ST. COLUMBA GRADE SCHOOL 14th Street near Washington--Cairo Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails Contributed by Norman Thomas St. Columba was a black
Catholic School on 14th Street near Washington. Sister
Gabriella Doran, CSC and Sister John Bernard Bueter, CSC
came to St. Columba's in 1948 and stayed until 1955. They
were the only teachers with 125 students. Sister
Gabriella is quoted as saying: "My life as a sister,
as well as a teacher, changed much during those seven
years. Only about a third of the children were Catholic,
but a Catholic education was very valuable to these
families. Those who could afford it paid 50 cents a month
and that was a lot for those who took time out of school
to pick cotton. I loved Cairo and to this day I am still
in touch with friends down there." ©2006 Alexander County Illinois Genealogy Trails |