Thomas McGovern was born in 1832 in Swalinbar, County Cavan, Ireland, the son of Edward and Margaret (Gillece) McGovern. He came to America as a young child and settled in Bradford County with his parents.
Right Reverend Thomas McGovern
“Forti salus in fide” (A Strong Faith in Your Salvation) – 1 Peter 5,9
Right Reverend Thomas McGovern
Second Bishop of Harrisburg
1888-1898
Thomas was educated at Saint Joseph College, Binghamton, NY, Mount St. Mary’s College and Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD, and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Philadelphia. Following ordination by Bishop Wood on December 27, 1861, he was assigned pastoral duties in Philadelphia. Later he also served at Saint Patrick, York, and Saint Joseph, Danville.
He was appointed Bishop of Harrisburg on December 6, 1887, and consecrated by Bishop William O’Hara on March 11, 1888. Bishop McGovern died on July 25, 1898, and was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Harrisburg.
