IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

First Catholic Church in the Atlanta area

and the oldest complete building standing in

downtown Atlanta.

The church was established in 1848. The first

building, a frame structure, was erected here

in 1851. Father Thomas O’Reilly, its pastor,

successfully appealed to Union General H.W.

Slocum in 1864 to spare his church and the

neighborhood. Thus, the church, four other

churches, and the City Hall-Court House were

saved from destruction when Atlanta was burned.

Cornerstone of this structure laid in 1869.

Completed and dedicated in 1873. Designated

a Shrine in 1954.

060-198 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1981