1869-1873. West End began as a mission of McKendree Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1869. Called West Nashville Mission,the congregation of 20 met in government barracks left over from the Civil War. The name became West End Mission in 1871 and the word "mission" was dropped in 1873, signifying independence from McKendree.

1875. West End's first full-time minister was Fountain E. Pitts, appointed by Bishop Holland McTyeire. By 1875, the congregation numbered 68 and moved out of the barracks into their own church. It was a simple frame structure located on the northeast corner of Broad and Belmont (now 16th Avenue). These were also the beginning years of Vanderbilt University, which opened under Methodist auspices in 1875.