Oral History of Leonard Cunningham, interviewed by Joi Mayo and Kieran Walsh Taylor, 2 February, 2010
Title
Oral History of Leonard Cunningham, interviewed by Joi Mayo and Kieran Walsh Taylor, 2 February, 2010
Subject
Description
Father Leonard Cunningham (1923-2010) was born in Charleston, SC to Harley and Marion Cunningham. In this interview, conducted several months before his death, Cunningham discusses his rich family history. His ancestors included a former Confederate officer and federal judge, a midwife, a Baptist minister, a supporter of Marcus Garvey, and many skilled craftsmen. His father was a skilled plasterer and ornamental worker who worked on the Francis Marion Hotel, as well as many historic Charleston homes. He also built the family home at 15 Larnes St. and sent his children to the Immaculate Conception School. In 1950, Cunningham was ordained a Catholic priest, joining the Holy Ghost Fathers. That year he became the first African American priest to celebrate mass at the Cathedral of St. Johns in Charleston. In 1960, he joined the community at Mepkin Abbey, but was given leave a few years later to work in North Charleston during the civil rights movement. This interview was conducted in conjunction with College of Charleston graduate student Joi Mayo’s 2011 thesis, “A Beacon Light: Immaculate Conception School's Encouragement of Charleston's Black Middle and Upper Classes.”
This interview is part of the COHP's “Charleston and the Long Civil Rights Movement” series. These interviews explore how community activism continues to shape modern life in the South. The digital recordings and transcripts are part of The Citadel Oral History Program Collection at The Citadel Archives & Museum.
Listen to the audio on the Lowcountry Digital Library.
Source
Charleston and the Long Civil Rights Movement
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/180
Coverage
Berkeley (S.C.)
Duration
13 minutes
Interviewer
Joi Mayo
Kieran Walsh Taylor
Interviewee
Leonard Cunningham
Location
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Collection
Citation
The Charleston Oral History Program at the Citadel, “Oral History of Leonard Cunningham, interviewed by Joi Mayo and Kieran Walsh Taylor, 2 February, 2010,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed May 5, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/180.