Fr. StephenTheobald
Stephen Theobald was born on this date in 1874. He was a Black journalist, priest, lawyer, and community activist.
He was born in British Guiana and educated at St. Stanislaus’ College, Queen’s College, and Cambridge University, England, where he got his law degree. Theobald worked briefly in Canada for the Montreal Star, where he befriended many Jesuits in whom he confided about his interest in becoming a priest. Because of this relationship, he was referred to St. Paul, Minnesota, and at the age of 31, he began a five-year curriculum toward ordination in 1905.
Ordained on June 8th, 1910, Theobald began as pastor at St. Peter Claver Church that September. He focused on the Rondo community, developing relationships, and providing education for young people. He was in demand as a speaker locally and nationally. His last recorded special sacramental celebration was a baptism on June 12, 1932. On the same date, a month later, Father Stephen Theobald died of peritonitis.
An Encyclopedia of African American Christian Heritage
by Marvin Andrew McMickle
Judson Press, Copyright 2002
ISBN 0-817014-02-0
