About Most Pure Heart of Mary
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a historic African American Catholic parish in Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1899 by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites) to serve Mobile's Creoles of African descent. The parish is the birthplace of the Knights of Peter Claver, the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay organization in the United States, founded here in 1909. Listed on the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile, it played an active role in the Civil Rights Movement, hosting the Neighborhood Organized Workers (NOW). Today it remains a vibrant gospel-centered faith community operating within the Archdiocese of Mobile and running an associated parish school (K-8).
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- Most Pure Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Reverend Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
Most Pure Heart of Mary is a gospel-centered, historically Black Catholic community in Mobile where the Eucharist, African American Catholic heritage, and service to neighbor are at the center of parish life. Worship is offered multiple times each week, an associated parish school (K-8) carries on a tradition begun in 1901, and the parish remains an anchor for Catholic social action in Mobile — the same community that gave birth to the Knights of Peter Claver in 1909 and hosted civil rights organizing in the 1960s. Visitors are warmly welcomed into prayer, stewardship and faith-building programs for youth and adults.
Mass times at Most Pure Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Our Story — A Josephite Mission in Mobile
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church was founded as a mission in 1899 by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites), a religious institute committed to serving the African American community. The mission was established to serve Mobile's Creoles of African descent, and its first Josephite priests were Rev. Joseph St. Laurent and Rev. Louis Pastorelli. The parish takes its name from the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the church building was completed in 1908 — the same stone-and-mortar anchor of a community that has continued to worship, teach and organize for more than 120 years.
- Founded 1899 by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart
- First Josephite priests: Fr. Joseph St. Laurent and Fr. Louis Pastorelli
- Church building completed and dedicated 1908
- Patron: Most Pure Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
Birthplace of the Knights of Peter Claver
On November 7, 1909, congregants and priests of Most Pure Heart of Mary founded the Knights of Peter Claver, which has grown into the largest historically African American Catholic lay organization in the United States, with chapters nationwide. The parish's role as the cradle of this fraternity is a point of immense pride and a defining element of its identity in the African American Catholic community.
- Knights of Peter Claver founded at the parish on November 7, 1909
- Largest and oldest Black Catholic lay organization in the United States
Civil Rights and the Neighborhood Organized Workers
During the civil rights era, priests and nuns from Most Pure Heart of Mary participated in boycotts and demonstrations in support of the African American community. The parish also opened its doors as a public meeting place for the Neighborhood Organized Workers (NOW), a civic organization established in Mobile in July 1966 with a mission of pursuing equality for the African American community. A historic plaque out front of the white Neoclassical church commemorates this role. The church is listed on the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile.
- NOW organized at the parish beginning in 1966
- Priests and nuns joined boycotts and demonstrations
- Listed on the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile
Most Pure Heart of Mary School
By 1901 a small parish school had been established; it was first taught by laypeople, until five Sisters of St. Francis arrived from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania in October 1902 to take over teaching. The school originally served students K-12. After 1968, older students were merged into the formerly all-white Bishop Toolen and McGill (now McGill-Toolen Catholic High School), and the parish school today educates children in grades K-8. Notable alumni include Alexis Herman, U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton. The Franklin Primary Health Centers are named for the late Dr. James Franklin, an early member of the parish and school community.
- School established 1901
- Sisters of St. Francis from Glen Riddle, PA arrived October 1902
- Originally K-12; today serves K-8
- Older students merged into Bishop Toolen/McGill (now McGill-Toolen) after 1968
- Notable alumni include Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by members of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The current pastor is Reverend Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J., and Fr. Patrick Healy, SSJ is also listed among the church staff. The parish sits within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile, whose archbishop is Thomas John Rodi.
- Pastor: Rev. Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J.
- Fr. Patrick Healy, SSJ
- Archdiocese: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
- Archbishop: Thomas John Rodi
- Religious institute: Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites)
Mass and Worship Schedule
Most Pure Heart of Mary offers daily and Sunday Mass in English, centered on the Eucharist as the heart of the parish's faith life. Visitors can find Mass celebrated Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday and Friday mornings, Saturday afternoon, and twice on Sunday morning. The parish identifies itself as a gospel faith community celebrating Catholic African American heritage.
- Tuesday 4:30 PM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM
- Friday 8:30 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM
- Sunday 8:00 AM
- Sunday 11:00 AM
Visit and Contact
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church is located at 304 Sengstak Street in Mobile, Alabama. The parish office can be reached by phone at (251) 432-3344. Visitors are invited into a personal relationship with Christ through prayer, worship, stewardship and service to God and neighbor.
- Address: 304 Sengstak Street, Mobile, AL 36603
- Phone: (251) 432-3344
- Website: https://mostpureheartofmarymobile.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph St. Laurent, S.S.J.1899
One of the first two Josephite priests sent to found the mission.
- Rev. Louis Pastorelli, S.S.J.1899
Co-founder of the mission; first Josephite priests alongside Fr. St. Laurent.
- Rev. Kenneth Ugwu, S.S.J.
Current pastor (per Wikipedia infobox).