Binghampton in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Rock of Ages Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
African Americans formed the Rock of Ages Colored Methodist Episcopal congregation c. 1907. The congregation moved into a new church in 1956, when it became the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME). The name change signaled the congregation's repudiation of the Jim Crow era, and they became more active in the Labor and Civil Rights Movements. With many of its members active in the Labor Movement. Rock of Ages CME Church served as a cornerstone institution in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis.
Beginning in 1960, sanitation workers began demanding an end to discrimination and an affirmation of their civil rights. Rock of Ages CME Church was closely associated with this movement since many of its members labored as sanitation workers and the church served as a meeting center, involved in both the Labor and Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, the congregation's members participated in the Memphis Sanitation Strike. The church was also part of the Memphis Area Project-South (MAP-South), an important effort allied with the War on Poverty in the mid-1960s. On April 10, 2017, the National Park Service listed Rock of Ages CME Church in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 181.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 35° 8.72′ N, 89° 58.026′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Binghampton. Marker is at the intersection of Scott Street and Princeton Street, on the right when traveling north on Scott Street. In front of Rock of Ages CME Church beside stairs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 478 Scott St, Memphis TN 38112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Joseph Hanover (approx. half a mile away); Overton Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Memphis 13 / Springdale Elementary School (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Lindenwood Christian Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Joseph "Joe" C. Warren (approx. 1.2 miles away); Overton Square (approx. 1.4 miles away); Griffin House (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
More about this marker. Additional writing on backside of marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2018, by Curtis Wise of Jackson, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 542 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2018, by Curtis Wise of Jackson, Tennessee. 2. submitted on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 29, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.