South Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Robert R. Church
Photographed By Steve Masler
1. Robert R. Church Marker
"..The triumph of Memphis as a great city could not be written without an account of the marvelous career of the late R.R. Church, who built a fame on character and left two fortunes. One a great estate as men appraise wealth, and the other heritage for his children and for all the people. He saw his town grow from a boasting village to a city of renown, and he was part of the bravery of those who grappled with such problems as few builders have been compelled to overcome...he pointed the way to float bonds for his stricken city as he paid down the purchase money of No. 1.."
"No federal appointment is made in Memphis and Shelby County under a Republican administration without his endorsement. He is high in the councils of his party... Church is modest and unassuming... His work is done in his Beale Street office in Memphis and in the White House in Washington..his influence in the Republican party is more extensive in the South than any man, white or black...if the Republican party continues in control, Church will continue to be head of the party in Tennessee."
Erected 1913 by The Commericial Appeal.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 35° 7.205′ N, 90° 1.756′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Walker Avenue and Cummings Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 978 Walker Avenue, Memphis TN 38106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marion Scudder Griffin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); LeMoyne-Owen College (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain Kit Dalton (approx. ¼ mile away); No Man's Land Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Soldiers Rest (approx. ¼ mile away); Phillips Cottage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); LeMoyne Owen College (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Also see . . .
1. Robert Reed Church...The first black Millionaire. Historic Memphis website entry (Submitted on October 8, 2019, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)
2. Robert R. Church Sr. Tennessee Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on October 8, 2019, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Steve Masler
2. Robert R. Church Marker
via Historic Memphis, unknown
3. Robert Reed Church
Photographed By Steve Masler
4. Robert R. Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2019, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2019, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. 3. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on October 8, 2019, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
