Columbia in Maury County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Reverend Edmund Kelly
1817-1894
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 1, 2022
1. The Reverend Edmund Kelly Marker
Inscription.
The Reverend Edmund Kelly was born in Columbia, Tennessee in 1817. At age 16, he went to work at a boy’s school. With a strong desire to learn to read, he paid boys with candy to teach him how to read. In 1843, Kelly co-founded and was the first pastor of the Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church. In October 1843, he became one of Tennessee’s first African American Baptist ordained ministers. As the nation entered the Civil War, Kelly believed the persons enslaved should join the fight for their freedom. , In 1863 continuing his work as an evangelist, Kelly, along with a delegation of African American clergymen, met with President Abraham Lincoln and secured permission to minister to enslaved persons who escaped behind Union lines. During Reconstruction, he traveled extensively, preaching and organizing churches and schools in different states within the Union. Reverend Edmund Kelly died in 1894 and was buried in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The Reverend Edmund Kelly was born in Columbia, Tennessee in 1817. At age 16, he went to work at a boy’s school. With a strong desire to learn to read, he paid boys with candy to teach him how to read. In 1843, Kelly co-founded and was the first pastor of the Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church. In October 1843, he became one of Tennessee’s first African American Baptist ordained ministers. As the nation entered the Civil War, Kelly believed the persons enslaved should join the fight for their freedom.
In 1863 continuing his work as an evangelist,
Kelly, along with a delegation of African
American clergymen, met with President Abraham
Lincoln and secured permission to minister to
enslaved persons who escaped behind Union lines.
During Reconstruction, he traveled extensively,
preaching and organizing churches and schools
in different states within the Union.
Reverend Edmund Kelly died in 1894 and was
buried in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3D 87.)
W. Marker is in Columbia, Tennessee, in Maury County. Marker is at the intersection of East 8th Street and South Glade Street, on the right when traveling east on East 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 E 8th St, Columbia TN 38401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . . (Submitted on January 3, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia.)
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 1, 2022
2. The Reverend Edmund Kelly Marker
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 1, 2022
3. North side of Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church
Marker can be seen on far left.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 1, 2022
4. West side of Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 1, 2022
5. East side of Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 3, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.