• SPC Historical Building

    Bishop Johnston Building Circa 1920s

History

Join us as we continue a history of achievement!

  • James Steptoe Johnston, a bishop of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese, founded St. Philip’s Normal and Industrial School, a school designed to educate and train recently emancipated slaves.
  • Opening March 1, 1898, the school began as a weekend sewing class for six black girls, taught by Miss Alice G. Cowan, a missionary with the Episcopal Church.
  • During this period, the institution was known as Bowden's School.