Edgefield Baptist Church and Warner School

Across Russell Street are two major East Nashville landmarks—Edgefield Baptist Church and Warner School. To your left, you will see Edgefield Baptist Church with its iconic spire and red brick. The congregation first organized on April 14, 1867—just two years after the Civil War. In 1869, church trustees including Ezekiel Truett, George Payne, George Strode, and William Nelson purchased land on Fatherland Street for $2,900, and the first permanent sanctuary was completed in 1873. Over the next thirty years, continued growth led church leaders to purchase a larger parcel of land here on Russell Street. The Fatherland property was sold to Seventh Day Adventists, and for more than a year, the two congregations worshipped in the same building during the construction of the new Edgefield Baptist. In June 1907, the beautiful church you see here opened its doors to the public. Fun fact: The church was spared total destruction from the 1916 fire thanks to a bucket brigade led by Deacon E.T. Holman and a fire captain.

The building was designed by Wheeler, Runge, and Dickey in the Gothic style, and it features stained glass windows, pointed arches, and towers on each corner. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. More recently, Edgefield Baptist Church became Edgefield Church after a merger with Trinity Church in 2021. This 120+ year-old building stands as a living testament to the dynamism of East Nashville—which honors both history and progress. 

On the other side of South 7th Street is Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School. Named after James C. Warner, a member of the Edgefield Board of Education, the school opened in 1892 and replaced Main Street School. Originally, the school served grades 1-8, until the building was destroyed in the fire of 1916. The Warner School reopened in a new $150,000 structure in 1918, but was struck with tragedy again in 1941, when another fire destroyed the roof and the top floor. The school was repaired, and an addition to the school in 1949 added a west wing with nine additional classrooms and a cafeteria. The Warner School became an arts magnet school in 2018, with a student population of approximately 300 students. The school represents the resilience and pride of East Nashville and provides an “arts-enriched learning environment” for children in pre-K, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 4. 

Turn RIGHT  and follow the sidewalk in front of the school to the continuation of Russell St. Cross South 6th St. to view your next stop, Tulip Street Methodist Church.