User:Ska8706/Glendale United Methodist Church

Located in Nashville, TN in the Lipscomb/Green Hills neighborhood, is located at 900 Glendale Lane. The church was founded in 1945 as Glendale Methodist. The first structure (which is now Marston Fellowship Hall) was completed in 1945 followed by the addition of the Sanctuary in 1949, and finally the educational building in 1959.

The Beginning
Sixty-eight years ago, the world population, and of course Nashville people as well, experienced many hardships coming to an end. The effects of the Second World War had been felt by virtually every person. One could not purchase just anything, as perhaps we can today. The war effort demanded rationing of foodstuffs and gasoline, among other items. So it was also for those who attended church. It became a burden to travel any distance by car, just to attend worship services. People who had built a home in the Glendale Park area were members of churches such as McKendree Methodist downtown, up to six miles away; or of Brentwood Methodist, nearly four miles distant, just to name two nearby (in today's standard) churches.

Emma Webb Noland, widow of a Methodist preacher, had a home at 949 Glendale Lane (still standing, although significantly renovated). She and her husband, the Revered T.W.Nolan, had built their home on this site in 1935. At that time Glendale Lane ended by their property, coming from Granny White Pike. Next door on 935 Glendale Lane live Alice Wilkinson. Both women were devoted church persons.

Emma Webb Noland was a lady of pioneering spirit. Believing strongly in her faith in Christ she enthusiastically participated in the efforts to have a church in her immediate residential area. The thirst for God's message was deep in the people of the day when she invited eighteen friends and neighbors to come to her home on 949 Glendale Lane. It was December 17, 1944 at 3:00 P.M. On the afternoon of that Sunday these 19 persons began plans for a new church.

On that eventful day, being true Methodists, they formed an organization. Benson William Marston was elected Sunday School Superintendent; Louis Rober Barnes, Treasurer; and Garry Rosen Hogan, Song Leader. Teachers were:

Miss Alice Wilkinson - Beginners Class Mrs. E.D. Cole - Primary Class Mrs. R. S. Doak - Junior Class Mr. R. S. Doak - Young People's Class

The following persons were present at the first meeting (listing the names as written down all those years ago): Mrs. E. D. Cole, Gary Hogan. Jr (age 3), Mrs. Garry Hogan, Miss Lucy Foreman, Mrs. Fain Chappell, Mrs. Cullen T. Carter, Jean Marie Carter (age 4), Mrs. T. W. Noland, Mrs. B. W. Marston, Miss Jan W. Smith, Frances Sue Anthony, Alice Wilkinson, Mrs. W. W. Wilkinson, Mrs. Louis R. Barnes, T. Enlow Truett, Mrs. R.S. Doak, Cullen T. Carter, and B. W. Marston.

Much joy was expressed by the group. Already plans were laid for continual meetings, eventually culminating in a new church.

One week later, on Sunday afternoon December 24, 1944, again at 3:00 P.M., the newly formed Sunday School group, gathered once again at Emma Noland's home. Bishop Paul B. Kern came to conduct a worship service. The title of his sermon was "The Christmas Story," emphasizing that in a war torn world, the Christmas story was still told; victory of light over darkness and the power of love over evil was still evident in the world.

The number of people who gathered at Emma Noland's home on Glendale Lane taxed the small house's capacity. An alternative meeting place had to be found. Burton Elementary School on Granny White Pike provided the space for the Glendale Methodists. The school later became the David Lipscomb Elementary School.

Emma Noland died in 1954.

Excerpt from "Glendale United Methodist Church: FIFTY YEARS", by Norman Frank Weber, pg 17-19.

The First Service
A simple concrete block building was built for the new church on a "country" lot. The building was ready for the first service on June 17th, 1945. The first service was a "Love Feast" conducted at 9:30 A.M. by Rev. William T. Steele, pastor of Woodbine Methodist Church. The morning sermon was delivered by Rev. Willard H. Blue, district superintendent. A service flag for members in the armed forces was dedicated at 11:00 A.M.

A revival was held the following week conducted by Mr. Jones.

Pastors of Glendale
1945-1946     George H. Jones*

1946-1949     Haskel Henry*

1949-1951     Earl C. Parker*

1951-1954     J.D. Robbins*

1954-1955     A.J. Bunn*

1955-1960     Winfrey C. Link*

1960-1964     John C. Height*

1964-1968     W. Eugene Moore*

1968-1970     Woodward A. Adams Sr.*

1970-1974     Paul F. Allen*

1974-1977     Robert H. Lewis

1977-1980     John B. Sessoms*

1980-1984     Gordon G. Meadors*

1984-1985     David (Hap) Eliason*

1985-1987     J. William Menees

1987-1994     John P. Williams

1994-1996     Norman F. Weber

1996-2000     Lee Parkison

2000-2014     Sandra M. Griggs

2014-2015     Robert B. Coleman

2015-2016     Gabe J. Horton

2016-2016     Timothy Bias

2016-2016     Marie C. King

2016-Present  Peter van Eys

*Deceased

Glendale Worship Leadership
Lead Pastor

Rev. Stephanie Dodge