Matthew Carr

Thomas Matthew Carr (January 1755 – September 29, 1820) was an Irish Catholic priest who founded the Order of St. Augustine in the United States. He also established St. Augustine's Academy, which later became Villanova University.

Early life in Ireland Matthew Carr was born in Dublin, Ireland, to Michael and Mary (née McDaniel) Carr. He was baptized at St. Catherine's Church on January 14, 1755.

At the age of 16, Carr entered the Order of St. Augustine at John's Lane Church. He completed his studies at the Augustinian convent in Toulouse, France, where he was ordained a priest on June 13, 1778. He established his residence in Philadelphia, becoming rector of Old St. Joseph's Church. He was not the first Augustinian in the nation, as his fellow Irish Augustinian, Father John Rossiter, had already settled in Wilmington, Delaware. Together with Rossiter, he established the province of Our Lady of Good Counsel (now the province of St. Thomas of Villanova). $150 from Commodore John Barry, and $500 from Thomas Fitzsimons. Carr purchased a tract of land near 4th and Vine Streets on June 11, 1796, and the cornerstone of the church was laid on September 4. He served in this role until his resignation on November 22, 1807, while also serving as rector of St. Augustine's.