By Associated Press - Thursday, May 8, 2014

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Roman Catholic church is closing a landmark school after nearly 80 years in Montgomery.

The Archdiocese of Mobile says it’s shutting down the St. Jude Educational Institute at the end of the school year later this month.

The Montgomery Advertiser (https://on.mgmadv.com/1sn4KwN ) reports a church statement blames low enrollment and continuing financial problems for the decision to shut down the 76-year-old school.

In 1965, the campus played a role in one of the defining moments during the civil rights era, the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.

Many marchers stayed at the campus before moving on to Alabama’s Capitol during the demonstration in March 1965.

Big-name entertainers including Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez staged a show at the school for the marchers.

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