Why Nashville?
Our name is Nashville but we're not in Tennessee. Our street address places us in Ashland, Missouri, the road sign identifies it as the village of Sapp, and the locals call it Whoop-up. Confused?
Back in the early 1800's, 10 years before Missouri became a state, Ira Nash travelled west and settled on the banks of the Missouri River. There he founded the town of Nashville.
On April 22, 1834, a group of 17 local Christians met at James Cunningham's home where they formed the Nashville Baptist Church. Shortly after that they erected a building of pecan logs that housed the fledgling congregation.
A flood wiped out the town of Nashville in 1844 but spared the log church that was situated on higher ground. Still a move to yet higher ground was needed and so the church relocated further away from the river, in the village the post office had dubbed Sapp. Now the area is included in the Ashland zip code. But farmers called it Whoop-up because of the steep hill where they would really have to "whoop-up" their mules to pull their wagons.
Although the town of Nashville did not survive, the church did. We have been blessed to minister in this community for over 185 years.
Back in the early 1800's, 10 years before Missouri became a state, Ira Nash travelled west and settled on the banks of the Missouri River. There he founded the town of Nashville.
On April 22, 1834, a group of 17 local Christians met at James Cunningham's home where they formed the Nashville Baptist Church. Shortly after that they erected a building of pecan logs that housed the fledgling congregation.
A flood wiped out the town of Nashville in 1844 but spared the log church that was situated on higher ground. Still a move to yet higher ground was needed and so the church relocated further away from the river, in the village the post office had dubbed Sapp. Now the area is included in the Ashland zip code. But farmers called it Whoop-up because of the steep hill where they would really have to "whoop-up" their mules to pull their wagons.
Although the town of Nashville did not survive, the church did. We have been blessed to minister in this community for over 185 years.
'Twas 1834 when Nashville got It's Start
The old building, 1856-1972
'Twas 1834 when Nashville got its start,
And from our humble birth
we've been a church with heart.
Ole' Muddy almost got us in 1844,
But the good Lord was not finished,
He had much more in store.
Up on the hill to Whoop-up we moved to find a place,
And my, how God has blessed us with His Amazing Grace!
Across the road to build a fine new house of worship
And educate our members about following His Lordship.
Yes, good times have come and also bad times, too,
But God has been beside us to keep our journey new.
From here into the future we do our voices raise
And offer for God's goodness our gratitude and praise.
Kevin Collins, pastor 1987-2001
And from our humble birth
we've been a church with heart.
Ole' Muddy almost got us in 1844,
But the good Lord was not finished,
He had much more in store.
Up on the hill to Whoop-up we moved to find a place,
And my, how God has blessed us with His Amazing Grace!
Across the road to build a fine new house of worship
And educate our members about following His Lordship.
Yes, good times have come and also bad times, too,
But God has been beside us to keep our journey new.
From here into the future we do our voices raise
And offer for God's goodness our gratitude and praise.
Kevin Collins, pastor 1987-2001
