In many of Philadelphia's ethnic neighborhoods, the Catholic church has served as much more than a place of worship - the institution helped keep alive ancestral traditions and connections among newly-arrived immigrants to the United States.

On December 3, 2015, HSP welcomed Catholic churches and parishes from across Philadelphia to celebrate the city’s Catholic history, culture, and traditions. Made possible through the generous support of the Connelly Foundation, “Catholic Philadelphia” featured a musical performance by the Accolade Chamber Choir, lectures from scholars Thomas Rzeznik and Margaret McGuinness, and the opportunity for attendees to decorate ornaments, share holiday-themed food, and commingle with representatives from local churches including Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church and School, Old St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. John the Evangelist, and more.

Event photos are hosted on HSP’s Facebook and in its media gallery. Historic photographs and many other Catholic-related collection materials are also available through HSP's Digital Library.

Interested in researching your church, parish, or family at HSP? Click here to learn more about exploring HSP's collections, or visit http://hsp.org/plan-your-visit.