Evening journal., 1907-12-12


j.. a former class mate of Father
Bermingham az Seton Han. who suid
the PRAYER for the dying as Father
Birmingham passed away
a pathetic incident OF Father Berm-
ingham's death was the arrival this
morning of his aged father from New
York. He had neen summoned YES
terday. The first intimation of his
sons death was an undertaker's wagon
at the door of the parochial residence.
and his grief was inconsolable
Besides the father and his sisters.
Father Birmingham leaves two broth
ers. Richard and Edward Berming-
ham. OF New York city.
Full arrangements FOR the funeral
have not yet been made. A high mass
of requiem win be celebrated in st.
Patrick's Church. Monday morning.
and the body will be taken 20 Dover
n. j.. Father Bermingham's birthplace,
where services viii be held Tuesday
morning in St. Marys Roman Catholic
Church there. The burial viii be
made in the cemetery adjoining the
church at Dover.
The funeral services win be attended
by the Catholic clergy Of Wilmington
and by former classmates of Father
Birmingham from other cities. among
them being the Rev. Father Thomas
Wallace. secretary to Bishop O'Connor.
of the Diocese Of Newark. n. j.: the
Rev. Father Purcell OF Passaic, n. j.,
and the Rev. Father Callan. who had
been sent for several days ago at
Father Bermingham's express desire.
Extensive Acquaintance
Father Birmingham had an unlimit-
ed number Of friends who We're nom
Catholics among whom his acquaint-
ance was extensive. He was a man Of
fine physique and of tail and COM
manding appearance. He was a son
Of Richard and Ann (Smith) Berming-
ham, and was born in Dover, n. j.,
April o. 1853 His parents were born
in Ireland and removed to New York
city early IN life. William J. Berming-
ham was the oldest OF nine children.
He received his rudimentary education
in the public schools of New York city
and later matriculated at Seton Hall,
New Jersey, going thence to Mount St
Mary's Seminary. at Emmittsburg Nd,
where he studied theology In 1854 he
was ordained n priest OF the Roman
Catholic Church by Bishop Northrop
OF Charlston. S. G. His first parish was
in Dover, Del. where he spent three
years looking after the spiritual inter-
ests OF several missions. Thence he
was transferred TO st. Paurs parish.
Wilmington, and remained there seven
years For the succeeding year his
work was IN Elkton, Md. and from
that place he returned to Wilmington.
where he was assigned to ST Marys
parish In 1895 he was appointed by
Bishop Curtis to the parish Of ST.
Josephs on the Brandywine. Seven
years ago he was transferred to ST.
Patrick's Church, where he had served
since.
Had Remarkable Success
He had remarkable success I'm his
church work. due in n great measure
to his happy faculty 10 win the conf
dence OF his people While az St
Paurs Church he interested himself IN
The work Of the young men of the par
ish. and he had q big part IN arranging
for the erection OF the Brownson Ii
brary Hall He made alterations and
improvements at every church OF
which he was pastor. It has not been
long since he completed extensive
changes at 81 Patrick's Church at a
cost of many thousand dollars.
Tho ofice for the dead OF the Blessed
Vircin Mary Sodality win be recited
fDr Father Birmingham this evening
IN st. Patrick's Church at O'clock