Inside the Christian and Gospel Music Museum

Just a block off Broadway, where the loudest party in the south is happening, something new is singing its way into Music City’s heart. The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music officially opened its doors this week, a permanent home for a genre that’s shaped lives, souls, and soundtracks for generations. From the sidewalk, it Read More

Just a block off Broadway, where the loudest party in the south is happening, something new is singing its way into Music City’s heart. The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music officially opened its doors this week, a permanent home for a genre that’s shaped lives, souls, and soundtracks for generations.

From the sidewalk, it already feels special. You look up and there’s the infamous “Batman Building” watching over it, like a guardian angel. I was offered many opportunities to visit the museum while it was still in construction, but I’m so glad I waited. This is a complete story and I’m glad I saw it in it’s final form.

The ribbon-cutting felt more like a family reunion than a ceremony. As we all filled the streets, hugs and handshakes were spread from those of us who have shared decades of history in the genre.  GMA President Jackie Patillo stood proudly beside Governor Bill Lee as they sliced through the ribbon, officially welcoming this long-overdue space into existence. Steve Gilreath, the legendary Dove Awards producer, served as master of ceremonies and as the driving force behind the creation of the museum. There were artists, executives, and fans everywhere — a cross-section of the very world this museum now celebrates.

By sheer luck (or maybe divine timing), I was given a personal tour by John J. Thompson of TrueTunes alongside producer Brown Bannister, a name woven into the DNA of Christian music.

The exhibits cover it all: the Gospel roots, the crossover hits, the worship movements. It’s immersive, interactive, and impeccably curated. You can spend time with the touch screen experiences, listen to stories by the artists that shaped the medium, and feel the growing pulse of moments that changed everything. Still, walking through, I couldn’t help but hope for an expansion someday — a corner dedicated to the alt-rock and punk era of the 90s and 2000s. The Tooth & Nail / Cornerstone years. Those were the records that helped form my faith and my soundtrack, and I’d love to see that spirit represented in future updates.

And then — the surprises. The kind of stuff that makes you grin and whisper, “No way.” There’s a full tribute to Carman, complete with his Champion robe, boxing gloves, and Bible, still marked with his handwritten note: “You cannot serve both God and Money.” Around the corner, the unmistakable black and yellow of Stryper explodes from the display. Their full stage costumes are there, glowing like relics from a holy metal past, while a life-sized Michael Sweet appears on a screen to tell stories straight from the stage.

While museum is in the title, it’s more of an interactive experience. The layout is smooth, the design sharp, and even the merch area is well thought out. Think vintage vinyl bins, collectible memorabilia, and a killer coffee shop that could hold its own.

But one of the biggest personal highlights came early in the visit: seeing CCM Magazine featured near the entrance. I had no idea we’d be included. To see the logo — and the acknowledgment of John Styll, our founder who literally coined the term Contemporary Christian Music — was amazing. Our founding is now a story behind glass.

Standing there, I realized this building isn’t just about nostalgia or nameplates. It’s about giving Christian and Gospel music something it’s never really had — a forever home. After decades of tours, church stages, and festival fields, it finally has a place to rest, to be studied, to be celebrated.

So, if you find yourself in Nashville, step inside the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music. Listen, watch, remember. You’ll walk out with a smile, maybe a few goosebumps, and definitely a song stuck in your head.

After all these years, the music that moves us finally has a permanent place in this world.