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Dictionary of Miramichi Biography

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POWER, NICHOLAS J. (1857-1921)

POWER, NICHOLAS J., Catholic parish priest, Nelson, 1887-1921; b. Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, 25 Dec 1857; ordained 1882; d. Nelson, 7 Feb 1921.

A grandnephew of Father Michael Egan, Nicholas J. Power was educated at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny, and trained for the priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal. After his ordination, which took place in Montreal on 23 December 1882, he was appointed curate at Nelson to assist Father Egan, who was seventy-seven years old and in failing health. He took up his duties early in the new year.

Although he was not appointed parish priest until 1887, Power was the priest in charge of St Patrick's parish from the start. His first years were made difficult by the fact that the church and rectory were lost to fire on 25 September 1883. Work was begun at once on a new rectory, and it was being used as a combination residence and chapel by November. It took another ten years, however, to raise the necessary funds for a new church. To reduce the risk of another fire the second St Patrick's was built of stone, which was hauled across the river in winter from the quarry at French Fort Cove. Tenders for its construction were called in May 1893, and the contract was awarded to B. Mooney & Sons of Saint John. This firm had erected the Church of St John the Baptist in Saint John in 1883-84, and the Nelson church was to be of the same design. It rose on its foundation in 1893-94 and was dedicated by Bishop James Rogers in a splendidly-elaborate ceremony on 8 November 1894.

Power, who was said to have had an abundance of wit and humor, and keen insight into human nature, continued as parish priest at Nelson until his death.

Sources

[b/d] tombstone / Advance 17 Nov 1892, 24 May 1893, 15 Nov 1894; Broderick; Hist. RC Church of St John the Baptist; Leader 11 Feb 1921; World 29 Sep 1883, 14 Nov 1883

Remarques

While Power was born in Ballyhale, Ireland, according to most published sources, his tombstone shows Coolmore, Ireland, as his place of birth.


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