After we discuss Black Historical past in Nashville, we can not inform the story with out telling the story of the Black church.
For generations, the Black church has been greater than a spot of worship. It has been a college, a gathering corridor, a gathering house, a meals pantry, and a sanctuary for dignity and survival. In Nashville and throughout the South, Black church buildings turned establishments that Black communities might personal, lead, and form — particularly when different programs excluded them.
Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church stands firmly in that custom.
Watson Grove has served its group since 1956. Margreat, the Church Administrator, remembers strolling from 14th Road as somewhat lady to attend church on Sunday.
“We’ve all the time been right here,” Margreat says. “And it’s about service to the folks, to the group.”
For many years, Watson Grove carried the motto: a caring, sharing, fruit-bearing church. That spirit nonetheless defines it in the present day. Service isn’t just a ministry — it’s the identification of the church.
In a metropolis that has modified dramatically, Watson Grove has remained fixed. Mitzi, fellow employees member of Watson Grove, who has lived in Nashville for 30 years, says the church has lengthy been often called “the giving church.”
At the same time as the encircling neighborhood advanced, folks throughout Nashville continued to come back as a result of they knew this was a spot that may assist.
That consistency is central to Black Historical past in Nashville. Church buildings like Watson Grove created stability when different establishments did not serve Black households.
To grasp Black Historical past in Nashville, we should perceive why the Black church turned such a central establishment within the first place.
After slavery and all through segregation, Black communities have been denied equal entry to colleges, companies, grocery shops, and public areas. Pastor Dennis at Watson Grove cites W.E.B. Du Bois as to why the church stuffed that void. Du Bois argued the Black church turned excess of a Sunday sanctuary. It was the auditorium, the political assembly house, the social middle, and the inspiration of group life. Pastor Dennis says, “The Black church is among the solely establishments Black people personal.”
Segregation pressured Black communities to construct their very own programs of care. The church turned sacred not just for religious causes, however as a result of it allowed folks to entry sources whereas retaining their humanity.
Pastor Dennis believes that places a kind of duty on the church. He says, “I feel that Watson Grove performs the position that the Black church ought to play in that group, which is to be all the pieces for the Black group.”
To preserve with custom, Watson Grove lends house to the group for something they could want it for. Their Franklin location doubles as a college, educating youngsters Monday by Friday. The Nashville campus transforms all through the week as properly; serving as a meals pantry, assembly house, tutoring hub, and gathering place for neighbors.
That actuality nonetheless echoes in the present day. Whereas legal guidelines have modified, financial inequality and sophistication boundaries stay. For a lot of neighbors, the church continues to be a spot the place they’ll search assist with out judgment and obtain assist with dignity.
As a Accomplice Company of Second Harvest Meals Financial institution of Center Tennessee, Watson Grove continues this lengthy custom of care. Margreat remembers the early days of working with Second Harvest when she sorted by freezing coolers and choices have been restricted.
The church accepted no matter they may.
Right this moment, the partnership seems completely different. By means of Second Harvest, Watson Grove distributes a wider selection of high-quality meals: meat, cereal, peanut butter, recent objects, and even pizza donated from native grocery shops.
“It makes our luggage look significantly better,” Mitzi says. “While you’ve obtained a household of 4 in want, that makes a distinction.”
The church additionally ensures that each bag contains snacks, as a result of everybody deserves one thing they get pleasure from. Throughout Spring Break, they’ll host a “Youngsters’ Entrance Yard Pantry,” offering snack luggage that replicate what youngsters would seize after taking part in outdoors.
However this work is just not transactional. It’s relational.
Watson Grove calls the folks they serve “companions.” Some households who as soon as got here for meals later joined the church. Others could by no means attend a service, and that’s positive.
“We’re not giving to get you to come back right here,” Margreat says. “We’re giving as a result of we love you.”
Impressed by Matthew 25 — “I used to be hungry and also you gave me meals” — the church distributes groceries all through the week and gives benevolence assist for utilities and lease. Additionally they associate with Water Walkers, a nonprofit tutoring program, offering weekly meals luggage to acknowledge college students for finishing their homework.
Typically, those that obtain assist return to serve. One younger man picks up meals for his household and later comes again for a senior citizen in his constructing. Others who as soon as wanted help now volunteer on the pantry.
That’s the fruit of a caring, sharing church.
In 2026, the Black church continues to hold each religious and social duty. Racism stays a part of the historic story, however financial pressures and rising prices now create further boundaries for households.
Watson Grove displays what the Black church has lengthy represented in Black Historical past in Nashville: possession, resilience, and group care.
It’s a place the place folks can worship and survive on the similar time. A spot the place youngsters are inspired. A spot the place starvation is met with compassion. A spot the place dignity is protected.
As Margreat says, “We obtained this portion of the winery. We attempt to do the perfect we will.”
For practically 70 years, Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church has completed simply that.
