Bread From French Camp Academy
By Bob Small
One signpost of the holidays has always been our loaf of bread from French Camp Academy (FCA) in Mississippi.
In 1810 Frenchman Louis Lafleur built a trading post and inn on the Natchez Trace between Natchez and Nashville. In 1855, the Mississippi Institute was established, and later, a school for boys. The schools were combined as French Camp Academy after a fire in 1915.
Among the school’s special features are the radio station WFCA, the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium (largest in the state). There’s also the Council House Cafe and their annual Harvest Festival, both of which we’ve attended in years past.
A few of the many student activities are construction, fishing, Camp of the Rising Sun rock wall, The Children of God Pottery Studio, cutting sorghum, grounds crew program, The Ministry of Bread, photography, the trail ride, and zip line at Lake Ann. Of course, there are many religious activities besides services at French Camp Presbyterian Church.
According to Private School Review, it’s one of the “best Boarding schools in Mississippi”, serving “Young people who need a fresh start in life”, and is “Christ-centered”.
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For an academic analysis, see The Impact Of French Camp Academy On Child Abuse And ….
Here’s more information about Skylyr Effler, mentioned in the article.
My late mother-in-law grew up in rural Mississippi and attended FCA in the 1930’s. Her 10 brothers and sisters also attended.
During the times we traveled to Mississippi forging relationships with her family, we naturally visited FCA and decided to become a donor. FCA sends the loaf of bread, made in their bakery, as they consider Jesus as the Bread of life, as they say in the donor letter. This was started in the 1950’s under then FCA president Sam Patterson.
Disclaimer; Though we are birthright Jews, we feel free to support good works by any religious or non-religious group.
