James Murphy (architect)
Encyclopedia
James Murphy, FAIA
, (1834–1907) was an Irish-American architect active in late-nineteenth- and early twentieth-century New England
, who designed numerous Roman Catholic churches and related structures. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States
along with his brother Michael. Soon after his arrival, he entered the Brooklyn, New York firm of Patrick C. Keely as an apprentice. Keely was already an established architect specializing in ecclesiastical design. Eventually, Murphy became a partner in the firm, operating as Keely & Murphy. Murphy would later marry Keely's sister-in-law.
. In 1875, the partnership was dissolved and Murphy established his own practice. Murphy continued to specialize in church design for the ever-growing number of Roman Catholic parishes during the late nineteenth century, particularly in the southern New England
area of Massachusetts
, Rhode Island
, and Connecticut
.
In the 1880s and 1890s, Murphy employed his nephew, Ambrose J. Murphy
, who would later partner with Frank R. Hindle. Some time around 1900, Murphy established a new office in Boston, Massachusetts.
, was his nephew. Murphy died April 18, 1907 at the Holy Ghost Hospital (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in Cambridge, Massachusetts
.
continued James Murphy's firm after 1907. He entered into partnership with Frank R. Hindle to form the firm of Murphy & Hindle, which practiced architecture in Rhode Island until the 1940s. That firm also specialized in church design.
FAIA
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects is a postnomial, designating an individual who has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects...
, (1834–1907) was an Irish-American architect active in late-nineteenth- and early twentieth-century New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, who designed numerous Roman Catholic churches and related structures. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Early life and career
Murphy was born in 1834 in County Tipperary, IrelandCounty Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
along with his brother Michael. Soon after his arrival, he entered the Brooklyn, New York firm of Patrick C. Keely as an apprentice. Keely was already an established architect specializing in ecclesiastical design. Eventually, Murphy became a partner in the firm, operating as Keely & Murphy. Murphy would later marry Keely's sister-in-law.
Architectural practice
By the mid-1860s, the duo opened a branch office in Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. In 1875, the partnership was dissolved and Murphy established his own practice. Murphy continued to specialize in church design for the ever-growing number of Roman Catholic parishes during the late nineteenth century, particularly in the southern New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
area of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
In the 1880s and 1890s, Murphy employed his nephew, Ambrose J. Murphy
Ambrose J. Murphy
Ambrose J. Murphy was an American architect whose practice was based in Providence Rhode Island. He was a specialist in ecclesiastical work and, in a career that spanned over 40 years, designed many buildings for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence Rhode Island and Fall River...
, who would later partner with Frank R. Hindle. Some time around 1900, Murphy established a new office in Boston, Massachusetts.
Personal life
James Murphy married Patrick Charles Keely's sister-in-law. Murphy had a brother, Michael Murphy, with whom he emigrated to America. The architect, Ambrose J. MurphyAmbrose J. Murphy
Ambrose J. Murphy was an American architect whose practice was based in Providence Rhode Island. He was a specialist in ecclesiastical work and, in a career that spanned over 40 years, designed many buildings for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence Rhode Island and Fall River...
, was his nephew. Murphy died April 18, 1907 at the Holy Ghost Hospital (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
.
Legacy
Ambrose J. MurphyAmbrose J. Murphy
Ambrose J. Murphy was an American architect whose practice was based in Providence Rhode Island. He was a specialist in ecclesiastical work and, in a career that spanned over 40 years, designed many buildings for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence Rhode Island and Fall River...
continued James Murphy's firm after 1907. He entered into partnership with Frank R. Hindle to form the firm of Murphy & Hindle, which practiced architecture in Rhode Island until the 1940s. That firm also specialized in church design.
Works
- Sacred Heart Church Springfield, MA (demolished)
- St. Peter Church Great Barrington, MA
- St. Mary Church, Pawtucket, RI
- Holy Trinity Church, Central Falls. Rhode Island (first church, demolished - some glass from that building still exists in the school)
- St. Margaret Church, Rumford, East Providence, Rhode IslandEast Providence, Rhode IslandEast Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,037 at the 2010 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.-Geography:East Providence is located at ....
(original church, replaced by Robinson, Greene and Beretta) - St. Ambrose Church, Lincoln, RI
- Holy Name of Jesus Church, Providence Rhode Island (with Ambrose J. Murphy)
- St. Edward Church, Providence, RI
- Immaculate Conception Church, Easthampton, MA
- Holy Rosary Church, Holyoke, MA
- St. Patrick Church, Whitinsville, MA (first church, replaced with historic church by Charles D. Maginnis)
- St. Mary Church, Turners Falls, MA
- St. Patrick ChurchSt. Patrick's Church (Bridgeport, Connecticut)St. Patrick Church is a Roman Catholic church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.- History :St. Patrick Church is first Catholic church in the North End of Bridgeport. The immense church makes quite an impression on unsuspecting motorists traveling on the Interstate...
, Bridgeport, CT (lower church, completed by Dwyer & McMahon) - St. Rose ChurchSt. Rose's ChurchSt. Rose's Church, Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose Roman Catholic Church, or variations with Complex, may refer to:in the United States...
, Meriden, CT - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Naugatuck, CT
- St. Francis Church, New Haven, CT
- St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Milford, MA
- St. Mary Church, Bethel, CT (replaced by new church in 1993)
- 1864 St. Gregory Church, Dorchester, MA (first church, rebuilt by Patrick W. FordPatrick W. FordPatrick W. Ford was an Irish-American architect who, along with Patrick C. Keely of Brooklyn and James Murphy of Providence, Rhode Island designed many Roman Catholic churches built in the eastern part of United States through the latter half of the 19th Century.He was born in Ballincollig,...
) - 1868 St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Cambridge, MA
- 1868 St. Peter's Church, Hartford, CT
- 1869 St. Bernard Church, Fitchburg, MA
- 1874 St. Joseph Church, Somerville, MA
- 1874 St. Mary's Church, New Haven, CT
- 1875 Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Gardner, MA (burned 1887, replaced by Fuller & Delano, Worcester)
- 1875 Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist Stamford, CT
- 1875 St. Joseph Church, Lynn, MA (completed in 1885)
- 1879 St. Patrick's CathedralCathedral of Saint Patrick in NorwichThe Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Norwich and is the seat of its prelate bishop...
, Norwich, CT - 1881 Our Lady Help of Christians ChurchOur Lady Help of Christians Historic DistrictOur Lady Help of Christians Historic District is a historic district on Adams and Washington Streets in Newton, Massachusetts.The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.-References:...
, Newton, MA - 1885 St. Louis ChurchSt. Louis Church (Fall River, Massachusetts)St. Louis Church is a historic former Roman Catholic church no longer located at 440 Bradford Avenue in Fall River, Massachusetts.The church was built in 1885 to the designs of James Murphy. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Diocese of Fall Riverclosed the parish...
, Fall River, MA (demolished in 2010) - 1889 Holy Trinity Church, Central Falls, RI
- 1890 St. Edward the Confessor Church, Medfield, MA (first church, replaced around 1978)
- 1900 St. Patrick Church, Lewiston, ME (closed in 2009)
Works attributed to Murphy
- 1866 St. Mary Church, Norwalk, CT
- St. Patrick Church, Natick, MA