Rev. Bill Barnes, longtime Nashville affordable housing advocate, dies at 86

The Rev. Bill Barnes, a longtime Nashville affordable housing and civil rights advocate, crusader for the poor and founding pastor of Edgehill United Methodist Church, died Monday. He was 86.

"I think he's been that persistent voice, probably at times irritating voice to some, of the importance of equality and justice for all God's children," said the Rev. John Feldhacker, who now leads Edgehill United Methodist Church.

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The city's affordable housing fund is named for Barnes. Known for his politically progressive stances, he fought against the further concentration of poverty in Nashville and raised concerns about the homogenization of neighborhoods. He wanted to help children break the cycle of generational poverty, Feldhacker said.

Mayor Megan Barry said in a statement that she will miss his "thoughtful counsel" and the entire city will miss his "spirit of service, advocacy and activism."

"The Rev. Bill Barnes was the conscience of our city for decades. He consistently and faithfully gave voice to the voiceless, speaking up for the unhoused, for those who need affordable places to live and for the needs of the Edgehill community," Barry said. "But we know that Rev. Barnes taught generations of leaders who will follow in his footsteps in the years to come. That’s a beautiful legacy."

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Barnes was a force in Metro government on the issue of affordable housing even in his final years.

His advocacy was recognized with the naming of the Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing, created in 2013 to offer financial incentives to developers who build affordably priced housing units. More recently, he watched the Metro Council approve a pair of new policies two years ago aimed at spurring new affordable and workforce development.

"For as long as we’ve been doing this work, and certainly long before we began doing this work, Bill has been the sage and the voice and the heart behind our work towards helping those with less," said Avi Poster, a Nashville community activist who leads the anti-poverty group A Voice.

"I’ve never known anyone more committed and more unselfish in his deeds than Bill. I am absolutely at a loss of words because everyone I talked to that Bill touched considered him the same sage that I did. He was our lifeline and he was our blood in this work."

His leadership in the fight for affordable housing in Nashville is only a part of the Methodist minister's legacy.

In 1966, Barnes founded Edgehill United Methodist Church, the city's first intentionally integrated congregation, in response to the civil rights movement. They ministered to the neighborhood, a cross-section of public housing and middle class families.

Under Barnes' leadership, the congregation joined fights against segregation, controversial urban renewal plans and the Vietnam War while supporting gay and lesbian rights, HIV/AIDS work and affordable housing efforts.

"I tell people that ask me about Edgehill that know its history that 'You may not agree with everything that Edgehill has stood for throughout the years, but you have to agree that it's a voice that needed to be heard,'" said Feldhacker, who gave regular updates to Barnes about the church.

The church's impact spread beyond the Edgehill neighborhood. Dozens of nonprofits and organizations can trace their roots, in some fashion, to Edgehill United Methodist Church. Some of those include W.O. Smith Music School, Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, Luke 14:12 and Organized Neighbors of Edgehill.

In 1979, Barnes and fellow minister, Don Beisswenger, founded Project Return, a nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated men and women return to the community and workforce.

"Decades ago, time spent visiting Tennessee prisons struck Bill with the realization that there was no organized way to help people rebuild their lives and rejoin the community after incarceration," the nonprofit said in a statement. "We cherish every minute we've spent with Bill, and yet it was never enough."

After 30 years, Barnes retired as pastor of Edgehill United Methodist Church in 1996. But his legacy lives on in the congregation that continues to amplify the voices in the community that are not being heard, Feldhacker said.

"That church to this day represents his passion for justice," Feldhacker said.

The Rev. Sonnye Dixon, pastor of Hobson United Methodist Church in Nashville, was a friend of Barnes for more than 40 years. The two worked together on public education and housing, among other issues.

"I will remember Bill as being one who was completely faithful to living out the Jesus story," Dixon said. "It was meant for him to be in a community with those who were on the margins and who have been disenfranchised. He created a presence for folks and gave voice to people.

"He was more than just someone who was about a cause, but it was about the people for whom he engaged. He always found himself being present with those who were hurting."

Barnes, a Nashville native, was born in 1931 and attended Nashville public schools and Vanderbilt University. He served from 1953-55 in the U.S. Army, and graduated in 1959 from Yale Divinity School. Barnes also taught courses at Scarritt College and Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Throughout his life, Barnes' commitment to affordable housing and human rights didn't waver. Nor did his affection for Nashville. In "To Love a City," Barnes' 2007 book that chronicles his ministry at Edgehill United Methodist Church, he wrote:

"I continue to love my city — through tears and laughter. I rejoice in many long-term friendships and applaud and support all those who work as individuals or in organizations to foster its life. I grieve over its divisions and exclusions, its racism and classism and Nimbyism. Many weak links are waiting painfully to be strengthened for the sake of the whole. But the love persists and deepens — enough to actively support good causes and justice, enough to expose and oppose, as I am able, the life killers."

Metro Councilman Freddie O’Connell, whose district includes Barnes’ church, called Barnes a personal mentor of his in civic volunteerism.

"It’s a blow because even in his final year as the Barnes Fund itself has kicked into gear, there’s still a struggle. Metro Council, at this moment, is not in a posture where we’re by default going to even carry through with Barnes Fund projects. I wouldn’t describe us having a citywide consensus on the value and utility of affordable housing.

"There’s still an incredible amount of work to be done, to look to, to I hope strengthen his legacy."

Barnes died the same day the historic solar eclipse swept across the city. A collision of events Metro Councilman Colby Sledge pointed out in a statement.

"Reverend Barnes was quick to remind Nashvillians that the fulfillment of scripture is a city," Sledge said. "That city is described in Revelation as having a light so bright that it needs no sun or moon, so it's fitting we would mourn his passing on a day when the sun and moon meet."

Barnes leaves behind a legacy as well as a road map.

"We still have much work to do in Nashville to house our neighbors, welcome the stranger and serve each other," Sledge said. "Thankfully, Reverend Barnes' life has been a source of light so bright that it might show us the way."

He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and his three children. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Belmont United Methodist Church with a reception to follow.

Reach Joey Garrison at jgarrison@tennessean.com or 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison. Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.