Felix-Joseph Barbelin
Felix-Joseph Barbelin, born May 20, 1808, in the Lorraine Province of France, was a Jesuit priest known as the “Apostle of Philadelphia” for his decades of service to the city’s Catholic community. Arriving in Philadelphia in 1838, he served over twenty-five years at Old St. Joseph’s Church on Willing’s Alley. Barbelin founded St. Joseph’s Hospital, established the first sodalities for men and women in the region, and served as the first president of Saint Joseph’s College. With Fr. Thomas Lilly, he co-founded St. Peter Claver School, the city’s first Catholic school for African American students. He died in Philadelphia on June 8, 1869.
“Expanding Philly Footprint.” Saint Joseph’s University Magazine, https://www.sju.edu/magazine/special-edition/expanding-philly-footprint. Accessed 2 May 2025.
“Felix Joseph Barbelin.” Catholic Answers Encyclopedia, https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/felix-joseph-barbelin. Accessed 2 May 2025.
Old St. Joseph’s Church, Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia Congregations Early Records Project, https://philadelphiacongregations.org/records/Old%20St.%20Joseph%27s%20Church%2C%20Philadelphia%2C%20PA. Accessed 2 May 2025.
Penn. “Father Barbelin.” The American Catholic Historical Researches (1887–1912), vol. 7, no. 3, July 1911, p. 205. ProQuest, https://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/father-barbelin/docview/124690562/se-2. Accessed 2 May 2025.