The Parson's Table (The former First Christian Church ca. 1874)

The Parson's Table in Jonesborough TN near Watauga Lake Tennessee

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2009 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

May 2009

The building in Jonesborough Tennessee now known as the Parson's Table has had several lives. From the start of its construction in 1870 to its current incarnation as the home of the Parson's Table Banquet, Reception and Wedding Venue the building has become famous throughout the region.

Its fame came from its over 30 years as a popular restaurant beginning in 1973. The restaurant's 2 sets of owners drew customers throughout the east Tennessee, western North Carolina and southern Virginia areas. In a town with many popular places to visit, The Parson's Table became a destination in itself.

Just ask current owners Susan and Mike Chikar. From the moment they purchased the Parson's Table building and the building behind it they received visitors who wanted to relive special meals they had in the building. They have met former customers who remembered where they sat on a special anniversary and even what they ate. And predictably, the Chikar's have been asked repeatedly, "Are you going to open up the restaurant again?"

The answer to that question has been a new unique business for the Parson's Table. The Chikars are establishing a banquet and catering business with local caterer Holly Davis. They upgraded the restaurant kitchen for use for both on-site events and providing catering services in other locations. They are also a part of the Heritage Alliance Progressive Dinner fund-raising event in December.

The Chikars came to the area from their home in Maryland looking for 150 beautiful acres in East Tennessee. What they ended up with was the Parson's Table building (which was formerly the Christian Church) and the "Widow Brown" building which had been The Widow Brown restaurant during the Parson's Table restaurant years and the rectory for the church before that. While a far cry from their original plans, the Chikars' enthusiasm, their backgrounds in working with people and other businesses and their obvious joy at living in Jonesborough are making many excited about the future of The Parson's Table.

Both buildings they purchased needed attention. The Parson's Table had most recently been a martini bar called "The Speakeasy" and was decorated accordingly. The Chikar's redecorated the interior, upgraded the kitchen and started the catering and banquet business. Their next project? Renovating the "Widow Brown" / parsonage building.

History

Planning for Jonesborough's First Christian Church began in 1866, but money was a problem from the beginning. Construction began in 1870 but a cholera epidemic brought construction to a standstill. Building workers made coffins for the cholera victims who unfortunately included the church's major benefactor. The building was completed in 1874 and included a steeple which was later removed. The Parson's Table in Jonesborough TN near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The Parson's Table website (see link below) reports that the church and parsonage were deconsecrated around 1950 after years of having just a small congregation. The church became a woodworking shop and the parsonage a private residence.

In 1972 local developers Jimmie Neil Smith (who also started the Jonesborough International Storytelling Festival) and Dorothy Payne purchased both buildings and completed considerable renovations on the church. The Parson's Table restaurant opened in 1973. The parsonage was also renovated and its lower floors used for meeting and dining rooms. They sold the businesses in 1986 and the new owners maintained it as a popular restaurant until 2006.

The Chikars and their experienced caterer Holly Davis are hoping to include special dining events open to the public in the future at the Parson's Table. This will be good news to many in this region.

For more information about the services offered by The Parson's Table, call (423) 753-8002, click here to e-mail or checkout their website at www.TheParsonsTable.net