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Image 1 of 1: The congregation of First Baptist Church East Nashville was founded in 1866 by Rev. Randall B. Vandavall, a former slave. Construction on the current church lasted from 1928-1931, concluding with Rev. W.S. Ellington as the pastor. The structure itself was designed in the Classical Revival style, with Art Deco windows portraying prominent church leaders and three murals of natural scenes by local African American artist, Frances Euphemia Thompson. The church was an active force in the Civil Rights movement, organizing events, hosting speakers, and proposing legislation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
The congregation of First Baptist Church East Nashville was founded in 1866 by Rev. Randall B. Vandavall, a former slave. Construction on the current church lasted from 1928-1931, concluding with Rev. W.S. Ellington as the pastor. The structure itself was designed in the Classical Revival style, with Art Deco windows portraying prominent church leaders and three murals of natural scenes by local African American artist, Frances Euphemia Thompson. The church was an active force in the Civil Rights movement, organizing events, hosting speakers, and proposing legislation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

The congregation of First Baptist Church East Nashville was founded in 1866 by Rev. Randall B. Vandavall, a former slave. Construction on the current church lasted from 1928-1931, concluding with Rev. W.S. Ellington as the pastor. The structure itself was designed in the Classical Revival style, with Art Deco windows portraying prominent church leaders and three murals of natural scenes by local African American artist, Frances Euphemia Thompson. The church was an active force in the Civil Rights movement, organizing events, hosting speakers, and proposing legislation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

First Baptist Church East Nashville

36.174061, -86.762741

Description

The congregation of First Baptist Church East Nashville was founded in 1866 by Rev. Randall B. Vandavall, a former slave. Construction on the current church lasted from 1928-1931, concluding with Rev. W.S. Ellington as the pastor. The structure itself was designed in the Classical Revival style, with Art Deco windows portraying prominent church leaders and three murals of natural scenes by local African American artist, Frances Euphemia Thompson. The church was an active force in the Civil Rights movement, organizing events, hosting speakers, and proposing legislation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

Title First Baptist Church East Nashville
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Joe Paquette, Georgetown University; 2020
Date 1866; 1928; 1931
Address 601 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Type Building
Coverage Area 5
Source R.H. Tabor, Sr., donor; David Patton, donor
Contributor Rev. Randall B. Vandavall; Rev. W.S. Ellington; Tabor-Patton Building Club; Frances Euphemia Thompson
Subject African Americans; Architecture; Art; Neighborhoods; Religion; National Register of Historic Places; Civil War and Reconstruction
Keywords Buildings, Churches of Christ, Baptist, First Baptist Church East Nashville
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0