Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

Photographed by Steve Masler

1. St. Mary's Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Parish founded in 1852 by German Catholics desiring ministry in their native tongue. Cornerstone laid 30 Sept. 1864 at this site while Union soldiers fired a salute. Second oldest Catholic church in Memphis. Designed by noted architect James B. Cook (1826-1909) F.A.I.A., dedicated 30 Oct. 1870. Third Order of Franciscans O.F.M. headquarters established here 1870; monastery added 1871. Lourdes Shrine, built 1875 and blessed 1895 by Pope Leo XIII, only Catholic Grotto in Tennessee. Entered 7 August 1974 in National Register of Historic Places of National Park Service.

Dedicated in loving memory to those who have served so well the spiritual needs of the Citizens of Memphis.

Erected by West Tennessee Historical Society and Friends of St. Mary's.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1864.

Location. 35° 9.076′ N, 90° 2.86′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is at the intersection of North Third Street and Market Street, on the right when traveling south on North Third Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lauderdale Courts / Presley Family at Lauderdale Courts (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square (about 500 feet away); First Court House, First Newspaper (about 600 feet away); Market Square (about 600 feet away); Congregation B'Nai Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Josiah T. Settle (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shelby County Archives and Hall of Records / Former Criminal Courts Building

St. Mary's Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 11, 2015

2. St. Mary's Catholic Church

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,036 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.