Day 258: Cleveland Chinese Mission School, Chinese Baptist Church, Cleveland, Mississippi
📌APIA Every Day (258) - The Cleveland Chinese Mission School was founded in 1937 in Mississippi's Delta region as a direct response to the educational challenges faced by Chinese immigrant children following the 1927 Gong Lum v. Rice Supreme Court decision, which upheld their exclusion from white public schools. After the Civil War, Chinese immigrants were initially recruited by planters to replace freed African American laborers and later worked on the transcontinental railroad. By the early 20th century, their descendants faced significant barriers to education, prompting the community to take action.
In response to these challenges, the Cleveland Chinese Mission School was established in 1937 as a collaborative effort led by Chinese parents, the First Baptist Church, and local community leaders. Located near the Chinese Baptist Church in Cleveland, Mississippi, the school served immigrant families who had transitioned from agricultural labor to running family-owned grocery stores. It provided a structured educational environment that enabled children to pursue learning while also contributing to the success of their family businesses. These immigrants formed a close-knit community, prioritizing education and economic advancement while maintaining their cultural identity.
The school closed in 1951 when Chinese children were finally allowed to attend public schools in the Delta. Its building continued to serve the community as the Chinese Baptist Church until its demolition in 2003. In October 2012, thanks to the efforts of Raymond Wong, Frieda Quon, and other community members, a historic marker was erected to honor the school’s legacy. Today, the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum at Delta State University preserves artifacts and records related to the school, including documentation of its original site.
LEARN MORE:
The Chinese Baptist Church and Mission School in Cleveland, Mississippi Photo Essay
Gong Lum v. Rice: Chinese Mission Schools
Historical Marker Database: The Cleveland Chinese Mission School
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