The First African- American Priests in USA: Celebration of National Black Catholic History Month

Fact (1) Father James Healy (1830 – 1900) was the first Black priest ordained in 1854, but outside the USA since at that time Blacks were not allowed to become a Catholic priest. His father is an Irish immigrant. He later became the bishop of Portland, Maine

Fact (2) Father Augustine Tolton (1854 – 1897) was the first Black slave to become a priest after being ordained in 1886, but again outside the USA since at that time Blacks were not allowed to become a Catholic priest.

Fact (3) Father Charles Randolph Uncles (1859 – 1933) was the first Black priest in 1891 to be ordained in the USA, specifically in Baltimore.

Thank you so much for your sacrifices and paving the way for a more vibrant Black Catholics in the United States.

@peternhelenodeh