Atlanta Intown. (Sandy Springs, GA) 1998-current, December 01, 2023, Image 38

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Newspaper Page TextRenewing historic landmarks and civil rights conversations In 1956, Forbes magazine described the Auburn Avenue in Downtown Atlanta as “The richest Negro street in the world.” Standard Life Company, Atlanta Life Insurance Company, and Atlanta Daily World represented some of the distinguished PERSPECTIVES IN Black-owned ARCHITECTURE businesses in the Sweet Auburn district. Ebenezer Baptist Church offered a spiritual home of civil rights hero Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. John Wesley Dobbs (1882—1961) developed the three-story Renaissance Revival style Prince Hall Masonic Lodge along the thoroughfare that became a hub for the civil rights, financial, cultural, and professional services community. The self-proclaimed Mayor of Auburn Avenue would become the grandfather of Atlanta's first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson (1938-2003). Prince Hall Masonic Lodge was designed by Charles FFopson (1865-1941), Melody Harclerode an English-born architect respected for his mastery of different classical architectural styles. Ponce De Leon Methodist Church (c. 1915 and renamed St Paul's Presbyterian Church), Rock Spring Presbyterian Church (c. 1923), and Peachtree Christian Church (c. 1928) in Atlanta are graced with intricate brick detailing on the building exteriors. The Masonic Lodge features impressive brick ornamentation and ornamental panels with the Prince Hall Masonic motif. Completed in 1937 and expanded in 1955, the ground and basement level of the 16,000-square-foot Masonic Lodge housed the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) 381 DECEMBER 2023 RoughDraftAtlanta.com

Georgia Historic Newspapers

Atlanta Intown. (Sandy Springs, GA) 1998-current, December 01, 2023, Image 38