| 1734 |
In Philadelphia, a Catholic chapel, St. Joseph’s, is opened by Jesuits |
| 1753 |
Two bells are cast at the Whitechapel bell foundry in London, England. Both are sent to America, and both are hung in the Pennsylvania State House. One of these two later will become famous as the “Liberty Bell.” The other one will become known as the “Sister Bell” |
| 1763 |
St. Mary’s Catholic Church is built in Philadelphia |
| 1776 |
Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia |
| 1787 |
Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia, in Independence Hall |
| 1789 |
The first Catholic Diocese in the United States is created in Baltimore, to serve the nation’s approximately 35,000 Catholics (out of a total population of about 4 million). The first Bishop is John Carroll, a Jesuit born in America
Bishop Carroll appeals to the religious communities in Europe, including those in Ireland, for priests to serve his far-flung Diocese
George Washington is inaugurated as first President of the United States, in New York City |
| 1790 |
Philadelphia, the largest city in the United States, becomes its temporary capital |
| 1795 |
On November 21, in response to Bishop Carroll’s appeal, the Prior General gives Father Matthew Carr, OSA, Prior of the Dublin Community, permission “to preach the Word of God” in America |
| 1796 |
Father Carr, with his new credentials and the blessings of his Provincial and the Archbishop of Dublin, sails for America on February 29
On Monday, April 18, Father Carr arrives in Philadelphia, where he begins the first Augustinian foundation in the United States
Father Carr successfully raises money for the construction of a new Catholic church from a number of contributors, including President George Washington, Commodore John Barry, Congressman Thomas FitzSimons, and the financier Stephen Girard
In July, Father Carr, on behalf of the new Augustinian foundation, purchases land, at Fourth and Vine Streets, on which the new St. Augustine Church will be built. It is the same land on which St. Augustine Church stands today
On August 27, in Rome, the Augustinian General Council formally authorizes the American venture, creating a new Province in the United States under the patronage of Our Mother of Good Counsel
In September, the cornerstone of St. Augustine Church is laid |
| 1797 |
Michael Hurley of Philadelphia, the first candidate to join the Augustinian Order in the United States, sails to Italy for his religious education
In March, John Adams becomes President, taking the oath of office at Congress Hall, Sixth and Chestnut Streets |
| 1799 |
George Washington dies at Mount Vernon, on December 14 |
| 1800 |
In Philadelphia, on February 22 at St. Mary’s Church, Father Carr, OSA, gives a memorable eulogy for George Washington
The national capital moves from Philadelphia to the new city of Washington, District of Columbia |
| 1801 |
On June 7, St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia opens for worship
Thomas Jefferson becomes President |
| 1802 |
Father Carr becomes a United States citizen |
| 1803 |
Father Michael Hurley, OSA, having been ordained in Italy, returns to Philadelphia |
| 1804 |
Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the first religious order to be incorporated in the United States |
| 1809 |
James Madison becomes President |
| 1812-1815 |
War of 1812 |
| 1817 |
James Monroe becomes President |
| 1820 |
Father Matthew Carr, OSA, dies |
| 1822 |
Denis Kelly and his wife donate the land near Cobb’s Creek, Pennsylvania, on which St. Denis Church later will be built |
| 1823 |
Nicholas O’Donnell enters the Augustinian Order in Ireland |
| 1825 |
John Quincy Adams becomes President |
| 1828 |
Father Michael Hurley, OSA, the sole Augustinian in the United States since 1820, is joined in Philadelphia by Father William O’Donnell, OSA, and his brother, Father Nicholas O’Donnell, OSA. Each had been ordained in Italy earlier in the year |
| 1829 |
Bell tower is added to St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia
Andrew Jackson becomes President |
| 1830 |
The “Sister Bell” to the Liberty Bell is transferred by the City of Philadelphia to St. Augustine Church, and into the perpetual care of the Augustinians |
| 1832 |
James O'Donnell enters the Augustinian Order, in Philadelphia. He will be the first Augustinian to make profession of vows and be ordained a priest in the American mission
Father Michael Hurley, OSA, is publicly praised by Philadelphia authorities for his “humane and fearless attention to the sick and dying” during Philadelphia’s cholera epidemic of 1832 |
| 1833 |
In January, the Catholic Herald of Philadelphia first appears. Father Nicholas O’Donnell, OSA, is editor |
| 1837 |
Father Michael Hurley, OSA, dies, at St. Augustine Church
Martin van Buren becomes President |
