Jeremiah O'Sullivan

Jeremiah O'Sullivan was born in Kanturk, County Cork, to John and Mary (née Ahern) O'Sullivan.[1] He came to the United States in 1863, and entered St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland.[2] After completing his classical course, he made his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.[3] He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Martin John Spalding on June 30, 1868.[4]

His first assignment was as a curate under Rev. Placide Louis Chapelle at St. Peter's Church in Rockville.[1] He then served as a pastor in Westernport for nine years.[5] During his time in Westernport, he erected a church and a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, under whose direction he placed the parochial school.[5] He was afterwards sent to Washington, D.C., where he served as pastor of St. Peter's Church.[1]

On June 16, 1885, O'Sullivan was appointed the fourth Bishop of Mobile, Alabama, by Pope Leo XIII.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 20 from Archbishop James Gibbons, with Bishops John Joseph Keane and Henry P. Northrop serving as co-consecrators, at St. Peter's Church.[4] His installation took place in Mobile on November 1 of that year.[1] A gifted administrator, he was successful in restoring the financial status of the diocese.[3] He also established several new churches, chapels, and schools, and oversaw the addition of two towers to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.[3]

O'Sullivan died at age 54, and is buried in the crypt of Immaculate Conception Cathedral.