KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (TVC) — It’s a legal battle between the Tyson House Campus Ministry and the University of Tennessee. According to a statement released to The Volunteer Channel by Kerry Gardner, the Director of Media and Internal Relations at UT:
“St. John’s Cathedral expressed interest in selling the Tyson House property that is needed by the university for a new academic building. For several years, the university and St. John’s Cathedral attempted to agree on a price for the property and were unable to do so. As a result, the university is requesting that the court determine a fair price through the eminent domain process. The university’s valuation of the property is based on a third-party appraisal. If the legal process results in the determination of a different value, the university will accept that value.”
Two current members of the campus ministry stated that the location of the house, however, is important to the ministry and community members.
“I live not so far from here and so it’s just so nice to just walk down the road and have a welcoming community here that’s not too far,” said UT Junior Sophie Noell. Noell discovered Tyson House her freshman year at UT just by walking past and getting curious about it.
That’s how the ministry says a lot of their current members find the community. Including former UT student JD Joiner, who discovered it as a sophomore.
“I was going through a time of transition in terms of faith and I was looking for something different from what I grew up in,” said Joiner.
“I just walked past here one day and did a little bit of research on it and decided to show up. Eventually, I just never left.”
Both Joiner and Noell describe the Tyson House ministry as welcoming and loving.
“Its a home of love at the heart of campus,” said Noell.
“I just think it would break a lot of students’ hearts if it was moved, because of all of the friendships and loving relationships and faith journeys that a lot of people have encountered here.”
“I know this place fulfills a lot of people’s hearts and fills their hearts and sometimes just keeps them going, including me.”
Joiner says the Tyson House community helped him find his identity.
“The way that we worship here on Sundays, is a way that brings everybody together and it’s a good reminder that you aren’t doing this alone and nobody should do this alone,” said Joiner.
“I think the location is extremely important. It’s right in the heart of campus which provides incredible accessibility to students.”
Both Joiner and Noell say if the ministry were to move, the present community would likely still be the same, but they would be concerned for the future community.
“There’s a lot of foot traffic where students walk past here all the time. That’s how I think most people find out about us,” said Joiner.
“Obviously we can’t change anything as students but we are just trying to keep the love alive here as long as we can worship in this place,” said Noell.
