Church: Parish Campaign: St Kyrans RC, Heckersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kevin Frantz USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________ The following information was obtained from the $10,400 Parish Campaign Souvenir Record booklet published by St. Kyran's Church, Heckscherville, in 1918. Historical Sketch of St. Kyran's Church Heckscherville, Pa. St. Kyran's parish, Schuylkill County, is situated principally in Cass Township, but also includes a small part of Foster Township, and also a still smaller portion of Newcastle Township. It lies between the Broad Mountain on the north and the Mine Hill Mountain on the south. It comprises a narrow strip of territory between these mountains, and extends from eat to west a distance of more than seven miles. Within its boundaries are included nine small settlements or patches, as they are generally called: Greenbury at the extreme east, and then lying towards the west, Coal Castle, Heckscherville, Thomaston, Mackeysburg, Glen Carbon, Taylorsville, Buck Run and Mt. Pleasant. The parish church is situated in the middle western part of Heckscherville. To write fully the history of the parish, it would be necessary to seek the origin and trace the development of each of the settlements, because each one has had its own peculiar story of life and growth. Such a history, however, would far exceed the brief space allowed in a work of this kind. In general, however, it may be said that when the earliest settlers of the valley first tilled the soil in their efforts to gain a livelihood, their spades and plows turned up not a few relics of former inhabitants, the Red Men. Spears, arrows, tomahawks, etc., gave probability to the belief that the valley was once the happy home and pleasant hunting ground of the Indian. Digging deeper than the plows blade, men soon discovered the rich veins of coal which have made these regions famous the world over. On the surface, the Heckscherville valley is not altogether unlike what it was almost a hundred years ago. Standing on the Glen Carbon hill, whence a splendid panoramic view of the valley may be obtained, one sees for many miles the steep mountain sides, densely covered with lofty trees and sturdy laurel. Here and there may be seen a cluster of red and white cottages or a somber culm bank to vary the scene. At the time of the earliest Catholic settlers, the nearest catholic church to Heckscherville was at Pottsville, a distance of about eight miles. As there was no railway communication at that time, many of the sturdy Catholics walked to Pottsville to attend Mass and to receive the sacraments. In the year 1846, St. Vincent de Paul's church was built at Minersville. This was a very considerable advantage to the Catholics of the valley because some could, without extreme difficulty, pass through Mine Hill Gap to Minersville, while those of the more western part could cross the mountain, but were often compelled to force a path through the dense woods and bushes of the mountain. In the year 1857, the spirit of the apostolic zeal prompted the good pastor an the assistant of St. Vincent's, to make more suitable provisions for the Catholics across the mountain. Father Malone and his assistant, Father Scanlon, visited the valley and began the splendid work of forming a new parish. Day after day these good priests visited the scattered families and explained their noble errand. True to the best instincts of their faith and race, the Catholics quickly and generously responded to the appeal. Not only did they gladly pay the assessment of ten dollars a family, a large amount for those times and conditions, but hundreds of strong willing hands dug the earth and carried the stones for the new church. At that time the Catholics formed a very large part of the population, and formed a rather good sized congregation. Great, indeed, was the joy and exultation