East End United Methodist Church Celebrates 100 Years on Holly Street with Homecoming Sept. 30

East End UMC's men's Sunday school class seated on the front steps of the sanctuary in the early years.

On a fall afternoon in 1907, the members of East End United Methodist Church, 1212 Holly Street, gathered on the front lawn to dedicate the completion of the brand new sanctuary. It was a bustling time in Nashville and in the nation, then comprising 45 states. Teddy Roosevelt was president, electric trolleys were Nashville’s mode of public transportation, and magician Harry Houdini was all the rage. On Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, the East End congregation will celebrate the sanctuary’s 100th anniversary with a homecoming event featuring special music, speakers from several generations of East Enders, and a luncheon.

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

For 100 years, generations have lovingly cared for the sanctuary, striving to honor its purpose as a house of worship and maintain its historic and architectural integrity. The building combines a Victorian style Romanesque Revival exterior with a Colonial Revival interior. The tower design is taken directly from medieval fortification, including the tower’s arrow slits.

The main stained glass window at the north end of the sanctuary pictures Christ as the Good Shepherd. The window has been attributed by some to the Tiffany Studios. The sanctuary’s pipe organ was purchased in 1912, with philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donating one-half of the needed funds. The unique pipe organ is still used today in all of East End’s services.

East End UMC's pipe organ shortly after it was installed in 1912. It is still used today in East End's services

Over the last century the church campus has grown to include the construction of Sunday school classrooms and playground (1921), parsonage (1923), annex and park (1946), and an additional wing (1950s).

The church buildings remained virtually untouched by three major disasters which struck the neighborhood over the last century. In 1916, more than 700 homes were destroyed or damaged by a fire which left 3,000 neighbors homeless. Then in 1933, a tornado ripped through the neighborhood killing 37 persons and causing mass destruction. East End Methodist welcomed Eastland Christian Church to hold services in the sanctuary until Eastland’s own tornado damage could be repaired. Sixty-five years later in 1998, another tornado followed a nearly identical path through East Nashville. The only physical change to the main building occurred when the huge wooden doors of the sanctuary were pulled open by the tornado, despite being dead-bolt locked. East End once again shared the sanctuary with another congregation, the Power of Deliverance, whose own church building was destroyed. Through all three of these disasters, East End United Methodist Church played a pivotal role in providing aide and assistance to thousands of victims.

To further commemorate the sanctuary’s first 100 years, the church is collecting 100 Prayers of Thanksgiving and 100 Prayers of Hope. Prayers may be sent by email to office@eastendumc.org; mail to 1212 Holly Street, Nashville TN, 37206; or phone 615-227-3272.

Antioch Church Holds Twentieth Fall Fair

Twenty years ago, the members of the Antioch United Methodist Church were looking for a way to raise a few dollars and reach out to their neighborhood. They came upon the idea of hosting a small "Fall Fair," inviting their neighbors to gather for some shopping and a great meal.

Twenty years later, the members of the church shake their heads at what this event has become. What started out with humble beginnings has become an important community event, bringing almost a thousand people to the church on the first Saturday in October. It has expanded to include a flea market, a farmer's market, a bake sale, both silent and regular auctions of items from all over, a breakfast and barbecue lunch, and a children's carnival area.

The church has had to include parking attendants to help with the traffic, and church members have to park down the street and ride a shuttle bus to leave parking spaces for the guests. "It's really hard to imagine the scope of what we do on that day," said Jay Voorhees, pastor of the congregation. "You really have to experience it first hand."

Voorhees shared that the church sees this as a service to the people of Antioch and South Nashville. "We don't have enough opportunities to gather as a community in South Nashville. We hope that our Fall Fair can be one of those times where neighbors from throughout the Antioch area and beyond gather for fun and fellowship."

However, the reach of this event goes beyond a single day and a single congregation. The Antioch congregation designates almost half of the proceeds of the event to be awarded to service projects and organizations outside of the church. These funds have been used to prepare biscuits for local hunger agencies, build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and support local work with the homeless and needy of Nashville and beyond.

