A new exhibition exploring the history and contributions of Black Catholics in Virginia is now on view at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia.

The exhibition, “Faith & Resilience: The Legacy of Black Catholics in Virginia,” opened July 11 and runs through Nov. 22. It was developed in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office for Black Catholics and features artifacts from both active and closed Black Catholic churches and schools across the state.

“This exhibit highlights generations of dedicated Black Catholics who kept their faith alive, even amid hardship,” said Father Tochi Iwuji, director of the Office for Black Catholics. “It’s more than history; it’s a sacred testament to the spirit of a people and the lasting strength of faith. ‘Faith and Resilience: The Legacy of Black Catholics in Virginia’ invites us to honor a legacy built through struggle and blessed by hope.”

The opening of the exhibit coincides with the 140th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a historically Black parish that was closed in 1969 during parish integration efforts. Today, St. Joseph Memorial Park stands in its place in Jackson Ward, just three blocks from the museum. The memorial houses the church’s original bell and honors the church’s legacy of inclusion and perseverance.

“BHMVA is dedicated to preserving and telling the history of Black Virginians, and the stories about the impact of the faith community are an integral part of our history,” said Shakia Gullette Warren, the museum’s executive director. “Our partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office for Black Catholics is a wonderful opportunity for us to inform and educate museum visitors in a way people outside of the faith may not have previously known about or understood about Black Catholicism.”

As part of the exhibit, the museum will host a three-part speaker series open to the public. The series will cover a range of topics highlighting key aspects of Catholic faith and the experience of Black Catholics in Virginia.

For more information, visit blackhistorymuseum.org.