‘God provides:’ Franklin Church celebrates new property in a mortgage note burning ceremony

A little over three years ago, Franklin Seventh-day Adventist Church did not have a meeting place that they could call their own. Members gathered at an elementary school that they rented for the day. Each Sabbath, volunteers had to arrive early to set up the room for the worship service. By 1:00 p.m., they had to wrap up, clean up and leave the building.

“Sometimes, the school had games in the gym, like basketball,” said Maria Bracaglia, a member and Sabbath School superintendent for Franklin church. “So, because the gym was right next us, we were trying to have Sabbath class with the bouncing of the basketball tournaments happening at the same time.”

There was another problem, too. The church’s lease with the school was about to expire without a possibility to renew the contract. Though Franklin church, which at that time was called North Chapel, owned a property not too far from the school, the area was underdeveloped. Construction of a new building was going to be expensive and slow.

God provides

Around the same time, leaders became aware of a church property that was coming to the market near the same area. The selling price was $1.7 million, a sum that Franklin church did not have. Though it seemed like an impossible goal, members gathered faithfully to pray and ask God to open doors as He saw fit.

“After conferring with the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference it was determined that our church should pursue the purchase of this property,” said Charles Vardez said, Franklin Church member.

Franklin church used all of their savings as a down payment and a matching donor contributed to the amount, according to church treasurer Betty Chapman. Their old property was sold for $800,000 and that money was added to the deposit. After all that was completed, Franklin Church was able to secure the property with a $550,000 mortgage loan.

“The mortgage, which was $2,041 each month, would have taken us 20 years to pay off at that rate,” Chapman said. “So, it seemed like a lot because we were a small group… [but] from the beginning God showed us that He would provide.”

Giving hearts

After transferring to the new property, Franklin church’s membership grew immensely. The church started averaging more than 120 attendees each Sabbath – prior to that it was just 30. Church members were faithful in their offerings and eager to meet the set goals to pay off the mortgage. By the second year, the Franklin church owed only $100,000.

When COVID-19 hit worship was moved online for three months. Leaders were pleasantly surprised that during this time individuals were still giving donations. Each month, the church provided the congregation updates on the progress. 

“People just got behind it and were so excited,” Chapman said. “And I know that some people sacrificially gave in order to do that.”

On December 26, 2020, after merely three years since the mortgage was taken out, Franklin Church announced during the Sabbath service that the loan of $550,000 was finally paid in full.

Thanking God

Church members were amazed and thankful at how God had opened doors. On June 5, 2021, following the worship service, Franklin church had a Note Burning Ceremony. This ritual celebrated the incredible milestone that was reached and thanked God for bringing them to that point. 

“When miracles like this happen, it increases our faith by knowing that God’s timing is perfect,” Bracaglia said. “He knew exactly when to give us a church. He knew our lease was going to expire and that we were going to have to start looking for another place. He provided and brought us closer in faith.”

Franklin church continues to set new objectives for expanding the church’s mission. During the Note Burning Ceremony, Franklin Church Associate Pastor Judit Manchay held a prayer to dedicate the new building and the congregation.

“As we celebrate this milestone of paying off that mortgage. We also recognize that it's an opportunity for more,” Manchay said during the event. “It is time ask ourselves, ‘what other goals does God have in store for us?’ Because our goal was never to simply pay off a loan…Our mission is to love one another, and to share God's love with our community.”