Fortieth Avenue Church of Christ has been blessed to have several ministers to serve since its beginning: Alfred Rucks, 1957-1969; Jack Wooten, 1970-1982; Fred Kennedy also served as a part-time minister before leaving to preach for the Harris Town Church in Kentucky; Ralph Draper, 1982-1983; Leonard Bradley, 1983-1990; and currently Charles A. Beaman, 1990 to the present.

The congregation at Fortieth Avenue was organized in the spring of 1954, in the old Clifton School Building. The financial assistance of Bro. Lee Hardy allowed the building to be rented. Bro. Hardy asked Bro. Vick Ensley and Bro. Dennis Smith for their assistance. Services began in the afternoon for a few Sundays. The services were so successful that the brethren rented the building for regular church services. The assistance of various congregations (especially Park Ave Church of Christ) permitted the purchase of the old Clifton School Building for a permanent meeting place. Bro. J.S. Overton, treasurer of the Park Avenue Congregation, was selected to serve as a treasurer for fortieth and did a diligent job as treasurer and advisor for the church. Park Avenue was also instrumental in both moral and financial support until fortieth was able to support itself.

During those early days, the following ministers served the church: Brothers Lee Hardy, Lee Guthrie, E.D. Phillips, James Fitzgerald, and Oliver Thompson. Charles Hardy, Bro. Patton Johnson, and Bro. Milton Murray, along with their families, came from Jackson Street Church of Christ to help. Sisters Mary Cannon, Kathleen Hardy, Georgia Mae Hunter, and Louise Johnson did a magnificent job in recruiting and teaching the children of the community. Bro. Charles Hardy later served as deacon. Brothers Johnson and Murray were eventually selected as elders of the congregation.

In 1957 Bro. Alfred Rucks began serving as Fortieth’s regular minister and served until his health failed. During Bro. Rucks’ stay the old building was remodeled with the financial assistance of Lee Hardy, the J.W. Frierson Foundation, and countless others. The congregation grew and thrived through the 60’s and into the 70’s. Unfortunately, a disagreement in leadership philosophy and ensuing conflict led to a split. Several members left to attend other congregations during the disagreement. Eventually, more than half of the members left to form the Eastside Church of Christ. During the instability after the split, other members continued to leave to worship at other congregations. The split and disagreement, however, have not kept the two congregations from working together collaboratively over the last three decades. After Bro. Beaman arrived as minister of Fortieth (40th) in 1990, the two congregations began working and fellowshipping together in a spiritual manner that still exists among members.

Because of the number of members who left 40th, the church had to rely on other congregations for financial support to meet its budget. Bro. Beaman urged the leadership at 40th to cease depending on other congregations for support and informed the supporting congregation that 40th would be financially secure within a year. Before the year was over, 40th determined that it did not need further outside support.

LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: 2024 AND BEYOND

Over the course of the last 30 years, 40th has secured several adjacent properties to create opportunities for the church to serve the community well into the 21st century. The church completed a three-phase building program, including construction of a new fellowship hall to serve members and the community, created a new education complex to meet the needs of children and adults, and renovated and enlarged the lobby to alleviate crowding. The church opened and operated a community daycare until a federal grant for redevelopment of the Preston Taylor Homes relocated many of the families that the daycare served. The church is currently updating the sanctuary to facilitate and accommodate members needs as well as improve our worship experience. As gentrification spreads throughout the area, few members now live near the church. In fact, many members continue to move farther away from the area and even into neighboring counties to find affordable housing.

Even as the community continues to change, the church continues to evolve and form partnerships with schools, colleges, and other agencies. For example, 40th engages in a partnership with Vanderbilt University, and Publix to provide Thanksgiving boxes to needy families. In addition, the church secured a grant to address the needs of homeless individuals. Through the Community Garden Ministry, the church reaches out to area residents to share fresh vegetables and address health and wellness through classes offered by the church. As our community changes, our mission is to continue creating pathways to serve the community within one block of our building and to the greater Nashville community and beyond. With twenty active ministries and our unwavering faith in Jesus, we believe that we are equipped to serve well and meet the needs of our growing church and community in the 21st century.