1877-1900

Fr. Murphy was born February, 25,1877 in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland. That accounts for his terrific sense of humor. He was ordained June 9, 1900, his first assignment was the Cathedral Chapel in St. Louis ,MO; which was before the new Cathedral was built. He went from there to St. Bridget and St. Mary's in St. Louis.

In 1908, he was made Pastor of Richwoods, MO, then in 1918, Pastor of St. Columbkille in Byrnesville, MO. At that time, St. Philomenas, in House Springs, MO, was a mission of St. Columbkille, so one Sunday mass in Byrnesville would be at 8:00am and House Springs mass was at 10:00am. The next Sunday would be just the opposite. Then, in 1957, due to the shift in population, St. Columbkille became a mission of St. Philomenas.

Due to health reasons, in 1955, Father Murphy resigned as Pastor of St. Columbkille. In 1959, he went into Regina Cleric Retirement Home for Priests.

Fr. Murphy died April 6,1960 at the age of 83. The funeral was at the St. Louis Cathedral and burial was in the priests lot at Calvary Cemetery.

Fr. Murphy was the most religious man you would ever meet, after his death the St. Louis Register, later (and now) named the St. Louis Review, came out with this ad.

"Now you have the opportunity to train future Priest and honor the memory of Fr. Jeremiah J. Murphy. To perpetuate the memory of this beloved Archdiocesan Priest. A Student Seminary Purse Fund to help educate young men for the priesthood has been established in his name."

The Knights of Columbus, in House Springs, MO, being strong supporters of vocations, therefore chose Fr. Jeremiah Murphy as their council name.

A lot of this information was received from Father's cousin, Jack, who lines in St. Louis. In his letter to me he states Fr. was a faithful and holy Priest who loved his parishioner and served them faithfully as well. As you know, he had a great sense of humor, he was one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever met.

May he rest in peace.

As read  by John Nahlik, Jan 2005,Council Meeting.

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