Tag Archives: Fulton County

The Ghostly Image and Travels of Ida Bennett Bass-Rome and Atlanta, Georgia

Ida Bennett Bass was the daughter of prominent Atlantans, Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth Bennett. She married Charles Bass, who was from a prominent Rome family. They had four children, but only one lived past infancy. During her third pregnancy, she died during childbirth while giving birth to twins. The son, Edward, died the next day, and her daughter Miriam lived another two months.

Ida’s parents refused to bury their child in Rome and brought her to Atlanta to be buried in Oakland Cemetery. One story about Ida is that her ghost will travel from Atlanta to visit her children and husband who are buried in Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Rome.

Edward Bass in Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

Another story about Ida is that when the house she lived in caught on fire, one wall was untouched. When workers went to remove a mirror, they found an image of a mother holding two infants.

Charles Bass and his second wife, Marjorie, are buried in Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

The daughter Miriam is buried in Oakland Cemetery.

Hurt Street Baptist Church-Atlanta, Georgia

The small church on McDaniel Street began as St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The earliest reference I can find about the church is in 1930. Reverends I. S. Holness and I. J. Alston served as pastors at one time. This is located in the Pittsburgh community.

Ariel Bowen Memorial United Methodist Church-Atlanta, Georgia

Built in 1939, the church has roots in the Pittsburgh community of Atlanta with its beginnings in 1882 as the Gate City Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1904, it was renamed for Ariel Bowen, an educator, activist, and musician who was very active in the church.

For a fuller history of the church, visit the church’s website. The church is a contributing property to the Pittsburgh Community Historic District.

St. Anthony’s School-Atlanta, Georgia

St. Anthony’s School opened in February 1934. The Art-Deco-influenced building was designed by the Reverend Michael McInerney, who, according to the Atlanta Constitution, is an “ecclesiastical and instructional architect of Belmont Abbey.” It cost $40,000 to construct.

It is listed as a contributing property on the Historic West End’s application to the National Register of Historic Places.

New Hope COGIC-Atlanta, Georgia

Built in the 1930s, the New Hope Church of God in Christ is an eclectic church. The NRHP application mentions Gothic Revival influences, but the stained glass design is a more modern influence. It is now known as the Hinsley Temple Church of God in Christ. It is a contributing property to the Pittsburgh Historic District.