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- Course name
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History of Black Catholics in the U.S.
- Summary
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Using the important history of Benedictine Rev. Cyprian Davis “The History of Black Catholics in the U.S.” as our foundation and launching point, we will investigate the history of the Catholic Church in the U.S. through the experience of black Catholics.
Course description: We will study American Catholicism through the lens of the experience of black Catholics as related to us primarily through Cyprian Davis, OSB, though augmented by other sources. We will study the history chronologically with a specific emphasis on some of the remarkable personalities that emerged over the decades, both in the Black community and in the Church in general. We will analyze strengths and weaknesses in how Catholics acted as leaven in society, or perhaps, where we did not. Finally, we will close with a discussion of the complex reality of “race” as a problematic term for dealing with the beautiful diversity of human beings made in the “Imago Dei”.
Instructor: Christopher Chapman
The History of Black Catholics in the United States 1990 ISBN 0-8245-1010-0, Crossroad Publishing Company
- Course name
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History of Black Catholics in the U.S.
- Instructor
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Christopher Chapman
- Semester
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Spring 2026
- Category
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History ➤ American History
- Grade levels
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High School
- Monitor
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Kevin Kiernan
- Start time
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January 26th, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET
- Course type
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Live
- Price
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$237
- Seats available
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25 seats available
- Seats remaining
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24 seats remaining
- Relative due dates
- Enhanced quiz security
- Enhanced assignment security
- This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections or purchasers of the course. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment, and in violation of US and International copyright laws.
- You may print or download to your own storage extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.
- Upon completion of the course, you must delete all copies of course materials from any storage on which you saved permissible extracts.
Total classes
Class dates
Starting time
Duration
Prerequisites
none
Suggested grade level
Suggested credit
Outline
Course outline:
Class 1, Jan. 26: Introduction, Initial Questions
Read Ch. 1 “African Roots”
Class 2, Feb 2: Read Ch. 2 “Catholic Settles and Catholic Slaves”
Class 3, Feb. 9: Read "Christ's Image in Black”
No class Feb. 16
Class 4, Feb. 23: Read Ch. 4 “A Golden Opportunity for a Harvest of Souls”
Class 5, Mar. 2: Read Ch. 5 “Shepherds With Black Skins”
Class 6, Mar. 9: Supplemental Reading: The Josephites and a Crisis of Confidence - in Jesus
Christ, the Gospel, and grace.
Class 7, Mar. 16: Ch. 6 “Shepherds with Black Skins”
Rev. Augustin Tolton
Class 8, Mar. 23: Ch. 7 “A Humble Experiment … an Entering Wedge”
Thomas Wyatt Turner
Class 9, Mar. 30: Ch. 8 “Black and Catholic”
No class April 6, Easter Monday
Class 10, April 13: Ch. 9 "Coming of Age”
Class 11, April 20: Mary Lou Williams Composer
Class 12, April 27: Closing Thoughts
Materials
Homework
Each week there will be a 30-40 page reading assignment along with 5 bullet points of interest/questions/commentary that the student thinks might be worthy of our attention for discussion.
Fees
For all 12 classes: $217 if you register on or before November 15; $237 if you register after Nov. 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $25 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)
Christopher Chapman
cchapman.hsc@gmail.com
Christopher started teaching HS religion in 1996 after obtaining his Masters in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Since then, he has taught a total of 17 years in the classroom with a 12-year stint working for the Diocese of Pittsburgh sandwiched in between the first eleven and the last six years teaching HS religion. Along the way he has taught a number of college courses and numerous adult classes.
He loves teaching. He loves harmonizing issues of Faith and reason. He loves exploring the good, the true, the beautiful, and the one while seeking out knowledge and wisdom. He teaches with a belief that the practical life and the life of the mind are not divided against each other. He is married to Emily Stimpson Chapman, has 3 wonderful children, and appreciates how the providence of God has brought all of this together.
Kevin Kiernan
About Kevin Kiernan
Mr. Kiernan has been with Homeschool Connections since 2018. As a classroom monitor, Mr. Kiernan has been teaching history, geography, science, mythology, religion, and literature before class through the pre-class Jeopardy games he produces. Mr. Kiernan is a Catholic husband and father to five children, with the youngest two using Homeschool Connections to finish their high school requirements.
Mr. Kiernan is a former competitive cross country and track & field athlete, competitive weight lifting athlete, CCS and WERA licensed motorcycle road racer, AMA motocross racer, and ATV Institute safety instructor. He is currently an NRA rifle, pistol, and shotgun instructor and competitive rifle and pistol, shooter. Mr. Kiernan studied mechanical engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He has owned several businesses in the Powersports industry, and is currently the owner of Redline Rentals LLC. He is an active stock market day trader.
Mr. Kiernan enjoys hiking with his dog, weight lifting, mountain biking, target shooting, and spending time with his family, as well as debating politics and religion.
© 2026 Homeschool Connections; Christopher Chapman. All Rights Reserved.
Violation of the above copyright policies may result in expulsion without any refund and/or legal action.