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A photograph of (left) Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. with (centre) an Observant Franciscan and another Capuchin friar most likely in California in the United States.

File relating to the complaints made by John Joseph Mitty, Archbishop of San Francisco, against the Irish Capuchins. Includes a documentary statement outlining the charges made by Archbishop Mitty in respect of the general conduct of the friars and a refutation of the same by Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap., Custos Provincial. The file includes testimonial letters (in favour of the Irish Capuchins) from John Joseph Cantwell, Archbishop of Los Angeles, outlining the service of the Capuchin fathers in Mendocino County in California. Also includes a letter from Fr. James P. Cantwell, Pastor, St. Brigid’s Church, San Francisco, California and notes from Sister M. Beata OP and Sister M. Rufina OP, The Albertinum Boarding School, Ukiah, California. A letter (26 March 1940) from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, reads:

‘The fact is, although I have not said it in so many words, that the Archbishop [John Joseph Mitty] wants to get us out of Burlingame. It is just too good a plum for the Capuchins or for any other Religious Order. On March 28, when he informed me that he would not let us build there, he said, “Why can’t you build somewhere else?” – clearly showing that it was not a question of injury to religion but to the finances of the secular clergy. It is a well known fact that he does not like the Religious Orders. Some of them have brought their case to Rome already. And the Jesuit Provincial has mentioned our work in a letter to his Father General who is continually kept informed of the attempted encroachments of the Archbishop on their rights in San Francisco’.

A copy of the ‘Catholic Sentinel (Baker Edition)’, dated 23 June 1960, celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars’ arrival in the Baker Diocese of eastern Oregon. The main feature article, written by diocesan historian Fr. Patrick J. Gaire, recounts how Bishop Charles J. O’Reilly originally recruited the Irish Capuchins in 1909 to serve a massive, priest-scarce territory spanning over 96,000 square miles. The jubilee events highlight two local parishes marking their 50th anniversaries – St. Francis of Assisi in Bend and Our Lady of Angels in Hermiston – with Pontifical High Masses celebrated by Bishop Francis P. Leipzig.

A copy of a promotional booklet for St. Francis Seminary in Flintridge, California. The booklet is illustrated with images of various Irish Capuchin foundations across the United States. This promotional or informational publication was designed for prospective students considering the Capuchin Franciscan seminary.

Photograph of Capuchin friars at the Provincial Chapter in St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin.

Photographic album of Fr. Urban Riordan OFM Cap. The album contains many black and white photographic prints (on card) of views of the Capuchin Mission at Santa Inez, California. First leaf contains a memorial card for Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. who ‘died in exile for the Republic of Ireland at Santa Barbara, USA, 14 Feb. 1925’. The album contains:
Photograph of Fr. Urban Riordan OFM Cap. and Fr. Leo Sheehan OFM Cap. outside a house in Ukiah, California.
Photograph of Most Rev. Edward Joseph Hanna, Archbishop of San Francisco, with a confirmation group of Native American children.
Photographs of the mourners at the funeral of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (Feb. 1925). The photograph is captioned: ‘Fr. Urban [Riordan OFM Cap.], Peter Murray, Fr. Stephen [Murtagh OFM Cap.], Rev. Paul Dillon, Eamon Martin, Mrs [Mary] McWhorter, Fr. Dominic [O'Connor OFM Cap.], Mrs [Sara] Mellows, Fr Leo … Funeral, Fr. Albert, Feb. 1925’.
Portrait photograph of an ‘Indian Girl’, Ukiah, California.
Photograph of Br. Conrad standing in front of the portico of Santa Inez Mission.
Photograph of a group of ‘Californian Indians (Pomo), Ukiah, 1925’.
Photograph of a group of ‘Pomo Indian Boys, 4.1.25’.

Photograph of a group of mourners at the grave of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in Mission Santa Inés in California. The group includes Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap., Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap., and Fr. Urban Riordan OFM Cap.

Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, giving a detailed account of the various problems and issues at the funeral of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in Mission Santa Inés in California. The majority of the letter is taken up with expressions of Father Fenelon’s intense dissatisfaction with how Fr. Albert’s burial was handled. Against his specific instructions for a simple burial, a metallic/steel casket was placed over the coffin. This was requested by a Mr. Murray on behalf of the Irish Society in Los Angeles. Fr. Joseph attempted to countermand this order, but upon arriving at the undertaking parlor, he found the body already sealed in the steel casket, which the undertaker claimed could not be removed without ‘blowing the seal’.

Fr. Joseph had instructed that the grave be dug behind the Sacristy at the Santa Inés Mission. However, he arrived to find the grave already started in a different location, near the old Tower. The justification given was that the original site was part of an old burial ground containing ‘a number of Indians’. He affirms that Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. was master of ceremonies at the funeral service and that Fr. Gabriel Harrington OFM Cap. sang the Mass. The Watts Choir travelled to provide music and Father Fenelon said a few words at the conclusion of the service.

A note with dates and names tracking the arrival and assignment of Irish Capuchin friars to the United States from 1902 to 1926.

The Early Years (1902–1910):
• 1902–1908: Lists Luke (Fr. Luke Sheehan) in Aden, confirming his early mission work in Arabia before moving to America.
• 1910: Shows the initial arrival in Oregon with Luke and Casimir in Hermiston, and Leonard in Harrisburg.

Growth and Expansion (1911–1915):
• 1911: Records Benignus in Harrisburg and Camillus and Edward in Roseburg. A note indicates Edward returned in 1923.
• 1913: Notes the arrival of Fr. Brendan (O’Callaghan) in November, who would later become a long-term leader in Abbottstown.
• 1915: Mentions the arrival of Adrian, Ferdinand, and Anthony in September.

Post-World War (1919–1926):
• 1919–1920: Shows a new wave of friars, including Raphael, Gabriel, Urban, Stephen, Vincent, and Ambrose.
• 1924: A particularly busy year for arrivals, listing Pacificus, Finbarr, Isidore, Albert, Reginald, and Damian.
• 1926: The final entries on this sheet record Berchmans and Enda arriving in January.

A leaflet with text detailing the early history of the Irish Capuchins on the Pacific Coast. Mentions missionary work in Bend, Oregon, and subsequent expansion into the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It also refers to the challenges of establishing parishes, building schools, and ministering to scattered and diverse communities.