Clergymen of St. Philomena’s
Howe Island 1846-1932
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Howe Island Priests 1932-present Click here to see Howe Islanders who joined the clergy. Scroll down for more information and photos on some of the priests. John R. O'Dowde 1846 Alexander Macdonell 1846-1847 John V. Foley 1848-1851 James B.(H.?R.?) Rossiter 1851-1862 Patrick Dollard V.G.(temporary) 1862 Alexander Macdonell(above) 1862-1863 Patrick Walsh 1863-1865 Michael O'Connor 1865-1869 J.J.Howard 1869 C.H.Gauthier 1869-1874 Dominic J.Casey 1874-1879 Thomas Kelly 1879-1883 William A. MacDonnell 1883-1886 John Hogan 1886-1889 John O’Gorman 1889-1906 John Patrick Kehoe 1906-1923 Archibald J. Hanley 1923-1931 Louis E. Staly 1931-1932 1932 St. Philomena's established as a parish by Archbishop M.J. O'Brien John W. Callahan 1932-1940 Wilfred Laurier Terrion 1940-1947 J.J. Collins 1947-1948 Walter Whelan 1948-1948 E.J. Way 1949-1951 Tom J. Larkin 1951-1954 W.A. Dwyre 1954-1958 J.P. Ainslie 1958-1960 A.C. Hendrikx 1960-1966 Due to shortage of priests was reverted back to status of a mission of Gananoque in 1966. John W. Callahan 1966-? John R. O’Dowde 1846 The first pastor, he served from June 1846 to Dec. Alexander Macdonell 1846-1847 Ordained by Bishop Patrick Phelan on July 19, 1846. Served Dec 1846 to Dec 1847. He began the building of the King St. church in Gananoque. John V. Foley 1848-1851 Ordained by Bishop Phelan on Aug 8 1847. After Gananoque served in other parishes such as Westport, Brockville. James B.(H.?R.?) Rossiter 1851-1862 Ordained by Bishop Phelan on Dec 1 1850. Stone church constructed on Howe Island during his pastorate in 1858 Died at age 36. Buried in Gananoque. Tombstone: James R. Rossiter Died October II, 1863, In his thirty-seventh year. Parish priest of Gananoque. Beside his stone is his mothers... Near her esteemed son repose the remains of Mrs. Ellen Rossiter died January 6, 1864, age 63. During Father Rossiters illness he was replaced by Dr. Dollard, V.G. Patrick Dollard V.G.(temporary) 1862 Dollard was Vicar General of the Diocese and also Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral was not considered a pastor of the church, but rather only a replacement until a new pastor was found. Alexander Macdonell(above) 1862-1863 Returned to Gananoque as pastor after the death of Father Rossiter, however only for one year. Charles H. Gautheir 1869-1874 Born in Glengarry County Nov 13, 1844. Attended Regiopolis College in Kingston. Ordained into the priesthood by Bishop E.J. Horan on Aug 24, 1867. Was a professor at Regiopolis for two years before being appointed his first parish- Gananoque. Appointed Dean in 1886 when he was pastor in St. Francis Xaiver in Brockville. In 1891 was named Vicar General of the Archdiocese. In 1898 was appointed Archbishop of Kingston by Pope Leo XIII. Became Bishop of Kingston and Archbishop of Ottawa. Died January of 1922 in Ottawa. Dominic J. Casey 1874-1879 Born in Smith Falls on March 5, 1849 the son of Richard Casey and Bridget Campbell. Went to school both in Smith Falls and at Regiopolis in Kingston. Attended the Grand Seminary of St. Sulpice in Montreal. Ordained May 28, 1872 in Smith Falls by Bishop E. Horan. Was Curate in Peterborough and later Chaplain of the penitentiary. From there he became pastor of Gananoque. His next appointment was to Campbellford where he was pastor for 15 years. He was appointed Archdeacon of Peterborough and Rector of St. Peter's Cathedral in January of 1894. Thomas Kelly 1879-1883 Possibly one of many priests brought over from Ireland by Archbishop Cleary. Was ordained June 17, 1877. Served Gananoque and Howe for four years. Thirty years later a Thomas Kelly is mentioned as one of the Diocesan Consultors sworn in by Father Spratt in 1916- is this the same person? John Hogan 1886-1889 Born in Perth in 1854. Ordained on Dec 23 1876. Name pastor of church in Napanee in early 1889. John O’Gorman 1889-1906 Born on an estate known as Maule House, Boherby, some thirty miles from the City of Cork, in 1860. Attended College of Maynooth for study of priesthood. Came to Canada in 1884. He was stationed for a few months at the Bishop's Palace in Kingston, then appointed to Prescott. He was an assistant in Belleville when appointed pastor of Gananoque and its missions. Father O’Gorman died of injuries caused by an accidental fall in October of 1906. He loved the island and asked to be buried there. He was buried in the cemetery and a large Celtic Cross erected in his memory. Later his remains were placed beneath new altar of the sacristy during the pastorate of Rev Hanley. It was during his pastorate that the church