Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 Finding Aid Prepared by: Elizabeth Alleva October 28, 2016 Archives of the Archdiocese of New York 201 Seminary Avenue Yonkers, NY 10704 [email protected] 1 Last updated 8.27.2019 Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Creator: Archbishop Michael Corrigan Title: Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Date: 1870-1902; Bulk: 1886-1902 Extent: 40 linear feet (in 70 Hollinger boxes and 8 flat file boxes) Language: English, Latin, and Italian Access Restrictions: Collection is open to researchers at the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York. Advance appointments are required for the use of archival materials. Preferred Citation: Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection, Collection 004; box number, folder number. Archives of the Archdiocese of New York, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. Location of Related Materials: none 2 Last updated 8.27.2019 Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan was Archbishop of New York following the death of Cardinal John McCloskey in 1886 till his own death in 1902. Throughout his time as head of the Archdiocese of New York, Corrigan witnessed and participated in various changes throughout both Catholic society and secular society. He aided the growth of the Archdiocese of New York as New York as a whole grew through industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. Like his counterparts before him, Corrigan left a lasting legacy on the Archdiocese, of which is documented throughout his collection. Michael Corrigan was born on August 13, 1839 in Newark, NJ. He was sent to St. Mary’s College in Wilmington, where he was confirmed by St. John Neumann, before going to Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg where he graduated in 1859. Corrigan continued his studies at the newly opened North American College in Rome, where he was one of twelve students. He was ordained into the priesthood on September 19, 1863 by the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Patrizi. Upon completion of a doctorate in divinity at the North American College, Corrigan returned to Newark in September 1864 where he took a position teaching dogma and scripture at the Seminary at Seton Hall. Corrigan continued to rise in the ranks as he was appointed Vice President of Seton Hall and Director of the Seminary in 1865, followed by President of both the College and the Seminary in 1868. In addition to these roles, he was also appointed Vicar General of Newark in 1868. Corrigan became the youngest bishop in the country when he was made bishop of Newark in February 1873. He made it his mission to visit every parish in the diocese and overall increased the diocese by one-third during his time as bishop. On October 1, 1880, Corrigan was named titular Archbishop of Petra and Coadjutor Archbishop of New York. Six years later, he became the Archbishop. Corrigan worked on various synods and councils during his time as coadjutor and archbishop. For example, the Fifth Synod in 1886 led to the creation of many of the Archdiocesan offices which exist today. Additionally, Corrigan was heavily involved in Catholic Education and the great “School Question,” also known as the relationship between parochial and public schools and how the State government views parochial schools. He fought hard for the state to support parochial schools. He required all able bodied churches to create schools within his first two years as Archbishop. By the time of his death in 1902, he opened seventy-two schools. Archbishop Corrigan also dealt with some negative issues. One issue being the McGlynn Case, in which he dealt with the fall out of Fr. Edward McGlynn and his followers. He also was faced with the question of how to deal with the ever growing phenomena of secret societies and whether Catholics are prohibited from participating. Archbishop Corrigan oversaw expansive growth of the Archdiocese, largely resulting from the influx of immigrants in the 1890s. The number of Catholics during 1870 to 1900 increased from 4.5 million to 12 million. He worked closely with religious groups like Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini and her Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart who worked with immigrant groups. He also 3 Last updated 8.27.2019 Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 increased the number of parishes as the number of new worshipers increased. He opened ninety- nine parishes by 1902, of which many of these churches were created for non-English speakers. He worked with various charity groups, and lay societies like the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. He also oversaw the work on the construction of a new seminary, St. Joseph’s in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, NY. The Seminary was completed in 1896 and became the official seminary for the Archdiocese of New York. Archbishop Corrigan’s tenure was cut short when he contracted pneumonia and died on May 5, 1902. He was mourned by many and laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. ____________________________________________________________________________ The Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection contains materials pertaining to Corrigan’s time as Archbishop of New York between 1886 and 1902. However, there is correspondence that does predate this, from 1870. His correspondence has been divided between letters sent to Corrigan and letters sent from Corrigan. Series I Correspondence to Archbishop Corrigan is organized based on the types of letters found: letters dating before his time as Archbishop, letters from bishops and foreign dignitaries, personal letters, and letters from the clergy, laity, and religious. This organization was initially done by the first archivist who processed this collection. Series II Correspondence from Archbishop Corrigan contains mostly copies and drafts of letters he sent. The originals would be with the recipients. Additionally, Series III Circular and Pastoral Letters contain more general letters sent by Corrigan to the congregation. Series IV Administrative Files and Reports contains papers relating to the administrative aspects of the Archbishopric. Subseries A Religious Institutions contains financial reports, accounts, meeting minutes, agenda, and various files that pertain to the numerous institutions overseen by the Archdiocese. Some examples would be parishes, missions, schools, and hospitals, as well as different societies. Subseries B General is where the more general files of the Archdiocese, like Bishop Meetings, clergy information, and legal documents can be found. Finally Subseries C contains numerous reports that were documented throughout the Archdiocese, such as Education and Chancery Reports. Series V contains the Sermons, Addresses, and Writings of the Archbishop which did not fall under the Administrative Files series. Series VI Events contains various ephemera such as tickets, menus, and invitations to events that Corrigan was invited to and attended. There is also material from Corrigan’s Episcopal Silver Jubilee. Series VII contains biographical information on Corrigan, specifically materials gathered for the Life of Archbishop Corrigan, a work that was never completed. Series VIII contains materials relating to Corrigan’s secretary Fr. James Connolly. This material is mostly correspondence 1892 to 1899, though Fr. Connolly does not appear as secretary until 1893. Series IX contains Corrigan’s extensive newspaper clipping collection. The topics of the clippings range in both religious and secular from about 1883 to 1902. Majority of the clippings were 4 Last updated 8.27.2019 Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 gathered through a clipping service, which indentifies the newspaper and date. However, there are many clippings when the date is unknown. See the processing note for more information on how this series was handled. ____________________________________________________________________________ I. Correspondence to Corrigan a. Prior to being Archbishop b. Bishops and Dignitaries c. Personal d. Clergy, Laity, and Religious II. Correspondence from Corrigan III. Circular and Pastoral Letters IV. Administrative Files a. Religious Institutions b. General c. Reports V. Sermons, Addresses, and Writings VI. Events VII. Biographical Information VIII. Rev. James Connolly, Secretary to Corrigan IX. Clipping Collection ____________________________________________________________________________ Access and Use: Collection is open to researchers at the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York. Advance appointments are required for the use of archival materials. Reproduction and Use: Permission to reproduce any material in this collection not in the public domain must be obtained from the Archives and the copyright holder. Language: English, Latin, and Italian Preferred Citation: Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection, Collection 004, box number, folder number. Archives of the Archdiocese of New York, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. 5 Last updated 8.27.2019 Guide to the Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection Collection Number: 004 Processing Note: This collection has been re-housed from its original non-archival