Gordon Memorial UMC Receives TN State Historic Marker

On Sunday, Feb 8th, in Nashville, TN, during the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church was recognized by the Tennessee Historical Commission for its historical significance, especially for its involvement in local civil rights activities, including serving as a location for organizing lunch counter sit-ins and as the Nashville site for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memorial service.

The Historical Markers Program, which began in the late 1940s, has erected nearly 2,000 markers commemorating sites, persons, and events significant in Tennessee history. Gordon Memorial now joins the list of significant Tennessee sites.

TWK Archives and History Commissioner, Dr. William Bowen; Mrs. Debbie Rouse; and Mrs. Paula Chavis from the Gordon Memorial Historical Committee led the effort with the State of TN, along with Senior Pastor Paula Smith.

Also in attendance were former State Senator Brenda Gillmore, Metro Councilperson Delichia Porterfield, Historian from the Tennessee Historical Commission, and assistant director for state programs Linda Wynn and Lyn Hoyt, TWK Chair for the Commission on Archives and History.

The CAH now needs to work to mark Gordon Memorial UMC as a significant Methodist site! It is a treasure to our State and Methodism.

Photo of marker
TWK Archives and History Commissioner, Dr. William Bowen with marker

Plaque Transcription

Gordon Chapel 1876 to 1967

Gordon Chapel began in 1876 when a small group met in the home of Bill and John Rouse for prayer service and Sunday School. In about 1885, the group purchased land for the church at this location across the street. Named after its first pastor. The Reverend Dave Gordon. Gordon Chapel was affiliated with the Methodist Church North. In 1923, led by the Reverend Henry Henry P Gordon, the congregation constructed the current historic building. Gordon Chapel played an active role in the civil rights movement (1955 to 1968). Members Ernest “Rip” Patton, Joy Cordell and Billy Reagon were Freedom Riders.

Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church

in 1968 Gordon Chapel became Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church. Advocating equality and freedom, the Reverend Dr Dogan Williams continued the churches involvement in the movement; it served as a meeting place for demonstration – strategy and training, gatherings, and the city memorial service after the April 4, 1968 assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prior to Gordon’s 150 year anniversary, under Reverand Dr. Paula B. Smith, its first woman, senior pastor, congregation, celebrated the mortgage burning and the dedication and renaming the historic building the Frank and Ethel Battle Annex.