Capleville Methodist Church - Capleville, TN - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Capleville Methodist Church is located in Shelby County, Tennessee. It was certified as a historic location on Tuesday April 3, 1979. This location is a protected historic place because of historical significance relating to Religion, more specifically a Religious Structure. Capleville Methodist Church was nominated by as a historic location by State Government based on Architecture/Engineering and its significance in Architecture.

The Capleville Methodist Church had the heritage of four churches of this denomination that preceded it in the community. The first records of Methodist meetings in this area were known as the Union Church and occurred in 1849. Those meetings were held in a house. In 1850 the congregation moved to a log house known as McCroskey’s School. The next year the membership selected the name Bethlehem for a church they planned to build. They continued to meet in McCroskey’s School until the building was completed in 1857. Until they moved to the new building they were known as McCroskey’s Church. The fourth church was the Capleville Church.

Though it is not noted in the source text what date the Capleville Church came into existence, it does note that in October 1897 the membership of that church was thirty-five. Also mentioned is that though Bethlehem Church and Capleville Church were not on the same circuit, there were three pastors that served both churches at different times.

For several years there was talk of uniting Bethlehem and Capleville into one church. On February 29, 1920 there was a combined meeting of the congregations at Capleville High School. Plans were made for the construction of a brick building and a suitable lot was acquired. Both church buildings were disposed of. The frame building being used by Capleville Church eventually ended up being used by the Baptists. The financing of the new building was accomplished by donations from the membership and people in the community.

The cornerstone for the Capleville Methodist Church was laid on March 22, 1921. Appropriate services were conducted by the Reverend J.M. Jenkins who was assisted by Dr. T.E. Sharp who was the presiding elder. The church was dedicated on May 27, 1923 by Bishop H.A. Boaz. In 1926 the parsonage was built on the church grounds.

The source text only goes through 1951, so it does not state at what date the Capleville Methodist Church stopped being used by the Methodists. Research indicates that the building is currently being used by The Hope of Glory Deliverance Ministry, Church of God in Christ (COGIC). They started using the building in 1999.

Text Source: Capleville Methodist Church, Bethelehem-Capleville, 1851-1951 (courtesy of Memphis Heritage; www.memphisheritage.org)

Street address: 5053 E. Shelby Drive Memphis, TN USA 38118 County / Borough / Parish: Shelby County Year listed: 1979 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Early church in Capleville and the Architecture/Engineering of the building. Periods of significance: 1900-1923 Historic function: Religious Current function: Religious Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 1: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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