Watson Grove Baptist Church is testing the waters on a potential redevelopment of its long-standing Edgehill campus at 1415 DeFord Bailey Avenue, with leaders now fielding offers and proposals as they map out what comes next for the congregation. Church officials stress that this is an exploratory step, not a done deal, and that no final decision has been made about selling the property.
What’s On The Market
The congregation has brought in Foundry Commercial to evaluate options and market the site. The Edgehill campus spans roughly 1.5 acres and includes about 34,000 square feet of buildings, among them a multi-level sanctuary that seats more than 700, classrooms, administrative offices, a fellowship hall, a full kitchen and an attached chapel. Those details come from a Foundry marketing release circulated to local media and potential buyers, as outlined by Foundry Commercial.
Why The Move Matters
Davidson County put the property’s value at roughly $14.5 million last year, a figure that highlights just how hot Edgehill and nearby 12South have become for new development, according to Nashville Scene. That kind of appraisal helps explain why congregations across the area are weighing their options, from outright sale to joint projects with developers.
“This is information-gathering, and we’re approaching it with clarity, prayer and purpose,” Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. John R. Faison Sr. said in materials released with the marketing announcement, per Foundry Commercial. Church leaders note that Watson Grove has grown into a multi-campus ministry, and they say any potential deal for the Edgehill site will be judged by how well it supports long-term community programming.
What Comes Next
The parcel is now listed for sale, with Foundry handling the marketing effort, as reported by Nashville Post. Church officials say they plan to review proposals that align with Watson Grove’s mission, and they have not put a public timeline on when decisions will be made.
Commercial real estate platforms also show the listing as a religious and specialty property, matching the size and lot details offered in the formal marketing package and giving prospective bidders a straightforward way to dig into the basics and make contact. The site is currently visible on marketplace sites such as LoopNet.
Neighbors and preservation advocates are expected to follow the process closely. Nearby church properties have already been converted into everything from cafes to preschools, changes that have become a defining thread in Edgehill’s recent evolution. Nashville Scene has tracked several of those cases and the tensions they reveal between long-standing community institutions and rising market pressures.
