Purcell, John Baptist, 1800-1883

John Baptist Purcell was born at Mallow, County Cork, Ireland on February 26, 1800, the son of Edward and Johanna Purcell. On June 20, 1820, he entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. After his ordination, Purcell continued his studies until the autumn of 1827, when he returned to the United States to enter Mount St. Mary's Seminary as professor. He afterwards became president, until his appointment as Bishop of Cincinnati, Ohio, to succeed Edward Fenwick. Purcell received notice of his appointment in August 1833, and was consecrated bishop in the cathedral of Baltimore, October 13, 1833, by Archbishop James Whitfield. He attended the sessions of the Third Provincial Council of Baltimore, which opened on the day of his consecration and continued for one week.

John Baptist Purcell served as Bishop of Cincinnati from 1833 to 1850, and then Archbishop of Cincinnati from 1850 when the diocese was made an archdiocese until his death in 1883. This was a time of tremendous growth for the Church in Ohio. When Purcell came to Cincinnati in 1833, there were only 16 churches and about 7,000 Catholics in the state of Ohio. When he died fifty years later, there were 500 churches and about 500,000 Catholics in the state. The dioceses of Cleveland and Columbus were established during this era.

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