March 16, 1948

Father John J. MacInerney

Father MacInerney was born on March 17, 1878 in County Clare, Ireland. He studied philosophy at the Petit Seminary, St. Trond, Belgium and theology at the American College, Louvain, Belgium. Most Reverend Theophile Meerscharet, Bishop of the Oklahoma-Tulsa Diocese, ordained him for the Diocese of Wichita at Louvain on July 14, 1901. During his first two years in the diocese, Fr. MacInerney was assigned to the Pro-Cathedral and also served in Kingman, Pilsen, Hutchinson, and Florence. In 1903 he was made pastor at Humboldt with Iola as a mission. On October 15, 1915 he was named pastor of Chanute and remained there until his death on March 16, 1948. During his priesthood he was a member of the Diocesan School Board and Diocesan Director of the Holy Name Society. Bishop Carroll celebrated a Pontifical Mass of Requiem for Father MacInerney in Chanute and burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.