Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a Catholic church in Mobile, Alabama administered by the Josephites.[1] The Knights of Peter Claver, the largest and oldest Black Catholic organization in the United States, was founded by congregants and priests from the parish in 1909.[2][3] Its clergy and congregation later took an active role in the Civil Rights Movement.[4][5]
| Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
 The church in 2009 | |
 | |
| Location | 304 Sengstak Street Mobile, Alabama |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Religious institute | Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart |
| Website | www.mobilearchdiocese.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Years built | 1908 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile |
| Parish | Most Pure Heart of Mary |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Archbishop Thomas John Rodi |
| Pastor(s) | Reverend Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J. |
History
editMost Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church was founded as a mission in 1899 by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart to serve Mobile's Creoles of African descent.[4][5] The first Josephite priests were Rev. Joseph St. Laurent and Rev. Louis Pastorlli.
By 1901, a small school was established that continues into the present as the Most Pure Heart of Mary School. The school was first taught by the laity, until five Sisters of St. Francis arrived from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania in October 1902 to take over. The church building was completed in 1908 and dedicated as Most Pure Heart of Mary in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[5]
During the civil and political rights era in the United States, priests and nuns from the parish participated in boycotts and demonstrations in support of the African American community. Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church served as a public meeting place for the Neighborhood Organized Workers organization.[4][5] Neighborhood Organized Workers (NOW) was established in Mobile in July 1966 with a mission focused on achieving equality for the African American community.[6]
The church is listed on the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile.[7]
References
edit- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church
- ^ "History". Knights of Peter Claver. October 4, 2011.
- ^ "Knights of Peter Claver celebrate 100th anniversary". Catholic News Agency. November 15, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ a b c Roy Hoffman (February 26, 2011). "Most Pure Heart of Mary Church weaved into Mobile's political, social history". Press-Register. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "History". Most Pure Heart of Mary School. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ "African-American History Research Sources". University of South Alabama Archives. University of South Alabama. October 4, 2011.
- ^ "African American Heritage Trail: Historic Sites". Mobile Historic Development Commission. City of Mobile. October 4, 2011.