Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Centennial Hill
By Mark Hilton, October 9, 2016
1. Centennial Hill Marker
This neighborhood evolved around historic First Congregational Church established through the American Missionary Association (AMA) October 6, 1872, by Pastor George Whitfield Andrews. In 1867 the AMA and the Freedmen's Bureau, headed by General Wager Swayne, opened Swayne Primary School, Montgomery's first school for blacks, just two blocks south of here. Alabama State University, begun in 1867 as the "Lincoln School of Marion" by nine ex-slaves and taken over by the AMA in 1868, was relocated nearby in 1887. The area gained prominence as the civic, religious, educational, business and residential center for such black notables as Dr. Cornelius Dorsette, the city's first black physician; businessman Victor Tulane; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and other well-known leaders such as Alabama's first black congressman, James W. Rapier; John W. Jones; Nathan Alexander; Peyton Finley; and reverend G. Franklin Lewis, long-time pastor of First Congregational Church.Erected 1992 by Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
By Mark Hilton, January 12, 2014
2. First Congregational Church
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Location. 32° 22.317′ N, 86° 17.973′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of South Union Street and High Street, on the left when traveling north on South Union Street. Union Street is a multi-lane one-way street that runs north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 638 South Union Street, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hon. Rufus A. Lewis (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Swayne College / Booker T. Washington School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Georgia Gilmore (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Jackson Street / Victor Hugo Tulane (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harris House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Minister's Home / Dr. Martin Luther King (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Warren Reese House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Oscar Harris Family Home (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
By Mark Hilton, October 9, 2016
3. View of marker looking at intersection of Union and High Streets.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 574 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on July 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. Photos: 1. submitted on October 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on October 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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