Bishops Announce Plans for New Shrine Honoring the 1st Recognized Black Catholic Priest in the USA - Fr. Augustine Tolton Shrine


Diocese of Springfield Announces Plans for Father Augustine Tolton Shrine in Quincy

QUINCY, Ill. — On April 29, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois unveiled plans to transform the historic St. Boniface Church into The Shrine for Father Augustine Tolton. This landmark decision honors the legacy of the first publicly recognized Black priest in the United States, providing a dedicated space for pilgrims to explore his life and pray at the very site where his public ministry began.

Father Tolton, who grew up and ministered in Quincy, is currently a candidate for sainthood. While St. Boniface closed its doors in 2020, this project will restore the building—which stands on the site where Tolton celebrated his first public Mass—as a center for spiritual renewal.

A Vision of Hope and History

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki emphasized the national importance of this project during a news conference outside the Maine Street church.

“This is an extraordinary moment not only for our area, but for the Catholic Church in our country,” Bishop Paprocki said. “To restore St. Boniface as a shrine dedicated to Father Tolton means preserving sacred history while creating a living place of prayer, hope, and renewal — all tied to a holy priest whose life is an example of authentic discipleship of Christ. This shrine will place Quincy firmly on the spiritual map for pilgrims seeking inspiration, healing, and deeper faith.”

The Road to Restoration

The Committee for The Shrine for Father Augustine Tolton has officially launched a fundraising campaign to bring this vision to life.

  • Renovation Costs: Estimated at $5 million to restore the church and grounds.

  • Expansion & Endowment: An additional $5 million to $7 million is sought for campus growth and perpetual care.

Father Steven Arisman, Chairman of the committee, called on the global Catholic community for support:

“This shrine will only be possible through the generosity of the faithful,” Father Arisman said. “I encourage Catholics everywhere to prayerfully consider supporting this project. By helping build this shrine, you are helping preserve Father Tolton’s legacy and offering future generations a place where hearts can be lifted to God and lives transformed by grace.”

A Place for Pilgrimage

Per the Code of Canon Law (c. 1230), a shrine is more than a tourist destination; it is a sacred space for personal transformation. The Tolton Shrine is designed to be a place where visitors can seek intercession for:

  • Seminarians and priests.

  • Patience during trials.

  • Reconciliation and racial harmony.

The Legacy of "Venerable" Father Tolton

Born into slavery in 1854, Tolton escaped to Quincy as a child. Despite being rejected by every American seminary due to his race, he was ordained in Rome and eventually returned to Quincy. Known for his "heroic virtue," he was declared "Venerable" by Pope Francis in 2019.

Bishop Joseph Perry, who leads the cause for Tolton’s canonization, reflected on the priest's enduring strength:

“Father Tolton’s own struggles pose a shining example of how to grapple with disappointment, protracted disappointments that constrain our lives, as well as how to endure when endurance may appear illogical,” Bishop Perry said. “In the end, his faith, hope, and love were found intact.”

Current Status and Recognition

While a formal construction timeline depends on fundraising, the project received a boost from the Quincy City Council, which recently designated St. Boniface as a Landmark Property. During the announcement event, Bishop Paprocki blessed a new plaque commemorating the building's architectural and cultural importance.

“Father Tolton overcame the odds of slavery, prejudice, and racism, to become a humble priest and someone after whom we should model our lives,” Bishop Paprocki added. “His life truly shows that all of us — no matter how ordinary we think we are — can do extraordinary things and live a heroic Christian life.”

For more information or to contribute to the project, visit toltonshrine.org.

Source + Image  - https://dio.org/catholic-times/plans-for-the-shrine-for-father-augustine-tolton-announced-at-historic-st-boniface-church-in-quincy/

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