Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine (official)

1 day ago

SSJs Honored for Preserving Historic School

Once a school for Black children in segregated St. Augustine, the restored St. Benedict the Moor building now houses the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center—offering hope and support for women and families in need.

The Sisters of St. Joseph have been chosen to receive the 2025 Herschel Shepard Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for the restoration of St. Benedict the Moor School in St. Augustine. The award is named for preservation architect Herschel E. Shepard in recognition of his distinguished career and outstanding contributions to the design and preservation of historic structures in St. Augustine.
The award will be presented during an event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 15 at the Oldest House Museum Complex. The event is free and open to the public.

The school was built in 1898 in Lincolnville with a donation from Mother Katherine Drexel, who was canonized in 2000. It served blacks until the 1960s when it closed. In 1991, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With money raised by the Friends of St. Benedict, the Sisters of St. Joseph restored the building for its new life as the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center where single mothers can receive professional, personal and spiritual resources to help them develop a healthy work-life balance. ... See MoreSee Less