North Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
First Community Church
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 15, 2020
1. First Community Church
In July 1932, the Rev. Wayman R. Horton organized the First Independent African Methodist Community Church. Instrumental in the Nashville Civil Rights Movement, the church's name was officially changed to First Community Church in 1966. The Rev. C.T. Vivian, who led the congregation from 1957 to 1961, initiated the building of this structure, which was completed in 1961. Civil Rights activist Johnetta F. Hayes, a life-long member of the church and the first woman to serve as president of the Nashville Chapter of the NAACP, was instrumental in the 1957 struggle to desegregate Nashville public schools.
Continued
The Rev. Vivian, a leading figure in the Nashville Civil Rights Movement, was a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. On 19 April 1960, after the bombing of attorney Z. Alexander Looby's home, he and Diane Nash challenged Mayor Ben West, which caused the mayor to affirm that Nashville lunch counters should be desegregated. On 10 May 1960, Nashville became the first major southern city to desegregate its lunch counters.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 214.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 36° 10.35′ N, 86° 48.48′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in North Nashville. Marker is at the intersection of Dr. DB Todd Jr Boulevard and Knowles Street, on the right when traveling south on Dr. DB Todd Jr Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1804 Knowles Street, Nashville TN 37208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Vincent de Paul Church and School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Meharry Medical College and the United Methodist Church (Worship of God through service to mankind) (approx. ¼ mile away); The Fisk Jubilee Singers (approx. ¼ mile away); The Formation of Fisk University (approx. ¼ mile away); Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival (approx. ¼ mile away); Nashville Student Movement Office (approx. ¼ mile away); Desegregating Nashville's Lunch Counters (approx. ¼ mile away); Looby Bombing (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 15, 2020
2. First Community Church
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 15, 2020
3. First Community Church
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, December 26, 2020
4. First Community Church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 4. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
