California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


REV. FATHER J. D. McCARTHY. A man of much culture and great religious zeal, Rev. J. D. 
McCarthy, pastor of St. John's Church, in Fresno, is doing a most' notable work for the people 
under his charge. By his ability, his quiet persuasion and his earnest enthusiasm, he has 
improved the material as well as the spiritual condition of those who have looked to him for 
help, comfort and advice, all of which he gives freely. Through his efforts the parish has been 
enlarged, its financial strength increased, new church and school buildings have been erected, 
and much energy and enthusiasm have been aroused among his parishioners. His ministries in 
many other ways, also, have been full of good works and faithful service. 

A native of New York City, Father McCarthy was born in 1864. After leaving the grammar 
schools of his native city he prepared for college in Brooklyn, N. Y. Entering St. Francis' College in 
1879, he was graduated from there in the class of 1884. Going immediately to Rome, Italy, he 
entered the American College of the Propaganda, where he remained until forced to give up 
his studies on account of ill health. In search of a more salubrious climate, he went to Dublin, 
Ireland, and there completed the study of theology at All Hallow's College. June 24, 1890, he 
was ordained priest by Bishop Brownrigg, of Ossery, and sent immediately to the diocese of Los 
Angeles and Monterey, Cal. After remaining at Los Angeles for three years as assistant pastor 
of the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, Father McCarthy was appointed resident pastor of the 
St. Francis de Sales Church, Riverside, Cal, and during the five years that he was there he 
started missions at Jacinto, Elsinore, Perris and Corona. In October, 1898, he was appointed 
pastor of St. John's Church, Fresno, and has served most acceptably ever since. This parish was 
organized more than a quarter of a century ago by Rev. Father Yal Aguillera, who built the first 
church structure in the place. In 1902 the parish erected a new brick church, and in 1903 made 
further improvements by building a new priest's house. In connection with the church is St. 
Augustine's Academy, for the instruction of young ladies, and St. Joseph's School, a parochial 
institution under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. This parish is very prosperous, 
owning much valuable property, and having a membership of five thousand souls, the largest 
of any congregation in the San Joaquin valley.