About

In 1951 a small group of women had a strong desire to attend church in their own community but there was no Free Will Baptist Church in Donelson.This group of concerned women began by meeting together each week for Bible study and prayer. Offerings were received and a bank account was opened in the name of Donelson Free Will Baptist Women's Bible Class.

Convinced that it was right to take another step toward establishing a Free Will Baptist Church in Donelson, these women together with their husbands sought the help of Rev. C.F. Bowen, pastor of East Nashville Free Will Baptist Church. After a meeting with him at his church, Rev. Bowen helped get permission to have services in the Donelson Presbyterian Church. These meetings were held on Sunday afternoons at 2:30.

The first worship service was held on October 26, 1952 with forty people present. On November 2 of that same year the Sunday School was organized.Services were held in the Donelson Presbyterian Church for several weeks but this arrangement did not prove satisfactory and was, therefore, discontinued in mid-December 1952.

This sincere group of people would not be discouraged although for a period of time they were unable to have worship services because of the lack of a meeting place. In December 1954 the Elm Hill Club House was secured.At this time the group became known as the Donelson Free Will Baptist Mission.After several weeks the group felt confident God would have them unite to form a church and on April 24, 1955, the organizational meeting was held. Twenty people became charter members.

In September 1955, the Rev. Robert Owen was called as first pastor of the church. Three acres of land were purchased on McGavock Pike at Knobdale Road and the first unit of the present building, the basement, was built.The first service in the new facilities was held on April 1, 1956.

The church experienced continual growth with emphasis on community and world-wide outreach. Steadily increasing attendance soon made it necessary to build additional facilities. A new sanctuary was constructed and the first service held on January 27, 1963. A fourteen room educational unit was built in 1969 and a three-level addition was completed in 1987 which provided more space for classrooms, a fellowship hall and a suite of offices.A new "Celebration Center" opened on May 17, 1998. This new facility houses a multi-purpose space which is used for worship services, times of fellowship, and recreation.

On January 2, 1980, Robert Morgan and his family moved into the parsonageand Brother Morgan assumed his duties as pastor. His expository sermons exalt Christ and challenge Christians to follow Him in total obedience.They accent the responsibility of the church to be witnesses at home and to the uttermost part of the earth. The unsaved are entreated to accept Christ and become laborers together with God.