Early History
In the spring of 1957, a group of Christians came together with the vision of planting a new congregation in the Tusculum community of Nashville. Flyers were distributed to around 500 homes, and letters were sent to neighboring churches, inviting people to an organizational meeting held on May 21 in the vacant Drive-In Market building on Haywood Lane.
About 75 people attended that first meeting and agreed to establish a new church immediately. The first worship service was held a couple of weeks later on June 2, 1957, with around 120 in attendance and 42 placing membership. For the next few weeks, services continued at the Drive-In Market. On June 30, Sunday morning services moved to Tusculum Elementary School, while evening services were held in a tent on the property that would eventually become the church’s home—purchased for $10,500 at the corner of Nolensville Road and Fairlane Drive.
By December 15, 1957, the congregation began meeting in its own building. The original structure included a basement-level auditorium and seven classrooms. As the church grew, additional space was needed. A second auditorium, seating about 435, was completed in April 1960. Then in 1963, the congregation purchased three acres to the south for $45,000 and began work on a much larger worship space. This new auditorium, which could seat 1,200, opened on April 6, 1969, with 800 people in attendance that day. By 1975, a new attendance record was set when 1,000 were present for worship.
The congregation was led by business meetings until Elders could be appointed. On August 7, 1970 Tusculum's first elders were appointed. On April 18, 1971, the congregation's first deacons began to serve.
About 75 people attended that first meeting and agreed to establish a new church immediately. The first worship service was held a couple of weeks later on June 2, 1957, with around 120 in attendance and 42 placing membership. For the next few weeks, services continued at the Drive-In Market. On June 30, Sunday morning services moved to Tusculum Elementary School, while evening services were held in a tent on the property that would eventually become the church’s home—purchased for $10,500 at the corner of Nolensville Road and Fairlane Drive.
By December 15, 1957, the congregation began meeting in its own building. The original structure included a basement-level auditorium and seven classrooms. As the church grew, additional space was needed. A second auditorium, seating about 435, was completed in April 1960. Then in 1963, the congregation purchased three acres to the south for $45,000 and began work on a much larger worship space. This new auditorium, which could seat 1,200, opened on April 6, 1969, with 800 people in attendance that day. By 1975, a new attendance record was set when 1,000 were present for worship.
The congregation was led by business meetings until Elders could be appointed. On August 7, 1970 Tusculum's first elders were appointed. On April 18, 1971, the congregation's first deacons began to serve.
A New Chapter on Nolensville Pike
By the late 1990s, Tusculum Church of Christ had once again outgrown its facilities. Sunday mornings were so full that worshippers filled the hallways, overflow rooms, and additional services. Bible class attendance was consistently strong, with over 400 students enrolled in 70 different classes. Leaders began to envision a new space that could better support both current ministries and future growth.
In 2001, construction began on a brand-new facility just a few miles down the road at 6117 Nolensville Pike. The design of the new building emphasized both worship and outreach. The 57,000-square-foot structure would include a 1,000-seat auditorium, large Bible class spaces for children and adults, a multipurpose gym/fellowship area, administrative offices, and special accommodations for guests with disabilities. Importantly, the plan also included spaces to support weekday programs, community service, and family ministries.
This move wasn’t simply about space—it was about mission. Church leaders emphasized that the relocation would allow Tusculum to grow deeper in discipleship, more active in service, and more welcoming to the surrounding neighborhood. In the words of one elder at the time: “We want to serve the community in a broader way.”
The congregation officially relocated to the new building in 2006. Since that time, the Tusculum Church of Christ has continued to minister from this new home with the same heart for worship, teaching, and service that inspired its founding in 1957.
In 2001, construction began on a brand-new facility just a few miles down the road at 6117 Nolensville Pike. The design of the new building emphasized both worship and outreach. The 57,000-square-foot structure would include a 1,000-seat auditorium, large Bible class spaces for children and adults, a multipurpose gym/fellowship area, administrative offices, and special accommodations for guests with disabilities. Importantly, the plan also included spaces to support weekday programs, community service, and family ministries.
This move wasn’t simply about space—it was about mission. Church leaders emphasized that the relocation would allow Tusculum to grow deeper in discipleship, more active in service, and more welcoming to the surrounding neighborhood. In the words of one elder at the time: “We want to serve the community in a broader way.”
