Located at 1750 Union Avenue in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, Idlewild Presbyterian Church offers you a captivating look into history, architecture, and progressive community action. Founded in 1891, this congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) moved into its present building in 1928, later earning a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. When you visit, you will witness impressive Gothic Revival architecture designed by George Awsumb, bearing striking similarities to the nearby Rhodes College.
Be sure to admire the magnificent bell tower, which was completed in 1999 and houses bells weighing nearly 27,000 pounds. Beyond its striking structure, Idlewild holds a deeply impactful social legacy. During the Civil Rights Movement, it stood as one of the few Memphis churches hosting racially integrated worship services.
Following the tragic assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the church helped establish the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association. Today, three of its four ministers are women, continuing a long tradition of female leadership that began with ordaining women deacons in 1968. You will find a welcoming, affirming environment for the LGBT community that blesses same-sex unions and actively serves Midtown through initiatives like the More Than a Meal project and food distributions.
What to see at Idlewild Presbyterian Church
- Gothic Revival architecture designed by George Awsumb, similar to nearby Rhodes College
- Historic 1999 bell tower housing bells that weigh nearly 27,000 pounds combined
- A Civil Rights legacy of holding racially integrated worship services
- Founding member of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)
- Inclusive sanctuary welcoming the LGBT community and blessing same-sex unions
Visiting tips
Take time to observe the historic Gothic Revival facade and 1999 bell tower while exploring Union Avenue in Midtown Memphis.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Idlewild Presbyterian 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.