Founded by Mother Katharine Drexel in 1899, St. Francis de Sales School graduated over 5,000 Native and African American Young Ladies throughout it's 71 years of operation. Drexel posthumously achieved sainthood decades after her passing for her philanthropic endeavors and lifetime commitment to helping others, including the creation of this historic Virginia school. Largely untouched for the last 50 years, St. Francis is slowly being reclaimed by nature and gradually succumbing to the elements. It is as important as ever to now commemorate this school and share its history and stories before it's too late. For those of you that are interested in the Historical Tour, come walk these hallowed grounds to learn more about St. Francis and the Young Ladies that once walked its halls. To accentuate your experience, Peggy Thurston (Class of '64) will be present to share her stories of old from her years as a student at SFDS. In addition to being able to peer into the school's iconic Catholic chapel, other stops on this highly unique, narrated tour include 2 cemeteries, a stone humpback bridge, the quonset hut where the students held dances, an original art classroom, and more.
Brought to you by Caravati's Architectural Salvage
FAQ's
Am I allowed inside of the school? No. The inside of the school is condemned and inaccessible.
Am I allowed inside of the chapel? The doors to the chapel will be open for guests to see inside and to take pictures from the doorway but full access to the inside of the chapel is not permitted.
Does a ticket include access to the St. Emma / Belmead side of the property? No it does not. This ticket is specific to access to the St. Francis de Sales property only. There are separate tours that are specific to St. Emma/Belmead.
Can I take pictures? Photography IS permitted on both tours.
Can I fly a drone? Drones ARE permitted for those with Access Passes. Drones are NOT permitted for those on the Historical Tour.
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not permitted on the property.
What is the refund policy? Tickets can be refunded up to 10/31/20. Tickets are non-refundable beginning 11/1/20. The tour guides reserve the right to cancel the event due to inclement weather, in which case full refunds will be issued. The decision to cancel due to weather will be made no later than 48 hours prior to the beginning of the event.
I am coming from afar. Is there any lodging nearby? St. Francis de Sales is about 40 miles west of Richmond and 60 miles southeast of Charlottesville. Plenty of lodging is available in these cities to accommodate all budgets. There are some less expensive options in nearby Midlothian and Amelia Courthouse as well.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions? You can contact Fred Schneider at "schneider.fred@yahoo.com" with questions.