We make our home in the heart of downtown Memphis—four blocks from the Mississippi River, a block from the criminal justice center, and not far from Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the city’s main homeless shelter. We have worshiped here since the 1830s, endured the decline of Downtown in the 1970s, and now are enjoying the benefits of a major downtown revitalization that includes $3 billion in urban redevelopment and an influx of new residents.

Our city is tucked into the southwest corner of Tennessee on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. This tri-state area called the Mid-South is less like Tennessee’s mountainous eastern region beyond Nashville and more like our neighbors, north Mississippi and eastern Arkansas.

Memphis has long been the Mid-South’s urban center, shaped by the powerful and ancient river and the energy that flows both from Memphians and from those who flock here, whether to seek a career, to pursue an education, or to enjoy city life Memphis style. People relocate from all over the country and abroad to work at FedEx, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or other international organizations based here.

Elvis Presley and Graceland, Beale Street, Stax Records, the Grizzlies basketball team, Memphis barbecue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Mississippi River flooding—all have put Memphis on the map at various times.

In terms of population, Memphis is the 41st largest metropolitan area in the U. S., yet the poorest among large cities, with nearly 20% of its population living below the poverty line.

It’s the largest city in Tennessee, with 646,900 people within the city limits and 1.3 million in the eight-county metro area, according to 2010 census figures. Demographically, Memphis is black and white, with some Latino and other ethnicities. Specifically, the city is 60% black, 33% white, and 5% Latino, while Shelby County is 44% black and 55% white. Undercurrents of racial tension continue to be part of the city’s fabric, although our mayor and other leaders are black, and most African Americans have access to opportunities today that were once out of reach.

Geographically, Memphis stretches east from the river along Poplar Avenue in a patchwork of affluent and poor neighborhoods, through Midtown, East Memphis and into suburbs that continue to expand. Nearly 85% of Calvary parishioners live in the eight zip codes along the Poplar corridor.  These zip codes are diverse in terms of race, income, and lifestyle, and include or border distressed neighborhoods (those with longterm poverty and blight) or swing neighborhoods (those with measurable decline). Parishioners also come from other suburbs, and from Mississippi and Arkansas.

Memphis traditionally is deeply Southern, with the hospitality, laid-back ambiance, and religious devotion associated with the South—even if those qualities are being leavened by outside influences and more modern sensibilities. Newcomers are often stunned with how “churched” Memphis is. There are hundreds of churches, from modest storefronts to mega-churches, and church plays a significant role in the life and identity of many Memphians. Here, one’s religious affiliation is less likely to be private and more likely to be emblazoned on a t-shirt. Other faiths are active here, including several significant Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques. Faith leaders across the city—with Calvary often in a leading role—have a history of working together to help address problems such as hunger, racism, and poverty.

This is also a city with plenty going on in terms of culture, sports and recreation.

Sports include the Memphis Grizzlies professional basketball, the Redbirds Triple-A baseball, and NCAA sports: The University of Memphis Tigers play here, and Southeastern Conference teams enjoy the support of the many local alumni. Numerous parks, the award-winning Memphis Zoo, and bike paths contribute to outdoor opportunities. Beyond the city limits are lakes, streams, and state parks in all directions for fishing and other pursuits.  

Our autumn and spring are colorful and mild. Summers are hot to very hot, and at times the area is prone to turbulent weather, even tornadoes. Perhaps best of all, Memphis boasts moderate winters, with warm spells that permit you to go outside in shirt sleeves in January.