American Catholic History

American Catholic History, hosted by Tom and Noelle Crowe, finds the hidden gems and compelling stories of Catholic Americans who have contributed to their nation by virtue of their faith over the past three centuries. In about 20 minutes per episode, American Catholic History will introduce you to the amazing men and women who came to these American shores and were born here and contributed in ways both great and small, celebrated and unheralded.

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How to Listen or Follow

Here’s how to listen or follow the podcast. (Don’t worry: It doesn’t cost anything to follow.)

Join the American Catholic History Pilgrimage in August 2021

Join Tom and Noëlle in August 2021 for a six-day guided pilgrimage through the Kentucky Holy Land and Bourbon country. Visit the historic sites they discussed in the American Catholic History episode about the region and learn about the courageous Catholics who settled the land. Learn more and sign up for your spot on the pilgrimage.

Teachers, Catechists, and Parents

Are you a teacher, catechist, or parent who would like to use American Catholic History to share with your children or students? We’ve made the following worksheets available for you to download and reproduce and we’re working on future resources as well. (Let us know if you’re looking for something specific.)

Parish Bulletin Editors

Are you a parish bulletin editor or catechist looking for good, brief content that will entertain, inform, and form your audience? StarQuest is making available brief, written versions of American Catholic History episodes–under 350 words each–for you to use in your publications. These are available in Word and PDF downloadable formats and free to use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. We will be periodically adding new downloads so be sure to check back often.

  • Founding Fathers and American Catholic History (Word format, PDF)
    • George Washington, Catholic?
    • John Fitzgerald
    • Ben Franklin and Bishop John Caroll
    • Commodore John Barry
    • Fr. Pierre Gibault & Francis Vigo
  • Other Stories from American Catholic History
  • Black American Catholics for Black History Month (Word format, PDF) (UPDATED: February 15, 2021)
    • Mary Edmonia Lewis
    • Julia Greeley
    • Mother Mathilda Beasley
    • Pierre Toussaint
    • Mary Lou Williams
    • Daniel Rudd
    • Henriette Delille

American Catholic History Store

Find links to all the books and other resources we mention in our show to find out more about these fascinating people and places in American Catholic History, by shopping in the ACH Store. We’re constantly adding new resources to the store, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for check back later or send us an email to ask.

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Recent Episodes

The Integration of Catholic North Carolina - Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh, NC, committed himself against racism in his diocese in the 1950s and 60s. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell how his commitment began, the strong and firm steps he took, the missteps he made, and the success that resulted.
Lawrence Welk - Lawrence Welk was a North Dakota farm boy-turned-musician who built TV juggernaut that lasted for 31 years. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Welk built a career offering wholesome entertainment that fit with his devout Catholic faith and the virtues he valued.
Fr. Augustus Tolton - Fr. Augustus Tolton was the first black-identifying priest in the US, and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us his story, from his rise from slavery to school to seminary in Rome to his return to the US, where he eventually became the pastor for all black Catholics throughout Chicago.
Fr. Francis Duffy - The most highly decorated US military chaplain is Fr. Francis Duffy, a New York priest whose statue now stands in Times Square. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about Fr. Duffy's impressive intellect and his love for the men of the 69th Regiment he served in World War I.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini - Mother Cabrini was a tiny, Italian powerhouse who overcame prejudice and poverty to serve Christ's Church. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell her story, from her ill health to her mission from the Pope to America to winning over a reluctant archbishop to founding charities throughout the US to her canonization.