This year will feature a new dress up area for the children. Kids will be able to dress up in costume, get made up, and have pictures taken of them in a variety of outfits. The Antioch United Methodist Church Fall Fair 2007 will be held on Saturday, October 6, from 8:00 a.m. until 2 p.m. More information about the event can be obtained by calling the church office at 832-6248 or e-mail at office@antiochumc.net. The Antioch United Methodist Church is located at 41 Tusculum Rd., near Blue Hole Rd. in Antioch.

Palestine United Methodist Church – 150th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, September 9, 2007, 11:00 a.m.

In 1857 a group of settlers lived near and around Carrs Creek, on the south side of Springfield, TN. The families were meeting in the homes for Worship on Sundays and found a need to find a place for the community to have a place to Worship. Land was given to a group of men who became the trustees for what was then known as Palestine Methodist Episcopal Church South. On this land was a log structure, which was used for a place to Worship and a school house for the community.

In 1895 a new church was built by the members of the church. The trees that stood on the land were cut and sawed into lumber and the members of the church took on the task of building the church. Though the name has changed to Palestine United Methodist Church, this same building is still used for a place of Worship by the current members today.

On Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. we will gather for Homecoming to celebrate our 150th anniversary of the church. Rev. Delwyn Fryer will be our guest speaker for the church service. Rev. Fryer is a former member of Palestine and is now Pastor of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. His brother, Rev. Jeff Fryer, is now a retired United Methodist pastor. They have both shared stories of their grandfather, Samuel Q. Fryer, a local pastor, and how he preached many a sermon under the old shed that once stood on the church property.

Lunch will be served following the 11AM worship service.

The afternoon will be filled with gospel singing featuring James Marshall, The Mellatones, Jerry and Betty Boyte, Tim and Pam Harris, 4 Praise, Homer Felts and Family, Rick Wilson and Friends and others.

A traditional love offering will be taken this day for the maintenance of the cemetery.

A book of the history of Palestine United Methodist Church, plus a pencil sketch of the church by Leslie Alley will be available for purchase.
Pastor Diane Coppock and current members of Palestine cordially invite all families and friends, past and present to come and celebrate with us on this very special day. The church is located at 2715 Old Hwy. 431, Springfield, TN

Greenville United Methodist Church Annual BBQ-Picnic-Auction Saturday, September 15, 2007

For over 100 years people have come from near and far to experience what may well be the best lip licking barbecue pork/chicken in the Middle Tennessee area. This year will be no exception. A feast of flavors await those who will be dining on hickory smoked pork barbecue, barbecue chicken, fixins, homemade desserts, and drinks that will surely take all hunger pangs sway, and leave you with great memories.

This whole day of activities begin at 8 AM with one of the largest yard sales in the area. At 11 AM everyone's favorite, "The Country Store," opens for business with treasures and goodies for everyone. Also, at 11 AM hickory smoked barbecue by the pound ($7) and Brown Bag Lunch specials will begin. At 1 PM all the fun outside activities begin with inflatable jumps, rides, games, sweet shop, cake walk, and special booths, all designed for every age to have fun.

Auction items, "LIKE YOU CANNOT IMAGINE OR BELIEVE," will be going on. Silent auction items will be from 11 AM - 5:30 PM. The special LIVE Auction will begin at 7:PM. Come early and browse the items and scope out your treasures. The auction always brings in many different items from small to gigantic. You will surely be able to pick up a few and be glad you came

The famous Greenville Barbecue Dinner will be from 4-6:30 PM with air conditioned seating, as well as outdoors. This meal is guaranteed to make your eyes light up and your tummy say "HOWDY!" Prices are $7 for adults and $4 for children. Take out plates will be available from 4-6 PM.

We invite you to come out for the day and experience hospitality, fun, and the best food around. For more information, please call Mark Bowers @ 615-513-3766