Title	First Baptist Church East Nashville: interior
Creator(s)	Staff of Center for Historic Preservation, photographer
Date	2005
Coverage	2000-2009
Property name	First Baptist Church East Nashville
Property type	Church
National Register Reference	05000761 listed July 27, 2005
Community Name	Nashville, Davidson County, TN
Description	Color photograph of a church sanctuary featuring pews, and arched wall above the organ pipes and choir chairs.
Historical Notes	The congregation of First Baptist Church in East Nashville was formed in 1866 as The Negro First Baptist Church by Rev. R.B. Vandavall. It was one of a number of African American churches that became self-directed after the Civil War. The church met in a variety of buildings in its first decades, was formally chartered in 1882 and constructed its first permanent building ca. 1898. The current church building was constructed between 1928 and 1931. The church symbolizes the growth and development of the African-American community in East Nashville over the course of the twentieth century. It played an important role in the fight for civil rights in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The church leaders and members participated in local organizations, planned and hosted Civil Rights meetings, activities, and celebration, hosted nationally prominent Civil Rights activists and speakers, and filed lawsuits to achieve equality. The church was a center for political, social, and religious activism in Nashville throughout the civil rights period, particularly during the pastorate of Dr. J.N. Rucker, 1959-1970.
Collection Name	African American Churches
Subject-LCSH	African American Churches -- Tennessee
Subject-AAT	Churches Pews
Subject-TGM	Churches Pews
Type	Still image
Genre	Photograph
Medium	Slide
Extent	35 mm
Copyright status	Copyright of the creator. Reproduced with permission
Contributing Institution	Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University
Conditions for use	Credit Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University Reproduction permitted for non-profit educational and research purposes only
Digital Publisher	Digital Initiatives, James E. Walker Library, Middle Tennessee State University

First Baptist Church East Nashville: interior

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