HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — On Wednesday, Huntsville leaders honored the legacy of Dr. William Hooper Councill by adding a finishing touch to the new park named after him - a bronze statue.
Leaders including Mayor Tommy Battle, Councilmembers Devyn Keith, Frances Akridge and John Meredith joined the community at the new memorial park that was revealed just two months ago.
The park is where the first African-American high school, also named after Councill, once stood.
The unveiling of the statue began with the ringing of the bell from First Baptist Church at 1 p.m., followed by an opening of prayer from First Baptist Church Pastor Travis Collins.
"Many of you remember two months ago we had the privilege of opening this beautiful park to the public. For those who might not be aware, these grounds belong to Councill Schools at the end of the era of segregation," says Battle.
"2020 is one of those years in which we all wish we can forget, but for all of my "Councillians" want to remember," says Keith.
Councill, a former slave, became a minister at St. John AME, and founder and first president of Alabama A&M University.
Councill High School alumni are happy to share more Huntsville history. "It's wonderful because we know that for generations to come the story of the school, the individual will be available to everyone who is in Huntsville and for everyone who visits Huntsville," says William Hooper Councill High Alumni Association President, Brenda Chunn.
Leaders also laid a wreath by the statue, and closed the ceremony with prayer from St. John AME Rev. Maurice Wright,II. The statue was created by Huntsville sculptor, Dan Burch.