Clark Memorial United Methodist Church
An Oasis of Hope, Help, Healing and Hospitality
Photo of the 1899 Clark Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church on Franklin Street. Image from the Clark Memorial 1984 Homecoming Program.
About Us
Clark Memorial United Methodist Church was established in Nashville in 1865, moving to its present location in 1945. It remains an active place of worship for its faith community.
Clark also has deep connections to the development of Nashville's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the ongoing fight for equality and civil rights in Nashville and beyond.
Browse this site to learn more about Clark's history and its legacy in Nashville.
TIMELINE
This timeline takes you through some of the most notable events in Clark Memorial's history - beginning with its formation in 1865.
1865 - Clark Chapel was founded at the site of the former Andrew's Chapel on Franklin Street. Land purchased by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was designated as a house of worship and Negro school.
1866 Rev. John Seay
1866-1867 Rev. W.B. Crichlow
1867 Rev. Daniel Brown
1867-1868 Rev. John Braden
1868-1869 Rev. William Butler
1869-1870 Rev. Calvin Pickett
1870-1872 Rev. James Pickett
1872-1874 Rev. J.C. Thompson
1874-1876 Rev. William Butler
1876-1878 Rev. C.S. Smith
1878 Rev. C.W. Wood
1878-1881 Rev. D.W. Hayes
1881-1884 Rev. L.M. Haygood
1884-1886 Rev. Andrew Phillips
1886-1888 Rev. J.B. Bradford
1888-1892 Rev. H.W. White
1892-1897 Rev. C.B. Wilson
1897-1899 Rev. G.W. Zigler
1899-1902 Rev. E.W.S. Hammond
1902-1910 Rev. T.W. Johnson
1910-1912 Rev. R.T. Weatherby
1912-1915 Rev. N.D. Shamburger
1915-1918 Rev. W.R. Stephens
1918-1920 Rev. J.W. Wells
1920-1922 Rev. John H. Ellis
1922-1925 Rev. C.K. Brown
1925-1932 Rev. G.W. Lewis
1932-1934 Rev. A.D. Williams
1934-1941 Rev. J.C. Johnson
1941-1953 Rev. D.M. Grisham
1953-1957 Rev. L.L. Haynes
1957-1959 Rev. R.W. Kelly
1959-1965 Rev. A.M. Anderson
1965-1968 Rev. John Corry
1968-1983 Rev. W.C. Dobbins
1983-1986 Rev. Dr. Joe K. Shelton, Sr.
1986-1996 Rev. James R. King, Jr.
1996-1998 Rev. Roland Long
1998-2004 Rev. Edward E. Bufford
2004-2008 Rev. Warren G. Booker, Jr.
2008-2012 Rev. Harold L. Martin
2012-2015 Rev. Dr. Kennard Murray
2015-2021 Rev. Dr. Herbert Lester
2021-present Rev. Toi King