Taken from Catholic Church in the Deep South, by Rose Gibbons Lovett, The Diocese of Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham Publishing Co., 1981, pg 23-29.
Saint John's Parish, Tuscaloosa, was established in January, 1844, when Bishop Michael Portier appointed Rev. Patrick R. Hackett as pastor, in response to petitions of a number of Catholics living there. The church was constructed in 1845 and dedicated on January 25, 1846.
Thomas York is said to have been the first white settler in the little village called 'Shell Town' and sometimes 'the Falls of the Black Warrior' but officially became the City of Tuscaloosa upon incorporation on December 13, 1819. Catholic families who met for worship in 1819 included those of Daniel Kelly, Thomas Cummins, Michael Shay, Arthur Bullman, John and Edmund Rourke and William Clare.
In July, 1830, Bishop Portier sent Rev. Mathias Loras, VG, and Rev. Gabriel Chalon on a tour through Central and North Alabama. They visited and administered the Sacraments to the Catholics in Tuscaloosa, offering Mass in one of the homes. The Episcopal and the Methodist ministers offered them the use of their churches. Father Loras accepted the invitation of the Episcopal minister and celebrated Mass in his church on Sunday before a large crowd, although few were Catholics. The minister sat near the pulpit throughout the services.
Bishop Portier made his first Episcopal visitation to the faithful here in 1835. In 1838, a local newspaper stated that, "the Rev. Mr. Clancy, of the Roman Catholic Church, will preach in the State House." Rev. William J. Clancy was stationed in Montgomery, 18381840. Tuscaloosa was the Alabama State Capitol, 1826-1847. Another newspaper advertised a series of sermons to be preached at "Clare's Hotel."
On March 4, 1842, Margaret Cummins, 15, daughter of Thomas Cummins, was killed while kneeling in prayer, when their brick home was demolished by a cyclone.
Father Hackett rented the first floor of the Masonic building to use as a church in 1844. Baptismal records show that Henry S. Rourke, son of Edmund Rourke was the first child baptized here, February 4, 1844, by Bishop Portier; George Gayle Clare, son of William Clare, was baptized on February 11. The first four deaths recorded were John Gleason, 63, on August 26, 1844; John Shea, 24, August 29; Patrick Fallon, 29, September 3; and James O'Briene, on September 20; all the same year and all natives of Ireland.
The Masonic building was sold to the County Commissioners, to be used as a courthouse. Father Hackett rented the second story of the Haughey home and moved the church furnishings there in February, 1845. In May of that year, Father Hackett formed a building committee. They purchased a lot from Joel White for $300 on 25th Avenue and 8th Street. Messrs. Granger and Charles Donoho erected a brick church 31 feet wide and 55 feet long, at a cost of $2,800. Bishop Portier, assisted by several priests solemnly dedicated the church to the honor and glory of God, under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist, January 25, 1846. The Bishop delivered the sermon, taking his text from St. Matthew, XXII chapter, verses 18, 19,20.
Contributors to the building fund included Bishop Portier, two Methodist ministers who were also physicians, Dr. Samuel M. Meek and Dr. Robert L. Keenan, a Baptist minister, Judge E. W. Peck, Governor Joshua L. Martin, Robert Jemison, H. A. Snow, T. F. Samuel, Dr. W. A. Leland, J. J. Hooper, Joel White, Basil Manly, president of the University of Alabama, E. M. Burton, Arthur Bullman, Jeremiah Clements, John Glasscock, Ed Tarrant, Dr. J. R. Drish, A. B. Barnard, C. M. Foster, William Cochrane, James D. Spiller, Mike Shea and many others. The sale of the lot from Joel White was recorded in Probate Book U, page 145, witnessed by Lewis S. Thomas, June 19, 1845. Other footage on the property was purchased by Bishop John Quinlan in 1866.
Rev. Albin Desgaultiere is listed as pastor from 1847-1858. However, Sister Elizabeth Haggerson in her 'History of the Diocese of Mobile,' 1826-1859, page 146, wrote that he returned to his native France in 1853; the Catholic Almanac listed the parish as vacant of a pastor in 1855 (Administration of Bishop Portier, by Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, page 326.)
Rev. Michael Dougherty became pastor in 1857-his first appointment after ordination. III with a lung disease, he collapsed after reading the Passion during Lent in 1858, and died in the arms of Patrick Clinton, a few days later. Bishop Portier was on his way to the bedside of the stricken priest who died before his arrival. He was buried on the front lawn of the church.
Many of the parishioners moved away after the removal of the State Capitol to Montgomery, in 1847. As of August, 1860, the parish was still without a pastor. Rev. Dominic Manucy is listed as pastor, 1860-1861. He is also listed as assistant at the Cathedral, Mobile, and secretary to Bishop Quinlan, appointed in 1859 until his appointment as pastor of Saint Vincent Parish, Mobile, in 1861.
