Francis Xavier Gartland

Francis Xavier Gartland (January 13, 1805 – September 20, 1854) was an Irish-born American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, covering Georgia and Eastern Florida, from 1850 until his death in 1854.

Biography

Early life One of ten children, Francis Gartland was born on January 13, 1805, in Dublin, Ireland, to James and Mary (née Conroy) Gartland. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a small child, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gartland studied the classics and theology at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After his ordination, Garland served as curate under Reverend John Hughes at St. John's Parish in Philadelphia, becoming its pastor in 1838. Gartland was seen as Bishop Francis Kenrick's "chief lieutenant"

Bishop of Savannah Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia On July 23, 1850, Gartland was appointed the first bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Savannah by Pope Pius IX.

The new diocese (comprising the entire state of Georgia and eastern Florida) contained 15 churches, eight priests, and around 5,000 Catholics. During Gartland's tenure, the Catholic population doubled in the diocese; more priests were added, including recruits from Ireland; he erected three new churches; and enlarged the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, dedicated in June 1853.

In 1854, during a yellow fever epidemic, Gartland travelled around Savannah visiting the sick. On September 8th, a hurricane ripped off the roof from Gartland's residence.

Death Francis Gartland died from yellow fever in Savannah on September 20, 1854, at age 49.