The ATF are investigating.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is currently investigating a major fire that heavily damaged a historic church in Memphis, Tennessee, known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. The fire broke out at Clayborn Temple, a long-shuttered church that was undergoing a $6 million renovation effort aimed at restoring the iconic structure.
Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat confirmed that while the blaze had been brought under control, crews were still working to extinguish lingering hot spots. The ATF, which is responsible for enforcing federal arson laws, is leading the investigation to determine whether the fire may fall under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. This law prohibits attacks on places of worship motivated by race, ethnicity, or related factors.
Originally built in 1892 as Second Presbyterian Church, Clayborn Temple gained prominence in the 1960s as a rallying point for Civil Rights activists. It served as a base for the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike in 1968, and the well-known “I AM A MAN” signs were created in its basement. Though the church closed in 1999, its historical significance remains deeply embedded in the local and national memory.
Anasa Troutman, who leads the organization overseeing the church’s restoration, described the fire as a deeply painful loss. In a statement, she highlighted Clayborn’s symbolic power as a place of resilience and hope. Troutman stressed that while the physical building has been harmed, the values and spirit it represents continue to inspire.
She reaffirmed her commitment to the church’s restoration and urged supporters to remain hopeful and engaged. Calling the fire a moment of reckoning rather than an end, Troutman encouraged the community to unite in grief, resilience, and the shared task of rebuilding what Clayborn Temple has long stood for.