The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-12

and only stopped In this city to attend the
ohsequies of Father Harrington. or course,
his appointment will prevent his using The
ticket which he purchased for Honolulu, as
he will have 10 devote his immediate atlen-
ton 10 the new duties he has assumed.
1t will not be Inappropriate here TO give
few facts concerning the history OF Father
ConlAn, as the Catholics Of the diocese Will
naturally entertain little curiosity on this
point and may desire TO know something Of
the father who has received such an lmpOr-
tant appointment al the hands of the Arch
bishop. The history OF the reverend father
shows him / o be not only more than 0Tdi-
narily popular priest. but TO be man Of
much learning, gathered in the best theo-
logical Summaries of Europe. Besides he
has had a wide ana varied experience
In church work in both the Old and
the New worlds, and possesses unusual
ability as an executive manager and
organizer. which qualities he has shown in
the various churches with " hich he has been
connected in this diocese. 1t is probably
these very qualities which drew the alten-
tion Of the Archbishop to him aud secured
his appointment as rector Of church which
is not in the condition II should be In, and
which needs as head young, experienced
and enthusiastic priest like Father Conlan.
Father Conlan was born 10 LIVERPOOL in
1855 and early decided to devote his life TO
religious work. After gong through
course Oh Stuuy IL GGEiduu Abb young
novice entered the new College of st. Pat
rick at MaynoOth. Afterward he was
transferred to the Irish College in Rome,
where he studied theology under the ablest
teachers. Not content with this Father
Conlan, Jealous for knowledge, went
through course at L0Zarno College In
Genoa, al institution Of wide reputation.
After being ordained the young priest was
ordered to Ireland on mission work, and did
good service in BagnalstOwn and suisse
quently in ClOyne, county Of Kildare. His
health becoming affected, Father Conan
was sent 10 America, with California as his
destination. He arrived in this city in July,
1881. and said his first mass IN St Francis
Church. He was first stationed at Peta-
luna. subsequently gOirg TO Santa Rosa,
Berkeley aud other Towns. doing good work
in building up churches and increasing the
attendance of the faithful At service. About
four years ago Father Conan was appointed
pastor of the Catholic church at San Pablo
aud the one at Pinoie, over which lie pre-
sided in very able manner so much so
that his congregations were very loath To
have him leave even on a short vacation.
He was pastor of the Catholic churches
named when he received his appointment as
successor of the late Father Harrington.
81. Francis Church. over which Father
Conan is TO preside. was built in lS49, and
was the first Catholic church in Yerba
Buena, the old Mission Dolores not being
then in the city limits. In June, 1851, St.
Patrick's Church was started on the corner
OF Third and Jessie by Father Msginniss.
and IN September Of that year il was moved
to where the Palace Hotel now stands.
But it must not be thought that the St.
Francis Church Of ls49 was the big brick
structure with incomplete towers which