LeMoyne–Owen College, private historically black college located in Memphis, Tennessee
LeMoyne-Owen College is a private institution for black students located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. The four-acre campus combines historic buildings from different eras, including Steele Hall built in 1914 and Colonial Revival structures from the 1930s, all carefully maintained and arranged throughout the grounds.
The institution began in 1862 as Lincoln Chapel, a school founded by the American Missionary Association to teach freed black people and escaped slaves during the Federal occupation of Memphis. After being destroyed during race riots in 1866, it was rebuilt in 1867 and later named after Francis Julius LeMoyne, a Pennsylvania abolitionist who donated funds to support the school's development.
The name combines two institutions that merged in 1968, preserving their separate histories in a single identity. The purple and gold school colors are visible throughout the campus and create a distinct visual presence that connects the community to the college's heritage.
The institution is centrally located in Memphis with easy street access, and the campus is open for visitors to walk around freely. The relatively compact size makes it possible to view all major buildings and historic structures within a short walk.
The basketball team won a national championship in 1975 and remains the only historically black college to achieve this in its particular league context. The college also maintains the rare distinction of continuous affiliation with a Christian denomination, specifically the United Church of Christ.
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