Caption: The Rev. Timothy Dempsey, the pastor of St. Patrick's Parish downtown for almost 28 years until his death in 1936. Dempsey was a native of County Offaly in central Ireland. He is shown here shortly before St. Patrick's Day in 1923, sitting comfortably on a box in an alley. St. Patrick's, at 1201 Sixth Street, was in the city's original Irish neighborhood. Dempsey became pastor in 1898. For most of his years there, the main event on St. Patrick's Day in St. Louis was the solemn high Mass at the church, concelebrated by Archbishop John Glennon and many other priests, and often followed by dinners and traditional piping. Dempsey was a tireless advocate of the poor, organizing soup kitchens and lodging for the homeless. In 1908, he established a shelter for homeless men at Eighth and Franklin streets (current site of America's Center) for homeless men. For years, it was known as Father Dempsey's hotel. He died on April 6, 1936, at age 65. Father Dempsey's Charities continues operating a soup kitchen and residence for for men at 3427 Washington Avenue. (Post-Dispatch)
Album ID: 1189524
Photo ID: 34590644
This is a low-resolution representation of a high-resolution photo suitable for print reproduction. If the image displayed above is color - the print will be color. If the image displayed above is black and white - the print will be black and white.
This preview does not represent high image quality of the products that can be ordered from this site.
Unauthorized reproduction of this image prohibited by law. Watermarks do not appear on the final product.
Email Page to Friend
Save in My Album
Buy this Photo
View Gallery
