St. Monica

Although St. Monica was canonically established in 1956, the faith community had its origin more than a century ago when white Catholic settlers arrived with their slaves, who worshiped at St. Joseph Cathedral. In 1871, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth opened St. Monica School for the children of Black Catholics. Longing for more active participation in the spiritual and social opportunities of their faith, the Black Catholic community was assigned Father Michael Lally in 1942. St. Monica became a mission parish the following year, worshipping in St. Monica Chapel.

Finally on September 23, 1956, Archbishop John Floersh blessed a new church, whose debt of $186,000 Father Lally paid in full before he was transferred in 1960—a result of seventeen years of effective stewardship. For two decades St. Monica was called “Father Lally’s Church.” A convent in 1960 relieved the Sisters of a daily trip from Nazareth. The school was merged with St. Joseph School in 1966 but closed four years later. The Sisters then conducted religious education classes.

At the parish’s silver jubilee in 1968, the church was renovated. The Sisters of Notre Dame began teaching in the parish school of religion in 1972. The parish experienced revitalization when it participated in RENEW 2000. Today with about 200 parishioners, St. Monica is a multicultural parish that faithfully worships God and proclaims the Gospel, both at services and through participation in movements to bring justice to the larger community.