Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 128-129:
Arthur O'Keeffe

Who was the first priest to own a motor car? It seems to have been Fr Arthur Joseph O'Keeffe. Not so long before, priests were not even allowed to ride a bicycle in some dioceses.

Arthur was born in Dalby where he attended the local convent, then boarded at Nudgee College before going off to All Hallows in Dublin. He was ordained there in June, 1908.

The Archives retains several of his one-penny 100-page exercise books dating from his student days at 'All Hallows, Drumcondra, Dublin'. They contain his class notes on subjects like Natural Theology (all in English) and several model sermons.

Warwick was his appointment from 1909 until 1914. Here he was remembered for two things - being 'a fine handsome priest' and buying an Auto-buggy. There was extensive travelling out into the country for Masses around Warwick parish. It meant horse and buggy, or sometimes train and staying at country hotels.

Fr O'Keeffe thought there must be a better way. However, his first experience with the IHC Auto-buggy was discouraging. The salesman had problems and Mass at Pratten was two hours late due to the breakdown. Nevertheless he took the plunge and bought it. When it did work, it took only one hour to get to Pratten. The year was 1911, but Mons. Potter never did become used to such speedy journeys around his parish.

For two years, Arthur was at Kangaroo Point, then in 1917 was made Parish Priest of St Peter's and Paul's at Bulimba.

He built the new Church, somewhat similar in design to those at Laidley and Coorparoo, but was transferred to Rosalie in 1931.

The Bulimba Church was left for his successor to pay off in depressed times and was another case of the name on the foundation stone not always being that of the priest who does the hard work of meeting the payments.

After nine years at Rosalie, Arthur O'Keeffe went as Chaplain to the Mater Hospital, then to Woody Point and finally served as Chaplain to Nudgee College.

He died on August 6th, 1966 and was laid to rest at Nudgee.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

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Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 220-221:
Denis O'Keeffe

[...]

Denis Matthew O'Keeffe was born near Laidley in 1885 [...]

[...]Fr O'Keeffe died on 29th September 1956. [...].

Fr Arthur O'Keeffe was no relation.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

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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 Arthur Joseph O'Keefe, died 6 Aug 1966

Arthur Joseph O'Keefe was born in Dalby on 17th August, 1881, the day before the founding Bishop of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Bishop James Quinn, died. He was educated at Nudgee College and on completing his schooling was sent for his seminary studies to All Hallows College, Dublin. He was ordained Priest there, for the Brisbane Archdiocese, on 24th June, 1908. He served in the following places: Assistant Priest, Warwick (1909-1913); Ipswich (1914); Parish Priest, Bulimba (1915-1929); Assistant Priest, Kangaroo Point (1929-1933); Parish Priest, Rosalie (1936-1937); the first Parish Priest at Woody Point; Chaplain to the Mater Hospital; and Chaplain to Nudgee Junior. In 1962, ill-health resulted in his being admitted to Mt Olivet Hospital. He was transferred to the Mater Hospital a week before his death. At the time of his death he was the senior Priest of the Brisbane Archdiocese. He was buried in the Nudgee Cemetery.
(Ref. Brisbane Archives)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.