From Those Who Lived It
Project video
James C. Wright
Office of Archives and Records
April 27, 2021
Alice Bailey, Bettye Middlebrooks, Sister Donna Banfield, and Father Robert Chaney
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
mp4, 100MB
English
St. Peter Claver Macon with Fr. J. Galvin
Black Catholic Oral History Project
1966
Office of Archives and Records
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
St. Peter Claver Parish and School in Macon
Black Catholic Oral History Project
SPCPSM, ca. 1940-50s
Office of Archives and Records
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
Oral History Confessional
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Bettye Middlebrook, left, and Carol Cummings, right.
Office of Archives and Records
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
Mother Katherine Drexel
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Mother Katherine Drexel, 1964
Office of Archives and Records
From The Southern Cross, March 5, 1964. https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn22185748/1964-03-05/ed-1/seq-3/
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
Interviewees of St. Peter Claver
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Left to right: Alice Marcella Bailey, Gwendolyn Stroud Booker, Monroe Abram, and Carol Cummings.
Office of Archives and Records
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
St. Peter Claver exterior
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Outside of parish including its historical marker
Office of Archives and Records
Diocese of Savannah
December 1, 2020
James C. Wright
Reserved to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
English
Interview with Gwendolyn Stroud Booker, July 24, 2019, St. Peter Claver Church, Macon, GA
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Gwendolyn Stroud Booker discusses her years as a child at St. Peter Claver School, converting to Catholicism, and experiences with segregation.
Gwendolyn Stroud Booker, 75, was born in 1944 to Jesse and Otelia Stroud, who were Baptist. Gwendolyn was one of seven children, who also included Alvin, Wilford, Marilyn, Lawrence, Elise, Vernetha Stroud. Gwendolyn and her sister, Vernetha, attended St. Peter Claver School and wanted to become Catholic. Her parents allowed them to convert, but they were still required to the Baptist churches with their parents. Their brother, Lawrence, later became Catholic as well while in college. Gwendolyn married William Booker and became stepmother to Elbert.
After earning a Master’s degree, Gwendolyn became a teacher in the Bibb County Public School System. She worked in several schools in the area, including Northeast High School, where she was also a coach for cheerleading, track, and basketball. Gwendolyn retired from education after 34, but continues to be active in the church community. Along with her activity in the church, Mrs. Booker is a member of the Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.
Bettye Middlebrooks is a longtime member of St. Peter Claver Parish in Macon, GA, and a member of the Black Catholic History Advisory Board to the Archives.
Katy Lockard is the Director of Archives & Records Management for the Catholic Diocese of Savannah.
Office of Archives and Records, Catholic Diocese of Savannah
<h2><a href="https://ohms.libs.uga.edu/viewer.php?cachefile=dlg/ohdiosav/booker-gwendolyn-stroud-2019-07-24-spcpm.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Click Here for Interview Audio and Transcript Index</em></a></h2>
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
July 24, 2019
James C. Wright; Stephanie M. Braddy
Archives & Records Management Department, Catholic Diocese of Savannah, Copyright 2019.
This material is protected by US copyright. Permission to print, reproduce or distribute copyrighted material is subject to the terms and conditions of fair use as prescribed in the US copyright law. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written and explicit permission of the copyright owners.
English
Interview with Alice Marcella Bailey, July 24, 2019, St. Peter Claver Church, Macon, GA
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Alice Marcella Bailey, 77, was born in Macon, Georgia to Hattie Lorene Costella Oliver Bailey (d. 1962) and Horace Bailey (d. 1965), the middle of three children. She attended St. Peter Claver Catholic School and [Old] Ballard High School (later named Ballard-Hudson Senior High School) in Macon, GA. She went on to Xavier University, where she earned a B.A. in economics and history in 1963. She also holds certificates from Boston College, University of Penn., NYU School of continuing education, Macon State College, and AARP. She is retired from Independence Blue Cross (IBC) of Philadelphia, PA where she served as Communications Director. She also worked in the Philadelphia Family Court, Westinghouse Broadcasting, and as a career development counselor for the City of Macon. She continues to volunteer in the community. Bettye Middlebrooks is a longtime member of St. Peter Claver Parish in Macon, GA, and a member of the Black Catholic History Advisory Board to the Archives.
In her interview, Ms. Bailey discusses her experiences at St. Peter Claver Church and School in Macon and her relationships with religious women in the community.
Office of Archives and Records, Catholic Diocese of Savannah
<h2><strong><em><a href="https://ohms.libs.uga.edu/viewer.php?cachefile=dlg/ohdiosav/bailey-alice-2019-07-24-spcpm.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for Interview Audio and Transcript Index</a></em></strong></h2>
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
July 24, 2019
James C. Wright, Stephanie M. Braddy
Archives & Records Management Department, Catholic Diocese of Savannah, Copyright 2019.
This material is protected by US copyright. Permission to print, reproduce or distribute copyrighted material is subject to the terms and conditions of fair use as prescribed in the US copyright law. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written and explicit permission of the copyright owners.
English
20190724.02
Interview with Carol Redding Cummings, July 24, 2019, St. Peter Claver Church, Macon, GA
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Carol Redding Cummings tells of her Christian faith through the family. Her mother was a faithful member at St. Peter Claver for over 85 years. Barbara was baptized at SPC in 1934 and also sang in the choir 70 years.
Carol Redding Cummings, 85, was born in Macon, GA to Margaret R. Sullivan (1910-2008) and Horace Redding (1916-1982). She was one of five children, four sisters, and one brother.
In addition to working as a homemaker and raising her children, Carol did clerical work in the Bibb County School System. She also worked as a seamstress at R.S. Tharpe Men’s clothing store for three years prior to joining the Bibb County School System.
Bettye Middlebrooks is a longtime member of St. Peter Claver Parish in Macon, GA, and a member of the Black Catholic History Advisory Board to the Archives.
Office of Archives and Records, Catholic Diocese of Savannah
<h2><a href="https://ohms.libs.uga.edu/viewer.php?cachefile=dlg/ohdiosav/cummings-carol-2019-07-24-spcpm.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Click here for Interview Audio and Transcript Index</em></a></h2>
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
July 24, 2019
James C. Wright, Stephanie M. Braddy
Archives & Records Management Department, Catholic Diocese of Savannah, Copyright 2019.
This material is protected by US copyright. Permission to print, reproduce or distribute copyrighted material is subject to the terms and conditions of fair use as prescribed in the US copyright law. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written and explicit permission of the copyright owners.
English
20190724.02