The Story of Our Church Building

On April 15th, 2025, Central Christian Church gifted Christ City Church the church building we have rented from them since 2018. Both churches see this as a symbolic "passing of the baton, "providing a house of worship for the next generation. On April 20th, Easter Sunday, Christ City Church enjoyed its first service of worship and celebration as owners of 531 S. McLean Blvd! We are filled with gratitude, wonder, and vision as we co-labor with God, breathing new life and imagination into this storied house of worship. To donate to the Legacy Fund, which supports our restoration projects around the building, CLICK HERE and select "Legacy Fund."

A Brief Legacy of the 100 Years of Central Christian Church

This information is contributed by long-standing Central Christian Church member Mark Rutledge and has been edited for length and clarity.

In the early 1920s, the church was called East End Christian Church. It was located in midtown near S. Cox Street and Tunis Avenue (just south of today’s Union Avenue). As the congregation grew, the decision was made to move the church.

During the early 1920s, midtown was just on the outskirts of the growing city. The leaders of the church at that time found a location to build a new church at the corner of today’s Peabody and McLean. History has it that before the church was actually built, the members changed the church name from East End Christian to Central Christian. Not only that, but members built a “temporary tabernacle” on the corner to worship at. The four-story brick building was completed sometime in late 1923 or early 1924. The entrance at that time was on Peabody Avenue.

Over the years, 12 ministers have provided ministerial duties. The list of ministers is as follows:

• W.P. Crouch (starting in 1924)

• J.J. Walker

• L.L. Pyscher

• T.O. Parish

• J.D. Sill

• Lane Townsend

• Dan Cummins

• R.E. Smith

• Henry Hurry

• Charles Woodall

• Scott Pricer

• William Russell

Reverend Walker started a tradition in the mid-1940s that has held true until today. The story goes that Rev. Walker opened the doors to Central Christian to allow non-members and members of other churches to participate in an open communion. No questions asked! While this was controversial for many in the Christian church fellowship at the time, it became the ongoing practice of Central Christian Church and continues today.

Throughout the years, Central Christian Church has reached out through its members to help the community. Its footprint touches not only the Memphis area and surrounding states, but also throughout the United States and the world. Central Christian has shared its facilities with outreach organizations such as Compassion Clinic, EMT Paramedic Certifications, and various self-help groups. Outreach continues to include feeding and clothing those in need, and helping impoverished children through Rachel’s Kids.