A History of Black Catholics in the United States
Early Figures and Communities
Fr. Cyprian Davis, O.S.B.
A Benedictine monk who wrote the history of Black Catholics in the U.S. He began his research after being asked by Black Catholics about their history, a subject he initially knew little about.
Fort Mose
The first free town in U.S. history, located in Florida.
Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable
Born in Haiti to a free woman and a French sailor. Educated in France, he later became a successful fur trader and is considered the founder of Chicago.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint
Born a slave in Haiti, he gained freedom in New York and became a renowned hairdresser and devout Catholic philanthropist.
Servant of God Mother Mary Lange, O.S.P.
Founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore in 1828, dedicated to the education of Black children.
St. Francis Xavier Church, Baltimore
The first church built for Black people in the United States.
Coincoin
An enslaved Black woman who gained freedom and established one of the first Black Catholic churches and the Society of Free Blacks.
Augustin Metoyer
A Black man who owned slaves, highlighting the complexities of the era.
Church of Isle Brevelle
A free and open church in Louisiana.
Venerable Henriette Delille, S.S.F.
A free woman of color who refused to marry a white man with a Black mistress, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage. She founded the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1842 to serve people of color and the enslaved Black community.
The Catholic Church and Slavery
Pope Gregory XVI
Issued the bull In Supremo Apostolatus in 1839, denouncing the slave trade. However, many believed it was directed at Europe and not America.
The Healy Family
A family of mixed Irish and Black heritage who rose from slavery to prominence, highlighting the fluidity of racial identity in the 19th century.
Spanish Offer of Freedom
Spain offered freedom to enslaved Blacks in Georgia who fought for them in Florida and converted to Catholicism.
Growth of Black Catholic Communities
Baltimore and New Orleans became significant centers of Black Catholic life.
Saint Martin de Porres
A Dominican lay brother who became a saint known for his work for interracial justice.
Post-Civil War and the Rise of Black Clergy
Archbishop Martin J. Spalding
Initially supported slavery but later advocated for the Church to minister to the Black community after the Civil War. He proposed the formation of a religious order to serve Black Catholics.
Josephites
A religious order of priests dedicated to serving Black communities.
Augustus Tolton
The first recognized Black priest in the U.S., ordained in Rome and later serving in Quincy, Illinois. He is now a Servant of God.
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People
Founded in 1891 by Katharine Drexel to serve Native American and African American communities through education.
Daniel Rudd
Founded the American Catholic Tribune, a newspaper that reported on Black Catholic communities. He also founded the Colored Catholic Congress movement to address the needs of Black Catholics.
Challenges and Progress in the 20th Century
Bishop John England and Archbishop John Baptist Purcell
Representing opposing views on slavery within the Church hierarchy.
Daniel O’Connell
An Irish political leader who called for the end of slavery.
Father Augustus Tolton’s Ministry in Chicago
His successful ministry drew Black parishioners from other churches, highlighting his impact and the need for Black clergy.
Black Josephites
Efforts to ordain Black men to serve as Josephites.
Saint Katharine Drexel
Used her inheritance to support the evangelization of African Americans and Native Americans through education and the founding of religious communities. She also founded Xavier University of Louisiana, the first and only Black Catholic university.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
The Supreme Court case that upheld “separate but equal” segregation, impacting Black Catholics and leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws.
Dr. Thomas Wyatt Turner
Founded the Federated Colored Catholics to address racism within the Church and advocate for improved educational opportunities for Black Catholics.
Father John LaFarge, S.J.
Established the Catholic Interracial Council, a leading Catholic organization combating racism.
Mother Grace Dammann
Admitted Black women into Manhattanville College, a prestigious Catholic women’s college.
Manhattanville Resolutions (1933)
Student-led resolutions calling for the integration of Manhattanville College.
A.P. Tureaud
A Black Catholic from Louisiana who fought for equal rights and access to education.
Cardinal Joseph Ritter
Initially supported segregation but later integrated the Diocese of St. Louis after meeting a Black priest in Rome.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
The landmark Supreme Court case that declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Catholic Life and Organizations
Baltimore Catechism
A widely used text for teaching the Catholic faith in parochial schools and Sunday schools.
Parochial Schools
Schools attached to parishes, providing Catholic education.
Low Mass and High Mass
Different forms of the Catholic Mass, with varying levels of ceremony and music.
Parish Missions
Annual events focused on reviving the faith of Catholics through preaching.
Paraliturgicals
Devotional practices within the Church, such as Benediction and Novenas.
Social Gospel Movement
A movement among Christians of various denominations that sought to apply Christian principles to social problems, addressing issues like child labor, alcohol abuse, and lynching.
Christocentric Focus
Emphasis on Jesus, the brotherhood of man, and the fatherhood of God, promoting social justice and education for all.
Polish and Italian Catholic Immigration
Millions of Polish and Italian immigrants came to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shaping the Catholic landscape and establishing their own parishes and organizations.
Society of St. Stanislaus Kostka
The largest Polish parish in the U.S.
Resurrectionists
Polish priests invited to serve Polish congregations in Chicago.
Clericalists
Those who strongly identified Polish identity with Catholicism.
Francis Hodur
A Polish-American priest who organized the Polish National Catholic Church, an independent Catholic church.
Schism
A break within the Church, exemplified by the formation of the Polish National Catholic Church.
Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians)
Founded to serve the spiritual needs of Italian immigrants in America.
Mother Frances Cabrini
The first U.S. saint, known for her work with Italian immigrants.
Catholic Action
The participation of the laity in the Church’s mission, often through charitable organizations.
Pope Pius XI
Defined Catholic Action and encouraged lay involvement in the Church.
Holy Name Society
An organization for clergy and laymen promoting reverence for the Holy Name of Jesus and supporting virtuous behavior.
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
Provided activities and support for Catholic youth.
Knights of Columbus
A Catholic fraternal organization offering mutual aid and insurance.
Association of Catholic Trade Unionists (ACTU)
Supported Catholic workers and advocated for fair labor practices.
Legion of Decency
Promoted morally upright films and boycotted objectionable content.
Christian Family Movement (CFM)
Focused on strengthening families and applying Christian principles to family life.
Grail Communities
Groups dedicated to prayer and social action.