About Saint Augustine · South Bend, Indiana
Saint Augustine Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the African-American tradition located at 1501 W. Washington Street in historic downtown South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1928 by Congregation of Holy Cross priest Father George O'Connor, CSC, it was established specifically to serve Black Catholic families migrating from the South who faced segregation at other local parishes. Today the parish remains a small, tightly knit, multi-racial community of roughly 250 registered members celebrated for its spirit-filled worship — most notably its Gospel Choir at Sunday Mass — and its outreach to the surrounding neighborhood through St. Vincent de Paul, a parish-run soup kitchen, and prayer for the canonization of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton.
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- St. Augustine of Hippo
- Rector
- Father Bill Schooler (Administrator, as listed on the parish's current contact page); previously served by Holy Cross Father John M. Santone, CSC, as Parochial Administrator
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
Saint Augustine is a small but intentionally multi-racial Catholic community in the heart of South Bend where visitors are welcomed with hospitality. Worship is its hallmark — especially the soulful, uplifting sound of the Gospel Choir at Sunday Mass — and Black Catholic spirituality shapes the prayers, preaching, and music. The parish is also known for its practical outreach to neighbors in need through its soup kitchen, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and prayer for the canonization of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, giving parishioners real ways to live their faith beyond the church walls.
Mass times at Saint Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish Identity and Mission
Saint Augustine Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of roughly 250 registered members in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, rooted in the African-American Catholic tradition while welcoming worshipers of every background. The parish's own mission statement reads: 'We, the people of Saint Augustine Catholic Parish, are a multi-racial faith community, rooted in the African-American tradition, nourished by Word and Sacrament, and empowered by our belief in the redeeming Presence of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to living the faith and proclaiming Gospel through our efforts toward evangelization, Spirit-filled worship, community outreach programs, and social services. We welcome all to share in our beliefs and our mission.'
History of the Parish
The parish was founded in 1928 by Holy Cross Father George O'Connor, CSC, after Black Catholic families migrating north from Mississippi were turned away from South Bend's other Catholic churches. After meeting in a small building behind St. Joseph Parish and in two rented storefronts on West Washington Street, the parish built its current church at 1501 W. Washington Street, dedicated on June 15, 1941 by Bishop John Francis Noll. The parish has remained a small, tightly knit community ever since, and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2018.
- Founded 1928 by Father George O'Connor, CSC
- Dedicated at its current site June 15, 1941
- Diocesan archives describe its mission as serving 'Negroes in all of South Bend'
- Parish celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2018
Holy Cross and Black Catholic Heritage
From the beginning, the parish has been served by priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross — the same religious order that founded the nearby University of Notre Dame. The parish openly embraces its Black Catholic heritage, gathering regularly to pray for the canonization of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, the first recognizably Black priest in the United States.
- Served by Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC) priests
- Named for St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church and African
- Parishioners pray for the canonization of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
Gospel Choir
The Gospel Choir is one of the defining ministries of Saint Augustine Parish. According to the parish website, the choir 'has in the past, as well as currently, delivered a soulful sound as traditional gospel songs are sung, as well as current selections.' The choir sings regularly at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass and is open to new members.
- Sings traditional and contemporary gospel music
- Leads worship at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Welcomes new singers — see the 'Gospel Choir — Sing with Us!' link on the parish homepage
Parish Outreach and Social Services
Service to the surrounding neighborhood is woven into the parish's identity. Two longstanding outreach efforts — the parish soup kitchen and the St. Vincent de Paul Society — feed and assist local residents, Catholic or not. A 'Need Help?' page on the parish website connects neighbors in need with these resources.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Augustine's is a lay-run parish group that helps needy people in the surrounding neighborhood with food, necessities, and prayer. According to the parish, it serves as 'an outreach arm to a rather needy neighborhood,' bringing food and other essentials directly to those in need in their homes.
Parish Soup Kitchen
Saint Augustine operates its own independent soup kitchen that serves lunch to those in need multiple days a week, run by a dedicated team of parish volunteers. The ministry is led by Peter Smith, Director of the Soup Kitchen, who can be reached at (574) 532-3720.
- Director: Peter Smith
- Phone: (574) 532-3720
Tolton Society
The Tolton Society is a parish ministry named for Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854–1897), a former slave who became the first recognizably Black priest in the United States and is a candidate for canonization. The society honors his legacy — particularly his service to poor and oppressed Black Catholics in Chicago — and actively promotes his cause for sainthood.
- Named for Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
- Promotes his cause for canonization
- Honors his ministry to the poor and his breaking of racial barriers
Parish Staff and Contact
The parish is administered by Father Bill Schooler, with Deacon Mel Tardy assisting in pastoral ministry and Peter Smith directing the Soup Kitchen. The parish office can be reached by phone or email; the website lists individual addresses for the pastor, deacon, soup kitchen director, and general inquiries.
- Administrator: Father Bill Schooler — [email protected], (574) 234-7082
- Deacon: Deacon Mel Tardy — [email protected], (574) 234-7082
- Soup Kitchen Director: Peter Smith — [email protected], (574) 532-3720
- General inquiries: [email protected]
Visit and Practical Information
Saint Augustine welcomes visitors to its Sunday liturgies and to its outreach ministries. The parish sits in historic downtown South Bend on West Washington Street; a 'Need Help?' page on the website assists neighbors seeking assistance. A weekly bulletin is posted on the parish website for ongoing news and announcements.
- Address: 1501 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN 46619
- Phone: (574) 234-7082
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintaugustineparish.org
- Google Maps directions linked from the homepage
- Weekly bulletins published online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father George O'Connor, CSC1928–c.1939
Founding pastor of the parish and Holy Cross priest who had been raised by a Black farming family after his own family perished in a tornado; dedicated the last 11 years of his life to serving Black Catholics in South Bend.
- Father Vince Thilmanfrom 1942
Evangelizing pastor who befriended the surrounding African-American neighborhood and described his ministry as 'small victories' against poverty.
- Father John M. Santone, CSCearly 2020s
Holy Cross priest who served as Parochial Administrator, quoted in Today's Catholic about the parish's Gospel Choir, outreach to the poor, and sense of community and hospitality.
- Father (Bill) Schooler
Listed as Administrator on the parish's current Contact Us page.