Home for the Homeless and the Bainbridge Street University Extension Center

Here, we are standing outside the Church of the Crucifixion’s Parish Hall. This building housed two interesting community efforts that Du Bois highlights in the book, saying.

“The Home for the Homeless is a refuge and home for the aged connected with the Church of the Crucifixion. It is supported largely by whites but not entirely. It has an income of about $500. During 1896, 1108 lodgings were furnished to ninety women, 8384 meals given to inmates, 2705 to temporary lodgers, 2078 to transients, and 812 to invalids.”

In addition, lectures were given as part of the Bainbridge Street University Extension Centre, which was formed in 1895. There is very little information on this site in particular, but Du Bois discusses it in his book, describing:

“Since the organization of the Bainbridge Street University Extension Centre, May 10, 1895, lectures have been delivered at the Church of the Crucifixion, Eighth and Bainbridge streets, by Rev. W. Hudson Shaw, on English History; by Thomas Whitney Surette, on the Development of Music; by Henry W. Elson, on American History, and by Hilaire Belloc, on Napoleon. Each of these lecturers, except Mr. Belloc, has given a course of six lectures on the subject stated, and classes have been held in connection with each course. The attendance has been above average as compared with other Centres in the city.”

As Du Bois indicates, this kind of school or lectures for the public was not isolated. In fact, the Institute for Colored Youth also offered classes to the general community, and not just their own students. These courses often took on different topics, with the most popular often being focused on hard skills for use in industrial settings. The lectures offered here certainly demonstrate the range available, however, with music, english, and history all offered.