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Roberta Church Collection The Roberta Church Collection Processed by Patricia M. LaPointe Curator, Memphis & Shelby County Room 2005 Memphis Public Library & Information Center 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111 Roberta Church Collection Scope and Provenance Materials in the Collection were given to the Public Library by Roberta Church over a period of several years and include correspondence, photographs, awards, newspaper clippings, greeting cards, and memorabilia. Much of the collection details Miss Church’s career in government service and her active role in the National Republican Party, following in her father’s footsteps. Portions of the collection pertain to family members, including her beloved aunt Annette Church, sister of Robert R. Church, Jr., and Mary Church Terrell, older half-sister of Robert Church, Jr. The papers of the Church Family, including those of Robert R. Church, Sr. and Jr., Annette Elaine Church, and Roberta Church were given by Miss Church to the University of Memphis Mississippi Valley Collection in 1976 and are quite extensive. The Roberta Church Collection does, however, contain some material on all family members. Much of the material in this collection dates from the period after 1976. Also, included in the collection is extensive information on efforts to restore Church Park in recognition of Robert R. Church, Sr.’s outstanding contributions to Memphis and the public good. When built at the turn of the 19th century, Church’s Auditorium was one of the largest in the South and was set in a beautiful park. Many prominent individuals appeared there, including President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. Church’s Auditorium, which was renamed Beale Avenue Auditorium because the local political establishment was at odds with Robert R. Church, Jr., was demolished after the end of World War II and the park neglected for many years. By the 1970s, the seven- acre park was a wasteland. Its successful rebirth and dedication in 1987 is detailed in Box VIII correspondence. Material pertaining to Miss Church includes: Box I—Correspondence, personal (including cards) and business Box II—Correspondence, personal and business Box III—Organizations Box IV—Sara Roberta Church, biographical, awards, photographs Box V—Sara Roberta Church, photographs, programs, travel Material pertaining to the Church family includes: Box VI—Robert R. Church, Sr. and Jr. Box VII—Church Family Box VIII—Church Park Box IX—Periodicals Box X—Newspaper Clippings Roberta Church Biography Sara Roberta Church, daughter of Sara Parody Johnson and Robert Reed Church, Jr., was born in Memphis, Tennessee, into one of the nation’s most prominent Black families. Her grandfather, Robert Reed Church, Sr., was acknowledged as the South’s first African American millionaire. Roberta Church’s privileged world provided travel and educational opportunities enjoyed by few, whether black or white. The Church family was instrumental in the founding of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and was educated locally at LeMoyne Normal School, an elementary and high school, which later became LeMoyne College. Miss Church continued her education at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the social sciences. Roberta Church, proudly following in the footsteps of her distinguished family, was active in politics and social justice. After her father’s sudden death in April 1952, she ran in his place for a position on the Republican State Executive Committee of Tennessee and was elected, making her the first Black woman to be elected to public office in Shelby County. Following the 1952 victory of Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, Miss Church was appointed Minority Groups Consultant in the Department of Labor. She next served in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare overseeing various Federal- State programs. During her years in Washington, D.C., Roberta Church shared her home with her beloved aunt, Annette Elaine Church, sister of Robert R. Church, Jr. Miss Church served in other prominent national positions until her retirement and return to Memphis. During her nearly 30 years of distinguished professional service in Washington, D.C., Roberta Church carried the standard raised by her late father in behalf of civil rights for all Americans. Her father had been the leading organizer of the Memphis Chapter, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which received its charter in 1918. Robert R. Church, Jr., was a friend of James Weldon Johnson, who encouraged Church to organize a local NAACP Chapter. All the adult Church family members were charter members. Roberta Church served in other prominent national positions until her retirement. On her return to Memphis, she continued her involvement in a wide range of activities and organizations. History organizations, including the Shelby County Historical Commission, and social groups such as the Phillis Wheatley Society benefited from her knowledge and active interest. Miss Church was especially interested