Early life McGovern was born on April 10, 1832, in the townland of
Drumbar (Kinawley),
Swanlinbar,
County Cavan in Ireland. His family immigrated to the United States in 1833, settling in
Albany Township, Pennsylvania. In 1855, McGovern entered
Mount St. Mary's College in
Emmitsburg,
Maryland, where he earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree. After serving parishes at
Pottstown and
Douglassville, Pennsylvania, McGovern was named a
curate at St. Michael's Parish and later St. Philip's Parish in
Philadelphia. During his tenure, he erected twelve
parishes, mostly designated for the various
ethnic groups. Thomas McGovern died on July 25, 1898, at age 66. ==References==