WHY CHASTAIN?

For several years, Redeemer Church and The Redeemer's School planned to expand their existing Broadmoor campus to support a growing ministry. Following a transformational lead gift in 2017, the organization invested in architectural planning, property acquisition, neighborhood engagement, and city coordination to prepare for a new school, community center, church offices, and outdoor gathering spaces. As construction approached, an unexpected opportunity emerged: the former Chastain Middle School campus became available. Rather than building a new campus just two blocks away, leadership recognized the opportunity to preserve a neighborhood landmark while expanding the vision beyond a school alone.

Through adaptive reuse, Chastain Commons could become a shared destination for Christian education, church outreach, workforce development, arts and culture, recreation, public library partnerships, and other mixed-use spaces that create opportunities for holistic flourishing. The decision to pursue Chastain was not simply about changing locations. It was a decision to invest in an existing community asset, steward resources responsibly, and create a lasting campus that serves students, families, and the broader Jackson community.

Redeemer Church Choosing Broadmoor

When Redeemer Church was established in 2004, our leadership made a long-term commitment to remain in Jackson’s Broadmoor neighborhood rather than relocate, as many institutions had done. Seeing both the challenges and the potential of the community, the church embraced a mission of faithful neighborhood investment rooted in presence, relationships, and service. This commitment became the foundation for ministries focused on education, outreach, and community development. 

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THE REDEEMER’S SCHOOL

From its earliest years, Redeemer Church envisioned creating a Christian school that would provide families in Broadmoor access to an excellent, affordable, gospel centered education. Although the vision existed from the church's founding, limited resources delayed its realization for several years. Through generous philanthropic support and sustained community partnership, The Redeemer's School opened in 2014 with 42 students. Since then, the school has grown steadily while remaining committed to serving children and families in the surrounding neighborhood. 

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Community VIsion

  • "I want this to be a place where all generations feel welcome"

    — Redeemer Community Member

  • "I wish for a bigger playground and field"

    — The Redeemer’s School Student

  • "A coffee shop for students, families, and neighbors"

    — Local Entrepreneur

  • "I want families to stay in the neighborhood because opportunity exists here"

    — Broadmoor Resident

  • "I see this as a place where students can grow into future community leaders"

    — Redeemer Community Member

  • "I want a student lounge and a place to hang out after school"

    — The Redeemer’s School Student

Chastain Commons brings education, creativity, recreation, and economic opportunity together in one connected campus. The vision includes a permanent home for The Redeemer's School, a public facing Creative Hub, new opportunities for local business development through Downtown Broadmoor, and expanded recreation amenities for families and residents. Collectively, these destinations create a neighborhood anchor designed to serve students, entrepreneurs, artists, organizations, and families for generations to come.

Four Destinations. One Campus.

  • The Redeemer’s School provides an academically excellent and diverse Christian education and environment to students in the Broadmoor community and the City of Jackson.

    The northern portion of Chastain Commons will serve as the primary home of The Redeemer’s School, with a clearly defined arrival sequence to support student safety, campus identity, and daily operations. The north entrance will function as the school's primary entryway, while the west entrance will provide secondary access for visitors, staff, and special events. Landscape improvements, signage, and enhanced drop off areas will help create a welcoming and safe environment for students and families.

    Adjacent to the school cafeteria, a new outdoor plaza will extend learning and gathering opportunities beyond the building. Overlooking the recreation park, the plaza is envisioned as a flexible space for outdoor dining, student activities, and community events. Its location creates a strong connection between the educational center of the campus and the surrounding recreational amenities, supporting the relationship between learning, wellness, and community life.

  • The Creative Hub at Chastain Commons is envisioned as a center for creative learning, performance, and cultural programming. Existing classroom spaces will be adapted into art studios that can support workshops, youth programs, local artists, and community based arts education. The campus auditorium, with approximately 900 seats, creates an opportunity to host performing arts partners including ballet, symphony, music, comedy, dance, school performances, and community events. A smaller indoor terraced lecture hall will provide a more intimate setting for presentations, film screenings, artist talks, meetings, and educational programming.

  • Downtown Broadmoor is envisioned as a public facing community and economic development hub within Chastain Commons. Glass storefronts cut into the existing building will help create a more active and welcoming edge, connecting indoor business spaces to an outdoor community plaza designed for events, markets, pop ups, and daily gathering. The incubator aims to attract small businesses such as coffee, food and beverage, a local gym, walk-in health clinic, and other services that provide workforce opportunities and meet daily community needs.

    This effort responds directly to gaps in food access, health access, and local economic opportunity within Broadmoor. As a neighborhood with limited healthy food options and a high concentration of low cost fast food, the project seeks to create space for businesses that support healthier choices and improve quality of life. Small permanent storefronts and pop up retail units will be available for local entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a business, with potential seed funding and support programs through Redeemer. By helping local businesses succeed, Chastain Commons can become a platform for food access, health services, job creation, and neighborhood reinvestment.

  • The long term vision for Chastain Commons includes a recreation park designed to promote health, wellness, and community life for both campus users and the broader Broadmoor neighborhood. A one mile walking path will loop around the full 22-acre campus, connecting a network of amenities including baseball facilities in partnership with Full Count Baseball, soccer and flag football fields within a running track, outdoor basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a community playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and an indoor gymnasium. Terraced seating and performance spaces will provide venues for school activities, athletic events, and community programming.

    The recreation park is envisioned as a shared community asset that strengthens connections between students, families, and neighborhood residents. Outdoor amenities, including the walking trail, playground, fitness stations, and courts, are intended to remain publicly accessible. Athletic fields and the gymnasium will operate through a coordinated scheduling system to accommodate The Redeemer’s School programs, Full Count Baseball, organized leagues, and community use. Together, these amenities will establish the campus as a vibrant destination for recreation, wellness, and gathering for the Broadmoor neighborhood and greater Jackson community.