The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-04-16
ENDS LONG SERVICE
Father Henry J. Roche Tenders
Resignation as Pastor Of St.
James Catholic Church
FATHER MURPHY TO SUCCEED
Well Known Pastor of Church of Colum-
bus is Ordered to Succeed Father
Roche by Archbishop Messmer
and Will Take Charge in May

The Rev. Henry J. Roche for the past
fifteen years pastor Of st. James church
and one of the best known members Of
the Catholic clergy in Wisconsin, has
! decided to retire from the active work
| of the ministry and to this end has
| rendered to Archbishop Messmer of
the Milwaukee diocese his resignation
as head of st. James Parish, the resig-
nation to take effect at once. The res
ignation from active labor has been ac-
copied by the archbishop and he has
named the Rev. H. r. Murphy, at pres
ent in charge of the large Catholic con
gregation at Columbus, as pastor of ST.
James church. Father Murphy will
close up his work at Columbus as soon
as possible and come to Kenosha It is
expected that he will take charge of
the work here on the first Sunday in
May.
The retirement Of Father Roche will
come as a great surprise to many Of the
members of St. James parish and many
will regret that he has been forced to
take this step. Father Roche is now in
his seventy-ffth year and for some
time he has been growing feeble until
at present it is hard matter for him
to oficiate at any of the services of the
church. He had hoped to be able to
remain in the active work for long
time but his health failing made it
necessary for him to retire Father
Roche will remain in Kenosha and will
continue to make his home at the
Parish house. Father Gormley will re-
main as assistant pastor of the Parish
The retirement of Father Roche from
the pastorate Of St. James church re-
moves a familiar figure from religious
circles in Kenosha. Father Roche came
to Kenosha in 1898 after having served
long passionate at the church at Col
umbus. At that time he was in the
prime of life and his work did much to
advance ST. James church and it's allied
interests. He was an untiring worker
for the church and for years he gave
his salary to aid in reducing the debt |
on the church property. When Father
Roche came to Kenosha there was a |
debt Of nearly $4,000 on the church
property and this has been reduced dur I
ing his passionate until only small por-
tion Of the debt remains. In addition |
to this the parish has been most liberal
in the matter Of aiding the work in the |
diocese and in making improvements
on the church and other buildings owned |
by the congregation. In former years
Father Rodche took an active part in |
the religion life of the city but in the |
past few years he had been so feeble
that he found it impossible to find |
strength for any work save the regular
church services.
Father Roche is greatly beloved by
the members of the parish and his re-
tirement will be cause Of sorrow.
Father Murphy who is to come to
take charge Of the Kenosha church soon
after Easter is widely known among
the clergy in Wisconsin and is strong
personal efriend of the retiring priest
He is man of middle age and has won
renown as pulpit orator. He followed
Father Roche at Columbus fifteen years
ago and now follows him in the work
at the Kenosha church. He is well
known to many Of the members Of the
kenosha church and is assured hearty
welcome.