Mason Temple to Receive $1.2 Million Federal Grant for Renovation
Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech in 1968, is set to undergo significant renovations funded by a $1.2 million federal grant. Officials, including Church of God in Christ leaders and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, are expected to announce the funding details at a press conference. This grant is part of a broader nearly $18 million congressional appropriations package aimed at preserving key sites of the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis. The package also allocates $3.1 million for the restoration of Clayborn Temple, which was damaged by an intentional fire in April 2025. Both churches are located near the Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated. The funds for Mason Temple will support long-term facility improvements and technology infrastructure upgrades, ensuring the preservation of this treasured historical landmark for future generations.
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Mason Temple to Receive $1.2 Million Federal Grant for Renovation
Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech in 1968, is set to undergo significant renovations funded by a $1.2 million federal grant. Officials, including Church of God in Christ leaders and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, are expected to announce the funding details at a press conference. This grant is part of a broader nearly $18 million congressional appropriations package aimed at preserving key sites of the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis. The package also allocates $3.1 million for the restoration of Clayborn Temple, which was damaged by an intentional fire in April 2025. Both churches are located near the Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated. The funds for Mason Temple will support long-term facility improvements and technology infrastructure upgrades, ensuring the preservation of this treasured historical landmark for future generations.
AP News