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| You are in: Museum of History >> Hall of North and South Americans >> William Quinn | |
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| You are in: Museum of History >> Hall of North and South Americans >> William Quinn | |
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QUINN, William, clergyman, born in Donoughmore, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1821; died in Paris, France, 15 April, 1887. He came to the United States in 1841, entered the ecclesiastical seminary at Fordham, New York, and was ordained priest by Bishop Hughes on 17 December, 1845. He subsequently became pastor of St. Peter's church in Barclay street, New York, where, besides having to clear off a debt of $140,000, he was opposed by the lay trustees, who had control of the church building. There was also $137,000 due to poor men and women who had intrusted their savings to the care of St. Peter's church. He was actively supported by Bishop Hughes, and finally succeeded in triumphing over the trustees and paying the debts. He was appointed pastor of the cathedral on 1 May, 1873, and was also made vicar-general. During the absence of Cardinal McCloskey in 1875 and 1878 he had charge of the administration of the archdiocese. As vicar-general he had the direction of the purchase, sale, and transfer of all ecclesiastical property, and the supervision of schools, asylums, societies, reformatories, and all other Roman Catholic institutions. He was reappointed in 1885 by Archbishop Corrigan, and to his other charges was added that of the financial matters connected with the completion of the new cathedral, His health at length gave way under the pressure of his duties, and he went to Europe in June, 1886. Dr. Quinn was for many years one of the most influential men in the Roman Catholic church of the United States. Under Cardinal McCloskey his power was almost absolute in the archdiocese of New York. He was abrupt in address, and sometimes gave offence by his unceremonious manners. His care for the needy was well known, and, although millions passed through his hands, he (lied poor. His remains were brought from Paris to New York and interred in Calvary cemetery. Dr. Quinn was a domestic prelate of the papal throne.
QUINN, William, clergyman, born in Donoughmore, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1821; died in Paris, France, 15 April, 1887. He came to the United States in 1841, entered the ecclesiastical seminary at Fordham, New York, and was ordained priest by Bishop Hughes on 17 December, 1845. He subsequently became pastor of St. Peter's church in Barclay Street, New York, where, besides having to clear off a debt of $140,000, he was opposed by the lay trustees, who had control of the church building. There was also $137,000 due to poor men and women who had entrusted their savings to the care of St. Peter's Church. He was actively supported by Bishop Hughes, and finally succeeded in triumphing over the trustees and paying the debts.
He was appointed pastor of the cathedral on 1 May, 1873, and was also made vicar-general. During the absence of Cardinal McCloskey in 1875 and 1878 he had charge of the administration of the archdiocese. As vicar-general he had the direction of the purchase, sale, and transfer of all ecclesiastical property, and the supervision of schools, asylums, societies, reformatories, and all other Roman Catholic institutions. He was reappointed in 1885 by Archbishop Corrigan, and to his other charges was added that of the financial matters connected with the completion of the new cathedral, His health at length gave way under the pressure of his duties, and he went to Europe in June, 1886.
Dr. Quinn was for many years one of the most influential men in the Roman Catholic Church of the United States. Under Cardinal McCloskey his power was almost absolute in the archdiocese of New York. He was abrupt in address, and sometimes gave offence by his unceremonious manners. His care for the needy was well known, and, although millions passed through his hands, he died poor. His remains were brought from Paris to New York and interred in Calvary cemetery. Dr. Quinn was a domestic prelate of the papal throne.
Edited by John Looby