In 1939, Bishop Paul Yu Pin of Nanking, China, came to Philadelphia wishing to visit the city's Chinese Catholics.  Because he found very few, a local mission was soon formed.

 

What church was eventually founded as a result of this mission?

 

 

According to its website, the Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church, located in Philadelphia's Chinatown at 915 Vine Street, was the "first church built for the Chinese in the western hemisphere."  A few years prior to the church's opening, Bishop Paul Yu Pin, vicar of Nanking, China, visited Philadelphia in 1939 and wished to see the city's Chinese Catholic families. Unfortunately, he found very few Chinese Catholics. As a result, and with the help of Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, Father William A. Kavanagh, and others, a mission was formed in the Chinese community to develop Catholicism. After several months of work, over 50 Chinese people were prepared to become part of the Catholic Church. Successful fundraising efforts brought about the Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church and School, a mission church of the parish of St. John the Evangelist. Holy Redeemer opened to the public in late 1941.

 

Image: Paul Yu Pin, HSP archives.