Michael's View: Johnson's Chapel - Brentwood, Tennessee

Late in the eighteenth century as settlers began pouring into the rich bottom lands of the Harpeth River Valley, many of the early pioneers brought a pioneering spirit to this area, along with a fervent belief in God - one of the cornerstones upon which our nation was built. The harsh winters, the arduous journey across the mountains from Virginia and North Carolina, and the attacks from hostile natives gave Williamson County’s earliest settlers plenty of reason to pray. By the early years of the nineteenth century the Methodist congregations of Middle Tennessee were being served by circuit riders who, following the example of Francis Asbury, rode thousands of miles on horseback and braved extreme conditions to bring their enthusiasm for Wesley’s Methodist faith into local frontier communities.

Popular gathering often drew thousands of worshipers to McCrory’s land grant where the circuit riders held their camp meetings. Many baptisms were held along the banks of the Little Harpeth River which flows through many subdivisions in Brentwood. Some of these are Brentwood Country Club Estates, McGavock Farms, Belle Rieve, River Oaks, Derby Glen and others along Old Hickory Boulevard.

In 1796 Major John Johnston, an Irish immigrant who fought in the Revolution, purchased this part of the McCrory grant. In 1803 Major Johnstone’s son Mathew built the first church on this property, a log cabin used by several denominations for the purpose of spiritual renewal. In 1831 Mathew deeded the land to the Methodist Episcopal Church which later became the UMC. The spelling of the chapel’s name has streamlined over the years from Johnstone to Johnson. The log structure is reported to have burned in 1850 and was immediately replaced by a weatherboard building. The weatherboard structure was razed in 1925 and the beautiful chapel located on 201 High Lea Road, Brentwood, TN replaced it. The building was dedicated on May 27, 1925. Johnson’s Chapel is located in the River Oaks subdivision in Brentwood, TN.

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton an ASHI Certified inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing Nashville home inspections for Davidson county and Brentwood home inspections for Williamson County and other areas of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment.  This post is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, which is a social network highlighting the best of Web 2.0.  Information and is provided with the intent of educating and assisting home owners, home sellers, home buyers and real estate investors with information they can use to make better real estate decisions.  Visit some of my other posts at blogs.chiblogs.com