The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-07-24
DEATH OF FATHER GJsns.

The death Of Rev Andrew p Gihhs ct
Lawreuceville, one Of the suburbs of Puts
burg, on Sunday, will be learned with deep
sorTow by large number of people in this
section Of Cambria county who once knew
bim aud entertained for him the highest re-
gard. Our memory may not be strictly ac
curate bur we think he came to this county
from PfttSburg about 1915. to take charge of
the congregation at the Summit, and also
OF the church fn this place which was then
without a resnar pastor. He remained at
the Summit about two years and then went
tOSharpsburg few miles from PittsburR
and continued bis !abnTs in the vicinity of
that city from about S4S up TO the time of
his death He was model clergyman aud
1t may be said OF him with absolute truth,
that no priest was ever more beloved by the
Catholics of the Summit and Ebensburg,
than the modest, gcntlemanly, sincere and
earnest Father Gibbs. The members
of his church at the summit almost
rose in mutiny when he was taken from them
and felt when he bad gone as though they
had lost their best friend. The following
sketch of his life, which singuIarily omIts
all reference to his mInistIation in this
counry, is taken fromthe Pittsburg Post of
Monday last:
On Sunday morning, July 10, 1885 at 3
O'Clock, after briet Illness, Rev. Andrew
p. Gibbs. in the SEVENTEEN year of his age
passed away to meet the reward of a great
and successful labor Of a long ministry
Father Gibbs was a native of Oueeus county
Ireland His family came to the United
States when he was quite young. He was
educated for the priesthood IL Philadelphia
in the Seminary Of St Charles BOrrnmeo of
rulNf fph hal Lott
was at that time President: was ordained
priest Septemher 20, 1910, by Rt Rev
Francis Patrick KenTich. who was then
COadjutOr Bishop of the Diocese of PhiIa.
elphia. His first field of missionary labor
was at Pittsburg. which at that time was a
portion of the above diocese. In the dis
charge Of his duties his work embraced
Beaver Lawrence and Mercer counties, the
hardsfips of which few of these days can
realize.
In 1S49 he organized the congregation Of
St. JOseph's SharpSburg, and in 1888 the
congregation OF St. MaTy's. Lawrsnceville,
in which he Jointly Officated until about
1862 when by reason OF the great increase
of Catholics in the lattdr place, he devoted
his ministry 20 il exclusively. Here he in
ceSSantiy labOred with extraordinary zeal
up To the time of his death, vigilant
soldier of Christ. As a father of his spiTi-
tUal flock ne planned day and night for its
advancement, never satisfied with doing
we'll but trying tn do better. His memory
is perpetuated by the magnificent mona
ments erected by him to the glory of God
and the education Of His peOple e.: ST.
Mary's beautiful temple, St Marv's church,
Millvale, the magnificent ParOchial school
house, convent and other educational build
ings.
In Father Gibbs were combined great
simplicity of manners, acute penetration,
sound judgment. wonderful foresight, great
love of order; OvPffiOwing charity and sin
cere and active benevOlencs, " bich endeared
him in particular manner to both Catholics
and PTOtestants of LawTencevllle. None
will miss Linn more than the children to
whom he was playmate, friend, teacher and
father.
May he rest in peace.