Rev. Murphy

REV. TIMOTHY JOSEPH MURPHY

             Timothy Joseph Murphy, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, May 4, 1848, son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Dacy) Murphy. His early education was received in his native city and after completing the curriculum of the ordinary grades he became a student in All Hallows College, Dublin, from which he graduated. In 1870 Father Murphy came to the United States, landing in New York. At once he made his way to Detroit and was ordained there by Bishop Borgess, January 30, 1871, and was immediately sent to Bay City as assistant to Father Schutzes, of St. James church, a capacity in which he served for three months. Later he was transferred to the parish at Grand Haven, Ottawa County, this state, becoming the first priest of that parish, and there he remained until he was transferred to Flint in June, 1880. Father Murphy’s first act of importance at Flint was the erection of the splendid brick church of St. Michael’s, which took the place of the old frame church. St. Michaels Church is an edifice fifty by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions, has a seating capacity of eight hundred, cost thirty thousand dollars and is handsomely furnished throughout a fitting place of worship and prayer.

            Even before leaving his native land, Father Murphy had been a great admirer of American people and institutions and, although he has never lost his love for Ireland, he is a truly patriotic citizen of the United States. Father Murphy is a good “mixer’ and many of his most earnest friends are found among those whose religious views may not conform to his teachings, but whose hearts are bound to his by ties as broad as humanity itself. He pays close attention to the development of public affairs in Ireland and has enlisted hundreds of Americans in the cause of Irish home rule. He has taken two trips to his old home in Erin and intends to make another if he lives to see the full freedom of the land of his birth. It is his dearest wish that complete home rule may be brought about through a bond of love and give Ireland a place like unto that held by the state of Michigan in this Union. On the occasion of the celebration at Grand Haven in 1876; of the centennial of American independence, Father Murphy was selected by the citizens of that city to read the Declaration of Independence, and he at that time expressed the wish that he might live to hear read and realized the declaration of independence of his own land.

            In every section in which his labors have been prosecuted, Father Murphy has displayed the same energy and zeal, which have endeared him to his parishioners in Flint. Through his arduous exertions he has secured the erection of several churches, and the places of worship at Grand Haven, Dennison and Berlin owe their being to him. In 1903 he erected what is locally known as Father Murphy’s Hall, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars, fourteen thousand dollars of which amount was given him by friends of other creeds than the Catholic, this being but one evidence of the great love and reverence felt for him generally hereabout. Father Murphy’s hall has a handsome auditorium, with a seating capacity of seven hundred, and is fitted in modern style, having a stage and the usual accessories. The basement is arranged with a kitchen and a large banquet hall, together with a smoking room. The policy of Father Murphy is to let as large a benefit as possible accrue from the advantages of such an assembly hall and its use is thrown open;, to all churches alike, both Catholic and Protestant. Broad-minded and compassionate in his views, Father Murphy is always an invited guest at important functions and on numerous occasions has spoken, on invitation in Protestant churches.

            Not alone has Father Murphy materially increased the membership of his congregation, but in whatever community he has labored has succeeded in raising the standard of the church, increased its usefulness and added to the enthusiasm, zeal and fervor of its members. The church at Flint now has a congregation of about fifteen hundred persons. When he first came, Father Murphy was able to take charge of the mission at Hazelton, but the membership of that mission increased so rapidly that it became necessary to appoint a priest to that charge who could devote his entire time to its affairs.

            In connection with the beautiful church of St. Michael’s is found a handsome parochial school, where about two hundred and eighty pupils are receiving broad and thorough instruction from six holy women, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Adjacent to the school is the Sisters’ house and not far from there is located the priest’s residence. The entire group of buildings, which add materially to the architectural beauty of Flint, are found on Saginaw, Fifth and Chippewa streets and the structures are surrounded by handsome, well-kept grounds.

            It would be difficult to find an individual who has gained in deeper degree the affection of his fellowmen or the love and reverence of his people than Father Murphy. With a happy combination of personal sympathy and compassion, with a strong strain of practicability in material things, he has established himself deeply in the hearts of his people and in the confidence of the community at large.

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This article was transcribed by Mrs. Mary E. Byam from a work by Edwin O. Wood, LL.D., President Michigan Historical Commission, History of Genesee County Michigan Volume II, Her People, Industries and Institutions (Federal Publishing Company: Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916), Pages 48ff 

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