Born: December 5, 1870, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Died: February 6, 1952, Sisters of Mercy Nursing Home, Horsforth, Leeds, England.
O’Connor was educated by the Franciscans and Christian Brothers until age twelve, when he left for Douai, Flanders, to study at the English Benedictine College. He later studied theology and philosophy at the English College in Rome.
O’Connor was ordained at Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome, March 30, 1895. He served as curate at St. Joseph’s in Bradford, England, and later at St. Marie’s, Halifax, West Vale and St. Anne’s, Keighley.
From 1909–19, he was parish priest of Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, where he helped build the Church of the Holy Spirit. O’Connor served as parish priest at St. Cuthbert’s from 1919 until his death. In 1937 he was made Privy Chamberlain to the pope.
O’Connor was a long time friend of G. K. Chesterton, and is said to have been the model for Chesterton’s Father Brown character.
If you can help with either of these items,