The historic First Baptist Beale Street Church, located at the end of the entertainment district, merits the "historic" tag for a number of reasons. For one thing, it was the first and largest Negro Missionary Church, built just after the Civil War. In the 1890s, Ida B. Wells used the basement of the church to publish the Free Speech and Headlights newspaper, one of the first newspapers written specifically for an African-American audience. The church is included in the Heritage Tour of Historic Churches.
Website: memphisheritage.org
Phone: (901) 522-9073
Cross Streets: Near the intersection of Beale St and S 4th St
379 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103 ·620.78 mi
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Amenities
- Family friendly
Reviews
tripadvisor
We were in town for Easter and attended a Sunday service. The congregation was so welcoming and lovely! We enjoyed the praise and worship and sermon!
MoreThis is piece of history that is forgotten but shouldn't. Memphis should do more about this church. Beale Street Baptist Church, also known as, First Baptist Church or Beale Avenue Baptist Church, is a historic church on Beale Street, built by a congregation of freed slaves. Also in the 1880s, the church also housed the newspaper office of Ida B. Wells, the famous civil rights journalist.
MoreBeale Street First Baptist Church is the first church in Memphis that was in 1869 built for the blacks. This church is often regarded as “the Mother of Black Churches”. It seems only open on Sundays. We saw a broken window, some cracks here and there on the wall. This church is a heritage that should be protected, it's endangered. Unfortunately we couldn't go inside as it was closed.
MoreThis is a peice of history that should be so much more prominent. The fact that this church shaped the history of African American Baptist churches across the country is a fact that should be highlighted and taught to all Christians across the spectrum.
MoreWe were made to feel extremely welcome. It was very nice to be there for their Sunday morning service.
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