In 1949, a rich history started with a humble beginning.

J. O. Wallace and his wife, Mary, organized a small congregation on the south side of Nashville in the Woodbine community. Mary's brother, 17-year old Lawson H. Hardwick Jr., had enrolled in Freewill Baptist Bible College and volunteered to help. The new church was established under the direction of J. O.'s father, J. W. Wallace, pastor of the West Nashville Pentecostal Church.

The congregation purchased its first property at the corner of Rose and Sadler Streets for two thousand dollars. Fifteen months later, Rev. Wallace was called to other ministries and recommended that young Hardwick assume leadership of the church. So, at the age of eighteen, he became Pastor Hardwick.

L.H. Hardwick married Montelle Carson in 1950. Montelle and the rest of her family had come from the West Nashville congregation to help with the fledgling church. In the following years, their family grew with the birth of two sons, Mike and Steve. Likewise, the church family also grew.

In 1957, the church bought a piece of property a few blocks away on Elberta Street. They started with a basement, holding services there until 1963, when they built a church that seated 250 people. These early years were difficult financially and the little congregation struggled to pay for the new facilities. To increase Sunday School attendance, they started running bus routes with renovated school buses.

At times, the challenges seemed overwhelming; however, the Hardwicks and the other founding church members knew that they were being used by the Lord to lead a growing community of Christian families.

By 1972, the congregation was looking at property further to the south of Nashville on Old Hickory Blvd., at which time was considered the absolute outer limits of the city. Pastor Hardwick strongly believed that the church was being led to build there, although it took the eyes of faith to see much good in that rocky hillside. The property was purchased, and Bill Shelton, a Brentwood architect, was called to design a church building for the new property.

The church began to experience an influx of people from varied denominational backgrounds. Though this was challenging at times, a strong emphasis on Biblical teaching, learning, and fellowship helped these groups learn from each other and develop lifelong friendships.

Many people were drawn into the doors of the church by the ministry of the Christ Church Choir . The choir's founder and leader, Landy Gardner, had deep roots in the Pentecostal church. But being a child of the 60's and 70's, he also understood the social and artistic changes in Christian music. As a result, he was able to produce a music ministry that fostered a spirit of worship in people of all ages and backgrounds.

In the early 80's, the church began to emphasize training and education. Pastor Hardwick sought out this country's finest speakers and teachers and invited them to come and share their views and teachings with the Christ Church congregation. In 1985, one of these invitations led the church to welcome Dan Scott as the Associate Pastor.

Dan Scott Jr. was raised in the Pentecostal church, and served for many years as a missionary to Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Montreal with his wife Trish. Pastor Scott shared his love of missions with the congregation, and the church became passionate about serving the global Christian community. Pastor Scott’s teaching, singing, and writing have been an important part of the Christ Church body.

By 1986, 500 people were attending both Sunday morning services. The church was welcoming new members every week, and the facilities were bursting with growth! In 1988, Christ Church dedicated new facilities that were able to accommodate the numerous activities, Bible studies, children's programs, and musical events that occurred on a weekly basis. These adjoining facilities reminded the church community of where it had been, and where it was going.

Within the next 10 years, the congregation had more than 3500 people calling Christ Church "home." The church body strived to accommodate this influx of people and began building not just more facilities, but also building dreams and a future.

Christ Church has a rich heritage that spans over 55 years. Under the leadership of Pastors Hardwick and Scott, the church embraces the vision of teaching the community, city, nation, and world about the changing love of Jesus Christ.

On January 1, 2006 Montelle Hardwick died after her long struggle with kidney disease. Her family and the congregation she served miss her dearly. For fifty-five years she gave herself to us in acts of extraordinary service and love. We have lost a spiritual mother and a friend.

Read a tribute to Montelle Hardwick
View The Service for Montelle Hardwick On-Line