Source: Summarized from the Wednesday, March 14, 2024, newspaper Eganville Leader section 13th Annual Irish Edition article by Barry Conway, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
When the doors of Saint James Roman Catholic Church, opened on April 20th, 1927, to welcome Father Dowdall’s casket, it marked the end of an era. Father Dowdall had been Eganville’s 71-year-old parish priest for almost 24 years, and this event made headlines across Canada*.
Reverend Patrick Sylvester Dowdall was not only esteemed as Eganville’s finest priest but was hailed by the Ottawa Journal as Ontario’s greatest priest.
Described as six feet 2 1/2 inches tall, robust like Hercules, with piercing eyes, dark hair, and a charismatic personality, Father Dowdall left an unforgettable impression. His profound theological understanding, flawless command of the English language, and deep empathy for the human heart elevated his sermons to the heights of Christian heroism.
Despite his exceptional qualities, many pondered why Father Dowdall chose the humble life of a parish priest and declined numerous opportunities for advancement. He could have easily become a bishop, if not an Archbishop.
Some individuals questioned why, despite holding a seldom-mentioned Doctorate in Divinity, Patrick S. Dowdall declined a professorship at Saint Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. Even after transitioning to a humble parish priest, Father Dowdall continued to administer final exams for Philosophy undergraduates at the University of Toronto.
The reasons behind Patrick S. Dowdall’s life choices may never be fully revealed, but much of his inspiration can be traced back to his Irish heritage. His grandfather, Patrick Dowdall, born in County Meath in 1794, near Dublin in a town called Killeen, was a notable educator in Dublin. At 21, he wed Johanna Keating before relocating to Canada in 1819.
The Dowdall family settled near present-day Perth in Lanark County, where Patrick Sr. became a respected magistrate and Deputy Reeves of Drummond Township. He passed away contentedly in March 1871. However, a few months later, on July 13th, a crucial event occurred that altered his grandson’s path forever.
Patrick Sylvester Dowdall Jr., born on December 13th, 1855, was just 15 years old at the time, the eldest child of John and Catherine Dowdall.
On that peculiar night in 1871, Patrick Jr.’s father John found himself in a drunken altercation with his brother-in-law, Tom McGarry, resulting in McGarry’s untimely death and John Dowdall being charged with manslaughter.
According to the Bathurst Courier, the day started with the pair in Perth after delivering produce. Tensions rose at the hotel and continued on the way home with heated exchanges from their wagons. John Dowdall attempted to pass Tom McGarry, leading to a struggle where McGarry tragically fell onto his wagon’s blade, resulting in a fatal injury. John Dowdall faced murder charges but was later acquitted.
In a twist of fate, years later, Dowdall’s son became a prominent priest advocating total abstinence, while McGarry’s son Thomas pursued a career in law and politics, eventually becoming the Provincial Treasurer of Ontario. Despite their fathers’ history, a peculiar bond formed between them.
This strange narrative sheds light on Father Dowdall, who, despite his past, displayed a remarkable ability to navigate challenging situations, showing compassion and understanding towards human flaws.
Ordained in 1883, Father Dowdall’s impactful sermons quickly gained attention, addressing social injustices and poverty in Ottawa, and earning him admiration within the Irish Catholic community.
Despite his success, Father Dowdall chose a humble path, becoming the Parish Priest of Mount Saint Patrick, a move that puzzled many given his capabilities. He spent years serving his parish, including remote locations, demonstrating his dedication and humility.
Father Dowdall’s commitment to his calling was exemplified by his willingness to go the extra mile, even walking 58 miles across the rugged terrain that would later become part of Algonquin Park, showcasing his unwavering devotion to his parishioners.
There is a fascinating tale about Father Dowdall’s interaction with Paddy Garvey, a prominent figure from the Killaloe region. The priest asked Garvey to remove some stubborn tree stumps to pave the way for the construction of a chapel near Whitney. During the task, Garvey’s colourful language unintentionally reached the priest’s ears, leading Father Dowdall to quietly step away, offering to hear Garvey’s confession once the stump removal was completed.
In August 1891, after serving at Mount Saint Patrick, Father Dowdall was reassigned to lead the parish of Saint James the Less in Eganville. He wasted no time in constructing a remarkable new stone church, replacing the original wooden structure from 1854. The church was completed and consecrated in the summer of 1897, earning praise from Paddy McHugh, the editor of The Eganville Star, who described it as the grandest religious building in the Ottawa Valley, unrivalled in the Diocese. McHugh’s admiration might have been influenced by personal reasons, as he later married Father Dowdall’s youngest sister, Bernadette, who resided in the priest’s house at that time.
