About St. Columba

St. Columba is the steward of the land that was historically inhabited by generations of peoples of the Chickasaw Nation. We feel acknowledgment is only one small step in responsibly bringing attention to the Native peoples who stewarded this land before us. You can learn more about the Cherokee Nation here.

After the Treaty of Tuscaloosa was put into place in 1818, European-American migrants and slaves began moving into the Mid-South area. Ownership of St. Columba through the newly developed Shelby County dates to Roderick J.P. Shivers of North Carolina who purchased the property in 1846. Shivers lived on the property with his wife and children until his death in 1852. His heirs continued to live on the property up until it was sold in 1858. His wife and youngest daughter continued to live on the adjacent property after the sale. Two of Shivers’ grandchildren, who died in 1856, are buried on the property behind Sanders Lodge. The property was sold to Dimeon Ferrell in 1858. Dimeon Ferrell, his wife Tabitha Wood Ferrell, their children, and a second family, the Williamsons lived on the property. Tabitha Ferrell, and Walter and Daisy Williamson are buried on the property. Mr. Farrell sold the property to the Scheibler family by 1896.

Dr. James Scheibler, a veterinarian, and his wife used the property for many years as a summer home. They were originally from Germany and survived the Yellow Fever epidemics in Memphis because they came to stay at their summer home outside the city. Dr. Scheibler was subsequently responsible for starting Shelby County’s first public health department . The Scheiblers were faithful members of the Episcopal Church and were instrumental in building St. Elisabeth’s Episcopal Church in its original location in an area in the Raleigh neighborhood and remained members of the parish until their deaths.