My Genealogy Hound

VERY REV. FRANCIS M. HAYDEN.
Very Rev. Francis M. Hayden, rector of the Church of the Assumption, of Topeka, is one of the city’s representative men and one of the most able, intellectual and courtly members of the Roman Catholic clergy in the State of Kansas. Father Hayden was born at Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland, November 3, 1852.

His early education was pursued with the idea of his dedication to the church, and after coming to America, in 1869, his studies were continued with this end in view. After his graduation, with high honors, at the Seminary of St. Vincent, at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he was ordained priest at St. Michael’s Seminary, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Domenec on May 17, 1875.

Father Hayden’s work has been almost entirely confined to Kansas. The annals of the development of this great State would be incomplete indeed, without extended mention being made of the great work done by the faithful, persevering Catholic clergy, and among these the esteemed subject of this review must take a prominent place. His first charge was at Leavenworth, and then the young priest came on his first mission to Topeka. Young, zealous and self-sacrificing, he next accepted the little Catholic mission at Solomon City, in Dickinson County, a center at that time for a large territory of scattered Catholic families. When he parted from this congregation, it was no longer counted a mission, for his vigorous labors had resulted in the building of a fine church edifice and the cementing of bonds which make it a happy and prosperous parish. His four years of arduous but successful work at Kansas City, where he established St. Bridget’s parish, opened the way for his transference to the deanery of Topeka, in 1887.

Here, Father Haden entered upon congenial work. He faced debt and parish difficulties of various kinds but these only aroused his latent energies and his strong guiding hand was soon evident in the progress made here, both materially and spiritually. His school, under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, has been considered so highly educational that many careful parents, outside the Catholic Church, have selected it in preference to others as a splendid institution in which to have their children fitted for High School.

On May 17, 1900, a notable event took place in the church of which Father Hayden is pastor, this being the celebration of his sacerdotal “Silver Jubilee.” It was an event which will never pass from the minds of those who were permitted to take part in it. While high dignitaries of the church assisted in the exercises and rich gifts were presented, Father Hayden’s heart was most touched by the love and esteem shown him not only by those to whom he had so faithfully ministered, but by those who were not of his religious faith but who honored him as a noble man.

Father Hayden’s worth and work will stand for years as his monument. His life, that of a true, cultured Christian gentleman, has not been lived in vain. The material progress he has inaugurated has been remarkable, but none can adequately tell of the influence exerted by the high standards he has held and the Christian example he has set. A father to his people, a priest and all that is priestly, he is broad-minded enough and tender-hearted enough to extend his loving care and interest to all who need it.