East Nashville has a rich history. A great book of images from days long past can be found in the book by E. Michael Fleenor, Images of America East Nashville. I recently was given a copy by some wonderful friends and life-long East Nashvillians. The term urban pioneers is now being used loosely to describe those who are currently moving to the east side of the Cumberland. Today’s story centers around the man for whom Shelby Park, Shelby Avenue, and of course our home church, Shelby Ave Baptist Church.

John Shelby, a true pioneer......according to Fleenor, was a physician, state senator, and a postmaster of Nashville. John was one of two sons of the late David Shelby who acquired this portion of land from the original land grant recipient, James Shaw, who sold it to David Shelby in 1788. Shaw received the 640 acre land grant for his service in the Revolutionary War. Wow, talk about history.
222 years is a long time, especially for those of us who now live our lives waiting for the 2 seconds it takes to download images on our computer screens. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it is but a drop in the bucket. How is it that so many lives, so many dreams, so many opportunities have come and gone during these past 222 years?

If there were ever a constant theme reoccurring throughout the grand history of East Nashville, it would be that change is inevitable. Change brought on by people and population growth, change caused by both natural and man-made disasters, and intentional change brought on by the best ideas of mankind, yet all are still play a role in change.

These changes are reflected in the faces of the people, the houses in which they live, the neighborhoods they have created. As the community of East Nashville continues to change, it is my prayer that at least one constant will remain; a desire to keep Christ first in all we do.

From the East side

Clay Faircloth, pastor Shelby Ave. Baptist Church