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

Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

1. Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Organized in 1899 as St. Anthony's Mission by Creoles of African descent. By 1901, Josephite priests Revs. Joseph St. Laurent and Louis Pastorelli had established a small school. The present church was completed in 1908 and dedicated as Most Pure Heart of Mary honoring the Blessed Mother. The parish and school were spiritual beacons during the civil rights movement hosting meetings for the Neighborhood Organized Workers-NOW. Diocesan priests and nuns participated in boycotts and marches in support of the black community. The parish continues as a spiritual home for Mobile's black Catholics.

Erected by the African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile. (Marker Number 29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 30° 41.751′ N, 88° 3.189′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Sengstak Street, on the right when traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 Sengstak Street, Mobile AL 36603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in Mobile Bay.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Knights of Peter Claver Monument (a few steps from this marker); Johnson and Allen Mortuary (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Finley's Drug Stores (about 500 feet away); Stone Street Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); National African-American Archives and Museum (about 700 feet away); Caldwell Field (about 700 feet away); Vivian Malone Jones (approx. 0.3 miles away); Christian Benevolent Funeral Home (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Also see . . . Church website and history. (Submitted on December 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

2. Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Marker with part of school building in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

3. Marker with part of school building in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.