Belmead Intergeneration Day, April 5, 2008 ~ by Treshawn McCall

When I went to St. Francis and St. Emma, I learned some very interesting facts about the history of both schools. St. Francis was a boarding school for young black ladies and St. Emma was a military school for young black men.

The lady who started St. Francis was a nun named Sr. Katherine. She opened the school in 1899. Later on, she started Xavier University and other schools throughout the country.

St. Francis and St. Emma closed in the early 1970's. Sr. Katherine Drexel was also the founder of the Blessed Sacrament Nuns. Edward Morrell and wife, Louise Drexel Morrell were the founders of St. Emma.

The other youths attending from St. Elizabeth's were Lauren Cotman and Chelsea Mahone, with their grandmother, Mrs. Jackie Hall; and Angela Gilbert and Heather Rapp along with their guardian, Ms. Melvon McMillan. Ms Mildred Green, Ms Shawn McCall and Mrs. LaVerne Braxton also attended.

We took a tour of both properties. We also had lunch on the lawn of St. Emma's. I had a very informative and enjoyable day.

St. Francis School Building

Slave Grave Sites at Belmead













Placard at Grave Sites













Memorial to Former Workers