The history of Mother Mary Mission (MMM) dates back to the year 1940, when Father Harold Purcell appealed to the Vencentian Sisters of Charity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to send Sisters to teach the Gospel and work among the black people in Alabama. A school was built. 1940’s – Mother Mary Mission had its beginning in a multi-purpose wooden structure which housed the Sisters at night and served as classrooms to sixty-seven students in four grades, health and dental clinic during daytime hours. 1940’s –Father Mark was instrumental in organizing community adult men in the formation of Mother Mary Mission’s First basketball and baseball teams, known Mission Invaders. -The Most Reverend T.J. Toolen, now retired Archbishop of Mobile, entrusted Mother Mary Mission to the care of the Society of the Divine Savior July 1941 and thus became administrators of Mother Mary Mission.
1941 – MMM established a store called “The Rummage” to provide clothing to the needy. 1942 – A larger framed building was erected that housed both church and school. Two other structures were later erected; the Rectory for the priests and the Convent for the Sisters.
– The first gymnasium for blacks in the area was built answering the needs for Mother Mary Mission students. The gymnasium served many purposes; school cafeteria, community outlet for religious singing conventions, various entertainments such as movie theater, skating rink, record hops and all athletic activities not only for Mother Mary Mission students but for the local public high school and community as well.
1951 – Student Enrollment had grown to 400, graduating five students that year.
1956 – January, construction began on the new high school building; enrollment increased to 800. this portion of the facility was built at a cost of $132,00.00. This portion included 8 classrooms, biology and chemistry labs, library, office space and storage room. It could accommodate 400 high school students.
Salvatorian priest from Mother Mary Mission were associated with the beginning of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic parish in the adjoining city of Columbus, located in Georgia.
1963 – Mother Mary Mission closed the high school grades; graduating 30 students. It continued to teach elementary grades through the eighth grade until its closing in 2012.
1972 – Catholic Society of the Divine Savior, owner of Mother Mary declared bankruptcy. Mother Mary Mission was turned over to its creditors to be sold to satisfy it’s debt. Through fundraising by the communities of Phenix City, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia as well as former graduates, along with negotiations by Attorney Vincent McCauly, who was instrumental in securing a Philanthropist, William Turner, who gifted Mother Mary Mission funds to satisfy the creditors and Mother Mary Mission then became an independent entity under the umbrella of the Diocese of Mobile. A trustee board was formed which served as administrators.
1986 – The Vencentian Sisters of Charity left Mother Mary Mission returning to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first Lay principal served the academic school year 1986-1987. Another lay principal served for one year. 1988 – the board of trustee for Mother Mary Mission invited the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to operate a Christian outreach program in Phenix, City, Alabama as well as maintain and operate Mother Mission School.
2005 – February, new gymnasium and daycare center was dedicated.
2012 – December, The Archdiocese of Mobile closed Mother Mary Mission School.
2014 – August, The Archdiocese placed Mother Mary Mission Church under suppression (The Church closed; it was reconditioned and reopened in 2020, Catholic parishioners vowed to maintain its viability).
2016 – A board of Trustees was formed and registered with the state of Alabama. August 29, 2016 to exist and function as a non-profit organization continuing charitable works in the community for which Mother Mary Mission was originally established.
It is worth to note that Mother Mary Mission inspired youth to become priest and nuns, namely Sister Julian Griffin and Father Bruce Greening. Many used their learning to become men to the cloth in protestant churches.
Many of Mother Mary Mission graduates have excelled in all works of life, becoming teachers, minister, judges, nurses, doctors and lawyers and are spread out all over America. any achieved high rankings in the armed services as well. Most are proud of the foundation they received at Mother Mary Mission and responsive when asked to support endeavors.
