Archbishop Ryan

...s also active in expanding ministry work for the marginalized. He opened a number of institutions, including, St. Joseph’s House for Homeless Industrious Boys and the Philadelphia Protectory for Boys (now St. Gabriel’s Hall) in 1888 and 1895, respectively.[10] Ryan was also active in labor relations, working on a number

Continue reading

Parish and School Closing

...60% of registered members from 1970 to 1990. Due to this and lingering financial concerns, in 1993 eight parishes in North Philadelphia would close and consolidate into two new ones: Our Lady of Hope and St. Martin de Porres. In Chester, all six parishes in the city would merge into

Continue reading

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

...a in 1914.[8] By 1920 over $160,000 had been collected to fund the shrine, with contributions increasing over the decade so that by 1933 over $3 million had been raised.[9] One interesting aspect of the fundraisers was that much of the effort was marketed and geared to women, with Shahan

Continue reading

Philadelphia’s First Catholic Cathedral

...cemetery for Old St. Joseph’s, Old St. Mary’s was referred to as “Mission Number 1” as St. Joseph’s was seen as the principal place of worship. The church was originally 50 feet by 80 feet and the entrance was through 5th street. Both George Washington and John Adams attended Vespers

Continue reading