Investigators confirmed Wednesday what many Memphians feared ever since Historic Clayborn Temple went up in flames late last month: That the building had been intentionally set ablaze.
In a joint statement, the Memphis Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the conclusion of their investigation, stating the blaze originated inside the building and was deliberately ignited.
MFD also released SkyCop images of a person of interest — a young black male dressed in black and carrying a backpack, walking down Martin Luther King Blvd. near FedExForum.
Clayborn Temple, a national civil rights landmark and former base of operations for the 1968 Sanitation Workers Strike, had been undergoing a years-long restoration. Its famed stained glass windows — recently completed by Memphis artist Lonnie Robinson in collaboration with Pearl River Glass Studio in Jackson, Mississippi — were among the most celebrated aspects of the building’s renewal.
The announcement comes just weeks after community leaders, artists, and clergy gathered to mourn the loss and express hope for rebuilding. Now, that hope is laced with a demand for justice.
“We are deeply grateful to the Memphis Fire Department, the ATF, and all agencies involved for their careful, ongoing investigation,” Anasa Troutman, executive director of Historic Clayborn Temple, said in the statement Wednesday..
With the investigation’s onsite portion complete, the fire department has relinquished control of the property back to the Historic Clayborn Temple management team. Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active.
Troutman is set to address media during a virtual press conference set for today at 1:30 PM.
In the hours and days after the fire, many feared it might be an act of racial hatred — an echo of church bombings from an earlier era. And while a motive and suspect are still unclear, Troutman isn’t — not when it comes to the future of Clayborn Temple.
“Clayborn Temple is sacred ground — home to generations of struggle, resilience, and creativity. This act of violence is painful, but it will not break our spirit,” Troutman said. “Memphis has shown it is ready to heal and to lead.
Troutman also is founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization The BIG We. “Under The BIG We’s stewardship, Clayborn Temple will rise again — not just as a building, but as a center for cultural, economic, and civic renewal. Thank you for standing with us,” her statement concluded.
Anyone with information about the fire or suspect is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH (2274) or the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. Tipsters may be eligible for an $11,000 cash reward.
