Medical District in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church
Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012
1. First Baptist Church Marker
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was designed by architect R. H. Hunt and built in 1906. It is constructed of yellow bricks along a Georgian-architectural style. It housed a congregation of 2,200 members which organized the first Sunday School in the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1907, when this building was dedicated, it was considered one of the finest Baptist church structures in the South.
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(Back Side):
Mt. Olive CME Church
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Founded in 1848, Mt. Olive Cathedral Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, an African-American congregation under the leadership of the Rev. W. A. Johnson, purchased this building from First Baptist Church in 1947. In 1950, two years before the congregation moved into its new building, the Rev. Johnson died and his funeral was held at the First Baptist Church. Under the guidance of the Rev. Phillip E. Brooks, Sr., in 1952, the congregation moved to this location.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 130.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. 35° 8.201′ N, 90° 2.608′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in the Medical District. Marker is at the intersection of Linden Ave (or) Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Ave. (Tennessee Route 278) and S. Lauderdale Street, on the right when traveling west on Linden Ave (or) Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 542 Linden Avenue, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blair T. Hunt, Sr. / Blair T. Hunt, Jr. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hunt-Phelan Home (about 700 feet away); Universal Life Insurance Building / Universal Life Insurance Company (about 700 feet away); The Mount Nebo Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); George W. Lee (approx. 0.2 miles away); It was a Struggle for Freedom For Dignity and For Equality (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Commercial Appeal / Publishing Locations (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012
2. Mt. Olive CME Church Marker
Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012
3. First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church CornerStones
Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012
4. First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church cornerstones
Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012
5. First Baptist Church / Mt. Olive CME Church Cornerstones
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 739 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 19, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
