Link to Local Catholic Church History and Ancestors New Mexico and Arizona
In 1879, Rev. John Baptist Salpointe, Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, sent Father Antonio Jouvencaeu to Tombstone to ascertain the need for a church in the busy mining camp. Led by Nellie Cashman "Angel of the Camp", the citizens of Tombstone raised money to build a one and one-half story adobe building that housed a rectory on the top floor and a church on the bottom floor. This church-rectory was dedicated as Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on January 1, 1881, becoming the first church building of any denomination in Tombstone.
John Baptist Salpointe, 3/18/1889 Archbishop of Santa Fe, to John Gilmary Shea, regarding early church records in New Mexico. Sent from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper April 26, 1881
To The Business Men of Tombstone
We, the undersigned, pastors of the churches of this town, deploring the present want of observance of the Sabbath day, and feeling convinced that a greater regard for the day would be of immense advantage to the welfare, both spiritual and physical, of the city, would respectfully invite the business on each Sabbath day, in accordance with the universal customs of the land.
Knowing that any individual movement might be thought liable to produce financial loss, and wishing to guard against any such loss, we would suggest that the merchants take action together in this direction. We believe that this suggestion will meet with your hearty approval.
There will be brought to you, in a few days, a circular which we trust will be signed by all.
J.P. McIntyre, J. Bloise, Endicott Peabody, H.M. Robertson
Endicott Peabody, FDR's headmaster at Groton School, who emphasized "manly Christian character," had a profound influence on young FDR.
Peabody, the son of a wealthy Salem, Massachusetts, financier, graduated from Cambridge University and returned to America to enroll in a Massachusetts seminary. In 1884, he was ordained an Episcopal priest. The same year, he and two colleagues founded the Groton School for Boys in Groton, Massachusetts, approximately forty miles outside Boston. He modeled Groton after strict English boarding schools and emphasized "religious observance, vigorous exercise and spartan living." (1) Under his leadership, Groton challenged its students and staff to embrace their civil and religious responsibility, declaring in 1884 that "if some Groton boys do not enter political life and do something for our land it won't be because they have not been urged." (2)
FDR took Peabody's lessons to heart, especially his advocacy of strenuous Christianity. While at Groton, Roosevelt attended Peabody's confirmation class, joined a society that helped underprivileged boys at summer camp and a club in Boston, and one winter was responsible for helping to care for a local African American woman, to whom he brought food and fuel. FDR later recalled "as long as I live, the influence of Dr. and Mrs. Peabody means and will mean more to me than that of any other people next to my father and mother." (3)
Peabody officiated at FDR and
ER's wedding and at the private religious services FDR held before his
inaugurations and major events. Peabody died January 20, 1945, the day of
FDR's fourth inauguration.
J. Bloise
Pastor J. (John) Bloise also served in Florence, Arizona's in 1885/1886
If you have info concerning Tombstone J.P. McIntyre, J. Bloise, Endicott Peabody, H.M. Robertson please e-mail us at Pastors of the Tomb.
Peabody article courtesy Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. 1879 article courtesy of www.tombstone1880.com. Salpointe info courtesy library.georgetown.edu.St Paul's Church courtesy www.discoverseaz.com
