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

Oakville Missionary Baptist Church

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 15, 2015

1. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.
Front
Founded in 1871 and organized in 1872, this church is among Shelby County's oldest active African American congregations. Originally known as "Oakville Colored Church", it was organized by former slaves and their families and flourished during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Founder Rev. Rubin Reed was assisted by Reverends Morris Henderson, Dennis Morgan, Alfort Cohen, who furnished the later name (Oakville Baptist), Mose Henderson and Ben Love. The church thereafter was named in church records as the Oakville Missionary Baptist Church, but this name was never formally recorded as such in the county records. The property for the church was donated by the Edward LeMaster family with the understanding that it would always be used for a church or school.

Back
Most of the church history was recorded from the 1st administration in 1872 to the 17th administration in 1923, but little is known between 1924-1938. In 1938 Rev. Henry J. Thompson was elected pastor and served until 1980. Early in his tenure services were held in an old frame building, which served as a school during the week and a place

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of worship on Sundays. Membership grew under Reverend Thompson's leadership and, continuing with his successor Rev. Richmond Savage, several additions and renovations were made expanding it to the edifice seen today. On this same property is the church graveyard, which includes markers of deceased members whose births pre-date the Emancipation Proclamation.

Erected 2015 by Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Congegation and Shelby County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 35° 3.745′ N, 89° 54.636′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Parkway Village. It is at the intersection of Knight Arnold Road and Knight Road, on the left when traveling west on Knight Arnold Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3167 Knight Rd, Memphis TN 38118, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 15, 2015

2. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marker

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tragic Accident Sparks Sanitation Strike (approx. 2.2 miles away); Elvis Presley House (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Beginning (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Player (approx. 3.2 miles away); Gen. James M. Kennedy Hospital (approx. 3.2 miles away); This Chimney Swift Tower (approx. 3.3 miles away); Mertie's Lake and the Buckman Water Science Trail (approx. 3.4 miles away); Crystal Shrine Grotto (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Additional commentary.
1. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church
This marker was unveiled on the 144th anniversary of the founding of Oakville Missionary Baptist Church in what is now known as the

Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 15, 2015

3. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marker Dedication

Parkway Village neighborhood of Memphis.

— Submitted August 16, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.

Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marquis image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 15, 2015

4. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Marquis

Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Sanctuary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Masler, August 15, 2015

5. Oakville Missionary Baptist Church Sanctuary

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,466 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.