When you visit Memphis, Tennessee, step onto historic Beale Street to experience the profound legacy of the Beale Street Baptist Church. Also known as First Baptist Church or Beale Avenue Baptist Church, this remarkable historic site was founded by a congregation of freed slaves. You will see an architectural treasure designed by the prominent Memphis firm Jones & Baldwin, a partnership between Edward Culliatt Jones and Matthias Baldwin. Its foundation stone was laid in 1869, with construction taking place between 1871 and 1885.
As you explore this cornerstone of history, affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA, you can reflect on its extraordinary past. In the late 1880s, the building served as the newspaper office for legendary civil rights journalist Ida B. Wells. The church's significance attracted notable historical figures over the years, including United States Presidents Ulysses S.
Grant and Teddy Roosevelt. Recognized nationally for its deep cultural impact, the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and included in the enlarged Beale Street National Historic Landmark District in 1993. Right next to the church, you can also see a dedicated plaza honoring Ida B. Wells, which was established in 2021.
What to see at Beale Street Baptist Church
- Founded by a congregation of freed slaves with a foundation stone laid in 1869
- Designed by prominent Memphis architectural firm Jones & Baldwin
- Housed the late 1880s newspaper office of civil rights journalist Ida B. Wells
- Visited by prominent leaders including Ulysses S. Grant and Teddy Roosevelt
- Located adjacent to a dedicated Ida B. Wells plaza established in 2021
Visiting tips
Be sure to visit the adjacent plaza established in 2021 to honor civil rights journalist Ida B. Wells.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Beale Street Baptist Church is easy to reach on Memphis’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Orpheum Theatre and Metal Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Memphis travel guide.
See the full Memphis travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.