1. Candler Park ball fields today: former site of hillside with African American Rose Hill homeowners’ houses, 1892–1942, shown below. 2. Old Stone Church: Antioch East Baptist Church hand-built 1918–1922, their Sanctuary until 1950. 3. Candler Park Public Golf Course today: sites of African American settler-renters before 1922 displacement. Photo Credit: Edith Kelman
Remembering on the Ball Fields
Current satellite view of Candler Park ball field with 1928 topographical map overlay showing Rose Hill Community homesteads. Note 1928 slope along Candler Park Drive that was dug out for the current ball field; also note icon for the Old Stone Church upper left.
Model based on 1924 & 1928 maps (view from McLendon)
Model based on 1924 Sanborn and 1928 topo map (view from today’s park looking toward Mayson Avenue/now Candler Park Drive, with Savage Avenue on the right. Credit: Randy Taylor – model maker, artist, educator. Photos: Roger Bakeman
Listen to the tone poem about Rose Hill performed on 10/15/2023 at the Old Stone Church by Jeff Crompton, Janet Metzger, and Craig Rafuse. Words by Edith Kelman.
Plans come to life on Rose Hill Commemoration Day, thanks to dozens of volunteers from First Existentialist Congregation, Antioch East Baptist Church, Neighborhood Church, Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, Candler Park Conservancy, Edgewood, Decatur, and more History Project friends. Photo Credit: Eddy AndersonPoythress and Sellers families check out the temporary street signs marking Rose Hill’s former unpaved roads: Savage Ave., Savage Court, Mayson Avenue North. Poythress family members lived close by on Mayson Avenue North’s west side. Photo Credit: Eddy AndersonRose Hill starter tent offered information and guides to the field experience, including a 3-D model of the 1924 historic homesteads on the contoured hillside, before their removal in 1942. Photo Credit: Eddy AndersonA descendant of the Little Family examines the research about her ancestors and their Rose Hill home, compiled by the History Project, Paideia School, and GA State University students. Photo Credit: Eddy AndersonConversations on the day’s experiences were shared over box lunches at communal dinner tables set up inside the 11 homestead footprints. Photo Credit: Eddy Anderson
Remembering in the Old Stone Church
Rose Hill Commemorative Program inside the Old Stone Church (Antioch’s hand-built Sanctuary, 1918-1950) with Antioch East and First Existentialist members, Candler Park and Edgewood neighbors, and other community friends. Photo Credit: Will Poythress
Brother David Thurmond served faithfully as program emcee and Antioch point person for the overall events of the day. Photo Credit: Will PoythressEvangelist Niyoutha Ross offered up her powerful voice with a moving 1920s gospel solo. Photo Credit: Will Poythress
Deacon Inos Patterson shared memories of his family’s historic presence in Candler Park, including as founding members of the Antioch Baptist Church in this neighborhood in 1872. Photo Credit: Will PoythressBrother John Cherry’s rousing gospel tune was amplified with his joyful piano playing. Photo Credit: Will Poythress
Remembering on the Golf Course
Rose Hill Commemorative Golf Event: Antioch East Baptist Church golf contingent play the Candler Park Course, remembering Sister Margaret Latimore, Deacon James Smith, and the African American renter-settlers displaced from this acreage in 1922. Photo Credit: Eddy Anderson
Remembering Antioch Sister Margaret E. Latimore, first Black woman to play golf at the Candler Park Course. Photo Credit: StoryCorp ATL
Deacon James Smith, Antioch E., In Memoriam; Deacon Alvin Clark, Antioch E.; Bro. Will Poythress, Antioch E. Golf Event Co-Coordinator; Deacon Javarros Byrd, Antioch E. Golf Event Coordinator. Photo Credit: tb
Additional Event Organizers
Mother Mary Carithers, Antioch E. Historian; First Lady Patricia Smith, Antioch E.; Ms. Edith Kelman, BiRacial History Project Manager; Brother David Thurmond, Antioch E. Main Point Person; Rev. Dr. Michael A. Smith, Antioch E. Senior Pastor. Photo credit: Will PoythressDeaconess Gwen Morton, Antioch E. Food Coordinator; Ms. Barbara Boone, First Existentialist Food Coordinator. Photo credit: Will Poythress
