Nashville First Baptist Church

Nashville First Baptist Church was first established in 1820. After two moves, the church relocated here, to the corner of Seventh Avenue and Broadway. This site once housed a Victorian Gothic building designed by Thompson and Matthews, which was completed in 1886. The tower has lancet windows and molded pointed arch entrances. George W. Thompson was one of the most prolific architects of his day. Born in England, he came to the US when he was fifteen. In 1883 he made his way to Nashville, where he was a partner in five different firms before his death in 1910. In 1970, all but the building’s Gothic tower was demolished to make way for the current First Baptist Church complex. The 1880s tower was kept to symbolize the church’s connection between past and present. Edwin Keeble Associates designed the new building, which opened in 1970 and features Goode Davis-designed stained glass windows. The sanctuary combines familiar elements of the congregation’s past such as stained- glass windows and prominent pipe organ ranks. It features performance hall seating arrangement that incorporates modern stage lighting and sound. A three-story education wing, added in 1955, lies on south side or rear of the building.

The church ministered to African Americans prior to the Civil War and, in 1853, ordained Nelson Merry, a former slave who became the city’s first black minister. Nelson later went on to pastor the church’s first African American congregation, the First Colored Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church grew to 2,000 members, becoming the largest African American church congregation in Tennessee.

First Baptist was also a leader in expanding the role and mission of the Baptists as a denomination. Here, in 1891, the Baptist Sunday School Board was organized, as well as the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, formerly the Tennessee Baptist Orphan’s Home. Today the Baptist Sunday School Board is one of the world’s largest publishers of religious materials.

After visiting First Baptist Church, follow Seventh Avenue South to Demonbreun St. At the corner of Seventh Avenue and Demonbreun Street, you will see the Music City Center. Cross Demonbreun Street and turn LEFT to arrive at the entrance.