Rev JC MacErlain
b.1849 immigrated to US
in 1886, d. Sept 24 1919
b.1849 immigrated to US
in 1886, d. Sept 24 1919
Rose McErlain Kelly
d. 10 Jan 1919
d. 10 Jan 1919
MacErlain, McErlain, McErlean, McErlane, McArlane
The surname is quite numerous in Counties Derry
and Antrim. In Gaelic it is Mac Fhirléighinn
(learned man) and refers to head of a monastic
school. Originating in Co. Sligo, a branch moved to
Co. Derry. .
and Antrim. In Gaelic it is Mac Fhirléighinn
(learned man) and refers to head of a monastic
school. Originating in Co. Sligo, a branch moved to
Co. Derry. .
Rev JC MacErlain
John Charles MacErlain was born in Curden, Co.
Derry on 4th May 1843 the son of John and
Catherine MacErlain. He was ordained on 8th
November 1874, having studied at
Coutances, France. He emigrated to the USA
sailing from Belfast on 4th November 1886 and
lived in Brooklyn, New York and Jersey City, New
Jersey. During this time he visited Ireland three
times; April-July 1910 and May-August 1914 and
finally on 5th April 1919 from New York on board
the SS Aquitania.
Rev. MacErlain started as a curate in Saint Patrick's
Church, Jersey City, but he went to found the
Sacred Heart Parish in Jersey City, New Jersey. He
was fervent supporter of the temperance
movement and he used the proceeds from his
book, "Whither Goest Thou? or Was Father
Matthew Right?" to pay for the development of a
sanitarium for the "treatment of the drink malady"-
The McErlane Institute for Inebriates. (The
Reverend John C McErlain's alcoholic sanatarium
founded 1899 and the MacErlain Institute founded
1902). This later became a school and in
February 14, 1905 the Sacred Heart Parish was
given canonical approval with the first Sacred Heart
Church being built in 1905. Rev. MacErlain was
involved in a car accident in 1915. With failing
health Rev McErlain returned home to Ireland to
recuperate but died in 1919 and was buried in
Lavey Churchyard, near Maghera, County Derry.
Derry on 4th May 1843 the son of John and
Catherine MacErlain. He was ordained on 8th
November 1874, having studied at
Coutances, France. He emigrated to the USA
sailing from Belfast on 4th November 1886 and
lived in Brooklyn, New York and Jersey City, New
Jersey. During this time he visited Ireland three
times; April-July 1910 and May-August 1914 and
finally on 5th April 1919 from New York on board
the SS Aquitania.
Rev. MacErlain started as a curate in Saint Patrick's
Church, Jersey City, but he went to found the
Sacred Heart Parish in Jersey City, New Jersey. He
was fervent supporter of the temperance
movement and he used the proceeds from his
book, "Whither Goest Thou? or Was Father
Matthew Right?" to pay for the development of a
sanitarium for the "treatment of the drink malady"-
The McErlane Institute for Inebriates. (The
Reverend John C McErlain's alcoholic sanatarium
founded 1899 and the MacErlain Institute founded
1902). This later became a school and in
February 14, 1905 the Sacred Heart Parish was
given canonical approval with the first Sacred Heart
Church being built in 1905. Rev. MacErlain was
involved in a car accident in 1915. With failing
health Rev McErlain returned home to Ireland to
recuperate but died in 1919 and was buried in
Lavey Churchyard, near Maghera, County Derry.
Other comments
The Catholic Church had
joined the battle against
saloons opening up on
Sunday. There are legendary
stories of parish priests
routing men out of Sunday
barrooms with sticks. In a
Jersey Journal report of
August 16, 1907, Father J.C.
MacErlain of Sacred Heart
Church says, "I am an old
man looking out for my
parish. I have a stout
blackthorn stick and I shall
not hesitate to use it."
joined the battle against
saloons opening up on
Sunday. There are legendary
stories of parish priests
routing men out of Sunday
barrooms with sticks. In a
Jersey Journal report of
August 16, 1907, Father J.C.
MacErlain of Sacred Heart
Church says, "I am an old
man looking out for my
parish. I have a stout
blackthorn stick and I shall
not hesitate to use it."
Mark Lusby Family History & Local History Website
McErlain of Lavey, County Derry
Sacred Heart Church, Jersey
built 1905
built 1905
Bidwell Avenue Jersey City NJ
Early 1900s
Early 1900s
McErlains of Dreenan
John and Catherine McErlain lived in Curdian in the
townland of Dreenan in the parish of Lavey in
County Derry. Dreenan means "the place of the
blackthorn". John and Catherine and many of their
children are buried beside St Mary's Chapel in
Lavey
townland of Dreenan in the parish of Lavey in
County Derry. Dreenan means "the place of the
blackthorn". John and Catherine and many of their
children are buried beside St Mary's Chapel in
Lavey
New York Times, Wed.
October 22, 1888
October 22, 1888
BOOMING TEMPERANCE
The Provincial Council of the
Catholic Temperance
organization at its meeting in
St. Paul's Guild Hall, West
Sixtieth-street, yesterday
afternoon, installed Father
Macerlain as Spiritual Director.
The Provincial Council of the
Catholic Temperance
organization at its meeting in
St. Paul's Guild Hall, West
Sixtieth-street, yesterday
afternoon, installed Father
Macerlain as Spiritual Director.
BOOMING TEMPERANCE
The Provincial Council of the
Catholic Temperance
organization at its meeting
in St. Paul's Guild Hall, West
Sixtieth-street, yesterday
afternoon, installed Father
Macerlain as Spiritual
Director.
The Provincial Council of the
Catholic Temperance
organization at its meeting
in St. Paul's Guild Hall, West
Sixtieth-street, yesterday
afternoon, installed Father
Macerlain as Spiritual
Director.
Rose and Joseph's family
The family tree of the McErlains of Dreenan to
follow.
follow.
Rose Kelly nee MacErlain
Rose was born circa 1846. According to her obituary "she was a woman who was
much respected by all creeds and classes, as was evident, on Monday. Her kindly
disposition, motherly prudence, religious example, and great, industry were widely
known." She died on 10/01/1919 Iniscarn, Desertmartin, and was buried on
13/01/1919 at St Patrick’s Chapel, Keenaught.
much respected by all creeds and classes, as was evident, on Monday. Her kindly
disposition, motherly prudence, religious example, and great, industry were widely
known." She died on 10/01/1919 Iniscarn, Desertmartin, and was buried on
13/01/1919 at St Patrick’s Chapel, Keenaught.
 | |  | |  | |  |