Sisters of St. Joseph
Newsroom
Historic St. Augustine schoolhouse restored by nuns, is open and ready to serve
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A hub of activity
After years of deterioration, the St. Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse is now a neighborhood center.
11/26/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Sisters of St. Joseph announce they will sell their motherhouse of 150 years in St. Augustine
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. —They say the building is too big and they need a place that better suits the needs of their aging sisters.
10/28/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
The Sisters of St. Joseph Announce Relocation Plans
St. Augustine, FL 10/28/2024 : Letter from the
General Superior, Sister Kathleen Carr, SSJ
The Sisters of St. Joseph Plan for the Future
October 28, 2024: Pastoral Briefings, the official newsletter
For diocesan leadership produced by the Office of Communications.
Special edition:
Take a look inside the historic restoration:
St. Joseph Neighborhood Center at St. Benedict the Moor School
Domestic violence survivor to lead program for single mothers in historic St. Augustine schoolhouse
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A hub of activity
Nuns are restoring the schoolhouse from the 1890s. They selected an author, professor, and domestic violence survivor to lead program.
09/05/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
What teachers and students left behind 100 years ago at historic schoolhouse for Black students
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. —Archaeologists discover artifacts in and under a historic building that nuns are restoring in St. Augustine.
07/31/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Last principal of school for Black children in St. Augustine dies
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Large and in charge.
That's how Sister Josephine Marie Melican has been described. She was a tall, thin woman who was also the last principal of a school for Black children in St. Augustine …
7/17/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Drastic restoration underway at historic schoolhouse for Black children in St. Augustine
Three Sisters of St. Joseph were arrested there more than 100 years ago for teaching Black children.
2/07/24 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Transforming Lives:
St. Joseph Neighborhood Center’s Inspiring Story
Fall/2023 - Jessica Larson, St. Augustine Catholic
For full article, click here: St. Augustine Catholic
St. Augustine contractor dealt with permitting snags; told officials, 'We're on a mission from God'
Nuns hire contractor to restore a school in St. Augustine. He told government officials, "You can deal with me or with the sisters."
9/13/23 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Nuns invite former students, community to leave a mark on historic Black school
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Writing on the walls is usually frowned upon, especially with permanent markers. But Friday, it was encouraged, by nuns, no less!
9/01/23 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Historic schoolhouse in St. Augustine being restored, helping single mothers
Sisters of St. Joseph are restoring an 1800s schoolhouse. They are also helping single mothers learn skills to land prosperous jobs.
8/12/23 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News (On Your Side)
Historic schoolhouse in St. Augustine blessed before major restoration
1/18/23 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News
Nuns and Emancipation: How they're connected to a crumbling building in St. Augustine
Emancipation sparked an educational mission that continues to this day.
6/17/22 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News
Nuns working to restore historic school building in St. Augustine
The former Catholic school for Blacks closed when the public school district was integrated.
3/2/22 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News
Repurposing St. Benedict the Moor School to Aid Women
What used to be a school for Black children in the Lincolnville neighborhood of St. Augustine will turn into a community center for local mothers in need.
3/7/22 - Lara Patangan, St. Augustine Catholic
Lincolnville and the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center - Providing Hope to Young Single Mothers
2/15/22 - Lucia Viti, WOKV
Partial demolition, restoration starts on school formerly for Black children in St. Augustine
Nuns will restore the 1800s school into a community center for single mothers.
2/1/22 - First Coast News
Reclaiming a Mission
Sisters of St. Joseph to restore Lincolnville School
1/14/22 - Colleen Michele Jones, St. Augustine Record
New plans for an old, crumbling St. Augustine schoolhouse
1/11/22 - Jessica Clark, First Coast News