Beach Institute in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Mother Church of Black Catholics in Georgia

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

1. St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. In May 1874 two Benedictine priests arrived in Savannah to work with the city's African- American community, and constructed a church four blocks north of here. In 1889 a new building was constructed at this site. The Society of African Missions staffed the parish from 1907 to 1968. Staffed by Franciscan Sisters, St. Benedict's day school operated from 1907 until closure in 1969 due to integration. The school's alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The sisters also staffed the orphanage established by Mother Matilda Beasley, the first African- American woman in Georgia to belong to a religious order. The current building was constructed in 1949.

Erected 2008 by Georgia Historical Society and Sam's Club and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Marker Number 25-30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1874.

Location. 32° 4.12′ N, 81° 5.285′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham

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County. It is in Beach Institute. It is on East Broad Street near East Gordon Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

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: Beach Institute (approx. ¼ mile away); "Jingle Bells" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Massie Common School House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church Centennial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away);

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 20, 2009

2. St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and Marker

Capture of Savannah (approx. 0.3 miles away); Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Johnny Mercer (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Mother Matilda Beasley, O.S.F. Marker.

Also see . . . From Wikipedia, Clarence Thomas. (Submitted on January 30, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

3. St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

4. St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,354 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 30, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.