First Mass

1733

Documentation

• Archdiocese of Philadelphia — About

Notes

Per Gilbert J. Garraghan, S.J. ("Catholic First Things in the United States," Mid-America, 1939), the first resident priest in Pennsylvania was Father Joseph Greaton, S.J., who was "Pennsylvania's first pastor." Garraghan records that Greaton "was pastor in Philadelphia where he built a chapel, 1733-1734." The Diocese of Philadelphia's website identifies this as Old Saint Joseph's Church, "the first Catholic church in Philadelphia." Garraghan also notes that Mass was said in Philadelphia as early as 1708 and "certainly said in Philadelphia at least as early as 1729," but the permanent structure and resident ministry date from Greaton's 1733 building.