KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting touched many lives, including in east Tennessee.

On Friday night, a west Knoxville church that experienced it's own killings opened its doors to the local Sikh community and others.

"I mean why people would do something like that in a place of worship, it's everybody's right to worship in peace," said Nina Sawhney, a member of the Sikh community.

"It was very sad very tragic. Especially since it happened in God's place," said Sewaa Singh, a member of the Sikh community.

Singh and many Sikhs, Christians and people of other faiths gathered Friday night at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. They wanted to pray for the victims of the shootings in Wisconsin, and to show support for each other.

"That's amazing how many people care about it, how they care about our religion in this community, we appreciate that," said Singh.

"It's kind of an irony that one individual can cause that level of tragedy, but at the same time there's a community that comes together to start the healing process," said Rupy Sawhney, a member of the Sikh community.

Four years ago, David Adkisson burst through the church's doors and fired off shot after shot, killing two people and wounding several others.

The Sikh community reached out to the church then, and this time, the church was there for them.

"They have been just wonderful. They were the first ones to approach us and we appreciate that," said Singh.

"We've always felt welcome in Tennessee. Tennessee is our home, this is where we belong. This is where our home is and these are our neighbors," said Sawhney.

At the end of the service, many stopped to sign a banner which will be sent to the members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. It contains messages of prayer, hope, and love.