Faith is rising from the ashes.
A historic African American church building in Memphis, Tennessee, that played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement has received about $1.5 million in donations for its restoration after being heavily damaged by arson.
Clayborn Temple, a former church with deep roots in civil rights history, was significantly damaged by a fire in April. The structure had been undergoing a major renovation when the blaze occurred. According to the Associated Press, funding for the restoration has come from several prominent organizations, including the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.
Originally established in 1892 as Second Presbyterian Church, the building was transferred to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation in 1949 and renamed Clayborn Temple. It became a central location for civil rights organizing in Memphis, notably supporting the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike. The iconic “I AM A MAN” signs, associated with the movement, were produced in the church’s basement, and the phrase was displayed prominently on the property in tribute.
The fire that struck in April occurred during a $6 million renovation effort aimed at preserving the building’s legacy. Following the incident, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation. A spokesperson confirmed the agency’s involvement under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, which protects religious properties from hate-based attacks.
The Memphis Fire Department later confirmed that the fire was deliberately set inside the historic building. Investigators are currently seeking a person of interest in connection with the case. The department has since turned over control of the site to Historic Clayborn, the group overseeing the restoration, and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of both local and federal agencies involved in the investigation.