Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)
Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Catholic religious founder and missionary. She used her family's fortune to fund mission schools and churches for Native and African Americans. She professed her vows in 1891, founded her own order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and directed it for over 40 years. Drexel's ministries addressed social inequities and provided quality education to minorities at schools like Holy Providence School here. She was canonized in 2000.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Born to a wealthy Philadelphia banking family, Katharine Drexel turned her inheritance toward the people her era most neglected. After professing her vows in 1891 she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and spent more than four decades building mission schools and churches for Native and African American communities, including Holy Providence School near this spot. In 2000 the Catholic Church recognized her as a saint.
Why it matters
Drexel poured a Gilded Age fortune into educating Americans that the nation's institutions had largely written off, making her one of the country's most consequential figures in minority education.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Illadelph Glass Gallery12.9 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery12.9 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Becker Contemporary Art12.9 mi away · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House12.9 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Paradigm Gallery + Studio13.0 mi away · 12 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center13.1 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle11.2 mi away
- Penguin Park Exhibit12.7 mi away
- Camden Children's Garden12.8 mi away
- Arrow Head Train & Station12.8 mi away
- Butterfly House12.8 mi away
- Carousel12.8 mi away
Food & drink
- 3J's Cafe13.1 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bubble Tea Room13.1 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- PrimoHoagies13.1 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fork13.1 mi away · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Menagerie Coffee13.1 mi away · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanics13.1 mi away · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing12.7 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Penn's View Hotel12.9 mi away · 14 North Front Street, Philadelphia
- The Philadelphia House13.0 mi away · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District13.0 mi away · 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels13.1 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia13.1 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Katharine Drexel
Themes & tags
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