Rev. Timothy J. M. Murphy was pastor from 1862-1864. In 1863, he opened the first parochial school at Saint John's; however, it was closed the next year.
Rev. William F. McDonough, who was ordained February 20, 1864, by Bishop Quinlan in the Cathedral, Mobile, became pastor in March. One of the first acts of this 23-year old priest was to accompany Mayor Obediah Berry to surrender the town to the Federal Army, April 4, 1865. Father McDonough asked Gen. John T. Croxton to ban robbery, pillage and looting of the church and church property. The Federal Commander placed a guard around the property. A parishioner, Mrs. Temple, opened a school on the comer of 25th Avenue and 12th Street in 1865.
In 1866, Bishop Quinlan obtained the services of several Ursuline Sisters of Columbia, South Carolina, to operate a parochial school. The official opening date was September 15, 1866. Bishop Quinlan had purchased a home and five acres of land from William B. Robertson of East 10th Street. He borrowed $10,000 from Archbishop John B. Purcell of Cincinnati to finance the convent and school. In 1867, Father McDonough purchased the Forester homestead and property, which was not used as church property for many years afterward.
Father McDonough made many friends and converts. He was a gifted speaker. In answer to the call for a priest he travelled to Birmingham arriving there on October 17, 1871, and offered Mass in the Michael Cahalan home the next day, with 31 members of seven families present. He established a mission and began regular visitations to the area. He built a small frame church which was dedicated to the honor and glory of God, under the patronage of Saint Paul the Apostle in September, 1872. At this time there were about 100 Catholics in the area and several other missions were started from Saint Paul's.
Rev. Edward Kirwan was pastor of Saint John's from 1875-1877. He organized the Total Abstinence Society and brought Father James Coleman, an Augustinian priest who gave the first mission held in Tuscaloosa.
Rev. William J. Hamilton was pastor in 1878. Father Hamilton had served as chaplain at Andersonville Prison during the War between the States. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph G. J. Crowley, 1878-1880. Father McDonough returned as pastor from 1880-1884. He found the parish school closed; the Ursuline Sisters had left Tuscaloosa after serving there for the past fourteen years.
Rev. John Cassidy served from 1884-1888. He established a mission at Blocton, which continued until separated from Saint John's in 1900. In February, 1885, Rev. James P. McCafferty was named pastor. He remained until 1900. He re-opened a parish school in rooms attached to the church with Miss Margaret Dughan and himself as teachers. After this school was closed there was no parish school for 31 years. Father McCafferty began a renovation program-the addition of a belfry, new roof, stained glass windows, new pews, stone steps and coping, and redecorated the church interior and exterior; he also built a rectory, and had a tombstone placed over the grave of Father Dougherty. The parish celebrated its 50th year of foundation in 1896.
Bishop Edward P. Allen appointed Rev. M. J. Cunningham as pastor, in January, 1900. A census revealed 150 Catholics. Father Cunningham became violently ill with fever and was sent to Saint Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham in July, 1901. Rev. Matthew Gardiner served temporarily until the appointment of Rev. Thomas Cassidy who served from 1901-1910.
Rev. A. L. Sweeney wag pastor from 1910-1915. He organized the Holy Name Society and enrolled 25 men and boys as charter members, November 16, 1913 during a Mission conducted by Rev. Father Minis. Father Sweeney started administering to the mental patients at Bryce Hospital, and offered Mass there with the permission of Dr. James T. Searcy.
Rev. Eugene L. Sands was transferred from Saint Paul's Missions, Birmingham, to serve his first pastorate at Saint John's in September, 1915. Father Sands and 16 members of his parish enlisted in the Armed Forces and left in August, 1918 to serve with U.S. Forces in France. Upon his discharge from the Army two years later, Father Sands returned to Tuscaloosa.
Rev. Thomas A. Lenahan succeeded Father Sands as pastor in September, 1918 and remained at Saint John's until 1929. He advanced the cause of education and welfare. With the permission of Cardinal Dougherty he solicited $12,000 in the Diocese of Philadelphia to add to $9,000 supplied by the Diocese of Mobile, to finance a much needed school. Through his guidance the parish trustees deeded property to the Bishop of the Diocese. Mr. A. Romain erected the school building. The Sisters of Loretto opened the school in September, 1920. They were succeeded five years later by the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Trinity.
The school building developed into a community center for social and civic activities of the Holy Name Society, the Sodalities, the Ladies Club, Youth of the parish, and the Knights of Columbus. The State Council, Knights of Columbus, paid tribute to the zealous work of parishioners in spiritual and social activities at the University of Alabama and at the Bryce Hospital for mental patients.
Father Lenahan established the Newman Club Chapter, for Catholic students at the University in 1923; his mother, Mrs. Mary Lenahan, built a house for their use near the campus. She also donated a lot on which Bishop Toolen had Saint Francis Chapel erected in 1929, at a cost of $6,000. The 41 feet by 100 feet building seated 300, but with 600 Catholic students there it was necessary to offer two Masses each Sunday.
