Latest news with #SanitationWorkers'Strike
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire that destroyed Clayborn Temple was 'intentional,' Memphis fire officials say
The Memphis Fire Department, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said the fire set at the historic Clayborn Temple was set intentionally. The investigation into the fire included the Memphis Fire Department, and the National Response Team of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began in the days following the April 28 fire. "Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set on the interior of the historic church," the post said. "A person of interest is being sought by Investigators for their possible involvement in this fire." With the conclusion of the onsite investigation, Clayborn Temple has been relinquished back to the management team. The Memphis Fire Department will continue its investigation to "apprehend who is responsible for setting the fire at the historic church." Large portions of the historic Clayborn Temple in Downtown Memphis burned to the ground on April 28. In a post to X on the day of the fire, the Memphis Fire Fighters Association said the call about the fire came in early on the morning of April 28. Memphis Fire Department firefighters were able to get most of the fire put out within an hour of arriving on the scene. On May 1, parts of the remaining church collapsed due to strong winds and severe storm conditions, the department said in a post on X. The site, at 294 Hernando St., had been undergoing years of renovations to preserve the iconic structure, but had struggled to get all the funding for needed repairs. In late 2023, a $6 million second phase of restoration to the structure was completed. That phase included preserving stained glass windows and reinforcing the attic, according to previous reporting from The Commercial Appeal. The third phase of renovations was expected to cost about $25 million. During the Sanitation Workers' Strike of 1968, both civil rights and labor activists gathered at and organized out of Clayborn Temple. Brooke Muckerman is a political reporter for The Commercial Appeal, covering the city of Memphis, Shelby County Government and MSCS Board of Education. She can be reached at and via phone at 901-484-6225 This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Clayborn Temple fire was intentional, Memphis Fire Department says
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Clayborn Temple fire remains an active investigation
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A massive fire that caused extensive damage to the Clayborn Temple early Monday morning is still under active investigation, according to the Memphis Fire Department. MFD released a statement saying they were called to the fire around 1:30 a.m. and were able to bring the fire under control within about an hour. Between the first and second alarms, they say 22 pieces of equipment were dispatched. The fire department is now working alongside the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives [ATF] to determine what caused the fire. ► Fire destroys Clayborn Temple, historic Memphis church with ties to Civil Rights movement However, they predict the investigation to be complex and time-intensive due to the extent of damage. Drone photos show nearly all of the roof of the 1892 structure is gone, though the stone facade remains standing. Clayborn Temple is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fire Chief Gina Sweat released the following statement, 'I want to commend the bravery and professionalism of our firefighters, who acted swiftly to contain the fire and prevent even greater destruction. Clayborn Temple is more than a building—it is a sacred and historic symbol of our city's legacy. We grieve this profound loss alongside the entire Memphis community. On behalf of the Memphis Fire Department, I extend our deepest sympathies to all who hold Clayborn Temple close to their hearts. We stand with you in sorrow—and with hope for the future.' Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton also released a statement saying the church was not just a building but a sacred space where voices rose in unity during one of the most pivotal moments in the city's history. 'This loss is deeply personal, not just to me, but to our entire community. During the Sanitation Workers' Strike of 1968, it served as a powerful organizing hub for civil rights and labor activists. It was from that very sanctuary, brave men and women demanded dignity, justice, and equality—values that still guide us today. We have lost a vital piece of our cultural and historical fabric—a place that held the stories, struggles, and strength of generations. While we grieve this loss, we must also commit ourselves to honoring Clayborn Temple's legacy. Let us ensure that the spirit of what it stood for continues to inspire us in our work, our advocacy, and our fight for a better Memphis,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What happened to Clayborn Temple Church in Memphis? Fire destroys historic 130-year-old-church at heart of Civil Rights Movement
The Clayborn Temple Church in Memphis, with 130 years of history, went up in flames on April 28. The Downtown Memphis historic church and birthplace of an iconic Civil Rights Movement caught fire early Monday morning, and while firefighters tried to save it, the church crumbled under the flames that tore through it. Memphis Fire Department responded to the church on Hernando Street around 1:40 a.m. The church has not only a place in Memphis history, but also in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Here's everything you need to know about the church, the fire and the historical significance it played decades ago. As of 8:45 a.m., no cause for the blaze had been released by the Memphis Fire Department. It was originally founded in 1892 by a white congregation called Second Presbyterian. It didn't become Clayborn Temple until 1949, when an African-American congregation purchased the church and renamed it. Clayborn comes from AME Bishop Jim Clayborn. Since its changeover in 1949, the church became a "haven and assembly point for social, cultural, spiritual, and political expressions for Memphis's African American communities." Clayborn was center stage in the 1969 Sanitation Workers' Strike in Memphis which launched the "I AM MAN" campaign that became a focal point during the Civil Rights Movement. "A central staging ground for the Civil Rights Movement and social justice, Clayborn Temple itself canonizes the story of 'Black Memphis', embodying a rich history spanning more than a century," read the history page of the church at Clayborn closed its doors in 1999 and had been undergoing restorations in recent years. In 2023, the church celebrated the completion of a second phase of restorations, meant to keep Clayborn's history alive for another century. Historic Clayborn Temple went through a $6 million restoration that included the preservation of the stained-glass windows on the northern and southern halves of the building at 294 Hernando St., along with reinforcing the truss and attic. The church is owned by The BIG We, a foundation that has been working to revitalize it. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Clayborn Temple Church in Memphis fire: Who owns it, what happened