| 1839 |
On July 1, the Bishop of New York appoints Father Nicholas O’Donnell, OSA, Pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Brooklyn, New York and declares St. Paul’s “to be a church of the Order of St. Augustine.” This is the second OSA foundation in the United States |
| 1841 |
William Henry Harrison becomes President
Harrison dies; John Tyler becomes President
On October 13, Bel Air, the estate of the Rudolph family, is purchased by the Augustinians for $18,000. It is intended to be a center of Augustinian life and formation, a place to establish an organized program of education for the priesthood, and an academy for Catholic boys, one that would be a probable source of vocations. On the property was a farm, the sale of whose produce would generate revenue for the Province
(Bel Air is the site of Villanova University) |
| 1843 |
St. Thomas of Villanova College is inaugurated, and the first classes begin. William Harnett, OSA, is among the new recruits. A Novitiate is canonically erected, and rules of common life are spelled out and officially sanctioned. Villanova thus becomes the center of the American Augustinian foundation, and it will remain so for more than 70 years |
| 1844 |
At the beginning of this year, there are 12 Augustinian friars in the United States. By the end of the year, there are 14
On May 8, Saint Augustine Church, Philadelphia, is burned to the ground by “Nativist” rioters. Fathers Francis Ashe, James O’Donnell, and Thomas Kyle, all OSA, are temporarily trapped in the rectory but escape. Losses include many books and a number of irreplaceable paintings. The “Sister Bell” is badly damaged |
| 1845 |
James Polk becomes President |
| 1847 |
Cornerstone of the replacement (and the present) St. Augustine Church is laid by Philadelphia Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick
Fragments of the Sister Bell are recast. The refashioned bell then is sent to the Augustinian Community at Villanova, where it remains today
On November 27, St. Augustine Church is awarded $47,433.87 in its civil action against the City and County of Philadelphia for the church’s destruction during the riots of May 1844 |
| 1848 |
Villanova College is formally incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Father John Possidius O'Dwyer, OSA , is named the first President of Villanova College
Bishop Kenrick of Philadelphia consecrates the rebuilt St. Augustine Church, on November 5
Augustinian foundations are established in the Boston Diocese, at Lawrence and Andover, Massachusetts. Father James O’Donnell, OSA, is sent to Lawrence |
| 1849 |
Zachary Taylor becomes President |
| 1850 |
Taylor dies; Millard Fillmore becomes President |
| 1851 |
Dr. Patrick Moriarty, OSA , is named President of Villanova. He will serve in this office until 1854 |
| 1853 |
Augustinians assume the care of the Church of St. Denis, Cobb’s Hill (or Cobb’s Creek), in present-day Havertown, Pennsylvania
Franklin Pierce becomes President |
| 1855 |
Augustinians found Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Dr. Moriarty blesses the cornerstone
The Augustinians found St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| 1857 |
Villanova College classes are suspended, due to a number of financial problems and personnel shortages. The college classes will not resume until the end of the Civil War, in 1865
James Buchanan becomes President |
| 1858 |
The Augustinians are invited to assume the care of St. John’s Church in Lansingburg, New York (now St. Augustine, Troy, New York) and also of St. Mary’s Church in Waterford, New York |
| 1859 |
Augustinians found St. John the Baptist Church, in Schaghticoke, New York |
| 1861 |
Father James O’Donnell, OSA, dies, in Lawrence, Massachusetts
Abraham Lincoln becomes President
Firing on Fort Sumter; Civil War begins |
| 1865 |
Lincoln assassinated; Andrew Johnson becomes President
Villanova College classes resume. Dr. Ambrose Mullan, OSA, is named President of Villanova as well as Prior of the Villanova religious community. He serves as President from 1865 to 1869
Father Thomas Middleton, OSA, joins the Villanova faculty, on which he will serve for the next 58 years, until his death in 1923
Father Pacifico Neno, OSA , is made Prefect of Studies at Villanova, in which position he will remain until 1880
Father Francis Sheeran, OSA, joins the Villanova faculty, on which he will serve until 1898. During four of these years, he will be President of Villanova |
| 1867 |
The first weekend spiritual retreat for the entire Augustinian Community in the United States is held. The Community numbers 44 friars |
| 1869 |
Ulysses S. Grant becomes President |
| 1870 |
The Augustinian Society of the State of New York is incorporated
In July, the Augustinians establish St. Joseph Parish in Greenwich, New York |
