Bishop Shanahan High School

Bishop Shanahan High School is located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It's part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Catholic school system. Named after Right Rev. John W. Shanahan, the third bishop of Harrisburg, the school is the only archdiocesan high school in Chester County. Construction of the current building began in 1996. It opened in 1998, and the first class graduated from it in 1999. The school had previously been located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. In June 2008, Bishop Shanahan celebrated its 50th anniversary with the graduation of its 50th senior class.

Shanahan was born in 1846 in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Shanahan's older brother, Jeremiah was also a bishop. At the age of 23, John Shanahan was ordained to the priesthood by his brother. Shanahan was educated at St. Joseph's College and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Immediately after being ordained, Shanahan received the position titled Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He was also the pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Philadelphia. Shanahan held and maintained these positions until he became the bishop of Harrisburg in 1899. Shanahan died in February 1916 and currently rests in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

More information

Comments Statistics

| | Public