Brief History of the Hosanna Community

Hosanna was born of a human need. Catherine Brown from nearby South Pittsburg was looking for a family-like place for her son Bill who was born with cerebral palsy. He did not need a nursing home, but with her health and that of her husband’s deteriorating, she needed to find a suitable environment. Unable to fund anything in the surrounding area, she traveled to Florida where she discovered a promising place in Lakeland. However, they were unable to take Bill and she was told to “go home and build your own place.”

In 1991, Catherine recruited two childhood friends (Molly Miles from Signal Mountain and Marilyn Williams )and they began the process of starting a non-profit independent-living facility with an emphasis on community. Molly was active in many church and civic projects. Marilyn was a leading environmentalist. In 1992, a Board was formed and a 501(c)(3) was acquired. The Benwood Foundation provided the funds to open an office. Faith House opened in March 1996 followed by Hope House in July 2002. Each of these houses can accommodate 10 residents who all have a private room and share a bath with one other resident. Both homes are located on a 7-acre campus on Grubb Road in Hixson where residents can take advantage of various amenities, recreational activities, and support services.

The Faith and Hope Houses were built with financial support from the Tennessee Housing Authority, the Benwood Foundation, Maclellan Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Tucker, Chrysalis, Preston, and Osborne. The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee considers the Hosanna Community to be one of its missions and has supported it with funding and volunteerism. It is because of the generosity of foundations, donors, clubs, churches, businesses, grants, and volunteers that the Hosanna Community exists.

Hosanna has been home to adults who live with various disabilities: cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, blindness, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spina bifida, and neurological disorders. Several, after learning independent skills and getting jobs, have been able to move out and live on their own.