Reconstructed Fort Mose, first free Black settlement in America, opening May 9
The $3M project is the fruit of decades of advocacy promoting the Spanish Black Catholic site in St. Augustine, Florida—the nation's oldest city.
St Augustine, FL
Here are the Catholic bishops who enslaved Black people in America.
Nate Tinner-Williams explores the history of episcopal human trafficking in what would become the United States of America.
Fort Mose concert series celebrates Black history in the nation's oldest city
The annual event features two weekends of music, with part of the proceeds helping preserve the history of America's first free Black settlement.
Construction begins on Fort Mose rebuild in St. Augustine, Florida
The historic Catholic settlement was the first Black town in what would become the United States, built just north of the nation's oldest city.
2024 Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series to help fund rebuild of Black Catholic settlement
The annual Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, now in its third year, will be held over two weekends at the ruins of Fort Mose in St. Augustine, Florida.
Rebuild of Fort Mose, nation's first Black town, gets $200k in new funding
A groundbreaking for the replica of the nation's first free Black settlement—a Catholic outpost—has been scheduled for January 2024.
St. Benedict Blues Fest set for Oct. 20-22 in St. Augustine, Fla.
The annual event benefits the rectory restoration fund for St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, a historic Black parish founded by the Josephites.
Catholics react to anti-Black massacre in Jacksonville
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier of St. Augustine called the shooting "senseless" and called for unity while condemning racism.
Review: 'Remarkable' book on Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine chronicles Black Catholic education
Efran Menny reviews a timely text elucidating post-Civil War Catholic history in the nation's oldest city.
Renders out for reconstruction of Fort Mose—first free Black settlement in America
As Black history comes under assault in the state of Florida, some are pushing forward with plans to preserve not only the memory, but also the physical representation of the unique Black legacy of its most historic city, St. Augustine. Renders for the planned reconstruction of Fort Mose, the first
Designs revealed for La Florida Martyrs shrine in Tallahassee
A planned shrine for the nation's first Catholic martyrs is taking shape in North Florida, following an official beatification list sent to Rome in February.
St. Benedict Blues Festival set for Oct. 28-30 in St. Augustine, Fla.
A music event benefiting a historic Black Catholic church in the nation's oldest city is back in person for the second year in a row.
Historical society for America's first Black city hosting annual meeting Oct. 20
The Fort Mose Historical Society will host its annual meeting this month in St. Augustine, Florida, celebrating new developments and old traditions.
Virtual lecture series this fall to focus on 19th-century Black Florida
Colonial American history will be on display this October when scholars join to present virtual lectures on Spanish Florida—where Black Catholics abounded.
Remembering Francisco Menéndez and Bloody Mose
The Siege of Fort Mose constituted one of the most important battles in US Catholic history. It was orchestrated with the help of a Black Catholic militia.
Reflection: The Black Catholic martyrs of New York deserve our veneration
On this day 281 years ago, British colonial authorities in New York commenced what includes perhaps the first Black Catholic martyrdoms in the future United States.