of the people when they saw the opportunity of having a church which they could call their own, and where they could attend Mass and receive the sacraments, without the extreme hardships of long journeys or mountain travel. Every evening after work the men continued the task of preparing for the new building. Before long, the place and material were prepared to the extent that the contractors could begin their work. In one of the oldest of the church records we find the following entry. "Received, Minersville, September, 1857, the sum of four hundred dollars on amount of mason work done on St. Kyran's Roman Catholic Church, Heckscherville, Schuylkill County, $400.00, Farrell and Curry." By this time the excavating was completed and the walls were so far advanced that the corner-stone could be laid. Not a few of the present congregation remember distinctly the glorious day, September 16th 1857, when the Rev. Nicholas J. Cantwell, of Philadelphia, in the presence of a vast concourse of people, solemnly laid the corner-stone of the fine substantial stone structure that was to be the parish church and was to be dedicated to God under the patronage of St. Kyran. In October of the same year Right Rev. John H. Neuman, Bishop of Philadelphia, visited Heckscherville and examined the progress made in the erection of the new church. The oldest available records of the church give Sunday, August 1st 1858, as the day on which Sunday Mass began to be regularly celebrated. Tradition tells us that at that time the interior of the church was but poorly furnished, yet the congregation was happy and was resolved to complete the work as soon as means would permit. The first baptism record is that of Thomas Holohan and is under date of June 27, 1858. The record is signed by Rev. John Scanlon. The first record of marriage is that of Patrick Coyle and Anna Dailey, and is under date of September 12th, 1858, and is also signed by Rev. J. Scanlon. December 6th of the same year was another memorable day for the parish for then it was that the saintly Bishop Neuman again visited Heckscherville to see and to approve of the splendid progress made in the formation of the new parish and to confirm a large class of one hundred and fifty-six persons. At the time of the Bishop's visit, the parish Rectory was a small frame structure, situated in the cemetery, about three hundred feet south of the church. Both the priest and the people felt there should be a residence somewhat in keeping with the church. The same energetic pastor who had commenced the construction of the church also undertook the building of the present substantial rectory. These two stone structures situated beautifully on the hillside, immediately became the center of a new religious life. Once more had the words of God become true, "I will set My tabernacle in the midst of you, and My soul shall not cast you off, I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people." Evidence of the newly awakened zeal is found in the fact that even during the administration of the first pastor, there was a large and splendidly formed Sunday-school. Previously catechism had been taught whenever and wherever it was practical. In 1865 the Sunday-school numbered thirty-eight teachers and two hundred and sixty-eight pupils. The records of 1875 show that excellent work was being done by the Altar Society in the purchase of vestments and other requisites for the use of the sanctuary. During the year 1879 and following two excellent Temperance Societies were established, one for men and another for the boys. The latter alone numbered nearly two hundred members. