The Union Gospel Tabernacle was constructed in 1891-92 at 116 Fifth Avenue North in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. It would become better known as the Ryman Auditorium, built by Capt. Thomas Ryman originally as a place to hold religious revivals. It was also known as a great theater.

HISTORY: Capt. Ryman first built the auditorium for a place to hold religious revivals, but it soon became known as a first-rate theater. Stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Gene Autry, Enrico Caruso and Katharine Hepburn all have set foot in the Ryman. From 1943-1974, the Grand Ole Opry resided in the auditorium to make it country music's premier stage, bringing in artists such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Roy Acuff. Because of this, the Ryman Auditorium is known as “the mother church of country music.”

ABOUT THE BUILDER: Capt. Thomas Ryman (1841-1904) was well known as a steamboat captain and was owner and operator of the largest Cumberland River steamboat company. At first a rowdy jokester, Ryman converted to Christianity and built the Union Gospel Tabernacle for evangelist Rev. Samuel Porter Jones to hear his messages of salvation. On Dec. 23, 1904, Ryman died. At Ryman's funeral ceremony, the Rev. Jones took a vote to rename the tabernacle the Ryman Auditorium in his honor.

— Amber North