In the 2016 devastating wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, First Baptist Gatlinburg lost its youth ministry building. Working with the church and its congregants, BarberMcMurry designed a new youth ministry building that takes advantage of cost-effective materials like concrete block, yet has custom touches, connecting the new building to the natural beauty of the mountains.
The design uses stacked stone and painted timbers, an aesthetic nod to traditional Appalachian architecture, while incorporating prominent windows and other contemporary elements into the structure. A contemporary color palette, pops of natural wood, and modern furniture, including bean bags, create a flexible interior that appeals to youth.
Completion Date: 2020
Type: New Construction
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Services: Architecture, Interior Design
Use: Religious
© 2025 BarberMcMurry Architects
