Old St. Joseph's Church was the first Catholic church in Philadelphia. When it was founded in 1733, Old St. Joseph's Church was the only place in the English-speaking world where public celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Mass

Tridentine Mass

The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...

 was permitted by law. In 1734, the right of Catholics to worship in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 was challenged. The religious liberty of Catholics was affirmed by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly under William Penn's

William Penn

William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...

 Charter of Privileges. Old St. Joseph's Church was founded by Fr. Joseph Greaton, an English Jesuit.

The current church, on Willings Alley in the Society Hill

Society Hill

Society Hill may refer to:* Society Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a neighborhood in Philadelphia* Society Hill, South Carolina* Society Hill, Middlesex County, New Jersey, an unincorporated community in Middlesex County, New Jersey...

 neighborhood of Philadelphia, the third church on the site, was built in 1839. St. Joseph's University and St. Joseph's Preparatory School were founded at Old St. Joseph's.