The Legacies of St. Paul Pastors

A Priesthood Sunday feature

Each pastor of St. Paul has left a mark on the parish. Here are the legacies of 94 years of our church history:

Fr. James M. Hanley
(Appointed Sep. 1919 died May 25, 1920 on his birthday)
He built the original church and celebrated the first Mass in St. Paul Church on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1920. He was chaplain of Fighting 69th Regiment in World War I and received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Fr. Thomas A. Kirby
(Served from Dec 15, 1920 to Sep. 15 1924. He died Sep. 18, 1961.)
He utilized unemployed workers (Rubber shop employment was down from 75,000 to 20,000) to dig the church basement. He also had the first altar built.

Msgr. Clement H. Boeke
(Served from Sep 8, 1924 until his death Nov. 1, 1961 on All Saints Day.)
He served for 37 years, longest of any pastor. During his pastorate, a rectory was built in 1925 and the $80,000 eight-room school in 1928. In 1946 a $275,000 north wing, including a cafeteria, was added to the school and five years later a third floor costing $125,000 was added. In 1958 the Blessed Sacrament Chapel with classrooms above and a social hall (now Boeke Hall) was added for $350,000.

Msgr. John A. Gallagher
(Served from Dec. 10, 1961 to Oct 28, 1965. He died Nov. 2, 1983.)
It was during Msgr. Gallagher's pastorate that St. Paul was assessed more than $100,000 for the building of Archbishop Hoban High School. The assessment was paid. Three lots along Brown Street also were purchased to give St. Paul the entire block.

Fr. John A. Clark
(Served from 1964 until his death May 25, 1973.)
He served during difficult times. He presided over the 50th anniversary of the parish which was celebrated In October 1969 with an Anniversary Ball in the Grant Street Holiday Inn.

Fr. Thomas M. Koegel
(Served from July 6, 1975 until October 1981 He died March 24, 1994.)
The Marian Shrine was added during his pastorate. The site was blessed in May, 1978 and on May 27, 1979 there was a blessing of the statue. Fr. Koegel also remodeled the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and sold the convent on Greenlawn Avenue.

Fr. John M. Jenkins
(Served from October 15, 1981 to October 4, 2004)
He started the St Paul School Endowment and the building fund drives which permitted the construction of the new Church in 2003 and the Gymnasium that bears his name. He was the pastor for 23 years.