“Write My Name on the Roll”:
A Gathering of Stories of Remembrance
The first phase of Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice Power of Story Project is to preserve and share the stories of Black Catholics in our diocese. Our priority is the stories of those who were members of the closed Black parishes and schools in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The project is in collaboration with the diocesan Office for Black Catholics.
Memories are a valuable way to preserve the living truth of how these Black Catholic parishes and schools nurtured the enduring faith of those who were blessed to be part of their community.
Were you (or someone you know) a member of one of these closed Black Catholic churches/schools and have a story to tell?
St. Joseph Church (est. 1884) and Van de Vyver School, Richmond
Missions: St. Joseph Church and school, Columbia; St. Catherine Church and school, Cartersville
St. Augustine Church (est. 1937), Richmond
St. Gerard Church (est. 1953), Southside Richmond
St. Edward Chapel, St. Emma’s Industrial and Agricultural College, and St. Francis de Sales School, Powhatan
Holy Family Church (est. 1950), Petersburg
St. Margaret Mary Church (est. 1953), Charlottesville
St. Francis de Sales Church (est. 1901) and School, Lynchburg
St. Alphonsus Church (est. 1944), Newport News
Blessed Martin de Porres Church, Hampton
St. Joseph Church (est. 1893) and School, Norfolk
St. Mary School, Norfolk
Our Lady of Victory Church (est. 1929) and School, Portsmouth
Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice 