The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-16
DEATH CT MGR. M'MAHON
The Catholic University Loses a
Generous BenefactOr.
The Donor of n SpIendidiy Equipped
Building TO the Institutton-ke-
puted to Have Been the Wenithfesf
Priest in the United states.

Priest in the United States.
The Right Reverend Monsignor James
Mcmahon a generous benefactor OF the
Catholic University of America, oied yes
terday morning at the university. his
death was due to complications, result
ant from his extreme old age, eighty
four years. Arrangements for the fun-
eral services have been deferred, pending
the return of Monsignor Conaty, rector or
the university, who is at present. absent
from the city. The services will, however
probably be conducted at the university,
where Monsignor Mcmahon had lived
since coming to Washington about eight
years ago. Interment will be either in
Washington or New York.
| Monsignor Mcmahon was reputed to be
| the wealthiest Catholic priest in the Uni-
ted States He made a number of
generous bequests to the Catholic Uni
| versity. the most noteworthy of which
was that of Mcmahon Hall, named in his
honor, and which represents an outlay OF
| about 800, 900. It is thought that prior
to his death he made arrangements
| whereby his wealth will revert to the
university.
Monsignor McMehon was a native of
| Ireland, and came to America when a
| young man. BY good business methods
he accumulated large fortune during
the half-century he was at the head OF
various parishes In New York City.
Monsignor McMahon is accredited with
| having caused the strained relations
which existed for some time between
| Archbishop Corrigan of New York and
| the Catholic University. In 1890 Mon
signor. then Father. Mcmahon was in
charge of St. Andrews parish in New
York City. He then determined to resign
| his position, the duties of which were be-
4 coming too heavy for his advancing years,
! and expressed his intention of benefiting
the Catholic University of America When
\ he finally removed to Washington and
| took up his residence at the Catholic
| University it caused considerable disap-
| pointment to Archbishop Corrigan. who
| was at that time raising money for
| New York college. He expected Father
| Mcmahon to contribute literally to that
| project.
| Father Mcmahon came of an old Irish
| family, many of the members of which
| had been prominent in the Church. From
| early boyhood he was trained for the
priesthood and was educated at May
| nooth, Ireland. Later he went to the
| Seminary of St Sulpice in Paris. Several
1
| America He selected Montreal his OBJ
| jective point. Soon after he arrived there
| he became an assistant pastor in one of
the large parishes. From Montreal he
was sent to the head of st. Johns par
| ish, New York.
When he took charge of st. Johns, the
affairs of the parish were in extremely
bad condition. The young priest took
| hold of matters with a firm hand. how
| ever, and soon established his charge upon
| firm financial basis. 1t was in connec-
ton with his pastorate at st. Johns that
| he laid the foundation of his fortune He
| invested largely in real estate. The IN
vestments turned out in a manner that
exceeded the greatest anticipations. He
| remained In charge of St Johns for over
| twenty years. Toward the end of his long
| service there a fire destroyed the church
| building. Father Mcmahon, however,
| partly with money from his own pocket
| and partly from funds he collected, re-
| built the edifice.
| Some time after this Father McMahcns S
parish was merged into that of the CatLe-
| drsl in New York, and he was transferred
| to St. Andrews, where he remained un-
| connection with the building of the new
cathedral In New York. that Father Nc
| Mahon's splendid executive and financial
ability bore its greatest fruits. The old
| cathedral burned in 1856, and Archbishop
| McCloskey, when he set to work to have
| il rebuilt. solicited the assistance of
| Father Mcmahon. Through their united
| endeavors, enough money was secured
| for the building of the ney cathedral
| Monsignor Mcmahon received his pres
| ent title from the Pope soon after he had
| provided the means whereby Mcmahon
| Hall was erected. Mcmahon Hall Is the
| principal structure on the Catholic Uni
| versity grounds. and was dedicated In 1895,
at the time OF the Eucharistic Congrt ss
which was held in Washington. 1t is
| three stories high and contains the Of
| ces of the officers of the university and
| a number of class rooms. IL is the build
| ing in which the hierarchy meets each
| year.
Monsignor Mcmahon. since taking up
| residence at the Catholic University, has
| lived quietly. He disliked publicity, and
| few persons who visite.i the university
| knew that the man in whose honor the
| beautiful building was named lived on
| the grounds He was a skillful musician
| and took especial pleasure In playing the
organ. He was a great student and spent
| much of his time in reading. He was the
author of a well-known translation of the
Bible.