County of building: Franklin County
Location of building: Market St. & E. 2nd St., NW corner, Washington
Built: 1868
Original Owner: Southern Presbyterian Church/Attucks School
Current Estimated value: Unknown
"The last Washington school for African-American children, the Crispus Attucks School, looks similar to how it did almost 50 years ago.
"The original floors, walls and ceilings are in place. Blackboards remain on the walls, and a sign above a blackboard still shows students how to correctly write the numbers one through nine.
"However, there are no desks on the floors, no tables in the lunchroom and no supplies in the closets. The walls echo with silence instead of the laughter of children.
"Franklin County schools integrated close to 50 years ago, emptying all of the area African-American schools. Half a century later, some of these buildings still stand, and memories of dealing with separation and working toward equality linger.
"In addition to Washington's schools, African-American children attended classes in Pacific, New Haven, Union, Robertsville, Labadie, Moselle and other areas. The fate of each of these schools varies. Some are nothing but ruins, some have fallen into disrepair and others are being used for new purposes.
"Area communities had varying reactions to the changes that came with desegregation, as well. Many people in Washington who remember this time period say the African-American children were warmly welcomed at the white schools. Other area residents, however, resisted desegregation." ~ The Missourian, By Michelle Oyola, September 7, 2006
"45. 23 East Second Street, the Southern Presbyterian Church/Attucks School (1868),
1868. A brick Gable Front church with a stone foundation. The building has segmental arched
windows and a brick denticulated cornice. All windows with the exception of a newer circular
window and a fanlight window in the gable end have been filled in. However, the original
fenestration pattern is still visible and the general form of the building has not been changed.
The original front doors have been replaced by a roll-up garage door, but the opening does not
appear to have been enlarged, [c]" ~ NRHP Nomination Form
"45 SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Northwest corner Second and Market Streets
The Presbyterian Church had split over the slavery issue during the Civil War.
Dr. Benjamin Burch, the leader of the southern sympathizing faction, built this
church and that faction met here until his death in 1883, when the rift was
healed.. Later the segregated Crispus Attucks School and the High School Vocational
Agriculture Program were housed here." ~ Washington Historical Society walking tour
Historical Plaque on site:
SOUTHERN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A group supporting the Confederacy established this church under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Burch. In 1883 it became the Crispus Attucks African-American School, later the Vocational Agriculture building for the Washington School District
1868