John Dubois
Encyclopedia
Bishop John DuBois was the third bishop
of the Roman Catholic diocese of New York. He was the first presiding bishop to reside in the diocese.
He was ordained a priest
on September 28, 1787 and ordained a bishop on October 29, 1826.
Father John DuBois, S.S.(1800–1811) was a especially significant person in the early days of St. John the Evangelist Church in Frederick, MD. He was a refugee from the French Revolution
, who later became a Sulpician priest. In 1800 he began the construction of the first brick church on the North side of Second Street and named his church after St. John the Evangelist. The cornerstone of that structure was laid on May 15, 1800 and can be seen now in front of the present church. Father DuBois, S.S., later spent nearly eleven years as pastor of St. John's and twenty more in Emmitsburg, where he founded Mount St. Mary's College before being called to be bishop of the Catholic Diocese of New York.
Bishop DuBois served the diocese of New York as bishop from October 29, 1826 until his death on December 20, 1842.
In 1837 he traveled to Salina
near Syracuse
, to perform the marriage of Silas Titus
and Eliza McCarthy, daughter of Thomas McCarthy
(nominated first Mayor of Syracuse, New York) and sister of Dennis McCarthy
. The marriage certificate became the first catholic record in Onondaga County
. John McCloskey, later to become the first Archbishop of New York to be created cardinal, accompanied Bishop Dubois to Salina as a sherpa
.
According to a book entitled John Dubois: Founding Father by Rev. Richard Shaw (US Catholic Historical Society, 1983), Bishop Dubois is buried under the sidewalk at the entrance to Old St Patrick's
on Mott Street, which he requested, so that people could "walk on me in death, as they did while I was living". He provides pictures which show a plaque at the entrance to the old church.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Roman Catholic diocese of New York. He was the first presiding bishop to reside in the diocese.
He was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on September 28, 1787 and ordained a bishop on October 29, 1826.
Father John DuBois, S.S.(1800–1811) was a especially significant person in the early days of St. John the Evangelist Church in Frederick, MD. He was a refugee from the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, who later became a Sulpician priest. In 1800 he began the construction of the first brick church on the North side of Second Street and named his church after St. John the Evangelist. The cornerstone of that structure was laid on May 15, 1800 and can be seen now in front of the present church. Father DuBois, S.S., later spent nearly eleven years as pastor of St. John's and twenty more in Emmitsburg, where he founded Mount St. Mary's College before being called to be bishop of the Catholic Diocese of New York.
Bishop DuBois served the diocese of New York as bishop from October 29, 1826 until his death on December 20, 1842.
In 1837 he traveled to Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
near Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, to perform the marriage of Silas Titus
Silas Titus
Silas Titus was a military officer who fought in the American Civil War in the Union Army. He was active in the organization of the city of Syracuse, New York, and served as an alderman for two years and as a supervisor in 1865...
and Eliza McCarthy, daughter of Thomas McCarthy
Thomas McCarthy (Syracuse politician)
For other people with a similar name, see Thomas McCarthyThomas McCarthy was nominated as the first Mayor of Syracuse, New York in January 1848 and was veteran of the War of 1812. He was an influential citizen in early Onondaga County, New York and the father of Congressman Dennis McCarthy...
(nominated first Mayor of Syracuse, New York) and sister of Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy (congressman)
Dennis McCarthy was an American manufacturer and politician from New York.-Life:...
. The marriage certificate became the first catholic record in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. John McCloskey, later to become the first Archbishop of New York to be created cardinal, accompanied Bishop Dubois to Salina as a sherpa
Sherpa people
The Sherpa are an ethnic group from the most mountainous region of Nepal, high in the Himalayas. Sherpas migrated from the Kham region in eastern Tibet to Nepal within the last 300–400 years.The initial mountainous migration from Tibet was a search for beyul...
.
According to a book entitled John Dubois: Founding Father by Rev. Richard Shaw (US Catholic Historical Society, 1983), Bishop Dubois is buried under the sidewalk at the entrance to Old St Patrick's
St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral, or Old St. Patrick's, is located at 260-264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, with the primary entrance currently located on Mott Street...
on Mott Street, which he requested, so that people could "walk on me in death, as they did while I was living". He provides pictures which show a plaque at the entrance to the old church.