Welcome! Living a Legacy is the capital campaign for Midtown Fellowship 12 South that we launched in September 2024. Our building at the corner of 12th and Beechwood has been home to Gospel ministry since 1906, and Midtown 12 South has worshipped here since 2008. This campaign was a shared effort to pray and invest toward purchasing the property, secure it for the long term, and create a space that reflects who we are and who we want to be—a church for our neighborhood and for Nashville. Read more of the story, vision, and the reason for the Living a Legacy name on our campaign website here, as well as watch a video that shares our heart for the provision of this building.

As of spring 2026, approximately $9.5 million has been pledged toward the campaign, with roughly $5 million already converted to cash. A signed contract is now in place with the property owners at a purchase price of $10.8 million for the building and the adjacent triplex property. This is higher than the original purchase estimate of $7 million due to changes in the real estate market over the past two years; but the final price reflects fair market value, consistent with comparable property sales in the 12 South neighborhood. We are now working to close the remaining gap and move toward closing on the property.

A congregational meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Waverly-Belmont Elementary School. This gathering will include all six Midtown congregations for worship, celebration, and a vote by members on purchasing the property. As a member, you have both the responsibility and the privilege of casting that vote. If you are not yet a member but call 12 South home, we still encourage you to come worship and celebrate with us.

The purchase price for the property is $10.8 million. With $9.5 million pledged, we need to close a gap of roughly $1.3 million to cover the purchase, plus another $200,000 to cover expenses related to architectural planning and other upfront costs. So our goal—and prayer!—is to raise $11 million dollars in gifts and pledges by fall 2026 to close on the building.

We’d love to close as soon as possible. We’d love that to be this fall. But two things have to happen first: One, a congregational vote is required to approve the purchase. That is scheduled for May 3. Two, we need to determine how much cash we can have in hand toward the $11 million goal. That’s why it’s important for us to know how much of the $9.5 million in pledges can be fulfilled this fall, as well as whether new or existing givers can step forward to bridge the gap. Our purchase agreement commits us to close on the building no later than January 15, 2027. But we believe it’s possible to close much sooner than that, if we can continue momentum with pledge fulfilment and additional gifts.

Our goal is to minimize the amount of debt we take on. That’s why closing the gap between what’s been pledged and the purchase price is so important. But we’re also in a strong position for any amount we may need to finance. Right now, we pay roughly $200,000 per year in rent and payments directly to our landlord. Once we own the building, that money can be redirected to service a loan without any net increase to our budget. Additionally, the less we need to borrow to close on the property, the more financial flexibility we’ll have for the renovation and construction phases ahead. 

Our current $11 million goal is focused on purchasing the building. Looking ahead, we expect we will need to hold a second campaign phase in 2027 to fund renovation and new construction. That will enable the construction of a new worship center on the adjacent lot, vital building updates (asbestos and lead removal, code compliance, etc), and be a true neighborhood outpost for serving this city and living out the gospel together. We’re excited about living into that vision together. We will know more about actual costs down the road. For now, our focus is on joyful completion of the Living a Legacy campaign and raising $11 million to own this long-term gospel home.

Progress will take place in phases. An architect selection process (RFP) will take place this summer, followed by engagement with builders in the fall of 2026. Design work is expected to be finalized by October 2026, with pre-construction, engineering, and permitting work unfolding through late 2026 and into the first half of 2027. Construction could begin in fall 2027, depending on the permitting process and fundraising progress.

The renderings in the original campaign materials from 2024 are true in spirit, but not technical plans. They were created as illustrations to help cast vision for what the space could become. The actual building design will be developed by an architect selected through an RFP process this summer. That design will be guided by a set of values currently being developed by the 12 South Vision and Values Committee—a group that has gathered congregational input through surveys and collaborative sessions—that will directly shape an architect’s plans for the buildout as well as how 12 South will operate as a good neighbor throughout the construction process.

For now, the 10am service is not going anywhere. As the building project progresses and the new space takes shape, leadership will evaluate the best path forward for all of our services and worship gatherings.

Thank you for your generosity. If you have an outstanding pledge balance, we encourage you to continue fulfilling your commitment and letting us know your expected timeline for completion. Many original pledgers are on a three-year giving window, with some pledges set to fulfill by October 2026. If you are able to accelerate your giving timeline, that would help us close on the property sooner. You should receive a personalized update from the church with your pledge and giving status, and a way to let us know your plans for pledge fulfillment. If you have questions about your pledge, please contact Matt Ockerman.

You can give online through Midtown Fellowship’s online giving portal by selecting the “Living A Legacy” option. Gifts by check can be mailed to Midtown Fellowship Church in Nashville. The campaign also accepts gifts of appreciated securities, real estate, or closely held business interests. All gifts to the campaign are tax-deductible.

We love all the passion we’re hearing from people who want to help. It is still early in the process for most volunteer involvement. As the project moves into the design and construction phases, there will be more opportunities to get involved. In the meantime, the best way to help is to pray, give, and stay engaged. If you would like to talk more specifically, please contact Matt Ockerman.