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

St. Joseph's Mission School

 
 
St. Joseph's Mission School Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020
1. St. Joseph's Mission School Marker
Inscription. The first integrated elementary education classes in the state of Alabama took place quietly and peacefully here September 3, 1963.

St. Joseph's Mission, church and school, was founded by the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) to serve the African American community of Madison County. In early fall of 1963, twelve white students submitted applications and were accepted for admission. The event is noted not only for the initial integration of elementary schools in Alabama but also for its "reverse” integration nature.

In 1979, St. Joseph's School merged with St. Mary's School and the combined school, named Holy Family School, continues to operate on this site.

"Religion along with education...that's the reason it works."
Rev. Mark Sterbenz, S.D.S. (Pastor. St. Joseph's Mission, 1961-1967)
 
Erected 1994 by St. Joseph Catholic Community.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansChurches & ReligionCivil RightsEducation. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1963.
 
Location. 34° 44.066′ N, 86° 36.108′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Beasley Avenue Northwest
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and Magnolia Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Beasley Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2300 Beasley Avenue Northwest, Huntsville AL 35816, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Buffalo Soldiers (approx. 0.6 miles away); Passenger Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Glenwood Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Boyhood Home Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Church Street Community (approx. ¾ mile away); World War II - Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) (approx. ¾ mile away); Korean War/1950-1953 (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.
 
Also see . . .  Huntsville's Holy Family Catholic School marks 50th anniversary of integrated classrooms. From the Huntsville Times. Posted March 7, 2019. (Submitted on August 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.) 
 
St. Joseph's Mission School Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020
2. St. Joseph's Mission School Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 29, 2024