Ordination of William Matthews

Date: March 29, 1800 • Location: London, United Kingdom

William Matthews was ordained as the first Catholic priest born in British America.

William Matthews, occasionally spelled Mathews, was an American Catholic priest and college administrator. He was the fifth ordained in the United States and the first born in British America.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in United Kingdom's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.