Our September lecture by Dr. Thomas Rzeznik featured St. Vincent’s Hospital, an institution that began with a simple, but radical mission: to care for all those in need regardless of race, creed, or financial means. It served as a testament to the vision and labor of the Sisters of Charity...
Check out our 2026 newsletter to learn about the American Catholic Historical Society, our recent activities, and schedule of events for the upcoming 2026-27 year! Members will receive their print copy in the mail. We invite you to share the newsletter with family, friends, associates, and anyone who might be...
In honor of the 250 anniversary of the founding of the United States, the ACHS is displaying a new exhibit at the society house featuring “Revolutionary Catholics.” The exhibit highlights Catholic contributions to the revolutionary struggle and the founding of a new nation, as well as the way that the...
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Catholic Philly featured a series of articles celebrating the enduring contributions of Catholics to our nation’s history. Three of the articles were researched and written by ACHS board members, Thomas Rzeznik and Patrick Shank. We hope these will...
As we celebrate the sesquicentennial of our country and the many firsts of Philadelphia, we recognize some of the “facts and firsts” of the Archdiocese and Philadelphia Catholics that made a significant difference in the birth and life of our country. Early Catholic Life 1. One of the earliest public...
Thank you to all those who joined our May lecture by Darrin Pufall Purdy (Boise State University). In the presentation, Purdy described his work documenting and replicating a traditional habit of the Sisters of Charity of New York. The presentation was recorded in case you missed it.
The ACHS is pleased to announce that Tracy Davidson will serve as emcee for the 2026 Commodore John Barry Award Dinner on November 24. A celebrated Philadelphia journalist and 15-time Emmy Award–winning former NBC10 anchor, Davidson brings more than three decades of storytelling, community engagement, and leadership to the event....
The ACHS Research Travel Grant is offered to support scholars and researchers working on any project related to American Catholic history who need to conduct research in any archive, library, or repository in the five-county Philadelphia area. Philip Chivily, a doctoral student in history at Baylor University, is researching the...
Chris Gibbons, member of the ACHS Board of Managers, was recently interviewed by Dave Parker of Holy Spirit Radio about his upcoming book, “Aflame is the West,” where he discusses his search for the alumni of Roman Catholic High School who gave their lives in World War I. Listen to...
Thank you to all those who joined our January lecture by Deacon Alex Solsma, “Chaplain Kane: The Life and Ministry of Stalag 17’s POW Priest.” In February 1943, Stephen Kane, an Irish-born Catholic military chaplain from Iowa, was captured by the Germans in North Africa. He declined repatriation so he...