Fellowship at Two Rivers property sold to Catholics

The Fellowship at Two Rivers divested itself of a Donelson campus exponentially larger than the former megachurch needs, voting to sell its 220,000-square-foot building and 37.5-acre grounds to the Catholic Diocese of Nashville.

The diocese will pay $12.5 million and move operations from the Catholic Center at 2400 21st Ave. S., spokesman Rick Musacchio said. He said the relatively small center has forced the diocese to spread programs among locations across the city.

The vote, taken after a morning sermon stressing that every Christian -- not just the biblical "superheroes" -- has the power to enact change, was nearly unanimous. Only one obvious "no" hand went up.

The decision caps a 7-years-long saga that began with a lawsuit by church dissidents seeking to oust then-pastor Jerry Sutton and view church financial records. Since then, total attendance has dwindled from about 2,000 to 575. That's divided between a Mt. Juliet congregation and the Donelson campus, which sits across Briley Parkway from the Gaylord Opryland complex.

The church, seeking a fresh start, changed its name from Two Rivers Baptist, but only hung a temporary banner over the old sign. After Sunday's vote, executive pastor Len Taylor stressed that it was the whole congregation's decision, and they're excited to be looking for smaller quarters in Donelson.

They' have until June 30, 2015, to vacate their 2800 McGavock Pike location.

The building went on the market more than two years ago. After the congregation served a neighborhood decimated by the 2010 flood, they realized they could do more for people without a huge campus to maintain, Taylor said. "We are getting out of the building business."

The diocese issued a lengthy explanation of its decision-making process, assuring Catholics the purchase won't hurt the diocese's financial condition because at least part of the money will come from selling the current Catholic Center. The statement also cited population growth in the region and among Catholic congregations.

A recent report showed the Diocese of Nashville is eighth in the nation for its growth rate for converts.

The real estate deal is reminiscent of the 2011 Crystal Cathedral sale in Orange County, Calif. The Catholic Diocese of Orange paid $57.5 million for the showpiece built by Reformed Church in America televangelist Robert Schuller after his ministry went bankrupt.

Reach Heidi Hall at 615-726-5977 and on Twitter @HeidiHallTN.