Collins Chapel CME Church - Memphis, TN

Collins Chapel CME Church - Memphis, TN Collins Chapel is a leading urban church committed to making Christ known to others and to meeting the needs of a diverse community Second St.

Located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Orleans St, Collins Chapel Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is acknowledged as Memphis’ oldest African American congregation. College Chapel, the “Mother Church” of our Christian Methodist Episcopal denomination was organized in 1841 in the basement Wesley Chapel Methodist now known as First United Methodist located at

204 N. in downtown Memphis. In 1845 deeds to the basement of Wesley Chapel were given to its “colored members” then slaves, who with their own finances, paid for the renovation of the lower level. Known as Wesley Chapel African Mission, they move to the corner of Washington and Orleans Street in 1859. Another name change occurred when in honor of their first pastor, the Rev. Joseph TC Collins, a popular white minister, the church became known as Collins Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. This early congregation predates the Civil War (1861 through 1865) and the founding of the CME denomination, which occurred in 1870. According to tradition and aged written records, members met under a bush arbor until a frame building was erected in the early 1860s. Tragedy struck in Memphis during May 1866, when a race riot destroy four black churches and College Chapel was one of them. After rebuilding in 1868, the church was again damaged in 1905 by fire and again in 1913 by fire and lightning. After continuous, sporadic repair, replacement and remodeling, in 1977 the building was excessively renovated at a cost of $250,000. The church has been extensively renovated and preserved since this time to be a beautiful worship structure that sits at 678 Washington Ave. In November of 2016, Collins will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary. While our history is rich, so are the people who made it and the people who worship here today. Join us in prayer and worship as we reclaim the past and reframe for the future. @175

We had an awesome worship experience today! Our men showed up and and showed as we celebrated mother's day.
05/11/2026

We had an awesome worship experience today! Our men showed up and and showed as we celebrated mother's day.

05/10/2026

05/10/26 Mother’s Day Worship Service

05/03/2026

05/03/26 Communion Sunday Worship Service Visit us at CollinsChapelMemphis.org

04/26/2026

4/26/26 Fourth Sunday Worship Service Visit us at CollinsChapelMemphis.org

04/19/2026

4/19/26 Third Sunday Worship Service

04/12/2026
04/05/2026

Today is the Day!!!

More pictures from our Back on the Block Celebration
04/03/2026

More pictures from our Back on the Block Celebration

We have resumed our activities on the block!!! Today, we had the privilege of conducting an outdoor worship service unde...
03/29/2026

We have resumed our activities on the block!!! Today, we had the privilege of conducting an outdoor worship service under a tent, expressing our gratitude to our Almighty God for facilitating our return to 678 Washington Ave. The celebration featured vendors who generously volunteered to share valuable information and insights with our community and neighbors. We were blessed to provide complimentary food, supplemented by food trucks. We also had the opportunity to connect with new and old acquaintances. This experience has filled our hearts with immense joy!!

Address

676 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN
38105

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 2pm

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