A source of evangelization in a predominantly Black community

By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic

Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC

MIAMI | In 1950, Holy Redeemer Parish opened the doors of its new church in the heart of Miami’s predominantly Black community of Liberty City.

“Holy Redeemer Church has been a beacon of light in this community for 75 years,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski during the celebration Mass and installation of a new pastor at the church Dec. 14, 2025. “In the midst of crisis, suffering, violence, inequality and discrimination, the people of this neighborhood, indeed the whole world, are asking us, who profess to be followers of Christ, whether we are serious in our faith,” he said.

“This Catholic church in Liberty City has weathered many storms and challenges,” the archbishop said, adding, “Jesus has been the calm in the eye of the storm, wisdom in the face of judgment, love in the face of hatred, perseverance in the face of persecution, and protection in the face of adversity.”

During the 1940s, Miami’s Black Catholics attended St. Francis Xavier Church in Overtown. Known as the “Mother Church” for Black Catholics, it merged with Gesu Parish in 2009. When Liberty City opened to Black residents, many parishioners of the Overtown church moved to the area in search of better housing for their families. They took a bus or jitney to reach the church in Overtown. The pastor of St. Francis Xavier provided a bus for Liberty City parishioners to attend his church. However, Liberty City parishioners felt a dire need for a Catholic church in their community and took action.

“Helen Kelly conducted CCD classes in her home until they outgrew her space,” said Mavis Bodie, 83, a Holy Redeemer Church parishioner. “Mrs. Kelly chaired a Catholic interest group that would start working towards building a Catholic church in Liberty City,” said Bodie.

The group met at her home and was committed to making it happen. Mrs. Kelly contacted Archbishop Joseph Hurley of the Diocese of St. Augustine — the Diocese of Miami was not founded until 1958 — to inform him of the need for a church in Liberty City.

In 1945, Archbishop Hurley purchased land at 1301 N.W. 71st Street to build a church. Construction began in 1949, and the new church was dedicated Dec. 10, 1950. Father Joseph Devaney became the first pastor.

“Mrs. Kelly’s name is at the foot of the cross above the altar,” said Bodie. “I remember being at the first Mass when the church opened,” she added.

Holy Redeemer extended its influence beyond Liberty City. In 1954, Father Devaney traveled to Opa-Locka, offering Mass to Catholics in that area, and St. Philip Neri Church was established. Another mission was founded in Richmond Heights, south of Miami-Dade County, and became Christ the King Church.

Holy Redeemer was a source of evangelization in Liberty City. The church is close to Liberty Square, which opened in 1937 as the first public housing initiative for African Americans in the South. Mercy Hospital set up a medical clinic at Holy Redeemer to serve the poor in the community. The clinic was open two days a week, with a nurse and a doctor providing medical care. Patients paid a $1 fee to cover the cost of medication.

“I remember my mother, Mildred Worthy, who is 104 years old now, walking through the projects to get people to come to church,” said Claire Worthy, 75.

In 1952, another dream became a reality when Holy Redeemer School opened. It was the first Catholic school for Black children in Liberty City. It served grades one through four and enrolled 35 children. The first classes took place in the church and parish hall. In 1954, the school moved into a two-story building with 150 students. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were the first teachers at the school.

“All of my sisters and brothers and my son, went to Holy Redeemer School and graduated from there,” said Doretha Poitier-Thomas.

Bernadette Poitier, 70, a Holy Redeemer School alumna, went on to teach math and science at the school. “I was the first African American to work in the Miami-Dade Public Schools superintendent’s office. Holy Redeemer formed me in my faith,” she added.

In 1960, the Josephite Society assumed the administration of the church and Josephite Father Thomas Sheedy, became the new pastor. The Oblate Sisters of Providence from Baltimore, Maryland, arrived to staff the school.

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate arrived at Holy Redeemer in 1990. Oblate Father Michael O’Hara was assigned as pastor of the church.

The school closed in 1990 due to high operating costs and declining enrollment. Catholic Charities now operates a day care center in the former school. The center serves approximately 140 preschoolers, infants and toddlers.

Spiritan Father Alexander Ekechukwu from the Congregation of the Holy Spirit arrived in 2013 to lead the church.

As part of the 75th anniversary Mass, Archbishop Thomas Wenski installed Father Emmanuel John Essiet as the new pastor. Father Essiet had previously served as the church administrator since 2024.

Father Essiet was born and ordained in Nigeria. He was a pastor, assistant chancellor and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Avezzano, Italy, before coming to Miami in 2019. He currently serves as a judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Miami.

“Thank you for your trust in me,” Father Essiet told Archbishop Wenski. “I will continue to do my best for this beautiful parish. We are grateful to Archbishop Hurley, who established Holy Redeemer Church to serve Black Catholics in the historical context of the time. Our gratitude goes also to all past pastors whose presence and ministry have contributed tremendously to the growth of our beloved community,” he said.

The new pastor extended his gratitude “to each and every one of you parishioners and your families for your unwavering spirit and tenacious faith, which have kept our community alive and active all these years.”