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Historic Capers Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Nashville, TN
Historic Capers Memorial CME Church, the oldest known African-American congregation in the State of Tennessee, is in need of your help. The 90-year-old building, where this 184-year-old congregation worships is in need of major repairs. Estimates for the renovation range from $100,000.00 - $150,000.00. Below is the plan of renovation:
Phase 1: Repair/replace the roof, pointing of the bricks, and re-caulk the windows.
Phase 2: Reframe and install windows in back, and lift a portion of the foundation in front.
Phase 3: Replace covering for stained glass windows on front and sides of building.
Please help us renovate this historic building by donating to this worthy cause. Your generosity will make a difference in our community by allowing us to continue in our work for the Lord.
Capers Memorial was founded in a brick house near Sulphur Springs in 1832 in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the “African Mission” of McKendree Methodist Church.
In 1851, the congregation of the “African Mission” purchased a lot at Hynes Street and McCreary (11th Avenue North), near the Nashville-Chattanooga Depot. When the congregation moved into its new place of worship in 1851, it became the first local church edifice erected solely for Blacks. During the Civil War, the building was used as a military hospital by the Union Army.
In 1870, Capers Memorial became a member of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1954 the term "Colored" was changed to "Christian". Capers Memorial assisted in the founding of Lane College (1878), Bethlehem Center (1911), and the Missionary Connectional Council (1918). The Activist, Dr. Mattie E. Coleman, was a member of Capers Memorial when elected the first president of the Women’s Missionary Connectional Council.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, its present neoclassical building was designed and built in 1925 by McKissack & McKissack Architects, the oldest African-American Architect firm in the United States. The McKissacks were life-time members of the congregation.
Capers Memorial is a small congregation of less than 100 active members. It continues to serve the community and members. The Church provides hot meals to 200 sick and shut-in residents throughout the month of June as a partner with Bethlehem Center’s Meals on Wheels Ministry. Capers Memorial feeding ministry on Thursdays serves anyone who is in need of a hot meal.
Throughout its proud history, Capers Memorial has served many hundreds of local people with spiritual as well as other various needs. As one of the few surviving Black Historical Churches, we would like to continue to carry out our mission and restore this Historic Church for future generations to enjoy. Our desire is to remain of historical significance on the landscape of Nashville, Tennessee and the Nation.
For more information about Historic Capers Memorial, please visit us on our:
Website: http://www.southeast1cme.church/capers-memorial-cme-church/, or
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Capers-Memorial-Christian-Methodist-Episcopal-Church-772805896180932/?fref=ts
We would be so grateful if you please help us now to restore Historic Capers Memorial CME Church. Thank you in advance for your support.
God Bless You!
Capers Memorial CME Church
Nashville, Tennessee
Pastor, Members, and Friends
Historic Capers Memorial CME Church, the oldest known African-American congregation in the State of Tennessee, is in need of your help. The 90-year-old building, where this 184-year-old congregation worships is in need of major repairs. Estimates for the renovation range from $100,000.00 - $150,000.00. Below is the plan of renovation:
Phase 1: Repair/replace the roof, pointing of the bricks, and re-caulk the windows.
Phase 2: Reframe and install windows in back, and lift a portion of the foundation in front.
Phase 3: Replace covering for stained glass windows on front and sides of building.
Please help us renovate this historic building by donating to this worthy cause. Your generosity will make a difference in our community by allowing us to continue in our work for the Lord.
Capers Memorial was founded in a brick house near Sulphur Springs in 1832 in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the “African Mission” of McKendree Methodist Church.
In 1851, the congregation of the “African Mission” purchased a lot at Hynes Street and McCreary (11th Avenue North), near the Nashville-Chattanooga Depot. When the congregation moved into its new place of worship in 1851, it became the first local church edifice erected solely for Blacks. During the Civil War, the building was used as a military hospital by the Union Army.
In 1870, Capers Memorial became a member of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1954 the term "Colored" was changed to "Christian". Capers Memorial assisted in the founding of Lane College (1878), Bethlehem Center (1911), and the Missionary Connectional Council (1918). The Activist, Dr. Mattie E. Coleman, was a member of Capers Memorial when elected the first president of the Women’s Missionary Connectional Council.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, its present neoclassical building was designed and built in 1925 by McKissack & McKissack Architects, the oldest African-American Architect firm in the United States. The McKissacks were life-time members of the congregation.
Capers Memorial is a small congregation of less than 100 active members. It continues to serve the community and members. The Church provides hot meals to 200 sick and shut-in residents throughout the month of June as a partner with Bethlehem Center’s Meals on Wheels Ministry. Capers Memorial feeding ministry on Thursdays serves anyone who is in need of a hot meal.
Throughout its proud history, Capers Memorial has served many hundreds of local people with spiritual as well as other various needs. As one of the few surviving Black Historical Churches, we would like to continue to carry out our mission and restore this Historic Church for future generations to enjoy. Our desire is to remain of historical significance on the landscape of Nashville, Tennessee and the Nation.
For more information about Historic Capers Memorial, please visit us on our:
Website: http://www.southeast1cme.church/capers-memorial-cme-church/, or
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Capers-Memorial-Christian-Methodist-Episcopal-Church-772805896180932/?fref=ts
We would be so grateful if you please help us now to restore Historic Capers Memorial CME Church. Thank you in advance for your support.
God Bless You!
Capers Memorial CME Church
Nashville, Tennessee
Pastor, Members, and Friends