Msgr. William J. Rodgers, the first black man ordained for and in the Diocese of Brooklyn, died Jan. 21 at Queen of Peace Residence, Queens Village, where he had been living and serving as chaplain. He was 95.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 24 at Queen of Peace Residence.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he was baptized in St. Peter Claver Church, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and attended Cathedral College, Brooklyn, and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington. He was ordained June 11, 1949 by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
He served as an assistant at St. Peter Claver, Bedford-Stuyvesant, 1949-52; St. Benedict the Moor, Jamaica, 1952-56; and St. Patrick, Fort Greene, 1956-69.
In 1969, he was appointed as administrator of St. Patrick. From 1973 to 1986, he served as pastor of St. Lucy-St. Patrick.
He received the title of monsignor in 1982.
In 1987, he was named chaplain at Queen of Peace Residence.
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. Joseph A. Nugent, who also delivered the homily.
“I first met him when I was at Our Lady of Victory (Bedford-Stuyvesant) in 1971,” recalled Msgr. Nugent.
“He was the first black priest ordained to the diocese and he was proud of that. He was a very humble man. He lived a low-key life. He was extremely intelligent but did not brag or have his degrees on display to put in people’s faces,” Msgr. Nugent said.
“He loved the church and he loved God. He was always ready to help those who needed it.”
There were no immediate survivors. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.
I remember Father Rodgers. He was a wonderful man. I attended St. Patricks Grammar School. My condolences!
I remember when I was young,many a time my family would go to him for help.
I was sorry to hear of Fr. Rodgers’ passing. He was a wonderful priest. I went to St. Patrick’s school also. God bless his soul and may he rest in peace after a good, blessed and long life.
As a student in St. Patrick’s school and an alter boy (1956-64) I remember Father Rodgers well. What a wonderful person he was. I am sure his guidance and kindness is remembered by a countless number of individuals (students and adults) who were part of the St. Patrick’s school and parish. I remember those alter boy trips to Olympic Park in NJ!
Rest In Peace—from the Dorsey family from Brooklyn.
Monsignor Rodgers was a humble man who was filled with grace. I remember when he gave me a tour of the Queen of Peace Residence and I met many of the residents who were comforted in his presence. My father was very close to him since they were cousins and my mother used to make him Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner until they both passed away. Those memories will stay with me forever, remembering his smile, his humility and his friendship.
Rest In Peace Father Rogers. My twin brother and I went to St. Patrick’s from 1960 to 1968. You were and are a caring priest. My mom and dad bought you your favorite cigars for Christmas for a few years. You will be surely missed, but I know you are in heaven watching over all of us and now you are with my mom and dad in heaven, plus all of the other Individuals who knew you too. Love, Toni