First Lutheran Church

The First Lutheran Church is the oldest Lutheran congregation in Nashville. During the 1830s and 1840s, political and economic unrest in Europe brought large numbers of Germans to the United States. Germany was the birthplace of Lutheranism, which dates back to 1517 and Martin Luther—and so German immigration sparked an increase of Lutheran churches, including here in Nashville. First Lutheran Church was constructed in response to the growth of the German community as well as the city as a whole. Prior to its construction, most German Lutherans attended English-speaking churches and were unable to understand the mass. Fortunately, in 1859, their request for a new church was answered. At a meeting of the General Synod in Pittsburgh, Reverend William Jenkins from Shelbyville, Tennessee persuaded Reverend Herman Eggers to come to Nashville to organize a church. At the end of 1859, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church was established, though without a building they held services in the city courthouse.

German immigrants in Nashville found success in the grocery, brewery and distilling industries, as well as the skilled trades such as carpentry. They largely built and ultimately settled in an area that is known today as—you guessed—Germantown in North Nashville. The community remained rather exclusive through the 1840s and 1850s, retaining the language and customs of their home in their newspapers, social clubs, and churches. In fact, services at the Evangelical Lutheran Church were held exclusively in German until 1878.

After the Civil War Pastor Eggers led a campaign to build a church, which came to fruition in February 1867. That structure, on Second Avenue, served the church until 1885 when they moved to Fifth Avenue into a building that was previously used by First Baptist Church. Ironically, it was German immigrant, Adolphus Heiman who had designed the Baptist Church in the 1840s. He was also the architect of St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows. 

The Neo-Gothic church you see now was not constructed until 1951, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. I. W. Gernert and designed by the Nashville architectural firm of Marr and Holman. However, there are many elements that came from their former building on Fifth Avenue. Six of the twelve stained glass windows that depict the life of Jesus were transported from the former site, as were the pulpit and the lectern. In 1955, they added the Sudekum Memorial Chapel, which seats one hundred people. First Lutheran Church still maintains an active congregation with weekly services and community programs.

Continue on Eighth Avenue South away from Broadway. When you reach McGavock Street, take a LEFT. Do not cross McGavock. Continue one block until you reach Seventh Avenue South. Cross Seventh Avenue and then take a LEFT to walk up that block. First Baptist Nashville is on your right.