Augustus C. Wright
1855 - 1928
According to the Slave Schedule of 1860, Augustus Wright was born into slavery around 1855 in Dalton, Georgia, however the document does not indicate the date he came to Oxford. After emancipation, he attended the Oxford (Rosenwald) School, the Paine Academy in Augusta, and Clark University in Atlanta. While at Clark University, he began studying religion and theology. He was licensed to preach in 1893, ordained as a Deacon in 1896, and became an “Elder in Full Connection” in 1899. He was assigned to one of the three Methodist Annual Conferences in Georgia that existed at that time. (The Georgia Conference was a conference for white clergy; and the two Atlanta Conferences were for Negro clergy). Wright further distinguished himself as a member of the prestigious organization, the Methodist Episcopal Church Conference of Georgia, Judicial Conference. He later became a pastor for churches in Conyers, Walnut Grove, McDonough, Stone Mountain and Redan, and Gainseville.
Wright took a leave of absence in order to return to Clark University, where he received his teaching certification and then began a teaching career. In 1921, Wright became the first principal of the Washington Street School in Covington, the first and only high school for African American students in Newton County until the late 1950s.
He married Louise Walker Wright (1878 – 1934) and they lived in the northwest neighborhood of Oxford known as “Texas.” They had nine children. They were active in the Rust Chapel congregation, now known as the Rust Chapel United Methodist Church.
Highly respected within the community, Wright is remembered as being kind-hearted, but strict, known more for his humility than his rank. His goal was to provide students with a love of learning so that they would become life-long learners.
Wright took a leave of absence in order to return to Clark University, where he received his teaching certification and then began a teaching career. In 1921, Wright became the first principal of the Washington Street School in Covington, the first and only high school for African American students in Newton County until the late 1950s.
He married Louise Walker Wright (1878 – 1934) and they lived in the northwest neighborhood of Oxford known as “Texas.” They had nine children. They were active in the Rust Chapel congregation, now known as the Rust Chapel United Methodist Church.
Highly respected within the community, Wright is remembered as being kind-hearted, but strict, known more for his humility than his rank. His goal was to provide students with a love of learning so that they would become life-long learners.