California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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


REV. PATRICK PIERSE.� Well does the student of California history 
know what the teeming thousands of its population, through many genera- 
tions, owe to the piety, scholarship, bravery and heroic endeavors of its saintly 
clergy who helped found and develop the great commonwealth, and the 
student of recent events will also know how the clergy of the same universal 
or Catholic Church have in more modern days helped to guide the ship of 
state, elevate society and so make mankind happier. Among the representa- 
tives of this great organization which Protestants, Jews and others not 
numbered in that fold delight to honor and cooperate with, is the Rev. Pat- 
rick Pierse, the rector of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Coalinga. 

He was born in County Kerry, in Erin's green isle, on February 7, 1887, 
and first studied the classics, as the basis of the scholarship desired, at San 
Brendans Seminary. He then prepared for the Christian ministry at All 
Hallows College, Dublin, and at St. Patrick's College, in Carlow ; and within 
the sacred walls of the latter institution, so famed for its thorough and con- 
scientious work, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1912, for the 
Diocese of Monterey and Los Angeles, by Bishop Foley. 

Having chosen California as his field of missionary work, Father Pierse 
crossed the wide ocean and the great continent, and arrived at Santa Monica 
in the fall of the same year. He was not long in getting domiciled and in 
obtaining an insight into American life and institutions ; and he became 
assistant to the Rev. Patrick Hawe at Santa Monica's Catholic Church, Santa 
Monica. 

In November, 1917, Father Pierse, after an effectual ministry at Santa 
Monica, in which he faithfully endeavored to preach the Gospel and to win 
souls to Christ and the holy Church, took charge of St. Paul's Catholic Church 
at Coalinga ; and as this is his first real charge, it is fortunate that he is so 
pleased with California, and so eager to become identified, more and more 
with her growth. His congregation has six hundred souls, and besides min- 
istering to their many wants, Father Pierse each month holds a service at 
Oilfield, and Sunday School there each Sunday. 

Father Pierse is a live worker and organizer in the Knights of Columbus, 
and is alert to strengthen every agency for good already sponsored by the 
Church. In addition, he takes a keen interest in civic affairs and the purifica- 
tion of politics and the elevation of the franchise ; and he may be counted on 
to be second to no one in endorsing every good movement, and in taking part 
in every good work, calculated to raise the morals of the community, the 
county and the state.