On top of that: Masonic/Christian image artifacts outside St. Paul’s Holy Temple, often referred to as the “Voodoo Village.” Photo by Kayla Bowie.
The Harris family and their advocates are still pleading with Memphians to abandon the offensive nickname “Voodoo Village” and instead use its official name, “St. Paul’s Cathedral.” It is Paul’s spiritual temple. ”
In 1957, Washington “Doc” Harris, a spiritual physician and 33rd degree Freemason, began construction of a facility in a south Memphis suburb. The facility contained a mix of symbolic Bibles and Masonic artifacts.
He led a Christian congregation on the grounds and opened St. Paul’s Cathedral so that people around the world could seek his gifts of spiritual healing.
Instead, during the Jim Crow era, he and his estate continued to receive racially motivated harassment after local newspapers published the speech. Soon after, rumors of voodoo rituals, magic, and sacrifices spread through the city, further spreading misconceptions about the residents and their property.
The Harris family’s persistent public appeals for redress date back to 1961. At the time, “Doc” Harris called on local newspapers to contest the name “Voodoo Village.”
“Voodoo is the work of the dark minds. It’s the work of the devil. It’s the work of God. It’s all artifacts. We are a holy people and this is a sacred place,” Harris said. said.
Unfortunately, the notoriety persisted, forcing the closure of the temple, which remains closed to this day.
Although many people are unaware of the damage their families have suffered, some aim to enlighten society’s faith in temples.
Jay Etkin, a local arts and culture activist, said the term “Voodoo Village” has hurt the family for decades. “Of course, people never realized how much it hurt them. The reason I have been in the picture for so long is to help change the way people think about temples.”
Jay Etkin, owner of the Jay Etkin Art Gallery, remains a close friend of James “Mook” Harris, the founder’s grandson and the temple’s new leader. They hope to work together to restore the temple and reopen it to the public for tours.
“Mook and I are dear brothers. I love them as family and they treat me like family too. And we do some interesting things together. “The goal of this project is to ultimately open it up to the public for the purpose of hearing the real story,” Etkin said.
In the meantime, to keep curious spectators away from the venue, Mr. Etkin suggested that Mook display some of the temple’s artwork at the Jay Etkin Art Gallery.
“I said we need some items here because we don’t want people to pass through this street or cause any inconvenience. If they want to come here or find out more about the temple, please come and Talk to me,” Etkin said. “People would come up to me and say, ‘Jay, please tell the family how sorry I am.’ I was one of the kids who was harassing them.” But, The important thing is, like I said, we’re trying to build a community of people who understand, so we’re always happy to share. ”
While supporters like Jay Etkin defend the Harris family, there are others who don’t seem to sympathize with the family.
Last week, April 12, the cast of Voodoo Village, a new film directed by director, actor, screenwriter, and producer Tonio Harris, was announced.
“I was inspired to write and produce this film because I had heard some stories about the village and wanted to experience it myself. I had driven past the site at night with a friend. , it was very eerie. Just looking at the artifacts from the landmark was strange but artistic, something you don’t normally see in the city,” Tonio Harris said. Although he coincidentally shares a last name with the Harris family, he said he and his family are not related.
Tonio Harris said, “This film is based on my own personal experiences and facts from the research I have done.” “I’m not doing anything to hurt anyone, I’m just using that word.”
“But you are wrong. That name was given to them [the Harris family] For decades. How can we say that mentioning it will not harm the family? ” Etkin said after involving his attorney in the situation.
Etkin said he asked the director of the film bureau to question the legality, but was told Harris had a legal right to use the term “voodoo village.”
“So, no, I’m not happy about that, but we were just trying to forget about it,” Etkin said.
In an ongoing effort to emphasize the importance of respecting family wishes, Mr. Etkin urges anyone interested in this site to visit the Jay Etkin Art Gallery and speak with him. I reminded them that they are welcome. There, he displays two sacred works of art from the temple.
