Roman Catholic Archbishop. He was raised a Unitarian. While living in Cincinnati, Wood developed a friendship with Archbishop John B. Purcell and, at the age of twenty-three, became a Catholic. In 1857, Wood was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Philadelphia to Bishop John Neumann and, at Neumann's death, became the fifth Bishop of Philadelphia. A bright financial manager, Wood was shepherd to about 200,000 Catholics. He established new parishes and, in 1865, bought a parcel of land in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia; that property later became the new site of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Wood laid the cornerstone of the new building in 1866; the seminary opened in 1871. When in 1875, Philadelphia became an archdiocese, Wood became its first archbishop. During his episcopacy, Wood also oversaw the completion of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the home church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Roman Catholic Archbishop. He was raised a Unitarian. While living in Cincinnati, Wood developed a friendship with Archbishop John B. Purcell and, at the age of twenty-three, became a Catholic. In 1857, Wood was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Philadelphia to Bishop John Neumann and, at Neumann's death, became the fifth Bishop of Philadelphia. A bright financial manager, Wood was shepherd to about 200,000 Catholics. He established new parishes and, in 1865, bought a parcel of land in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia; that property later became the new site of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Wood laid the cornerstone of the new building in 1866; the seminary opened in 1871. When in 1875, Philadelphia became an archdiocese, Wood became its first archbishop. During his episcopacy, Wood also oversaw the completion of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the home church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Advertisement
Advertisement