The congregation officially relocated to the new building in 2006. Since that time, the Tusculum Church of Christ has continued to minister from this new home with the same heart for worship, teaching, and service that inspired its founding in 1957.
Serving Beyond Our Walls
From its beginning, Tusculum Church of Christ has been committed not only to building up the local church, but also to sharing Christ’s love through meaningful service in the wider community and beyond. Over the decades, our congregation has played a central role in launching and supporting several major ministries that continue to bless thousands.
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, members of the Tusculum congregation—including then-preacher John Miller and our elders—helped lay the foundation for what would become Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort. Initially operating under the simple name “Disaster Relief,” this effort was sponsored by Tusculum before growing into an independent, large-scale national organization supported by congregations across the country. Today, CCDRE responds quickly to natural disasters with food, supplies, and aid shipped nationwide from its Nashville warehouse. Tusculum remains proud to have helped give birth to a ministry that has served over 600 communities in crisis with compassion and efficiency, all in the name of Christ.
Ezell-Harding Christian School
Tusculum was also instrumental in the establishment of Ezell-Harding Christian School, a private Christian school in Antioch, TN. In the early 1970s, members of our congregation partnered with others to launch this educational ministry, providing a faith-centered academic environment for students from kindergarten through high school. During its first school year, 1973-1974, all of Ezell-Harding's classes met at Tusculum's building. For many of our families, Ezell-Harding has been a lasting part of their spiritual and educational journey.
Nashville Inner City Ministry
For decades, Tusculum has supported and partnered with Nashville Inner City Ministry, an organization that shares Christ’s love with at-risk youth and their families through mentorship, transportation to Bible classes, and community outreach. While we were not the founders, several of our elders and members have maintained strong ties to this life-changing work, and we continue to support their mission.
Caring by Sharing & School Partnerships
One of Tusculum’s most beloved ministries was Caring by Sharing, an annual clothing giveaway that served hundreds of families each year. Featured on local news outlets like NewsChannel 5, the event offered free clothes, shoes, and warm hospitality. Although the ministry paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, its spirit continues in new forms.
Today, we are actively engaged with United4Hope, a partnership connecting churches with local public schools. With two schools adjacent to our building, our members regularly volunteer to tutor, encourage, and support students and staff in practical and personal ways. Each morning of the school year, you will find students from the schools playing basketball in our gym. Many days we offer refreshments and treats to the families waiting to pick up their children. Our goal is simple: to love our neighbors well.
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, members of the Tusculum congregation—including then-preacher John Miller and our elders—helped lay the foundation for what would become Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort. Initially operating under the simple name “Disaster Relief,” this effort was sponsored by Tusculum before growing into an independent, large-scale national organization supported by congregations across the country. Today, CCDRE responds quickly to natural disasters with food, supplies, and aid shipped nationwide from its Nashville warehouse. Tusculum remains proud to have helped give birth to a ministry that has served over 600 communities in crisis with compassion and efficiency, all in the name of Christ.
Ezell-Harding Christian School
Tusculum was also instrumental in the establishment of Ezell-Harding Christian School, a private Christian school in Antioch, TN. In the early 1970s, members of our congregation partnered with others to launch this educational ministry, providing a faith-centered academic environment for students from kindergarten through high school. During its first school year, 1973-1974, all of Ezell-Harding's classes met at Tusculum's building. For many of our families, Ezell-Harding has been a lasting part of their spiritual and educational journey.
Nashville Inner City Ministry
For decades, Tusculum has supported and partnered with Nashville Inner City Ministry, an organization that shares Christ’s love with at-risk youth and their families through mentorship, transportation to Bible classes, and community outreach. While we were not the founders, several of our elders and members have maintained strong ties to this life-changing work, and we continue to support their mission.
Caring by Sharing & School Partnerships
One of Tusculum’s most beloved ministries was Caring by Sharing, an annual clothing giveaway that served hundreds of families each year. Featured on local news outlets like NewsChannel 5, the event offered free clothes, shoes, and warm hospitality. Although the ministry paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, its spirit continues in new forms.
Today, we are actively engaged with United4Hope, a partnership connecting churches with local public schools. With two schools adjacent to our building, our members regularly volunteer to tutor, encourage, and support students and staff in practical and personal ways. Each morning of the school year, you will find students from the schools playing basketball in our gym. Many days we offer refreshments and treats to the families waiting to pick up their children. Our goal is simple: to love our neighbors well.