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Since its founding in 1858, St. John the Baptist Church has had 15 priests preside over our parish. For some priests, there are ample recordings and stories; for others, we are still endeavoring to uncover their histories our Parish. Here’s what we know:
1858–1876 – Fr. Deyaert
When St. John’s first church was completed in June 1860, Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco appointed Fr. Peter Deyaert the first resident Pastor. Fr. Deyaert, was assigned to Lake, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties. Prior to his appointment, Fr. Deyaert had been ministering to Native Americans on Vancouver Island. In 1859, he went to Marysville in the Sacramento Diocese, where he. The town of Napa was just over 10 years old when Fr. Deyaert arrived, and enjoying a booming economy based on the tanning, mining, and lumber milling industries.
With extensive territory to cover, it was fortunate that Father Deyaert was fond of walking. He visited all his districts on foot, except in emergencies when he might have used a horse and pack. Until 1865, therefore, the Napa Catholics had Mass only on alternate Sundays, as the Pastor traveled to his other stations in turn.
In 1866, Father Deyaert inherited some money from relations and built a two-story six-room rectory, moving out of the three-room cottage at the rear of the church that had served him since his arrival. He also bought some acreage adjacent to the church, on the corner of Main and Napa Streets, intended as the future site of a parish school. Recorded in the name of Archbishop Alemany, this was Deyaert’s gift to the parish. He also bought an adjoining lot for himself on the corner of Main and Caymus Streets, where he planted a vegetable garden.
Early in 1869, a smallpox epidemic hit Napa County. Sixty cases were reported and eleven died. Father Deyaert not only gave unstintingly of his time and services to the sick, but contributed to a fund to pay Dr Stillwagon his fee as attending physician.
Deyaert was popular with residents throughout Napa. He would drop into the stores and hotels, meeting acquaintances and making friends. His generous disposition and congenial manner were noted by many who knew him. Frank A. Leach, in his book, "Recollections of a Newspaperman", wrote, "I met him on such occasions several times, and we enjoyed one another's company very much."
1876-77 – Fr. Michael Mulville
1877-1904 – Fr. Slattery
Built the gothic church and served as the official umpire in the baseball games played at the Napa State Hospital.
1904-1915 – Fr. Joseph F. Byrne
Founder of St. John's School and member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He often visited with Frank Coombs to discuss diplomacy and law, and with Dr. Hennessey and Joe Levinson to talk about modern drugs and medical practices.
1915-1925 Fr. John Cantillon
1925-1928 Fr. William J. Quirke
Born in Cahirconlish, County Limerick, Ireland, on January 5, 1886. William received his early education in the primary schools and at Sacred Heart College, Limerick. He studied for the priesthood in St. Patrick's Seminary, Thurles, from 1903 until 1910 and was ordained a priest by Archbishop Fennelly in Thurles Cathedral on June 19, 1910.
Fr. Quirke’s early assignments were: assistant pastor at St. Mark's, Richmond, 1910-1912; St. Ann's, San Francisco, 1912-1916; St. Stanislaus, Modesto, 1916-1918; St. Rose, Santa Rosa, January-December, 1918; St. Paul's, San Francisco, 1918-1920. He was then made pastor at Turlock and served that parish until 1925 when he was appointed pastor of St. John's.
1928-1946 – Fr. Edward Guedet
Respected worldwide lepidopterist.
1946-1952 – Fr. Philip Ryan
1952-1959 – Fr. John Clogher
1959-1964 – Monsignor Michael Walsh
1964-1974 – Fr. Charles Jackson
1974-1984 – Monsignor William Hynes
1984-1990 – Fr.Stephen Canny
1990-2001 – Fr. Tim O'Sullivan
2000- Actual time – Fr. Gordon Kalil
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