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in the year 1885. As the formation and work of such societies is an indication of spiritual growth, these records show that the members of the parish have been anxious to enjoy and promote the work of their religion. The Rev. J.B. Scanlon was the pastor of St. Kyran's Church: to him and to Father Malone belongs the honor of having turned the first furrow in this part of God's vineyard. There are many in the parish today who recall the pleasure and gratitude the zealous labor of the first pastor. After ten years as pastor, Father Scanlon was transferred to Phoenixville, and later to Summit Hill where he died in the year 1882. The next pastor to assume charge was Father McHugh. He was ordained priest June 22nd in the Philadelphia Cathedral, by the Right Rev. Bishop Wood. Re. John J. Reilly was sent to Father McHugh as an assistant, and remained with him until the death of Father McHugh, which occurred in the month of January, 1875. The next pastor appointed to take charge of the parish was the Rev. Matthew P. O'Brien. The untiring labors of Father O'Brien produced excellent results, but his work was of short duration, because after a brief stay he was transferred to another pastorate. Rev. Martin P. Walsh, who had been recently ordained, succeeded Father O'Brien in the year 1876. In 1879 Rev. Patrick McSwiggan was appointed pastor. For six years he labored zealously to promote the welfare of the people. At the death of Father McSwiggan, Rev. J.A. Keul was pastor for a little more than the space of a year, and was succeeded by the Rev. J.C. Wynne. In the year 1897 Rev. J.J. Dolan came as pastor, and had for his assistant Rev. P.J. Gallagher, and later Rev. Andrew McCue. In Father Dolan's time some considerable improvements were made in the beautifying the church property. In 1900 the Rev. P.J. Tierney undertook the improvement of the interior of the church. The walls and ceiling were refinished and repainted. The work of still further beautifying the interior was continued by the Rev. William A. Motley, who succeeded Father Tierney in the year 1904. Father Motley had the present stained glass windows placed in position. Rev. Cornelius J. O'Neill succeeded as pastor in the year 1912, and after two years was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. John B. Dever. During the last four years the following priests have been assistants: Rev. Cajetan Dianna, D.D.; Rev. Henry McElroy, Rev. J. Campbell, Rev. Charles D. Collum and Rev. Cornelius F. Burke. The member of the parish are now almost entirely Irish American Catholics. There are not, perhaps, more than twelve native born Irish in the valley at present. It is said that in 1845 a William Paine bought the Chapman colliery, the first to be operated in Heckscherville, and tradition tells us that he went to Ireland and induced a number of large, able-bodied men and their families to come from Kilkenny and Queens County to this valley, as the men of those parts were supposed to be somewhat familiar with the work of mining. Whether the entire narration be true or not, it is certain that the forefathers of the present population came almost exclusively from those two counties of Ireland. During almost a century there have been but few influences to change either the faith or the racial characteristics of this people. They have still the strong faith, still the ready wit and keen affection, and charming brogue of their ancestors. This is in part accounted for by the fact that until recent years there was no railway communications with Pottsville and Minersville, and as a seven or eight mile walk to Pottsville, or a trip over the rugged mountains was generally not relished, the people became accustomed to seek their interest and amusements at home among themselves. The new trolley line and the advent of the automobile have done something to change the social life of the people. Yet even the closer contact with city life has not changed very much the home loving character of the people. In 1902 the western part of the parish began to enjoy a very substantial development. The Buck Run Coal Company, having leased holdings from