| 1874 |
On August 25, an American Province is formally established, under the patronage of St. Thomas of Villanova. The decree of foundation for the Province is issued on this day by the Prior General, with the consent of his Council
On April 17, the Augustinians assume the pastoral care of St. James Minor Parish in Cathage, New York
On December 15, the first Provincial Chapter convenes at Villanova. Father Thomas Galberry, OSA , is elected the first Prior Provincial |
| 1875 |
Dr. Moriarty gives his last lecture, at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, on March 17. He dies at the Villanova Monastery on July 10 |
| 1876 |
On March 19, Father Thomas Galberry, OSA, is ordained Bishop of Hartford, Connecticut. Father Patrick A. Stanton, OSA , is appointed Prior Provincial |
| 1877 |
Rutherford B. Hayes becomes President |
| 1878 |
Father Pacifico Neno, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1880 |
Father Neno is called to Rome, to take over the government of the Augustinian Order. Father Stanton is appointed to replace him as Prior Provincial. |
| 1881 |
James Garfield becomes President |
| 1882 |
Father Christopher A. McEvoy, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1883 |
At Villanova, construction of St. Thomas of Villanova Church begins |
| 1885 |
Grover Cleveland becomes President
Augustinians found the parish of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania |
| 1887 |
On July 23, the newly-completed St. Thomas of Villanova Church is blessed by Philadelphia Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan |
| 1889 |
Benjamin Harrison becomes President
Father James D. Waldron, OSA, is appointed Prior Provincial |
| 1890 |
Father Waldron is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1893 |
Grover Cleveland becomes President again |
| 1894 |
First visitation in the United States by a Prior General is made by Father Sebastian Martinelli, OSA. (In 1901, Father Martinelli will be created a Cardinal)
Father Charles Mary Driscoll, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1896 |
William McKinley becomes President
Electric lights first appear at Villanova |
| 1897 |
The Augustinians, in response to the appeal of Philadelphia Archbishop Patrick Ryan for pastoral care for the many thousands of Italian immigrants then arriving in America with little money or knowledge of English, initiate a mission enterprise in South Philadelphia. This activity later will grow into the Vice Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Philadelphia |
| 1898 |
Spanish-American War
Father John J. Fedigan, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1899 |
Two friars from the Province go to Cuba, to assume the care of San Agustín Chapel. This is the first foreign mission of the American Augustinians
The first telephone at Villanova is installed in the President’s office
On April 1, ground is broken at Villanova for the construction of a new monastery
The first Catholic high school on Staten Island, New York, is founded by the Augustinians, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish |
| 1901 |
McKinley assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt becomes President
At Villanova, the new St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery is completed and occupied. In September, New College Hall opens its doors to students |
| 1902 |
The old monastery, the Rudolph Mansion, at Villanova is renovated and reopened for seminarians. It soon becomes known as St. Rita’s Hall
Father Martin J. Geraghty, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1905 |
In May, Father James F. Green, OSA, is sent to Chicago at the invitation of the Archbishop of Chicago, thus becoming the first Augustinian to serve in the Midwestern United States |
| 1906 |
The Augustinians establish St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx, New York City |
| 1907 |
The Augustinians establish St. Rita Parish on Broad Street in Philadelphia |
| 1909 |
William Howard Taft becomes President |
| 1912 |
At Villanova, St. Rita’s Hall, the former Rudolph Mansion, is destroyed by fire. Construction of a new seminary building begins. It becomes known as St. Mary’s Hall, or Corr Hall
Italian Augustinians establish St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, in South Philadelphia |
| 1913 |
Woodrow Wilson becomes President |
| 1914 |
Father Nicholas J. Murphy, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1917-1918 |
U.S. in World War I |
| 1917 |
Father Charles Mary Driscoll, OSA, once again serves as Prior Provincial |
| 1918 |
Father Nicholas J. Vasey, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1919 |
