Christendom College mourns the loss of renowned historian and longtime friend of the college Dr. James Hitchcock, who died on July 14. A longtime professor of history and the author of several acclaimed works, Hitchcock faithfully served Christ and His Church for decades, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship in service of the faith. Hitchcock was 87.
Born in 1938, Hitchcock grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Saint Louis University and later Princeton University, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in history. He returned to teach at Saint Louis University in the late 1960s and remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2013. Over the decades, he taught generations of students, including Christendom’s own Dr. Brendan McGuire (may he rest in peace), Dr. Christopher Lane, and Dr. Michael Kelly.
Over the decades, Dr. James Hitchcock taught generations of students, including Christendom’s own Dr. Michael Kelly (left), Dr. Brendan McGuire (center, may he rest in peace), and Dr. Christopher Lane (right).
A staunch defender of Catholic doctrine, Hitchcock brought clarity to a time of confusion in the Church, particularly during the 1960s and 70s. His books — including Recovery of the Sacred and The Decline and Fall of Radical Catholicism — became touchstones for faithful Catholics seeking guidance. He wrote other landmark works during his long career, including History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium and Catholicism and Modernity: Confrontation or Capitulation?
In 2016, Hitchcock served as Christendom’s Commencement speaker and received the college’s Queen Isabel Catholic Vision of History Award in recognition of his remarkable service to the Church and to Catholic education.
“Dr. James Hitchcock has for decades faithfully served Christ and His Church in numerous ways, particularly as an historian,” said President Emeritus Dr. Timothy O’Donnell during the award presentation. “He is an excellent example to all of us of scholarship in the service of the faith. He has been a good friend of Christendom College over the years and we are delighted to honor his service with the college’s Queen Isabel award for achievement in the field of history.”
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen, and is survived by his four daughters, six grandchildren, and his sister. The entire Christendom community mourns his loss and gives thanks for his extraordinary legacy.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.