NASHVILLE — Watson Grove Baptist Church is assessing potential development and sale options for its 1.5-acre property at 1415 DeFord Bailey Avenue in Nashville. The church's leadership is evaluating possibilities that include a sale, ground lease, or joint venture development, while also considering alternatives that would allow the church to remain on-site.
Foundry Commercial has been retained by the church to evaluate these options for the Nashville property. Scott McKinney and Carlin Beekman, both senior vice presidents at Foundry Commercial, are leading the evaluation process.
Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. John Faison, Sr. said, "This is information-gathering, and we're approaching it with clarity, prayer and purpose." He said, "Watson Grove has never been a church ONLY; we have always been a church AND. Creative outreach, missional partnership, and community engagement are in our DNA." Faison said, "This is about discovering how we can expand those capacities. We are evaluating how to best position The Grove for the next generation of impact. As a congregation, we will decide which direction we take."
The property includes approximately 34,000 square feet of building space. It features a multi-level sanctuary that can seat over 700 people, along with classrooms, administrative offices, a fellowship hall, a full kitchen, and an attached chapel. The site is located near the Edgehill, The Gulch, 12 South, Wedgewood-Houston, and Midtown neighborhoods, and is less than one mile from Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, and downtown Nashville.
McKinney said, "We recognize what a significant moment this is for Watson Grove and for the Edgehill community." He said, "Our role is simply to make sure the church has the information and the options it needs to make the decision that is most faithful to its mission."