Church with Ryman link faces demolition

A real estate and development company plans to replace the Community Baptist Church with a town home development.

But the discovery last week that the church was the work of architect Hugh C. Thompson could halt the sale to Hostettler, Neuhoff and Davis.

Some neighborhood residents are trying to buy the church or convince its members not to sell it to the developer. A community meeting with local councilman Ronnie Greer is planned for Tuesday.

“I’ll be happy to sit down with them, but it has to happen quickly,” said developer Bill Hostettler. “I don’t have to do this deal. I just want the preacher and congregation to get what they need.”

Hostettler said the church would lose its option to buy another building if the sale is not closed by March 10. He said he could not complete the sale until he gets a demolition permit, and that he could not get the permit until he removes asbestos. The removal begins this week.

“It’s going to be unfortunate if they can’t buy their new church,” Hostettler said. “They feel the sale would be in the best interests of their congregation. The church is looking at $52,000 worth of roof repairs. Their utilities sometimes run as high as $2,000 a month.”

Thompson was a noted architect of the Victorian South, but most local examples of his work have been torn down, said Tim Walker, historic zoning administrator for the Metro Historical Commission.

“This church is a prominent piece of architecture. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood,” Walker told The Tennessean. “Thompson was a very significant architect.”

The Ryman Auditorium was built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle and then served as home to the Grand Ole Opry for three decades. Nicknamed the “Mother Church of Country Music,” it reopened for concerts in 1994 after extensive renovations. Earlier this month, it was voted 2003’s “Theater of the Year” by concert professionals.

Theresa Lauzon, a neighbor of the church, wants to see it saved.

“I know there’s a big need for affordable housing, but I hate to lose our historic landmarks,” she said.

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On the Net:

The Ryman Auditorium, http://www.ryman.com/