What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the establishment of the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine through the experiences of Father Hyacinth Epp.

April 18, 2026

Old School Meets New World: Hyacinth Epp and the Founding of the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine

Key Points

To explore the establishment of the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine through the experiences of Father Hyacinth Epp.
Analyzing correspondence between Father Epp and his provincial superior in Bavaria.
Tracing the mission's development from Pittsburgh to independence.
Assessing the adaptation of Capuchin values to American culture.
The Capuchin foundation began in Pittsburgh, establishing roots in the U.S.
Father Epp faced challenges in preserving Bavarian Capuchin values.
The province eventually became independent from its Bavarian origins.

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines the establishment of one of the first Capuchin foundations in the United States from the perspective of its founder. Father Hyacinth Epp traveled from Germany in 1873 with two confreres. While working in America, Epp maintained a regular correspondence with his provincial superior in Bavaria. These letters offer a unique insight into the thinking of a man whose influence on the U.S. Church has continued to grow over the course of 140 years. The article details the development of the mission from its first foundation in Pittsburgh through its eventual establishment as a province independent of its Bavarian roots. Specific attention is given to Epp's struggle to adapt his Capuchin values brought from Bavaria to the new circumstances and challenges that he faced in the United States.

اسأل الذكاء الاصطناعي

Bookmark