The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-20
FATHER M'ELROY
 DEAD OF PINE U MONA
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 assigned to the larger church of St. | Peters in Hartford of which the late
 Bishop Tierney was then rector. He l remained in Hartford six years.
 Always striving to improve condi- | tions, Father McElroy again attracted.
 the attention of his superiors and was soon given the pastorate of St. Fran | els Xavier in New Milford. He found many difficulties confronting him in 1 this place but, by unf1agging energy. 1 he built up the parish In 1890 the
 church at Washington Depot. which had hitherto been only a mission, was
 dedicated under the title of Our
 Lady of Perpetual Help.', He also built a church at Roxbury.
 His work In Derby
 In 1892, Father McElroy was once.
 more advanced. this time to the pas
 torate of St. Mary's church in Derby.
 liant parts of his career. Because of
 his intellectual gifts and personal magnet ism Father dc1lroy entered at once into the cityss life. He was
 a member of the Library board and I was otherwise honored by his fellow 1 citizens.
 The church was entirely remode1led and also the rectory. new paro- lchial school, considered one of the fin E est in the state, was erected and a' convent too. ReaIizing that children Of small means needed some higher education, Father McEIrcy established
 a parochial school the first Of it's kind l in this vicinity. business course was a feature.
 ! In spite of the demands of his
 church work Father Mo cEaroy main ] tained his interest in city affairs and prominent citizens regardless of creed consulted him on topics per-
 tainins to the city welfare
 His Enorts In Bridgeport l In March 14 1906 Father McEzroy was notified by Bishop Tierney that I he had been appointed irreanoyable lsTector of St. Augustine,s church in I this city to succeed Monsig gnor Gre
 min. The appointment which was ISvery important, came entirely unso-s licIted and. in fact Father McE1roy 1 accepted it with extreme regret. He I was very reluctant to leave his parish In Derby. But in deference tc the wishes of Bishop Tierney. he accept-s Led
 l It was agreed, however. that he was not to assume his new duties for two weeks. fn order that he might have time to arrange his affairs in Derby. During this interval Father NIGEL roy was taken i'll at the rectory in Derby He had a bad attack of pleu- irisy and was compelled to rest for a month There was a report. Following avisit from Bishop Tferney that F'a-| ther McElroy would not come to this city after all but when he finally re- covered his health, he took charge Of St. Augustine'5 parish in May, 1906. This is one of the largest parishes in the diocese and there was much work for the new rector. He decided t3tIiat the church needed renovating and also that new organ was nec- l essa ry He urged his people to sup f,se Improvements and they responded mo-
 bly, masni1cent orgau probably the largest in the city,5 was Installed 8 few years ago It's dedication was lcelebrated with a recit al in which not 2 ! ed musicians took part under the di-s rectfon of Organist Brfseboise The interior of the church was re- fitted at large expense. New seats were purchased and other improve naents mad e. Despite the big expen- ditures which were necessary, Father McElroy disp layed such executive abiI- ify that the debt of the parish was reduced during his term as rector He also installed numerous improvements nj the paroc hiaI school and convent.
 Family of Deceased Father McElroy was one of seven children, only two of whom are liv-s ing. These are Harry dcEIroy of this city and Joseph McElroy of Norwalk. James H. McElroy. who at one time was Tax Collector in this city. and was otherwise prominent in public life. died about four years ago. John Mo- E1roy died about two years ago The other brother was Thomas. A sister, Mary McEIroy, who died in 1905. was the first wife of Dr. D.. M. Fitzgerald
 i No arrangenaents have yet been completed for the funeral of the de- parted rector Father Kennedy, who. is acting pastor of St. Augustine's went to Hartford this morning to con suit Bishop Milan. The latter will have charge of the funeral and will instruct Father Kennedy regarding the details
 It is thought, showever, that the funeral will be held Saturday at 1O:3oI o'clock. It will undoubtedly be,
 one of the largest and most impress
 i've ceremonies ever held in this city.