New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-17
A PRIESTS RICH GIFT.
REAL ESTATE WORTH HALF MILLION
THE REV. JAMES MrMAHoN's GENEROSITY TO
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY AT

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY AT
WASHINGTON.
The Rev. James Mcmahon, pastor of ST. Andrews
Roman Catholic Church, Duanest. and City Hall Place.
Yesterday gave to the Catholic University at Washing
ton the largest gift that institution has ever received
IL said. The gift consists Of real estate in this city
and Long Branch N. j., amounting in value TO almost
100000 Bishop Kcane, rector Of the university, was
in this city yesterday TO accept the gift The deeds to
the New.York properties have been recorded ia the
REGISTERS Office and steps have been taken to finish the
transfer OF the Long Branch property The directors
OF the university have authority to sell the property
they choose and to use the proceeds as they think
proper but 1t is understood that both the directors and
Father Mcmahon favor the establishment OF school Of
philosophy.
school OF theology has already been founded by
Miss Caldwell the promoter Of the university lilo
Misses Caldwell gave the institution S3oO,OoO. ana
Eugene Kelly, of this city, gave 1t 100000 at aoous
the same time. Father Mcmahon Is modest man.
When asked about his gift he referred to what the Misses
Caldwell and Mr.. Kelly had DONE and said that In view
OF that he felt that he should do something as long a.
he could afford to- He has given all his real estate
but says he Is by no means poor man YET. lie IL
seventy years old and feels in need OF rest lie VIII
retire from active work and will probably live In wash
ngton though 1t is likely that he will first spend some
time in Europe. He has been pastor OF st. Andrcw's
for ten years and IS now the oldest Roman Catholic
pastor in this city.
He was born In Ireland and was educated in college
at Maynooth, Of which his uncle was president 10
his intention from the first to enter the pnesthood
and he distinguished himself by the earnest
ness and depth Of his study. After his ori-
nation he went to the seminary Of St. Supice, faris
in order to pursue still further the theological studies
TO which he attached. From the seminary ID
Paris lie went to the institution OF the same order In
Montreal. In 1s43 he came TO New-York where ne
was appointed by Bishop Hughes as assistant at 81.
Mary's Church, while the Rev. william Stars was
pastor there. He remained there till he was appoint
ed parish priest of the Church OF St. John the Evan
celist When st. Patrick's Cathedral was built tho
Church of st. John the Evangelist, which was near
the new building, was done away with, and Father
Mcmahon was placed in charge OF the Cathedral At
the death OF the Rev. Michael Curran, OF st. Andrews,
about ten years ago, Father Mcmahon was transferred
to that patsh and has since remained there.
lie has always been pous, devoted and unwearied
in his ministry the poor have always found him
kind and generous friend, and his management OF
the affairs OF his church has always been tudicous
lie Is Biblical and Hebrew scholar OF marked ability
lie published in 1s48 what may be regarded as an
entirely new version OF the New Testament, I'm which
he brought to bear the results of his Of special
study He is proficient in music and Is skilled In the
manufacture Of musical instruments. Church organs
have been his special study, and the improvements
introduced by him have been many and important.
He has always lived in modest manner, and much
OF the salary allowed him by his church has been
given to the poor The property he has given 70 the
university is the result Of years OF careful investments
of few thousand dollars left him by his family.
Following Is list of the properties with figures based
| ON values several years ago, which have probably
| considerably increased:
| United states Hotel at Long Branch, with eleven
and three ourths acres of ground Sl25o0o house No.
254 West Thirty fourth-st 100000, with mortgage
Of 900 OOO eight city lots in seventy seventhst be-
ginning fifty feet east of Nlnthave., S125,00o, with
mortgage OF $24 900; northwest corner OF seventy
ninth-st and Ninthave. 100000, with mortgage OF
J 1880; Nlnth-ave, twenty-five feet north OF
Eightethst one city lot, $4,000, with mortgage Of
So Ooo plot of 75x2OO feet Riverside Drive, north
of Onehundred and twenty secOndst. $l2OOOO, with
! a mortgage Of $1,000.
Father Mcmahon says that the United States Hotel
at Long Branch Is now leased to Mr. Van Cieef pro
! prIetor of the Brooklyn Mansion House. 1t has
frontage of 800 feet Ocean-ave., and VIII accom-
| MEDIATE 400 guests. The building in West Thirty.
fOurthst is now occupied by the standard Cnb, anc
was formerly the family mansion OF Oliver CparneS'
~" Bishop Keane was staying yesterday with the
Paulist Fathers, at Ninthave. and Fifty-nnthst he
| goes to Washington todny. He was seen last ngn,
- ~No money that Father Mcmahon has ever re-
ceved as salary in any other way from the Church
included in the gift said he The fathers salary
he gave to the he II Ts S pSp S Sae s invest
Ing, his original capital being a sim OF money ZEN
to him BY his relatives when he was very Young
man. He has made no stpulations wan inc gllt,
buildings for the university. We are at present
erecting school OF philosophy, and the money VIII
erty in time we will eventually sell all the ptop
erty but will hold it until we can sell 10 good adVan
tage."