On October 1, a house at 1041 Lawrence Street in the District of Columbia, near Catholic University, is purchased by the Augustinians and named Augustinian College. Theological students then at St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova, are sent there, to study at Catholic University and have a house of studies for theology. This move ends a period of more than 70 years when all the houses of formation were at Villanova
In December, part of the Robinson estate, on Harewood Road near Catholic University, is purchased by the Augustinians. It will be the permanent site of Augustinian College |
| 1920 |
Father Charles Mary Driscoll, OSA, is elected fourth Assistant General, thus becoming the first American-born Augustinian to serve as a member of the General Curia |
| 1921 |
Warren G. Harding becomes President |
| 1921-1925 |
Foundations are begun in California, at San Diego (including St. Augustine High School and St. Patrick Parish), Ojai (including Villanova Preparatory School and the Parish of St. Thomas of Aquinas), and Los Angeles (including the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Hollywood). These later will become part of a new California Province |
| 1922 |
Minor seminary is moved from Villanova to the high school at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, New York
The Augustinian seminary community in Washington, D.C., moves from the Lawrence Street house into the new St. Augustine College building, constructed on the site of the previously-acquired Robinson estate |
| 1923 |
The Augustinian College of the District of Columbia is incorporated, to enhance the education of Augustinian seminarians who have completed their Novitiate
The Academy at Villanova is moved to Malvern, Pennsylvania, thus beginning Malvern Preparatory School
The high school at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, Staten Island, New York, becomes Augustinian Academy
Harding dies; Calvin Coolidge becomes President |
| 1925 |
The Vice Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Philadelphia, is established
Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate is established, in New Hamburg, New York |
| 1926 |
Father Daniel A. Herron, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1929 |
Herbert Hoover becomes President |
| 1930 |
On August 28, in Washington, D.C., the cornerstone is laid for a larger building at Augustinian College |
| 1932 |
On August 2, the 1899 monastery at Villanova is almost totally destroyed by fire, although the present St. Thomas Hall survives
Father Mortimer A. Sullivan, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1933 |
Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President |
| 1938 |
At the 1938 Chapter meeting, a commission is established to pursue the creation of a new Midwestern province
Father John T. Sheehan, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1941 |
On April 26, the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Chicago) is created. Father Patrick Kehoe, OSA, is designated Commissary Provincial. Existing Augustinian foundations in the Midwestern United States are placed in the care the new Province |
| 1941-1945 |
U.S. in World War II |
| 1944 |
Father Mortimer Sullivan, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 1945 |
Roosevelt dies; Harry S Truman becomes President |
| 1946 |
Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva is established in Havana, Cuba |
| 1947 |
General Chapter elects Father Joseph A. Hickey, OSA, Prior General. He is the first American member of the Order to hold this office, in which he will serve from 1947 to 1953
The Augustinian College of The Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, is founded, and the Monastery of Our Mother of Good Counsel is built there |
| 1948 |
A new chapel is built at the Novitiate in New Hamburg, New York |
| 1949 |
Father John T. Sheehan, OSA, again serves as Prior Provincial |
| 1950 |
Father Joseph M. Dougherty, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial, in which office he will serve until his death in 1954 |
| 1951 |
Archbishop John Carroll High School opens in Washington, D.C |
| 1952 |
A foreign mission field is established by this province in Nagasaki, Japan |
| 1953 |
Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President
Ste. Genevieve’s Church, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, is established from the Chestnut Hill foundation
Monsignor Bonner High School opens in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania |
| 1954 |
Father Henry E. Greenlee, OSA, is appointed Rector Provincial. In 1956, he is elected Prior Provincial and will serve until 1959 |
| 1957 |
A new California Vice Province is erected |
| 1958 |
A new house is built at Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, to accommodate the increasing number of vocations |
| 1959 |
Father James A. Donnellon, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial and will serve until 1965 |
