South Downtown in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Immaculate Conception Church

Photographed By David Seibert, April 11, 2011

1. Immaculate Conception Church Marker

Inscription. First Catholic Church in the Atlanta area and the oldest complete building standing in downtown Atlanta.

The church was established in 1848. The first building, a frame structure, was erected here in 1851. Father Thomas O’Reilly, its pastor, successfully appealed to Union General H.W. Slocum in 1864 to spare his church and the neighborhood. Thus, the church, four other churches, and the City Hall-Court House were saved from destruction when Atlanta was burned. Cornerstone of this structure laid in 1869. Completed and dedicated in 1873. Designated a Shrine in 1954.

Erected 1981 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 060-198.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 33° 45.037′ N, 84° 23.383′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in South Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Central Avenue SW, on the left when traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Atlanta GA 30303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Georgia Railroad Freight Depot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Burning and Destruction of Atlanta (about 400 feet away); Fulton County (about 400 feet away); St. Philip's Church (about 500 feet away); Historic Ground (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Georgia Railroad Freight Depot (about 500 feet away); Desegregation of Municipal Facilities (1961) (about 500 feet away); John Brown Gordon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 11, 2011

2. Immaculate Conception Church Marker

Photographed By David Seibert, April 11, 2011

3. Immaculate Conception Church Marker

Looking east on Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Photographed By David Seibert, April 11, 2011

4. Immaculate Conception Church Marker

Looking west on Martin Luther King Jr Drive across Central Street SW

The Immaculate Conception Church, Atlanta's Most Historic Church. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 10, 2019

5. The Immaculate Conception Church, Atlanta's Most Historic Church.

Marker is just to right of left light pole, next to corner of church.

The gates around the marker have been heightened. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 10, 2019

6. The gates around the marker have been heightened.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 676 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5, 6. submitted on November 10, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.