Washington D.C., Feb 12, 2020 / 12:00 pm (CNA).- Black Catholic communities have been a part of the Church in the Washington, DC area for centuries.
But it wasn’t until the height of the Civil War that black Catholics in DC began the process of founding a parish of their own— with the help of President Abraham Lincoln.
In the 16th and 17th century, Spanish laws in North America freed slaves who converted to Catholicism. Some of these freed slaves and their descendants formed their own settlement in the region that would become Florida.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, in the decades before the American Revolution, Jesuit missionaries evangelized black slaves, including some owned by their order, along with freemen. Over the centuries, large African-American Catholic populations settled in cities including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago and numerous cities throughout the South.
Monsignor Charles Pope, pastor of the historically black DC parish of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian, told CNA that racial prejudice has played a role in the region’s Catholic history; that white parishioners enforced racial segregation, forcing black Catholics to sit in back of church or choir loft, and to wait to receive the Eucharist until after white Catholics had done so.
Black Catholics “had many reasons to walk out of the Catholic faith, being treated like that, and yet they didn’t. They stayed, they worked, they built their own church.”
“It’s a remarkable story of resilience,” Monsignor Pope said.
Beginnings of a black Catholic parish
In the mid-19th century, black Catholics were not permitted to worship in the main sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Church in downtown DC. They were likely relegated to the church basement to worship, and while black children had a separate Sunday school to attend, they were not at all allowed to attend the parish day school.
By 1864, the black Catholic community had had enough of being related to the margins of St. Matthews to worship, and decided to build their own place of worship.
According to historian Morris MacGregor, who wrote a book in 1999 entitled “The Emergence of a Black Catholic Community: St. Augustine’s in Washington,” a group of free black men and women came to the pastor of St. Matthew’s, Father Charles White, to ask him what could be done.
White was apparently supportive of the idea of building a new church building for the black Catholic community, though he didn’t initially envision it becoming a separate parish. He convened a committee which included the superintendent of the parish Sunday schools, as well as two black parishioners, one of whom was named Gabriel Coakley.
Gabriel Coakley was a Washington businessman, who according to his granddaughter was a cabinetmaker. Some sources say his wife Mary was a seamstress in the White House.
White agreed to underwrite the down payment for a lot on which to build the church using money from St. Matthews, but suggested fundraising efforts would be needed to continue the church’s construction.
The committee came up with a potentially winning idea: why not hold a massive Fourth of July fundraising picnic on the White House lawn?
Coakley appears to have been chosen as the leader and spokesman for the group, and by most accounts seems to be the one who met personally with Lincoln to ask for the use of the White House grounds for a fundraiser picnic to raise money for the new church.
Lincoln’s support
Even at the height of the Civil War, personal access to the President was much simpler than it is today. Coakley simply made an appointment to meet Lincoln and was welcomed into the White House on June 27, 1864.
Though not himself a Catholic, Lincoln was evidently supportive of helping black Catholics in DC build their own place to worship. He agreed at once, and told Coakley to go to General Benjamin French’s office to tell him that he had given permission for the event.
French was a prominent Mason, so Coakley feared that he would not be keen to grant permission for an unusual event organized by black Catholics.
Nevertheless, records show that General Benjamin French issued a permit for the use of the White House lawn on June 30, 1864, and, after Coakley returned to the White House to seek the president out once again, Lincoln signed it.
Here’s where the historical record gets slightly fuzzier.
It remains unclear whether Lincoln himself actually attended the event. A Washington Post article from the 1980s proclaims that the festival was “held” by President and Mrs. Lincoln, “who strongly supported a church for black Catholics in the nation’s capital.”
MacGregor wrote that “President Lincoln and members of his cabinet likely made a brief appearance,” it is not officially recorded— at least in Lincoln’s writings— whether he was actually there or not.
Regardless, the event was a success.
An estimated 1,500 parishioners from at least six DC-area parishes attended, and the picnic raised over $1,200 a very large sum at the time.
With the funds in hand, work began on the De Porres Chapel and school, which opened in 1866 on Fifteenth Street.
MacGregor says it took a while for the chapel to attract a congregation, because despite harsh treatment at their home parishes, many black Catholics were still attached to their congregations.
Nevertheless, black Catholics at various parishes around DC remained frustrated by discrimination, and with the support of an Italian priest named Father Felix Barotti, a black Catholic parish at last came to fruition.
