Presbyterian Community Center

The Presbyterian Community Center was founded in 1898 on Preston Street by Rev. John Little as Louisville’s first African American Mission Sunday school. A second location on Hancock Street opened in 1902, and the centers were known as Hope and Grace. They merged in 1965 at the Hancock location and officially took the name Presbyterian Community Center. From 1954-57, Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, trained every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Grace Presbyterian Church Director of Recreation Fred Stoner, whom Ali credited with teaching him how to box. Stoner also trained boxing greats Ali, Jimmy Ellis, and Rudell Stitch. In 1960, Stoner became the first African American appointed to the KY Boxing Commission.

Louisville, Kentucky · United States