leading to many of today’s costly problems. It’s clear that the building’s current condition is not the result of inevitability - it is the result of long-term decisions. In their own words, the church acknowledges that the basement’s water issues were “identified earlier but were not addressed by leadership,” that “new water pumps were installed as a band-aid,” and that “the decision to use this type of replacement window (cheap, non-structural vinyl) was made without wise consultation.” It’s unfair to present demolition as the only option when others might have been possible if addressed sooner. Their failure to maintain it shouldn’t automatically justify demolition. If they no longer want to invest, why not allow others (like developers or preservation groups) the chance to save and restore it?
In the church’s planning materials, there is no mention of adaptive reuse, partial preservation, or façade-saving approaches, which are proven strategies used in cities across the country to protect historic architecture while meeting modern needs. The Park Hotel and the Chattanooga Bank Building are both undergoing major renovations, proving that adaptive reuse is entirely possible for buildings of similar size, age, and condition. By framing the decision as “renovate everything or demolish it all,” they ignore the creative solutions that could honor both the church’s future and Chattanooga’s past.
Preservation-minded developers have reportedly expressed interest in buying or partnering to save the building. But the church has refused to sell the property, insisting on keeping control of the lot even as it prepares to destroy one of Chattanooga’s most prominent historic landmarks. This is not a matter of “no one wants to help” - it’s a matter of the church refusing to open the door.
Importantly, the church owns an empty parking lot across Douglas Street where it could build its modern, efficient new facility - without erasing a key part of Chattanooga’s historic skyline.
First Presbyterian Church plans to raise $34.5 million for its building projects - including remodeling the sanctuary and children’s Sunday School building, expanding the fellowship hall, building a café to attract UTC students, and creating a new commons area.
Meanwhile, the quoted repair estimate for the Medical Arts Building is $14.5 million. Big money is being spent either way - and saving the building could free up additional funds to reinvest into ministry, outreach, or community programs.
Why not explore public-private partnerships, historic preservation grants, or developer deals that could save the building while still meeting the church’s needs?
The church acknowledges that after years of stagnant growth, they’ve recently seen attendance rise - approaching 80 percent capacity in their services. But they’ve already addressed this by adding a second service, a common strategy many churches use to manage growth.
How can they be sure they will need significantly more space long-term? What if numbers plateau or decline again - and by then, they’ve already demolished one of Chattanooga’s most treasured historic buildings?
We fully respect the church’s mission and right to serve its congregation. But the Medical Arts Building is not just a church asset - it is a civic and architectural landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designed by the renowned architect Reuben H. Hunt. Its fate matters to the entire city. This is not just a private decision. The building is part of the city’s shared historic landscape, and its loss would affect far more than the church itself.
We urge First Presbyterian Church to pause and reconsider. We are not asking them to shoulder impossible costs or sacrifice their ministry needs. We are asking them to explore creative solutions, including selling, partnering, or preserving part of the structure, that can meet both their goals and the community’s desire to save this irreplaceable piece of Chattanooga’s heritage.
As fellow members of the body of Christ and the wider community, we believe this is not just a question of buildings, but of stewardship. Scripture calls us to be faithful stewards of the gifts and resources entrusted to us - including the cultural and historic inheritance of our communities. Preserving this building could be a powerful testimony of care, creativity, and humility, showing that we value both the gospel’s forward mission and the story God has already written in this place.
We believe in a Chattanooga that values both its future and its past. Let’s work together to find a better way.
If you believe in preserving this important part of Chattanooga’s history, we invite you to sign the petition calling on First Presbyterian Church to pause and reconsider its plans. Every signature helps demonstrate to the church and local leaders that the community values this historic landmark and wants to explore creative, collaborative solutions. Sign the petition here.
Annya Shalun and Robert Glover
Local Advocates for the Save the Medical Arts Building Campaign