The Episcopal Church in Nashville

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Apr 3, 2024

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Nyshol Obang ENG 3010 Professor Doug Murray 27 April 2023 The Episcopal Church of Nashville The Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee highlights the in depth and intricate history of a denomination deep in tradition. The Episcopal Church evolved into a church that is still rooted in tradition but has opened up into sanctuaries where many are welcomed. The core of the Episcopal Church beginning with the Anglican Church’s separation from Roman Catholicism due to the Episcopalians, Anglicans, and Catholics having differing views of tradition in the church. The Episcopal Church quickly migrated to America and took root there as well. In the South, the Episcopal Church was often associated with plantation owners and the wealthy, and it was brought to the frontier by James Otey, who became the first bishop of Tennessee. Today, the Episcopal Church in Nashville is a diverse community with a range of theological and political views. Diversity is a crucial aspect of the Episcopal Church’s identity, as the church seeks to be inclusive and welcoming to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. In Nashville, this diversity is particularly important, as the city is home to a range of communities, including diverse cultures and ethnicities such as the African American and Latino community. In addition, the LGBTQ individuals that create a diverse atmosphere to this denomination. By embracing diversity, the Episcopal Church in Nashville can better

Obang 2 serve and connect with these communities, creating a stronger and more vibrant and healthy community overall. The origins of the Episcopal Church in America can be traced back to the Church of England having its first permanent English settlement in 1607 at a town called Jamestown, Virginia. The church was on the verge of extinction due to the rules of ordination (ECUSA), leading them to flee to England or Canada. During the revolution, the Church of England had been turned into an American church. In 1787 English bishops consecrated William White as bishop of the new church (ECUSA). During the Civil War of America, the church expanded. The Episcopal Church was brought to the colonies, including states like Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, where it quickly became one of the dominant religious institutions. The Christ Church being the first organized parish in the city in 1829 (Coke). The architecture has similarity to the other buildings in town during that time with the Gothic- styles stone (Coke). In the South, the Episcopal Church was often associated with the planter class, who were among the wealthiest and most powerful members of colonial society. This association continued into the 19th century, when slavery was widespread in the South, and many planters were also slave owners. Despite this association with wealth and power, the Episcopal Church was also brought to the frontier, where it served as a spiritual anchor for settlers and helped establish communities in new territories. One prominent figure in this effort was James Otey, who became the first bishop of Tennessee in 1834. James Hervey Otey was born in 1800 and went to be ordained as a priest in 1827 (Coke). Otey was instrumental in establishing the Episcopal Church in Tennessee, and his leadership helped the church grow and thrive in the region. Despite its association with wealth and

Obang 3 power, the Episcopal Church has played a significant role in the history of America, and its influence can be seen in the culture and traditions of the South and beyond. For many years, the Episcopal Church in America was primarily associated with the wealthy and the educated. Maybe following in the steps of the very educated bishop Otey. Its history as the church of the plantation class in the South cemented this association, and it was often seen as a conservative institution. However, the progression throughout the years began a journey of the church to become more low church like as in less tradition and people having a change of heart. During the Civil War having the “Counter Appeal” showed that the church hoped for the ultimate achievement of the universal emancipation of slaves (Howard). In the mid-20th century, the church became more progressive, advocating for social justice and outreach to the wider community. The progressiveness being women in the Episcopal Church being able to become priests and bishops. Dating back in 1976, the approval of women being ordinated to the priesthood was accepted. This was a major step forward for the church, which had long been dominated by men in leadership roles. The first eleven woman were ordained as a priest in 1974, and since then, women have played an increasingly significant role in the church's leadership and governance. This ordination caused controversy but resolved with approval in 1976 by the General Convention. In addition to its commitment to gender equality, the Episcopal Church has also been at the forefront of advocating for LGBTQ rights. The church allows the ordination of LGBTQ individuals and even permits same-sex marriage in some places where the bishops allow it. This stance has sometimes put the Episcopal Church at odds with

