200th Anniversary | Nashville First

Building on our past, looking towards the future

Nashville First Baptist Church has been a caring community of faith with a heart for the people who live, work, and enjoy downtown for 200 years. We connect people to Christ, His church, and to one another for the sake of the gospel. Our bicentennial events have been put on hold for now. We hope to celebrate our anniversary when we regather. Join us as we celebrate God’s work through us by looking at some of our history articles.

Our History

The Overcoming Church: Starting Over with Only Five Members

On July 22,1820, our church was founded as the Baptist Church of Nashville. The church had thrived under its first pastor, Reverend Richard Dabbs, a seasoned church planter from Virginia. The Baptist Church of Nashville had grown and prospered to the extent that it was able to build a handsome church building where the present-day Nashville Public Library now faces the state capitol. Read full article.

The Overcoming Church: Taken and Reoccupied

The congregation of the First Baptist Church of Nashville had just gathered for worship on Sunday morning, February 11, 1862, when the news came that, after a bloody four-day battle, Confederate Fort Donelson had fallen to the Union Army. Situated on the Cumberland River twenty-five miles west of Clarksville, the fort was the last bastion of defense keeping the Federals away from Confederate Nashville. The rumor was that Union Army General Buell planned to set up batteries of cannon across the river in Edgefield to bombard our capitol city into submission. Read full article.

The Overcoming Church: Rebuilt and Preserved, Lost and Found

The third building of the First Baptist Church of Nashville, dedicated in 1886 at Seventh and Broad, had become inadequate to hold the congregation that had grown so much under the 34-year leadership of Pastor W. F. Powell. When H. Franklin Paschall arrived to be pastor in 1956, he was told by the leadership that the church should erect a new and enlarged sanctuary. As the church approached such a bold change, the dilemma was faced: shall we expand the old or replace it? Read full article.

Mission Emphasis

The Joseph School from January - March

Our church is committed to purchasing 200 uniforms and Bibles for The Joseph School. Offering envelopes will be available in church pews from January to March. Checks should be made payable to Nashville First, with “The Joseph School” in the memo line.

The Hope Clinic - April-June

Established in 1983, Hope Clinic for Women is a faith-based safe and confidential place equipping women, men and families dealing with: unplanned pregnancies. Our church is committed to filling 200 Baby Bottles with change for the Hope Clinic. More information on how to start your bottle collection coming soon. Church members can also write a check made payable to Nashville First, with “Hope Clinic” in the memo line.

Second Harvest - July-Sept.

Second Harvest’s mission is to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in our community. Our church is committed to sending volunteers as well as making donations to Second Harvest’s Backpack Ministry. Our goal is to donate enough to fill 200 backpacks.

Nashville Rescue Mission - October - December

Coat drive. We will be collecting coats to donate to Nashville Rescue Mission. Members can bring in coats, or donate money for coats by writing a check to Nashville First and putting “Nashville Rescue Mission” in the memo line.