Gulfport in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

St. Therese Parish Hall

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

1. St. Therese Parish Hall Marker

Inscription. The St. Therese Parish Hall was built in 1941 by Rev. Joseph Hennessey, SSJ, across from the St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church. Used by the parish for a variety of purposes, it was also a United States Service Organization (USO) center for African American military personnel serving on the Gulf Coast during World War II. Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie were among the performers who entertained citizens here. The parish hall was demolished in 1980 after heavy damage during Hurricane Frederic.

Erected 2023 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 30° 22.416′ N, 89° 6.313′ W. Marker is in Gulfport, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of 36th Avenue and 19th Street, on the right when traveling north on 36th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker

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is in this post office area: Gulfport MS 39501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dr. Felix Henry Dunn (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Magnolia Route (approx. 0.9 miles away); Harrison County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Baptist Church, Gulfport (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ship Island (approx. 1.1 miles away); 1863 East Pascagoula Raid (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gulfport - Harrison County Library (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Gulfport High School (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulfport.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

2. St. Therese Parish Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.