The Early Days of Tennessee Methodism

1785-1860.The period when Tennessee was first developed is a fascinating chapter in both the history of Tennessee and of the Methodist participation in that history. More on this will be forthcoming. Please come back again.

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The Wesley Era in Methodist History

The United Methodist Church shares a common history and heritage with other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies. The lives and ministries of John Wesley (17031791) and of his brother, Charles (17071788), mark the origin of their common roots. Both John and Charles were Church of England missionaries to the colony of Georgia, arriving in March 1736. It was their only occasion to visit America. Their mission was far from an unqualified success, and both returned to England disillusioned and discouraged, Charles in December 1736, and John in February 1738.

Both of the Wesley brothers had transforming religious experiences in May 1738. In the years following, the Wesleys succeeded in leading a lively renewal movement in the Church of England. As the Methodist movement grew, it became apparent that their ministry would spread to the American colonies as some Methodists made the exhausting and hazardous Atlantic voyage to the New World. (From http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=522.)

For the rest of the story click on Methodist History. A new window on the early history of Methodism will open. Just close that window when you are finished.

Methodism in the United States

The American Revolution had a profound impact on Methodism. John Wesleys Toryism and his writings against the revolutionary cause did not enhance the image of Methodism among many who supported independence. Furthermore, a number of Methodist preachers refused to bear arms to aid the patriots.

When independence from England had been won, Wesley recognized that changes were necessary in American Methodism. He sent Thomas Coke to America to superintend the work with Asbury. Coke brought with him a prayer book titled The Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America, prepared by Wesley and incorporating his revision of the Church of Englands Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. Two other preachers, Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, whom Wesley had ordained, accompanied Coke. Wesleys ordinations set a precedent that ultimately permitted Methodists in America to become an independent church.

In December 1784, the famous Christmas Conference of preachers was held in Baltimore at Lovely Lane Chapel to chart the future course of the movement in America. Most of the American preachers attended, probably including two African Americans, Harry Hosier and Richard Allen. It was at this gathering that the movement became organized as The Methodist Episcopal Church in America. From http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=523.

For the rest of the story click on Methodist History. A new window on the early history of Methodism will open. Just close that window when you are finished.

1869-1890

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.

1869-1890

1890-1918. A decade after the first church building was placed in service the congregation built its second church building, a towering brick edifice that would stand forty years at Sixteenth and Broad. It was dedicated in 1890. George Stoves was appointed to West End in 1918, near the end of WWI. During his pastorate the membership passed 2,000 and the location facing Vanderbilt campus was chosen as the location for the existing church building.

1929-1948

1929. The Education Building was first occupied on Sunday, October 27, 1929. The plan was to proceed immediately to erect the sanctuary, but two days later the collapse of the stock market began the Great Depression. The congregation worshipped in Vanderbilt facilities "temporarily" for ten years while struggling to raise funds.

1937-1944. In 1937 ground was broken for the sanctuary and on Palm Sunday, March 10, 1940, the church worshipped in its own house once again. Dr. Costen J. Harrell was pastor at the time and was elected Bishop in 1944.

1940-1948. When the West End congregation first worshipped in the newly-completed sanctuary in March, 1940, not all of the stained glass windows were yet installed. Through the next eight years, the rest of the windows were commissioned, installed, and dedicated as they were funded and completed. The entire sanctuary was dedicated in 1948 when the debt had been completely paid.

The stained glass windows of the West End Sanctuary are a distinctive and important part of the worship space. The art windows are the work of the D'Ascenzo Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, distinguished glass artists under the direction of Nicola D'Ascenzo (1871-1954) whose work is in a number of churches and other buildings throughout the United States, including Riverside Church in New York City, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., The Folger Shakespeare Library in New York, and buildings at Yale and Princeton Universities. A window he designed for the RCA headquarters is now in the Smithsonian Institution.

1948-1980

1948-1960. The building was dedicated, debt free, in 1948, the memorial cloister was built in 1950 and the first pipe organ was installed in 1952. Dr. James W. Henley was pastor for sixteen years, ending when he was elected Bishop in 1960.

1965-1980. Toward the end of West End's first century, the church took a long, pondering look at itself -- at the characteristics of its membership, and the changes in its community, at the variety and extent of its opportunities. This self-analysis led to the decision in 1965 to remodel and expand the educational, social and recreational facilities. Roy C. Clark was senior minister during the time of this five story addition being built. In 1980, he became West End's third pastor to be elected Bishop.

1980-Present

1980-1999. The 1980s and 1990s were decades of renovation. The parking lot was paved, lighted and landscaped. The porte cochere entrance with ramp and automatic doors made the building accessible to people in wheelchairs. The chapel underwent extensive renovation. The cloister garden was redesigned to incorporate the columbarium. The Bowen Library was expanded and the Reed Hall reception area was created.

2000-02. Affirming our ministry with children, West End dedicated its new Play Gardens. An eight-month strategic planning process known as ReVision was completed, identifying these five crucial focus areas: Spiritual Growth, Neighborhood Outreach, Lay Participation, Youth Ministry and Hospitality and Inclusiveness. A Master Plan was proposed for our building and property to address both infrastructure challenges and ministry needs.

2003-04. We engaged in an evaluation of our progress in fulfilling the goals of ReVision and determined that although significant progress had been made in these important ministry areas, we still needed to do the critical work of discerning our identity and vision as a congregation. In early 2004, an in-depth congregational assessment with nationally known consultant Tom Bandy supported that decision.

2004-2005. Ruach and Renewal, the extensive visioning process which West End has undertaken, has provided many opportunities for meaningful conversation around our identity, beliefs and values as members of Christs body at West End UMC. During he fall and winter of 2005 we entered a phase of listening for Gods voice through STREAMS OF LISTENING and then through a Vision Casting Groups.

2006. A Vision Convocation made up of 40 West End laity and staff entered into three Saturdays of worshipful work, practicing communal discernment, seeking Gods transforming vision for our congregation's future. The vision was received with much joy and expressed this way: God is calling us to be and become The Loving Light of Christ: Connecting, Transforming!