Pie Town in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Immaculate Mother Academy

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2020

1. Immaculate Mother Academy Marker

Inscription. In 1904, a Philadelphia nun and heiress, Mother Mary Katherine Drexel, purchased this site for Immaculate Mother Academy, which included a primary school and the first Catholic secondary school for black students in Tennessee. Holy Family Catholic Church was moved here in 1919, and the primary school was renamed for it. Immaculate Mother became a fully accredited high school in 1940. Until their closing in 1954, the schools were staffed by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament of Bensalem, PA.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 126.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 36° 9.151′ N, 86° 46.671′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Pie Town. Marker is on 7th Avenue South just south of Drexel Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 616 7th Ave S, Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nashville Plow Works (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

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(about 700 feet away); Frank Maxwell Andrews (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Driver (approx. ¼ mile away); Elm Street Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Nashville Brewery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nettie Napier Day Home Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vauxhall Garden Site (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Regarding Immaculate Mother Academy. Pope John Paul II canonized Drexel in 2000. She is the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists.

Also see . . . St. Katharine Drexel. Biography from Catholic Online (Submitted on April 2, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2020

2. Immaculate Mother Academy Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.