On September 1, 1842, Thomas Washington, a wealthy white Nashvillian, presented a man named Isaac for baptism at Christ Church. No birthdate is recorded. No last name is given. Isaac is simply identified in our Baptismal Register as “a slave belonging to Mr. T. Washington.”
In the midst of the civil unrest during the summer of 2020 instigated by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tamir Rice, and many others, The Very Rev. Timothy E. Kimbrough proposed The Isaac Project to the Vestry, seeking to quicken institutional awareness around practices, actions, ministries, and systems that have, either intentionally or implicitly, fostered racism and inhibited the comprehensive pursuit of holiness, righteousness, and the justice of God, by the people, Vestry, and clergy of Christ Church Cathedral.
The proposal, later adopted by the Vestry, outlines five phases of The Isaac Project—Phase One: origins and parochial development; Phase Two: public repentance and renewal; Phase Three: penance; Phase Four: institutional reform; and Phase Five: renewal by the Spirit, refreshment for service.
The Isaac Project has as its foundation and inspiration, the tenants from the National Church, which states that we are “guided by the vision of Becoming Beloved Community, our church’s long-term commitment to racial justice, healing and reconciliation. We’re all on a lifelong journey toward God’s dream, taking intentional and faithful steps as if moving through a labyrinth.”
The four parts:
Truth-telling: Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race
Proclamation: Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community
Formation: Practicing Jesus’ Way of Healing Love
Justice: Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions
Sponsored by the Beloved Community Commission
Sunday, February 23, 3:00 PM
Christ Church Cathedral
Special Preacher: The Rev. Ollie Rencher
Music: Chamber Singers of St. Bartholomew's Church
Father Ollie Rencher is the rector of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and School in Memphis, TN. Father Rencher serves on the boards of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School, St. George’s Independent School, BRIDGES, and the Memphis Boy and Girl Choir.
The Episcopal Church remembers Absalom Jones, the first Black man to be ordained to the priesthood, each year on February 13. This year's service will be the Diocese of Tennessee's 9th annual celebration. The offering collected at the service is designated for the two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) founded by the Episcopal Church. You may also donate online here, and remember to add “Absalom Jones-HBCU” in the note/memo line. The Diocese of Tennessee has raised nearly $10,000 for these two institutions since 2017.
Date TBD
In late winter/early spring of 2025 (date TBD), the Isaac Project will take a powerful journey to Montgomery to visit The Legacy Museum, Memorial, and more.
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October 26, 2024, 8:45 am to 12:30 p.m.
The Isaac Project in conjunction with Nashville Sites took a tour of historical places in our city that played significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement. Our guest guide, Elliott Robinson, Program Specialist at Nashville Public Library’s Civil Rights Room, shared highlights of this era as we drove by many places. We made three stops visiting First Baptist Church of Capitol Hill, American Baptist College, and Fisk University.
The Church Cracked Open book studies, to be held over five weeks from late October through November 2024.
Please contact Monica Urness; 615-403-8564 for questions and more information. Registration will go live soon.
December 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. CST
The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers joined the Cathedral and community partners for a Service of Repentance. More than 200 worshippers from Christ Church Cathedral and around the diocese gathered in our nave for the service. This service came out of the historical work of the Isaac Project Committee. The Isaac Project is named for one of the early enslaved persons baptized at Christ Church. We thank the Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers for serving as the guest preacher at this important event.
To view the livestream of the service, click here.
To view the Order of Service for the Service of Repentance, click here.
To view the list of those enslaved persons with ties to Christ Church Cathedral, click here.
November 24, 2024 and December 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
On November 24, prepared for the Service of Repentance and relied on participation from the congregation to create our collective “Commitment Cards” for repentance and reconciliation. On December 15, we reviewed the Service of Repentance and intentionally made plans for our next steps as a congregation.
Christ Church Cathedral has engaged in ongoing book studies addressing faith and anti-racism since 2020. Book studies are held both online and in person.
The Isaac Project with great support from the Reverend Vicki Burgess was able to hold multiple forums during the 2023-2024 Adult Sunday School Hour. The forums allowed the committee members who authored the articles detailing the Cathedral’s history from 1820’s to 1967. [articles link]
Civil Rights Forum with Special Guest Panelists
On February 25, 2024, the committee hosted a panel with four esteemed guests who shared their stories and perspectives of the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville. The guests were Billy Ballard, Professor at Meharry Medical College, member of the church vestry and who was a student active at the new St Anselm's Episcopal Church in 1961; Rev. Maggie Harney, daughter of Rev. Raymond T. Ferris, Pastor of Christ Church during this era; Bill Gittens, leader at St Anselm's Episcopal Church, retired Professor from Tennessee State University and who was a student at TSU during this era; and Gloria McKissick, a retired Tennessee State University Professor, member at Church of the Holy Trinity, and who was immersed in Nashville civil rights activities. The special guests and their family members then joined clergy, committee members, and vestry members for a community lunch and more conversations.
Beloved Community Training & Sacred Ground
The Isaac Project committee hosted a Beloved Community Anti-Racism Training in March of 2024. With the Diocesan Beloved Community Commission leaders facilitating, over 23 parishioners and all new vestry members participated in the training.
Beloved Community also holds an eight- week course entitled, Sacred Grounds, that tells the history of our country and the Episcopal church and the ties to slavery, crimes against indigenous and immigrant populations. Click here to sign up for Beloved Community emails to find the next class.
Join Friends of the Isaac Project Group
Contact Monica Urness; 615-403-8564
Beloved Community Commission
Click Here
