Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Louis H. Persley

(1888-1932)

Photographed By David Seibert, October 30, 2006

1. Louis H. Persley Marker

Inscription. Originally from Macon, Georgia, African-American architect Louis H. Persley attended Lincoln University, and graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1914. Persley then joined the faculty of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. One of his few projects in Georgia, Persley designed a new building for the First African Methodist Episcopal Church on this site in 1916. First AME began as Pierce’s Chapel in 1866, believed to be the first congregation in Athens established by African Americans after the Civil War. Persley went on to design buildings including the Masonic Temple in Birmingham, and several structures on the campus of Tuskegee. On April 5, 1920 Louis Persley became the first African American to register with the new Georgia State Board of Registered Architects.

Erected 2006 by Georgia Historical Society and First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Athens. (Marker Number 29-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the Georgia Historical Society, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1870.

Location.

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33° 57.629′ N, 83° 22.745′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of West Dougherty Street and Hull Street, on the left when traveling east on West Dougherty Street. Marker is in front of the First AME Church Educational Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 521 North Hull Street, Athens, Athens GA 30603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Moses Waddel (about 800 feet away); The Athens Double-Barrelled Cannon (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Flight in Georgia (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 to 1902 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Georgia Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ross Crane House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albon Chase House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 6, 2018

2. Louis H. Persley Marker

This view of the marker is looking roughly towards the east down E. Dougherty Street.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 6, 2018

3. Louis H. Persley Marker

The marker is to the right in this view of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church's C.D. Wilkerson Educational Center.

A 1973 and 1989 dedication panel for the C.D. Wilkerson Educational Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 6, 2018

4. A 1973 and 1989 dedication panel for the C.D. Wilkerson Educational Center

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.