Rev William Grennan
Title:
Rev
First Name:
William
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Grennan
Order:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Rahan, Co Offaly
Country of Birth:
Ireland
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ireland
Ordination Diocese:
Townsville
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Chermside QLD
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Belgian Gardens, Townsville QLD
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Appointments Table
Diocese | Place | Role | Start Day | Start Month | Start Year | End Day | End Month | End Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockhampton | Bundaberg | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | |||||||
| Rockhampton | Mackay | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | |||||||
| Townsville | Ayr | Assistant Priest | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | ||||||
| Townsville | Julia Creek | Parish Priest | 1941 | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | |||||
| Townsville | Home Hill | Parish Priest | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | ||||||
| Townsville | Collinsville | Parish Priest | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | ||||||
| Townsville | Mundingburra | Parish Priest | 1969 | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | |||||
| Townsville | ? | Diocesan Consultor | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | ||||||
| Townsville | Various | Member, RC Trust Corporation of the Diocese of Townsville | 1963 | 1977 | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 | ||||
| Townsville | Charters Towers | Parish Priest | 1969 | Catholic Leader, 1 January 1978 |
Biographical Notes
Irish-born priest gave 42 years of life here, Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 1 January 1978, p QS2:
Father William Grennan, parish priest of St Francis Xavier Parish, Railway Estate, who died in the Chermside Hospital on December 14, following open-heart surgery, was born in Rahan, County Offaly, Ireland, in 1911.
Fr Grennan came to Australia after his ordination to the priesthood in June, 1935.
Although he came to join the new Diocese of Townsville, his first three years in Australia were spent assisting in the Diocese of Rockhampton.
He served at Bundaberg and Mackay, before going to Ayr in the Townsville diocese as assistant priest.
In 1941, Fr Grennan was appointed parish priest of Julia Creek, where he remained for three years. This was followed by appointments as parish priest of Home Hill and Collinsville.
During a period of 10 years Fr Grennan spent at Mundingburra, the Church of the Holy Trinity was built, the YCW Hall opened and the parish school of St Joseph extended.
Consultor
Fr Grennan also served a five-year term as a diocesan consultor and was appointed a member of the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation of the Townsville diocese in 1963 — an appointment he held up to the time of his death.
On leaving Mundingburra in 1969, Fr Grennan spent two years as parish priest of Charters Towers and four years at Bowen, where he also undertook the pastoral care of Collinsville for a short period.
"In the generous tradition of the priests, who have come from Ireland over the years, Fr Grennan gave his life to the Diocese of Townsville," a diocesan spokesman said.
"Although unwell for some time, Fr Grennan waited until his annual holiday before seeking medical advice, which diagnosed a serious condition necessitating surgery.
"Bishop Faulkner, the priests and people of the Diocese of Townsville are deeply saddened by the death of Fr Grennan and extend their sympathy to his four brothers and two sisters, all living in Ireland.
"Sympathy is extended also to his cousins, Sr Ignace and Cr Philomene of the Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Sr St Philip, of Nazareth House, Melbourne, and Fr Patrick Grennan of Childers in the Archdiocese of Brisbane."
The Requiem Mass and funeral took place in St Francis Xavier Church, Railway Estate, on Tuesday, December 20.