Monsignor Richard Collins
Title:
Monsignor
First Name:
Richard
Middle Names:
P.
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Collins
Order:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Lisselton, Ballylongford, Co Kerry
Country of Birth:
Ireland
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ireland
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Melbourne VIC
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | Williamston | Linane Vol 2 | |||||||
| Melbourne | Carlton | Linane Vol 2 | |||||||
| Melbourne | Clifton Hill | 1889 | 1902 | Linane Vol 2 | |||||
| Melbourne | South Melbourne | 1902 | 1942 | Linane Vol 2 |
Biographical Notes
Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 68:
Collins, Richard P., Rt. Rev., Irish, Golden Jubilarian
Grand Old Warrior of Emerald Hill
The curates called him 'Old Dick' and he was feared and revered by the same - as well as by naughty school children and the populace in general. South Melbourne (or Emerald Hill) retained a distinctly Irish flavour for many years, as instanced by its fielding until the 1920s a first-class Hurling team - a pointer to 'old Dart' loyalty which has now almost disappeared from the Melbourne scene. Richard was born in April 1859 at Lisselton, Ballylongford, County Kerry. The only family item known is the death of his father, Patrick on 28 September 1908 (Melbourne Advocate, 27.6.08). Education was received at McNamara's School, Listowel, and at All Hallows, Dublin. College records show he was there from 1878 to 1883. Ordination took place on the traditional date for the ceremony, 24 June, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. Arriving in Melbourne at the end of that year, he was first assigned as an assistant to Williamstown and then to Carlton. The completion of the Clifton Hill Church (St. John's) is part of his long administration of that parish from 1889 to 1902. 1902 marked the beginning of his forty year reign in South Melbourne. Even before his assumption of this office, Richard was highly regarded on a diocesan level for his service in collecting for the Cathedral Building Fund, and as personal Secretary to Archbishop Carr. There is a booklet in circulation which enumerates 'inter alia' the achievements in the South Melbourne parish. The notes before me mention only the erection of a Primary School and College in Park Street, as well as a Parish Hall; but there must be many more to the credit of this zealous and revered Pastor. 13 July 1942 marks the date of death at the age of 83. 59 years of service and a Golden Jubilee stand to his credit. His remains lie in the Mortuary Chapel for priests at the Melbourne General Cemetery.
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 8)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay, and Melbourne Advocate 27.6.'08 & 16.6.1927 (Photo) etc.