Our Ministry in The USA

The Healy Murphy Center

St. Peter Claver Academy was founded by Mother Margaret in 1888 to provide free education to African American children who, at that time, were not allowed to attend public schools. The school flourished until the 1960’s when integration gradually opened other alternatives for black students and enrollment began to decline.

At that time a new need became evident and Sister Boniface O’Neill, following the example of Mother Margaret, founded the first accredited alternative education program in Texas to provide a free high school education for youth in crisis. The Healy Murphy Center was born.

 
 

St. Peter Claver Academy, circa 1919

Healy Murphy Center, formerly St. Peter Claver Academy

Stories of Sisters in Ministry in The USA