Saint Augustine Catholic Church is nearing 180 years old and in need of repair. We have officially launched the first-ever campaign to restore this historically important church.

Our needs are critical. Years of wear and tear have left the structure so compromised that it is vulnerable to storms, decay, and other serious threats. The funds needed to restore this important sacred place total $2.5 million. 

Please donate here. 


Why Save Saint Augustine?

1. Spiritual Center; Saint Augustine has welcomed people from all walks of life since 1841. This includes but is not limited to Free People of Color, African Americans, slaves, whites, Haitians, Cubans, Italians, and Germans. Today it continues to welcome all people. On any given Sunday you’ll witness locals and visitors from all corners of the globe worshipping side by side.
2. Historical; Saint Augustine is important to New Orleans and the entire U.S.A. The church is recognized by the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. as the oldest black catholic church in the country. As such, the church is a part of the museum's permanent exhibit. Much took place within the walls of St Augustine Church and its hall and school. St Augustine severed as a meeting place for some of our countries most prominent civil rights activists.
3. Community involvement; Saint Augustine is the heart center of the oldest black neighborhood in America, Faubourg Treme. Treme was home to the first black newspaper, black businesses, and is deeply rooted in the development of the music and parade culture of New Orleans. Saint Augustine was an integral part of this development, particularly of jazz culture. When we refer to jazz being born post-church in New Orleans’ Congo Square, we are referring to Saint Augustine as that church.
4. The first African American Saint; Sister Henriette Delille, of Treme and Saint Augustine Church, is slated to be the first African American saint. She founded the first order of black nuns; The Sisters of the Holy Family. She took her vows at the altar of St. Augustine. It is through her service within his community that the first school for slave children and adults was established as well as the first home for aged people of color. She is now venerable (awaiting sainthood) and could be the first African American Saint.  

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Why Save Saint Augustine Now
While the church is in dire need of repairs to continue serving this important community, there are other reasons that support the timing of this campaign.

1. The Archdiocese and Archbishop are strongly supportive of this campaign and believe that losing Saint Augustine Church would prove more damaging than just losing a historic building. We would be losing a testament to unity, love, inclusion, and brotherhood.
2. The New Orleans’ community of private donors has stepped up to help support this need, making the fundraising goal not only possible but well in reach.
3. A loss of Saint Augustine Church would be a true blow to the changing shape of the soul of New Orleans', the historic Faubourg Treme community. Treme is America's oldest black neighborhood and the birthplace of jazz.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do contribute to our restoration efforts. When you do you'll be preserving an important core element of the soul of New Orleans. All donations are welcome. Every donation is helpful. We appreciate you and welcome you to our family.

Please donate here.