Appendix I: "The Tidings"

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Fr. Michael Egan
Born September 28, 1887, Leix County, Ireland
Ordained June 10, 1914
Died May 13, 1937, Los Angeles

Official Catholic Directory (P. J. Kenedy & Sons, New York)
Attached

San Diego City and County Directory
1921 St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, ws 4th bet 18th and 19th. Rev Michl Egan pastor, h 1625 4th av
1922 St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, ws 4th bet 18th and 19th, Rev Michl Egan pastor.
1922 Egan Michl Rev pastor St. Anthony’s Catholic Church r Chula Vista
1922 St. Rose of Lima Church 3d av se cor Alvarado ct. Rev Michl Eaton
pastor, h 469 3d av
1922 Egan Michl Rev pastor St. Rose of Lima Church h 469 3rd ave

The Tidings

Friday, October 1, 1915
Priests in Attendance at the Bishop’s Funeral
“St. Agnes’: Rev. Clement Moloney, P. O’Connor, M. Egan …”

December 3, 1920
Official
“At a meeting of the diocesan Council held Friday, November 26, the Right Reverend Bishop made the following appointments:
Pastors
… Rev. Michael Egan, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church, National City”

February 4, 1921
“Right Rev. John J. Cantwell, D. D., Bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, will arrive in San Diego Sunday morning, coming from Los Angeles on the midnight train, and will be met at the station at 6:30 by Rev. P. J. McGrath, rector of the Church of Our Lady of Angels. The Bishop will celebrate the 7 o’clock Mass at Our Lady of Angels Church, and will then go to National City as the guest of Father Egan, where he will be present at the two Masses celebrated in St. Anthony’s Church and will address the congregation on the advisability of moving the church to a more central location in National City.”

February 11, 1921
“The Right Rev. Bishop was present at both Masses in St. Anthony’s Church, National City, on Sunday last, and addressed the congregation. After a conference, the Bishop agreed to establish a church at Chula Vista, in addition to the parish at National City, for which purpose the church building at Palm City will be moved to an appropriate location in Chula Vista. Rev. Father Egan, rector at National City, will also be in charge of the church at Chula Vista, and will reside in Chula Vista.”

April 22, 1921
“Funds have been completed by Rev. Father Egen of St. Anthony’s Church, National City, to move the Palm City Church to Chula Vista, and build a parish house at Chula Vista. Mrs. Frank Wade, president of the Altar Society, was given special praise for her work in helping to raise the necessary amount.”

May 8, 1921
Note: The following is not from The Tidings, but from the San Diego Diocesan Archives. Inserted here for continuity: A letter from Fr. Michael Egan, rector of St. Anthony’s, National City to Rev. Msgr. John Cawley, Chancellor-Secretary, Diocese of Monterey and Los Angeles as follows:

National City 5/8/21
Dear Mgr. Cawley,
The church and home will be finished before the 18th. So I would be deeply grateful to you, if you could manage to come down on that date and dedicate the church. Neither the church nor the house is anything very elaborate. However they will answer the needs of the place for some time and the people are very proud of them and are very anxious to have some ceremony when the church is open – not so much for their own sakes as for the sake of several of the non-catholic people, who have made donations to the church and have been looking forward to its opening. It would not matter whether the dedication takes place in the morning or evening. I think it would be better in the evening.
Yours v respectfully,
Michael Egan

May 20, 1921
“A most enjoyable card party and social was given on Wednesday evening last, at the home of Miss Theresa Steddler, of Chula Vista, for the benefit of the Altar Society of the new church. This was the first entertainment given by the ladies of the Altar Society and was most successful. The church, which has been removed from Palm City, is being renovated and will be ready for services at an early date.”

August 12, 1921
“A largely attended delightful card party took place last night, August 11, at the home of Mrs. A. L. Meyer at Chula Vista. The affair was given for the benefit of the new Catholic parish at Chula Vista and was a success socially and financially.”

August 26, 1921
Official
“The Right Rev. Bishop will leave Los Angeles Thursday, September 1, to attend the annual meeting of the Hierarchy at Washington, D. C.”

September 10, 1921
Note: The following is not from The Tidings, but from the San Diego Diocesan Archives. Inserted here for continuity: A letter from Fr. Michael Egan, rector of St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista and St. Anthony’s, National City to Rev. Msgr. John Cawley, Chancellor-Secretary, Diocese of Monterey and Los Angeles as follows:

Chula Vista, Cal. 9/10/21
Dear Mgr. Cawley,
These deeds refer to Chula Vista and National City property. Mr. Adrian bought the Chula Vista property and then deeded it to the Diocese. The other refers to two key lots in National City.
According to reports I am persuaded there will soon be many changes. So should it happen that I fall among the predestined, I wish you to be assured that I am thoroughly satisfied where I am. I have a nice little church and house and two good congregations on Sundays. I can pay my bills and get my salary and now that I have things squared out, I can pay something off the debt each month. I don’t mind what anyone thinks or says about the place I am thoroughly satisfied with it.
I remain
Yours v Sincerely
Michael Egan

September 16, 1921
“Some months ago the Catholics of Chula Vista, just south of National City, organized a parish which is to be under the care of Father Egan. A church from Palm City has been moved to Chula Vista and remodeled and will be ready for dedication within the next few weeks. A neat bungalow as residence for the pastor has also been erected and comfortably furnished by the parishioners and their friends.”

September 23, 1921
“St. Rose of Lima, the beautiful little chapel at Chula Vista was solemnly blessed on Sunday last by Very Reverend John Brady, Dean of this district, in the presence of about three hundred, including the congregation and a number of their non-Catholic friends, from Chula Vista, and a large delegation of Catholics from San Diego. Rev. Paul Dillon of Our Lady of Angels delivered a very splendid and appropriate sermon for the occasion. The attractive little chapel is finished in stucco with beautiful stained glass windows all of which have been donated. Four magnificent six-foot statues – the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and St. Anthony – adorn the sanctuary. These also are donations. The pastor, Rev. Michael Egan, and his flock of twenty-five families are delighted with their new house of worship.
A tastily furnished, neat bungalow in keeping with the style of the church has been provided for the pastor by the congregation and friends.”

May 21, 1937
Abstract courtesy of Tidings editor
Obit on Fr. Michael Egan, died May 13, funeral at St. Brigid, Archbishop John Cantwell presided, Brother Fr. John Egan celebrant. Had been priest in diocese since 1914, native of Leix County, Ireland, born Sept 28, 1887, Attended St. Patrick College, Carlow, ordained June 10, 1914. Served at St. Cecilia, St. Agnes, St. Thomas, St. Patrick and in National City, San Fernando Mission, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Ann in Santa Ana.

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