Important People and Institutions
The Slade Family
Almarine Slade and her husband, Thomas, moved to Carrollton from Columbus, Georgia, in 1882 with their six children. At the time, Carroll County only had Methodist and Baptist churches. Being a loyal Episcopalian, Mrs. Slade dedicated herself to building an Episcopal church, with no idea of how important the church would become.
In 1893, Mrs. Slade found enough money to purchase a plot of land on the corner of White Street and West Avenue, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church was opened on July 15th, 1893.
The Slade family became beloved members of the Carrollton community and left their mark with their contributions to St. Margaret’s.
St. Margaret's
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, named after St. Margaret of Scotland, was the first role of the Kennedy Chapel. The Kennedy Chapel served as an Episcopal church from 1893–1953.
In 1953, a bigger church was built to accommodate the large numbers of Episcopalians who moved to Carrollton in the late 1940s and early 1950s, brought in by job opportunities with companies like Southwire.
Reverend Dewey Gable became the first full-time priest in 1952, just before construction on the current church. The current church resides on Newnan Street, with a large and active community.
In 1964, the original St. Margaret’s Chapel on the corner of White Street and West Avenue was donated to The University of West Georgia and dedicated as the John F. Kennedy Interfaith Chapel.
Robert Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy was the brother of President John F. Kennedy and served as the 64th Attorney General from 1961-1964. Like his brother, Robert F. Kennedy was influential in the Civil Rights Movement and dedicated much of his political career to guide the Civil Rights Act.
On May 26, 1964, Robert F. Kennedy came to Carrollton with his wife Ethel to dedicate the St. Margaret’s Chapel to the John F. Kennedy Interfaith Chapel. Robert F. Kennedy gave a speech about the importance of community and equality during the dedication and held a Q&A panel with West Georgia College students after the ceremony. The dedication ceremony remains an important piece of Carrollton and UWG history.
Robert F. Kennedy’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. holds current political office as the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert and Kathryn Coe
Robert and Katheryn Coe
Dr. Robert “Bob” Coe and his wife Katheryn “Kathy” were active in the UWG music department, for which Dr. Coe served as chair, and dedicated much of their talent to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and the Kennedy Chapel.
During the Kennedy Chapel dedication, Katheryn Coe performed “O For The Wings” as the opening number for the ceremony.
In 1979, Dr. Robert Coe performed as an organ soloist for the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church grand organ dedication ceremony.
There is currently a UWG undergraduate music scholarship dedicated to the Coes.