Withington Cemetery

Bishop Kenrick purchased three acres of land about four miles south of the present Pacific, Mo. on the right bank of the Meramec River. It was a slightly elevated plot of level ground overlooking the river near a spot known locally as the “Priest’s Ford.” The deed for the acreage was recorded on June 21, 1844, and Father Donnelly began construction of the church.

According to records Father Donnelly was established as pastor of St. Patrick’s in Armagh, Franklin County, in 1843 and began work on the church in 1844.

It was a small primitive structure, measuring only 18 x 24 feet. Walls were built of hewn logs, caulked with mud, and it was covered with a clapboard roof. The adjoining land was set aside for a cemetery and was eventually enclosed with a steel fence.





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The Pacific Railroad reached Franklin (Pacific) in 1853 and work on its southwest branch began in 1855. As the workers moved west, many of them found the land at Armagh to their liking and invested their earnings in property. Even widows receiving settlements from the railroad companies invested in small farms. About this same time, the most severe famines had struck Ireland and forced many of its people to look to America for survival. For the next few years St. Patrick’s expanded rapidly.

Rev. Philip Grace was assigned to the parish as pastor just after his ordination on April 10, 1852. He quickly realized that the original log structure would not suffice for a church any longer. It certainly was not large enough to accommodate the growing community and it was no longer located in the center of the parish. Another site, approximately three miles south of the first church, was chosen. Mr. Patrick McBrearty deeded seven acres of land to the archdiocese for the use of a church, presbytery, school and any connected buildings. (The deed can be view on this site, click on the link at the top of the page to view. A copy of the original deed was presented to the church in 2004 and is now hanging in the back of the church.)

Father Grace set to work at once to raise the necessary funds for building the new church. He was able to begin the foundation of the present “Rock” Church. in 1857 the cornerstone was dedicated by Rev. Ryan, later Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Rev. Dennis Phelan spoke on the occasion.

These are a few of the headstones remaining in the cemetery.

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James Ash Born Co. Kerry, Ireland May 21, 1825 Age 76 yr	Margaret Wife of Patrick Ash Died Mar 21, 1859 Age 30 Yr
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Amelia Dewyer Mary McGrath	Peter Glasnier born Aug 11, 1801 In Framce Ester His Wife Born in Co. Antrim June 16, 1798 Died Dec. 16, 1865
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Hugh Hamill Doogary Parish of Tyuan Ireland Born Aug, 13, 1826 Died Feb. 2, 1864 Also his wife Margaret Died Oct. 29, 1860 Age 35 Yr	Catherine Wife of Daniel Born Bray Co. Doublin Ireland Sep. 23, 1860 Age 30 Yr.
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John McNamee	Mary Wife of Patrick Manning June 24, 1852 Age 47 Yr. County of Galway, Ireland

Some of the information above received from the "History of St. Patrick's Church Armagh" by ELLEN MEARA DOLAN. Below is a list of earlier settlers from the book. However the book also states that in 1849, (5 years for the church) Father Hamill who was born at Tyman, Ireland in the diocese of Armagh, in 1819, was ordained by Bishop Kenrick in St. Louis on June 29, 1849, and immediately became the new pastor at St. Patrick’s. Statistics for the parish during his stay recorded 600 parishioners and 14 baptisms.