History

Paris, France
Frederic Ozanam left his home in Lyon, France, in the autumn of 1831, for Paris. He registered in the School of Law at the Sorbonne, University of Paris.

Frederic collaborated with Mr. Emmanuel Bailly, editor of the Tribune Catholique, in reviving a student organization which had been suspended during the revolutionary activity of July 1830. They called their new association "The Conference of History." The group met on Saturdays to discuss various topics, everything but politics.

At one of their meetings, a student challenged Frederic and the practicing Catholics. He admitted that the Catholic Church had done much good work in the past, but "what do you do now?"

Frederic called for a meeting of five of his friends; they agreed to meet Mr. Bailly's office. The date was April 23, 1833, Frederic's twentieth birthday. Inspired by Frederic's words, the seven decided to found the "Conference of Charity" to assist the poor. Emmanuel Bailly, the married layman, was chosen by the six students as their first President. In a short time, they changed their name to THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL after their patron.

Saint Louis, Missouri
While historians are not certain about some details, there is no doubt that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was established in the United States in St. Louis, Missouri at the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, popularly called "The Old Cathedral" in 1845.

Father John Timon, C.M., an American Vincentian priest from Pennsylvania, and later bishop of Buffalo, New York, was the one who brought copies of the Rule of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul back from Dublin, Ireland, to St. Louis. Timon talked to various people about the Society and its wonderful work with the poor.

Bishop Peter Richard Kenrick, successor of the first bishop of St. Louis, Joseph Rosatti, C.M., asked Father Ambrose Heim to establish the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and be its Spiritual Advisor. Father Heim was known by all for his extraordinary zeal and ministry with the poor. He became known as "The Priest of the Poor."

The first meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States was held on November 20, 1845, only twelve years after its foundation in Paris. Nineteen of the most prominent Catholic laymen of St. Louis attended. Dr. Moses Linton was elected President, Bryan Mullanphy, Vice-President, Dennis Galvin, Second Vice-President, James Maguire, Jr., Secretary, Patrick Ryder, Treasurer, and Fr. Ambrose Heim, Spiritual Advisor. The Conference was aggregated (formally recognized) by the Society's International Council in Paris on February 2, 1846.

Orange County
The first meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Orange County was held at St. Pius in Fullerton in 1954 as part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The first Spiritual Advisor was Fr. Frederick Kass, and the first officers included: Paul Brezden, President, Ray Galiski, Vice President, Hank Ficke, Second Vice President, and Hal Wiebolh, Treasurer. The Conference was aggregated (formally recognized) by the Society's International Headquarters in Paris in 1960.

The Council of Orange was formed shortly after Bishop Johnson became the Bishop of the new Orange Diocese in 1976. At that time there were 16 Conferences. Our first President was Elmo Morgan. The original trustees were: John H. Steinman, Joe Kay, Ted Reed, Rev. Michael P. Driscoll, Myron P. Ryan, Ruben Alonzo, Myron F. Daly, Harold Daniel, Edward C. Hartmann, Anthony C. Valeri, Lewis Cousins, and Leonard F. Herte. Following Elmo Morgan, Anthony C. Valeri, Joe Kay, Dan Harney, Ed Hartmann and Andy Saavedra served as Council Presidents.