Mgr James Michael Hanrahan

Early Life

James Michael Hanrahan was born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1877.

He completed his theology studies at St Patrick’s College, Manly, NSW, and was ordained to the priesthood St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on September 21, 1901.

Appointments

Knowing that native-born priests were rather unwelcome among the predominantly Irish born clergy of his own diocese, after completing his studies he came to Adelaide, no doubt attracted by the vision and leadership of Archbishop John O’Reily. On arrival on January 27, 1902 he was appointed as Assistant Priest at Glenelg.

After a series of short appointments he was given charge of the Glenelg-Marion district in 1905. Just two years later, on January 1, 1907 this 30-year-old priest was appointed the first Parish Priest of Semaphore, replacing the Carmelite Team who had previously cared for the area, which had been part of the vast Port Adelaide parish.

And this is where Fr Hanrahan stayed for the remaining 58 years of his life. In the beginning he faced some resentment from those who had loved the Carmelite priests. But he set about establishing a parish network, with a Parish Committee that acted as a consultative body and also a Finance Committee. He also relied on the support of the Dominican Sisters who ran the school. But he had a strong personality which fostered a master-servant relationship which silenced opposition and pervaded every aspect of parish life. His sister, always known simply as Miss Hanrahan, came from Bendigo to be his housekeeper and remained until her death 40 years later.

While he was somewhat abrupt with adults, he was good with children. He visited the school regularly, had a great team of altar servers, and he was a frequent visitor to the Largs Bay Orphanage.

He had a fine tenor voice and a great love for liturgical music, and in this he was assisted by John Meegan who directed the choir with his wife Grace as chief organist. Initially Mass was celebrated in the school building but this young priest was anxious to build a proper church and undertook the task of raising funds for this purpose. His ambitious plans came to fruition when the new Sacred Heart Church was opened on July 25, 1915. It was reputed to be the finest Catholic Church yet apart from the Cathedral.

His preoccupation with paying off the debt became something of a problem with the Dominican Sisters and the school which was in dire need of upgrading. And he was very hard on the sisters, rarely conceding any credit to them.

He did however foster most of the well known church groups of the time – the Hibernian Society, the Children of Mary, the St Vincent de Paul Society who were instrumental in establishing the mission to seamen, the Sacred Heart Sodality, the Holy Name Society, and later the Knights of the Southern Cross.

In December 1925 he was appointed as an Examiner for the diocese. Two years later he became a Diocesan Consultor. In 1936 he was the leading organiser of the National Education Congress that was held in Adelaide.

Changing times

The post war migration boom brought great change to the Semaphore-Taperoo area with hundreds of basic cabins being built; they were gradually to be replaced by more permanent dwellings. The nature of the parish population was changing. This became something of a burden to the sole pastor, now well over 70. By 1950 his stamina was declining and he clearly needed assistance.

For some time chaplains at the Largs Bay Orphanage helped out occasionally, but in 1952 Fr Eddie Reardon was appointed Assistant Priest. As someone said it was a job no cleric in the world could relish – this was bound to be an uneasy partnership, and it was. In September that year Fr Hanrahan suffered a breakdown and offered to resign, but Archbishop Beovich persuaded him to continue. He officially remained in charge although Fr Reardon temporarily acted as administrator. He clearly saw what needed to change to bring the parish up to date, but he had to walk on eggshells.

Fr Reardon immediately bought land at Taperoo and within weeks had two transportable classrooms on site serving as a church-school. He also set about updating the school at Semaphore, building a new two storey classroom block which was opened in 1955.

On January 1, 1955 Fr Hanrahan was made a Prelate of Honour with the title of Monsignor.

In 1956 the newly ordained Fr Bob Wilkinson was appointed assistant priest and eagerly undertook the direction of the youthful parishioners. But he too found life difficult. Fr Bob was the first of a series of priests who helped to keep the parish functioning for several years. These included Frs Leo Cronin, Andrew Killian, Joe Grealy, Neil Kelly, Geoff Healy, and Jim Sayers.

Archbishop Beovich, aware of the ongoing tensions, realised something had to be done and purchased a small bungalow across the road from the church. In March 1962 he came to the parish and after a brief meeting with the Monsignor informed the assistant priests that they were to move into the ‘new presbytery’ immediately.

Final Days

Monsignor Hanrahan retired with the title of Pastor Emeritus, but he continued to live at Semaphore with meals being provided by the Dominican Sisters.

And this is where he died on January 31, 1965. His funeral Mass was celebrated on the February 2, in the Sacred Heart Church at Semaphore.

To his credit the Monsignor left the whole of his considerable estate to the parish which Fr Sayers directed to the renovation of the church.

His mortal remains were buried in the Enfield General Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.