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Rev Jeremiah Moynahan

Title:

Rev

First Name:

Jeremiah

Middle Names:

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Moynahan

Order:

Date of Birth:

1815

Place of Birth:

Co Kerry

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ireland

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

21-Dec-1867

Place of Death:

St Johns, Kapunda SA

Country of Death:

Australia

Date of Burial:

22-Dec-1867

Place of Burial:

St Johns, Kapunda SA

Country of Burial:

Australia

Find A Grave URL:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197430784

Appointments Table

Diocese
Place
Role
Start Day
Start Month
Start Year
End Day
End Month
End Year
Source
Brisbane RockhamptonDec1862The Queensland Guardian, 18 December 1862
Brisbane Warwick1864The Courier, Brisbane, 4 April 1864
Melbourne Castlemaine18651866Mount Alexander Mail, Castlemaine, 19 June 1865
Adelaide St JohnsJan1867Dec1868Kapunda Herald and Northern Intelligencer, 24 January 1868
Items per page:
0 of 0


Biographical Notes

Religious Summary. Roman Catholic Church, The Queensland Guardian, Brisbane, 18 December 1862, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article289296040:

The Rev. Mr. Moynahan, who came to Brisbane as chaplain on the Prince Consort, has succeeded the Rev. P. Duhig in charge of the Roman Catholic mission of Rockhampton.

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Notes and Events, Queensland Daily Guardian, Brisbane, 28 September 1863, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article288532810:

The Rev. Thomas Keating and the Rev. Jeremiah Moynihan, Roman Catholic clergymen, are gazetted as having registered for the celebration of marriages within the colony.

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The Gazette, The Courier, Brisbane, 4 April 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3169473:

The Rev. Jeremiah Moynahan, minister of the Roman Catholic Church, now residing at Warwick, and the Rev. Matthew Charles Devitt, minister of the Roman Catholic Church, residing at Brisbane, are registered as ministers of religion for the celebration of marriages in the colony of Queensland.

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Warwick, The North Australian, Brisbane, 9 April 1864, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77435181:

The water at this time (2 o'clock p.m.) is 6 feet 4 inches higher than the highest flood mark. A report has reached town that a German farmer was on the top of his house, which was hourly expected to be swept away. The Rev. B. Gline and the Rev. Doctor Cani, with several of the inhabitants went to his rescue. The distance they had to carry him away was about one fourth of a mile. They procured some sawn timber and made a raft sufficient, as they considered, to carry three men. Mr. Alderman Hudson and Mr. Thomas Drohan, greatly to their credit, ventured their lives on this frail craft, and got to the house safe; but on arriving they found the raft was only capable of carrying two men; by much trouble they persuaded the man to get on the raft, all the while crying out for his saddle and two pigs, while the current was running at a terrific rate. Alderman Hudson, finding that the raft was overladen, and one of them should swim to save the others, struck out leaving the other two on the raft; the current took him the wrong direction, but after some hard swimming, he got into a tree and remained there until relieved by the raft, after its landing the German. The Rev. Dr. Cani and Rev. P. Moynahan opened the chapel and school house for the reception of all the sufferers who were then without a home, and ordered them rations at their expense.

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Police Office, Warwick, The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser, Toowoomba, 13 October 1864, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75512433:

October 4. (Before the Police Magistrate and S. W. Aldren, J.P.)
Father Moynahan, Roman Catholic Priest, on summons charged by the District Registrar with neglecting to furnish certificate of marriages celebrated by him.
The defendant put in a plea of general ill health, and promised the same would not take place again.
Case dismissed, the prosecutor not wishing to press the charge.

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Items of News, Mount Alexander Mail, Castlemaine, 19 June 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207002347:

