NASHVILLE, TN — The Gospel Music Association has opened a new chapter in its mission of honoring the artists who have shaped Christian and Gospel music, and in helping to promote the music’s message of faith.
The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music has opened its doors on Friday, Oct. 3 at 402 Commerce Street, establishing the first permanent home in Nashville dedicated to Christian and Gospel music.
The 11,000-square-feet new museum, which will also house the Mike Curb GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, now stands alongside other Nashville music museums including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the National Museum of African-American Music, and the Musicians Hall of Fame, while telling the story of Christian and Gospel artists and the impact the genre continues to have.
The museum, which has been four years in the making, tells a sweeping story, connecting more than 500 historical moments and 300 artists, using videos, photos, artifacts, and interactive displays.
“When we say ‘Gospel music,’ that doesn’t define it musically. That defines the content, the message, and that’s the tie that binds,” says Gospel Music Association president Jackie Patillo, one of the industry visionaries who has spearheaded and championed the development of the museum. Indeed, the museum highlights artists spreading a Gospel message through musical styles ranging from country and Southern Gospel to pop, rap/hip-hop, Latin, soul and more.
The museum’s executive director Steve Gilreath visited over 30 museums in the process of curating and designing the space. He spent the past year searching out and selecting items to highlight in the museum.
“I got some calls right away from people that were like, ‘I want you to come over and clean out my attic or clean out my garage,’” Gilreath recalls. “We’re not cleaning out your attic. I want to take three things.”
Attendees can also engage with the music and artists on a personal level, thanks to interactive spaces that allow them to record their own vocals on classic songs, or even leave video messages to artists to share how songs have impacted them. Listening stations allow attendees to hear many of the genre’s classic songs, while digital video panels throughout the space feature 18 artists, among them Steven Curtis Chapman, Dr. Bobby Jones, and Bill and Gloria Gaither, discussing topics including recording and songwriting.
“I am thrilled that we will now have a museum celebrating Christian and Gospel music right here in Nashville,” industry trailblazer Michael W. Smith said in a statement. “This space will not only honor the trailblazers who came before, but it will also inspire future generations to carry the message of faith and hope through music.” A hand-painted grand piano Smith has played on tours is displayed in the museum.
The opening is timed to coincide with one of the biggest weeks on the Christian music calendar, with the 56th annual GMA Dove Awards set for Oct. 7 at the nearby Bridgestone Arena. The museum recognizes not only the genre’s history but its presence and nods to its future. Many of the artists featured in the museum — including Winans, Lake and Daigle — are among this year’s top GMA Dove Awards nominees.
“The Museum of Christian and Gospel Music is more than just a building — it’s a place where stories of faith, perseverance, and the power of music come alive,” Winans said in a statement. “The heart of Gospel music is to uplift and point people to Jesus, and now we have a beautiful museum where that impact can be celebrated and remembered for years to come.”
