New Pathways in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Mount Nebo Baptist Church
Photographed by Steve Masler, September 24, 2015
1. The Mount Nebo Baptist Church Marker
Front
Completed in 1896, this Gothic church edifice was erected by the Grace Episcopal Church. Because the Memphis Housing Authority selected a site for public housing in proximity to Grace Episcopal Church, in November 1938, Grace Episcopal congregants unanimously voted to sell its building and adjoining property to the Mount Nebo (Negro) Baptist Church, also known as "Sack Chapel." Dating back to 1907, the congregation chose the Rev. Isaac Cotton as their first pastor. Located at several previous locations, Mount Nebo located on South Somerville,
Back
For a short time the members met in an improvised building using old sacks for the enclosure, thus the sobriquet "Sacks Chapel." The Reverends Abraham Henderson, J.W. Shaw, Roy Love, and James H. Joyner, Jr., followed Cotton, who named the church. Members of the Mount Nebo Baptist Church took possession of the Gothic structure in 1939. Under the pastorate of the Reverend Roy Love, the congregation's membership increased from 280 to more than 1,500 members.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 156.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures
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Location. 35° 8.072′ N, 90° 2.603′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in New Pathways. It is at the intersection of Vance Ave. and Lauderdale Street, on the right when traveling east on Vance Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38126, 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: Memphis Municiple Employees Federal Credit Union (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church (about 800 feet away); St. John Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blair T. Hunt, Sr. / Blair T. Hunt, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Universal Life Insurance Building / Universal Life Insurance Company (approx. Ό mile away); Owen College (approx. Ό mile away); The Hunt-Phelan Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); George W. Lee (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Photographed by Steve Masler, September 24, 2015
2. The Mount Nebo Baptist Church Marker
Photographed by Steve Masler, September 24, 2015
3. The Mount Nebo Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,351 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
