APRIL/MAY 2022 | maconmagazine.com 101
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"These churches show where we
came from. They reflect what we
as a people can do when we come
together in peace for a common
cause," Franklin said.
Each church among these has
its own unique history. Washington
Avenue Presbyterian was where
educator Lucy Laney worshiped as
a child under the leadership of her
father, the Rev. David Laney. Lucy
Laney High School in Augusta is
named for her. Dr. Thomas Duval,
a Macon-born, 75-year-old retired
dentist and lay historian, attended the
church with his family as a youth. The
fourth edition of his coloring book,
which highlights local Black iconic
figures, will feature the elder Laney,
famous for ringing the church's bell
for Emancipation following the end
of the Civil War.
Duval believes the InTown Black
churches' development of leaders is
one of their greatest contributions
and references for today's youth.
"They can be mental mentors for
children today. The way they overcame
adversity is powerful," he said. "Every
one of these churches has a rich story
for youth to read and know about."
Located on the same side of
the street as Washington Avenue
Presbyterian is Holsey Temple CME
Church.
Marie James-Duval's work on a
book about the church has taken
her across the country collecting
public records, visiting libraries and
interviewing families. James-Duval's
resources reveal that Holsey Temple
started in 1828. Many of the early
members were enslaved people who
settled in Macon along with their
masters.
"They helped to build this city.
These slaves were unsung heroes
with an invisible history, but they
made such a difference," she said.
James-Duval considers the InTown
Black churches as springboards of
greatness. From them came Black
businesses, organizations, initiatives
and educational advancement.
"There's so much greatness that
came out of these churches," she
said. "They are invaluable sources
of pride and history."
