The Leo House in New York City was founded in 1889 by Peter Paul Cahensly, a German businessman who wanted to ensure that his fellow immigrants – the vast majority of whom were Catholic– found a safe and welcoming haven upon their arrival in this strange land. It was named after Pope Leo XIII who personally donated the then astronomical sum of $50,000 towards the project, which he later blessed.
The experience of arriving in a new country with a new language could be dangerous and daunting, with reports of German immigrants being robbed upon arrival. Cahensly sought a means to keep them safe in a faith-filled setting.
