On Sunday, a historic church in East Nashville was decked in pink flowers, the altar draped in a quilt of many colors, to celebrate Dolly Parton’s life as an artist, philanthropist and Christian.
“Her faith informed everything that she did,” said Pastor Liza Hawkins of Riverside Commons. “She woke up every morning and prayed that God would guide her and lead her, and we as Tennesseans have seen all of the things that God guided her and led her to do.”
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsRiveride Commons church sign quotes Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” after her passing.
Since her passing last week, Nashville’s Dolly Parton murals have been surrounded by flowers, cards and novena candles with the late country singer’s face where Mother Mary’s usually is. Some cards call her “Saint Dolly,” praising her as an example of how to live a Christian life.
At Riverside Commons, the church community honored her life with a special communion service. Hawkins said it’s not a place to worship Parton herself but an outlet for grief over her death and appreciation for her life.
Around the lavabo bowl, churchgoers made clothespin butterflies out of glitter paper.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsCongregants make clothespin butterflies for Dolly Parton at a communion service on August 30, 2026.
Butterflies, one of Parton’s hallmarks, are also a symbol in Christianity, Hawkins said.
“That was a lot of what Dolly loved about (them.) Butterflies are a symbol for resurrection and also a symbol for the Holy Spirit,” Hawkins said.
As part of her readings, Hawkins read from a children’s book’s rendition of Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors.”
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsPastor Liza Hawkins reads Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” picture book to the congregation.
Hawkins ended on a lesson from Parton’s enduring hit “I Will Always Love You.” She cited one of the song’s most famous lyrics alongside the Apostle Paul’s words in the Bible.
“Above all this, I wish you love,” Hawkins said. “These three things remain: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.”
Those lyrics are inscribed on the communion plate. Hawkins received them as an ordination gift from a friend who knew her love for Parton.
When it’s time to take up the collection, Hawkins passes around a pink cowgirl hat as the offering plate.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsA pink cowgirl hat serves as the collection plate for Dolly Communion at Riverside Commons.
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