My Genealogy Hound

REV. J. A. STRAHAN is the Rector of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Jenkintown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

This now flourishing parish was at its inception but an out-mission. It was ministered to by the Rev. John McGovern, at that time rector of St. Joachim Church, Frankford, Philadelphia. The first baptism recorded by him was in May, 1864. The first regular pastor appointed for the parish was the Rev. Thomas Toner and the date of his appointment was January, 1866. Under his pastorate the present church property was purchased, and the present church erected. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1866, and the house now occupied by the Sisters, then used as a rectory, was built about the same time. Father Toner labored zealously and faithfully for the interests of the Catholic church and for the spiritual needs of the parish until 1871. In September of that year he was succeeded by Rev. William J. McKean, another efficient worker in the parish, who died ten years later from the effects of a fall. The next pastor was the Rev. John Mellon, who died in 1885, and was succeeded in March, 1886, by the Rev. Thomas W. Power, who died in 1892. For a few months the spiritual needs of the parish were given attention by Father Garvey.

On September 8, 1892, the Rev. Joseph A. Strahan was appointed rector. Since taking charge of the parish Father Strahan has entirely renewed the whole interior of the church, built a new stone school house, and greatly improved the property. The church has now a seating capacity of nine hundred. There is an attendance of 225 at the school, which is in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Rev. Joseph A. Strahan is a native of Philadelphia. He acquired his early education in the schools of St. Philip and St. Michael. He next took a classical course in St. Charles Preparatory College. He studied philosophy and theology in St. Charles Seminary, at Eighteenth and Race streets, in Philadelphia. He was ordained to the priesthood October 18, 1872, in the Seminary Chapel, by the Rt. Rev. James F. Wood, D. D. His first appointment was that of assistant at St. James’ church, Philadelphia, where he remained upwards of a year, and was then transferred to the Church of the Holy Innocents, at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Two years later he was transferred to the Church of St. Cecelia, at Philadelphia, now called the Church of the Visitation. There he labored faithfully as assistant for a period of nine years. His next appointment was to found a parish at Tacony, in the upper part of Philadelphia, made by Rev. Maurice Walsh, administrator. He purchased land and built a rectory, and also the basement of a church. Eight years later he was appointed to his present position. Under the ministrations of Father Strahan the parish has grown and prospered. He is ever to be found at his post of duty, laboring faithfully for the good of the flock. He is held in high esteem, not only by his own parishioners but also by members of all denominations. His present assistant is the Rev. M. A. Walsh, a graduate of St. Charles Seminary, formerly assistant at St. Clement’s Church, near Darby, Pennsylvania.