the Reading Co., began the first really successful mining operations of this section. Several lesser attempts were made at distant intervals to reach the rich coal deposits of the place. The new growth of this portion of the parish necessitated some accommodations for the Catholics, not a few of whom had come from cities where every opportunity was offered for the becoming practice of religion. Accordingly Mass was occasionally offered in the little frame building where the road turns to Minersville. The room could accommodate about one hundred people. Pleased to have even these meager accommodations, the good people attended Mass every month with surprising fidelity and oftentimes when it was not possible even to have Mass once a month, many would make the long journey to Heckscherville. In the year 1914 it was deemed advisable to erect a small chapel at the west end of the parish. Accordingly a site was leased on the Buck Run property, situated as near as possible at equal distances from the surrounding patches, Buck Run, Taylorsville, Mount Pleasant and west Glen Carbon. A tract of land was cleared in the woods and the first ground was broken by James B. Neale, president of the Buck Run Coal Co., and Mr. John O'Donnell, of Heckscherville, one of the oldest and the most respected members of the parish. Sturdy and willing hands soon cleared the ground and dug the excavations of the promised building. Jacob Kilgus, a local contractor, carefully carried out the plans of Mr. A. A. Ritcher, of Reading, who was the designer and supervisor of the construction of the chapel. On July 25th, 1915, Rt. Rev. Bishop McCort, of Philadelphia, laid the corner-stone. On this occasion the sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph Dever. In November of the same year the chapel was completed and was dedicated in November, under the title of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The building is a frame structure 65 feet in length and 40 feet in width. It has a seating capacity of three hundred persons, is well heated by steam and lighted by electricity. A neat commodious basement of the same dimensions renders the building even more useful for the purposes of instructions, entertainments, meetings, etc. Judging by the splendid support given by this western portion of the parish, the near future should see the interior of the chapel neatly frescoed, the grounds beautified, and a bell to tell the glad tidings of religion of these good people. In the spring of the following year an effort was made to better the conditions of the Catholics of the eastern part o the parish, especially at Greenbury. Permission was granted by the Newcastle School Board to hold services in the school on Sundays. From that time Mass was said regularly at the little red school house, a beautiful photograph of which appears in this book. As might be expected, this easier access to the advantages of religion, and the more regular practice of its teaching, produced good results. The sincere zealous parents, realizing the hardships and disadvantages that had necessarily attended their own childhood, were sincerely desirous of giving their children better facilities for knowing their religion and also for fitting themselves to meet the not easy problems of life. The priest, sincerely anxious to second this holy desire of the parents, and above all, wishing to secure for the splendid children every possible educational advantage, had plans drawn for a really up to date school, in which would be given a strictly first class secular and religious education. The spring of 1916 saw the work of erecting a new school and convent well under way on the church property at Heckscherville. On August 27th, the Most Reverend Edmond F. Prendergast, Archbishop of Philadelphia, came to Heckscherville to bless the new Parochial School. That was a bright day in the history of the parish, and