Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Donnelly, Rev. James E. December 20, 1850 - ????
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Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

REV. JAMES E. DONNELLY,
a courteous, accomplished and scholarly gentleman, and the present efficient
pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church of Hollidaysburg, is a son of Edward and
Ann (Mahan) Donnelly, and was born in County Longford, Ireland, December 20,
1850. Edward Donnelly was born and reared in Ireland, where he had two
brothers, James and Thomas, who were well educated men and efficient priests.
He received a classical education, and in 1865 came to Brooklyn, New York,
where he was engaged as an accountant for a number of years. He then removed
to Pittsburg, this State, where he died in 1885, aged seventy-three years. He
was an expert accountant, and married Ann Mahan, a native of Ireland, and
died in Pittsburg in 1887. They had a family of seven children, three sons
and four daughters: Edward, of Brooklyn, who is a contractor in the business
of unloading ships; Patrick, a machinist of Pittsburg; Rev. James E.; Ellen,
wife of James Tracey, a resident of Pittsburg; and Mary, widow of James
Cormick, and now a resident of Iron City.
      James E. Donnelly pursued his studies for some time at St. Xavier's
college, of New York city, under the charge of the Jesuits, then went to St.
Michael's college, of Toronto, Canada, which he left after a few months to
enter St. Michael's seminary, of Pittsburg, at which he completed his
theological course. On June 10, 1873, he was ordained to the priesthood by
Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominec, of Pittsburg, and was appointed as an assistant to
the Rev. William Pollard, the then venerable and scholarly pastor of St.
John's church, Pittsburg--south side. After three years of efficient service
he was promoted to a higher and more responsible position, and given charge
of the churches of Parker and Petrolia, which he labored faithfully with
until he was appointed pastor of the Freeport church, of Armstrong county. He
served the latter congregation until he was made the director of St. Francis
college, of Loretta, this State, where he remained for several months, and at
the end of that time was assigned as pastor of the Catholic churches of
Johnstown and Gallitzin. His labors in that field were very pleasant and
profitable until November 4, 1889, when he assumed charge of St. Mary's
Catholic church of Hollidaysburg, which he has arduously and faithfully
served ever since. 
      The history of St. Mary's church is one of interest. Prior to 1800
Doctor Gallitzin visited a few Catholics, who were residing at Frankstown.
Fathers Heyden and Lemeke visited the neighborhood of Hollidaysburg between
1800 and 1840, but it remained for Father Bradley, of Newry, in 1841, to
gather the few members of his church and establish Catholicism in
Hollidaysburg. He erected the present church edifice, which was dedicated
March 17, 1844. It is a fine and substantial brick building, 63 x 87 feet in
dimensions and well furnished throughout. Father Bradley was succeeded by
Rev. R. A. Wilson, whose successor, Rev. John C. Brady, was in turn succeeded
by Father John Walsh, who served from 1848 to 1876, and under whose pastorate
the school building, hall and parsonage were built, and a beautiful chime of
bells placed in the tower of the church. Father Walsh was succeeded by his
brother, Rev. Thomas Walsh, and after him in regular succession as pastors of
the church came Fathers J. E. Reardon, Haggerty, Kettle, and James E.
Donnelly, the present pastor.
      Father Donnelly has labored very arduously and with good success for
his church, and under his charge the congregation has increased rapidly,
until now it numbers seven hundred and twenty members. The parochial school
employs four teachers, and enrolls nearly two hundred pupils. The church,
parsonage and school hall are all fine buildings, and in December, 1853, when
the papal nuncio, Cardinal Cajetan Bedini, passed through Hollidaysburg, he
stopped and administered confirmation in St. Mary's church.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Annie Whiteman  Annie2ws@aol.com

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