Merced-San Diego-San Bernardino County CA Archives Biographies.....Doyle, George D. 1868 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 9, 2006, 1:23 am Author: John Outcalt (1925) REV. GEORGE D. DOYLE People familiar with the advancement of the Catholic faith on the Pacific Coast within the last third of a century unhesitatingly attribute a share of its growth to the untiring efforts of Rev. Father George D. Doyle, who since 1922 has been pastor of Our Lady of Mercy at Merced. George D. Doyle was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on October 18, 1868, the son of Thomas E. and Margaret (McKee) Doyle. Thomas E. Doyle was an artist of considerable ability and was particularly adept on interior decorating. Both parents are now deceased. George D. Doyle acquired a liberal education. He attended grammar and high school in his native city, then pursued the classical course in the University of Pennsylvania, studied philosophy at the St. Charles Seminary at Overbrook and gained his theological training at St. Paul's Seminary at St. Paul, Minn. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ireland, June 8, 1895. Following his ordination he taught in the seminary at St. Paul for six years; then he came to the Coast as a missionary under Bishop Conaty, who had charge of the Indian reservation in San Diego. Father Doyle remained on the reservation for thirteen years, and during this time he restored the Pala Mission, which was later, in 1916, destroyed by the flood of the San Luis Rey River, but was rebuilt by father Doyle. When the Indian school at Banning was built, Father Doyle was put in charge; he organized the Indians and built chapels. In 1906 the Banning Indian school was destroyed by fire and Father Doyle was instrumental in its restoration at a cost of $75,000. Father Doyle was then transferred to Needles, Cal., and while there the church was destroyed also by fire. Father Doyle took charge of rebuilding a new church and remained there for two years when he went to Madera, remaining there until he took up the work at Our Lady of Mercy in Merced. In a local newspaper in Merced of May 30, 1914, is the following historial review of the diocese where the church of Our Lady of Mercy is located. "Situated at the extreme southeasterly limits of the archdiocese of San Francisco, stands St. Patrick's Church, an edifice perhaps not of a very commanding appearance, being, in fact, built of wood, but around whose sacred precincts have foregathered many of the old pioneers of California, and within the sacred doors of which the same venerable priest whose name is intimately associated with its structure, still performs his solemn duties. Father McNamara, hale and hearty despite his advanced age, celebrates the sacrifice of the mass and performs the varied duties connected with his calling. He is known to everyone, not alone in Merced, but almost throughout the entire section of the territory, as his labors in the State have extended over a period of forty-three years. The church edifice and parochial residence are reminders of what might aptly be called the early pioneer life and buildings of California, for certainly in appearance they are woefully unlike many of the substantial and ornate churches gracing other cities. However, the parishioners are content, devout in their duties, and relatively speaking, the congregation is a large one. Father McNamara, of the old school, ripe in years and a close student of books, is a beloved priest on whom the shadows of age linger as if loath to show their hand, but willing rather to reveal the fount of a long and active life." The first settlers were of Catholic persuasion, consisting of a number of hardy men who were in the section. The fall of 1868 saw their coming, and being fairly satisfied, these pioneers lacked only the spiritual comforts afforded in Catholic teachings to make their lives complete. They besought the aid of Archbishop Alemany, who referred the matter of a visiting priest to the parish of Mariposa. Two parishioners, Patrick Carroll and Michael Dougan, under the instruction of the Archbishop, induced Rev. T. Fitzpatrick to visit Merced, where he celebrated holy mass and conferred the sacraments, the ceremonies being necessarily performed in the private dwelling of a parishioner. Father Fitzpatrick continued his service at odd intervals, the distance being great and the roads hard to travel. He was succeeded by Rev. Michael McNaboe, who labored along the line of his predecessor. In the year 1871, Father Michael McNamara succeeded Father McNaboe as pastor of Mariposa parish, and in the year 1872 the Catholics in Merced set about the task of building a church of their own. A parochial residence was also built at that time, and with its completion and consecration, by Archbishop Alemany, came the appointment of Father McNamara who remained the pastor of St. Patrick's Church. The duties of Father McNamara up to and including the years 1887 called for many exactions, the parish being wide and scattered, embracing all of Mariposa and Merced Counties. In 1916, after forty-three years of faithful service, Father McNamara was called to his reward. His body now lies in the splendid edifice since erected. A few months after the passing of Father McNamara the Most Rev. Archbishop Hanna appointed Rev. T. J. Brennan pastor, who, recognizing the fact that, due to the increase in population, the time was now ripe for a modern structure, proceeded immediately to raise funds for the splendid edifice which stands today a monument to his zeal. Father Brennan was succeeded by Rev. Edward M. Looney in 1918, who in turn was succeeded in 1920 by Rev. T. J. Kennedy. Upon the erection of the diocese of Monterey and Fresno Father Kennedy was withdrawn to San Francisco and Rev. George D. Doyle of the Los Angeles diocese was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Mercy. When the diocese of Monterey-Fresno was established in 1922 the diocese of Sacramento contributed Mariposa County and the archdiocese of San Francisco assigned Merced County to the new jurisdiction. Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Merced, was the only English-speaking parish in the two counties having a decent church. The change of the name from St. Patrick's to Our Lady of Mercy took place when the new church was finished under Father Brennan by permission of the Archbishop. The humble parish house was replaced by a modern parochial residence. The parish embraces all of Mariposa County, and Merced County as far north as Buhach, and west as far as Los Banos. The large attendance at St. Patrick's gives evidence that the faith of its parishioners is still as strong as that of its earlier members, who received only the visiting ministration of a district priest. Father Doyle prefers to stand by the principles of the Republican party, but is liberal-minded in selecting the candidate best suited to fill the office for which he has been chosen. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Merced. He takes a good citizen's part in all civic affairs that aid in the prosperity and advancement of his community. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH A Biographical Review OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified with Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY JOHN OUTCALT ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1925 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/merced/bios/doyle227gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 7.9 Kb