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Williams’ Temple CME Church at Thomasville, AL (consolidated with Booker City to form Miles College)

Black Heritage, Churches and Cemeteries, Historic Schools | Thomasville in Clarke County  

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In 1898, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, seeking to serve the educational needs of black students opened a school and church in Thomasville, Williams Temple CME Church. Four years later, the CME Church began construction on another facility at Booker City (now called Docena) located near Birmingham. This school was to serve the needs of black students in the north half of Alabama. In 1907, the Thomasville and Booker City schools consolidated into present day Miles College which is located at Fairfield, AL near Birmingham.

The early Thomasville campus had eight or nine buildings. Students came from distant communities to attend school and were housed in the campus dormitory buildings. When the dorms were destroyed by fire, local folks boarded the students. Miles College and local trustees provided supplies and salaries. Williams Temple served both as a school and church until the 1930’s. All that remains at Thomasville today is the Williams Temple Church building which was erected in 1909. It is a contributing property to the Thomasville Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This church is located on Davis Avenue near downtown Thomasville, AL (GPS coordinates 31.910235, -87.733105).

Sources: 1) Williams’ Temple CME Church Historical Marker; 2) NRHP “Thomasville Historic District” Registration Form.

Tags: alabama, black belt, church, clarke county, miles college, school, thomasville

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About This Website

Welcome to rural southwest Alabama. This website is dedicated to twelve counties located in rural southwest Alabama which includes a large portion of Alabama’s Black Belt area. This region is known for its rich and diverse heritage, historic homes and churches, and natural beauty. This website contains details about historic and interesting places that you will find in this area of Alabama.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE HOMES INCLUDED ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARE DRIVE BY ONLY.

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Dedicated to the memory of Stacy Milstead Henson (1978-2008) & Inez “Sis” Watts (1924-2007).

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