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
Immaculate Conception, 1909-1971
The Society of African Missions founded Immaculate Conception Parish and Academy in 1909 to serve African Americans. The diocese decided to close the academy in Spring of 1967 due to low enrollment. High school students were absorbed by neighboring schools including Aquinas High School. The parish closed in 1971 and merged with Sacred Heart Parish and St. Patrick’s Parish to form Most Holy Trinity Parish. Immaculate parish and school were part of the diocese’s forced desegregation plan.
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 Barbara Clowers, September 12, 2019, Catholic Pastoral Center, Savannah, GA
Black Catholic Oral History of Savannah
Barbara Clowers shares her experiences as a teacher at St. Peter Claver School. She also witnessed the racial integration of the parishes in Macon, and served as the Chair of the SPC Evangelist Mission which had a great impact on the community and children.
Barbara Clowers (née Brooks), 88, was born in Macon, GA in 1931 to Julia Bell Brown of Albany, GA, and Harold Sheffield Brooks of Macon, GA. Her mother worked as a teacher and her father was an agent with Atlanta Life Insurance in Macon, as well as a musician. Sadly, Julia died in childbirth with her youngest child, Essie. Barbara was only five years old. Following the death of her mother, Barbara and two of her siblings, Marilyn and Harold Jr., were raised with their grandmother. The baby, Essie, was sent to live with the niece of her grandmother in Philadelphia, where she met Mother Katharine Drexel (canonized a saint in 2000) and served her whenever Mother Katharine visited the school Essie attended.
Barbara worked as a teacher for 5 years in Bibb County Schools and was a social worker for 20 years in Bibb County, DFACS. In 1956, Barbara married Frank Clowers, a mechanical engineer. Frank received his degree from West Virginia State College (now a University). He worked for Robins Air Force Base and Travis Air Force Base in graphics and design. He also taught at Macon Technical College. After 53 years of marriage, Frank died in 2009. They had two children, Michael who also died in 2018 and Francine lives in South Carolina.
Barbara and Frank were not born Catholic. They converted later in life. Frank’s sister was Catholic. After Marilyn (Barbara’s sister) married, she and her husband became Catholic, and shortly after that Frank and Barbara became Catholic as well and fully immersed themselves in the St. Peter Claver community. Barbara served as the first Director of Evangelization and organized the Vacation Bible School summer programs. She also volunteered with St. Peter Claver’s food pantry.
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><em><a href="https://ohms.libs.uga.edu/viewer.php?cachefile=dlg/ohdiosav/clowers-barbara-2019-09-19-spcpm.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for Interview Audio and Transcript Index</a></em></h2>
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
September 19, 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
20190912.01
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
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 Monroe Abram, July 24, 2019, St. Peter Claver Church, Macon, GA
Black Catholic Oral History Project
Monroe Abram, born in 1933, discusses some of the changes he has seen in St. Peter Claver Parish, as well as some of the priests and parishioners he knew.
Monroe Abram, 88, was born in Macon, GA to Helen and Monroe Abram, one of three children, including Bernard and Bernadine. Growing up in Macon, he was an active member of St. Peter Claver Parish, attending the Catholic grammar school from first grade to eighth grade. He attended and graduated from [Old] Ballard High School (later named Ballard-Hudson Senior High School) in Macon, GA. He went on to attend college in New York City, NY. He worked the Paulist Fathers of NY while he was in college. Following graduation, Monroe went to work at Robins Air Force Base as an alcohol and drug counselor. He retired from Robins AFB after 30 years.
Monroe was married twice. He and his first wife, Avis, had one son, Monroe Abrams, Jr. who also graduated from St Peter Claver School and Mount de Sales Academy. Monroe, Jr., his wife and their four children live in Tennessee. Sometime after the death of his first wife, Monroe married a second time. He and his wife, Joan, who served for a number of years as principal of St. Peter Claver School, moved to Warner Robins, GA. Sadly, Joan passed away in August of 2020. The couple had been married for 45 years.
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/abram-monroe-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
20190724.01
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
Most Pure Heart of Mary, 1907-2000
Founded by the SMA fathers to serve African Americans on the west side of Savannah. It had a dedicated school from 1909 until 1975. Most Pure Heart of Mary merged with St. Anthony into Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in 2000.
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