My Genealogy Hound

The Rev. P. H. Garahty is the first pastor of the church of "Our Lady of the Springs,” and the only pastor the church has had since its organization or foundation. This church was dedicated on August 15, 1868, but had no pastor until 1870. The Rev. P. H. Garahty was born in County Longford, Ireland, but was reared and educated at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from Mount St. Mary’s of the West, in 1863. He was the first priest ordained by Archbishop Perche, June 11, 1870. He took three or four courses in the theological school at the same place, and from 1870 to 1885 he attended sixteen counties in Southwest Arkansas, besides building the church at Camden, Hope and Arkadelphia. He also built the church at Rocky Comfort, on the borders of the Indian Territory. He came to America with his mother when five years of age, taking passage at Dublin, and landing at Philadelphia after a three months’ ocean voyage. His early life was spent almost entirely in school, and since being ordained as a pastor he has turned his whole attention to the building up of his denomination. He also takes a decided interest in school and educational matters, has founded the convent school and also a school for colored children, built in 1888, and taught by Sisters of Mercy. There is also an infirmary conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. They have a beautiful church and good schools. The Rev. Father is next to the senior priest in the line of ordination. Ad multos annos!