Story of the Second Church Building

In 1892, the Trustees of Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church South again reported to the Conference that the building was in bad condition and during the Quarterly Conference held on May 27, 1893, a new Building Committee was named. The committee decided to build a new church located on Nolensville Turnpike, the present-day site of our church. Mr. Jim Jackson, owner of a sawmill on Mill Creek provided 18 loads of finished lumber, which were hauled on wagons from Nashville and Antioch. The Trustees reported on September 9, 1893, that there was enough lumber on hand to start the new church building. Money was short, so members of the church offered to donate their time and supplies to help build the new building. Mr. Ezell of Antioch was awarded the contract to construct the new building. The land was purchased on September 14, 1894; 5,544 square feet of land was purchased from the estate of J.A. Fitzhugh. An additional 1,617 square foot of land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Bennett for $1, making the lot a complete half acre. On September 25, 1897, the Trustees reported to the Conference, “We have at Nolensville a new and commodious building, costing $2850 upon which there is an indebtedness of $275 secured by promissory notes.” Finally, the new building was successfully completed, and Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church South had a new, comfy, and almost paid for building! The new church was a frame building with extended cornices on all corners, the foundation was of large limestone rock pillars. It was painted white with brown trim. A 75-foot steeple pointed towards the heavens. The interior walls and ceilings were tongue and grooved poplar bead board, originally stained mahogany. The wainscoting was also originally painted mahogany, designed with a beautiful effect obtained by wiping the painted wood while still wet. The sanctuary and vestibule were graced with beautiful stained-glass windows. The original windows had white centers with multicolored squares around the edges. During the summer months the windows were raised allowing a breeze to flow through, as there was no air conditioning in those days. Hand fans were placed in each pew, so that one could create their own breeze on the terribly hot days. Oil lamps and candles were originally used to light the church; electricity was not available in Nolensville until the early 1900’s. Wood stoves provided heat during the winter months. Church members arriving to the church on horseback were provided the use of a hitching post and a stile/step was on both sides of the front door. Uncle Bill Hood performed the duties of the church sexton; he assisted the members arriving in buggies, ensured the stoves were fired up with wood in the winter, and he rang the bell calling all to worship. The choir was in the northeast corner (front left) of the church, and a set of stairs to the basement was located on the southwest corner. The first pastor of the new Nolensville church was Brother Funk. A bell was added in 1901 to the 75-foot steeple, and it continues to ring on Sunday mornings calling all to worship. For years the “little white church on the corner with the tall red steeple” has served the little town of Nolensville, and this year we celebrate 130 years in our historic sanctuary!