Private and Parochial Schools

6th Grade PACE 2019 Page Created by: Marissa and Phoebe

Palmyra's private and parochial schools were popular during the 1800's. As the years progressed, more schools were added.

Sadly, most of them ended in the late 1800's, and not many of the schools are still standing today.

"In 1856, Palmyra had more private educational institutions than any other town in Northeast Missouri."

Private Schools

Mrs. Burr's Academy

Mrs. Burr's Academy was a boarding school in Palmyra in 1843. Mrs. Ann Burr came to Palmyra from teaching among the Indians farther south. She brought some Indian children with her to Palmyra.

St. Paul's College

In 1848, St. Paul's College was established by Dr. William B. Corbyn. St. Paul's College was first known as the Governor Clark Mission School. In 1850 St. Paul's College was under construction. A couple of years later additions to the building were added.

During the Civil War, soldiers were quartered in the buildings and horses were stabled in the chapel, perhaps because Dr. Corbyn refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. In 1877, St. Paul's College became coeducational. St. Paul's College closed in 1889.

Baptist Male and Female Seminary

In 1852, Baptist Male and Female Seminary (later called Bethel College, then Ingleside College) was established at 400 South Main, (Where Homebank is). In 1855 the name was changed to Bethel College. Bethel College was used as a hospital for soldiers in the Civil War. In 1874 the name was changed to Ingleside College, but a few years later it closed. In 1894, the building was demolished.

Palmyra Academy of Christian College

W.H, Hobson, a state evangelist for the Christian Church, opened the Palmyra Academy of Christian College in 1852, with an enrollment of 20 boys and 60 girls. In 1855 Palmyra Academy of Christian College became the Palmyra Female Seminary. In 1856, a building was purchased as an expansion to the school which allowed enough room for 110 pupils and 8 faculty. The school unfortunately closed in 1857 due to a smallpox epidemic.

Locust Grove Academy

In 1853, Locust Grove Academy opened in Palmyra, which was a preparatory school for boys. The academy was named for its location, which was in Locust Grove.

Centenary Academy

Centenary Academy was a private high school, and it was built on the site of the present Middle School. In 1892, Centenary High School became Centenary College. In 1913, Centenary Academy became Palmyra High School.

Palmyra Parochial Schools

West Ely German Lutheran School

The West Ely Lutheran School was established in 1869. It was first known as The German Parochial School or “German School”. Students were first taught in German, but later were instructed in English. They were taught in a church, by a pastor. In 1884 a regular teacher was employed, and a building was erected in 1911.

Old St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Catholic School

In 1869, St. Joseph's Catholic School was first established just north of the church.

In 1879, a two-story brick school was built.

In 1918, a new school was built.

In 1970, the school closed and students went to the public schools.

St. Joseph's Catholic School 1918

Zion Lutheran School

In 1866, Zion Lutheran School was established.

In 1957, a new building was constructed.

The school closed in 2004. It is presently used as the Zion Lutheran Preschool.

Mission Hill Christian Academy

Mission Hill Christian Academy opened in 1979.

Local Private School Facts

1840- Mrs. Cooper advertised a school for small boys.

1841- Palmyra English and Classical School was advertised by Rev. Thos. E. Paine, A.M.

1846 - "The young ladies of Mrs. Burr's Seminary, a well-known institution of learning, had made a flag for the company." (flag made for local soldiers who were going to fight in the Mexican-American war.)

1847- Rev. Wm. B. Corbyn of the Episcopal Church opened a school for small boys in a log cabin where St. Paul's College was later built.

1854 - Palmyra Baptist Male & Female Seminary opened in a new brick building on Main Street opposite the Baptist church.

1856-John Eustace's Day And Boarding School For Boys

1865- Female teachers were charged with teaching without the Drake Oath.

1866- Four female teachers (2 were nuns) were indicted for teaching without taking the Drake Oath (they were arrested, but never brought to trial or conviction). The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the Drake Oath unconstitutional.

1870- Miss Sally Pryor and Miss Julia McGuire had a beginner's school for boys and girls at the Gardner House.

1897- Miss Isabel Hawkins opened a Kindergarten. Miss Fannie Gillispie was the teacher.

1898- Professor Lanius returned to take charge of Centenary School, but demanded that it become an academy.

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