Holy Rosary students treated to portrayal of first black, African-American priest in U.S.

By Juanita Yates, Monroe City

W. T. Johnson, Assistant Principal at Veteran's Elementary School in Hannibal had a treat for the students at Holy Rosary School on April 25. He gave a brief look into the life of the first full-blooded black African-American priest in the United States, as he portrayed Father Augustine Tolton. Escaping from Brush Creek, Missouri during the Civil War to Quincy, Ill., Augustine Tolton's mother rowed an old boat with her three children in it across the Mississippi when they heard slave hunters were in the area. Father Tolton later described the fear and turmoil of that trip across the river in the bottom of a rickety old rowboat, after hiding by day and walking at night, as indicative of his family's struggles. Their father had gone to St. Louis to join the Union Army and, according to an old St. Louis newspaper clipping, he was killed. His final words to his family were, "Never forget your God."

Mr. Johnson told of Fr. Tolton's struggles in Quincy, Ill. stemming from jealousy of his beautiful voice and profound sermons, as well as racial prejudice. Despite all of that, several priests in Quincy had helped him and encouraged him to become a priest. The pastor of one of the parishes welcomed him into the parish school. As a young adult, he taught catechism at church on Sundays while working in a cigar factory during the week.

The Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith admitted him to the Urban College in Rome as a seminarian. In 1886, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. He celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Peter's Basilica.

Returning to Quincy, he became pastor of what was known as St. Joseph parish for Negroes, until he left for Chicago, where he became pastor of St. Monica parish and worked on building St. Monica Church. On Aug. 8, 1897, he returned to Chicago from Baltimore after preaching a mission there to raise money for the building. While walking from the railroad station to his rectory, he died of sunstroke at age 43. His earthly remains are buried in the priest section of St. Peter Cemetery in Quincy.

For the April 25 remembrance at Holy Rosary School, Dominican Sister Suzanne Walker, principal, introduced Mr. Johnson to the students as he took on the persona of Fr. Tolton, speaking to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. A resident of Palmyra, Mr. Johnson has also given his presentation at Holy Family School in Hannibal and other schools and church gatherings.

Mrs. Yates is a member of Holy Rosary parish and a longtime contributor to The Catholic Missourian.