This subseries includes a very large collection of photographic albums and prints that capture Irish Capuchin missionary activity in Zambia from the commencement of work in what was then Northern Rhodesia in 1931. The photographs can be used to reconstruct missionaries’ actions, trace the evolution of their work and their interactions with local inhabitants, and assess their impact as agents of western contact with African society. The photographic archive also offers an insight into indigenous political, social, and economic history in the areas where the Capuchin missionaries were active.
Letter from Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. (1908-1996) to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, affirming that his health has improved and thanking him for his kind words of encouragement. The file includes a copy medical report affirming that Fr. Timothy is ‘quite unfitted for work in the bush’ (28 Apr. 1938). With a letter from Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. referring to Fr. Timothy’s medical examination in Cape Town and thanking him for his three years’ work in Africa (24 June 1938).
Letters of Fr. Alfred O’Mahony OFM Cap. (1912-1988). The file includes letters from teachers and from the local populace to Fr. Alfred relating to his role as principal at mission schools in Sancta Maria Mission (Lukulu), in Malengwa, and later at Maramba. The file also includes letters pertaining to his role as Regular Superior in Livingstone, to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. The subjects include: the possibility of Irish Capuchins working in the Port Elizabeth Vicariate in South Africa; Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy’s desire to return to Ireland. (25 July 1951); enclosing a list of personnel and statistics for both the South African and Northern Rhodesian missions. (16 Oct. 1951); the construction of churches at the Sancta Maria mission, and at Mankoya, and a friary at Kalabo in Northern Rhodesia. (5 Jan. 1952); developments in Athlone parish, Cape Province. (25 June 1953); the ‘education side’ of the mission in Livingstone. (20 Mar. 1954). The file incudes enclosed letters to Fr. Alfred from the Most Rev. Owen McCann (1907-1994), Archbishop of Cape Town. With a letter from Fr. Noel Brennan OFM Cap. enclosing a list of Zambian churches with resident Capuchin friars, and the names of the titular feasts associated with each church. Reference is also made to the activities of the following Irish Capuchin missionaries: Fr. Jerome MacQuillan OFM Cap., Fr. Anslem Griffin OFM Cap.; Fr. Alban Cullen OFM Cap.; Fr. Salvator Quinn OFM Cap.
The volume records the monthly meetings of the committee of Father Mathew Temperance Hall, Church Street. The first page contains a list of the names and terms of offices of the Capuchin friars who acted as president and vice-president of Father Mathew Hall (1893-1943). The minutes refer to routine matters of administration of the Hall’s operation including the elections of officers, financial accounts and applications for the hiring and use of the Hall by various groups. The meeting of 3 July 1935 considered the proposal for the showing of ‘talkies’ (sound pictures) in the Hall. A typescript memorandum to Fr. Michael O’Shea OFM Cap., President, about procuring films for the Hall is pasted into the volume.
Receipt and expenses account for Father Mathew Hall certified by Patrick Rooney and Thomas Conroy. The expenses include the hire of band masters and printing costs.
Resolutions of the Father Mathew Hall Committee referring to the statement of accounts for 1892 and to the generosity of subscribers who have allowed a ‘most satisfactory advancement of the work done by the sodality in previous years’.
Expenditure and receipt book for Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. An annotation on the front cover reads ‘Day book’. The entries are recorded under date, details and totals of expenses and receipts. Most of the expenditure relates to services and utilities such as rent, electricity, salaries and repairs. An annotation on the final page reads ‘See New Book’. (CA HA/1/3/15).
Ledger containing various receipt accounts associated with the operation of Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. An annotation on the front cover reads: ‘1944 from F.M. Hall and F.M. Feis account’. Entries (pp 1-4) are noted as ‘miscellaneous’. Entries (pp 5-103) are listed under company or supplier names such as Dublin Corporation (rates’ payments), Revenue Commissioners (income tax payments), the 'Irish Press' (for printing of advertisements). Inserts include invoices and bills of costs from various companies.
