Philadelphia’s First Bishop

...and Bardstown, Kentucky were established. The newly formed Diocese of Philadelphia encompassed all of Pennsylvania and Delaware, and the southern half of New Jersey. Just two years later, the Diocese of Philadelphia had approximately 11 priests, 16 churches and 30,000 Catholics. Archbishop Carroll nominated Reverend Michael Egan as the first

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Archbishop Ryan

...lee of the Most Reverend Patrick John Ryan, D.D., LL.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia, (Philadelphia: St. Dominic’s Rectory, 1897), 215. [4] Cowley, Silver Jubilee, 215. [5] Kirlin, Golden Jubilee, 12. [6] Kirlin, Golden Jubilee, 32 & 34. [7] Ryan, His Life and Times, 172 [8] “Dedication of The Roman Catholic High

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Parish and School Closing

...2, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua announced plans to examine the closing of a number of parishes in North Philadelphia and the city of Chester. Both areas saw a major decrease in parishioners, with both areas losing around 60% of registered members from 1970 to 1990. Due to this and lingering financial

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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

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