the parish, by the splendid attendance of its people, and their intense enthusiasm, showed how keenly it appreciated the blessing it enjoyed in the possession of a substantial and well equipped parish school. The masterly sermon preached by Rev. George P. Degnan clearly outlined the work and benefits of the parochial school, and the kind, eloquent words of the Archbishop told of his delight and gratitude for this new pledge of the zeal and loyalty of St. Kyran's people. October of the same year he parish possessed a splendid school building with six large classrooms with a capacity of two hundred and fifty children, together with a beautiful auditorium with a commodious stage and a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty persons. Not only has the parish a school of which it is justly proud, but it has also a neat and substantial convent which provides for the seven Sisters, under whose care the school is placed. The school course comprises the regular course of eight grades, to which is added a two year high school commercial course. The entire cost of these two buildings, with their equipment, was somewhat above twenty-four thousand dollars. The best proof of the interest felt by the people for the work is shown by the fact that within four years improvements more than thirty thousand dollars have been made and paid for. There is one thing in particular that graces the history of St. Kyran's parish, it is a fact that not a few of its children have consecrated their lives to God in religion. The following may be called its Honor Roll: Rev. Thomas Comeford Sr. M. Edmunda-Prendergast Rev. Michael Mulligan Mother St. Augustine-Nolan Rev. P.J. Egan Sr. M. Estella Rev. P.J. O'Connor Sr. M. Calsanctius-Tobin Rev. Charles A. Prendergast Sr. St. Johanna-O'Donnell Rev. Wm. A. O'Donnell Sr. Alphonse-Purcell Rev. M.A. Dolan Sr. St. Vincent De Paul-Harding Rev. W.A. Daley, D.D. Sr. M. Andrea-Larkin Rev. James Brennan Sr. M. Delphina-Shore Rev. John Martin Sr. M. Epiphanius-Campion Rev. Edward Martin Sr. St. Louis-Brennan Rev. J. Muldowney Sr. M. De Sales-Gallagher Sr. M. Ethelbert-O'Connor Brothers of Christian Schools Sr. Aurelia-Campion Brother Timothy-Moore Sr. Gonzales-Ladden Brother Gordian-O'Brien Sr. St. Robert-Lipsett Sr. St. Sulpice-Berner In the Sisterhoods Sr. Tarsisia-Sweeney Sr. M. Bruno-Herrick Sr. M. Clotilda-Close Sr. M. Bertilla-Nolan The Catholics have also been true to the interest of their country, as is shown by the war records of 1861, when a goodly number fought for the Union. In the present war, the Catholics of the parish have a record of which they may well be proud. Many of our boys are now in France and war activities at home are well attended to. Several of the men of the parish now are devoting their evenings to the interesting work of digging and blasting a large cavity in the grandly picturesque hillside at the west of the church. Their purpose is to fashion a beautiful grotto and shrine of solid rock. It will resemble, as nearly as possible, the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. At present there is every indication that the people of St. Kyran's parish are anxious and determined to make their church property as beautiful as possible. The parish buildings are splendidly situated and afford magnificent opportunity for improvement. Priests and people are happy to think that we now have all the necessary parish buildings, and yet we must feel rather ashamed of some of the present conditions. The interior of the church is badly in need of repair. The floor is badly worn and must be replaced by a new one; the pews are dilapidated and more commodious ones should take their place; the interior of the church should be frescoed and the outside needs painting; the shabby condition of the sanctuary in no way represents our love for the real presence of our divine Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. But