Episode 150: How a church from the 1920s is still ahead of its time in the 2020s (Harold Shank)

Episode 150: How a church from the 1920s is still ahead of its time in the 2020s (Harold Shank)

From The Christian Chronicle Podcast by The Christian Chronicle Podcast

February 3, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the enduring impact of Central Church of Christ in Nashville, which was established in the 1920s and has a remarkable history of community engagement and baptism.

How many Church of Christ congregations in the United States baptized 8,000 people in their first 20 years? Central Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, did. Forming in 1925, the Central Church of Christ did not choose to assemble in the desirable, fast-growing, upwardly-mobile parts of Nashville. Rather, the congregation chose to put down roots in the highest-crime, highest-poverty part of town. Backed by philanthropist A.M. Burton, Central Church of Christ activated a dazzling ar...

People in this episode

Guest: Harold Shank

Topics covered

  • Church history
  • Community impact
  • Baptism
  • Social justice
  • Philanthropy

Keywords

  • Church of Christ
  • Nashville
  • baptism
  • community service
  • A.M. Burton

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Central Church of Christ

Places: Nashville, Tennessee

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