St. Mary's Seminary and University
Encyclopedia
St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Roman Catholic
seminary
in Baltimore, Maryland
; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.
with the right to grant degrees in the name of the Holy See
when Pope Pius VII
established it as a seminary
in 1822. The seminary was founded by the Sulpician Fathers
, and continues to be operated by that community. The seminary's original chapel
was designed by Maximilian Godefroy
and is still standing, adjacent to the Mother Seton House
where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
lived while in Baltimore. Its influence grew in the late 19th century thanks to the influential educator Alphonse Magnien
, who served as superior from 1878 to 1902.
St. Mary's moved to the Roland Park section of Baltimore in 1929. In 1974, the seminary's name was changed to St. Mary's Seminary and University. Fr. Robert F. Leavitt retired as president rector in spring 2007, having served at that position for 27 years—the longest tenure of any president rector in the school's history.
The Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary's, founded in 1968, offers graduate degrees and certificates in a denominationally and ethnically diverse adult learning environment. Dr. Michael Gorman, a United Methodist and noted Pauline scholar, is the EI's dean as well as a Professor of Sacred Scripture at the seminary.
The seminary sits on a 40 acres (16.2 ha) campus.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.
History
Founded in 1791 as a Catholic seminary, and chartered as a civil college by the state of Maryland in 1805, St. Mary's became the first ecclesiastical faculty in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the right to grant degrees in the name of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
when Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
established it as a seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in 1822. The seminary was founded by the Sulpician Fathers
Society of Saint-Sulpice
The Society of Saint-Sulpice is a Catholic Society of Apostolic Life named for Eglise Saint-Sulpice, Paris, in turn named for St. Sulpitius the Pious. Typically, priests become members of the Society of St. Sulpice only after ordination and some years of pastoral work. Uniquely, Sulpicians retain...
, and continues to be operated by that community. The seminary's original chapel
St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
St. Mary's Seminary Chapel, located at 600 North Paca Street in Baltimore, Maryland, is the oldest Neo-Gothic style church in the United States. It was built from 1806 through 1808 by French architect Maximilian Godefroy for the Sulpician priests of St. Mary's Seminary. Godefroy claimed that his...
was designed by Maximilian Godefroy
Maximilian Godefroy
Maximilian Godefroy was an architect born about 1770 in France. During the French Revolution he fought on the Royalist side, was imprisoned in the fortress of Bellegarde, then released about 1805 and allowed to come to the United States. He later relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where became an...
and is still standing, adjacent to the Mother Seton House
Mother Seton House
Mother Seton House is a historic home located on the grounds of St. Mary’s Seminary at Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is a -story red brick house that is similar to other small homes built in the early 19th century for the predominantly French community nearby...
where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church . She established Catholic communities in Emmitsburg, Maryland....
lived while in Baltimore. Its influence grew in the late 19th century thanks to the influential educator Alphonse Magnien
Alphonse Magnien
Alphonse Magnien was the superior at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland from 1878 to 1902. He exerted a considerable influence on Roman Catholic seminary education in the United States....
, who served as superior from 1878 to 1902.
St. Mary's moved to the Roland Park section of Baltimore in 1929. In 1974, the seminary's name was changed to St. Mary's Seminary and University. Fr. Robert F. Leavitt retired as president rector in spring 2007, having served at that position for 27 years—the longest tenure of any president rector in the school's history.
Institutes and facilities
The Knott Library at St. Mary's Seminary and University houses the collected papers of the eminent Johannine scholar and St. Mary's graduate, Fr. Raymond E. Brown S.S. (S.T.B., 1951).The Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary's, founded in 1968, offers graduate degrees and certificates in a denominationally and ethnically diverse adult learning environment. Dr. Michael Gorman, a United Methodist and noted Pauline scholar, is the EI's dean as well as a Professor of Sacred Scripture at the seminary.
The seminary sits on a 40 acres (16.2 ha) campus.
Notable alumni
- William O. Brady (1899–1961), Archbishop of Saint Paul
- Edward Mann ButlerEdward Mann ButlerEdward Mann Butler was one of Kentucky's most prominent early educators. He is best remembered as being the first president of what would become the University of Louisville and heading the first public school in Kentucky.Butler was born in Baltimore...
(1784–1855), first president of the University of Louisville - James Carroll (1791–1873), representative of the twenty-sixth United States Congress
- Samuel EcclestonSamuel EcclestonSamuel Eccleston, P.S.S. was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the fifth Archbishop of Baltimore from 1834 until his death in 1851.-Early life:...
(1801–1851), Archbishop of Baltimore - Terence P. FinneganTerence P. Finnegan-Biography:Born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1904, Finnegan was an ordained Roman Catholic priest. He was a graduate of St. Thomas Seminary and St. Mary's Seminary and University. In 1956, he was given the title of Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. He passed away on January 17, 1990.-Career:Finnegan was...
(1904–1990), Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Air Force - John Samuel FoleyJohn Samuel FoleyJohn Samuel Foley was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Detroit from 1888 until his death in 1918.-Biography:...
(1833–1918), Bishop of Detroit - James Gibbons (1834–1921), Cardinal Archbishop of Baltimore
- Benjamin Ignatius HayesBenjamin Ignatius HayesBenjamin Ignatius Hayes , lawyer, first Judge of the Southern District of California from 1852-1864. Writer and collector of historical information about early California....
