The History of Nolensville First United Methodist Church

Haley White • April 10, 2024

1837-1853-1984

The history of our church, Nolensville First United Methodist Church, has been well documented through the years, there is even a historical plaque standing in front of the current church building. There have been three different church buildings, and four name changes since 1837. Why do we need to collect and discuss our Church History, you might ask; generally, the past has a direct influence on the future, and for us to have a clear picture of where we are headed, it’s always good to look at where we came from. 

 

The United Methodist Church encourages that we set aside a day specific to celebrate our history; while we have been present in Nolensville since 1837, the property was purchased for the building of our current Sanctuary on September 14, 1894. We plan to celebrate 130 years of this beautiful, historic Sanctuary in September. Heritage Sunday calls the church to remember the past by committing itself to the continuing call of God. Between now and September, we’d like to share some interesting information about our church and our community involvement during the last 187 years.

 

When did it all start? 

Our church was founded in the small village of Nolensville, as Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1837 with a membership of 37 people. The first minister was thought to have been Reverend Benjamin R. Gant and the first building was located about 1.5 miles south of the village on the then Seals farm at Williams Road. The building was made of logs, with a brick foundation from clay dug in the area, and benches and floors made from split logs of the surrounding area. The building was utilized on weekdays as the school for the village children.

 

The first recorded deed for the Mount Olivet Methodist Church was dated December 12, 1839, when John Hay and Samuel F. Bittick deeded to Benjamin Johnson, Philip Owen, John Matthews, Benjamin T. King, and John Hay, as Trustees of the church and their successor trustees, two acres of land on which the church was located. These two acres were part of a 1000-acre land grant issued to William Hay from the State of North Carolina. 

 

In 1844, the Methodist Church split, with some churches re-establishing as Methodist Episcopal South, honoring the Wesleyan Episcopal tradition, and showing allegiance to the South. Our church was then known as Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church South. This first church building housed the congregation until 1853, as noted on the cornerstone located at the right of door entering the present-day sanctuary. However, the next deed of record indicating property ownership for Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church South is 1858. Check in next month to learn about the second church building!

Our Church History

Story of the Third Church Building

By Haley White • July 22, 2024
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!

Story of the Second Church Building

By Haley White • April 10, 2024
This first church building housed the Mount Oliviet congregation until 1853, as is noted on the cornerstone located at the right of door entering our present-day sanctuary. However, the next deed of record indicating property ownership for Mount Oliviet Methodist Episcopal Church South is not until 1858. On April 7, 1858, William D. Bittick conveyed three acres of land for $125 to Edward J. Green, Park Street, James C. Copeland, Addison G. Owen, Isaac Battle, Francis Hawkins, William B. Johnson, William Pryor Smith and John S. Battle, the trustees of Mount Oliviet Methodist Episcopal Church South . The deed indicates “they, the trustees, shall erect and build or cause to be erected and built a house or place of worship for the use of its members of the said Mount Oliviet Methodist Episcopal Church South ….” The boundaries outlined in this deed show that the church building was located about a quarter of a mile south of the village of Nolensville. The property was in front of a cemetery, often referred to as the Mt. Oliviet Cemetery , however there is no known connection between the church and the cemetery. The second church building was a 30’ x 40’ building constructed of clapboard, wood floors, a pulpit made of walnut, benches made of poplar, and it had glass windows. The new building had a steeple and could seat approximately 300 people. A new hand-pumped organ was purchased for the church, with Ms. Flora Waller becoming a lifelong organist. It was told that some new members wanted to change the name of the church. An older church member stated that he “would rather be caught in a graveyard changing names on tombstones than in a church with people changing the name of a church already dedicated to God”. He then walked out of the church, and nothing was ever said about changing the name again. During the War Between the States , both Federal and Confederate troops utilized the building causing extensive damage to the structure. There are no records that the trustees filled for damages to the United States government, and the church building deteriorated beyond repair. The property where the second church was built remained in the hands of the Mount Oliviet Trustees until 1897, when on March 4, it was sold to Mr. Thomas J. Waller for $75.  With the physical condition of the Mount Oliviet building continuing to deteriorate, on January 10, 1890, a building committee was appointed and charged with the building of a new church at Nolensville. In March 1890, the committee reported that more time would be needed to complete their task, however, 1890 and 1891 passed without any action regarding the building of a new church at Nolensville. In 1892, the Trustees of Mount Oliviet 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 and in September of 1894, the property was purchased and building of the third church began. Stay tuned next month for information on the third building!
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