Historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis Catches Fire

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The historic Clayborn Temple, a key landmark of the Civil Rights Movement, caught fire early Monday morning. The Memphis Fire Department responded to the blaze just before 1:40 a.m. at the church located at 294 Hernando Street.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Memphis Fire Department spokeswoman Qwanesha Ward expressed the significance of the site, saying, “What we do know is this is a very important part of history in Memphis. It’s very devastating tonight and this morning to see it up in flames.”

Anasa Troutman, the executive director of The Big We, the organization that owns Clayborn Temple, described the incident as heartbreaking. “It’s 130 years of history and one of the most sacred buildings in the city and region. And I don’t know what we’re gonna do,” Troutman added.

Clayborn Temple was originally founded in 1892 as Second Presbyterian Church. It became a critical venue during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, serving as a meeting point for striking sanitation workers who marched from the church to City Hall in 1968. The famous “I AM A MAN” signs were printed in the building’s basement.

Although Clayborn Temple closed its doors in 1999, it was undergoing a $6 million restoration project aimed at preserving its historical legacy at the time of the fire. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and fire officials are still assessing the damage.