Laney Walker in Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton

1927-1997

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

1. Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton Marker

Inscription. Born in Cedartown, Ga., he pastored several Georgia churches, most notably Tabernacle Baptist, Augusta's largest black church, where he served for 40 years (1956-1996).

He earned the bachelor of divinity, bachelor of arts, and master of sacred theology degrees from Morehouse College and the Interdenominational Theological Center, later serving as dean and trustee of the Morehouse School of Religion. He received his doctorate from Crozier Theological Seminary.

He was one of the first blacks elected to the City Council. As president of the Augusta NAACP during the early 1960's, the period of its most successful civil rights activity, he fought to get Augusta's first black policemen hired and to desegregate downtown lunch counters, the Augusta Public Library, the movie theaters, Bell Auditorium, the local semipro baseball team and the Jones Pool.

Erected by Augusta Historical Monument Society Sponsors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Georgia - Augusta African-American History Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 33° 27.956′ N, 81° 58.79′

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W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Laney Walker. Marker is at the intersection of Laney Walker Boulevard and C S Hamilton Way, on the right when traveling west on Laney Walker Boulevard. Marker is on the Augusta African-American History Walk, in front of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1223 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tabernacle Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); William Carpenter, Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Charles T. Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Garvin Yerby (within shouting distance of this marker); Atty. Judson Whitlocke Lyons (within shouting distance of this marker); Sidney “Beau Jack” Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); Thelma “Butterfly” McQueen (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Samuel Butler Wallace (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . .
1. The Homegoing Celebration of the Reverend Doctor Charles Spencer Hamilton (PDF). This program for his funeral service at Tabernacle Baptist includes a detailed biography. (University of Georgia Libraries) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. WSB-TV newsfilm clip. In this April 3, 1962

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

2. Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton Marker

television clip, the Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. address an overflow crowd at Tabernacle Baptist Church. (Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection, Civil Rights Digital Library, Digital Library of Georgia) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.