Honoring the Martyrs of Memphis: An Evensong Reflection

Aug 21

On Wednesday, September 9, we invite you to a special service of Evensong at 6:30 PM to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of Constance and her Companions, commonly known as the "Martyrs of Memphis."

Their story is one of remarkable courage and selfless love, a witness that continues to inspire Episcopalians across the South and beyond.

A Brief History

In 1873, a group of sisters from the Community of St. Mary (the first indigenous Anglican religious order in the United States) relocated to Memphis at the request of Bishop Charles T. Quintard. Their mission was to operate St. Mary's School for Girls adjacent to what had recently become the Cathedral of St. Mary, the first Episcopal cathedral in the Southern United States.

For five years, they served the community peacefully. But in the summer of 1878, the Mississippi River brought a devastating scourge: yellow fever. The virus tore through Memphis with horrific speed. As many as 200 people died each day. Thirty thousand residents fled in terror, the city's government ceased to operate, and the Tennessee General Assembly actually pulled Memphis's city charter.

Yet, the sisters stayed. Sister Constance, superior of the order, along with Sisters Thecla, Ruth, Frances, and Hughetta, refused to abandon the sick. From their base near the cathedral, they operated the Church Home Orphanage and delivered meals, medicines, and supplies to an estimated 80 sick residents daily. They worked from six to six, beginning each day with the Eucharist before venturing out to comfort those whom even their own families would not approach for fear of infection.

Two Episcopal priests, The Rev'd Charles Parsons and The Rev'd Louis Schuyler, joined the relief effort, both losing their lives as well.

On September 9, 1878, Sister Constance died from complications of the fever. Her last words were “Alleluia! Hosanna!” Over the following days, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, and Sister Frances also succumbed to the disease. Sister Hughetta fell ill but miraculously survived.

In all, more than 5,000 Memphians died. The city was so depopulated that it did not reorganize for fourteen years.

A Lasting Memorial

Today, the high altar at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Memphis stands as a memorial to these four martyred sisters, bearing the inscription of Constance's final cry of praise. In 1981, the Episcopal Church officially added Constance and Her Companions to the Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, celebrated each year on September 9.

We give thanks for their heroic witness, as described in the Collect for their feast day:

"We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and the dying and loved not their own lives, even unto death. Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need..."

Join Us

We invite you to join us this Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 PM as we honor their memory with a service of Evensong. Come and let us reflect on their sacrifice and pray for the grace to love and serve as they did—without counting the cost.