Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-26
OUR CHURCHES.
First Baptist.


we find we cannot do better than to make
use of very coacise and interesting histo-
~ of the church organization which has
been collsted principally from large man
uscript volume written by DR.. Howell, and
entitled GA Memorial Of the First Baptist
Church of Nashville" We quote: Pre-
vious to 1895 there were very few Baptist
churches in existence in Middle Tennessee,
and none in or near Nashville. Those In
existence we're, in 1871, organized into q
body known as the Nero District Associs-
ton Soon afterwards, able and faithful
ministers arrived, who established more
churches, some of which we're in the neigh
borhood of Nashville.
Early ia 1920, Rev. Jeremiah Vardemsn,
from Northern Kentucky, came TO Nashville
and held protracted meeting, which coz
tinued for several mon hs. On the 22d Of
July, 1920, Rev. Mr.. Vardemau and Rev.
Mr.. Whitsett organized "Fhe Baptist
Church of Nashville" nineteen persons pre-
senting the necessary testimonials of mem
fbershtp as Baptists in fellowship, all beipg
members of Mill Creek Church. On tn
10Th Of August, 1920, the new church was
admitted to membership in the Concord
Association, which, with the Cumberland
Association, had been formed from the re-
mains of the Nero District Association,
a. ID the little church determined to erect
house of worship. Nathan Ewing, Esq, 3
member of the church, gave lot, AID
house of great beauty for that early day,
was very soon built, the present "Christian
Church." of which Rev. P. S. Fall is pastor.
Rev Richard Dab5s, of Virginia, was Sc
lected pastor, and entered upon his duties
in December, 1922. On the 21st of May,
1925, the church lost their beloved pastor,
VINO died after q successful ministry CT
more than thirty years.
Mr.. Fall, who had become q teacher in
the Nashville Female Academy, was chosen
pastor, and entered upon his labors in May,
1926. In the course Of two years, Mr.. Fall
embraced the doctrines of Alexander
Campbell, the majority of the Church unit
ing with him in his change of bel eff. After
long and vain opposition TO the new order
of things, the minority, who adhered t.
Baptist principles, met in the Courthouse
on the 10th of October, 1880, to "assume
the charter and C Institution Of the original
Baptist Church in Nashville, henceforth TO
be known as the First Baptist Church of
Nashville" The original "Constitution,"
with its amendments" and the "Rules of
Decorum," before rescinded by the major
ity, were again adopted and signed. But
there were only five who had sufficient
faith and courage to do so. Msjor Henry
r. Cartmeil, Mrs. Sarah Cartmen, Mrs
Elizabeth Smith, Lipscomb Norvel (Dea-
con) and Mrs. Celia Fairfax. For various
reasons, others held back, but in the next
thr @ or four years, more than fifty came
forward, and enrolled their names.
On July II, 1881, Rev. Peter S. Gayle
was elected the Pastor of the Church in
Nashville, and entered at once upon his
duties. At the end of three years, he re-
moved to the Church in Brownsville, West
Tennessee.
The fourth Pastor was the Rev. r. B. G.
Howell, of North Carolina. he entered
upon the duties of his office, in Nashville,
on the 4th of JAM, 1885. At the same time,
the first No. of "Ihe Baptist" was issued;
q paper which he originated and continued
to edit, monthly, for thirteen years, and
which was then the only Baptist jour al in
the whole Southwest. On the first Lords
day in April, of that year, the Sabbath-school
was reorganized. On the 18th of tire same
month, the Church resolved to build house
of worship. a building committee was
appointed, who accomplished their task, at
a cost of aboGt thirty thousand dollars,
to their brethren the ediffice on
Summer street, which is still occupied By
the Church, and which was then the T est
est and handsomest building of the kind
in the city. The whole number Of members
was one hundred and two white, and fifty |
colored. |
In May, 1888, nine members who had |
adopted anti missionary principles, met in q |
room on the corner of Broad and Cherry |
streets, which they had fitted up for preach |
ing, and declared themselves the First Bap- !
tist Church of Nashville; the majority, ac-
cording to their belief, having departed from |
he faith and practice of the gospel, and
being in heresy and disorder, and therefore |
10 Church of Christ. They were joined by |
about twenty other anti-missionaries, be-
onging to neighboring churches, and MIR.
Washington Lowe was elected their pastor. |
This body still exists, ard is known as the |
Primitive Baptist Church.
In 1S43, about twenty members of the
church in Nashville, who lived in and near
took letters of dismission,
md q Church was organized in the latter
place, DR.. Joseph 81. Eato1, one of the
number, being ordained as minister, and
elected to its pastorship.
In 1874, those members living in South
Nashville, requested letters of dismission,
md a church was established in that part
If the city, selecting Tor its pastor Rev.
Thomas w. Haynes.
When the membership and congregation
If the First Church became too numerous,
{ wa, found impracticable to accommodate
he colOred people and the white in the
anne house, and the Church determined to
,rocure for the colored members a separate
,lsce of worship. Rev. Samuel A. David
on, of Virginia, was appointed their pastor.
They are now an independent ChuIch, IN
Ter the charge of the judicious aud success
al Rev. N. q. Merry, possessing house Of
Worship, and a membership numbering
bout fifteen hundred.
Au Education, Society had been formed in
1856, during the session of the Baptist
,tate Convention in Nashville, which re-
ulted, in the course of nine or ten years,
o the establishment in Murfreesboro, Of
Union University. At q meeting held In
S47, incipient measures were taken, which
Ultimately resulted In the est3blishm mt OF
he Theological Seminary, DOW in success
ul operation in Greenville, South Carolina.
On thu 14Lh of April, 1850, DR.. Howell
reached bis farewell sermon, and in June
# the same year, DR.. Samuel Baker en-
cred upon bis duties as the fifth pastor OF
he church in Nashville. The pastorship
4 DR.. Baker Gfminated at the close Of 1858.
lie was man Of unusual talents and Guilt
alton, and was much beloved.
The sixth pastor was Rev. VIM. I'll. Bay
ess, who was elected October 4, 1854, and
ontinued bis services until August u,
$40. when he resigned. DR.. Howell now