In the year of 1866, as Elder Thomas Williamson came out as an Elder in full fellowship form the White Primitive Church, Elder Alfred Williams, the earliest known pastor, was giving rise to a little Church on Laurel Street, known only as Primitive Baptist.  This little Church became on of the original five churches of the Colored Primitive Baptist Church of Middle Tennessee.  Elder Williams served well in his capacity until he passed on October 13, 1881.  But this group of organized believers continued to prosper under Elder Martin Slater, who later became Moderator of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association (1900-1903).

A white friend, Mrs. McNairy, donated to this flock, a parcel of land (a hill) on Broad Street.  And now this small Church is to be called McNairy Hill United Primitive Baptist Church.

 At the first National Convention being held in Huntsville, Alabama in 1907, it was recommended that the second session be held in Nashville at McNairy Hill on Broad Street the Wednesday before the third Sunday in July in 1908, so it was.

Elder Slater, who preached “A Dead, Buried, and Risen Saviour”, was a faithful servant until he departed this life April 3, 1914.  His last text was “He Showed Me a Pure River of Water as Clear as Crystal.”

After the passing of Elder Slater, Elder Samuel Bryant came on the scene as popular pastor in 1915.  Under his leadership, preaching and singing of the old hymns of Zion, many members were added.  On the third Sunday in September, during the illness of Elder Bryant, the members marched from Broad Street to their new building on 12^th Avenue North, led by the permanent clerk, Elder Felix Gordon.  During this time Elder Bryant had assumed the leadership of Bethlehem United Primitive Baptist Church.  Article twenty-three of the Big Harpeth Association disallows an Elder to pastor two charges in the same city or town, so after six years of leadership Elder Bryant said farewell to McNairy Hill.

 

Elder Harvey Butler was then called to fill this void in their official staff.  By those who knew him, described Elder Butler as a sincere, faithful stalwart, who stood the test and led the Church progressively by leaps and bounds.  After the death of Elder Levi McMeen, Elder Butler served as Moderator of the Association from 1926 until 1954.  McNariy Hill benefitted from the wisdom and strength of Elder Butler as their spiritual Father.  Many organizations and departments were instituted.  The Senior Usher Board was organized in 1934 under the guidance of Mother Amanda Washington.  Sister Mattie Southall was the first president.  The third Sunday in April, 1942, the junior (No. 2) Usher Board came into existence.  Sister Lucille Dowdy (Batts) served as president until her death April 5, 1981.  Sister Dowdy also served for awhile as president of the Usher Board chorus, later named Senior Choir now under Sister Bertha Gassaway’s reign.  On February 4, 1955 Mother Draughon organized the Sunday School Chorus, to accept the young singers as they accepted Christ as their personal Saviour.

 

Elder Butler’s guiding light penetrated many lives.  One of those touched was Elder Richard Gassaway.  Elder Gassaway toiled faithfully with Pastor Butler and was added to the roll on May 1, 1953.  As Elder Butler’s Health deteriorated, Elder Gassaway was selected as Acting Pastor, August 22, 1951.  Elder Butler’s health continues to fail and on March 22, 1955, he expired.  Just a month later on April 29, 1955 as Mother Hattie Smith was crowned as Mother, Elder Gassaway was elected Pastor.  On May 27, 1955, elder Joel Holland installed the newly elected pastor.

 

Elder Richard Jordan Gassaway born July 28, 1916, was called to the ministry in 1947.  Later he pastured Morgan Chapel and Old Zion.  The guiding light of Elder Butler that influenced Elder Gassaway was yet glowing and these rays touched the lives of Elders Oscar Armstrong, Herman Mosley and Robert Anderson, who united themselves with the Church.

Just as McNariy Hill was growing, so was Nashville Electric Company.  They sough and did obtain the 12^th Avenue, North property.  The Church then purchased the land on Hermosa for their new home.  On a sunny third Sunday in November, 1963, led by the Pastor and officers, the members met at the Big Harpeth Tabernacle on Hermosa, marched singing and shouting up the street to their new edifice.  Services are now held every Sunday.

 

Elder Gassaway journeyed to Pulaski, Tennessee to Old Zion fourth Sunday, but the flock was left in the care of Elder Armstrong, who believed that “every man in his own order should do his own thing.”  Elder Mosley also contributed to the fulfillment of the Church’s appointments and obligations.

 

Elder Gassaway described as a quiet, and humble leader labored with McNairy Hill and Old Zion until his health started to fail in March of 1971.  His involvement in several community activities, pastoral commitments and responsibilities as clerk of Big Harpeth Association (1964-1971) came to a close on June 27, 1971.

 

Elder Armstrong was the pulpit supply until Elder Harold Bell was called in October of 1971.  Elder Bell, with the Church at heart, travelled every weekend from Indianapolis, Indiana.  In January of 1972, Brother John Thomas Gassaway acknowledged his call to the ministry to his pastor.  On the first Sunday in February, Brother John Gassaway preached from the 125^th Division of Psalms, “They that Trust In the Lord”, six months later he was licensed.  Elder Bell continued to journey from Indiana to Tennessee, totaling many miles, until the pulpit was declared vacant in 1973.

 

Now McNairy Hill beckons one of her own as pastor, Elder Robert Anderson, who was baptized under Elder Richard Gassaway.  Elder Anderson was an eloquent speaker, and adaptable to any occasion with flowing rhetoric.  After four years on July 15, 1977 Elder Anderson submitted his resignation as pastor, but maintains his member ship.

 

The flag has fallen again and the church searches for a new leader.  One, who was touched as he “sat on the back row of Old McNairy Hill on 12^th Avenue North”, was summoned to be their Flag bearer.  And again, the Church considered one of their own.  This time, Elder John Thomas Gassaway heard the cry of this people and answered their call.  On Friday night before the first Sunday in October, Elder Gassaway was elected their pastor.  His first sermon as pastor was preached October 2, 1977. 

 

As we place a comma in the recording of our past there are vivid memories, the cries of jubilation as they marched to the Cumberland river for an old fashion baptizing, the shouting of Deacon Bennett “I done been saved and called”, the encouraging words of Elder Armstrong for the minister to “go ahead I see you”, Deacon Reedus telling us that “I am glad to be here and everything”, and the moan of Deacon Acklen as his sign of agreement to what the preacher was saying, will continue to motivate us to push on to a mark of higher calling which is in Christ Jesus.

 

Special thanks to Sister Fannie Floyd and Mother Mamie Draughon (the only two members from the Broad Street Church).  Thanks to the former clerks and members for their vast knowledge and patience with this writer in gathering and organizing this information.

While Elder Gassaway has served as pastor, McNairy Hill remained focus on it’s upward journey.  The church continues to believe in the Old and New Testament, baptism, the Lord’s supper and washing the saints feet.

 

There are numerous examples of his vision and steadfastness.  This little white church on Laurel Street has been able to install stain glass windows; renovate the dining area;  upgrade the cooling and heating system (Central); obtained a travel bus; install railings, provide a handicapped accessible ramp, build concrete columns, use landscaping to beautify the surrounding environment; purchase several parcels of land on Hermosa; Sis. Webster (deceased member) house directly in front of the church; acquire the original meeting site of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association and the adjacent lot; and the land to the right of the church for parking.