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.

The congregation voted on May 3, 2026 to move forward with purchasing the property. On January 15, 2027, we will close on the purchase of our building and the adjacent triplext for $10.8 million. As of September 30, we have received $8.4 million in cash. The gap of $2.4 million can be covered with debt financing. But any additional gifts will reduce the amount of debt we need to take on and create more capacity for future construction and remodeling expenses. We are asking every person who calls Midtown 12 South home to consider giving toward this goal.

On May 3, 2026, all six Midtown congregations gathered at Waverly-Belmont Elementary School for worship, celebration, and a vote on purchasing the property. Over 500 people attended, and the vote passed with unanimous approval. It was a powerful moment and a clear signal that this community is united behind securing our long-term home at 12th and Beechwood. With the vote behind us, our focus now turns to closing the financial gap and finalizing the purchase.

On January 15, 2027, we are scheduled to close on the building for a purchase price of $10.8 million. As of September 30, 2026, we have received $8.4 million in cash and are in a healthy position to finance the rest of the purchase price without raising our overall budget. However, we are looking for additional gifts to grow our cash as close as possible to $10.8 million so that we can reduce the amount of debt we need to take on at closing.

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.

With the congregational vote now behind us, we're focused on one thing: closing. Our purchase agreement gives us until January 15, 2027, but we believe it's possible to close much sooner — potentially this fall — if we can continue the momentum with pledge fulfillment and new gifts. Two things drive the timeline: how quickly existing pledges are fulfilled, and whether new and existing givers can step forward to bridge the remaining $1.5 million gap. The sooner we close that gap, we close on the building and begin this new chapter together.

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.

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.

Thank you—your generosity helped get us to this moment. If you have an outstanding pledge balance, we encourage you to continue fulfilling your commitment and, if possible, to accelerate your giving timeline. The sooner pledges convert to cash, the sooner we can close on the property. You should have receive a personalized update from the church with your pledge status and a way to share your plans for fulfillment. If you have questions, please contact Matt Ockerman.

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.