Our History

The beloved Braden Memorial Church was organized and founded by Dr. John Braden in 1881. It would serve as the first church of our denomination in East Nashville.  The organizing committee consisted of Rev. John Braden, Brothers Fate and Sam Hartsfield, and Sisters Mandey and Lucy Hartsfield.  

In 1884, the first Braden Memorial Church was completed and Dr. John Braden preached the first sermon.  The first assigned pastor was Rev. Daniel C.S. Cook who served for two years and later he was made a presiding Elder.  

The church was destroyed by fire in the year of 1893 and was rebuilt but destroyed by fire again shortly thereafter.  In 1833, the church was destroyed by a tornado and under the leadership of Dr. H. H. Jones, it was relocated , and the new building was completed in 1942 under the leadership of Rev. L. Mosley.

On March 03, 2020, Braden Memorial United Methodist Church suffered significant damage to the entire first floor including the beloved sanctuary.  The congregation collaborated with Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church  and began worshipping with our sister congregation.  Shortly thereafter, the shelter-in procedures due to COVID-19, led to worship services moving to a virtual platform. For over a year, we have shared worship experience virtually and periods of socially distanced in-person worship with the Gordon Memorial congregation.  

Currently, we are poised to return to the church with a new enthusiasm and passion to serve the Lord.  We seek to make disciples who are committed to their relationship with God.  We realize the awesome responsibility it is to maintain the greater legacy of our ancestors and founders.  Through prayer and spiritual contemplation, we believe that we are on the verge of doing church a new way, a different way in which a wider circle of humanity is always welcomed.