First Church Memphis Celebrates 175 Years

by Martha Shepard

On June 7, 1828, when the population of Memphis numbered only 500, the Rev. William C. Blair, a missionary to the Chickasaw Nation, established First Presbyterian Church. With five members, it was the second congregation in the young city. In 1832, the city deeded to the church a site at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Third Street, where First has stood ever since. On June 7-8, 2003, First Church joyfully celebrated 175 years of faith and service in downtown Memphis.

Saturday afternoon, June 7, was the homecoming party with a historic pageant, displays and a dinner. The pageant was based on and inspired by the one presented in 1978 at the 150th anniversary celebration, which was written by Julia and Katy Hicks. The birthday cake was reserved for the Sunday reception after church. On Saturday, the children rang the bell 175 times, and on Sunday, 176.

Elder Elizabeth Cooper composed a hymn for the milestone celebration, “The Church Forever Sure,” to the tune of “When Morning Guilds the Skies.” The congregation sang the new hymn both Saturday and Sunday.

In February, First Church had the honor of hosting Memphis Presbytery, and throughout the year, members will hear past ministers preach, add names to a commemorative brick walk and aid 175 homeless people-guests of the church’s Sunday Soup Kitchen-attain birth certificates for photo i.d.’s that help them enter the city’s shelters and get jobs.

The history of First closely parallels that of Memphis. The early years of growth were interrupted first by the Civil War in the 1860s, then the yellow fever epidemics a decade later when the church’s pastor, the Rev. Henry Bowman, lost his life while ministering to the sick.

First Church grew until the years after World War II, when many downtown residents migrated to the suburbs. Such circumstances only fueled a new vision of ministry, and today, renewal and revitalization have become the church’s focus. First Church pioneered urban outreach programs, including The Learning Center preschool and the Sunday Soup Kitchen. It was instrumental in forming the Downtown Churches Association, which offers a variety of social ministries, and provided the first home of the Metropolitan Inter- Faith Association. Through the years, First Church organized four other Memphis churches, three of which have reunited with First. Today, members of First Church come from all over metropolitan Memphis.

With joy and thanksgiving, First Presbyterian Church is alive and well in a caring fellowship dedicated to worship, prayer and service.

The Church Forever Sure

Joseph Barnby, 1858

Text: Elizabeth S. Cooper
Tune: Laudes Domini

The Church forever sure
For ages shall endure
To do the work of God.
Midst hunger, pain, and need,
The church stands here to feed
The empty child of God.

Whenever thirst is found,
The river does abound
With living water sweet
To cleanse, refresh the soul,
To make the broken whole,
The Church’s duty meet.

How can the Church prevail
In time of great travail
When hope seems all but gone?
Our hearts God lifts to sing
His praises, strengthening,
And bids us carry on!