By Simone Orendain
OSV News
The first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States — who has already had 40 potential miracles through his intercession investigated — is now getting his own national shrine in western Illinois where he grew up and once served.
On April 29, the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, announced plans for a national shrine for Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854-1897), one of the “saintly seven,” referring to the group of African Americans recognized as “servant of God” or “venerable” who have active sainthood causes.
The diocese launched a fundraising campaign for the renovation of a long-dormant church on the site where Father Tolton, who was regarded in his day as the country’s first African American priest, celebrated his first Mass in the U.S. after his ordination in Rome in 1886. Church leaders said plans would be underway for St. Boniface Church in Quincy, Illinois, to get a $5 million-plus makeover.
Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield blessed a plaque from the city of Quincy — the place where Father Tolton grew up, ministered and is buried — designating the church a landmark property.
The bishop told OSV News a lot of work was needed on the future shrine — a church left unused since 2020 — that he envisions will be a place for prayer and pilgrimages.
He said millions of dollars would also be needed in order to include landmarks from Father Tolton’s life and Catholic formation in Quincy as part of the planned pilgrimage experience in the area.
Quincy designated the structure designed by local architect John Benya as a landmark site at the end of 2024.
Quincy Mayor Linda Moore said the shrine will be “a significant draw to people” in the formerly predominantly Catholic town of 40,000 along the Mississippi River on Illinois’ western edge.
“A former slave came to Quincy, became a priest, and then came back to Quincy, to say his first Mass, and now he is in line to be a saint,” Moore told OSV News. “It’s just such a wonderful story of somebody who passed through Quincy, but made a significant difference in the lives of not only Quincians, but of people all over the country and all over the world.”