Lawrenceville in Brunswick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Saint Paul's College

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, June 21, 2009

1. Saint Paul's College Marker

Inscription. Saint Paul's College was established in 1883 by the Venerable James Solomon Russell (1857-1935) as an Episcopal mission school to serve the black community of Southside Virginia. Born into slavery in Mecklenburg County, Russell was educated at Hampton Institute and trained for the clergy at Bishop Payne Divinity School in Petersburg. His school was chartered in 1888 and incorporated as Saint Paul's Normal and Industrial School in 1890. Classes were held in the three-room Saul Building on the campus. The charter was amended in 1941, changing the school to a four-year, degree-granting college. Its name was changed to Saint Paul's College in 1957.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SN-63.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 36° 45.729′ N, 77° 50.658′ W. Marker is in Lawrenceville, Virginia, in Brunswick County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (Business U.S. 58) and Athletic

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Field Road, on the right when traveling west on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 N Main St, Lawrenceville VA 23868, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Saint Paul's College and James Solomon Russell-Saint Paul's College Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. John Jones (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Brunswick County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Goronwy Owen (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hospital and School of the Good Shepherd (approx. 2.3 miles away); Fort Christanna (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawrenceville.

More about this marker. Originally located at Windsor Ave & College Dr (GPS 36.75987, -77.85152).

Regarding Saint Paul's College. After a long struggle with significant financial difficulties, the college closed on June 30, 2013.

Also see . . . Saint Paul's College (Virginia). Wikipedia (Submitted on June 23, 2009.)

Windsor Ave & College Dr (facing south). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, June 21, 2009

2. Windsor Ave & College Dr (facing south).

The marker as shown at its previous location.

Saint Paul's College Marker (relocated) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 27, 2021

3. Saint Paul's College Marker (relocated)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,204 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 23, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.