Laney Walker in Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. Charles T. Walker
1858-1921
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
1. Dr. Charles T. Walker Marker
Born near Hephzibah in 1858, he came to Augusta in 1874 and graduated from the Augusta Institute, (now Morehouse College). He organized Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1885 and built the present edifice in 1914, the largest black church in the South at that time. President McKinley appointed him Chaplain of Turpin Hill's Tenth Infantry Regiment in 1898, which subsequently served in the Spanish American War. In 1899 he was installed as pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in New York City where he organized the city's first black branch of the YMCA. By 1901, he had returned to Augusta and the leadership of Tabernacle. He established the Walker Baptist Institute, which educated black children until 1938, and he founded The Augusta Sentinel newspaper. A civic leader when racism and segregation were the order of the day, he distinguished himself as a minister and orator. President Taft and the Rockefellers were among the visitors who came to Tabernacle to hear him speak.
Erected by The African-American Historical Monument Committee Sponsors.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education.
this page online
Location. 33° 27.964′ N, 81° 58.809′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Laney Walker. Marker is on Laney Walker Boulevard west of C S Hamilton Way, on the right when traveling west. 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. Atty. Judson Whitlocke Lyons (a few steps from this marker); Frank Garvin Yerby (a few steps from 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); Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Tabernacle Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Jesse Peters Galphin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
Also see . . .
1. The Life of Dr. Charles T. Walker, D.D.. Electronic publication and
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
2. Dr. Charles T. Walker Marker
2. Walk Through Our History. Tabernacle Baptist Church was organized as Beulah Baptist Church on Aug. 21, 1885. Two days later, at the suggestion of founding pastor Rev. Walker, the 300-member congregation unanimously voted to change the name. (Tabernacle Baptist Church) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Kirby's Augusta - Rev. C.T. Walker: No Shortage of Spirit. Walker not only saved souls, he informed them. (Bill Kirby, online news director/columnist for The Augusta Chronicle, uploaded Feb. 22, 2015) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
From The Life of Charles T. Walker, D.D., by Silas Xavier Floyd (Public Domain), 1902
3. Rev. Charles T. Walker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on June 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
