Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church had its beginning when a loyal band of Christians---Irene Smart, Bill Smith, Ed Marshall and others---formed the West Cedar Street Baptist Church. It was one of sixteen Black Baptist churches organized by the end of the 1880’s. For ten years they worshipped in a building on Cedar Street. Their hardships and struggles were many. In 1895, beset by internal difficulties, the group that was to become our mother church decided to relocate near the Stock Yard at the corner of 17th Avenue North and Lyon (now Jo Johnston) Avenue. God sent Reverend A. W. Porter as its first pastor.
Reverend A. W. Porter (1895-1931)
Reverend Porter was a strong and dynamic leader and is credited with giving this church direction and guidance, enabling it to maintain aposition of leadership down through the years. To raise funds for the purchase of our first church building, Rev. Porter held the first revival service at a livery stable at 17th Avenue North and Cedar Street. By 1900, the church had its first permanent church home---a frame structure on Stonewall Street (later to become Fifteenth Avenue). The church continued to progress and Reverend Porter continued to make his ministry felt at Fifteenth Avenue, in Nashville, as well as throughout the denomination. When he suffered failing health in 1929, Reverend Walter R. Murray was called as Acting Pastor.
Reverend W. R. Murray (1929-1953)
As Joshua in biblical times continued the spiritual work of Moses, so did Reverend Murray continue what Reverend Porter commenced. Under his pastorate, there was a new upsurge in growth and activity. Despite a depression that gripped the nation, souls were added to the vineyard, a baptistery and dining room were added and the membership crystallized with the establishment of numerous organizations. In 1951, the church was forced to again find a new home at 1203 Ninth Avenue North, our present site. After nearly 25 years of faithful service, Rev. Murray was called to his heavenly home. In April 1954, the Reverend Leroy Crinel was installed as the church’s third pastor.
Reverend Leroy Crinel (1953-1960)
As Shepard of a membership of five hundred members, the church saw a need for more expansion, and began a building fund in 1958 for a new edifice. Church clubs like the Women’s Progressive, Rose of Sharon, Willing Workers, and the Nurse’s Aid Guild were organized to assist in the fundraising. Construction for the new worship place began in 1959. During the interim, worship services were held at Elliott School auditorium on Sixth and Jefferson Street. After the termination of Reverend Crinel’s ministry, Reverend Enoch Jones was call to the pastorate in January 1961.
Reverend Enoch Jones (1961-1994)
Reverend Jones plunged immediately into securing sufficient funds for the completion of the edifice begun under the pastorate of Reverend Crinel. On Sunday, August 6, 1961, Reverend Jones and the jubilant members entered their new edifice singing, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” Ten years later, the church liquidated the $100,000 debt. Later, construction began on the educational-recreational edifice that today stands as the Enoch Jones Activity Center. Under Reverend Jones’ leadership, the membership increased by several hundred people. The enabled the church to raise its projected annual budgets while increasing its contributions to educational institutions, missions, and community services. After 30 years of service, Reverend Jones retired in 1992. He now bears the distinguished title of “Pastor Emeritus.” In June 1994, God sent to us the Reverend William Buchanan.
The year was 1885. Less than twenty years earlier, the Civil War had to an end and the South was in a period of recovery. While many Southerners faced economics crisis after the war, former slaves---now free men and women---were thriving. They left the plantations and rural areas behind and settled in urban areas like Nashville. These settlements formed the nuclei of major black communities such as North Nashville.