Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-28
OUR CHURCHES.
NO. VII.
EdgsfIeId r,anaist C,,nre,,

EdgsfeId Baptist Church.
1t was for many years the desire of Rev.
r. r. G. Howell, ID. d., pastor of the First
Baptist church, Nashville, to see a cmuchof
his denominationin Edgeheld. Upon inquiry
it was ascertained that there were thirty
one Baptist communicates in the town who
entertained the same desire, and according
to previous arrangement these met in
''Stubb's Hail. on Sunday, April IA, 1867,
for the purpose of organizing a church.
A Presbytery consisting of Rev. Geo. w.
Harris, of UpperviIle, Va, and Rev. w. G.
Johnson, OF FL Dorado, Ark, by request
constituted these thirty-one persons into a
regular Baptist church, Rev. Mr.. Harris be-
ing chosen Moderator, and Mr.. w. S. Gray,
Clerk. The Declaration of Faith and
Church Covenant were read and rnani-
mously adopted. The usual constituting
ceremonies were performed, participated in
by each of the Presbyters; K. Tiuett, G.
W. Payne, and L. II. Hill, Deacons; w. S.
Gray, Clerk; K. G. Roberts, Treasurer. It
was not long until Rev. Mr.. Harris was
called to wider field of labor, and thus
the young church was left without pastor,
and was dependent on travelling ministers
and others for an occasional sermon.
Rev. Eugene Strobe, then of Macon,
Miss, was called to, and accepted the pas
torate Nov. 1, 1868. During his ministry
which continued until June ). 1870, the
Church purchased an eligible lot for a
church-house and parsonage, on the corner
OF Fatherland and Tulip streets.
From the 9Th of June, 1870, the Church
was for second time without a pastor.
Oh, Il L.
as was also the Wednesday night
prayer meetings, with only an occasional
sermon. But through all these days of
darkness few devOut ladies of the Church
kept their 'Aid Society in constant opera
ton. These struggled nobly, shopping
against hope" and persevering in their good
work. The Church held its Sunday School
and other meetings at various places, just
wherever they might secure a hall or room
of sufficient dimensions. \ few earnest
men and noble women bore these burdens
with unfaltering faith,realiZing that a ''bet-
ter day. was coming. But the member
ship declined in numbers, and debt for
current expenses, rents, etc, had accTlmu-
lated. Some thought that TO struggle
longer was folly, while others said that to
give up was cowardice. Thus. with alter
mating hopes and fears, this little band,
reduced to twenty-five in number, contin-
ued the struggle until Rev. w. A. Nelson,
then of ShelbyyiIle, Tenn, was called to
and accepted the pastorate Aug. l, 1871.
From that date, the course of this church
has been onward and upward. The Sun
day school began at once to grow, and the
membership of the church to increase both
in numbers aud zeal and the members now
felt that the Masonic Library Hall which
they occupied, would very soon be too
small, and hence the necessity of church
house. At this iunctJre, Deacon Z. Truett,
having witnessed the fulfilment Of his
earnest desires and prayers in the ministry
of Mr.. Nelson and being admonished by
his failing health that he lad not long to
live, began the erection of 4 parsonage on
part Of the church lot, under his own per-
SOnal supervision, and almost entirely with
his own means. Mr.. Truett lived TO see
the parsonage completed and his pastor
comfortably settled in his new home and
then was called to that house not made
with hands,
The excavation for the foundation of
their new church began in August, 1872.
and soon house was erected "A 4 10 feet
in the clear, exclusive of entrance ve5ti-
bules. The basement was fitted up with
very little delay ready for occupation.
This contains three rooms. The lecture
room, which is high, light and airy, is 40 Z
81 feet, and is used at present for an audi
ence room. Adjoining this are the infant
class room, and the pastors study. each
connections and handsome.
The building itselfpleases every beholder
1
portions. Although not large, no hand
SOmer church building exists in the State.
At either front corner is tower, and sur
mounting one Of these is we'll proper
toned steeple. In the centre is an orna-
mented porch or Yestible: thus furnishing
three grand front entrances. The masonry
and brick work was done by O. $ and J.
i. Lesueur, the woodwork by Patton x
Mclnturtf, the galvanized iron and tin work
10y Phillips, ButtOrff q Co., the stating by
Mcclure, Buck X Co.. tn plaStering by q.
III. Lesueur, thG painting by Barthell X
Joseph, trescoing by William Hearn. The
building committee Is composed Of II.
w. ButtOrlf, John f. Lesueur and
j. b. Patton. All the plans we're
executed i1, ana the work was
carried Ola under tie supervision of f. S.
Ship, the architect Mr.. ButOrff did much
by bis personal attention to make every-
,hing a success. The audience-rOom, with
three easy entrances from the street, when
completed, will have seating capacity for
five hundred persons. The entire qQct u
the building viii b. agFr Sih,GG3. Hence,
Rhan added to the cost Of the lot, $500,
and the parsonage 1900, gives this church
realty OF over $4,000. The membership
of the church at nr.sn''+ 80" I,,,,,., ,,,,+,
"a '--E IN, ID, SHOWS nett
increase in two years, under the present
paStorate, of 81. The following arc the
oihcers, Rev. ". \. Nelson, pastor; G. W.
q. Payne, +. II. Hill, L. 4. Truett, John
L. Lesueur, 4. w. Weber, II. w. ButOrlf
and J. b. Patton, deacons. The Sunday
school numbers IA, and has twelve teach
ers. Ofiicers-Rev. w. A. Nelson, Super
intendent; II. W. Butorff Assistant Super
intendent; c. b. Means. Secretary; VIM.
Hearn, Assistant Secretary; E. II. Hill,
Treasurer and Librarian; w. c. Hudnall,
Assistant Librarian; w. B. Pollock, Di-
rector of Music; Miss Laura White presides
at the organ.