Centennial Encyclopaedia of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1916
Amid bustling downtown Nashville, The Bell Tower sits pretty and proudly on the corner of 4th Avenue South and Korean Veterans Boulevard. Built in 1874, the striking brick building was one of the first churches built by freed slaves after the Civil War.
Following the abolition of slavery, many Americans reveled in newfound freedom, and this resulted in a massive missionary effort across the South. Consequently, this effort financed new churches and schools, and new denominations were brought to the South, including African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E), the first protestant denomination founded by Black people seeking to escape discrimination in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Daniel Payne brought the A.M.E. Church to Nashville in 1863, leading to the formation of St. Paul’s Chapel.
The congregation grew rapidly over the years, resulting in the need for a larger space. A lot was secured on what was then the corner of Cherry and Franklin streets in Black Bottom, now known as SoBro. The 5-block radius got its name from the black mud and flooding of filthy water caused, in part, by the Cumberland River and Wilson Spring Branch, a creek that was later bricked over as a sewer. With a conglomeration of brothels, saloons, and gambling joints, the neighborhood was said to be lively and culturally rich. It’s even believed famed writer Zora Neale Hurston got some of her ideas from walking the streets of Black Bottom while living with her brother.
Most of the surrounding neighborhood was destroyed after World War II, and we're proud to say that The Bell Tower is one of the last original structures of Black Bottom still standing in SoBro today.
CONSTRUCTION & CORNERSTONE LAYING
On June 16, 1874, construction began on the brand new St. Paul A.M.E. Church. At 3 p.m. that day, around 1,500 people gathered to witness the laying of the cornerstone by Tennessee’s Prince Hall masons, who played a vital role in promoting community service and equality for Black Tennesseans. Many traveled from Murfreesboro and Shelbyville just to partake in the celebration. Notable figures such as Nelson G. Merry, Nashville’s first Black ordained minister, and Bishop John M. Brown, a leader of the Underground Railroad, were in attendance. A marching band joyfully marched from present-day Charlotte Avenue and Fifth Avenue North to Demonbreun and back again. Hymns could be heard coming from the ceremonial service, and a prayer was held in the adjoining building.
Nashville Union American, June 14, 1874
Nashville Union American, June 17, 1874
THE MEN BEHIND THE CORNERSTONE
The men who laid the original cornerstone of St. Paul A.M.E. Church were influential leaders in their community. Nelson McGavock, the first Grand Master of Tennessee’s Prince Hall Freemasonry, and Abraham (also known as Abe or Abram) Smith, a leader in the Black Suffrage Movement and Vice President of the Equal Rights League, were among them. Additional leaders in the campaign for voting rights for Black Tennesseans, including B.J. Hadley, William Sumner, and Nelson G. Merry, also played significant roles. Other notable figures included Flem Otey, former Carnton Plantation slave, Albert Bray, the future President of Lane College, and Joseph Provine, recognized for opening the first Black cemetery in Lebanon.
Together, these men left an indelible mark on the history of Middle Tennessee and The Bell Tower.
The Nashville Globe, March 20, 1908
THE CONTEMPORARY DAYS
The building functioned as St. Paul until the mid-1950s when the church relocated. Since then, the building has served as a music warehouse, a mattress warehouse, and most recently the EOA Architecture offices.
Today, The Bell Tower has been transformed into a breathtaking, contemporary event venue for just about any kind of social gathering or celebration. The space is now full of natural Southern light with a spacious open floor plan, allowing for a multitude of possibilities. The original exposed beams and downstairs stonework still remain, thus keeping the character and historic charm of the building intact. We even kept the original sub-flooring, which contains salvaged wood from homes destroyed during the Civil War.
A towering staircase leads to a spacious mezzanine, formerly the choir loft. This bonus space is perfect for another bar or extra seating with a perfect bird's eye view of the happenings below.
The Tasting Room is located within the actual bell tower. Impeccably designed, bottles line the walls and striking chandeliers made from whiskey barrel rings hang from above. Guests are invited to sample local favorites and lesser-known distillery spirits from a selection of over 100 hand-picked bourbons, whiskey, and scotch. Because when in Nashville, do as the Honky Tonkers do! That's the saying, right?
Above all, we love seeing our innovative clients and the talented Infinity Hospitality staff work together to create unforgettable experiences and endless memories at The Bell Tower. From intimate rehearsal dinners to romantic weddings to music showcases and not-so-average corporate events, no event is left behind. And we can't wait to see more of what the future holds!
Scroll on to see the transformation of The Bell Tower over the years, and what we've been up to since.
Contemporary Photos by Glenai Gilbert, Laura K. Allen, Molly Peach, Details Nashville, 30 Miles West, and Kendall Parsons
SOURCES
“Another Colored Church.” Nashville Union and American, 17 June 1874.
Cimprich, John. “The Beginning of the Black Suffrage Movement in Tennessee, 1864-65.” The Journal of Negro History, vol. 65, no. 3, 1980, pp. 185–95. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2717094. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
Lovett, Bobby L. “Black Bottom.” Tennessee Encyclopedia, Tennessee Historical Society, 1 Mar. 2018, tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/black-bottom/.
Payne, Daniel Alexander. History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1891. Edited by Charles Spencer Smith, Nashville, TN, Publishing House of the A. M. E. Sunday School Union, docsouth.unc.edu/church/payne/payne.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
“Proposed New Church Building.” The Nashville American, 5 February 1874.
Rose, Stanley Frazer. MCGAVOCK-LINDSLEY-GRUNDY GENEALOGICAL COLLECTION, 1790-2011. Tennessee State Library and Archives, 2016.
“St. Paul’s.” The Nashville American, 17 June 1874.
Wayman, Alexander Walker. Cyclopedia of African Methodism. Baltimore, Methodist Episcopal Book Depository, 1882, docsouth.unc.edu/church/waymancyc/wayman.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
Wright, Richard Robert. Centennial Encyclopaedia of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Philadelphia, PA., Book Concern of the A.M.E. Church, 1916, docsouth.unc.edu/church/wright/menu.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.