EAST END
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

 

Welcome to our Rebirth on Russell homepage. Here you will find information about East End UMC's ongoing journey of renewal, revisioning, and relocation. We are currently restoring a historic church building in East Nashville to be our new physical home. Read ahead to learn our story, to find the most recent updates on our renovation project, and to discover how you can continue to support us by your prayers and your gifts. 

 

WHAT HAPPENED

A STORM THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

 

On the evening of March 2, 2020, a deadly tornado outbreak hit Middle Tennessee, leading to the 6th most expensive tornado damage in U.S. history. On that fateful evening, East End United Methodist Church was struck by a direct hit.

 

For years, East End had sat upon the hill at the intersection of 13th and Holly Street in East Nashville. It was an anchor of the surrounding neighborhood, formerly the eastern most section of the Edgefield neighborhood, eventually renamed East End neighborhood.

 

 

On the morning of March 3, the extreme damage to the historic sanctuary was immediately evident. Eventually, the building was determined to be a complete loss.

 

Over the ensuing 5 years, the congregation at East End UMC held together through dislocation, a pandemic, pastoral changes, and repeated attempts to rebuild a new house of worship worthy of East End’s legacy. The congregation’s resolve and survival were not in doubt, but its physical location was.

 

A STORY OF TWO CHURCHES

 

Just three years prior to the devastation wrought upon EEUMC and East Nashville by the 2020 tornadoes, in 2017 another historically significant United Methodist congregation faced its own difficulties.

 

TULIP STREET UMC: LEGACY

 

Tulip Street United Methodist Church had stood at the corner of 6th and Russell in East Nashville as a beacon of hope and healing to a growing East Nashville. It even birthed other churches, including historic East End UMC.

 

Built in 1893, the current Tulip Street building survived disasters of its own including the great fire of East Nashville in 1916 and damage sustained in the tornadoes of 1998.

 

Unfortunately, over the years attendance declined as East Nashville changed. In 2017, the Tennessee Conference of the UMC made the decision to close the congregation and sell the historic property in 2017 to a developer.

 

There was no doubt that the historic Tulip Street building would find a new purpose, but the nature of that purpose remained uncertain.

 

GOD AT WORK IN UNSEEN WAYS

 

Holy Scripture tells us:

 

     “in all things God works for the good of those who love [God], who have been called according to [God’s] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

 

Unbeknownst to the generations of faithful people who had sustained the ministries of these two storied congregations for over 250 years of combined ministry to East Nashville, God would one day work the recent misfortunes of these two congregations for a new, divinely inspired purpose in the 21st century.

 

A HOMECOMING FOR EAST END UMC

 

In January 2024, due to prohibitive costs, it became evident that the vibrant congregation at East End UMC would not be able to rebuild at its historic location. Yet, as God would have it, EEUMC’s mother church building, the former Tulip Street UMC, was still sitting vacant, undeveloped, and unused.

 

After careful research, much discernment, and abundant prayer, the congregation of East End UMC voted to purchase their mother church building and unite the legacies of these two historic congregations.

 

It would be a homecoming of sorts as the faithful stewardship of properties and ministries of two related congregations would allow a United Methodist witness of Christian faith to continue in the Edgefield neighborhood, within seven blocks of the historic East End location, and offering the message of God’s unconditional love to East Nashville, the larger community, and the world.

 

RENOVATIONS AND NEW VISION

 

In February 2025, renovations commenced at East End UMC’s new (yet old) sanctuary at 6th and Russell.

 

The building will be brought back to life with a complete overhaul of existing spaces and systems with an eye toward renewed, collaborative ministry in East Nashville. A new entrance and elevator will provide a fully accessible and welcoming entrance from Russell Street. The historic sanctuary, including the original Jardine organ, and the fellowship hall will be preserved and refreshed for new congregational and community use.

 

While the future of East End’s ministries from 6th and Russell are still coming into focus, we are planning for another 100+ years of faithful ministry in East Nashville.

 

East End will be made whole again in spirit and body, but as is true of resurrection, the body will look different. Yet when people experience the ministry of East End UMC and hear its proclamation of God’s affirming embrace of all God’s children, they will instantly recognize this beloved community.

 

"IT'S A MIRACLE!"

As one Edgefield neighbor said,

 

     “It’s a miracle!”

 

We agree, and it is one only possible thanks to the faithfulness of God as well as the generations of members of East End UMC and the former Tulip Street church. God is doing a new thing in East Nashville.

 

IT'S A

REBIRTH ON RUSSELL!

STAY UPDATED

 

The journey of Rebirth on Russell is just beginning, and we want to bring you along every step of the way. This section will feature regular updates on the progress of our new home at 6th and Russell.

 

Check back here for construction milestones, renovation progress, and ways you can be involved as we transform this historic space into a vibrant home for ministry once again.

 

You can also view past updates to see how our journey has unfolded over the years.

 

MOST RECENT UPDATE

VIEW PAST UPDATES