St. Michael's History at 1445 N. 2nd street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 US - St. Michael's After The Nativist Riots

VERY REVEREND TERENCE J. DONAGHOE

First Pastor of St. Michael's Church

Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity

of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 AFTER THE RIOTS - A NEW BEGINNING

On the fly-leaf of the new baptismal register, Father Donaghoe wrote:

"The Registry of Baptisms and Marriages was burnt with the Church on the eighth day of May by a mob who afterwards burnt the parsonage house of clergy. They afterwards proceeded to the Sister Seminary on the corner of Second and Phoenix Streets, which they destroyed. Also, the same evening the Church of St. Augustine's, its library and parsonage house, were all in ruins before 11 o'clock. The intimidation to all who profess the Catholic Faith still continues, yet it is hoped that the sound and considerate portion of Society will be fully able to arrest this outrage, and leave us still that freedom of religous worship, which heretofore was the pride of the American Republic.

June 10th 1844

Terence J. Donaghoe

Pastor of St. Michael's."

 

A temporary church is now, thank God, erected close to the site old St. Michael's. This house is erected in honor of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin and Mother of Consolation - Cosolation of the afflicted pray for us.

TJD