Midtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Claude Heithaus, S.J.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020

1. Claude Heithaus, S.J. Marker

Inscription. Claude Heithaus, S.J. (1898-1976) attended Saint Louis University and joined the Society of Jesus in 1920. He later earned his Ph.D. from the University of London. Father Heithaus taught at SLU for several decades. During that time, he founded The University News and conducted research as a classical archaeologist. He is chiefly remembered, however, for a fiery anti-racist sermon, delivered to 500 students Feb. 11, 1944, in College Church. He asked the congregation, "Will you not do something positive right now to make reparation for the suffering which this prejudice has inflicted on millions of your fellow Christians?" SLU officially integrated later that year.

Erected 2018 by Saint Louis University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Communications • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1944.

Location. 38° 38.208′ N, 90° 13.986′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Midtown. It is on Grand Boulevard south of Lindell Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Marker is between DuBourg Hall and St. Francis Xavier College Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3628 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis MO 63108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: DuBourg Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Walter Ong, S.J. (about 500 feet away); Walsh Plaza (about 500 feet away); Parks College (about 800 feet away); SLU's Soccer Dynasty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leon R. Strauss (1928-1999) (approx. 0.2 miles away); P.W. Shoe Loft Apartments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cadillac-Chrysler Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Regarding Claude Heithaus, S.J.. Saint Louis University (SLU) is known to be the first historically white institution of higher learning in a former slave state to admit persons of color. Heithaus is buried in Calvary Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020

2. Claude Heithaus, S.J. Marker

In this photograph it is just to the left of St. Francis Xavier College Church, facing the sidewalk. The building on the left is DuBourg Hall.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on September 12, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.