Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-04
CHANGE OF PASTORS.
Rev. Father Wilson, Of the Sacred
Heart Church, Goes Elsewhere.
continuous Hard work, Extending
through P-riod of rw.n,.
Yenrs. Has Impaired alts Il.n,,h
iii. s"cces.or-A story from re-
ter.burg.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church
has a. new pastor He is the Rev.
Father II. "A. Drake. formerly of Key
ser, w. Va.
Father L. j. Wilson, who has ben
pastor of the church since its estab-
lishment, has been forced to give up
his duties here owing 10 the strain
upon him. He requested Bishop Van
de Vyver to transfer him to q field
that would lessen his labors.
Rather Drake, the new pastor, is a
young man OF much promise and is
from the same church OF which Father
Wilson will assume the pastoraee.
The congregation of the Sacred Heart
Church regret very much to lose
Father Wilson, to whom they have be-
come greatly attached. He was an ex-
cellent talker, and much thought Of
by Catholic as we'll as non Catholic
He preached the dedication sermon at
Old Point Comfort College in June, 1898,
and has also delivered several ad-
dresses at many large gatherings. Be-
fore coming to Norfolk. Father Wilson
was pastor of st. Josephs Church, in
! Petersburg
An interesting story in his connection
| with that church is told by q nom
Catholic gentleman of this city He
says an old farmer, who depended on
| the small products of his farm for a
| livelihood, had an old mule which he
used In transferring his truck to the
| city market. The animal was greatly
advanced in years, and on one occa-
| sion of q visit to Petersburg the old
mule dropped dead in the streets.
| The poor old farmer. who had no
| funds was worry much priovad tho
death Of his faithful beast of burden
Tears came in his eyes as he saw the
only means of bringing products of his
| farm to the market lying dead on the
streets of Petersburg.
| Some one told Father Wilson OF the
| farmers misfortune. and the reverend
! gentleman sent for him. When he ar
rived the priest satisfied himself that
| his visitor was n worthy subject for
charity. and told him to call again in
few days. In the meantime Father
| Wilson had take nup a collection for
| the benefit of the farmer, which ag-
gregated something lige 500 or $500.
| When the old man returned n few
days later and was presented with the
! money his joy knew no bounds, and he
| said as he was taking his departure
| that he would buy the best mule in
Petersburg, and name 1t after the good
man who had given the money TO .pur-
chase it.
Father Wilson is known as n great
church and college builder IT is said
that within the past twenty years he
has raised the money and superintend-
ed the erection of seven churches and
three colleges. 1t is the continuous
strain which has impaired his health
and rendered a period Of rest neces-
sary.
The prayers and best wishes of a
large number of people. both Catholics
and Protestarts, will follow Father
Wilson. His restoration to health will
be hailed with joy.
Father Wilson is now in his new
field of labor, but will return here in a
few days to settle up his affairs before
taking up the passionate Of the church
ar Keyner.
Father Drake. the new pastor Of the
Sacred Heart Church. will otliciate at
all services at that church to-day.