Venerable Pierre Toussaint

The Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766 – June 30, 1853) was an Haitian slave who, upon his emancipation, became New York City's top hairdresser during the Federal Period. Pope John Paul made him Venerable, the step before Beatification, in 1996.

Once the Bérard family emigrated to New York City with Pierre, he was apprenticed to one of New York's leading hairdressers. He was so successful that he fed and clothed the Bérards out of his own pocket once the family had fallen on hard times.

After his emancipation, Pierre became a very popular hairdresser among the upper echelon of New York society. He fell in love with Juliette Noel, a Haitian slave, and purchased her freedom. Together they financed several philanthropic organizations for New York City's poor. They created an orphanage, a credit bureau, an employment agency and refuge for priests and poor immigrants and travelers.

Toussaint also helped raise money to build Old St. Patrick's Cathedral on Mulberry Street; New York City's first cathedral.

Two years later after his wife's death, Pierre died on June 30, 1853, at the age of 87. He was buried alongside his wife and adopted daughter, Euphemia in the cemetery of Old St. Patrick's on Mott Street.

Once his cause for sainthood was furthered, his remains were re-interred in New York City's new cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral's crypt on 5th Avenue. He is the only lay person so honored.