By Pat Atchison
There is some controversy as to when the first Roman Catholic Mass was celebrated in Prescott.
Bishop Lamy (in charge of the Roman Catholic Diocese of New Mexico and Arizona) celebrated the 1863 Christmas Mass in the area, although the exact location is undetermined.
The Weekly Arizona Miner reported on Jan. 28, 1871, “Father Chaucot on the same day (Sunday, Jan. 22, 1871) celebrated Mass at Ravenna’s store.
It being the first time mass was ever celebrated in Prescott, Catholics generally were present.”
By 1877, a substantial number of Roman Catholic families had located in Prescott.
Previous newspaper articles stated that various priests had visited the area, primarily from the church in Yuma. Some of the articles mentioned the intent to build a church.
On Oct. 13, 1877, The Weekly Arizona Miner reported, “The people of Prescott are to be favored with a Catholic Priest.” According to the paper on Oct. 26, the Rev. Father Michael M. Murphy had arrived in town, by stage, on the day prior.
He was the first Roman Catholic priest assigned to Prescott.
Father Murphy was a native of Ireland and 37 years old when he arrived in Prescott.
One assumes that he attended seminary in Ireland. It is not known when he emigrated to the United States nor where he landed.
The first available records concerning Fr. Murphy locate him in Brackettville, Kinney County, Texas. (Brackettville is the town where “The Alamo” was filmed). It is about 130 miles west of San Antonio.
The town dates its birth with nearby Fort Clark, which was established in 1852.
Fr. Murphy helped to establish a new mission in Brackettville.
The Baptismal Book for St. Mary Magdalen’s Parish begins with an entry on April 9, 1875, signed by Fr. Murphy. His last signature appears on Feb. 21, 1877.
While in Kinney County he also visited ranches Conception and San Felipe.
After leaving Texas, Fr. Murphy went to San Francisco.
While there, he was patient at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Hoping for better health, he came south to Prescott.
His presence in Prescott was two-fold. He was to minister to the people and to establish a church building.
The Weekly Arizona Miner started on Friday, October 26, 1877, that “Reverend Father Michael M. Murphy, of the Catholic Church, called upon us this morning and left a notice for church service on Sunday next… The Reverend gentleman is not in robust health and the effect of this climate upon his physical strength will determine him as to his future course. He will celebrate mass on Sunday, and should his health permit will preach. At the close of the service he expects to make some announcements looking to the call of a meeting of the Catholics of the Parish to determine whether or not it is desirable, or practicable to build a church.”
Fr. Murphy’s health did allow him to celebrate two Masses in Luke’s Hall during the months of October and November. He was unable to deliver sermons, however.
Meetings were held during this time for the purpose of raising hands to construct a building.
Mrs. C.A. Luke and Mrs. Victoria Behan helped to procure subscriptions for the purpose of building a Catholic church.
Reportedly, they were quite successful.
On Dec. 7, 1877, the sad news was delivered that Fr. Murphy had died on the previous day. He had earlier been taken to the Post hospital at Ft. Whipple, which was the place of his death.
Consumption, from which he had suffered so long, was the cause of death.
Bishop J.B. Salpointe, Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, a resident of Tucson, telegraphed that Fr. Murphy was to be buried at 1 p.m. on Dec. 8.
This was to be done without ceremony as there was no priest within reach.
Although the Bishop had stated that there was to be no ceremony, in actuality, the litany for the dead was read over the remains at midnight on Dec. 7.
The services were conducted, at Luke’s Hall, by Mr. Richard DeKuhn and Lt. O’Connell. The burial took place on the following day at Citizens Cemetery.
On Saturday, April 3, at 10 a.m., Fr. Fred LeClaire, C.M.E., from Sacred Heart Church, will bless Fr. Murphy’s grave site and the new headstone, provided by the Knights of Columbus. He will also bless the entire cemetery and the grave site of Patrick Fitzgerald, a charter member of the Prescott Knights of Columbus.
The public is invited to attend this historic event. There will be foot traffic only in the cemetery. Please park on nearby streets or in the Yavapai College parking lots.
Pat Atchison is chairperson of the Yavapai Cemetery Association.)