The New York herald., 1872-10-29
FUNERAL OF A PIONEER PRIEST.

tho Evangelist, south BROOKLYN
Mournful Crowds Viewing the Re.
mains-Thc Requiem Mass-Funcral
Sermon by the Rev. Father Malone.
The funeral OF the late Rev. Father Hugh Mcclure
who died on Friday last, took place yesterday after
noon from the Church Of st. John the Evangelist
South Brooklyn, OF which deceased had been f0r
| many years the pastor.
During Friday afternoon and Saturday the re-
mains lay in one OF the parors OF the pastoral resi-
dence ana thousands OF the parishioners called to
take farewell look at the familiar face. On Sun.
day the remains lay In state in the church, and
crowds OF people from oil parts OF the city nocked
thther out OF respect to the memory of the vener-
able old man, whO for forty years, had been a
faithful and jealous missionary.
Yesterday morning solemn requiem mass was
sung in the church over the remains which, en-
cased in handsome rosewood coffin, heavily silver
mounted, were placed In the chancel, in front OF
the altar. The entire sanctuary was draped in
mourning and the same sad emblem appeared all
round the church. Nearly hundred priests from
Brooklyn and New York attended the obsequies,
occupying seats in and around the sanctuary,
among them being the Rev. Father Curran, OF New
York; Rev. DR.. Friel Rev. Father O'Louglin, OF
Antrim, Ireland; Rev. Father Brennan, Of New
York; Rev. Father McSherry, Rev. Father Purcell,
Rev. Father Kely, Rev. Father Mcclure, OF New
York; Rev. Father Pagan, Rev. Father Farrely,
Rev. Father Mcdonald, Rev. Father CorcOran,
Rev. Father Rattlgan, Rev. Father Doherty Rev.
Father Mcnamara, Rev. Father Kearney Rev.
Father McNamee, Rev. Father Mcclure, assistant
The ceiebrant Of the mass was the Rev. Father
Michael Hickie, assistant pastor OF st. Johns;
OF the Nativity; Sub-deacon Rev. Father O'Brien,
Of the Church OF the Assumption; Chanters, Rev:
Father McElrOy, OF the Church OF Our Lady Of
Mercy, and Rev. Father Tan, OF st. Patrck's; Mas
ter of ceremonies, Rev. Father Sheridan OF the
Cathedral The service was wa very solemn, and must
attendance.
THE FUNERAL SERMON
was preached by the Rev. Father Malone, who de-
livered brief but touching eulogy OF the deceased.
There was not much apparently, he said, to speak
about in the lie ola priest even Of priest sew
venerable priest over whose remains the Church
simple man oil through his life; and though en-
dOwed with mental faculties OF the highest order,
sna %" sea Wy m s e
exercise OF those holy functions for which lie was
consecrated to God. Yet there was something pc
that to us at this day ought to be OF the greatest
interest, even though throughout his whole minis
Of Of those things .1 Inc e9
applauds. IL was something to have been one OF
the pioneers Of the Catholic Church in the State OF
New York. Father Mctuirc as most OF them
knew, was educated and ordained a priest at
Paris, and, having come out here to America to
family in the State OF Georgia, he went on the
mission in that State and labored with his whole
heart and might He was then young man, full OF
life and energy, and jealous to put forth the whole
strength OF his mind and body In the service OF his
Master. He soon came to New York and was re-
ceived by Bishop Dubois, who sent him on his first
mission 60 that part OF the State now known as
Ogdensburg. He was then the only priest in that
section OF the country, and hundreds OF miles were
the area OF his mission. Many time he himself
used to tell OF his Journeys OF thirty, fifty and sixty
miles while here, to say mass or administer
some OF the sacraments., Removed from this
then part of the diocese OF New YORK.
Here, too, the same laborous life awaited him.
His next mission was to the st. James, New York
city, and after remaining there a while he was
sent to the parish OF st. Patrck's, Brooklyn, where
he built the present church OF the parish, which
would remain monument to his zeal and labors
for years to come. He then came among YOUR
Selves and you all know how he loved to spend the
last years or his lie with growing congregation
around him tnat was most dear to him because 1t
was mostly lrish-for he always clung 10 the people
OF his native country. 1t was they. lie used TO say,
years and il was through them that the Church OF
God was spreading in the New World But sad
as was this occasion to all Of them,
thoughts. There was cheerful side to death,
when we remembered that beyond this world there
was everlasting peace and happiness and an
the end. Their late reverend pastor had closed his
life possessed OF the same burning love for religion
which had inspired him In his young manhood to
brave everything TO save souls In The fuiness Of
his years, with the abors OF life fruitful all around
him, he humoly received the sacraments OF the
and then calmly breathed his soul into the hands
OF his Creator.
For few hours after the conclusion OF the cere-
monies the remains were still left in front OF the
altar, and thousands visited the church to take q
last farewell. The funeral procession, consisting
or about hfty carriages, was formed about three
O'Clock, and the remains were then conveyed to
Flathush Cemetery, where they were inferred.