- Memorial Park Cemetery (Memphis, Tennessee)
-
Sculptures of Dionicio Rodriguez at Memorial Park Cemetery
Entrance to the Crystal Shrine Grotto
Location: Memphis, Tennessee Coordinates: 35°6′30.48″N 89°52′25.05″W / 35.1084667°N 89.873625°WCoordinates: 35°6′30.48″N 89°52′25.05″W / 35.1084667°N 89.873625°W Architect: Rodriguez, Dionicio Architectural style: Concrete construction, imitating wood and natural rock. Artificial rock formations with caves. Governing body: Private NRHP Reference#: 90001867[1] Added to NRHP: January 31, 1991 
Pond and fountain next to the Crystal Shrine Grotto
Memorial Park Cemetery was founded in 1924 by E. Clovis Hinds on initial 54 acres (.22 km2).[2] It is located at 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee
Different species of trees of different ages, as well as bushes, can be found throughout the cemetery, enhancing the atmosphere of a park-like setting.
The cemetery is noted for its Crystal Shrine Grotto, a hand-built cave depicting Biblical scenes built by artist Dionicio Rodriguez.
The cemetery is owned by a private company based in Houston known as the Northstar Memorial Group.
Contents
Crystal Shrine Grotto
In 1935 Mexican artist Dionicio Rodriguez was hired to beautify the park with sculptures. Annie Laurie’s Wishing Chair, Broken Tree Bench, Abrahams Oak, Pool of Hebron and Cave of Machpelah are some of the most important sculptures that can be found in different locations throughout the cemetery.[2]
In 1938 construction of the Crystal Shrine Grotto begins. The grotto is a 60 ft (18.3 m) deep, hand-built cave in a hillside near the center of the cemetery, filled with 5 tons (4.5 t) of quartz crystal, hence the name Crystal Shrine Grotto. The grotto was completed after Rodriguez' death in 1955.[2] The shrines in the grotto illustrate the stages of "Christ's Journey on the Earth from Birth to Resurrection".
Since 1991, the Crystal Shrine Grotto is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Tennessee.
Notable burials
- James Pinckney Alley, early cartoonist[3]
- Don Briscoe, actor
- Laura Bullion, female Old West outlaw[4]
- Ronnie Caldwell, musician with the Bar-Kays
- Jimmy Griffin, musician
- Isaac Hayes, singer and actor 1942-2008
- Bill Justis, musician, composer, arranger
- Shawn Lane, composer, guitarist, pianist, musician
- Gilbert Earl Patterson, Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ
- Sam Phillips, record producer
- Jay Reatard, musician
- Charlie Rich, singer
- Rufus Thomas, singer 1917-2001
External links
See also
- List of cemeteries in the United States
- Dionicio Rodriguez
- Memphis, Tennessee
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b c http://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/?page=pg__aboutus Memorial Park Cemetery website
- ^ Tennessee Newspaper Hall of Fame: James P. Alley
- ^ Magness, Perre, Cohort of Butch, Sundance 'retired' here, Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Jan. 12, 1995, page EC2
Categories:- Geography of Memphis, Tennessee
- Cemeteries in Tennessee
- National Register of Historic Places in Tennessee
- Visitor attractions in Memphis, Tennessee
- Protected areas of Shelby County, Tennessee
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