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A resolution honoring the 160th anniversary of First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill of Nashville.
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WHEREAS, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill is Tennessee’s first Black congregation and the state’s oldest historically Black church; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill originated from the First Baptist Church, Nashville, which in 1834 first allowed black members both enslaved and free to attend and hold monthly prayer meetings. The Black congregation were first permitted to hold separate church services in 1848; and
WHEREAS, in 1865, the Black congregation of First Baptist Church successfully petitioned for its independence. The church was formed, then known as the First Colored Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, at the Tennessee State Colored Men’s Convention in October 1865, the church’s founding pastor and delegate Nelson G. Merry called for full citizenship and suffrage as a part of reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, in their early years the church grew quickly, having up to 2,800 members less than twenty years after its founding. After the death of its pastor, Rev. Nelson G. Merry, due to internal disputes the congregation split into multiple churches; however, the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill remained; and
WHEREAS, in March 1951, the congregation’s longest serving pastor, Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, Sr., began his ministry at the church. During his tenure as senior pastor, Rev. Smith became president of the local chapter of the NAACP and founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Council, a local chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, Sr., First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill became a home for Nashville’s Civil Rights Movement. The church supported the campaign to desegregate Nashville public schools, hosted non-violent action training for the Nashville sit-in movement, and helped to finance the Freedom Rides in 1961. The church hosted Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., for many visits during this time; and
WHEREAS, during the civil rights movement, the church became one of few integrated churches in the South when several white congregants joined the church. At this time, the church amended its charter and adopted its current name First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill; and
WHEREAS, in May of 1977, First Baptist chartered First Baptist Capitol Hill Homes, Inc., providing housing for the elderly; and
WHEREAS, during the 1970s the church first began to the church began to ordain women as ministers and shortly after as deacons; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church recently has hosted it’s first expungement clinic, serving more than 500 people in the pursuit of clearing their record and the church ahs established a food pantry to address food insecurity in Nashville; and
WHEREAS, today the church is led by Rev. Dr. Shane B. Scott and remains a home for all. The church developed a global connection through mission trips to Osiligi Baptist Church in Tanzania, and opened their doors to a Burmese congregation to host service at the church on Sundays, all while maintaining a devout congregation; and
WHEREAS, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill has been a dynamic faith-driven institution within Nashville’s spiritual and social landscape for more than a century. The church has exemplified the natural connection between faith, acceptance, and progress.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill for its 160th anniversary.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.