Tolton, Augustus (John Augustine)
1854-1897 · Contribution: 1886-1897
Catholic priest
First publicly recognized African American Catholic priest in the United States; now a candidate for Catholic sainthood
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1854, Brush Creek, Missouri
- Active since
- 1886
- Category
- Religious & Spiritual Leadership
- Best known for
- First publicly recognized African American Catholic priest; candidate for sainthood
Impact on the world
Tolton became the American Catholic Church's first openly Black priest despite being turned away by every U.S. seminary, enduring sustained hostility to serve Black Catholic communities in Quincy and Chicago.
An alternative history
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Sources
- Book or scholarly workFind
Encyclopædia Britannica
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