The Fr. Tolton Memorial Wall: A Devoted and Holy Life, Inspiring All

Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton overcame numerous obstacles to answer God’s call to the priesthood. A St. Peter’s parishioner, Fr. Tolton became the first known Black American priest and is on the path to canonization.

“God calls us all, and though sometimes we may think we are insignificant, we are very significant to our God,” says Fr. Leo Enlow. “Fr. Tolton was born into slavery and endured prejudice and rejection even from the Church. With God’s grace, he persevered, obtained his freedom, and became a priest.”

A new memorial wall in Quincy celebrates the life of Fr. Tolton across nine granite plaques. They exist as a tribute to Fr. Tolton, who attended St. Peter School and received the support and patronage of Fr. Peter McGirr.

“He was an altar server in our parish, and the priests here took a special interest in him and his vocation,” Fr. Leo says. “He is buried in the cemetery in the same area as the pastor who was here at the time.”

The inspiration for the memorial wall came out of a practical concern. When the church wall facing the school needed securing, Fr. Leo wondered what might adorn the metal brackets that restored the wall’s structural integrity. After considering different ideas, he realized this was an opportunity to capture Fr. Tolton’s life.

“I asked parishioners if they would like to contribute towards the memorial and had an overwhelming response,” Fr. Leo says. “It cost approximately $2,000 a plaque, and parishioners responded immediately and generously.”

The plaques were created by parishioner Tim Haubrich and move chronologically from Fr. Tolton’s birth and escape from slavery to his seminary and ordination with the final plaque highlighting his path to canonization since being declared “venerable” by Pope Francis in 2019.

The Fr. Tolton statue, now situated above the plaques

The first two plaques on the Fr. Tolton Memorial Wall

“We studied much of his history, at least that which we know of, and details of his life,” Fr. Leo says. “The plaques have so much symbolism. In the last one, Fr. Tolton stands on the world, in a sense, as part of the Communion of Saints.”

Our local faith community and our school children will now have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the life of Fr. Tolton on a daily basis.

“I continue returning to this phrase that ‘nothing is impossible with God,’” Fr. Leo says. “His grace is sufficient for all of us, and He calls each of us to serve Him. We can look at Tolton’s life and see the hand of God, and hopefully also see the hand of God in our own lives.”

While this memorial wall is already impacting our local faith community, someday it may also become a pilgrimage site for many others who will draw inspiration from the life of Fr. Tolton.

“Thank you, Fr. Tolton, for responding to God’s call to become a priest in the Catholic Church,” Fr. Leo says. “You have become a model for all of us.”

The Fr. Tolton Memorial Wall

The Fr. Tolton Memorial Wall