Our parish continues to appreciate its history as we pay tribute to the first pastor of this church on North St., Rev. Edward H. Purcell. Pastor from 1857 until his death in 1891, he was so beloved by the parish that his body was interred on the church grounds, under the impressive monument on the north lawn between the church and the rectory. The handsome cross which crowns his tombstone was recently restored to its original place, having been in storage for years after an accident displaced it. The ornate headstone, with a priest's hand elevating the sacred host, has been cleaned by volunteers restoring the granite to its original luster. Another tribute to Father Purcell was found in a storage area and is now proudly placed on the outside north wall of the church, facing the rectory. This marble plaque, with gold leaf lettering, was erected by grateful parishioners in the 1890s. It reads as follows: In Memory of Rev. E. H. Purcell First Pastor of St. Joseph's Church. Born July 5, 1827 Died Nov. 9, 1891 ~ May he rest in peace He died at the young age of 64, which was not uncommon in those days as the life of a parish priest was a strenuous one. Since Father Purcell is the pastor who erected our beautiful cast iron fence, we know he would be pleased to see it fully restored to its original appearance and durability!