Rev.
John H. Ellis, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Oak Park,
Sacramento county, was called to his present position in 1922. A native of
Ireland, he was born in Westmeath, on the 18th of February, 1876,
and there pursued his education, attending the Christian Brothers College, high
school and the university. He afterward became a student in All Hallows College
in Dublin, Ireland, where he continued his preparation for the priesthood, being
ordained in that city in 1899.
The
following year Rev. Ellis came to California and was assistant pastor of the
Catholic Church at Grass Valley, Nevada county, from 1900 until 1902. He was
then stationed at the Cathedral of Eleventh and K streets in Sacramento as
assistant to the Rev. John F. Quinn, who he succeeded as pastor of the
Cathedral in 1906, continuing his labors there until 1912. He was afterward
pastor at Jackson, Amador county, and also pastor in charge of the Preston
State School at Ione, his labors there continuing until 1918. His next
assignment was to the pastorate of the Catholic Church at Folsom City and he
also had charge of the religious work in the state prison until 1922, when he
came to Sacramento as successor to his brother the Rev. William Ellis, who died
September 7, 1922.
The
Immaculate Conception Church was founded by Rev. William Ellis in 1909 and has
a membership of six hundred families. An attractive parish school and convent
have recently been built on the church grounds and are presided over by Sisters
of the Holy Cross from Notre Dame College in Indiana. It was through the
efforts of Father John H. Ellis that the school was built and there are many
other visible evidences of his deep interest in his work and his untiring
effort to further the cause in this district. Since he took charge two hundred
seats have been added in the church and the growth in attendance has been
continuous. He founded the Holy Name Society and the Dramatic Society and on
most creditable dramatic work has been presented. Father Ellis likewise holds
services at the County Hospital in Sacramento and is doing everything in his power
to increase the work and influence of the church and make it a vital force in
the community.
Source: History of the
Sacramento Valley California Vol. III J. W. WOOLDRIDGE 1931. Page 274-275.
© 2004 Marla
Fitzsimmons.