Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Memphis TN
38104
Who we are
Idlewild is a church where questions are as important as answers. It's a place to encounter God, a place to meet a family of faith, and a place to make a difference in Memphis and the world.
The mission of Idlewild Presbyterian Church is to pursue, personify, and practice as Presbyterians the good news of reconciliation and salvation in Christ through worship, education, fellowship, and outreach.
Idlewild is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We are a community of faith of about 1500 with a great love for Memphis and a great love for God.
The mission of Idlewild Presbyterian Church is to pursue, personify, and practice as Presbyterians the good news of reconciliation and salvation in Christ through worship, education, fellowship, and outreach.
Idlewild is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We are a community of faith of about 1500 with a great love for Memphis and a great love for God.
Church Website
Idlewild Presbyterian Church on Social Media
Facebook Video: Idlewild Presbyterian Church Facebook Video
Leadership
Leader Name:
Reverend Anne H.K. Apple
Leader Position:
Executive Associate Pastor
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Reverend Anne H.K. Apple
Leader Bio:
Anne is currently serving as as Transitional Head of Staff.
Previously, she was Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Evangelism, coordinating the Nurture Ministry Unit working with the Congregational Care, Evangelism and New Member Welcoming Committees. Working with the Christian Formation Ministry unit, Anne visions, designs and helps to implement and evaluate Baptismal Buddies and Confirmation Ministry. She also serves on the board of the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina.
As a teacher and pray-er, connector, collaborator and preacher, Anne is a patient listener who loves dreaming up a good meal and calling people together around a table; as well as delighting in the solitary work of writing, disappearing into a good book or poem. She also enjoys gathering a group of folks to get out in nature and encouraging movement in the beauty of creation, all the while reflecting on God's good abundance.
Anne is a marathon runner, avid reader and writer who loves to live life to the fullest. She is married to Jim, who works with The Sterling Group as a Managing Director, and together they parent two young adult children, Betsy, (married to Daniel Eldridge, living in Raleigh, NC) and James, living in Starkville, MS; and a high school student, Abigail.
Before moving to Memphis, Anne served as Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama. A graduate of Rhodes College and Columbia Theological Seminary, Anne has doctoral course work in instructional design from the University of South Alabama which guides and informs her ministry. Anne has served as an Adjunct at Memphis Theological Seminary and also serves on Presbytery and denominational committees.
Previously, she was Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Evangelism, coordinating the Nurture Ministry Unit working with the Congregational Care, Evangelism and New Member Welcoming Committees. Working with the Christian Formation Ministry unit, Anne visions, designs and helps to implement and evaluate Baptismal Buddies and Confirmation Ministry. She also serves on the board of the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina.
As a teacher and pray-er, connector, collaborator and preacher, Anne is a patient listener who loves dreaming up a good meal and calling people together around a table; as well as delighting in the solitary work of writing, disappearing into a good book or poem. She also enjoys gathering a group of folks to get out in nature and encouraging movement in the beauty of creation, all the while reflecting on God's good abundance.
Anne is a marathon runner, avid reader and writer who loves to live life to the fullest. She is married to Jim, who works with The Sterling Group as a Managing Director, and together they parent two young adult children, Betsy, (married to Daniel Eldridge, living in Raleigh, NC) and James, living in Starkville, MS; and a high school student, Abigail.
Before moving to Memphis, Anne served as Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama. A graduate of Rhodes College and Columbia Theological Seminary, Anne has doctoral course work in instructional design from the University of South Alabama which guides and informs her ministry. Anne has served as an Adjunct at Memphis Theological Seminary and also serves on Presbytery and denominational committees.
Administration
Admin Name:
Jenni Brooks
Admin Position:
Transitional Director of Operations and Communications
Phone:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Jenni Brooks
Parking
Parking is on the west side of the church, across Evergreen. Entrances to both the main Sanctuary Building (which faces Union) and the Jones Education Building are on Evergreen.
Idlewild Presbyterian Church Service Times
Worship Services
8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Nursery care available
Sundays are Live @ 11:00 on
Livestream and Radio 96.1 FM
Summer 2020 Schedule - May 31 to August 9
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
Sunday School Classes
9:40 a.m. for children, youth, adults
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Nursery care available
Sundays are Live @ 11:00 on
Livestream and Radio 96.1 FM
Summer 2020 Schedule - May 31 to August 9
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
Sunday School Classes
9:40 a.m. for children, youth, adults
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Dress Code
Visitors are sometimes concerned about what to wear. Idlewild is not a particularly formal church—there is no Sunday dress code! Some men wear jackets and ties, some wear khakis. Some women wear dresses, some wear slacks. Just dress comfortably but respectfully.
