The audience was grave, tense, As Washington stepped down, the gold shovel to raise– It thudded the ground, his foot pushed it in, A heave of the shoulder and the first dirt was turned. A twist of the wrist and a NEW CHURCH was born. Lusty and strong broke forth in their most loved song— “The Church’s One Foundation Is Jesus Christ, Her Lord.” 282
Henry Hugh Proctor established several progressive programs, which proceeded organizations such as the Urban League and Neighborhood House. They served the needs of Black people within the community as it sought to establish itself and move forward. They hosted a library, held business education and domestic science, ran a kindergarten, an employment bureau, and a girl’s home. 283 Proctor established several neighborhood missions, such as “Betsy Woods Mission located on 123 Cain Street; the Decatur Street Mission at the corner of Decatur and Butler Streets; the Irwin Street Mission at the corner of Irwin and Hogue Streets; and the Carrie Steele Orphanage on Fair Street. He started a Prison Mission which held Sunday vespers at the Fulton County jail and the Federal Penitentiary, and Tanyard Bottom Mission. 284 BUTLER STREET CME CHURCH The Butler Street Christian Methodist Episcopal Church grew out of its wood frame location on Gilmer Street and moved to a property given by the Grant Estate on Butler Street. While building the new church, Butler Street CME worshiped with Hosely Temple CME on Boulevard. The church is currently located at 560 MLK Dr. MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH Mt. Olive Baptist Church was formed in 1885 by W.R. Clements, who left the pastorate position at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Mt. Olive Baptist Church was first constructed as a wood-framed building at the corner of Harris and Butler Streets. Dr. E.J. Fisher was the pastor during this period. By 1920, a brick building had been erected under the pastorate of Dr. J.M. Nabrit. Due to the construction of the expressway, the church
282 McEwen, “First Congregational,” p. 283 McEwen, “First Congregational.” 284 McEwen, “First Congregational.”
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