MURPHY, Msgr. Richard P. (b. 1876)

MURPHY, LYNCH, DOUGHERTY

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 2/14/2005 at 18:26:28

Msgr. Richard Murphy, 81, Dies at Hospital

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Richard P. Murphy, 81, who served Holy Family Catholic Church parish 31 years, died shortly after noon Monday at Mercy Hospital in Mason City.

Among the achievements of Msgr. Murphy in Mason City were the building of Holy Family Catholic School and the raising of funds for a new church. He was elevated to the rank of monsignor in March 1946.

Born in New York

Msgr. Murphy was born to William and Margaret (Lynch) Murphy, Dec. 27, 1876 in Sherwood N.Y.
In 1880 the family moved to Independence, Iowa, where he grew to young manhood. He was graduated in the spring of 1898 from St. Joseph's College, now Loras College, Dubuque. He entered Sulpician Seminary that fall and studied theology. He received his B.S. degree and licentiate of theology.

Msgr. Murphy celebrated his first solemn Mass Dec. 27, 1901 in Masonville, Delaware County, on the anniversary of his birth. His first appointment was to the Cathedral in Dubuque where he remained six years.

Msgr. Murphy was then assigned to the parish at Clarion, where on Christmas Day he witnessed the destruction of the church by fire. The congregation immediately started to replace the church, but Msgr. Murphy transferred to the Holy Family parish in Mason City before the Clarion church was dedicated.

School Completed.

The Holy Family parish was established by the Rt. Rev. E. J. Dougherty just before Msgr. Murphy's assignment here. Property for a school site was purchased and the building was completed in 1926.

During Msgr. Murphy's 31 years at Holy Family the parish grew from 400 members to more than 3,000.

Msgr. Murphy was assigned to St. Mary's parish at Corwith in 1949. During his pastorate there the debt of the new rectory was reduced and an addition to the church grounds was purchased.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The Colonial Funeral Home is in charge.