Other information
Idlewild Presbyterian Church History
The Idlewild congregation was formed in 1891. By 1921, with a membership of 853, the congregation had already outgrown its second building and the current location was selected. Award-winning architect George Awsumb designed our Gothic building, which was called “the South’s Cathedral of Presbyterianism.”
The building was officially finished in 1928, just before the volatile economic times of the Great Depression. Since Union Avenue was then a major highway, transients and homeless people frequently stopped at the church for help.
The Sixties were a time of social upheaval, with the Civil Rights movement organizing for social justice in the South. Idlewild exerted leadership in the community as tensions mounted. Our pastor, Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, and Idlewild members worked through the Committee on Community Relations as the public library, Memphis State University, the zoo, parks, museums, buses and restaurants were integrated. While some churches prohibited the seating of African-Americans at worship services, Idlewild helped to lead the faith community and was one of the few venues where integrated meetings could be held. In the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Idlewild Church was active in the formation of many community programs including the still-active Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA) and Adopt-A-School tutoring program.
In 1960 the kindergarten was started, and the Children’s Center began in 1970. Today, hundreds of children are cared for in quality daycare, after-school, summer day camp and kindergarten programs.
Women have always held leadership positions at Idlewild. After the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S. approved the ordination of women in 1964, Idlewild ordained its first women deacons in 1968, elders in 1974, and in 1976 called its first female associate minister.
In the 1990s Idlewild founded Idlewild Court, a transitional housing development administered by MIFA; brought RBI (Return Baseball to the Inner City) to Memphis; opened a Samaritan Counseling Center; supported a daycare center for children from low-income homes.
Today Idlewild remains a vibrant urban church with more than 1,400 members. We are committed to sharing God’s grace through education, fellowship, worship, music and outreach.
With More Than A Meal, kindergarten and daycare, global outreach, tutoring in public schools, Christian education, public concerts, sports programs, and traditional worship—Idlewild strives to serve Memphis, the greater community and the world in ways that nurture the spirit, feed the body, and inspire the soul. The Sanctuary Building
The cornerstone of our beautiful Gothic church was laid in 1926, and the building was officially finished in 1928. Architect George Awsumb believed “good architecture should satisfy man’s physical, mental and spiritual needs in such a way as to add to the general welfare and happiness of mankind.” Inside and out, the architectural integrity of Idlewild creates a beautiful space for worship, prayer, study and ministry.
The Carillon
Although the church building was completed in the late 1920s, the magnificent bell tower, rising 120 feet above the sanctuary, remained empty for decades. The full 48-bell carillon was completed in 1999, and was initiated on December 31, 1999 at 11:59 as a welcome to the third millennium. Together the bells weigh more than 26,890 pounds! Visit the Music Ministry page to learn more about our carillon.
The building was officially finished in 1928, just before the volatile economic times of the Great Depression. Since Union Avenue was then a major highway, transients and homeless people frequently stopped at the church for help.
The Sixties were a time of social upheaval, with the Civil Rights movement organizing for social justice in the South. Idlewild exerted leadership in the community as tensions mounted. Our pastor, Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, and Idlewild members worked through the Committee on Community Relations as the public library, Memphis State University, the zoo, parks, museums, buses and restaurants were integrated. While some churches prohibited the seating of African-Americans at worship services, Idlewild helped to lead the faith community and was one of the few venues where integrated meetings could be held. In the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Idlewild Church was active in the formation of many community programs including the still-active Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA) and Adopt-A-School tutoring program.
Women have always held leadership positions at Idlewild. After the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S. approved the ordination of women in 1964, Idlewild ordained its first women deacons in 1968, elders in 1974, and in 1976 called its first female associate minister.
In the 1990s Idlewild founded Idlewild Court, a transitional housing development administered by MIFA; brought RBI (Return Baseball to the Inner City) to Memphis; opened a Samaritan Counseling Center; supported a daycare center for children from low-income homes.
Today Idlewild remains a vibrant urban church with more than 1,400 members. We are committed to sharing God’s grace through education, fellowship, worship, music and outreach.
With More Than A Meal, kindergarten and daycare, global outreach, tutoring in public schools, Christian education, public concerts, sports programs, and traditional worship—Idlewild strives to serve Memphis, the greater community and the world in ways that nurture the spirit, feed the body, and inspire the soul. The Sanctuary Building
The Carillon
Although the church building was completed in the late 1920s, the magnificent bell tower, rising 120 feet above the sanctuary, remained empty for decades. The full 48-bell carillon was completed in 1999, and was initiated on December 31, 1999 at 11:59 as a welcome to the third millennium. Together the bells weigh more than 26,890 pounds! Visit the Music Ministry page to learn more about our carillon.
"I would rather train twenty men to pray, than a thousand to preach; A minister's highest mission ought to be to teach his people to pray." H. MacGregor
Idlewild Presbyterian Church listing was last updated on the 14th of February, 2020
