THE BELL TOWER
Amidst bustling downtown Nashville, The Bell Tower sits pretty and proudly on the corner of 4th Avenue South and Korean Veterans Boulevard.
Built in 1874, The Bell Tower was one of the first churches built by freed slaves after the Civil War.
Following the abolition of slavery, many Americans reveled in newfound freedom; and this resulted in a massive missionary effort in the south.
Consequently, this effort financed new churches and schools, and new denominations were created. Including the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E).
In what is now SoBro and the home of The Bell Tower, was once called Black Bottom. The 5-block radius got its name from the black mud and flooding of filthy water caused in part by the Cumberland River and in part by Wilson Spring Branch, a creek that was later bricked over as a sewer.
Most of the surrounding neighborhood was destroyed after World War II, and we're proud to say that The Bell Tower is one of the last original structures of Black Bottom still standing in downtown Nashville.
On June 17, 1874, construction began on a brand new Saint Paul A.M.E. Church at the corner of what was then Cherry Street and Franklin Street.
At 3 p.m., around 1500 people gathered to witness the laying of the cornerstone. Many traveled from Murfreesboro and Shelbyville just to partake in the celebration.
A marching band joyfully marched from Cedar Street through Summer to Demonbreun and back again.
Hymns could be heard coming from the ceremonial service, and a prayer was held in the adjoining building where the church was to be built.
A few decades and more than a few new faces later, here we are!
The Bell Tower has since been transformed into a breathtaking, contemporary event venue for just about any kind of social gathering or celebration.
Formerly home to EOA Architects, the space is now full of natural southern light with a spacious open floor plan allowing for a multitude of possibilities.
The original exposed beams and downstairs stonework still remain, thus keeping the character and historic charm of the venue still intact. We even kept the original sub-flooring, which contains salvaged wood from homes destroyed during the war.
Meanwhile, a towering staircase leads to a spacious mezzanine. This bonus space is perfect for another bar or extra seating with a perfect bird's eye view of the happenings below.
Our awesome production squad is ready and able to set the tone of any event with all the latest gadgets and completely customizable lighting options. Some of our favorites include paper lanterns, string lights, a custom floral ring and our stunning collection of chandeliers.
So, envisioning cocktail hour on an air-conditioned patio in the middle of July? Done, and done. Maybe a personalized gobo to represent your brand? No sweat, we can project any monogram, logo or design onto the walls or even the floor! And the options don't stop there.
Pro tip: The mezzanine is the best spot in the house for photographers to perfectly capture first dances, speeches and other memorable moments from above!
And for bonus points? The Tasting Room is located within the actual bell tower and is available for hourly rental.
Impeccably designed, bottles line the walls and striking modern chandeliers hang from above. Guests are invited to sample local favorites and lesser-known distillery spirits from a selection of over 100 hand-picked bourbons, whiskey and scotch. Because when in Nashville, do as the Honky Tonkers do! That's the saying, right?
Above all, we love seeing our innovative clients and talented staff work together to create unforgettable experiences and endless memories at The Bell Tower.
From intimate rehearsal dinners to romantic weddings, to music showcases and not-so-average corporate events, no event is left behind. And we can't wait to see more of what the future holds!
Scroll on to see the transformation of The Bell Tower over the years, and what we've been up to since.
HERE'S THE SKINNY
✓ Original Beams & Historic Sub-flooring
✓ Prime Downtown Location
✓ Seated Capacity of 400
✓ Standing Capacity of 700
✓ Two Lounges
✓ State-of-the-art Light & Sound
✓ Full Commercial Kitchen
✓ In-house Catering
✓ Covered Side Patio
✓ Upper-level Mezzanine
✓ Specialty Tasting Room
✓ 250 Mahogany Chiavari Chairs
✓ 25 60" Round Tables
✓ China, Silverware, & Glassware
✓ Handicap Accessible
Photography Credits: Sarah Sidwell, Rachel Moore, Details Nashville, Chelsea Somohano, 30MilesWest, Nyk + Cali, Janelle Elise, Teale Photography, Katelyn Nicole, Molly Peach, Mary Rosenbaum, and Laura K. Allen.
