Edmond Francis Prendergast

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The Most Reverend Edmond Francis Prendergast (1843 - 1918) third archbishop of Philadelphia, was born in Colonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, on May 5, 1843. When he was 16, he immigrated to America and almost immediately entered Saint Charles Seminary at 18th and Race Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A talented student, he was ordained at the age of 22 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul by Bishop Wood.

Father Prendergast served as assistant at Saint Paul's Philadelphia and in Susequehanna County. He soon became pastor of Saint Mark's, Bristol; Immaculate Conception, Allentown; and started his work at St. Malachy's in Philadelphia in 1874. In 1895, he was named Vicar General of the Diocese. Archbishop Ryan consecrated Monsignor Prendergast as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia on July 6, 1911.

When Archbishop Ryan became ill and died, Prendergast was elected Administrator. After three months, Saint Pius X appointed him as Archbishop. He served as the Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1911 until his death on February 26, 1918.

During his episcopate, he was known as a master builder and a real-estate genius. He increased the number parishes and parochial schools. He founded Saint Francis Country Home for Convalescents and Saint Edmond's Home for Crippled Children. Until his death, Archbishop Prendergast was esteemed by priests and laity as a friend and solicitous father.

Archbishop Prendergast High School for Young Women in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, is named for him.