History will come to life inside Holy Trinity Catholic Church when the church hosts "Tolton: From Slave to Priest." The one-man drama will be performed by actor Jim Coleman on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the church, 409 Cherry St., Columbia. The performance is free, but a freewill offering will be received.

The play is based on the life of Father Augustus Tolton, the first Black priest. Tolton was born a slave on a farm in Missouri in 1854, before his mother risked everything to reach freedom in Illinois with her three small children. Despite facing hardships and prejudice in his new home, Tolton pursued his desire to become a Catholic priest. He was rejected by every seminary in the United States, but he did not give up. Instead, he was ordained in Rome and returned to the United States, ministering to people of all races, especially former slaves in Chicago. Tolton viewed the Catholic Church as an antidote to discrimination, emphasizing that he learned forgiveness for his persecutors through the church.

The play will be presented by St. Luke Productions, a company that creates live dramas, films, radio shows and more. Gerald Nikolaus, program coordinator, first learned about St. Luke Productions in 2013 when he was looking for production companies that specialized in quality Christian-themed shows.

"Our uniquely beautiful English Gothic church, with its 60-foot-high nave ceiling, had shown in the past that it was the perfect religious theatrical venue," he said. It took seven years for Nikolaus to bring the first St. Luke show to the church, when "Faustina" was performed just before the pandemic shut down live theater in March of 2020.

When he learned the company was staging "Tolton," Nikolaus reached out again and was able to schedule a Columbia performance.

The show is hosted by the Holy Name Society, a male-only organization within the church with roots dating to 1274. The society teaches devotion to Jesus, promotes spiritual and corporal works of mercy, assists with parish fundraising efforts and operates several committees, including sponsorship of educational and spiritually enlightening programs, Nikolaus explained.

He encourages people to come to the show to learn more about a man whose faith impacted thousands.

"The true story is compelling and shows that no part of society in the mid-1800s was exempt from the sting of racial prejudice," he stated. "It exhibits the power of the human will, with God's grace, to accomplish a heavenly goal. Augustus Tolton actually conquers the hardened hearts of his time."

"Tolton: From Slave to Priest" is suitable for people age 10 and up. For more information, visit http://www.holytrinitycolumbiapa.com or call 717-684-2711.