Room In The Inn

The Historic Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital was a hospital serving Memphis’ African American population during segregation, beginning in 1910. The hospital was operated by the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. Many prominent Memphians were born at the hospital and many doctors and nurses were trained over the years, before the hospital closed after the end of segregation. The recently deceased CME Bishop Henry M. Williamson and others led the effort to preserve and reuse the historic facility to once again bless the community. After discussions with many — including then-Mayor Jim Strickland, now-Mayor Paul Young, and Reverend Lisa Anderson of Room In The Inn (RITI) — Memphis Homeless Ministry, the Memphis City Council, Shelby County Government, and CRA approved funds to renovate the building for medically fragile individuals and families facing homelessness. The total project cost was over $7 Million — with the Uptown TIF contributing over $2 Million and the remaining funds coming from a variety of sources including federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, the CME church, the City, and the County.