Archief - Rev. Philip Laricy fonds

Philip Laricy (1782-1824), Catholic priest, was born in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1782. He was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine at New Ross, Ireland. Following his ordination he was appointed to St. Augustine's Monastery, Cork.

In 1812, Rev. Laricy volunteered to accompany men from County Kilkenny and County Wexford on their fishing expeditions to Newfoundland as their chaplain. He also served in Newfoundland as a curate to Rev. Timothy Browne, parish priest of the ecclesiastical district of Ferryland.

Two years later, Rev. Laricy was given an appointment in the newly-founded province (community) of Augustinians in America. He founded St. Augustine's Parish there, and he established the first Catholic church in south Boston, during the episcopacy of Bishop Cheevers. Later, he built a small chapel in New Bedford, and subsequently was appointed Vicar General of the diocese. After serving in the New England area for a number of years, he carried out ministries in Staten Island and New Jersey.

Towards the end of his life, Rev. Laricy returned to the Augustinian community in Philadelphia and died there in 1824.