About St. Benedict the Moor · Dayton, Ohio
St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church is a predominantly African-American Roman Catholic parish located at 519 Liscum Drive on the southwest/west side of Dayton, Ohio, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish was created in 2005 as the merged successor of three historic Dayton parishes that served the city's Black Catholic community — St. John the Baptist (1894), St. James (1919), and Resurrection of Our Lord (1920) — and is one of only a handful of parish churches in the United States built from the ground up with the money and labor of a largely African-American community. It is now part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes, led by Spiritan (Holy Ghost) Father Francis Tandoh, a native of Ghana who has shepherded the community since 2000, and is a vibrant, multi-cultural community that also welcomes Hispanic, Caucasian, and other ethnic congregants, with a monthly Ghanaian Mass.
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- St. Benedict the Moor (16th-century Italian Franciscan friar, son of African slaves; recognized as a patron of African Americans)
- Rector
- Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. (Spiritan / Congregation of the Holy Spirit priest from Ghana; Administrator from July 2000, then pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Northeast Deanery – Family 8: Holy Spirit Family of Parishes)
Why belong here
St. Benedict the Moor is a vibrant, multi-cultural Catholic community in West Dayton that warmly welcomes African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Caucasian, and other ethnic Catholics — and visitors — into a church that was literally built and paid for by its own parishioners. Its 1,050-seat worship space was designed so that 'people enter the church and see faces like theirs,' and its calendar mixes a Spiritan (Holy Ghost Fathers) missionary heritage, a beloved monthly Ghanaian Mass, and traditional Black Catholic worship with active outreach: a Social Action Group that serves roughly 400 people every two weeks, monthly brunch for the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center, RCIA, faith formation, youth and young adult ministry, and the parish-run St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School. It is also part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes, which means members share resources and ministry across four nearby Dayton-area parishes under one pastor.
Mass times at St. Benedict the Moor
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM (immediately before the 4:30 PM Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Holy Hour — First Thursday of the month (per Holy Spirit Family bulletin)
History of St. Benedict the Moor Parish
St. Benedict the Moor was created in 2005 as the merged successor of three historic Dayton Catholic parishes that together served the city's Black Catholic community: St. John the Baptist (founded 1894), St. James (founded 1919), and Resurrection of Our Lord (founded 1920). St. John the Baptist was the first Dayton parish to embrace African Americans migrating from the South; it was demolished in 1963 to make way for the construction of Interstate 75 and U.S. State Route 35, and its members joined St. James or Resurrection. The Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers) remained steadfast at St. James through the upheaval of integration and Vatican II. St. James and Resurrection began sharing a priest in 1994 in the person of Fr. Freddy Washington, C.S.Sp., merged at one location (138 Gramont Avenue) in 1999, and combined their names to St. James/Resurrection. Under the leadership of Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. — a Ghanaian-born Spiritan who arrived in July 2000 — the community launched the 'Vision to Victory' capital campaign, broke ground on February 2, 2003 (and again on the Feast of the Presentation in 2004) at Liscum Drive and McLain Parkway (State Route 35), and on May 14, 2005 dedicated the new church under Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk. The building cost more than $5 million; that mortgage has since been paid off and burned.
- 1894 — St. John the Baptist founded (first to embrace African-American Catholics in Dayton)
- 1919 — St. James Catholic Church founded (Edgemont neighborhood; served by the Holy Ghost Fathers)
- 1920 — Resurrection of Our Lord founded (named for the Easter Sunday of its first Mass)
- 1963 — St. John the Baptist demolished for I-75 / U.S. 35 highway construction
- 1994 — Fr. Freddy Washington, C.S.Sp. begins as shared pastor of St. James and Resurrection
- 1999 — St. James and Resurrection merge at 138 Gramont Ave. as 'St. James/Resurrection'
- July 2000 — Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. arrives as Administrator; launches 'Vision to Victory' campaign
- Feb 2, 2003 — Groundbreaking at Liscum Drive & McLain Parkway (11 acres)
- 2004 — Second groundbreaking on the Feast of the Presentation
- May 14, 2005 — Church dedicated by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk
The Patron: St. Benedict the Moor
The community chose its patron after its first choice — 'Simon the Cyrene' — was rejected by Rome because a church must be named for a proper saint. St. Benedict the Moor (1526–1589) was the son of African slaves who had been taken to a small town near Messina, Sicily, and was freed at his birth because of his parents' loyal service. The name 'il Moro' (the Moor) means 'the dark' in Italian. At age 21 he was publicly insulted for the color of his skin, and his patient response was witnessed by a local hermit who led a community of men living under the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi. Benedict joined the Franciscan Order of the Friars Minor, became Guardian (leader) of his friary because of his wisdom as a confessor and skill as a healer, though he could not read and was never ordained, and after his term ended insisted on returning to cooking. Recognized as a patron saint of African Americans, he is celebrated for his advancement in the spiritual life. His feast day is April 4.
