Andrew Carney

Andrew Carney (1794–1864) immigrated to the United States in 1816. Carney partnered with Jacob Sleeper to form Carney & Sleeper, Clothiers. Carney was a wise investor and grew his fortune with investments in Boston's real estate market. Carney's interests turned to finance and he assisted in founding the First National Bank of Boston and the John Hancock Insurance Company for which he worked as a director. Carney cared for the youth of Boston by founding the St. Vincent Home for Girls, and was a benefactor of the House of the Angel Guardian for Homeless Boys and the Home for Destitute Catholic Children. As a young man he became an apprentice in the tailoring industry. The venture became one of the largest clothing houses of the times. However, in 1845 Carney & Sleeper Clothiers was dissolved leaving its two owners very wealthy.

Carney, then 50 years old, would initially devote his time to increasing his wealth by making prudent investments in Boston's real estate market. His interests in banking eventually lead him to assist in founding the First National Bank of Boston and the John Hancock Insurance Company for which he worked as a director.

Bishop John Bernard Fitzpatrick was looking to provide a Church for the Catholic community in the Fort Hill neighborhood of Boston. Carney provided the capital to purchase a Unitarian Church on E and West Third Street. On May 14, 1848, the Church of St. Vincent de Paul was opened for Catholic services.

Carney was a major supporter of Father Theobold Mathew’s temperance crusade in 1850. and run by the Brothers of Charity.

In 1833, Sister Ann Alexis Shorb and the Sisters of Charity founded the St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum (a.k.a. St. Vincent's Home for Girls) where Carney served as a trustee. In April 1858 he donated $12,000 for the construction of new quarters located at the corner of Camden Street and Shawmut Avenue. The new brick structure was 4 stories tall and could house 20 sisters and 400 girls. to John McElroy, S.J the person responsible for the planning and creation of the college and church, who would oversee the use of the gift to complete the projects. In 1858, Bishop Fitzpatrick and Father McElroy broke ground for Boston College, and The Church of the Immaculate Conception. Classes began in the fall of 1864.

Carney was a benefactor of the Home for Destitute Catholic Children. This institution, established by Bishop John Joseph Williams in 1851, was set up to provide a temporary home for children 3 to 12 years old until they are placed in houses in the community. The children were cared for by the Sisters of Charity.