Sacramento Valley Biographies

REV. THOMAS GRACE

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, May 2009.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

          The Right Reverend Thomas Grace, bishop of the diocese of
Sacramento, Cathedral of the Most Holy Sacrament, is one of the most
prominent figures in the Roman Catholic Church, whose interests he has
zealously upheld throughout his entire career as a churchman, covering a
period of almost a half century. A son of James Grace, who was of Norman
extraction and a descendant of the famous Raymond Le Gros, of the twelfth
century, he is a native of county Wexford, Ireland, born in 1841, and in the
locality of his birth he was reared to young manhood. A preliminary
education was received through the medium of the private schools in the
vicinity of his home, after which he was given instruction at St. Peter's,
Wexford, by Bishop Furlong. Later he became a student of All Hallows
College, Dublin, and in that city was ordained to the priesthood in the year
1867. In September of the same year he came to California and in this state
first had charge of the parish at Red Bluff, Tehama county, being the first
pastor of that church. During this pastorate he built the Convent of Mercy
and through his endeavors materially increased the congregation. He made
many friends who regretted his removal to Grass Valley in 1870, his
pastorate there continuing until 1874, when he was transferred to
Marysville, Yuba county. In July, 1881, he came to the city of Sacramento
and here assumed charge as pastor of St. Rose's Church, which position he
filled acceptably until he became bishop in 1896. He stands exceptionally
high among the dignitaries of his church, and is as well accorded a high
place as a citizen, his best efforts and most unselfish endeavors having
been given to advance the general welfare of the city where he has made his
home for nearly a quarter of a century.

             In 1890 Rev. Father Grace took a trip to Europe, visiting among
other places the scenes of his early childhood. In 1905 he made his official
visit to Rome, at the same time visiting almost all the European countries.
In 1900 Mrs. Jane Stanford deeded the former Stanford mansion in Sacramento
to Rev. Father Grace. This was dedicated in 1904 as the Stanford Lathrop
Home for Friendless Children, now in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. Under
his auspices the Mater Miser Icordiae Hospital was built in 1898, and this
also is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. As the result of the efforts of
Father Grace the Christian Brothers College has recently been enlarged by
the addition of a west wing. Not the least worthy of notice of the many
enterprises with which he has had to do is St. Stephen's Church, at the
corner of Third and P streets, in the erection of which he materially
assisted.

"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company,
Chicago, 1906, Pages 463-464.