Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Beale Street Baptist Church
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
1. Beale Street Baptist Church Marker
Front side
Founded in the late 1840s by Rev. Morris Henderson and four other blacks, Beale Street Baptist Church is the oldest, continuous Negro congregation in Memphis. Withdrawing from the First Baptist Church, the founders and others met in an old dwelling house until it burned in the 1860s. Later they acquired a lot for $5,000 and held their early meetings in a brush arbor. Soon afterward the present building was constructed. Architects were E.C. Jones and M.H. Baldwin. This was the first brick church in the Mid-South built by and for blacks.
It is considered the Mother Church of all black Baptist churches in this area. Ministers who have served this church include: Revs. Morris Henderson, Scott Key, R.N. Countee, Taylor Nightengale, P.J. Jackson, Henry Clemons, J.P. Hurt, J.C. Bowers, J.L. Lewis, B.J. Perkins, George A. Long, and James A. Jordan. Many outstanding leaders have spoken here, including President Ulysses S. Grant in 1880, U.S. Rep. Oscar DePriest in 1930, and A. Philip Randolph in 1944.
Erected by The Beale Street Baptist Church and The Shelby County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 35° 8.359′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Solvent Savings Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Memphis Home of W.C. Handy (within shouting distance of this marker); This Plaque is Dedicated to Father and Son, Leaders of Their Race (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Park Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Chop Suey Café / Chinese Merchants on Beale Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sara Roberta Church (about 300 feet away); Church Park (about 400 feet away); Mary Church Terrell (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
2. Beale Street Baptist Church Marker
Reverse side
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020
3. Beale Street Baptist Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
