Compiled by B&R staff
Demolition has begun on one of Nashville First Baptist Church’s buildings, located at Sixth and Broadway in Nashville. The church’s historic buildings at Seventh and Broadway will remain intact. — Photo by Laurie Hall
NASHVILLE —In anticipation of its 200th anniversary, Nashville First Baptist Church is embarking on a major construction project this month.
While the church’s historic buildings at Seventh and Broadway will remain intact, demolition of the structure at Sixth and Broadway has begun, providing space for a $34 million project.
“As we celebrate our 200th year of serving the spiritual and physical needs of Nashville, we are excited to provide a new and inviting space to broaden our ministries for the next 100 years, said Frank Lewis, senior pastor. “An affirmative congregational vote (in February) underscored our commitment to downtown. We love being one of Nashville’s downtown congregations.”
Plans for the new 80,000-square-foot facility include a coffee shop open to Broadway, event space (home to one of the congregation’s worship services — The Fellowship on Broadway), fellowship space with a kitchen, a counseling center, room for support and recovery groups, an outdoor chapel overlooking Broadway, a new music suite with rehearsal space and expanded children and student ministry space.
Lewis noted that the outdoor chapel can be used for weddings, sunrise services, and outreach events that will be alternatives to rooftop gatherings on lower Broadway.
“The building will also feature a coffee shop that is open to the public on the busiest corner in Nashville,” he added.
The goal of the massive expansion project is to “provide for the worship needs of our growing city,” Lewis said.
The planned construction also will include renovations of the current sanctuary and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2021.
“Every square inch of the building is missional,” Lewis stressed. B&R
