Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-05
OUR CHURCHES.
The Central RantEsf.


The following sketch of the Central Bap-
tist Church has been furnished us by one
who is perfectly familiar with its history:
The Central Baptist Church had its orig
in in the Baptist Church of Nashville, -
constituted July p, 1920, Rev. jeremiah
Vardeman and Rev. James Whitsitt, CON-
prising the Presbytery. The new church
numbered nineteen persons, two of whom,
viz: Mrs. Lucinda Garner and DR.. Samuel
d. Whitsitt, are still living. On the day
of the organization John .. Ewing was
elected the clerk. The church became a
member of Concord Association Aug. 6, en-
suing, beingrepreSented by Robt. G. Foster
and DIR. Sam. ID. Whitsitt, and on the 25th
of the same month, Nathan Ewing and
Robt. C.. Foster were chosen DeacOns. The
first communion service was observed Aug.
27, 1920, Rev. Jer. Vardeman and Rev.
James Whitsitt being the administrators,
assisted by Deacons Richard Drury and
Nathan Stancil. In 1922, the congrega-
tion erected a commodious church ed
ifice, fronting on Church street,
which is still occupied as a place
of public worship. The first pastor was
Rev. Richard Dabbs, from the MossingfOrd
Church, Halifax county, Virginia, who
was installed Dec. %, 1922, Rev. Garner
McCOnnicO. being the preacher of the in
stailation sermon. Mr.. Dabbs ministered
to the church until his decease May q,
1925. He was succeeded by Rev. Philip s.
Fall, who was chosen to the position May
26, 1926. At this time the church had in
creased to about
ONE HUNDRED AND SISTY MEMBERS.
On the day that NJ. Fall, was requested to
take the oversight Of the congregation he
intimated his doubts whether any church
OF Jesus Christ worshiped the head thereof
acceptably, that did not observe ga erery
frSt ddy the ordinances that were neeeSsa-
~ 70 that worship. And he stated his
conviction that ''the breaking Of bread, "
was one of these. This was the beginning
of a series of examinations that resulted in
the changes that took place in the organi
zation and order of the congregation during
the year 1927. And ON the 24th of May
1928, the congregation, .'resolved that all
former rules, decisions aud regulations re-
lating to the government practice, worship
or ordinances of the church, including the
constitution and rules of decOrum be con-
sidered null and void" On the 10th of
October, 1890, FIVE persons who had become
dissatisfied with the resembling proceedings
of the 24th of May, 1928, at meeting in
courthouse. re-OTganized under the original
constitution. These were Maj. Henry r.
Cartmell, Lipsconb, NOrveli, Mrs. Sarah
Cartmell, Mrs. Elizabeth Link, and Mrs.
Celia Fairfax.
Concord Association at once recognized
the revived organization as the original
Nashville Baptist Church" which about
thirteen years afterwards began to be called
the First Baptist Church" and was so in
corpofated By the Legislature, March 2,
1858. The religious services of the congTe-
gation were generally held IN the Court
house, occasionally, however in the
CORPORATION SCHOOL HOUSE"
northeast corner of South High street and
Cumberland alley.
Feb. 5, 1882, Rev. Peter 5. Gayle, entered
upon the pastOrate of the church, which re-
lation continued until the close Of 1884.
In the term of Mr.. Gayle's pastorate, the
church secured Masonic Hall as place of
worship, until the removal Of the congrega-
tiOn into its own new editice on North
Summer street, erected in 1887.
T-~r, fh- date Of the reorganization Of
the church. Oct. 10, 1880, to the commence
men. of Mr.. Gayle's pastorate, Feb; ?, IeyZ,
forty members bad been added 10 tns
oriGinaI- fva From Feb. 3, 1872, 70 tne