- Patron of African Americans
- Feast day: April 4
- Son of African slaves freed at his birth; Italian Franciscan friar
- Never ordained and never learned to read
- First parish-name choice 'Simon the Cyrene' was rejected by Rome
Architecture, Art, and Worship Space
The 1,050-seat church was completed in 2005 at a cost of more than $5 million, with a motif that intentionally focuses on the African-American and broader multi-cultural character of the parish. The signature artistic element is the stained-glass Stations of the Cross, designed by Bovard Studio of Fairfield, Iowa, and inspired by an African tapestry given to Fr. Francis Tandoh; the bright colors and bold patterns of the glass throughout the church contribute to its 'contemporary and African design notes.' Fr. Tandoh has explained the design intent: 'We wanted to make it so people enter the church and see faces like theirs… The Jesus on the cross is a black Jesus, to show that Christ is for all, and the window over the altar is the people in the pews.' The building's mortgage has since been paid off and burned.
- Capacity: 1,050 seats
- Cost: more than $5 million; mortgage paid off and burned
- Stained-glass Stations of the Cross by Bovard Studio (Fairfield, IA), inspired by an African tapestry
- Black Jesus on the cross; window over the altar depicts the people in the pews
- Stained glass windows donated by founding parish families — 'our ancestors'
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
St. Benedict the Moor is pastored by Spiritan (Congregation of the Holy Spirit) Father Francis Tandoh, a native of Ghana who has led the West Dayton Black Catholic community since July 2000 and shepherded the parish from its St. James/Resurrection origins through its 2005 dedication to the present. He is assisted by a Parochial Vicar, an Associate Pastor, deacons, a Music Director, school leadership, and a wider administrative team operating across the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes.
- Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. — Pastor (and Pastoral Leader of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School)
- Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp. — Parochial Vicar, Holy Spirit Family of Parishes
- Fr. Matthew Amoako Attah, C.S.Sp. — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Kenneth (Ken) Stewart
- Deacon Osagie Victor Obasuyi
- Deacon Jacob Jernigan (the 'late' Deacon Jernigan, deceased)
- Michael Kastner — Music Director, St. Benedict the Moor
- Gabe Lawson — Music (St. Benedict the Moor)
- Natinka Siwecki — Coordinator for Buildings/Facilities (Holy Spirit Family)
- Cecile Ingabire — Outreach Coordinator (Holy Spirit Family)
- Janice Kwofie — Administrative Manager / Business Manager
- Jacqueline Long — Admin Assistant (school)
- Joseph Thompson — Principal, St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School
- Marty Phillips — Bookkeeper / Bulletin Coordinator
- Wanda Hollinger — Office Volunteer / Records
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Rooted in the Spiritan missionary charism of serving the poor, and in the long African-American Catholic tradition of West Dayton, St. Benedict the Moor runs a broad network of ministries. The Social Action Group serves about 400 people every two weeks with groceries and helps pay utility bills, and the parish feeds brunch monthly to residents of the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center. RCIA and faith formation welcome new Catholics and children, and a choir, youth group, young adult ministry, Bible study, and prayer chains sustain parish life.