While pastor, Father Lenahan also had charge of Saint Mary Magdalene Church and school, 1927-1929. He opened a hospice for aged and infirm Negroes; distributed food and clothing to the needy and gave free tuition for the school children.
The Holy Ghost Fathers were invited by Bishop Toolen to take charge of Saint John's Parish with its Mission of Saint Robert's at Reform; Saint Francis Chapel at the University, and Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, in 1929.
Rev. Anthony Hackett, CSSp, was pastor from 1929-1940. He repaired and redecorated Saint Francis Chapel; the McGill family donated a new altar and an organ; Father Lenahan gave the Stations of the Cross and some oil paintings. The interior of Saint John's was redecorated; a heating system installed in the church and in the rectory; four new classrooms and additional convent rooms were added to the school. The Benedictine Sisters took charge of the school in 1931 and began operating a complete high school. Father Hackett began teaching a credit course in religion at the University. The 1930 census revealed a total of 230 parishioners at Saint John's and 548 Catholic students at the University of Alabama.
Rev. Michael F. Mulvoy, C.S.Sp., was appointed pastor in 1940-1947. Under his guidance the parish progressed, parish societies and the Newman Club advanced. Churches and other parish buildings were redecorated. Twenty-three young parishioners served in World War 11, three were killed: Albert Massa, Tommy Phillips and Leon Huthnance. Father Mulvoy's work increased due to Armed Forces at deGraffenreid Field; Veterans Hospital; Northington General Hospital and the Prison at Aliceville. Rev. Henry Haley, C.S.Sp., was appointed to assist in Tuscaloosa.
In 1944 Saint John's Parish held its centennial celebration.
Rev. Eugene McGuigen, C.S.Sp., was pastor of Saint John's for a few months in 1947. He was succeeded by Rev. Edward Beriault, C.S.Sp., who remained pastor for twelve years.
In 1958, Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen approved a building program for parishioners of Saint John's Parish. September 28 was designated as 'Fund Raising Day' to launch the program to erect a new church, rectory, convent and school at a new location. Victor Tabaka, Executive Director of the building committee reported a total of $120,196 including cash and signed pledges, Fred A. Ritter was chairman of the 'Fund Raising Day.' Archbishop Toolen was celebrant of the Pontifical Mass, assisted by Father Edward Berriault, pastor, and Rev. Charles Reiner, O.S.B., of Saint Bernard Abbey, Cullman. The Archbishop spoke of the rapid growth of the parish in which both church and school facilities were inadequate and asked everyone to make sacrifices to achieve the goal, beginning with God's grace and His blessing.
In August, 1961, Saint John's School property was sold to the First Methodist Church for $150,000. Rev. J. J. Cassidy, C.S.Sp., pastor, 1959-1971, and Archbishop Toolen made the transfer of property. The site covered a tract one quarter of a block in area at Eighth Avenue and 25th Street, which was part of Lot 302 of the original survey of Tuscaloosa, which was sold by the United States to Will McGehee on November 5, 1821 and passed through eleven ownerships before being purchased by Saint John's Parish, April 26, 1877.
Holy Spirit was the name chosen for the new parish plant. A 25acre tract of land was purchased on Albright Drive and 37th Avenue, East by Rev. Edward Berrault in January, 1959. Construction was begun on the new school and all-purpose building and was completed in 1962. The Benedictine Sisters moved into their new twostory convent and began to teach in the new school in the Fall of 1962. Archbishop Toolen dedicated the buildings on January 27, 1963.
In October, 1963, groundbreaking ceremony for the new church was held. Construction was started on the new rectory. The church was completed in 1964 and Mass offered on November 8th. Archbishop Toolen officiated at the formal dedication of Holy Spirit Church on January 3, 1965. Very Rev. Vernon F. Gallagher, C.S.Sp., Provincial of the Eastern Province of the Holy Ghost Fathers, preached the sermon.
The imposing Church is of Contemporary style with a touch of Romanesque character, built of light rough and smooth faced brick and Alabama limestone. The facade is graced with a ten-foot rose window, over which is a carved Celtic Cross, in limestone. The fiftyfive foot tower is topped with a fifteen-foot aluminum cross with five-foot cross arms. The plan includes Narthex, Baptistry, Mother's Room, Nave, Choir Balcony, Sanctuary and Sacristry. The church seats 500 persons; the balcony seats 100 persons. The floors are of natural slate; the sanctuary is raised one foot and the altar platform another three rises; all covered with gold carpet. The oak pews and wall panelling blend with soft stained wood tones of the ceiling beams. High over the white marble altar is the white dove of the reredos on a background of gold and red ceramic mosaic tile. All of the buildings complement each other for a magnificent parish plant.
The parish reverted back to the Diocese on August 20, 1971, when Rev. MacPaul Abraham was appointed pastor by Bishop Vath of Birmingham. On July 1, 1974, Rev. Michael J. White became pastor and Dean of the Southwest Deanery.