Status: Preserved; renovation in progress
Address: 294 Hernando Street (formerly 280 Hernando Street), Memphis
Built: 1891-92
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Original Function/Purpose: Church
History: The congregation of Second Presbyterian Church called upon Frederick Kees and Franklin B. Long to design their church, while Memphian Edward C. Jones served as supervising architect. The church was built in 1891-92. This property was sold in 1949 to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was renamed Clayborn Temple to honor A.M.E. Bishop John Henry Clayborn. It was originally listed on the NR in 1979 for, among other reasons, local significance as a rare example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The recent updated listing both replaces and adds to the previous one in documenting “the national importance of the building for its close association with the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike, a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.” Clayborn opened its doors to strikers and was where the iconic “I AM A MAN” signs were printed and distributed to demonstrating marchers (upper photo). Its sanctuary was no refuge on March 28, 1968, when marchers were chased into the already tear-gas-filled church by police. Two months after the strike began, sanitation workers gathered at Clayborn to accept the city’s offer to recognize their union. As time passed, the church fell into disrepair and closed in 2002. It was purchased in 2015 by nonprofit group Neighborhood Preservation Inc. which plans to return the church to religious, educational and community uses (lower photo). In 2017 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Clayborn Temple a “National Treasure.” Its preservation will be assisted by a grant of $400K from the National Park Service in 2018, followed by a further $500K grant to restore the sanctuary. Also in 2018 the church was awarded a $42,000 grant by the National Park Service via the Tennessee Historical Commission to help restore its bell tower, and the City of Memphis unveiled its I Am A Man Plaza beside the church. In 2019 the designer of the plaza, Cliff Garten Studio, received a Merit Award from the Tennessee Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Clayborn Temple has been named to the new multi-state U.S. Civil Rights trail, along with Beale Street Historic District, Mason Temple and the Lorraine Motel, and it is a stop on the Memphis Heritage Trail of civil rights sites. In early 2019 it was announced that a building permit was being sought amounting to $1.5 million, to begin work on the building’s exterior. Among other improvements, the project will include restoration of the church’s massive south- and west-side stained glass windows that were damaged during the 1968 strike, including the insertion of some new images inspired by the civil rights movement. The Pearl River Glass Studio of Jackson, MS was chosen for this part of the project, which will include designs by Memphis artists. Further grants received will enable further restoration work; the Temple’s planned opening date is Fall 2023.
City Council District: 6
Super District: 8
County Commission District: 8