Parish Mapping Project

Over the past few months, CHRC have been working on a parish mapping project. Taking inspiration from a similar project from the Archdiocese of Boston, we have constructed maps of what the parish boundaries used to look like over various times in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's past. The main goal

Continue reading

Beloved Cardinal Archbishop: John Francis O’Hara

Born on May 1, 1888 to John and Ellen in Ann Arbor Michigan, John Dillon O’Hara was the fourth of ten children. After his confirmation, he would go by John Francis after his patron St. Francis de Sales.[1] His family moved to South America when he was a child, living

Continue reading

Newman Centers

Newman Centers play a vital role in the spiritual growth of Catholics who attend non-Catholic universities  and colleges. The history of such centers is traced back to the University of Pennsylvania. In the year 1893, five students formed the first Newman Club with the purpose of giving “Catholic students at

Continue reading

Building of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a diocese must be in want of a cathedral. When the Diocese of Philadelphia was established in 1808, Bishop Michael Egan made Old St. Mary’s the first Cathedral of the diocese.[1] In 1837, Bishop Francis Kenrick tried to moved his seat to St.

Continue reading