Birth Of A Dream

The origins of Paine College can be traced to Bishop Lucius Henry Holsey of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. Born into slavery on July 3, 1842, near Columbus, Georgia, Bishop Holsey later became a resident of Augusta. In 1869, he first proposed the establishment of an institution dedicated to educating African American teachers and ministers.

Recognizing the educational and spiritual needs of newly emancipated African Americans, Bishop Holsey sought the assistance of leaders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in establishing a school to prepare teachers and ministers to serve these communities. The church leaders agreed to support the proposal, leading to the eventual establishment of Paine Institute.