Tucked away but deeply rooted, St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church is stepping back into the spotlight under the leadership of its new pastor, Father John Paul. The missionary priest says his goal is not only to serve the faithful but also to remind Columbus that the church’s doors — and its mission — are wide open.
Barely a month into his new assignment, Father John Paul has already begun learning the heartbeat of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and the surrounding community.
Father John Paul, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria, arrived in Columbus after serving in parishes in Houston, North Carolina and other U.S. dioceses. Like many missionaries, he had no say in where he was sent. “We’re just like the military,” he explained. “The superior decides and says, ‘Father John Paul, you’re needed in this place,’ and you go.”
St. Benedict, located quietly off the beaten path in Columbus, is predominantly Black but open to all. With about 55 parishioners, many of them seniors, the congregation is known for its resilience and commitment. “Some come even in wheelchairs,” Father John Paul said. “They still serve, they still contribute. It tells me this is their church, and they’re ready to work and sacrifice for it.”…