City of St. Jude Church (Diocese of Birmingham)
City of St. Jude Church, City of St. Jude Church is in Alabama, Alabama (United States) and is part of the Archdiocese of Mobile.
It is dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus.
| City of St. Jude Church | |
| Dedication: | Saint Jude Thaddeus |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Mobile |
| Deanery: | Montgomery Deanery |
| Address: | 2048 West Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| Coordinates: | 32.350230, -86.326140 |
| City: | Montgomery, AL |
| Subdivision: | Alabama |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Montgomery County |
| Website: | https://www.cityofstjude.org |
| Founded: | 1938 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | |
City of St. Jude Church (Archdiocese of Mobile) is a Roman Catholic parish located in Montgomery, Alabama, within the Archdiocese of Mobile. Dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of difficult and impossible causes, the parish is part of a 36-acre campus known as the City of St. Jude, which includes a former high school and hospital. Founded in 1934 by Father Harold Purcell, the parish has a historic commitment to serving the African American community, emphasizing social justice, education, and healthcare regardless of race. It gained national significance during the Civil Rights Movement, notably as the final camping site for the Selma to Montgomery marchers in 1965, hosting the iconic "Stars for Freedom" rally.
The City of St. Jude Church continues to be a beacon of hope in Montgomery, offering spiritual, educational, and social services. With over 400 families as members, the parish remains active in community outreach, including the Father Purcell Memorial Exceptional Children’s Center, which provides care for children with disabilities. Its historical role in civil rights and its status on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990 underscore its enduring legacy as a center of faith and social justice in Alabama.
History
The City of St. Jude was established in 1934 by Father Harold Purcell, a Catholic priest dedicated to improving the lives of African Americans in Montgomery. Initially, Purcell opened a dispensary in a rented house on Holt Street in 1934, marking the first Catholic ministry for African Americans in Alabama. With support from Bishop Thomas Joseph Toolen of the Diocese of Mobile, Purcell purchased 56 acres between Hill and Oak Streets in 1936, dedicating a church to Saint Jude Thaddeus in 1938. The church’s basement served as the first classrooms for what would become the St. Jude Educational Institute, opened in 1940 to provide education to local African Americans.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_St._Jude)[](https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/city-of-st-jude/)
In 1951, the City of St. Jude Catholic Hospital opened as the first integrated hospital in the southeastern United States, a landmark achievement in racial equality. The parish played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement, most notably in 1965 when it hosted 2,000 Selma to Montgomery marchers on its campus for the "Stars for Freedom" rally, featuring performances by Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr., and others on a makeshift stage. This event preceded the final march to the Alabama State Capitol, which drew an estimated 25,000 participants. Despite backlash, including reduced donations from white Catholic contributors and resignations of some hospital staff, the parish’s commitment to social justice endured. The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and is part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, established in 1996. In 2015, the City of St. Jude opened its own interpretive center to preserve its civil rights legacy.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_St._Jude)[](https://civilrightstrail.com/attraction/city-of-st-jude/)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_St._Jude)
Special features
- Civil Rights Legacy: The parish hosted the "Stars for Freedom" rally in 1965, a significant event during the Selma to Montgomery marches, featuring celebrities like Harry Belafonte and Sammy Davis Jr., and served as a camping site for 2,000 marchers.
- First Integrated Hospital: The St. Jude Catholic Hospital, opened in 1951, was the first integrated hospital in the southeastern United States, notable as the birthplace of two of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s children and a treatment site for civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo.
- National Register of Historic Places: The City of St. Jude campus, including the church, was listed in 1990 for its historical significance and is part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
- Father Purcell Memorial Exceptional Children’s Center: This center provides specialized care for children with birth defects or disabilities, continuing the parish’s mission of service.
- St. Jude Educational Institute: Although the high school closed in 2014, it historically offered college preparatory and trade programs, serving a predominantly African American student body with some white students.
- Interpretive Center: Opened in 2015, this center preserves the parish’s civil rights history, offering educational exhibits and reenactments.
Related parishes
- St. Peter Church (Archdiocese of Mobile, Montgomery)
- Queen of Mercy Catholic Church (Archdiocese of Mobile, Montgomery)
- St. Bede Catholic Church (Archdiocese of Mobile, Montgomery)