HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Marker Inscription

First U.S. foundation, Augustinian Order, 1796. In 1844 the original church here was burned during Nativist riots. This and other violence led to a state law requiring police forces, 1845, and to consolidation of the city and county, 1854.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Story

Established in 1796, this was the first American home of the Augustinian Order, a Catholic religious community putting down roots in the young republic. In 1844 the original church was burned by anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant mobs during Philadelphia's Nativist riots, part of a wave of violence against the city's growing Irish Catholic population. The bloodshed pushed Pennsylvania to require organized municipal police forces in 1845 and to consolidate the city and county in 1854.

Why it matters

The site marks both the early planting of Catholic institutions in America and the ugly nativist backlash that reshaped how American cities governed and policed themselves.

Plan your visit

Nearby

Make a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.

Museums & culture

Attractions

Food & drink

  • Independence Mall Cafe
    0.3 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
  • Bubble Tea Room
    0.3 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • 3J's Cafe
    0.3 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • PrimoHoagies
    0.4 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Fork
    0.4 mi away · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
  • Menagerie Coffee
    0.4 mi away · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA

Places to stay

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Related events

  • · Philadelphia Nativist Riots of 1844

Themes & tags

ImmigrationChurch

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