Douglass, Memphis
Douglass is a community on the north side of Memphis, Tennessee. Douglass was named after Frederick Douglass, who was admired by William Rush-Plummer, the one-time owner of the land (approximately 40 acres (0.16 km2)) where the Douglass neighborhood currently stands.
Douglass borders Hyde Park and Hollywood and is surrounded by railroad tracks to the north, south and west. South of Douglas is the neighborhood of Binghampton, to the southeast is Nutbush.
Slavery in the South was eventually abolished. When that time arrived, slaves were promised 40 acres (160,000 m2) and a mule. Although many newly freed slaves did not receive the promise at that time, William Rush Sr. gave William Rush-Plummer 40 acres (160,000 m2) in North Memphis, Tennessee. He turned his land into a community and name it after Fredrick Douglass, a man he had come to befriend and admire.
William Rush-Plummer was ordained in his young adult years and began to develop the land now known as the Douglass Community in Memphis, Tennessee after his family was released from slavery (see 40 acres (160,000 m2) and a mule). Plummer had a strong resemblance to his father and a similar proper speech pattern (with a heavy southern dialect). He began opening many churches on his land including St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church (Need More Missionary Baptist Church), St. Stephens MB Church, St. John MB Church, St. Charles MB Church and at least three other local churches that were later sold to local Pastors and their congregations.
From the very beginning, Christianity played a vital role in the Plummer family and the lives of families in the Douglass Community due to William Rush-Plummer's vision. In 1900, William Rush Plummer and his associates had a vision that a church was needed for the community. Under a bush arbor in Douglass Park, the first church known as "Need More" was established. Plummer, known as “Father Plummer” deliberately gave the church this name because he felt it needed more of everything: shelter, chairs, and people.
In 1902, ‘Need More Church’ moved to a new location for worship on Ellington Street and was given a new name, "Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church". Plummer served as the church’s first official pastor. He was succeeded by Bolton, followed by Anderson. The church moved in 1905 to its present location at 1543 Brookins Street. Memphis, Tennessee.
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