(1815–1877), lawyer, first Judge of the Southern District of California from 1852-1864. Writer about early California history. - Peter Leo IretonPeter Leo IretonPeter Leo Ireton was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Richmond from 1945 until his death in 1958.-Biography:...
(1882–1958), Bishop of Richmond - John Joseph KainJohn Joseph KainJohn Joseph Kain was a Roman Catholic priest who would eventually become Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and the first native-born American to hold that office.-Biography:...
(1841–1903), Archbishop of Saint Louis - Edward KavanaghEdward KavanaghEdward Kavanagh was a United States Representative and the 17th Governor of Maine. Born in Newcastle, Maine, he attended Montreal Seminary and Georgetown College, He graduated from St. Mary's College in 1813. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Damariscotta, Maine...
(1795–1844), seventeenth Governor of Maine - William Francis MaloolyWilliam Francis MaloolyWilliam Francis Malooly is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who currently serves as the Bishop of Wilmington.-Biography:...
(born 1944), current Bishop of Wilmington - Edward Mooney (1882–1958), Cardinal Archbishop of Detroit
- Martin John O'ConnorMartin John O'ConnorMartin John O'Connor was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as rector of the Pontifical North American College and president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications ....
(1900–1986), bishop and rector of the Pontifical North American CollegePontifical North American CollegeThe Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical... - Bernard O'Reilly (1803–1856), Bishop of Hartford
- Patrick Thomas O'ReillyPatrick Thomas O'ReillyPatrick Thomas O'Reilly was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts ....
(1833–1892), first Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts - Richard PhelanRichard PhelanRichard Phelan, D.D. was the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.- Background :...
(1828–1904), Bishop of Pittsburgh - Edward Coote PinkneyEdward Coote PinkneyEdward Coote Pinkney was an American poet, lawyer, sailor, professor, and editor. Born in London in 1802, Pinkney made his way to Maryland. After attending college, he joined the United States Navy and traveled throughout the Mediterranean and elsewhere...
(1802–1828), poet, lawyer, sailor, professor, and editor - John Baptist PitavalJohn Baptist PitavalJohn Baptist Pitaval was a French-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Santa Fe from 1909 to 1918.-Biography:...
(1858–1928), Archbishop of Santa Fe - Joseph C. PlagensJoseph C. PlagensJoseph Casimir Plagens was a Polish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Sault Sainte Marie-Marquette and then Bishop of Grand Rapids .-Biography:...
(1880–1943), Bishop of Grand Rapids - Michael PortierMichael PortierBishop Michael Portier was a Roman Catholic bishop and the firstBishop of Mobile. He immigrated to the United States in 1817....
(1795–1859), first Bishop of Mobile - Ignatius A. ReynoldsIgnatius A. ReynoldsIgnatius Aloysius Reynolds was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Charleston from 1844 until his death in 1855....
(1798–1855), Bishop of Charleston - John Joyce RussellJohn Joyce RussellJohn Joyce Russell was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Richmond from 1958 to 1973....
(1897–1993), Bishop of Richmond - William Thomas RussellWilliam Thomas RussellWilliam Thomas Russell was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Charleston from 1917 until his death in 1927.-Early life and education:...
(1863–1927), Bishop of Charleston - Augustus John SchwertnerAugustus John SchwertnerAugustus John Schwertner was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wichita from 1921 until his death in 1939.-Biography:...
(1870–1939), Bishop of Wichita - Jerome SebastianJerome Aloysius Daugherty SebastianJerome Aloysius Daugherty Sebastian was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1954 until his death in 1960.-Biography:...
(1895–1960), auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore - F. Richard SpencerF. Richard SpencerFrank Richard Spencer is an American Roman Catholic priest. Currently a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and U.S. Army chaplain, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services by Pope Benedict XVI on May 22, 2010.-Early life and service:Spencer was born in...
(born 1951), current auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services - Walter Francis SullivanWalter Francis SullivanWalter Francis Sullivan is a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States.Bishop Sullivan served as the Eleventh Bishop of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia from July 19, 1974 to September 16, 2003...
(born 1928), Bishop of Richmond - John Payne ToddJohn Payne ToddJohn Payne Todd was the son of John Todd Jr. and Dolley Payne. He had a younger brother named William Temple Todd. Both his brother and father died of yellow fever in 1793. His mother later married future President James Madison, who adopted Payne.Payne was a habitual shooter and acquired a...
(1792–1852), stepson of President James MadisonJames MadisonJames Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United... - Thomas Joseph ToolenThomas Joseph ToolenThomas Joseph Toolen was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mobile from 1927 to 1969, and was given the personal title of Archbishop in 1954.-Early life and education:...
(1886–1976), Bishop of Mobile - Severn Teackle WallisSevern Teackle WallisSevern Teackle Wallis was an American lawyer.-Biography:Severn Wallis graduated from St. Mary's College, Baltimore, in 1832, studied law with William Wirt, attorney general, and with John Glenn...
(1816–1894), lawyer - Vincent Stanislaus WatersVincent Stanislaus WatersVincent Stanislaus Waters was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Raleigh from 1945 until his death in 1974.-Biography:...
(1904–1974), Bishop of Raleigh - Joseph Clement WillgingJoseph Clement WillgingJoseph Clement Willging was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Pueblo .-Biography:...
(1884–1959), Bishop of Pueblo - David Zubik (born 1949), current Bishop of Pittsburgh