The first state admitted to the Union, December 7, 1787. Jesuits from Bohemia Manor in Maryland established the Apoquiniminck Mission in New Castle County some time before 1750, sending a priest monthly to attend the five or six Catholic families of the vicinity. In 1772 the first chapel, a log cabin, was built at Coffee Run, about six miles from Wilmington, and served by a resident priest, Father Matthew Sittensperger, S.J. During the French Revolution some French Catholics from Santo Domingo settled near Wilmington, attracted possibly by the tolerant religious legislation which characterized Delaware from the earliest times. Reverend Stephen Faure, who had accompanied them, was Father Sittensperger's successor, assisted by an Augustinian, Reverend John Rosseter, who had been an officer in Rochambeau's army. Saint Peter's, the first church and the present cathedral, was built in Wilmington in 1816 by Reverend Patrick Kenny. There are no Catholic place-names. The state comprises the diocese of Wilmington. See also, patron saints index.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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