The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) celebrated the dedication of its new campus in Nashville’s MetroCenter with a special ceremony Tuesday, July 28.

Keeping its long-established roots in Nashville, the company has moved to a modern and technology-rich location at 2222 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Previously UMPH was located in the heart of downtown Nashville on 8th Avenue South across from Music City Center.

Known to some area residents as the old Fountain Square Mall complex, the publisher honored the environment and the community by repurposing the pre-existing structure into the newly renovated John Dickins House main building. Named after historic people and places within the Methodist movement, the office building resides on the New House Commons campus along the banks of Lake Wesley and features the Georgia Harkness Library. The interior design utilizes historic artifacts such as hand presses and early manuscripts of theological texts in a state-of-the-art facility.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean spoke at the dedication ceremony.

“Nashville’s history as a magnet for publishing—whether religious publishers, music publishers or print publishers—has given us an edge as a creative, entrepreneurial city,” Dean said. “The United Methodist Publishing House is an important asset for Nashville, and I appreciate all that they do to represent our city across the country. And I appreciate the investment they’re making right here in Nashville.”

Other special guests in attendance included UMPH board members, former board chairs and William McAlilly, bishop of the Nashville-area United Methodist Church.

“As we celebrate the dedication of the New House Commons Campus and The John Dickins House, we also rededicate ourselves to the ongoing mission and ministry of the United Methodist Publishing House,” said Rev. R. Carl Frazier Jr., who serves as chair of the UMPH board of directors and lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina. “We find ourselves in a new place, with new technologies, telling an ‘old, old story’ that still has relevance for today. It is an exciting time to be a part of this ministry of God's church.”

President and Publisher Neil M. Alexander said it was “an honor to dedicate our beautiful new facility to the mission of reaching more people in more places with the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

UMPH generates approximately $65 million in annual revenue from Cokesbury, the publisher’s retail division, and Abingdon Press, its main publishing imprint. UMPH also publishes the Common English Bible.

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