Avalon in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Nashville Christian Institute

801 24th Ave N

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 4, 2025

1. Nashville Christian Institute Marker

Inscription. As a tribute to the legacy and impact of the Nashville Christian Institute and its many alumni, Lipscomb University partnered with the Metropolitian-Nashville Historical Commission to place a historical marker at the original location of NCI. A replica of the historical marker is below and will forever be a part of Lipscomb's campus as a lasting memorial to our relationship.

A.C. Holt established Nashville Christian Institute in 1940 us a Church of Christ residential school for African American students. In 1942, the school became an elementary and high school offering a rigorous education rooted the the Bible. Dedicated faculty members including Holt, Marshall Keeble, Lucien Palmer and Willie Cato led NCI, educating more than 300 students, including civil rights attorney Fred D. Gray. The school closed in 1967.

(Photo caption:)
Photo of the Nashville Christian Institute academic building, courtesy of the Robert E. Hooper Archives at Lipscomb University.

Dedicated on April 1, 2025

Erected 2025 by Lipscomb University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans •

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Education.

Location. 36° 6.303′ N, 86° 48.024′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Avalon. It can be reached from the intersection of University Park Drive and Belmont Blvd, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 University Park Dr, Nashville TN 37204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mary Eddy Jones Courtyard at Beaman Library (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Defenses (approx. ¼ mile away); Homes of David Lipscomb (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Nashville (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Nashville Confederate Line

Nashville Christian Institute Marker (seen on the left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 4, 2025

2. Nashville Christian Institute Marker (seen on the left)

(approx. 0.7 miles away); John Trotwood Moore (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hillsboro High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Nashville (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Nashville (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.