St. Margaret's and St. Martha's Schools

St. Margarets St. Marthas

St. Margaret's School

St. Margaret's School was opened in 1922 as a boarding school for high school aged girls. The building, constructed at the turn of the century, was originally known as Phelps Hall. It was part of St. Alban's School, a private boys school located on East Main Street where Knoxville High School is now located.

It was moved in the early 1920s to its location east of St. Mary's School. A work crew led by Billie Wilson used ropes and horses to move the building. When the main buildings of St. Mary's School were closed in the early 1930s for safety reasons, students attended classes and lived at St. Margaret's until 1935 when the school closed for good. John H. England purchased St. Margaret's, built an addition on the north side of the building and opened what became England Apartments. Moving St. Margaret's

In December 1952 England sold the building to members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Galesburg. The building became part of the Good Samaritan Nursing Home and was called Gospel Hall. On Feb. 26, 1996, St. Margaret's was torn down to make room for an expansion at the home. Crews Demolish St. Margaret's

St. Martha's School

Classroom at St. Martha's Miss Emma Pease Howard opened St. Martha's school for younger girls in Knoxville in September 1911. The building was designed and constructed expressly for this work and was located on a campus adjacent to St. Mary's School, with which institution St. Martha's was affiliated. The school was entirely distinct from St. Mary's; being complete in equipment and especially adapted in methods and management to the care and training of young children.

St. Martha's pool Everything possible was done to promote the physical, mental and moral welfare of the little girls. The course of study included all branches taught in the best public schools preparatory to the eighth grade, with instruction also in French and German, drawing, music, dancing, arts and industries.Girls enrolled at the school were under the age of 13.

St. Martha's burns down After St. Mary's closed, St. Martha's was used as a private residence and then converted into a nursing home. On Dec. 28, 1983, St. Martha's was destroyed by fire.

Back To St. Mary's Main About Us Features

Email sites@kville.org