Fr. John P. Markoe SJ and the Omaha DePorres Club

Fr. John P. Markoe SJ and the Omaha DePorres Club

Fr. John P. Markoe, S.J. graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1915, Markoe was dishonorably discharged from the Army due to his battle with alcoholism. At the urging and encouragement of his brother William Markoe, John joined the Jesuit Order. John joined William at a Jesuit seminary outside St. Louis. In 1917, John and William vowed to fight the racism faced by Black people in America, especially in the Catholic Church.

In 1946 Fr. Markoe was appointed to teach Math and Philosophy at Creighton University. While at Creighton, he founded the DePorres club to speak out and fight against racial segregation and discrimination in Omaha. Fr. Markoe worked to improve opportunities for African-Americans while also using his Jesuit faith to convince Americans that racism was a sin.

Historical Records Statement

Materials and records in the Archives & Special Collections are historical in nature. As a result, they may contain stereotypes, such as those related to race, ethnicity, and gender, and other language and imagery that are inappropriate by today’s standards.

Materials and records are retained in order to fully represent the historical record and are presented in their original format, without context, for research in person or through online access. The materials and records are made accessible without endorsing any historical viewpoints.

Archives & Special Collections is guided by their mission, the Creighton University Libraries mission statement, and the commitment to anti-racism.

Archives & Special Collections is also guided by the Creighton University core values and beliefs on diversity and inclusion, goals for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, and the core values of the Society of American Archivists.