East End In the News

East End UMC sanctuary survives 100 years
Church celebrates centennial on Holly Street with Sunday homecoming service after withstanding fire and tornadoes

By ANGELA PATTERSON, Staff Writer for the Tennessean

There are few 100-year-old buildings in Nashville that haven't been touched by fire, natural disaster or the need to modernize.

But the sanctuary of East End United Methodist Church is one of those buildings; parishioners still worship every Sunday in the building that was left unscathed after a 1916 fire and tornadoes in 1933 and 1998.

Parishioners at East End United Methodist Church still worship in the same sanctuary they did 100 years ago. The pipe organ, donated in part by Andrew Carnegie, is still used during worship.

"In 1907, the world was so different, and to think how much it's changed," church member Jama Bowen said. "But this building right here, not only is it intact, it's thriving. And when you think of all the people that have come through these doors and worshiped here, it's amazing."

East End Methodist Church was established in 1889, but it soon outgrew the first building it constructed at 1100 Fatherland, according to information provided by the church. In 1905, the congregation purchased the land on Holly Street for $2,500 and funded the $14,000 needed to start basic construction. On Oct. 27, 1907, the sanctuary was complete and a capacity crowd attended worship service and laid the cornerstone.

The sanctuary is lined with stained glass windows, which were purchased by members in honor of deceased loved ones. The main window serves as a tribute to the Rev. W.R. Warren, the church's first pastor.

East End United Methodist Church’s sanctuary is filled with stained glass windows. This large window over the church’s entrance is in honor of the church’s first pastor.

The pipe organ, which is still used today, was purchased in 1912 for $2,000. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $1,000, while the congregation provided the other $1,000 by pledging one penny for each year of their age and each inch of their height.

The neighborhood has been through several transitions during the church's tenure, and the makeup of the congregation has changed over time as a result.

"Age-wise, we're a very diverse congregation," Bowen said. "Some have been here for decades. As the demographic of the neighborhood changes, and more young people, both single or with families, move in, it gives it new life."

The church collected 100 Prayers of Thanksgiving and 100 Prayers of Hope as part of their 100 year celebration.

For more information about the chruch, please email: office@eastendumc.org; mail to 1212 Holly Street, Nashville TN, 37206; or by phone at 227-3272.