St. Mary's Cathedral Chapel and Diocesan House -- Memphis TN
N 35° 08.796 W 090° 02.210
15S E 769951 N 3893321
The historic marker in front of St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Memphis
Waymark Code: WMNM6T
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 04/02/2015
Views: 5
St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral is a beautiful neo-Gothic church located near busy downtown Memphis. Erected in 1898, this church is still a very vibrant part of the Episcopal faith community, and serves as the seat of the Episcopal Bishop of West Tennessee.
The historic marker reads as follows:
"ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL AND DIOCESAN HOUSE
This church was founded on this site as an Episcopal Mission in 1857 and consecrated on Ascension Day in 1858 by James Otey, the 1st Bishop of Tennessee. It was designated as the Diocesan Cathedral in 1871 and since 1983 has been the see of the Diocese of West Tenn. The Chapel was built in 1887 for the Sisters of St. Mary who established St. Mary's School for Girls here in 1873. The Diocesan House was built in 1902. Construction of the present Cathedral began in 1898 and was completed in 1926.
(Continued on other side)
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This church served as a spiritual and relief center during the 1870's Yellow Fever epidemics when 4 sisters, 2 priests and many lay people gave their lives. They are remembered annually as Martyrs of Memphis. During Civil rights conflicts in 1968 ministers of all faiths gathered here before processing to City Hall to seek a peaceful resolution.
Marker Name: ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL AND DIOCESAN HOUSE
Marker Location: City
Type of Marker: Building
Marker Number: 0
Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker:
St. Mary's Cathedral and the Shelby County Historical Commission
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Visit Instructions:
At minimum, your visit must consist of a picture of the marker itself or anything referenced on the marker plus additional information you may have learned about the waymark topic. (You and your GPS receiver do not need to be in the picture, but can.)