One of Tennessee’s oldest boy Scout troops, Troop 3 at East End United Methodist Church in Nashville, will be celebrating its centennial on Sunday, Sept. 26.
Troop 3 was founded during the same year that the Boy Scouts of America began. The Sept. 26 centennial event will include a 10:30 am worship service followed by a luncheon to benefit Troop 3 in the church park.
The service will feature comments by current and former Scouts and leaders and other guests. Former members and leaders of Troop 3 are especially encouraged to attend. Everyone welcome.
East End UMC is at 1212 Holly Street, 37206. For details, call the Rev. Diane Blum, 227-3272, or Tim Tanton, 415-0147.
Press Release
BOY SCOUTS CELEBRATE TROOP 3’S FIRST 100 YEARS SEPT. 26
HISTORY COINCIDES WITH CENTENNIAL OF SCOUTING IN USA
Troop 3 is Tennessee’s Longest Continuously-Chartered Troop
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Boy Scouts of America had barely started when members of a church in Nashville launched what has become one of the longest continuously operating Scout troops in the country.
This year, as Scouts nationwide celebrate the centennial of scouting in America, members of East End United Methodist Church will mark a similar milestone for Boy Scout Troop 3 on Sunday, Sept. 26.
Troop 3’s charter has been unbroken since it was founded in 1910. Among its firsts, it was the first troop in the state to have an Eagle Scout – a distinction earned by Allen Fitzgerald, son of the troop’s founder and second Scoutmaster, W.H. Fitzgerald, according to a history of East End United Methodist Church.
“Any 100-year anniversary is pretty special,” said Scoutmaster Libor Koudelka. “But, as one of the first troops in Tennessee, we are also celebrating our place in the 100-year history of Scouting in the United States. … The fact that Troop 3 started at this church in 1910 and we are still meeting here to this day is, in my opinion, unique.”
Troop 3’s centennial celebration will begin with a 10:30 a.m. worship service at the church followed by a luncheon in the church park. The service will include special guest speakers. Current and former Scouts and Scout leaders will be recognized.
“The remarkable continuity of Troop 3 with East End United Methodist Church is an expression of commitment to youth over several generations and through many changes in the community of our congregation,” said the Rev. Diane Blum, East End pastor.
“For several decades, East End was a large, prosperous congregation that provided a strong base for an active Boy Scout program. As East Nashville neighborhoods changed, the congregation continued to make ministry with young people a priority, and Troop 3 was part of this outreach.
“In recent years, the troop has grown diverse and active, scouts have reached the coveted rank of Eagle, strong adult leadership has multiplied along with the number of boys coming into our program,” Blum said.
“Scouting provides timeless values and an anchor in difficult times,” Koudelka said. “Through the unique adventures and challenges of Scouting, boys learn responsibility, service, and leadership. They develop emotional maturity and the ability to overcome obstacles.”
The troop currently has 20 Scouts. It honored its newest Eagle Scout in August, and its next Eagle Scout will break ground on his Eagle project during the Sept. 26 celebration.
“Our troop looks forward to many more years of serving the youth and community of East Nashville,” Koudelka said. “We have an extremely active outdoor program that promotes personal growth, both physically and mentally. It’s very satisfying to watch young boys develop into capable, confident young men while having a lot of fun along the way.”
Said Blum: “We hope that our troop’s vitality and witness, with our support at this time in our history, will help us to reach far into the next century.”
For more information, contact Tim Tanton at 415-0147 or the Rev. Diane Blum at 227-3272.