Thomas Galberry

Thomas Galberry, OSA (May 28, 1833 – October 10, 1878) was an Irish-born Catholic prelate who served as bishop of Hartford from 1876 until his death in 1878. He was a member of the Augustinians.

Galberry previously served as the president of Villanova College in Pennsylvania from 1827 to 1876 and as provincial superior of the Augustinian missions in the United States in 1874.

Biography

Early life Thomas Galberry was born on May 28, 1833, in Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland to Thomas and Margaret (née White) Galberry. In 1836, his family moved to the United States, where they settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Galberry received his early education at schools in Philadelphia.

Priesthood Galberry was ordained to the priesthood for the Augustinian Order by Bishop John Neumann in Philadelphia on December 20, 1856. After his ordination, Galverry taught at Villanova College until 1858. At that time, the Augustinians assigned him as pastor of the St. Denis Mission Parish in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

In January 1860, the Augustinians transferred Galberry to St. John's Mission Parish in Lansingburgh, New York. At his new parish, Galberry tore down the dilapidated church building in 1864, replacing it with the new St. Augustine's Church in 1865. To staff a parish school, Galberry recruited a contingent of religious sisters from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Carondelet, Missouri, building a convent for them. He also founded St. Johns-on-the-Hill Cemetery in Lansingburgh.

President of Villanova

After two years in Lawrence, Galberry in 1872 was appointed president of Villanova College. He erected the center and west wings of the college building and upgraded the course of studies.

When the Our Lady of Good Counsel Commissariat was converted into the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova in 1874, Galberry was elected provincial superior.

At this time, the cathedral in Hartford, St. Joseph's was still being planned. Bishop McFarland had been using the chapel at the Sisters of Mercy convent as the pro-cathedral (temporary cathedral). McFarland designated St. Peter to serve as his pro-cathedral. He created a diocesan newspaper, The Connecticut Catholic and opened a new parish school for boys.

Galberry took his ad limina visit to the Vatican in 1876, visiting Catholic landmarks in Italy and France. He laid the cornerstone for the first Cathedral of St. Joseph in April 1877.

Death and legacy Seeking a chance to rebuild his strength, Galberry left by train for Villanova College on October 10, 1878. Arriving in New York City later that day, he was suddenly stricken with a gastric haemorrhage. His companions brought Galway to the Grand Union Hotel in Midtown Manhattan and summoned a doctor. As Galberry's condition deteriorated, several of his Augustinian colleagues from Villanova rushed to his bedside.