The original St. Augustine’s Church, which replaced the De Porres chapel in 1876, sat on the site of what eventually became the headquarters of the Washington Post.
It was the first African American Catholic parish in the city, and was a great success. The parish hosted the first National Black Catholic Congress in 1889, and parishioners hosted marchers and participated in the 1963 March on Washington.
The parish also has a school which has been operating for over 150 years.
In 1961, St. Augustine parish merged with the nearby, mostly white St. Paul’s Church, which had been experiencing declining attendance. The new, merged parish was renamed Sts. Paul and Augustine until 1982, when the name was restored to St. Augustine’s.
The original St. Augustine’s church, sadly, was razed in 1946.
Today, however, St. Augustine’s parish has one of the largest congregations in all of DC, with over 2,000 registered members.
Changing demographics
Similar to the parishioners at St. Augustine, the parishioners of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian, another historically black DC parish, raised the funds necessary to build their first church building.
Last year, the parish community celebrated its 125th anniversary.
Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian has a long African American Catholic heritage, but now, the neighborhood is changing. Pope estimated that the congregation is now probably about 40% white.
“Every now and then people feel a little bit sad, it just feels kind of like the end of an era,” he said.
“We still have a very bright future as a parish, and there are many good, new things that are up and running now, too. So it’s always a mix of a little bit of sadness but also hope and enthusiasm for a parish that is now much more diverse.”
He said people use the term “gentrification” to describe changes in DC’s historically black neighborhoods.
“I don’t think that’s entirely accurate; it hides more than it discloses,” Pope reflected.
“There’s a subtlety to it. Most of the older black folks here in the neighborhood were not poor, they were working class— some of them had good government jobs with decent pensions.”
Many of the aging back parishioners have sold their homes at a tidy profit, while choosing to downsize or move to the suburbs, for well over $1 million, he said.
“The ones who are leaving aren’t necessarily all that poor, and the ones that are coming in aren’t necessarily all that rich. Most of them are young adults…it’s an odd thing.”
“As a parish, I think we’re handling it as best we can,” he said.
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“There is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.”
Noble words indeed, which beg the question – given the ‘behavior’ of the good folks of LA – What other methods would you suggest?
Try That In A Small Town
Newsom runs onto the tarmac begging Trump for federal funds for the fire disaster but won’t help the feds remove criminals – go figure.
They never call for a reform of immigration laws when the liberals allow open borders for illegals to stream in.
Here’s another bishop who can’t bring himself to say “illegal” in reference to illegal immigrants. Why is he troubled that the federal government is enforcing immigration law? He should support law and order. The lawless and destructive rioters, encouraged by years of Democrat disregard for law and enforcement, are solely to blame for what’s happening in Los Angeles.
Newsom thinks the president must call him before activating the National Guard. I suspect he learned that from studying the efforts of other governors such as Orville Faubus and George Wallace
There’s a word for people who throw rocks at police, smash windows, loot, burn cars and shoot off fireworks with the intent to harm and terrorize. “Protesters” is not it.
The author of this piece uses the phrase “undocumented immigrants” and the bishop uses the phrase “unauthorized immigrant” even when referring to terrorist immigrants.
The bishops’ voting guide this past year stated that “we must stand with “newcomers-authorized and unauthorized.”
The bishops just cannot bring themselves to use the word ‘Illegal.” The words and terms that they use can only be described as propaganda words and terms. By using these propaganda words and terms they loose teaching credibility.
Archbishop Gomez, his Archdiocese of L.A., and its Catholic Charities are responsible for CAUSING the problem we now have with the invasion of our country by law-breaking illegal immigrants. It is ARCHBISHOP Gomez himself who should be arrested, tried, convicted and sent to jail. Try abiding by our laws, Archbishop.
Kings not apply. Another autocrat in action.
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday night, citing local leaders’ failure to control the situation. Interestingly, Trump saw the “need” to federalize the National Guard in LA, but, ironically, he did not call in the NG as the US Capitol on Jan. 6 was under siege. Instead, he sat idly by in the White House watching the riot on TV while Medows received a call for him to stop the madness. Some of those who called were his own family! After the smoke cleared, Trump called for the rioters to “Go home now. We feel your pain, we love you”. Then he issued a pardon for more than 150 rioters.
No one should accept riots in the streets of any city. Peaceful protests have been and are a constitutional right on display in nearly every US city relative to ICE and DOGE cruel actions. Why is LA any different?
