The American Chapter of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was established in 1926 by the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael Abraham D’Assemani, the appointed representative of His Beatitude Louis Barlassina, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Rector and Perpetual Administrator of the Order. This early history is chronicled in Msgr. D’Assemani’s book, The Cross on the Sword.

On April 30, 1929, a formal dinner and reception were held at the Biltmore Hotel in New York City to honor Msgr. D’Assemani and visiting dignitaries of the Order. At that event, the Statutes and By-Laws for the Order’s United States Province were drafted and adopted with the Patriarch’s approval. The Palestinian, a magazine published in Philadelphia, was designated as the official publication of the American Chapter. His Eminence Cardinal Dennis J. Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia, was named the first High Protector of the Chapter.

In June 1940, the American Chapter was formally divided into Eastern and Western Lieutenancies by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Following this reorganization, a grand reception and banquet were held in the Jansen Room of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City to celebrate Cardinal Dougherty’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. He was seated in the chair once used by Pope Pius XII (then Cardinal Pacelli) during his visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. To his right sat Michael Francis Doyle, Lieutenant of the Eastern District, and to his left, Papal Marquis George McDonald.

Speakers included Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop Francis J. Spellman of New York, Bishop Francis J. Kelley of Oklahoma City and Tulsa (Lieutenant and Prior of the Western District), Chief Justice Joseph T. Ryan, Hon. Martin Conboy, and Mr. Doyle. Musical performances were offered by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick double quartet and John Payne-Gasser, Knight Commander and member of the Chicago Grand Opera Company.

In their addresses, the speakers emphasized the Order’s mission, especially amid the devastation of war in Europe. They stressed that American Knights must now shoulder the responsibility of supporting the Faith in the Holy Land. Cardinal Dougherty reflected on how the Church, following the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, had helped shape nations through faith. He urged renewed Christian commitment, sacrifice, and virtue in confronting modern threats.

Archbishop Spellman paid tribute to Cardinal Dougherty and noted the historical connection between the dioceses of New York and Philadelphia. Bishop Kelley also commended the Cardinal’s distinguished leadership.

At this momentous gathering, the American Chapter resolved to hold annual meetings moving forward.