The City of St. Jude is a 36-acre (15 ha) campus in Montgomery, Alabama, hosting a high school, hospital, and Catholic church.

[3][4] Purcell received funds from Bishop Thomas Joseph Toolen, head of the Diocese of Mobile in 1936 and purchased 56 acres (23 ha) between Hill and Oak Streets, soon afterwards building and dedicating a church at the site to Saint Jude the Apostle in 1938.

[6] During the 25th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches, former Alabama Governor George Wallace stood in the doorway of the St. Jude Educational Institute to welcome civil rights activists.

[8] After being shot following the Selma to Montgomery march, activist Viola Liuzzo was taken to the hospital at St. Jude, where doctors unsuccessfully tried to save her life.

[10] Performances were held on a makeshift stage consisting of empty coffin shipping crates topped by plywood sheets.