Photo credit:  Historic Williamson County: Old Homes and Sites, by Virginia Bowman

Religion, one of the four cornerstones in the foundation of Williamson county, seemed to have planted its roots very early.  This should come as no surprise with Tennessee being situated right in the middle of what is known as the Bible belt.  Historically, the Bible belt was defined as the region of the Southern United States which held very conservative Christian social and political world views.

Two of the most dominate Christian denominations that emerged in the early history of Williamson County were the Methodist and the Presbyterian.  As early as 1804, the residents of southeastern parts of the county were worshipping together and preaching the Methodist doctrine.  By 1815, they had a newly constructed brick church house known as King’s Chapel.  Around the same time, the Presbyterian members of the county were also forming congregations and building permanent church structures. After meeting in a small log cabin beginning in 1811, members built the Harpeth Presbyterian church in 1815 along the banks of the Little Harpeth River in the northwestern section of the county. Many of these early congregations continue today, either in the same buildings or in new buildings located on the original properties.  Over the next 30 years, Williamson County would see Baptist, Church of Christ, Episcopal, and Catholic churches spring up throughout its communities. 

After the American Civil War, which we will cover in a future post, millions of African Americans found themselves now in charge of their own destinies.  During the times of slavery, if allowed by their owners, many were forced to go to a church not of their choosing.  However, with their newly found freedom, they began to make their own religious decisions.  Black communities throughout Williamson County started building their own houses of worship.  One of the earliest black churches in the Nolensville area was built on land purchased in 1869, deeded to J. A. Edmondson and George Primm.  The original building, known as Nolensville Methodist Church was eventually torn down in the early 1900s but the congregation continues today as Ebenezer Church.  Two other notable early black churches in the area, Wiley Memorial Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church and Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal, both served their communities for many generations.  

Faith was an important part of life for the early residents of Williamson County and continues today.  Over the years many more religions have been welcomed into the area.  Freedom of religion has been and will always be a value our communities hold dear.