Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Original Catholic School in Danville, Virginia

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 9, 2026

1. Original Catholic School in Danville, Virginia Marker

Inscription. This carriage house, built circa 1901, is the last remaining building of the original Sacred Heart Catholic School. Four Sisters of Mercy from Pennsylvania opened the school doors on September 9, 1953, with 67 students in a Victorian house at 344 West Main Street. This carriage house was used as the middle school for students in grades 6 – 8. In 1966, Averett College purchased the property and built the Mary B. Blount Library directly in front of the house. In 1971, the house was demolished to make way for parking behind the library.

In 1959, the school became the first school in Danville to become integrated. In the early 1960’s, under the leadership of pastor Fr. Vernon Bowers, the parochial school maintained, in secret, its inclusion of black students. The parents would drop off their children and pick them up by this carriage house, concealed from public view. Danville Public Schools were not integrated until 1969-1970.

Sacred Heart’s integrated Catholic community helped forge the wat to desegregation and civil rights. In 1966, Sacred Heart Catholic School moved to its current location at 540 Central Boulevard

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where it continues its rich history of diversity, equality, and excellence in education today.

Erected 2026 by Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Civil Rights • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1953.

Location. 36° 34.698′ N, 79° 24.753′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of West Main Street (Virginia Route 293) and Robertson Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located behind the Mary B. Blount Library on Averett University campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 344 W Main St, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 9, 2026

2. Original Catholic School in Danville, Virginia Marker

it finds itself in what was once 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: Averett University (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The A.J. Montague House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Jackson Montague (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The Cousins-Tulloch House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 9, 2026

3. Original Catholic School in Danville, Virginia Marker

Carriage house roof image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

4. Carriage house roof

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 28 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.