100 year celebration for St. Benedict church

Father Thomas S. Willis, Pastor of the Cathedral Parish of St. Augustine, has announced to Historic City News reporters the centennial anniversary of the construction and blessing of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in Lincolnville.

According to church records, on February 5, 1911, Bishop William Kenny, who was Bishop of St. Augustine at the time, blessed the newly opened church; and on Friday, February 4, 2011, an organ concert will be given by Dr. James Abbington in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine as celebration for the church’s 100 years of service to the Catholic community.

Dr. Abbington is an Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship at Emory University in Atlanta and is one of the most renowned African-American musicians and organists in the country. He is in constant demand for workshops and concerts.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Cathedral’s First Friday Art Walk Concert Series. A free-will offering will be taken at the doors to help defray costs of the Concert Series.

The performance will be followed by a Gala Benefit at the Historic Dr. Peck House which is adjacent to the Cathedral. Tickets for the gala are limited and cost $75.00 per person. Those wishing to purchase tickets may call the Cathedral Rectory at (904) 824-2806.

Proceeds from the benefit will go to the planned restoration of the former St. Benedict’s Catholic School that was built in 1898 from funds donated by a future saint – Katherine Drexel. In 2004 the school building was named by the Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine as one of the most threatened structures in our city. Efforts to rehabilitate and renovate the building have been spearheaded by a local group that includes former students of St. Benedict School.

Then on Sunday, February 6th at 8:00 a.m., Bishop Victor Galeone of the Diocese of St. Augustine will celebrate a Solemn Eucharist to commemorate the church’s anniversary of dedication.

Following the Mass, a celebratory breakfast will be served at the Bishop Baker Parish Center, 259 St. George Street. Tickets for the breakfast, which will be catered by Culinary Outfitters, are $10.00 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets for the breakfast are available from the Cathedral Rectory, 35 Treasury Street, or by calling (904) 824-2806.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Fr. Thomas S. Willis