| 1961 |
John F. Kennedy becomes President
Augustinian foundations in Cuba are terminated by the Castro regime, although one Catholic priest, Father John McKniff, OSA, is permitted to remain in Cuba
The Archbishop of Miami, Florida, asks the Augustinians to found a college in the Miami area. They do so, and it is named Biscayne College
Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Massachusetts, is founded |
| 1962 |
At Villanova, the construction of a new seminary building, St. Mary’s Hall, is begun |
| 1963 |
Kennedy assassinated; Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President |
| 1964 |
In a joint venture, the Midwestern and St. Thomas of Villanova Provinces establish a foreign mission field in the Prelature of Chulucanas, Peru. The Midwest Province assumes control of the corporate structure |
| 1965 |
Father James G. Sherman, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial and will serve until 1968 |
| 1968 |
Father John McKniff, OSA, leaves Cuba to come to the United States for medical treatment. The Castro regime does not permit him to return
Father Edward L. Daley, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial and will serve until 1971 |
| 1969 |
On March 17, the Province of St. Augustine is established in California. Father John F. Blethen, OSA, is named Prior Provincial and serves in this office until 1975. Existing Augustinian foundations in the Western United States are placed in the care this new Province
Richard M. Nixon becomes President
The Augustinians close Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, and in the same structure open Mount Augustine Apostolic Center |
| 1971 |
Father Harry A. Cassel, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial. He will serve in this office until 1979 |
| 1972 |
St. Mary’s Hall, theretofore a seminary, is leased to Villanova University and converted into a residence hall. The formation program is moved to four houses on Lancaster Avenue |
| 1974 |
Nixon resigns; Gerald Ford becomes President |
| 1977 |
Jimmy Carter becomes President |
| 1979 |
Father Robert M. Wesson, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial. He will serve in this office until 1981 |
| 1981 |
Father Joseph A. Duffey, OSA, becomes Rector Provincial. He will serve in this office until 1982
Ronald Reagan becomes President |
| 1982 |
Father Joseph A. Duffey, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial and will serve in this office until 1990 |
| 1983 |
Biscayne College, Miami, Florida, becomes St. Thomas of Villanova University. The name later will be changed to St. Thomas University |
| 1988 |
Augustinians withdraw their sponsorship of St. Thomas University and relinquish it to the Archbishop of Miami |
| 1989 |
George H. W. Bush becomes President |
| 1990 |
Father John J. Hagen, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial. He will serve in this office until 1994 |
| 1993 |
Bill Clinton becomes President |
| 1994 |
Father John E. Deegan, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial. He will serve in this office until 2002
The Vice Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel is suppressed. Its assets are merged with those of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, with the exception of the parish of Our Lady of Pompeii, East Vineland, New Jersey, which is relinquished to the Bishop of Camden. This Province, accordingly, assumes from the former Vice Province the care of St. Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, New Jersey, and St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Philadelphia
The Provincial Chapter – the first Provincial Chapter of the Whole (where every Friar is a Capitular) in the Province’s two centuries of existence – decides to seek to reclaim the Province’s original mission, to meet the needs of the Church. It does this by determining to relinquish selected apostolates and also open new foundations |
| 1997 |
This Province establishes a foreign mission field in South Africa |
| 1997-2005 |
As a consequence of the 1994 Chapter, the Province relinquishes several foundations in New York, New England, Pennsylvania and Florida and opens foundations in North Carolina and Florida |
| 2001 |
George W. Bush becomes President |
| 2002 |
Father Robert F. Prevost, OSA, of the Midwestern Province, is elected Prior General
Father Donald F. Reilly, OSA, is elected Prior Provincial |
| 2006 |
Father Donald F. Reilly, OSA, is re-elected Prior Provincial |
| 2009 |
Barack Obama becomes President |
| 2010 |
Fr. Anthony M. Genovese, OSA is elected Prior Provincial |
| 2012 |
The Federation of Augustinians of North America (FANA) is established on February 22, as the Prior General and his Council in Rome approved the Federation and statutes. |