History of the Diocese of Birmingham

Since the first priests arrived in north Alabama with Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in 1540, traveling southward along the Coosa River, the Roman Catholic Church has been working to establish itself in the state. The battle against Chief Tuscaloosa didn't go well, as DeSoto lost 82 men and 45 horses on Oct. 18, 1540, after angering Tuscaloosa and his warriors by attempting to hold the chief captive. An estimated 11,000 Native Americans were killed by DeSoto's army in an epic battle as the priests prayed and sang Te Deum, an early Christian hymn in Latin meaning "You, God (we praise)." We wanted to do something significant to mark the anniversary," said Bishop Robert J. Baker, head of the diocese. The book features lavish photos of the parishes, schools, monasteries and stained-glass windows of the diocese. It highlights such institutions as the Cathedral of St. Paul, founded in 1872; St. Vincent's Hospital, founded in 1898; and John Carroll High School, started in 1946. It took a while to get such a foothold, according to the book. -Publisher's description.