Introduction to the Text

During the latter part of 1963 the pages of the Christian Chronicle were filled with letters and editorials focusing on race relations among Churches of Christ. We may recall that the discussion had begun with a decorous debate between two preachers from Memphis in the Mid-South edition of CC, and that during the ensuing discussion a "sincere brother" from Memphis had written to complain that no one had yet actually defended racial segregation.

One year after that discussion ended there is good news in Memphis, trumpeted as the lead story in the Mid-South edition of CC. We may not doubt that it is indeed news that all of the principals "feel good" about, but it is also a paradigm for relations between black and white as they are then conducted among Churches of Christ, and so it is a web of tortured and tangled ambiguity.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--A thrilling story costing 11 Memphis churches a total of $40,169.85 is being unfolded in Memphis. It involves God's people working together in social and economic adjustment to "the increase of the body."

The story begins in 1962 when the Wooddale Church of Christ became a reality. This congregation was formed to accommodate its members who had moved to a newer sub-division in the southeast part of the city. Previously known as the Lamar-Parkway Church of Christ, these brethren made the largest single contribution in bringing to pass the events of this story by declining an $85,000 offer for their property on South Parkway East and took, rather, $60,000.

One mile from the Lamar-Parkway location a congregation of Negro brethren were cramped in small facilities on a small piece of property. A burning desire for an enlarged program of work for Christ was kept at smouldering stage through very limited finances.

A few Memphis brethren became convinced these brethren were worthy of help in fulfilling their desire through the challenge offered them through the facilities and community of the Lamar-Parkway property.

The Highland Church, making the second largest single contribution, bought the Park Avenue property of these Negro brethren for $36,000. Highland held this property and paid interest on a loan made in order to make this purchase until just this past week when the property was sold for $30,000. The transaction cost the Highland Church $10,970.05. Mrs. R. L. Jordan, realtor and member of Highland, returned her commission of $1,440 which would have been an additional loss to Highland otherwise.

Other churches--East Frayser, Floyd Rd., Getwell, Jackson Ave., Knight-Arnold, Macon Rd., Union Ave., White Station-- assisted in paying the note on the Lamar-Parkway property which totaled $2,930.00, during which time the brethren occupying the facilities now, known as South Parkway, East, Church of Christ, paid a total of $6,269.85.

The story found fulfillment on November 28, 1964, when a committee from the East Parkway Church met with the Highland Street elders to express deep appreciation and to make report, as follows: the congregation's membership has grown from 150 to approximately 240, contributions from $100 per week to $225, and the 1965 budget will reach $275 per week.

The committee, composed of brethren McCoy, spokesman for the committee, Means, and Murrell, announced the congregation's decision to assume complete financial independency beginning Jan. 1, 1965, and a desire to work toward some reimbursement to Highland for the loss sustained in handling the [10] sale of their Park Avenue property.

The Highland elders commented, "it is not often we get such a thorough report from our mission efforts or such an attitude of willingness to be independent." We salute, therefore, our brethren in the Lord who meet as the South Parkway, East, Church of Christ in Memphis.

This report is meant to be a heartwarming story of benevolent white Christians assisting a poor and struggling black congregation to stand on its own feet. Here the extent of white sacrifice and concern is documented to the penny. Such stories have been the common currency of apologists for the Southern social system for many decades. "We've always helped our colored brethren," they say. "We even provided them the building that they meet in." Indeed they are carrying forward precisely the program that S. E. Harris proposed to DL in 1907. They seek to insure that the "Negro brethren" shall always be separate and never be equal.

There is evidence in this report that by 1964 these black brothers and sisters are determined to be grateful for what they have received and henceforth independent of white power. This story also shows us the beginnings of white flight from "changing neighborhoods" in mid-town to the eastern suburbs of Memphis, a process that continues to this day. Why, we may now ask, did the Lamar-Parkway congregation move to Wooddale? Why did not the members of the Lamar-Parkway congregation expand and continue their ministry in their neighborhood? We may see the answer in the growth of the black congregation that moved into the Lamar-Parkway building. The context for this warm tale of white benevolence is the chilling saga of white racism.

May God have mercy.

dhaymes, his mark +