Reflections on Clayborn Temple

By Presiding Elder Darrell K. Scott, 13th Episcopal District

The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, founded in 1816 by Richard Allen, has a rich history of social justice and advocacy for racial equality. From its inception, the AME Church has been committed to uplifting the Black community, providing spiritual guidance, and fighting against systemic injustices everywhere, including Memphis, Tennessee, the home of Clayborn Temple.

For this reason, the poignant images of the charred remains of Clayborn Temple are hard to bear. This historic edifice, named after AME Bishop James Clayborn after its acquisition by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1949, has been a cornerstone of our community, serving as a symbol of resilience and hope. This beautiful edifice has stood for over a century, playing a pivotal role in the 1968 Sanitation Workers’ Strike and the iconic “I AM A MAN” campaign. The strike began on February 12, 1968, when 1,300 Black sanitation workers in Memphis walked off their jobs in demand of better working conditions and higher wages. Clayborn Temple was the organizing headquarters for the workers. It served as a meeting place for strategy sessions and rallies. The activism of these sanitation workers during the strike captured the attention of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., compelling him to arrive in Memphis to support their cause.

In addition to its role in the 1968 strike, Clayborn Temple was involved in various social action initiatives over the years. It served as a host site for cultural events, community meetings, and educational programs aimed at promoting equality and justice. Therefore, in honoring the legacy of Clayborn Temple, although the physical structure has succumbed to fire and winds, the echoes of prayers, freedom songs, and celebrations of God’s grace shall reverberate throughout the spiritual walls of Clayborn Temple.

The prophet Isaiah tells us that all of our strength comes from God. Therefore, it is by His grace that we can find the courage to rebuild and restore that which is destroyed. Be not dismayed.