[2] After attending local parochial schools in Baltimore, he completed his studies in the classics and philosophy at St. Mary's College in 1850.

[4] Upon his return to Maryland in November 1857, he served as pastor of St. Brigid's Church Archived 2009-08-23 at the Wayback Machine in Baltimore.

[1] Foley also served as principal of the House of the Good Shepherd, and assisted Archbishop Martin John Spalding in establishing new missions and schools and developing charitable institutions.

[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 4 from Cardinal Gibbons, with Bishops John Loughlin and Edgar Wadhams serving as co-consecrators, at the Baltimore Cathedral.

[5] The development of the automobile industry in Detroit led to a massive increase in population, and the number of Catholics more than tripled during Foley's tenure.