Rev. James J. Smith, pastor of St. Francis Catholic church, 397 Ferry street, New Haven, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, March 17, 1854, a son of Hugh and Mary (Lynch) Smith both of whom were natives of Ireland, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children. They were devout members of the Roman Catholic church and reared their family in that faith. Their son, Rev. James J. Smith, attended the national schools of Ireland and afterward became a student in Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1876. He was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1880, by Bishop McMahon and after taking holy orders became assistant pastor to the Rev. M. F. Kelly of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where he spent four years. He was afterward for four years at St. Augustine's in Bridgeport and later was assigned to pastoral duties in Guilford, Connecticut, where he remained for live years. Later he became officiating priest at St. Lawrence church in Hartford, where he continued for four years, and then spent fourteen years at St. Mary's Catholic church in Norwich. His next assignment made him pastor of St. Francis church of New Haven, of which he took charge on the 1st of May. 1911. Since then he has been active in this place, doing splendid work in the upbuilding of the cause. While in Norwich in 1902 he was instrumental in building the convent, the parochial school and the rectory. He has also built the convent in connection with St. Francis church, which is the finest convent in the state.

Father Smith is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is taking an active interest in all civic matters and is helping his people in many relations, being interested in their material growth and moral welfare, and his efforts on their behalf are far-reaching and beneficial.