Francis Joseph Eger

Frances Joseph Eger, the reverenced pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, at New Castle, has been identified with the work of this parish since early in August, 1888. Father Eger was born in 1863, in the vicinity of Carrolltown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. In 1874 he entered St. Vincent's College, where he was thoroughly instructed in the manner of the priests of the Roman Catholic faith, and after the long and thorough course of training, was ordained a priest by the late Right Reverend Richard Phelan, July 8, 1886.

Father Eger's first charge was at Allegheny City, where he served as assistant priest at St. Joseph's Church, following which came his appointment to the present charge at New Castle. The growth of St. Joseph's Church from its inception, which was coincident with Father Eger's taking charge of the parish, is an interesting story, illustrating, as it does, the deep religious sentiment of the people, and the zeal and efficiency of the priest, who, in a period not covering twenty years, has accomplished so much.

For many years the Catholic residents of New Castle had but one place of worship, St. Mary's Church. As population increased and Catholics came to the city from other points, the accommodations offered by the old church were discovered to be totally inadequate, and the German Catholics, in particular, began an agitation looking toward the erection of a new church. After a thorough examination of the demands as well as of the earnestness of the German Catholics making the request, Bishop Phelan approved the plan, and recognizing the fact that a young and zealous priest, whose quality and ability had been already tested, would be most useful at this point, he designated Father Eger for the place.

After taking charge, Father Eger's first move was the purchase of the most available site, that being the First Methodist Episcopal Church property, for which the sum of $4,800 was paid. Under his active direction the building was put in order and was dedicated on December 16, 1888, by Bishop Phelan, a remarkable achievement to have been brought about in the short space of four months. Services were established, a school founded, and peace and prosperity had settled over the little congregation while plans were under way for still further extending the facilities of the church. A disastrous fire, however, which occurred April 25 1892, which occasioned the destruction of the building, seemingly obliterated every effort. This was only seeming, for the congregation of St. Joseph, under the leadership of Father Eger, was not discouraged, but rather was infused with fresh religious ardor, and before the embers of the old building were cold, effort was directed to the erection of the new one, which is now a reality and stands as one of the handsomest religious edifices in this city. Only an artist with his trained hand could present an adequate picture of St. Joseph's as it stands in its beauty and dignity; mere words can only indicate it. Its seating capacity is for 600 people. The interior of the building is finished in Wisconsin oak, the altars the choir loft and confessionals are of beautiful architecture and of fine finish. The beautiful and appropriate statuary was presented to the church by its friends and was imported from older sanctuaries in distant countries. The light shines through stained glass windows and the latter represent offerings of piety and self-sacrifice of members of the congregation and of the Sunday-school. Not the least of the fine equipment of this beautiful church is the pipe organ, which is the largest to be found in this section of the State. The school attached to St. Joseph's is under the charge of three Sisters of the order of Divine Providence, and they have 160 pupils, 125 of these being residents.

Father Eger has proved his capacity to look after the material matters of his parish, and both his congregation and the other citizens of New Castle appreciate his value as a pastor and as a faithful conservator of right and justice. He has shown his sympathy in all movements inaugurated for the betterment of the moral standards of the community, and has never failed to denounce apparent wrong in unmistakable terms. On the other hand, his preaching of the Gospel is of gentle persuasion, kind warning and holy eloquence.

20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, 1908, pages 543-544