Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Central City College / Georgia Baptist College

Photographed By David Seibert, January 6, 2004

1. Central City College/Georgia Baptist College Marker

Inscription. Founded in October 1899 by the Reverend E. K. Love under the auspices of the Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Central City College served as a co-educational institution of learning for African-American students at both the high school and college levels. The College represented a pioneering effort at African-American education during the Jim Crow era. Beset by financial woes, Central City College lost its property to foreclosure in 1937 to white businessman and philanthropist James H. Porter, who in turn placed the school’s assets under the control of the Georgia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. By now called Georgia Baptist College, the institution continued fundraising efforts, including musical events with segregated seating, but failed to save the school, which finally closed in 1956.

Erected 2003 by Georgia Historical Society, the Baptist Ministers Union of Macon and Vicinity, the Middle Georgia African-American Historical Association, the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, and the Georgia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. (Marker Number 11-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music

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• Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1899.

Location. 32° 51.583′ N, 83° 36.967′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. Marker is on Shurling Drive, 0 miles west of Gray Highway (U.S. 129), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Macon GA 31211, 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. Fort Hawkins (approx. ¾ mile away); Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Hawkins (approx. ¾ mile away); War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration (approx. ¾ mile away); John Basil Lamar (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Hill Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial Day in Macon (approx. 1.2 miles away); Alfred Holt Colquitt (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Photographed By Dave W, September 10, 2022

2. Central City College / Georgia Baptist College Marker

Emmanuel King Love image. Click for full size.

3. Emmanuel King Love

E. K. Love (mentioned in the marker) was a Baptist minister, missionary, and writer in the late nineteenth century. This sketch of Love is taken from his History of the First African Baptist Church, which was published in 1888. (From History of the First African Baptist Church).

Photographed By Works Progress Administration (WPA), circa 1935

4. Central City College/Georgia Baptist College Marker

WPA work crew on the grounds of the Central City College. Courtesy Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,270 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 3. submitted on January 13, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on March 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.