James McGolrick

James McGolrick (May 1, 1841 – January 23, 1918) was an Irish-born American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Duluth in Minnesota, serving from 1889 until his death.

Biography Early life James McGolrick was born on May 1, 1841, in Borrisokane, County Tipperary, to Felix and Bridget (née Henry) McGolrick. Two brothers, William and Henry, also became priests, while two sisters, Bridget and Elizabeth, joined the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In 1860, the American bishop Thomas Grace wrote to All Hallows College, Dublin, to recruit seminarians for the Diocese of Saint Paul in Minnesota. McGolrick entered All Hallows in September 1860, his tuition paid by Grace.

Priesthood

McGolrick was ordained a priest in Ireland for the Diocese of Saint Paul on June 11, 1867, by Bishop David Moriarty.

McGolrick arrived in Saint Paul in August 1867, and his first assignment was as an assistant pastor to Reverend John Ireland (later archbishop of Saint Paul) at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

During his pastorate at Immaculate Conception, McGolrick founded several societies, including a chapter of the Total Abstinence Society that was credited with reforming many people in Minneapolis. By the time of his death in 1918, there were 59 priests, 42 churches with resident pastors, 46 missions with churches, 35 stations, 11 parochial schools, and a Catholic population of almost 60,000. After a fire destroyed the cathedral in 1892, McGolrick laid the cornerstone for the new Sacred Heart Cathedral in 1894 and dedicated it two years later.

McGolrick celebrated his silver jubilee as a bishop in 1914 and his golden jubilee as priest in 1917. In civic affairs, he served on Duluth's library board and park board. Rt. Rev. James McGolrick, Bishop of Duluth, from A Combined Souvenir, History and Decennial Financial Statement of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Detroit, Minnesota.

Death and legacy McGolrick died from what was termed acute indigestion in Duluth on January 23, 1918, aged 76.