WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

The congregation and visitors of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church gathered on Saturday morning, Nov. 18, to celebrate the church’s 80th anniversary and the unveiling of a historic marker to honor the church’s milestone. The parish was established on Nov. 24, 1940, during segregation by Bishop Raleigh Eugene McGuinness to meet the needs of African American Catholics. It is one of four historically Black parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte. The parish opened St. Anne’s Academy for girls in 1946 and St. Benedict the Moor grammar school in 1950.

The dedication service began inside the church where Father Melchesideck Yumo welcomed everyone and offered the invocation. Other speakers included Chenita Johnson representing the Forsyth County Historic Commission; Harold Holmes, the chair of St. Benedict’s Parish Council; Gloria Wilson representing St. Benedict’s history committee; Cedric Russell, longtime member and alumnus of the church’s grammar school; and Dr. Betty Alexander, chair of St. Benedict’s history committee.  

The speakers recounted the hard work and dedication of so many to gather the details of the history of the church, to plan their 80th anniversary celebration, and to work diligently to complete the process for the historical marker as a legacy of their commitment of faith and work in the community over eight decades.

Gloria Wilson said that the work to receive the historical marker came out of the planning for the 75th anniversary and noted with sadness that two members who worked on the committee had passed before they could see their work come to fruition.

It was noted that Willie King was the first baby baptized at St. Benedict’s and that many prominent local families had been a part of the parish since the beginning. The church also has a vibrant Hispanic and Latino congregation and offers mass on Sundays at 2 p.m. in Spanish.

Talking with several parishioners, the same comments were repeated when asked what made this church special: the people. Lovetta Davis has been a member since 2010, having moved to Winston-Salem from Norfolk, Virginia. She had attended another Catholic church locally, but was happy to find a Black Catholic church. She said she liked the homogeneous atmosphere she found there. “Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and accepting. It is a well-educated parish and intergenerational.”

Long-time member Rose Hinton, who has been a member for 42 years, said, “I raised my children in this church, they were baptized and confirmed here and were in the youth group.” What makes it special, Hinton reiterated, is the people. “The people make it special. Blacks, whites, Hispanics, we all come together and love each other.”

Leo Perez has been a member for 22 years and helped open the Hispanic and Latino community at St. Benedict’s, bringing some members with him from Our Lady of Mercy. He said, “There are about 300 in our community and lots of kids!” He continued, “We celebrate like a family, the Black community, the white community, have something in common when they come together.”

Church leaders and members of the history committee gathered around the historic marker and prepared to pull down the cloth to unveil the marker to the crowd standing close by and on the church steps. After a countdown, 3, 2, 1, Fr. Yumo and others pulled the ropes to the cheers and applause of the crowd. After congratulations were exchanged, everyone moved to the church basement to enjoy a reception.

Harold Holmes admired the marker and commented, “The work we’re doing to bring all the ethnic communities together, to work on common, identified goals, brings optimism for the future, while recognizing its heritage.”

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church is located at 1625 E. 12th Street. Mass is held on Sundays at 9 a.m. with a mass at 2 p.m. in Spanish. Visit their website at www.stbenedictthemoor.net.