First Presbyterian Church Listed Downtown Memphis Building
The historic congregation plans to relocate after voting to sell its longtime home.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Commercial
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Following a September 8 vote, First Presbyterian Church has listed its historic downtown building for sale. The congregation, which is the second oldest in Memphis, plans to relocate to a new facility better suited to its current needs.
Why it matters
The decision to sell follows a long-term decline in membership since the early 20th century. The current building at Poplar Avenue and B.B. King Blvd. is now considered too large and impractical for the congregation to maintain.
The current church structure dates to 1884, though the site has been occupied by the congregation since 1832. The church continues to serve 200-400 neighbors each week through its outreach ministry.
The players
First Presbyterian Church
This institution is the second oldest church in Memphis and has served the community since the 19th century.
First United Methodist Church
This local religious organization is partnering with the congregation to host joint worship services during the transition period.
The details
The church building is located at the intersection of Poplar Avenue and B.B. King Blvd. While the congregation prepares for its transition, it will begin worshipping jointly with First United Methodist Church.
Timeline
The congregation first occupied the site in 1832.
Construction of the current church building was completed in 1884.
Members voted to sell the downtown property on September 8, 2026.
Joint worship services with First United Methodist Church begin September 27, 2026.
Culture Shift
The sale follows a pattern set by the national trend of urban church property redevelopment as congregations reconcile shifting population centers with aging, high-maintenance real estate. This transition reflects a broader shift toward downsizing institutional assets to focus on core community missions.
The congregation remains committed to its outreach ministry, which provides support to hundreds of residents each week. Neighbors should monitor local updates to see how the church's relocation will affect the availability of these specific community services.
The takeaway
Large, historic church properties often require significant maintenance that can become unsustainable for smaller modern congregations. Relocating allows these institutions to prioritize their outreach and community services over the demands of aging infrastructure.
Further reading
Learn more about local property trends in the Memphis Commercial section.
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