The Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese is exploring establishing a shrine to honor the Rev. Augustine Tolton, the first publicly recognized American Catholic priest of African descent and a former slave.

Last week, Pope Francis declared Tolton, who ministered in Quincy, "venerable," moving Tolton a step closer to being declared a saint by the church.

One possible location could be the now-shuttered St. Boniface Church in Quincy.

Andrew Hansen, a spokesman for the Springfield diocese, said it will be launching a website dedicated to the proposed shrine. The goal is to have a gift shop at the location.

"We do not have a time table on when a shrine could open," Hansen said. "That mainly depends on the fundraising response."

“Venerable” recognizes that Tolton led a heroic life of Christian virtue. If a miraculous healing attributable to Tolton’s intercession is found to have occurred, he would be declared “blessed.” Another miracle would make him a saint, a first for the Springfield diocese.