Monroe Street United Methodist Church
Monroe Street United Methodist Church has a history in North Nashville dating back to the early 1860’s. The congregation was first called Sawrie’s Chapel, named for its founding minister, Dr. W.D.F. Sawrie. Dr. Sawrie refused to give up his pulpit without a fight during the Union Army occupation of Nashville, and he was made a
civilian prisoner of war.
In 1869 the congregation built a church on 6th Avenue North, known as North High Church, which is still standing. The building cost a mere $8,000 at that time. In 1906, a new church, Monroe Street Methodist Church, was dedicated at 700 Monroe Street, which is the home of the Monroe Street United Methodist Church today.
The Akron Plan, on which the Gothic church was built, was a popular type of religious building at the time. The main feature of the Akron Plan is a large open space, the “rotunda,” surrounded by smaller classrooms on one or two levels. The Akron Plan also featured an interior that was wider than it was long, with pews that swept in a half-circle around a raised platform positioned against the long wall. Rather than providing a central aisle, the interior plan divided the assembly into thirds, two aisles partitioning the pews into three more or less equal pie-slices.
Many of these Akron Plan features can be seen today at the Monroe Street United Methodist Church. The sanctuary of the Church was originally a half-circle designed with a movable wall that could divide the sanctuary when needed. This wall fell in the 1930s and was replaced with the permanent wall you see now on the North side of the sanctuary. The divided “room” on the other side of this wall contains one of the primary features of the Akron plan: Sunday school rooms on two levels overlooking the sanctuary.
Originally, the church had striking spires atop each of its front entrance East and West towers. However, by the 1950s, these spires suffered from much wear and deterioration and had to be removed. Many in the congregation and the community hope that one day the spires can be replaced to help return the building to its former glory.
The Gothic building is also known for its outstanding stained art glass windows. By the late 1960s, the windows suffered from age and neglect. However, around 1970, with the help of an active Restoration Committee, they were restored to the magnificent displays you see today. They are truly an awe-inspiring feature of the church.
In 1979, church members suggested an Oktoberfest celebration to the Metropolitan Historical Commission. They joined hands with their neighbors, the Church of the Assumption, in this effort to help raise funds to preserve these treasured buildings and to help with community outreach programs. As a result of the leadership of the Methodists, Catholics and the Historic Germantown Neighborhood Association, Oktoberfest has become part of Nashville’s official celebrations every second Saturday in October.
It was also in 1979 when Monroe Street United Methodist Church was listed on the National Register in Washington D.C. as a historic landmark of the Germantown area in Nashville. In 1980, the church received recognition with an award for its restoration efforts by the Metropolitan Historical Commission.
By the year 1999, Monroe Street United Methodist Church was faced with serious structural problems due to damage from a tornado, storms and termites. The church was forced to close its doors and worship in a house provided by one of its members. The congregation worked hard and the church was able to obtain gifts, memorials and a loan for the needed restoration work, and moved back into the building in October of 2000.
Today, Monroe Street United Methodist Church is an active and vital member of the Nashville Germantown community. The congregation continues its efforts to restore this magnificent century-old structure. Most recently, the congregation was able to make much needed repairs to the ceiling and the east interior wall of the building. Its members, friends and many visitors now worship in a beautiful sanctuary, proving that faith and hard work pay great dividends.
Thanks to John Lawrence Connelly (1928-2011), former Davidson County Historian and member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church, for providing much of this historical information. John was a life-long member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church.
A brief history...
"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you..."
Luke 1:1-3
700 Monroe Street
Nashville, TN 37208