For a long time those in the Fryer's district, professing the Roman Catholic faith, suffered considerable inconvenience in consequence of no suitable place of worship existing for them in the neighborhood. To remedy this, measures were taken, and a (promptly responded to) call was made upon those desirous of placing themselves more nearly within the influences of the services of their faith. The sum of £400 having been subscribed, it was resolved to raise a sacred edifice in honor of St. Patrick. This has been accomplished. The structure is a most substantially built brick one, capable of comfortably seating 400 persons. The altar is of tasteful design, and without being elaborate, it is in harmony with the other portions of the building. The consecration, which took place yesterday, attracted a large number of persons. At the hour appointed, 11 a.m., His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr Goold arrived for the purpose of performing the interesting ceremony, which having been done according to the rules of the Church, His Lordship offered High Mass, assisted by the Rev. Father Moore, of Castlemaine. The musical portion of the solemn sacrifice was beautifully rendered by the choir of St. Mary's, of Castlemaine; assisted by Mrs Gardner, the Misses Crowley and Cox, Messrs Hasler, Huenerbein, and Alexander, of the Castlemaine Philharmonic Society. The harmonium was kindly lent by Mr Hodgson, and performed on by Mrs Hodgson, organist of St. Mary's. The Rev. Dean Hayes, D.D., preached a most eloquent and touching dedicatory discourse, in which he eulogised the wonderful efforts of St. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland, to whose honor, the new building was erected. The sermon concluded, the Bishop then administered the sacrament of the confirmation to about 50 persons of both sexes, His Lordship previously addressing them in a most parental manner upon the sublimity of the rite. The collection made was most liberal, and altogether the ceremony of the day was a great success. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass without giving expression to the general feeling of satisfaction amongst Catholics, at the results which attend the efforts of the Rev. Fathers Moore and Moynahan, the present clergymen in charge at Castlemaine.

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Items of News, Mount Alexander Mail, Castlemaine, 17 October 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197092418:

The jubilee in connection with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary's, Castlemaine, was commenced yesterday evening. In the absence of his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr Goold, the Roman Catholic Bishop, a discourse suitable to the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Father Moynahan. It is anticipated that Dr Goold will be in Castlemaine to-day. At the services of last evening the church was crowded to excess. We may add that the services of the jubilee will be continued during the week for the Castlemaine district.

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Shipping Intelligence. Hobson's Bay. Arrived, The Argus, Melbourne, 19 March 1866, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5765945:

Edina, s.s., 300 tons, J. T. Rolls, from Portland, Belfast, and Warrnambool. Passengers - saloon: [...] Rev. Mr. Moynahan [...]

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Shippings News. Arrived, The Adelaide Express, 14 December 1866, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207681558:

Thursday, December 13 [...] Coorong, steamer, 304 tons, W. McLean, master, from Melbourne December 11. [...] Passengers—[...] Rev. J. Moynahan [...]

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Deaths, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 24 December 1867, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39179640:

Moynahan.—Of your charity pray for the soul of Rev. Jeremiah Moynahan, of St. John's, Kapunda, who fell asleep in the Lord on the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. Sweet Jesus, grant him eternal rest.

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Kapunda, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 26 December 1867, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39186597:

On the same day [Sunday 22nd] the funeral of the Rev. Mr. Moynahan, of St. John's, took place, when there was a very large attendance.

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Kapunda Herald and Northern Intelligencer, 24 January 1868, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108263865:

The following brief biographical sketch of the late Father Moynahan, of Kapunda, extracted from the Southern Cross, will be interesting to our readers—"The mission of St. John's, and indeed the whole diocese of Adelaide, has experienced a severe and sad loss by the death of Father Moynahan on the 21st of last month. The reverend gentleman had been ailing for some months, but it was only lately so immediate a termination to his malady was anticipated. He came out originally to Queensland some five years ago in charge of an emigrant ship, having been recommended to try a warmer climate for pulmonary complaint, from which he was suffering. On his arrival he took a mission from Dr. Quinn at Rockhampton, Pt Curtis, where he discharged his duties with zeal and activity, and in a very short time completed a nice little church there. Finding the climate of Queensland somewhat too exhausting for his strength, he went to Victoria, where he was for some little time in charge of part of the Castlemaine district. In December, 1866, he came to Adelaide, from whence he proceeded in the beginning of last year to take charge of St. John's. In spite of his failing health he managed to discharge his duties very efficiently, and to the last used regularly to attend all the stations. On Thursday, the 19th December, which was a day of excessive heat, he attended a station at Truro, but on his return was so exhausted that he made his last dispositions and temporal arrangements. On the Friday he rallied to some extent, and drove out in the evening. Towards midnight, however, he became so weak that the Rev. Father Murphy, who was with him, thought it advisable to administer all the last sacraments. After this he sunk gradually, and about two o'clock in the morning, in the full possession of his senses, he went peaceably to his eternal rest. Father Moynahan was an earnest, zealous young priest, who endeared himself to all who knew him by his piety and his kind and gentle disposition. He was beloved by his little flock at St. John's, who followed his remains to the grave on Sunday amid the most heartfelt expressions of grief. Both they and our readers will join heartily in the Church's prayer, that God may grant to his soul eternal rest."

