Memphis church discovers hidden haven underneath floorboards
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A centuries-old church could potentially be the home of a newly discovered historic site.
Amid major renovations, Senior Pastor John White Jr. at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church says they discovered a structure. A structure he believes was used to hide slaves.
“Slaves would follow this trail― this is a part of the underground railroad―I mean this building itself is a part of the tunnel system. Yes, this church was a part of the tunnel system that was used for the underground railroad,” said Pastor White.
Mt. Nebo church leaders purchased the building in the late 1930s, but it stood on Vance Avenue and Lauderdale Street nearly a century prior.
Grace Episcopal Church owns the auditorium built in 1896. Pastor White claims that the great culture of Grace Episcopal and St. Luke Church led to their merger.
“I believe there was a genuine love for mixed culture as you see now in their congregation, I believe that possibly, they hibernated those that were en route to freedom in this box,” said Pastor White.
He notes a lack of running water in the 1800s and the discovery of this cement box below ground, caused his mind to shift.
“If you enter try to enter from any side― with dogs-dog catchers-slave catchers, they wouldn’t be able to smell humans in a concrete box,” said Pastor White.
Pastor White also says there have long been rumors of what lies beneath the church and for him this discovery was a sigh of relief.
“There was freedom, thoughts of freedom, thoughts of happiness, and satisfaction and gratitude, in this room,” said Pastor White.
Earnest Wells is the contractor helping bring life, back to the building.
“When I look at the ceiling and it reminds you of the slave ship and I look at that―it makes me just feel so, so blessed to be where I am right now compared to what it was 100 years ago,” said Wells.
He says an employee came to see the structure and left in awe.
Wells said “She came over and just got―she laid down in the structure―and tears. She just started crying, she said, “Oh Mr.Wells I cannot believe this.”
As construction continues, Pastor White says he hopes to work with historians and help bring history, into modern-day reality.
“I mean this is history here folks – Mt. Nebo, the historic Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, is on the verge of making a discovery to not only help our people, but to help our children who desperately need it the most,” said Pastor White.
Pastor White also says members of his congregation have had a mixed reaction to the discovery. Some are excited and others are still trying to soak it all in.
He says once construction is complete he hopes to host plays, and artists back in the church.
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