Nashville Church of Christ Returns to Founder’s Family After Six-Year Legal Battle
A judge’s ruling earlier this month has returned control of the Nashville Church of Christ, originally the Central Church of Christ, to the family of its founder, A.M. Burton, ending a six-year legal dispute.
Singer Amy Grant and her cousin, Andy Burton, spearheaded the effort to reclaim the property and restore the church’s original mission, established in 1925. For decades, the church served as a vital resource for some of Nashville’s most vulnerable populations. The court found that under the leadership of Shawn Mathis, who took control in 2019, the church violated a conditional limitation outlined in the original deed, triggering a reversion of the property to the Burton estate.
During Mathis’s tenure, the church experienced a significant decline in membership, alongside allegations of mismanagement and questionable financial practices that drew scrutiny from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. The judge’s decision mandates the sale of the downtown property, located near the Ryman Auditorium, with 80 percent of the proceeds going to Burton’s heirs. Grant stated the family intends to find a buyer committed to community service, and the funds will be used to establish a new charitable organization. “Nashville is so philanthropic,” Grant said. “But we sure need a downtown hub.”
The building has been vacant for several years, but was reopened today following the ruling. This decision could significantly impact the future of social services in the downtown core, as the property represents a valuable asset for potential redevelopment focused on community needs. Officials say the family is now focused on identifying a suitable buyer and launching their new charitable endeavor, building on the legacy of A.M. Burton’s original vision for the church, as detailed in Church History Online.