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 52: "Moynahan, Jeremiah /Ir. / Kerry, Q'land, Vic.?, S.A. d.at Kapunda 22.12.1867"

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Jeremiah Moynahan, died 22 Dec 1867

Born in Ireland, educated in Kerry. Served in Queensland, possibly Victoria and South Australia. Died at Kapunda. Pugh’s Almanac lists him in Warwick in 1865.

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p :
Fr Jeremiah Moynahan

I have a special interest in Fr Jeremiah Moynahan. He officiated at the marriage of my maternal grandfather’s parents in Warwick in 1864. He arrived in Brisbane, as the chaplain aboard the Prince Consort on 2 November 1862.

Jeremiah Moynihan was born in co Kerry Ireland, (where he was educated). He came to Australia in 1862, in charge of an emigrant ship, having been advised to try a warmer climate for the sake of his health. On his arrival he was appointed to Rockhampton, where he very soon erected a handsome church. (1)

Note the spelling of his name which varies in reports. In Rockhampton Fr Moynahan blessed, opened and celebrated the first mass in Rockhampton’s first church, on 4 January 1864. The construction had begun under the supervision of Fr Patrick Duhig on 28 November 1862.(2)

On 18 June 1864, Fr Jeremiah Moynahan as assistant to Dr Cani the first priest-in-charge of the Warwick mission officiated at the marriage of my great-grand parents John McEniery and Bridget McMahon. The marriage was celebrated, in ‘the Priest’s Cottage.(3) Warwick’s first church, erected by Dr Cani, was not opened until 23 August 1865. Fr Moynahan had been the chaplain on the Prince Consort on which Bridget McMahon emigrated from Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland to arrive in Queensland on 2 November 1862.(4)

From the South Australia Catholic paper, the Southern Cross, I have learnt more about Fr Moynihan’s migration to Australia when reporting his death on 21 December 1867.

On December 21, 1867, death claimed still another Priest in Kapunda. One of Father Byrne’s zealous assistants, Rev Jeremiah Moynihan, who was in a delicate state of health when he arrived, passed to his reward. … … Finding the Queensland climate too exhausting for his strength, Fr Moynihan went to Victoria where he was for a time in charge of a ‘part of the Castlemaine district’. In December 1866, he arrived in Adelaide, and went direct to take charge of St John’s, where he managed to discharge his duties very efficiently, in spite of his failing health. On Thursday, December 19, a day of excessive heat, he attended a station at Truro, and on his return was so exhausted that he arranged his temporal affairs. On Friday he improved somewhat, and went for a drive in the evening. Towards midnight, however, he became so weak that the Rev Father Murphy (another assistant priest), who was with him, thought it better to administer the Last Sacraments. A couple of hours afterward he passed peacefully to his eternal rest. His death was the third to take place among the priests of Kapunda in seven years.
Father Moynihan was a zealous Priest, and endeared himself to all who knew him by his piety and kindly disposition. He was beloved by his flock at St John’s. Although he was only twelve months in the parish, the striking tribute which was paid to him by the citizens of the town and district is sufficient proof for the foregoing statement. Father Byrne, his superior, tells us that Father Moynihan’s funeral was attended by all classes: the Kapunda Rifles, with arms reversed, under Captain Oldham, marched at the head of the funeral procession to St John’s cemetery, where his remains repose, awaiting the general Resurrection. A headstone was erected over his grave. Twenty-four years later the mortal remains of Father Fallon, first Parish Priest, were removed from St John’s Church, and buried by the side of Fr Moynihan.(5)
Footnotes
1. Southern Cross, Adelaide, History of parish of Kapunda, South Australia, 30 Oct 1936, p. 4.
2. Clare Hickey, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Churches, Mass Centres and Parishes 1843-2004, 2008, p. 133.
3. St Mary’s Church Warwick Marriage Register 578.
4. Denis Long, History of the family and descendants of John and Bridget McEniery, 2015, p. 1.
5. Southern Cross, Adelaide, op. cit.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.

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