334 Main Street: The First Brick Building In Town

On February 11, 1982, the Tennessee Historical Commission signed off on a request to nominate a hand full of ninetieth century churches in Clarksville. They included St. Peter African American Methodist Church, Trinity Church, a Catholic Church and the Clarksville Methodist Church originally located at 334 Main Street. Fast forward to today and the possible future of 334 Main.

334 Main did make it on the National Register of Historic Places which is why, currently, there is a lot of discussion as to the future of this building. We don’t ever set out to take a side in the future of one of our featured buildings. We simply want to tell its story through pictures. You are moved to action after visiting our site, good! Run with it! Abandoned Clarksville simply wants to tell the story of these amazing buildings left, for one reason or another, across our community. So let’s do that!

First, we want to send a special thanks to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library for their help when we are researching buildings in our community. On top of the wonderful things they offer our community, they have an amazing Reference staff and Genealogy Department. Go check them out! Bring the kids and stay a while! I mentioned the library because without them, I may not have found that 334 Main was the first brick building in town! WOW!

Classified ad from 1900 seeking boarders

According to the Nineteenth Century Heritage of Clarksville, Tennessee; 334 Main was built when a need arose in the local Methodist Church community. The group, being in the area since 1823, was growing and a larger more permanent place to gather and worship was needed. The site was selected and purchased from Newton Berryman for $100. The building was completed in 1831.

“The building was constructed prior to the recording of the deed to the property. The deed, of January 18, 1832 was registered May 12, 1832.” - Nineteenth Century Heritage of Clarksville, Tennessee

June 1954 - A Clarksville Gas and Water ad about the economical benefits of natural gas

The building met the needs of the congregation for 10 years. At that point it was sold to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Both the local Presbyterian and Methodist congregations that occupied this building went on to grow and build beautiful churches downtown.

Details are scarce as to the next chapter of 334 Main. We do know that in the 1880s the building was renovated into a boarding house. In 1900 it was classified as Multi-Family. With obvious modernization, the home remained apartments until 2018.

Just steps from 334 is the Planning Commission's office. Where the future of the building will be decided

As far as the future of 334 Main goes, that is up to the building’s owner and the Regional Planning Commission. Ironically, 334 Main is only a few feet away from that office.

If you have photos or stories of 334 Main that you would like to share please let us know. Also, we are sharing the information given to us. If we missed a fact, please tell us so we can get it corrected.