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Obang 4 other Christian denominations, but it reflects the church's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Their stance started in 1962 when homosexuality and alcoholism was being studied by the House of Bishops as a ‘standard weaknesses. The progression has made LGBTQ individuals welcomed into the clergy and even the leadership roles. Making a historical event of having Bishop Vicky Gene Robinson to be ordained as the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. Coming to the 21 st century, many years later and many events that have taken place the Episcopal Church has become one of the wealthiest denominations out of all denominations of Christianity. The many significant people that made major changes in the church also preached. The congregation of Episcopalians has shown that effect of teaching in the mission statements and with their outreach programs. One example of this was the establishment of St. Luke's Community House, a nonprofit organization that provided social services to the poor and marginalized in Nashville. This program was a reflection of the Episcopal Church's commitment to serving those in need and using its resources to make a positive impact on society. Another being the Church of Advent in 2017 hosted nights in the winter time where they would open their church to the homeless men and feed them dinner and breakfast the following morning. In addition, the youth doing mission trips within the city emphasizing the awareness of human trafficking and talking to women who had experienced it at Thistle Farms in Nashville. The history and progression of the Episcopal Church shows the evolution of open mindedness of the denomination and how parallel it is to Nashville as a city. The history of Nashville, Tennessee was a history filled with a closed-minded culture. However, the pillars and significant figures that implanted and fought for change have made Nashville,

Obang 5 Tennessee evolve into a city that welcomes all and is open to change and progression. When I interviewed two people who attended the Church of Advent, located on the border of Nashville, Tennessee, they told me about their view on why they are in the denomination and also how the denomination has effected the growth of Nashville. During my interview with Jane Simmons, a former member of the Church of Advent, I was struck by her deep devotion to the church and her unwavering commitment to serving others. Her impact on the community was truly remarkable, and her selfless acts of service were an inspiration to all who knew her including myself. As I spoke with Mrs. Simmons, she shared with me her involvement in the Church of Advent was not simple a matter of tradition, due to her lineage being Episcopalians but rather a profound realization of what it truly meant to be a member of the Episcopal congregation. She spoke of her deep respect for the teachings of the Bible and how it guided her throughout her life. When talking to the former youth pastor, Lynne Walker, she expressed how the denomination helped many people that were in need. Lynne is a teacher that helps students who struggle with dyslexia. As a youth leader she loved taking and teaching the youth of the church to be a part of the outreach of the church. One of the outreach trips that was taken was a day at Thistle Farms, where the youth students worked alongside the women who have benefited from the resources that Thistle Farms have given to the domestic violence or human trafficking survivors to hear their stories. There are Episcopal churches throughout the city that reflect a wide range of theological and political views. Some churches are more traditional in their worship style and theology, while others are more progressive and inclusive. For example, St.

Obang 6 Augustine's Episcopal Chapel in Nashville is known for its active outreach to the LGBTQ community, while Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is committed to social justice and environmental stewardship. After doing this research of the Episcopal Church, you can see the parallel of the diversity the church and Nashville has gone through in the past decades highlighting the importance of diversity in the Episcopal Church in Nashville. In addition, the diversity brings richness to the community and that the Church must strive to continue to be inclusive and bring more people of all backgrounds, races, and cultures to Christ. The diversity of the Episcopal Church in Nashville is a reflection of the city's own diversity, and it is this commitment to inclusivity that has helped the church thrive in a changing world. In conclusion, after learning more about the Episcopal Church in Nashville, it has transformed in a significant way towards greater diversity, reflecting the changing demographics of the city. The diversity brings richness to the community and that the Church must strive to continue to be inclusive and bring more people of all backgrounds, races, and cultures to Christ. Moving forward, it is Nashville’s hope that the Episcopal church in Nashville continue to foster greater understanding and unity among all members of the community.

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Obang 7 Bibliography Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. "Episcopal Church in the United States of America". Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Episcopal-Church-in-the-United-States-of- America. Accessed 27 April 2023. Coke, Fletch. “Christ Church, Episcopal, Nashville.” Tennessee Historical Quarterly , vol. 38, no. 2, 1979, pp. 141–57. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/42625960. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023 . D ‘Emilio, John. “The Episcopal Church and Homosexuality in the U.S.: Timeline · Religion and Homosexuality in the United States, by John D ‘Emilio and His Students · Outhistory.” Outhistory.org , 2014, https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/religion_homosex/episcopal. “Gene Robinson.” Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Robinson. Howard, Harold C., "The Methodist Episcopal Church and the Slavery Controversy, 1828-1844" (1963). Master's Theses . 1797. Obang, Nyshol, and Jane Simmons. “Attending Episcopal Church.” 10 Apr. 2023. Obang, Nyshol, and Lynne Walker. “Youth Leader.” 15 Apr. 2023 “Ordination of Women.” The Episcopal Church , https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/ordination-of-women/ . Platt, Warren C. “The Reformed Episcopal Church: The Origins and Early Development of Its Ideological Expression.” Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church , vol. 52, no. 3, 1983, pp. 245–73. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/42973967. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.

The Episcopal Church in Nashville

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