More (and Less) on Cumberland Presbyterian

First the bad news. Someone has removed the cornerstone of the building.

Then:



Now:


Is Jesus in a landfill?

Now the good news. A member sent this to Memphis Heritage:

Today I received a phone call from Perry Ragsdale, VP of real estate development/design for Chick-Fil-A. He told me that he was just brought in on the concern of the Cumberland Religious Building on Union Avenue and was given two letters, one of which was mine. He asked me to give him a description of the building and it's surroundings. Which I did to the best of my limited ability. Combining ideas from both my letter and Donna Palmer's, I suggested that if they could,, why not place the restaurant inside the front part of the building, not only providing Midtown with a Chick-fil-a but keeping something beautiful, elegant, and historic intact for all that visit midtown Memphis to enjoy for years and years to come.

I also told him Midtowners love old beautiful buildings,, and that this would be a big hit for them if they used part of it as a restaurant. I also told him that I found it most ironic that a business that closes on Sunday to let associates reflect in whatever religious way they choose, might demolish a building that was built to serve our lord. He told me that they were very interested in doing the "Right" thing, and that he is planning on being here next week to look at the situation first hand. He told me that they have experience putting restaurants in old buildings and that the idea was not completely off the table.

If you would like to voice your support for Chick-Fil-A in Midtown and opposition to the Cumberland Presbyterian demolition, Memphis Heritage asks that you contact

by email:
perry.ragsdale@chick-fil-a.com
dan.cathy@chick-fil-a.com
bubba.cathy@chick-fil-a.com

by mail:
Chick-Fil-A Corporate Office
Attention: Dan Cathy, Donald Cathy & Perry Ragsdale
CC: Truett Cathy, Founder
5200 Buffington Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30349