in Elmwood Cemetery, where family members are buried in the Church mausoleum. Perhaps the most significant undertaking of her retirement years was her sustained effort to have Church Park restored as a memorial to her grandfather, Robert R. Church, Sr., who established Church’s Park and Auditorium, one of the largest facilities created for African Americans. Working with other public-spirited citizens to achieve the restoration of the park, Roberta Church realized this goal when Church Park was dedicated in 1987. It was fitting recognition of the man who gave this gift to his people and was a testimony to his granddaughter’s determination to see this piece of land restored to its former prominence. The bronze bust of Robert R. Church, Sr., placed in the park, as well as thousands of tulip and jonquil bulbs to beautify the grounds, were given by Miss Church. During her lifetime, Roberta Church received numerous awards and honors for her dedication to social justice and human rights. After her retirement, she continued to enjoy travel and family, as well as a wide circle of friends with whom she kept in contact. At her death on July 15, 1995, Memphis lost a great lady and a distinguished citizen. Roberta Church was laid to rest beside her family in Elmwood Cemetery. THE ROBERTA CHURCH COLLECTION BOX I Correspondence Material in Box I and Box II includes correspondence on a wide range of subjects with the folders arranged in alphabetical order. Folder Items Contents Description 1 5 Beale Street Redevelopment Correspondence pertains to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Ms. Church’s wish to not be brought into any controversy concerning this work; also, a letter inviting Ms. Church to the Beale Street redevelopment dedication in Handy Park on October 8, 1983. 2 1 Book, Angel of Beale Street Copy of letter from Selma Lewis and Marjean Kremer to the Hooks family regarding their book The Angel of Beale Street. The Hooks family requested removal of an allusion to a romantic involvement between Robert Church, Sr. and Julia Britton Hooks. 3 14 Cards and Notes—Personal Folder contains various congratulatory cards and messages, including acknowledgments of sympathy messages sent by Ms. Church. Most items have envelope attached with Ms. Church’s handwritten note identifying individual who sent card or letter. (Items are not in date order.) 4 13 Cards and Notes—Personal Folder includes cards and messages from family and friends who are identified in notations by Ms. Church. 5 12 Cards and Notes—Personal Folder includes cards, notes and family photos. 6 16 Cards and Notes—Personal Folder is a continuation of handwritten notes, cards and expressions of regard and affection. 7 19 Cards and Notes—Personal Folder contains cards from friends around the country, which show long-standing friendships. 8 9 Correspondence—Charles W. Crawford Letters from Dr. Charles W. Crawford to Ms. Church pertain to Church Park on Beale Street and other historic locations on Beale. 9 12 Correspondence—Elmwood Cemetery Included in this file are letters pertaining to the Church family mausoleum in Elmwood, a furniture gift from Ms. Church for the Victorian cemetery office (on the National Historic Register), and the naming of Ms. Church to the Elmwood Advisory Committee in 1988 following her retirement from government service. 10 9 Correspondence—Fred L. Hutchins Letters from Fred L. Hutchins to Ms. Church include much biographical material, as well as information on the history of Memphis. Also, there is correspondence on a 1982 tribute to Hutchins sponsored jointly by the Memphis Public Library and LeMoyne-Owen College. Mr. Hutchins attended LeMoyne when it was a grammar school and high school. 11 14 Correspondence—IBOEP of the World—Leaders Folder contains letters, newspaper clippings, and programs that detail the leadership role which Robert R. Church, Jr., took in the Elks organization locally and nationally. Of related interest is information on Lt. George W. Lee, as well as Church Park Auditorium. The old Bluff City Elks organization was renamed the Robert R. Church Lodge No. 1477. The folder also contains a photo of the Elks marching on Beale Street and carrying a banner “Robt. R. Church Lodge #1477 I.B.P.O.E. of W. Memphis.” 12 20 Correspondence—Invitations Folder includes both social and civic invitations, including weddings, openings, and other celebratory events. 13 12 Correspondence—John Q. Taylor King Folder includes correspondence from John Q. Taylor King, Chancellor and President of Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, TX. The folder includes much genealogical information on the family. There is also a photo of John King and his mother Alice Woodson Taylor King. 14 6 Correspondence—Libraries Letters pertain to the Robert R. Church Collection at the University of Memphis Library. Also, included is the copy of a letter from Ms. Church to the Hollis F. Price Library at LeMoyne-Owen College. 15 5 Correspondence—Lincoln League Three items pertain to the 1916 founding in Memphis of the Lincoln Republican League of Tennessee.
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