Peter Verhaegen

Peter Joseph Verhaegen (born Pierre Joseph Verhæegen; June 21, 1800 – July 21, 1868) was a Belgian Catholic priest, Jesuit, and missionary to the Midwestern United States who became the first president of Saint Louis University and St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Born in the United Netherlands, Verhaegen traveled to the United States at the age of 21, where he studied at the Jesuit novitiate in Maryland. In 1823, he was sent to Missouri, and eventually became the president of Saint Louis University in 1829, of which the Jesuits had newly assumed responsibility. During his leadership, the college was chartered by the state and was elevated to the status of university. In 1836, Verhaegen became the superior of the Jesuits' Missouri Mission, which was elevated to a vice province in 1839.

In 1845, Verhaegen became the provincial superior of the Jesuits' Maryland Province, where he remained until 1848 when he became the first president of St. Joseph's College in Kentucky. In his later years, he taught theology and preached at Saint Louis University.

Early life Peter Joseph Verhaegen was born on June 21, 1800 in Haacht, in the department of Dyle, First French Republic (now in Belgium).

On August 15, 1821, they departed from Texel, traveling in secret because they were required to serve in the military. They arrived in Philadelphia on September 23, They entered the Jesuit novitiate there on October 21, 1821.

Under the direction of Charles Felix Van Quickenborne, Verhaegen was sent along with a group of other novices to establish a mission in Missouri. They left White Marsh on April 14, 1823, and St. Louis on May 30. They then traveled up the Missouri River and arrived at the site of the new novitiate, located from St. Louis, several days later.

Saint Louis University In 1829, the Jesuits assumed control of Saint Louis College. At the same time, Verhaegen was named to succeed Van Quickenborne as the fourth president of the college. During his tenure, the college was formally chartered by the Missouri General Assembly as Saint Louis University, thereby becoming the first university west of the Mississippi River.

According to William Barnaby Faherty, Verhaegen was a key leader in building Catholicism in the West from his arrival 1823. As the first Jesuit president of St. Louis College, he Americanized the Jesuits, created a curriculum to fit frontier needs, integrated the school into Catholic life, moved the school to a bigger campus, and established a medical department.

Missouri vice provincial In 1836, Verhaegen became the superior of the Jesuits' Missouri mission, thereby resigning his post as president of Saint Louis University,

The Jesuit Superior General in Rome elevated the Missouri mission to a vice province on December 24, 1839. When news of this decree reached St. Louis on March 9, 1840, Verhaegen was elevated to vice provincial superior. His tenure in the office came to an end in 1842, and he was succeeded by James Oliver Van de Velde. He spent the next two years as superior of the Jesuit residence in St. Charles, Missouri, and pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Later years Verhaegen was made the provincial superior of the Jesuit Maryland province on January 4, 1845, replacing James A. Ryder. He held the position until January 26, 1848, when he returned to Missouri and was succeeded by Ignatius Brocard. In 1848, he became the first president of St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky, which was newly under the control of the Missouri Vice Province. He proved to be popular among the students, but his health began to deteriorate, and he resigned the presidency three years later. He once again became the superior of the Jesuit residence in St. Charles. He was buried in the Jesuit cemetery in Florissant, Missouri.