Around that period, Father Dowdall initiated popular summer picnics, leveraging the new CPR and OA & PS Railroads’ arrival in Eganville. These picnics attracted thousands of visitors annually, contributing to the fundraising efforts for the new $50,000 church. The events featured imported sports teams from Perth and entertainment, including indigenous dancers from nearby Golden Lake, where Father Dowdall also served as a pastor.
By the turn of the century, Father Dowdall’s Eganville parishioners, along with many non-Catholics in the local community, had a clear understanding of the priest’s character. An anecdote frequently recounted is the “Battle of Eganville Bridge,” a story capturing the essence of Father Dowdall, as detailed in Joan Finnegan’s Tell Me Another Story (McGraw Hill, 1988).
This version is told by Arman Denison. The Orangemen were all gathered for the 12th of July parade, with many Fighting Dennisons in attendance, loyal to the cause from beginning to end. Billy King rode on his white horse, banners flying high, while the fife and drums played a familiar tune.
As they reached the Eganville Bridge leading to the Catholic side, the Catholics blocked their path, even bringing cannons onto the bridge, sparking a confrontation. However, old Father Dowdall intervened, urging everyone to cease the commotion. His words carried weight, being a respected figure in the community.
When not mediating the town’s religious divides on July 12th, Father Dowdall was known for his involvement in the temperance movement, taking a clear stance in the debates of the era. Contrary to popular belief, he did not support the local push for a complete liquor ban in Eganville.
As reported by The Shawville Equity on January 7th, 1897, Father Dowdall, once a fervent prohibitionist, reconsidered his position, acknowledging that prohibition could infringe on people’s liberties. Instead, he advocated for moral persuasion to guide responsible liquor consumption.
Father Dowdall, though not entirely in favour of prohibition, had a nuanced perspective, advocating for responsible and respectful alcohol consumption within the community. An anecdote from Joan Finnegan’s book “Laughing All the Way Home” sheds light on Father Dowdall’s seemingly conflicting stance. It recounts an incident in Killaloe where, after Mass, parishioners gathered to drink in a stable, only to be discovered by Father Dowdall, who chased them out. Amid the chaos, one man, Jim Doherty, got stuck in a hole and humorously pleaded with Father Dowdall not to hit him as he was Protestant.
While Father Dowdall didn’t outright support a liquor ban, he would sometimes urge politicians to limit alcohol consumption to prevent street violence, a call respected by both Protestants and Catholics. He was also a staunch advocate of the Dominion Alliance, striving to regulate the liquor trade without total prohibition.
Beyond these controversies, Father Dowdall was deeply committed to Catholic education, constructing a notable school in Eganville and later overseeing Catholic education for the county. His dedication earned Eganville recognition as a key hub for Roman Catholic education in Ontario.
Despite his contributions, Father Dowdall’s health declined, leading to his passing on April 18, 1927, at the age of 72 due to stomach cancer. In his Irish humility, he requested a simple tombstone engraved with a humble request: “Say a little prayer for Father Dowdall.”
Information extracted from the obituary – The Ottawa Journal, April 8, 1937, page
Rev. Patrick Sylvester Dowdall, D.D., in his 72nd year, died in Pembroke Hospital. He was rector of St. Columbus’ Cathedral. He was a Roman Catholic priest for 44 years.
He was the son of John Dowdall, who was born in Canada and laboured as a farmer. The Rev. Dowdall’s grandfather was Patrick Dowdall, who was a teacher in Ireland before immigrating to Upper Canada. He was a pioneer settler in the parish of Perth.
The Rev. Dowdall studied as a young student in Pakenham with the parish priest, Father Lavin. In 1872, he attended St. Michael’s College in Toronto and then the Grand Seminary in Montréal. He was ordained priest there in 1883.
He is survived by four brothers, Edward of Winnipeg, John of Cobalt and Peter and James Dowdall of Perth; two sisters, Mrs. Bernard Rodden of Toronto and Mrs. P. McHugh of Eganville; a nephew, Rev. Edmund Byrne, parish priest of Morrisburg; a cousin, Mrs. Joseph P. Dunne, of 27 Melgund Avenue, Ottawa.
Obituary May 06, 1927, page 4 – The North Shore Press at Newspapers.com (the left pictorial form)
BURIAL
Saint James the Less R.C. Cemetery
Eganville, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188147516/patrick_sylvester-dowdall
Wow, this was a really good article, with connections to so many places!