Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Ward, John J.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


JOHN J. WARD clergyman, P.O. Bristol, is the pastor of the 
Roman Catholic church in Bristol, of which faith were his 
parents, John and Mary (Campbell) Ward, natives of Ireland, 
who came to this country shortly after their marriage.  Our 
subject was the youngest but one of a family of eight, and 
was born January 1, 1847. He was educated in church schools, 
and ordained a priest April 3, 1871.  His first appointment 
was as assistant at St. Peter's church, Reading, Pa.  From 
there he was transferred to Philadelphia, serving for eight 
years at various churches, among others at the Cathedral, 
where he spent the better part of two years.  On the death 
of the Rev. P. A. Lynch, of St. Mark's church, Bristol, 
Father Ward was appointed his successor by the late 
Archbishop Wood, assuming charge of the parish May 3, 1879.  
His pastoral care at that time embraced Bristol, and two 
outside missions, Newtown and Yardleyville, each eleven 
miles distant.  During the summer of 1880 these missions 
were formed into a separate parish, with a resident pastor 
at Newtown. His present congregation is growing rapidly and 
now numbers about fifteen hundred souls.  Father Ward is 
regarded as a very energetic worker.  Soon after his advent 
to Bristol he took up the unfinished work of his laborious 
predecessor, beautified the interior of the church, erected 
a handsome and sweet-toned pipe organ at a cost of $1200, 
and made many other much-needed improvements at a total 
expenditure of about $5000. Scarcely, however, were these 
things accomplished when an accidental fire destroyed most 
of the church interior.  Sustained by the sympathy of the 
entire Bristol community and that of many outside friends, 
he again went to work with renewed energy, and has no 
unquestionable the handsomest church in Bucks county.  It is 
finely finished, having large, commodious pews, frescoed 
walls and ceiling, beautiful altars, and a first class 
pipe-organ.  Recognizing the great advantages of a parish 
school, Father Ward in 1884 purchased a most admirable site 
for this purpose on Radcliffe street, facing the river, on 
which the school building and sisters' convent are now being 
erected.  The building from present appearances will be an 
ornament to the town; it is much admired by all who see it.  
Besides the devoted attachment of his own congregation 
Father Ward rejoices in the respect and esteem of the entire 
Bristol community.