Archives for February 2021

The Second Black Catholic Congress is held in Cincinnati on July 8, 9, and 10. The congress focuses on education and the establishment of an industrial school for Black Americans. Archbishop Elder is among the speakers. 

After operating for approximately 40 years and being run by Father Edward Purcell, the archdiocesan bank fails. This financial devastation affects not only the archdiocese but also the laity who deposited their life savings into the bank. Efforts are made to raise the money needed to return money to the depositors, but the archdiocese is only able to give them a fraction of their money. The seminary closes and does not reopen until 1887. Archbishop Purcell resigns, and Bishop William Elder takes over administrative duties. 

Archbishop Purcell participates in Vatican I and is a vocal opponent of the proposed dogma of papal infallibility. His eloquence earned him esteem from his brother bishops, and when the dogma was declared, he once again gave his obedience to the Church.

Father Francis Weninger, S.J., founds St. Ann’s Colored Church for Black Catholics in Cincinnati. At the time, it was one of six Black Catholic churches in the United States. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taught at the school.