November 13, 1928

Father Charles Curtin

Father Curtin was born about 1858 in County Cork, Ireland, and did his studies for the priesthood in Killarney and at All Hallows Seminary in Dublin. Bishop Fink ordained him for the Diocese of Leavenworth in 1884. As pastor he served in Manhattan, Chapman, Kansas City, Fort Scott and Fulton. Msgr. Moeder notes in his book that in 1889 Fr. Curtin was also appointed the first resident pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Moline. (History of the Diocese of Wichita, p. 65) Due to problems with his eyesight he became chaplain of Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg in 1907 and remained there until his death on November 13, 1928. Father Leo Klasinski celebrated Fr. Curtin’s funeral Mass and Fr. John Maher preached the sermon at St. Mary’s Parish in Pittsburg. “The Absolution at the grave was by Very Rev. B. J. McKernan, dean of St. Patrick’s Church, Parsons, Kan., a life-long friend.” (The Catholic Advance, Nov. 28, 1928)