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) / Children (RCIC)
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Social Action Group — groceries for ~400 people every two weeks; utility-bill help
- Monthly brunch for St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center
- Health Care Ministries
- Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver
- Altar Rosary Societies
- Cursillo Retreats
- Youth Group / Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Faith Formation (religious education)
- Choir & Music Ministry (Saturday 11:00 AM practice)
- Bible Study / Scripture Study
- Prayer Chains
- Social Justice / Advocacy (LEAD, RTA bus access, Second Chance ordinance)
St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School
St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School is the parish's missionary school, located at 138 Gramont Avenue, Dayton, OH 45417 (the former Resurrection School building) and serving students from West Dayton — a population where many live below the poverty line. The school began operating under the parish in 2014–2015, putting parish resources into extended hours and tutoring so students could improve their grades and pass state proficiency tests. Its missionary character is shown by the fact that of more than 170 students, only five are Catholic, yet all participate in faith formation. The school day runs 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, and it survives through numerous grants, donor contributions, and the generous tithes and prayers of parishioners.
- Address: 138 Gramont Ave., Dayton, OH 45417
- Phone: 937-268-6391
- Began operating under St. Benedict the Moor parish in 2014–2015
- Enrollment: ~186–187 students; 12.1 FTE classroom teachers (NCES)
- School day: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Pastoral Leader: Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.
- Principal: Joseph Thompson
- Business Manager: Janice Kwofie
- Admin Assistant: Jacqueline Long
- Missionary focus: only 5 of 170+ students are Catholic; all participate in faith formation
Holy Spirit Family of Parishes (Beacons of Light)
As part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's 'Beacons of Light' renewal, St. Benedict the Moor became a member of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes (Northeast Deanery – Family 8) on July 1, 2022, grouped with St. Augustine (Germantown), Our Lady of Grace (Dayton), and Queen of Martyrs (Dayton). The family shares pastoral and administrative staff under Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp., as pastor and Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp., as parochial vicar, allowing the parishes to combine resources for faith formation, youth ministry, outreach, and liturgy while keeping each worship site's local identity and Mass schedule.
- Implemented July 1, 2022 under Beacons of Light
- St. Augustine (Germantown), St. Benedict the Moor (Dayton), Our Lady of Grace (Dayton), Queen of Martyrs (Dayton)
- Pastor: Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp.
- Deacons Ken Stewart and Osagie Victor Obasuyi serve across the family
Sacraments at St. Benedict the Moor
Baptisms, Weddings, Anointing of the Sick, RCIA/RCIC, and Reconciliation are arranged through the parish office at (937) 268-6697. Confession is heard Saturday 3:45–4:15 PM, and Anointing of the Sick and home/hospital visits can be requested through the Prayer Chain and parish office.
- Baptism — call parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:45–4:15 PM
- First Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation
- Marriage — call parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office
- RCIA / RCIC — call parish office (contact Dennis Roberts or Jackie Glover)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Freddy Washington, C.S.Sp.from 1994
Holy Ghost (Spiritan) priest; first shared pastor of St. James and Resurrection parishes as they began consolidating; led the combined St. James/Resurrection community to merge at one location (Resurrection, 138 Gramont Ave.) in 1999. Served during the period when the idea of a new church first resurfaced.
- Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.Administrator from July 2000; pastor to present
Holy Ghost (Spiritan) priest, native of Ghana. Arrived July 2000 as Administrator of St. James/Resurrection; launched the 'Vision to Victory' capital campaign; led the groundbreaking at Liscum Drive and McLain Parkway on Feb. 2, 2003 (and again on the Feast of the Presentation in 2004); shepherded the merger of St. John, St. James, and Resurrection into the new parish and the dedication by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk on May 14, 2005. Has continued as pastor through the founding of the school (2014–2015) and into the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes era (2022–). Also serves as Pastoral Leader of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School.
- Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp.2022– to present (per Holy Spirit Family of Parishes directory)
Parochial Vicar of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes (St. Augustine, St. Benedict the Moor, Our Lady of Grace, Queen of Martyrs).
- Fr. Matthew Amoako Attah, C.S.Sp.current (per Catholic Church Directory listing)
Associate Pastor of St. Benedict the Moor per parish directory.