Johnston Woods

Johnston Woods sits on 375 wooded acres about 20 minutes north of Chattanooga, in McDonald, Tennessee. The property traces back to the 1940s, when the Johnston family donated 400 acres of woodland, before Broad Street United Methodist Church transformed it into a retreat and event center in the 1980s. The grounds combine forest, trails, and a lake, giving weddings, retreats, corporate events, and reunions a natural, faith-centered backdrop. Several venues on the property serve different event sizes. Hurt Lodge is built with wood beam construction, stained concrete floors, and a rock fireplace, and can be paired with its outdoor deck for larger gatherings. The Woodland Center, the newest facility at 4,500 square feet, opens onto a back deck facing the field and sunset, making it suited to large weddings and receptions. Lakeside, set at Hurt Lake, hosts ceremonies and photos against the water, with paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, and swimming available nearby. Catering is handled in-house by chef Ceasar Thomas, with outside caterers also permitted, and the venue does not allow alcohol on the property. Guests can also make use of hiking and biking trails, fire pits, and lodge-style accommodations that sleep up to 100 people.