Saint Alphonsus Catholic School

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 15: Saint Alphonsus Catholic School.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

SAINT ALPHONSUS SCHOOL

Second location of Black Catholic school, 1948-1968, staffed by sisters of Oblate Sisters of Providence. Succeeded by co-op kindergarten Kiddie Kollege of Knowledge.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, August 2024.

Saint Alphonsus awards 44 diplomas.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 June 1948.

Saint Alphonsus Catholic School’s 1948 graduation and closing exercises dispensed “diplomas” to 44 children:

Clarence Halley, Albert Farmer, Boisey Barnes, Edgar R. Gay Jr., Charles Weaver, Jerome Hodges, James Earl Cotton, Joseph Lucas, Marshall Willington, Milton Bynum, Arte— Lee Cox, Timothy Freeman, Archie Short, John Davis, Charles Murphy, John Smith, Jerry Lee Williams, Dema Darden, Vincent Peacock, Charles Groseland, Arthur Lee Edwards, Sandra Purdie, Joyce Woodard, Winnie Coley, Barbara J. Foster, Brenda C. Hines, Betty Jean Ward, Mary Helen Jones, Yvonne, Goodman, Joyce Ann Carr, July Millain, Johnesse Bryant, Delories Short, B. Jean Purdie, Marion Wright, Louise McPhatan, Joan Johnson, Sylvia Walker, Lewis G. Royster, Peggy A. Hargrove, Betsy Mae Lane, Barbara A. Smith, and Emilia Gay.

Saint Alphonsus P.T.A. plans Christmas events.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 December 1945.

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  • Gail Peacock — Winifred Gail Peacock (1939), daughter of Levi H. and Eloise Reaves Peacock
  • James Robinson — probably, James Thomas Robinson (1939), son of William H. and Anna Hines Robinson
  • Kirkland Green
  • Josephine Collins — Josephine Gwendolyn Collins (1939-1982), daughter of Ike and Lula Brown Collins.
  • James Taylor 
  • Wendell Hines — Carl Wendell Hines Jr. (1940), son of Carl W. and Ruth J. Hines.

Graduation exercises at Saint Alphonsus.

Closing exercises at Saint Alphonsus Catholic School were elaborate affairs, with a decorated setting, orations, singing, and band performances.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 May 1947.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 June 1948.

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When Saint Alphonsus closed in 1968, the diocese rented its Carroll Street building to the African-American collective Concerned Parents of Wilson, which opened a kindergarten in the space. I graduated in Kiddie Kollege of Knowledge’s second class, and our graduation continued the ornate legacy of Saint Alphonsus.

I’m at right, marching out with my Bachelor of Rhymes degree.