Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School was established in 1989 following the consolidation of the final four remaining Catholic elementary schools in East Saint Louis, Illinois – St. Joseph, St. Martin of Tours, St. Patrick, and St. Philip. Sister Thea Bowman, formerly St. Philips is located on the original grounds of the school and is a ministry of the Diocese of Belleville.
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School offers a strong holistic approach to learning. Our students come from a variety of racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Although our roots are firmly planted in the Catholic tradition, we welcome all faith traditions.
We promote a curriculum integrating the power of music and education through the arts and our approach to learning is based on respect and responsibility.
At Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, we celebrate through many activities including our Advent Prayer Service, Annual Spring Concert, Black History and Women’s History Months, Catholic Schools Week, Red Ribbon Week, and D.A.R.E. program. Our program includes all day kindergarten, extended day after school program, breakfast, and lunch programs.
Our school is named for the beloved Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) who was an African American educator, preacher, poet, dancer, and singer. Sister Thea was the first African American religious sister from Canton, Mississippi; the first to lead an office of intercultural awareness; and the first African American woman to address the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. She taught at several Catholic high schools and colleges. In addition, she was also a faculty member of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.
Sister Thea took her message across the nation, speaking at church gatherings and conventions. Music was especially important to her. She would gather or bring a choir with her and often burst into song during her presentations. Sister Thea was filled with the spirit of love, hope, and resistance. She had faith in God’s promises, a memory of struggle and slavery, community, celebration, and remembrance. Sister Thea understood the importance of family. She serves as our inspiration each day at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School.
When Sister Thea passed away in 1990, due to complications from cancer, she left a legacy of Gospel living that inspires, instructs, and empowers us today and for generations to come.
In 2018, the U.S. Bishops gave their assent to move forward with the process of declaring Sister Thea Bowman a saint. Currently, she is designated as a “Servant of God”.
NARRATIVE HISTORY OF ST. PHILIP’S PARISH
Upon the Occasion of St. Philip’s and Sister Thea Bowman
Chapel Sign Dedication
click here
