Many who grew up in the Central Area recall going to elementary school at the Maryknoll School. During World War II, Maryknoll Father Leopold Tibesar followed Japanese American parishioners to the Minidoka concentration camp, ministering to them during their forced incarceration. Expanding on the home of African American resident Edith Bown, the St. Peter Claver Center was founded in 1941 and was originally staffed by the Sisters of Providence.