| McKendree United Methodist Church | |
| Location: | 523 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Country: | United States |
| Coordinates: | 36.1626°N -86.7808°W |
| Denomination: | United Methodist Church |
| Pastor: | Stephen Handy |
| Organist: | Dana Pride |
| Musicgroup: | Eric Coomer |
The McKendree United Methodist Church is a United Methodist church in Nashville, Tennessee.
The church building is located at 523 on Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee.[1]
The first building at its present location was constructed in 1833.[2] It was named in honor of Bishop William McKendree (1757 - 1835), who dedicated the church building on November 23, 1834.[2] [3] [4] Silversmith Joseph T. Elliston, who served as the fourth mayor of Nashville from 1814 to 1817, was one of its co-founders.[5] It was the largest Methodist church in the United States at the time.[2]
Alexander Little Page Green (1806 - 1874) served as its pastor,[5] followed by John Berry McFerrin (1807 - 1887).[6] The funeral of James K. Polk (1795 - 1849), who served as the 11th President of the United States, was conducted by Rev. McFerrin in this church.[7]
In June 1850 the Church hosted the Nashville Convention, a meeting of delegates from nine Southern states to consider secession during the crisis that ultimately led to the Compromise of 1850.
During the American Civil War of 1861 - 1865, it was converted into a hospital.[2] On January 29, 1879, a new church building was dedicated.[2] However, on October 26, 1879, the church was burned down.[2] In 1882, a new church was built.[2] On July 4, 1905, the church building was burned down again.[2] In 1910, the current church building was completed.[2] In 1910, the Von Guerthler Art Glass Company added stained glass windows.[1] In 1990, a Christian life Center was added to the rear of the church building.[1]
The current pastor is Stephen Handy, starting in 2009 to present day.[8] Services take place every Sunday at 9am and 11am.[9]