Pennsylvania: Difference between revisions

'''Pennsylvania''' is a state in the northeastern [[United States]], known for its historical significance as one of the original thirteen colonies, diverse geography ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to urban centers, and a rich Catholic heritage shaped by early European immigration and missionary activity. Spanning approximately 119,283 km², it has an estimated population of around 13 million (as of recent U.S. Census estimates). Catholicism, introduced in the early 18th century primarily through [[Jesuit]] missionaries, remains a significant minority religion, with recent data indicating that about 22% of adults identify as Catholic (according to the Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study).<ref>{{Cite web |title=People in Pennsylvania |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/pennsylvania/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref> The state comprises eight Latin Rite dioceses (one archdiocese and seven suffragan dioceses) within the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, forming a vibrant Catholic community with notable basilicas, historical missions, and institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania, Catholic Church in |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pennsylvania-catholic-church |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

Pennsylvania is located in the northeastern [[United States]], bordered by [[New York]] to the north, [[New Jersey]] to the east, [[Delaware]] and [[Maryland]] to the southeast, [[West Virginia]] to the southwest, and [[Ohio]] to the west, with [[Lake Erie]] providing a short northern shoreline. Covering 119,283 km², its terrain includes the Pocono and Allegheny Mountains, fertile valleys, and urban-industrial areas like [[Philadelphia]] and [[Pittsburgh]]. This geography has facilitated Catholic settlement patterns, with early missions in rural south-central areas and later urban parishes serving immigrant communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

Pennsylvania was founded in 1681 by [[William Penn]] as a Quaker colony promoting religious tolerance, which allowed early Catholic presence despite colonial-era restrictions elsewhere. Catholicism grew through German, Irish, Polish, and Italian immigration in the 18th-19th centuries, leading to the establishment of dioceses starting with the [[Diocese of Philadelphia]] in 1808.

Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 13 million, with Catholics estimated at around 22% (roughly 2.86 million adults, per Pew 2023-24 data; total including children may vary slightly by source). Catholicism is a minority amid Protestant traditions, "nones," and others, with trends of secularization affecting attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=People in Pennsylvania |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/pennsylvania/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

Catholicism was introduced in the early 18th century (1720s-1730s), with [[Jesuit]] missionaries establishing missions such as Conewago in south-central [[Pennsylvania]] (1720s) for German and other settlers, and [[St. Joseph's Church (Philadelphia)]] in [[Philadelphia]] (1733) by Jesuit Father Joseph Greaton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Growth of Catholicism |url=https://www.hbgdiocese.org/about/growth-of-catholicism |publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania, Catholic Church in |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pennsylvania-catholic-church |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

* [[Jesuit]] missions at Conewago (1720s) and [[Philadelphia]] (1730s).

[[Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Conewago)]], one of the oldest continuous Catholic sites.

[[Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia)]]; various basilicas in dioceses.

* [[Saint John Neumann]] (Bishop of [[Philadelphia]], canonized 1977)

* [[Pennsylvania]] hosts the [[Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Conewago)]], site of the oldest [[Jesuit]] mission in continuous use in the U.S. (from the 1720s).

* [[Saint John Neumann]], the only male U.S. saint not born in the U.S., served as Bishop of [[Philadelphia]] (1852-1860) and is buried in the city.

* The [[Diocese of Erie]] includes unique rural missions, while [[Philadelphia]] has the first free diocesan high school in the U.S. (Roman Catholic High School, 1890).

* [[Saint Katharine Drexel]] (born in [[Philadelphia]]) founded orders serving Native Americans and African Americans.