Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

A Refuge

— Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

1. A Refuge Marker

Inscription. The City of St Jude, always a refuge for African Americans, hosted the marchers on the last night of their journey. This religious complex—named for the patron saint of impossible situations—housed a school church and hospital and had a 36-acre campus to accommodate thousands of marchers. In addition to sleeping tents and food stations, a first aid center had been set up on the grounds to treat marchers’ sunburned skin, sore feet, and exhaustion.

Founded in the mid-1930s by Catholic priest Father Harold Purcell, St. Jude was a sanctuary for the poor, sick, and disadvantaged. When St. Jude's Hospital opened in 1951, it was the only integrated hospital in the Southeast. The church, too, set an example of nondiscrimination. As early as the 1950s—when the civil rights movement was still in its infancy—St. Jude welcomed an integrated prayer group.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 32° 21.103′ N, 86° 19.551′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection

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of West Fairview Avenue and Oak Street, on the right when traveling west on West Fairview Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2048 West Fairview Avenue, Montgomery AL 36108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Heroes' Welcome (here, next to this marker); Campsite 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Marching to Montgomery (within shouting distance of this marker); City of St. Jude/The Selma to Montgomery March (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Sites Near Fairview Environmental Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Support: Local and Organizational (approx. half a mile away); Charlie and Lucille Times (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bertha Pleasant Williams Library (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Also see . . . City of Saint Jude Story. (Submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Former St. Jude's Catholic Hospital (closed 1985) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

2. Former St. Jude's Catholic Hospital (closed 1985)

View down Fairview Avenue and the "City of St. Jude" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

3. View down Fairview Avenue and the "City of St. Jude"

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.