In the spring of 1960, students from Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman colleges formed the Atlanta Student Movement and joined thousands of other students throughout the South in fighting segregation and discrimination in places of public accommodation. After being denied office space on the Atlanta University campus, they were given free use of an office here by Rev. Joseph E. Boone. A leader in the Atlanta Movement, Rev. Boone headed pastoral projects such as Operation Breadbasket, which encouraged the employment of African Americans. Despite some concerns about the students' use of the facilities, the congregation supported their efforts through donations of food and supplies. Rush Church illustrates the importance of local churches and their congregations in the organization and implementation of Civil Rights activities throughout the South.