Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church in the U.S. city of Mobile, Alabama.[1] It was organized to serve Mobile's African American community during the Jim Crow era. Its clergy and congregation subsequently took an active role in the Civil Rights Movement.[2][3]

Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church
The church in 2009
Location304 Sengstak Street
Mobile, Alabama
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.mobilearchdiocese.org
History
Founded1899
Architecture
StyleNeoclassical
Years built1908
Administration
ParishMost Pure Heart of Mary
DioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
Clergy
Bishop(s)Archbishop Thomas John Rodi
Pastor(s)Reverend Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J.

History

Most 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.[2][3] 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.[3] The Knights of Peter Claver, the largest historically African American Catholic lay organization in the United States, was founded by congregants and priests from this parish on November 7, 1909.[4][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.[2][3] 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]

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References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church
  2. Roy Hoffman (February 26, 2011). "Most Pure Heart of Mary Church weaved into Mobile's political, social history". Press-Register. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  3. "History". Most Pure Heart of Mary School. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  4. "History". Knights of Peter Claver. October 4, 2011.
  5. "Knights of Peter Claver celebrate 100th anniversary". Catholic News Agency. November 15, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  6. "African-American History Research Sources". University of South Alabama Archives. University of South Alabama. October 4, 2011.
  7. "African American Heritage Trail: Historic Sites". Mobile Historic Development Commission. City of Mobile. October 4, 2011.

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