regarding these contemplated repairs and improvements, there is not the slightest doubt but that the same intelligent zeal and splendid generosity that have made it possible to erect a chapel, a school and a convent and to pay for them more than thirty thousand dollars in less than four years, will continue and make perfect the splendid work so well done thus far. We are impatient to have the church as beautiful as we can make it. we wish to have a splendid sanctuary with becoming altars, where every detail pertaining to divine service will be suited to its holy purpose. During sixty years the Catholics of this valley have turned their eyes and their thoughts to the little church on the hillside, and have realized those words of Sacred Scripture: "I have lifted up my eyes to the mountain whence my help shall come to me," and before long they will be able to say in truth those other beautiful words of the Royal Psalmist, "I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth." In this jubilee year of the parish we look back with gratitude to God for His numberless graces and blessings; we look back with pride and pleasure to the generations of good people who in prosperity and adversity have been so loyal to God and so faithful to his priests. The fidelity, the self-sacrifice and the generosity of the past are the surest and best pledges for the future growth and greater perfection of God's work. Following is the List of Subscribers, and the amount each contributed to this fundraising campaign at St. Kyran's: Rev. John B. Dever, $500.00 Frank Kennedy $30.00 Heckscherville St. Kyran's BVM Sodalit $47.00 Mrs. M.H. O'Keefe, Phila $10.00 St. Kyran's Holy Name Society $15.00 Mary McAvoy, Duncott $2.00 St. Kyran's League of the Mrs. James McHugh $5.00 Sacred Heart $40.00 Gerald A. Murphy $5.00 St. Kyran's School Children $500.00 John Murphy, Phila. $10.00 Rev. Lawrence Fahey, $100.00 Mr. & Mrs. Michael O'Connor, Minersville Pottsville $105.00 A Friend from Philadelphia $30.00 John O'Donnell,Pottsville $100.00 Hannah Brennan, Minersville $10.20 Parish Euchre, St. Kyran's $50.00 Lucilla Brennan, Shamokin $10.00 Mrs. Harry Pletcher,Phila. $10.00 Mrs. Patrick Brennan,Pottsville $1.00 Rofowich Bros., Pottsville $15.00 Thomas Brennan, Plymouth $1.00 Jake Refowich, Pottsville $5.00 Cash $235.00 Florence Sibley, Phila. $10.00 Catherine C. Clancey, Renshaw $10.20 Mary T. Strowhower, Phila. $2.00 Companions of Foresters of America, Heckscherville $25.00 Jas. J. Craney, Torpedo Boat Stewart $5.00 Martin Delaney, Primrose $1.00 Sallie Delaney, Pottsville $1.00 J.J. Dunn, Philadelphia $5.00 Charles Gildemeyer, $1.00 Minersville BUCK HORN Nolan Family $30.00 BUCK RUN Phil Brennan $30.00 Thomas R. Brennan $15.00 Anna E. Collier $25.00 Geo. Brutoskie $50.00 Helen E. Collier $25.00 Wilbur Loftus $1.00 James H. Collier $400.00 John McNamara $50.00 Mrs. James H. Collier $100.00 Jennie Mahoney $5.00 Mary F. Collier $50.00 John Mahoney $50.00 Reba Cole $50.00 Mary Licback $10.00 James Cregan $10.00 Thomas Mahoney $1.00 John Craney $30.00 Henry Martin $10.00 Kathryn Curran $1.00 John Martin $100.00 Lawrence Curran $1.00 Anna Marzinko $10.00 Michael Curran $50.00 Charles Marzinko $50.00 James Curran $30.00 Frank Marzinko $30.00 Frank Hallock $50.00 Mrs. Frank Marzinko $20.00 William Haney $30.00 Madeline Sheridan $5.00 Katie Hoban $25.00 William Sheridan $20.00 Thos. Hoban $50.00 Baby Betty Tobin $5.00 Alex. Johnson $30.00 James Tobin $50.00 Sarah Johnson $1.00 Kit Sweeney $10.00 B.A. Kennedy $10.00 Cath. R. Kennedy $5.00 Cormac F. Kennedy $100.00 Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kenney $100.00 Dan Kennedy, Jr. $5.00 Philip Kennedy $5.00 Veronica Kennedy $5.00 Vincent Kennedy $5.00 Patrick Ladden, Sr. $50.00 Mildred Loftus $1.00 Owen Loftus $30.00 COAL CASTLE Patrick Adams $10.00 Julia Nash $5.00 James Bergan $30.00 Joseph L. O'Brien $30.00 Patrick