completely finished. He was also responsible for the building of the 3 separate schools. There was a huge procession and an impressive funeral mass celebrated by Archbishop Gauthier for Father O'Gorman. At the start of the procession the bells of St. John's tolled, as well as the bells of the Methodist and Presbyterian chruches and the Town bell. The procession wended its way along Stone Street to King, then Main in Gananoque, then to the wharf. The remains were placed on Mr. Charles McDonald's steam yacht, Kate, and taken to Howe Island. A steamer took a full load of people, and many small boats followed as well, containing friends and the clergymen of the other three chruches. The hearse and carriages met the boats at Howe Island wharf and the remains were conveyed to St. Philomena's cemetery where they were placed in a sustaintial brick vault built for the purpose. Tombstone: Pray for the soul of the Rev’d John D. O’Gorman who died Oct 1st, 1906, in the 46th year of his age and the 22nd of his sacred ministry, sustained by the blessed hope which takes from death her victory and from the grave its sting, may his soul rest in peace. This monument has been erected to his memory by the people of this Island who hold his name in benediction. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance Psalm CX 1.6 Father O'Gorman requested that his replacement be Father John Kehoe, then Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral. His request was granted.  (click on photo for larger, clearer version.) John Patrick Kehoe 1906-1923 Born in Ireland. Ordained May 31 1890. Rector of St.Mary's Cathedral before succeeding Father O'Gorman. Was appointed to the Deanery in 1923. Some debate as to his deate of death- Bureau of Vital Stats has it recorded as Dec 31 1923. He was a member of the school board. Article: Jan 2, year? Although known for many days that Dean Kehoe had only a short time to live, yet the knews of his death at the Hotel Dieu, Kingston, came as a great shock to his parishoners and to the citzens of our town and vicinity generally. Dean Kehoe was most dearly loved and revered by his parishoners, and also brother priests throughout the diocese, who looked upon him as their model and sought his counsel. He came to Gananoque seventeen eyars ago as successor to the late Father O'Gorman, and during that time, has not only freed the beautiful edifice of St. John's from debt, but has decorated the interior, and made it one of the finest churches in Canada. A couple of years ago he built a handsome new school here, and thogh he has gone, he has left monuments that will live and keep his memory green through many generations. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 9:30 from St. John's Church to Howe Island. It is expected a very large number of priests and the highest dignitaries fo the Church will be here to pay their last respects to this noble priest, and assist at the ceremonies attendant on one who has marited the highest tribute the Catholic Church can bestow on him who served her faithfully and well. Archibald J. Hanley 1923-1931 A native of Kingston. Ordained Dec 21 1901. Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral before succeeding Father Kehoe. Left Gananoque to be pastor in Brockville in 1931. While there was appointed Dean. Died Jan 9 1942 Louis E. Staly 1931-1932 Born on Wolfe Island. Was ordained Nov 23, 1905. From a religious family, 2 brothers became priests and three sisters joined, one to the Sisters of Providence in Kingston and two to the Sisters of Loretta in Toronto. Was pastor of St. Mary's in Chesterville before his appointment to Gananoque. Remained at Gananoque until 1942. Died Oct 16 1954  (click on photo for larger, clearer version.) Pastors, Past and Present Aug 9 1958 “Present and former resident pastors of St. Philomena’s parish stand beside Archbishop O’Sullivan during the Centennial celebrations Sunday. Left to right, Rev. J.W. Callahan, first resident pastor, Rev. T.J. Larkin, Rev. J.P. Ainslie, Archbisop O’Sullivan, Rev. W.A. Dwyre, Rev. J.J. Collins.” Sources:-Various newspaper articles, obits,-Wilf Garrah (Big big thank yous to Wilf for all of his help and contributions. I couldn't have made this page without him!) -Built on a Rock: The Story of the Roman Catholic Chruch in Kingston 1826-1976 by Louis J. Flynn -St.Philomena’s Church Centenary 1858-1958 booklet -Father Appelman (email to Wilf Garrah) -Eileen Truesdell -They Blazed the Trail by Sister Mary Faustina (Elizabeth Mattimoe) -Theresa Meaghar Abeles Donnelly The Islands : Churches: Howe Island Clergymen 1846-1932 Copyright
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