East Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
St. Mary's Episcopal School
Photographed By Steve Masler, July 25, 2015
1. St. Mary's Episcopal School Marker
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St. Mary's Episcopal School is the oldest private school in Memphis. It has operated continuously since its founding in 1847, and during most of its existence has been exclusively for girls. During the Civil War, Headmistress Mary Foote Pope moved the school, along with many of its students, to Mississippi, to await the end of hostilities. The Sisters of St. Mary's directed the school from 1873 to 1910. Four of them and two priests, known collectively as the "Martyrs of Memphis," died while caring for yellow
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fever victims during the 1878 epidemic. As Thomas F. Gailor, Bishop of Tennessee observed in 1901, the school never succumbed to "the mere social veneering which some people call the education of girls." The school was located at Calvary Episcopal Church, and then successively at St. Mary's Cathedral, in a building at 1257 Poplar Avenue, and at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church. It moved to its present location at Church of the Holy Communion in 1953.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 136.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Agnes Academy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mullins United Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eudora Baptist Church (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Eudora Baptist Church (approx. one mile away); Second Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); First Holiday Inn (approx. 1˝ miles away); This flagpole is dedicated to the men and women of the United States military services (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Photographed By Steve Masler, July 25, 2015
2. St. Mary's Episcopal School Marker
Photographed By Steve Masler, July 25, 2015
3. St. Mary's Episcopal School Marker
Photographed By Steve Masler, July 25, 2015
4. St. Mary's Episcopal School
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 376 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
