History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1512

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

the ethics of his vocation. Politically a Republican, he has taken an active
part in local affairs, and is known as one his party's staunchest and
sturdiest workers. Fraternally, he is connected with the Free and Accepted Order of Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
REV. TIMOTHY JOSEPH MURPHY. For more than thirty-three years
Father Timothy Joseph Murphy, pastor of St. Michael's Roman Catholic
Church, has lived and labored among the people of Flint, Michigan, where
his devoted and zealous services in the work of his Master have materially
contributed to the growth and strength of Catholicism. His present
parish is an old one, having been established in I840, the first edifice having been erected soon after the organization of the church, while the present structure was built during the years 1882 and 1883, under the direct
supervision of Father Murphy.
A native of Cork, Ireland, Timothy Joseph Murphy was born May
4, 1848, one of the children of Jeremiah and Margaret (Dacy) Murphy.
His early education was secured in his native city, and after completing
the curriculum of the ordinary grades became a student in All Hallows
College, Dublin, from which he was graduated. The year 1870 marked
Father Murphy's emigration to the United States, and after landing in
New York at once made his way to Detroit, Michigan, where, four months
later, he was ordained to the sacred office of priest, December 30, I870,
by Bishop Borgess. Shortly therafter he was sent to Bay City, Michigan,
as assistant to Father Schutjes, of St. James Church, a capacity in which
he served for three months. Later he was transferred to the church of
Grand Haven, Ottawa county, where he was the first priest of the parish,
and remained until the time he was sent to Flint. Here his first act of
importance was the erection of the splendid brick church of St. Michael's,
which took the place of the old frame church. The new structure is 50ox150
feet in dimensions, has a seating capacity of 8o00, cost some $30,000, and
is handsomely furnished throughout, a fitting place of worship and prayer.
Even before leaving his native land Father Murphy had been a great
admirer of American people and institutions, and although he has never
lost his love for Ireland he is truly a patriotic citizen of the United States.
He pays close attention to the development of public affairs in Ireland, has
enlisted hundreds of Americans in the cause of Irish Home Rule. He has
taken two trips to his old home in Erin, and intends to make another if
he lives to see the freedom of the land of his birth. It is his dearest wish
that Home Rule may be brought about through a bond of love, and give
Ireland a place like unto that held by the state of Michigan in the United
States. On July 2I, 1876, the centennial of American independence,
Father Murphy was selected by the citizens of Grand Haven to read the
Declaration of Independence, and he at that time expressed the wish that
he might live to hear read and realized the declaration of independence
of his own land.
In every section in which his labors have been prosecuted, Father
Murphy has displayed the same energy and zeal which have endeared him
to his parishioners in Flint. Through his arduous exertions he has
secured the erection of several churches, and the places of worship at
Grand Haven, Dennison and Berlin owe their being to him. In I903 he
had erected what is known as Father Murphy's Hall, at a cost of $I8,000,
$I4,000 of this amount being given him by friends of other creeds than
the Catholic, this being but one evidence of the great love and reverence in
which he is held. Broad-minded and compassionate in his views, he is
always an invited guest to important functions, and on a number of
occasions has spoken in other than Roman Catholic churches at the re