H. Bergan $30.00 John O'Connor $30.00 William Bergan $50.00 Julia O'Connor $50.00 Anna Brennan $ 5.00 Elizabeth O'Neill $10.00 Jeremiah Brennan $30.00 James Nolan $100.00 Mrs. Jerry Brennan & Family $10.00 Anna Quinn $5.00 John H. Brennan $30.00 Helen Quinn $5.00 Joseph Brennan $25.00 John Quinn $15.00 Jef. Canfield $30.00 Margaret Quinn $5.00 Thomas Canfield $30.00 Mrs. John Ryan & Family $30.00 Thomas Grace $10.00 Michael Shore & Family $30.00 Michael Hoban $25.00 Michael Sweeney $30.00 Elizabeth & Anna Hughes $10.00 John Verchick $10.00 Arthur Hunt $20.00 Edwin Waltz $60.00 Michael Hunt $10.00 Mrs. Edwin Waltz $10.00 Thomas Hunt $20.00 A.O. Weller $50.00 James Kilcullen $10.00 Baby Mary Weller $10.00 Patrick Kirk $10.00 Gabriel & Mary Krobath $ 5.00 Gabriel Krobath $ 7.00 Joseph Krobath $10.00 William Lynch $20.00 Thomas McDonald $30.00 Pat Moran $30.00 Muldowney Family $30.00 John J. Muldowney $5.00 CROW HOLLOW Mrs. M. Boland $20.00 GLEN CARBON Anna O. Boyle $5.00 Thomas Egan $30.00 Thomas O. Boyle $30.00 Will Egan & Family $30.00 Charles Berner & Family $30.00 Will Egan, Jr. $ 1.00 Frank Bergan $20.00 Pierce Grace $30.00 James Brennan $1.00 Patrick Haley, Sr. $30.00 James W. Brennan $30.00 Edward Haughney $50.00 Michael J. Brennan $1.00 Daniel Hennessey $15.00 Thomas H. Brennan $30.00 Pat Hughes & Family $30.00 Mrs. Pat Campion & Family $30.00 Richard Hughes $30.00 Richard Campion $30.00 Harry Johnson $10.00 Mrs. Mary Cleary $10.00 John Johnson $10.00 Mrs. John Daley & Family $30.00 Genevieve Maley $ 2.00 Michael Daley $20.00 Patrick Maley $50.00 Thomas Delaney $15.00 John Nolan $50.00 James Dolan $30.00 Joseph Purcell $30.00 Martin Dolan $15.00 Mrs. Julia Scully & Family $30.00 Thomas Dolan $10.00 Mrs. Caroline Tobin $30.00 Andrew Egan $2.00 James M. Tobin $10.00 Fred Egan $1.00 Margaret Tobin $2.00 John Egan $1.00 Eleanor Tracy $1.00 Pat Tracy $30.00 GREENBURY Mrs. Edward Brennan $30.00 John McDonald $30.00 Edward Daley $30.00 P.H. Moore $30.00 Michael Dempsey $30.00 Mrs. James Motley $30.00 Misses Foley $30.00 Mrs. Margaret Muldowney $30.00 John Hart $30.00 H.F. Sweeney $30.00 Thomas Lawlor $30.00 James Sweeney $30.00 James Love $7.00 HECKSCHERVILLE Michael J. Boran $30.00 Martin Larkin $30.00 Alice Brennan $1.00 George Leonard $25.00 Mrs. Anna Brennan $10.00 James Leonard $30.00 Harry Brennan $2.00 John McNamara $50.00 James W. Brennan $10.00 Alexander McDonald $30.00 John J. Brennan $15.00 Richard McNamara $30.00 Michael Joseph Brennan $5.00 Ambrose Mahoney $10.00 Patrick F. Brennan $30.00 Michael J. Mahoney $50.00 Patrick W. Brennan $15.00 Mrs. M. Mahoney $30.00 Robert Brennan $20.00 Thomas Mahoney $30.00 Master Robert Brennan $1.00 Mrs. Jos. Marrah & Son $30.00 Thomas F. Brennan $30.00 Mary E. Murphy $5.00 Thomas W. Brennan $15.00 Michael C. Murphy $10.00 Timothy Brennan $50.00 Michael J. Murphy, Jr $5.00 Wm. Geo. Brennan $1.00 Patrick Murphy $20.00 James Brophy $10.00 Billy O'Brien $5.00 Thomas Brophy $25.00 Joseph T. O'Brien $10.00 Patrick Callaghan $30.00 Aloysius O'Connor $50.00 Catharine Campion $1.00 Andrew O'Connor $50.00 Elizabeth Campion $1.00 John O'Connor $30.00 James Campion $1.00 M.J. O'Connor $30.00 Jere Campion $25.00 Mary, Vincent & Frances Malachy & Elizabeth Campion $5.00 O'Connor $20.00 Mrs. Thomas Campion $10.00 Patrick O'Connor $30.00 Vincent Campion $1.00 James V. O'Donnell $100.00 John Cantwell $30.00 J.P. O'Donnell $100.00 George Conville $10.00 Jos. A. O'Donnell $100.00 Katie Carroll $2.00 Alice Prendergrast $10.00 John Carroll $20.00 Wm. Prendergrast $10.00 Kathryn Courtney $1.00 A.M. Roderer $25.00 Michael Courtney $1.00 Daniel Ryan $25.00 Lucy Clancy $50.00 Dorothy Ryan $2.00 James Close, Jr. $10.00 George Ryan $5.00 Patrick Close $30.00 Jos. & Thos, Ryan $5.00 Thomas F. Close $50.00 Kathryn Ryan $5.00 Michael Coogan $25.00 Michael Ryan $30.00 Ed. J. Courtney $50.00 Mrs. Michael J. Ryan $30.00 James Curran $30.00 