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Fr. Arnold Damen, S.J.

Credit: Loyola University Chicago University Archives and Special Collections

Welcome to the Fr. Arnold J. Damen, S.J. digital exhibit. Fr. Damen was born in the Netherlands in 1815, and he came to America to become a Jesuit missionary in 1837. In 1857, he arrived in Chicago and founded Holy Family Parish on the city's near west side. In 1870, he founded St. Ignatius College next to Holy Family Church, and he served as its first president from 1870-1872. St. Ignatius was rechartered as Loyola University in 1909.

Fr. Damen's efforts and impact as a Jesuit missionary were far reaching and long lasting. His influence can be felt in Chicago to this day, with many memorials in various forms scattered across the city.

This exhibit explores several aspects of Fr. Damen's life:

Early life
His time in Missouri as a Jesuit novice and early days as a priest
His work in Chicago as head of Holy Family Parish
His efforts in establishing schools, a college, and other institutions in Chicago
His work as head of Jesuit missions in the west
His role as a missionary
Final years
Memorials to Fr. Damen

Follow the pages on the header bar or click the "next" button at the bottom of the page to learn more about Fr. Damen.

This digital exhibit was created by Bryan Morey in 2018 using textual and photographic materials in Loyola University Chicago's University Archives and Special Collections, Loyola University Chicago's Cudahy Library, the Library of Congress, and the Brabant Historical Information Center.