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

Griggs Hall

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

1. Griggs Hall Marker

Inscription. Built in 1925, Griggs Hall is the original building on the American Baptist Theological Seminary campus, now American Baptist College. It was named for father and son, Drs. Allen R. and Sutton E. Griggs. In 1901, the younger Griggs founded and operated the Orion Publishing Company. The author of more than 33 books, five of which were novels, Dr. Sutton E. Griggs is studied for his response to the racial injustices of his day. From 1925 to 1926, he served as president of the school.

During the 1960s, Griggs Hall was the “home” of several seminary students who organized and led sit-ins, freedom rides, and other civil rights movements in Nashville, the South, and the nation. The student organizers were influenced by their homiletics professor, the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, Sr., pastor of the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, a local leader in the African-American Community.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 182.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location.

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36° 12.183′ N, 86° 47.383′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in the Haynes Area. Marker is on Baptist World Center Drive south of West Trinity Lane & Whites Creek Pike (U.S. 431). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Baptist World Center Cr, Nashville TN 37207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Heaton's Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Heaton's Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Riverside Sanitarium and Hospital / Dorothy Lavinia Brown, M.D. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Haynes High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Nashville Race Course (approx. 0.7 miles away); "Historic Talbot's Corner" / Thomas Talbot 1760-1831 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Samuel Watkins (approx. 1.1 miles away); Saint Cecilia Academy (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

2. Griggs Hall Marker

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

3. Griggs Hall Marker

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

4. Griggs Hall Marker

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

5. Griggs Hall Marker

Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

6. Griggs Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,782 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 4, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.