Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-05-31
FIR. THOMAS r. BUTLER

Brief sketch of Former Pastor of
st. Joscph's Church.
In connection with the celebration of
the twenty anniversary of the in
stallation of FIR. Thomas F. Butler, for
merly of Ellsworth, but now Of Lewiston,
which was reported in THE AMERICAN
last week, the Lewiston Journal in brief
sketch of FIR. Buffers life, says:
Afr. Butler was only six years old when
his parents moved TO America, his birth
place being County Limerick in Ireland
When the family had been in this country
only short time the mother died and an
aunt took care OF the large family of little
ones.
''Thomas Francis attended the public
schools and proved very ready student.
After completing his studies in Boston
his father sent him 10 Holy Cross college
in Worcester, where he studied for nearly
five years.
In 1877 he sailed for Paris, France,
where h. studied faithfully for the next
few years in preparation for his chosen
profession, the priesthood. He visited ali
parts OF France and took journeys
through England. Ireland and Spain.
Father Buffers ordination took place at
the seminary of st. Suipice in Paris on
May p, 1880, He returned to America at
once.
The labors of Father Butler were be-
gun in the Maine diocese and his worl, has
continued to be entirely in this State. lie
was stationed first at ST. Dominic's church
at State street, Portland, as an assistant
or curate. In 1881 he was transferred to
Ellsworth and was given charge of this
parish which was very large in territory.
Besides the churches in Ellsworth, Cher
ryfleld and Bar HarbOr, Father Butler had
to respond to sick calls in Franklin, Har-
rington, Sullivan, Bluehill and Southwest
HarbCr.
''When Bar Harbor began to grow in
popularity in later years and the crowds
OF summer visitors came, Father Butler
went each season and stayed four months
at the Catholic church at this resort.
ellis labors in Ellsworth alone would
make a lengthy narrative. lie repaired
the church, which was in bad condition,
bought land and laid out cemetery for
the parish, besides purchasing a lot and
erecting on it parochial residence. More
than this, he greatly increased the attend
ance at church and work grew rapidly.
son October Is, 1884, Father Butler was
transferred to the parish of ST. Joseph, IN
Lewiston, as this parish had been divided.
parishioner OF Father Butler in Ellis
worth at the time thus describes his leav-
ing: There was great regret at Father
Buffers departure, not only among the
Catholics, but among the Protestants also,
many of whom had grown to love our
pastor. | shall never forget the scene at
the railroad station the day he left for
Lewiston. The platform was crowded
with the townspeople, many OF whom
were crying. AS the train pulled out of
the station Father Butler stood upon the
car steps and lifting his right hand above
his head in benediction blessed the people
he was leaving. Yes, it was impressive,
and there was sorrow in Ellsworth that
day.
"His first curate in this city was Father
Leo j. Case, then followed Father j. NJ.
Harrington, Father NJ. j. Healey and
Father James 4. Hayes, who is the present
assistant pastor at st. Joseph's.
.'Mention should also be made of the
others who complete Father Buffers
household. They are Miss Norah Doyle
and Miss Nellie Mahoney, the house
keepers, who have been located here for
some time and study Father Buffers every
wish. Miss Mahoney has known Father
Butler ever since he has been a priest, and
was acquainted with his family prior to
this time.
at is hardly necessary to enumerate the
labors of Father Butler while in Lewis
ton. as these are we'll known. Since COM
ing here he has made great improvements
in the church building which sadly
needed repair. Much money has also been
laid out ON the parochial school and the
rectory. These are only a few of the
things he has accomplished, besides win
ming the affection of his large parish"