Sisters of Saint Joseph honored for restoring Saint Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse

The Sisters of Saint Joseph received the Adelaide Sanchez Award for Historic Preservation and Restoration from the St. Augustine City Commission on April 28, 2025, in recognition of the congregation’s multi-year effort to restore and repurpose the Saint Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse in Lincolnville.

The award, presented by a city official during the commission’s April meeting, honors work that preserves St. Augustine’s historic resources and commemorates Adelaide Sanchez, a native journalist whose estate funds the prize. The schoolhouse restoration was completed and the building reopened in March 2024; the commission’s citation reads “Adelaide Sanchez Award for Historic Preservation and Restoration presented to Sisters of Saint Joseph by the Saint Augustine City Commission on 04/28/2025.”

Adelaide Sanchez, a native of St. Augustine who worked for the St. Augustine Record from 1930 to 1943 before joining the Miami Herald, left proceeds from the later sale of her former home to support historic restoration, preservation, education and interpretation of St. Augustine history. The city created the Adelaide Sanchez Award in October 2013 to recognize individuals and organizations that contribute to those aims.

The presentation outlined the school’s history and the congregation’s role in Lincolnville. According to remarks at the podium, the Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived in St. Augustine in 1866 to educate newly freed people; the Saint Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse was built in 1898, served the Black community through segregation, and closed in 1964 as part of desegregation efforts. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and had fallen into serious disrepair before the recent restoration.

Frank Castillo, the city’s chief operating officer, praised the partnership behind the restoration and thanked city staff, the congregation, contractors and donors. “We could not have done this without you, and we are so happy that we are able to give back to the community a building that is so important to it,” Castillo said. He specifically thanked David Bertram (planning and zoning/HARB), Jamie Perkins and her team, general contractor John Benoit of Best Builders, and architect Don Kreschlow for their roles in the project.

The presentation cited a final restoration cost estimated at $707,500. It said restoration work began “Beginning in January 22” (as stated in the presentation) and that the Sisters, in collaboration with the Diocese of Saint Augustine, adapted the historic structure as the Saint Joseph Neighborhood Center to offer ministry and services focused on education, intergenerational mentoring and support for women and children.

Speakers noted episodes from the building’s past: during World War II the site served as a USO for Black soldiers; the church on the campus hosted a diocesan convention in 1941; and civil rights-era organizers used church facilities for planning. The presenter also related that in 1916 three sisters were briefly charged under a Florida law that purported to prohibit white teachers from instructing Black students; the charges were dropped because the law did not apply to private schools, the presentation said.

The commission’s presentation concluded with the formal reading of the award citation, remarks from Sister Kathleen and community partners, and a photo session. City officials and congregation representatives said they expect the restored building to continue serving Lincolnville residents.

The program closed with a ceremonial photograph and an announcement that the commission would reconvene at 5:00 p.m.