Kings not apply?
I saw there’s a group with a similar name organizing these protests.
mrscracker: He’s just repeating what his handlers told him to say.
Do you believe Mr Morgan has handlers?
That wouldn’t occur to me.
Choice of language is a way to protect innocent and deserving illegals and other illegals with a good standing but with potential not yet ascertained. The legal-enforcement situation is very unsteady and has had the tendency to be brutal. The Archbishop and others could rightly feel that officials should resist being or feeling pressured to act unreasonably. Prudence would be the best course.
And by the way peaceful protest might win more support.
The LA TIMES report indicates that the policing has been left to local authorities and the military are consigned to federal locations.
‘ Maria Patiño Gutierrez lives in East L.A. but was back downtown Monday morning to join the rally in support of Huerta, the union leader arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday. As a U.S. citizen, she feels safe enough to join the rallies, knowing that many others in her community feel too vulnerable to be as vocal.
While she noticed graffiti as she walked to Grand Park, she said it was barely a concern compared with the recent ICE roundups that have had devastating consequences.
“Graffiti is going to be painted over, but family’s lives are impacted,” she said. “I’m just trying to stay hopeful, but I’m also really worried, really scared, really sad.”
“Everyone in L.A. is impacted one way or another — or everyone should be impacted,” Patiño Gutierrez said. “This is not business as usual.” ‘
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-09/la-me-downtown-la-immigration-violence
https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/post/federal-judge-sides-with-trump-in-allowing-immigration-enforcement-in-houses-of-worship/
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/05/new-florida-illegal-immigration-blocked-by-federal-judge/82944027007/
A voice of moderation Elias. During present times even that will be impugned. I agree with what you say, although this dilemma is injurious to those on both sides of the issue.
Our bishops rarely if ever spoke out against human trafficking, evidence of using children. Crime, the fentanyl disaster. That has to be weighed in the scales of justice along with what you rightly say. Open border policy has precipitated a moral imbroglio. If we don’t control the border we will likely lose our Nation. Nevertheless, they’re many illegals working in the CA sun picking our crops.
I’ve held the position from the start that the Administration should be morally considerate on the justice issue. Biden gave them a free pass and the migrants knew it. Fault lies on the Biden administration side. Which is why, if we discover illegal migrants working hard along with their families we should let them stay for a term and finality set by the present administration.
Dear Father, I must respectfully disagree with your statement relative to Trump’s immigration policy. As a grateful American, I respect the Office of the President. I reserve my constitutional right to object to its occupant.
“The fault lies on the Biden administration side. Which is why, if we discover illegal migrants working hard along with their families we should let them stay for a term and finality set by the present administration.”
True, Biden was responsible for the current mess, but given that, I want to try to focus on the current administration and its “slash-and-burn” immigration policy failures. Lately, I see Biden as a conflicted man. His age is taking its toll. However, Biden showed me a man of character who did not spew hatred, lies and disparagement.
You know that Trump’s immigration “plan” will never purge only the criminal migrants. You also know that the ICE mass deportation “plan” is totally unworkable, costly and cruel. Czar Tom Homan recently said, “If you are here illegally, we will find you”. I interpret that to mean even hardworking families. Deporting a child suffering from cancer is perhaps the most egregious and sinful.
I am a lifetime Republican, and I refuse to align with the Trump MAGA madness, many of whom are directly affected by the actions of their “dear leader”. The American people are showing their objection to this man’s flame-throwing by peacefully protesting in every state.
I cannot remain silent, my religion and my Red, White and Blue stripe demand it.
God bless.
If you broke the law by entering the USA illegally, you must return to your own country. You are welcome to apply for entry in our country legally once you have left the USA; we’d be happy to have you.
It is the do-nothing establishment Republicans with their empty campaign promises that made Trump necessary. Your side are the ones who refused to govern and carry out your side’s hollow big talk. This has gone on for decades until the arrival of Trump and MAGA. Because of their failures, to me the establishment Republicans are just about as guilty as the Democrats are in the care and feeding of the Deep State. BTW, I’m an independent voter.
This article seems to be top heavy with euphemisms. Understand, my criticism is directed only to those using these euphemisms, not to this website for publishing this article. These euphemisms simply are an attempt to kick the can down the road and avoid dealing with the issue. I’m wondering how much government money is warping the conduct of the Church hierarchy? The paymaster being the true master? The church tax has pretty well destroyed the German Church.