The Misses Ryan $20.00 James Daley $30.00 Susie Ryan $2.50 John J. Daley $25.00 Terence Ryan $30.00 Elizabeth Delaney $20.00 Mrs. Thos. Ryan $10.00 Ed. Dempsey $30.00 Vincent & Joseph Ryan $2.00 John Dormer $25.00 Thomas E. Ryan $40.00 Mary E. Foley $10.00 J.J. Sweeney, M.D. $50.00 Mrs. Peter Ford & Family $50.00 Mrs. James Sweeney $25.00 Aloysius Callaghan $2.50 Michael Whalen $30.00 Harry Callaghan $1.00 William Grace $30.00 James Holohan $20.00 Mrs. Pat Holohan & Family $30.00 Little Loretta Holohan $2.00 Mrs. James Hughes $5.00 Mary C. Hughes $2.00 Patrick Hughes $30.00 Mrs. Alice Kennedy & Family $30.00 MACKEYSBURG Daniel J. Bergan $25.00 Agnes Hennessey $10.00 Frank Bergan, Sr. $11.00 Mrs. Richard Hennessey $5.00 Frank J. Bergan, Jr. $15.00 John J. Horan $50.00 John J. Bergan $25.00 William Horan $30.00 Mary C. Bergan, Jr. $2.00 Thomas R. Hughes $30.00 Mary C. Bergan, Sr. $5.00 Edward Larkin $30.00 Patrick J. Bergan $35.00 Mrs. Ed. Larkin $5.00 Martin O. Brennan $42.50 Malcolm MacDougall $5.00 John O. Boyle, Sr. $10.00 Joseph Mahoney $30.00 John Boyle, Jr. $10.00 Michael Mahoney $30.00 Winifred Boyle $5.00 Patrick J. Maley $30.00 Ellie Daley $10.00 Mrs. Charles Marzinko $5.00 James Daley $25.00 Luke Nash $30.00 William Daley $30.00 James Noonan $30.00 Mrs. Mary Delaney $50.00 Alice Ryan $10.00 & Family Nellie Delaney $5.00 Edward Ryan $30.00 Helen & Thomas Grace $5.00 Lizzie Ryan $5.00 James P. Grace $30.00 James J. Ryan $5.00 Oliver Grace, Jr. $30.00 Dan Zerby $1.00 John Haley & Family $50.00 MT. PLEASANT Mrs. Mary Lavin $30.00 John H. Lord $50.00 Marty O'Brien $10.00 TAYLORSVILLE Patrick J. Brennan $30.00 John Maley $50.00 John Carr $30.00 Mr. & Mrs. G.W. Morrison $50.00 John Ford & Son $100.00 Tom O'Brien $20.00 Mrs. John Ford $25.00 Thomas O'Brien $20.00 Arthur Hughes $50.00 Edward A. Murphy $30.00 Clarence Johnson $5.00 Mrs. James Walsh $30.00 William Johnson $30.00 Mrs. James Walsh $30.00 Anthony Loftus $30.00 Louis Walsh $35.00 John Lord, Sr. $30.00 THOMASTON Joe Adams $10.00 Lawrence Delaney $30.00 Jeremiah Bergan $25.00 Robert & Anna Farrell $10.00 Michael Bergan $10.00 Thomas F. Farrell $30.00 Thomas Bergan $10.00 John Foley $15.00 Mrs. Mary C. Borders $10.00 Martin Heffron $30.00 Gerald Brennan $10.00 Jere Horan $10.00 James R. Brennan $30.00 Joe Lipsett & Mother $10.00 John Brennan $10.00 James Maley $20.00 John W. Brennan $30.00 James Moore $50.00 Michael Burns & Family $30.00 John Murphy $5.00 Bart Callaghan $30.00 Michael Purcell $10.00 Michael Campion $20.00 Thomas Quirk $30.00 Thomas Campion & Family $20.00 John V. Ryan $12.50 Mrs. James Craney $30.00 Patrick Ryan $10.00 William Ryan $10.00 In addition to the 12 page story of the fundraising campaign, this booklet also contains black and white photographs of people associated with St. Kyran's as well as advertisements for numerous businesses, mostly located in Pottsville. Some of the photographs include pictures of St. Kyran's Church, both inside and outside; the Rev. Denis J. Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Rev. John J. McCort, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Rev. Edmund F. Prendergast, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Rev. John B. Dever, Pastor of St. Kyran's; the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Buck Run; Rev. Cornelius F. Burke, Assistant Priest at St. Kyran's; Rev. James C. Wynne, Rev. Patrick Egan, Rev. Patrick O'Connor, Rev. Matthew P. O'Brien, Rev. Martin Welsh, Rev. Father McSwiggan, former pastors of St. Kyran's; D.B. O'Loughlin, manager of the fundraising campaign; Jeremiah O'Donnell, fundraising campaign chairman; scenery shots of Heckscherville, Buck Run, Coal Castle, Glen Carbon, Greenbury, Mackeysburg, Mt. Pleasant, Thomaston and Taylorsville; the Taylorsville school house and two group pictures of those gathered both inside and outside of St. Kyran's school for the fundraising campaign.