What you didn’t know about Venerable Father Augustine Tolton of Quincy
by Anna Fitzroy
As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we look at one of the diocese’s own, Father Augustine Tolton. Born a slave and affectionately known as “Gus,” Father Tolton is known as the first black priest in the United States. Pope Francis declared him “Venerable” in 2019, and he is currently buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Quincy. Here are five other facts about Father Tolton, who is on his way to becoming a saint!
- He attended an all-white school
In 1865, Gus was enrolled at St. Boniface School in Quincy, 95 years before Ruby Bridges attended the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana. He withdrew from St. Boniface after just one month because many of the white parents threatened to leave the parish or remove their children from the school. Later, Gus attended St. Peter School at the insistence of the pastor, Father Peter McGirr.
- His favorite hymn was Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
After Father Gus was ordained in Rome, he returned to Quincy as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, the parish for black Catholics. A brass band played his favorite hymn, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name as the train pulled into the station. He was greeted by a cheering crowd of thousands, a carriage for him to ride in, and an escort to St. Peter Church.
- He was mistakenly reported dead
Father Gus sent out the customary cards commemorating his first Mass, which carried the phrase “in memoriam.” This was mistaken as a death notice, and the report that he had died was circulated a few months before he returned to Quincy from Rome. Father Gus later explained the obvious error to the Quincy Journal.
- He played the accordion
Father Gus was a talented accordionist and enjoyed playing music with his friend Fred, who accompanied him when he was reassigned to Chicago. Father Gus was also known for his beautiful singing voice and for speaking with an easy and graceful eloquence.
- He came in second in the ‘Favorite Priest’ vote of 1889
Even after he moved to Chicago, the people of Quincy still loved Father Gus. A few days after he left, the St. Rose Society of St. Peter Parish called a vote for their favorite priest. Father Gus came in second at 201½ votes, behind Father Brennan’s 213, but ahead of his old pastor FatherMcGirr at 98 votes.
For more information on the life of Father Tolton and his cause for sainthood, go to dio.org.
Anna Fitzroy lives and works in Springfield.