A piece of old Georgetown is buried in Kilkenny

It was usually the other way around among Iowa's Irish when an immigrant pioneer died --- a bit of old Ireland buried in consecrated ground out here on the prairie in this new land half a world away from native soil.

But when the Rev. Patrick J. Gaule died in his 39th year during March of 1910 at Georgetown --- now a wide spot in the road with a magnificent stone church (St. Patrick's) along U.S. 34 between Chariton and Albia --- the order was reversed. His remains were carried back to Ireland and laid to rest in the Kilmacow (St. Senan) village churchyard north of Waterford in County Kilkenny, near Ireland's south coast. 

The magnificent cross erected there by his brother, the Rev. Edward F. Gaule, pastor until 1909 of St. Mary's parish, Chariton, has as the years passed also been used to mark the nearby graves of their parents, siblings and other family members ---  a piece of old Georgetown in an Irish churchyard.

Patrick Gaule had been well known in Chariton because of the historic ties between the Georgetown and St. Mary's (now Sacred Heart) parishes even before his younger brother was assigned to Lucas County during 1907. So many from Chariton were among the estimated 2,000 who gathered in and around St. Patrick's Church, Georgetown, for the young priest's funeral (an estimated 50 priests also were present) and interment beneath the high altar.

The following tribute, written by a parishioner --- Mrs. John Ennis of Tyrone --- was published in The Albia Republican of March 24, 1910:

FATHER GAULE CALLED HOME

Never before in the history of Georgetown parish has sorrow held captive every heart as since the death of the dear pastor, Rev. Patrick J. Gaule, whose death occurred on Thursday, March 17, 1910, at 2:05 o'clock. On St. Patrick's day --- the day held dear to the Irish heart, the day set aside to honor the patron saint of Ireland --- did our Savior choose to call home this true server of God, who though young in years --- only thirty-eight --- was a true, tender, kind father to all in his large parish. Never did Father Gaule pass by anyone in trouble without trying to comfort the afflicted ones. His great, warm heart, so filled with pity for the sorrowing, with sympathy and love for all under his charge, was like unto the great, deep ocean --- surging on and one, yet ever full. His hand, both firm and gentle, guided the erring, soothed the sorrowing and helped the needing, ever in that quiet way that kept his good deeds hidden. He did not want earthly praise, but those who knew him best know that his love for God was so great that he gave willingly his life and love to those of God's creatures placed under his charge --- the people of his parish.

Rev. Patrick J. Gaule was born in Waterford, Tyrone county, Ireland, April 27, 1870. He attended the schools in Ireland until seventeen years of age, when he came to America and entered college at the Baltimore Cathedral, Baltimore, Md., from which place he was ordained to the holy priesthood in June of 1898 by Cardinal Gibbons. He was sent immediately to Georgetown as assistant priest to his uncle, Rev. Edward Gaule, then priest at Georgetown. Two years later he was given full charge of the Georgetown parish, where he remained until his death.

By his untiring efforts he accomplished much in his parish. Three years ago he completed the new grand church in Georgetown, which now stands among the best and most beautiful in the state. So great was the love of his congregation for him that everyone of his parish formed a novena of prayer in supplication that he might be spared to them, when they heard a few days before his death that his life was in danger from pneumonia, but God wanted the pure soul of the young priest, and we can only bow to His holy will. Father Gaule's brother, Rev. Edward F. Gaule, of Parnell, Iowa, was with him when the final summons came. Besides this brother he leaves two brothers, Thomas and John Gaule, and one sister, all of whom reside at the old home in Waterford, Ireland, his congregation and a large multitude of friends in every place that this dear departed one has ever resided, to mourn the great loss of a good brother, kind friend and true gentleman.

The funeral which was held Thursday, March 22, in the Georgetown church, was the largest ever held there. Priests from all over the state came to be present at the last sad rites of he who had been a favorite among them. The eloquent funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. Father Hansen of Dunlap, Iowa. Amid the tears of the sorrowing crowd, all that was earthly of their loved pastor was quietly lowered to his last resting place beneath the altar front, from which he had for twelve years served the Savior that finally welcomed him home.

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There's one piece of misinformation in the obituary regarding St. Patrick's Church. The building itself was commenced during the 1850s. The Rev. Mr. Gaul had overseen a complete renovation of it, completed in 1907, but it was not a "new" church at the time of his death.

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We have no way of knowing when the Rev. Edward F. Gaule began planning the return of his brothers' remains to Ireland, but the operation commenced during late April and was completed during May. The following report was published in The Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier of May 3, 1910:

REMAINS TAKEN TO IRELAND

Father Edward Gaule Accompanies Body of His Brother to Final Resting Place at Old Home

Albia, May 2 --- The remains of Father Patrick Gaule were taken from the crypt of the Catholic church at Georgetown Saturday, where they have rested since his death, March 17, and accompanied by Father Edward Gaule of Holbrook, a brother, began the long journey back to the fatherland, where they will be given a final resting place. the journey across the water will be made in the steamer Lucinda of the Cunard line, which sails from New York Wednesday, May 4.

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After accompanying his brothers remains home to Ireland, the Rev. Edward F. Gaule returned to  Iowa to serve St. Michael's Parish, Holbrook, until he was transferred to St. Mary's Parish, Fairfield. He died during 1940, age 59, while serving the Fairfield parish and, after funeral services there, was buried at Mount Cavalry Cemetery in Davenport.

The other Rev. Edward F. Gaule, uncle to Patrick and the younger Edward, had turned the Georgetown parish over to his nephew because of poor health. He moved to Council Bluffs during 1900 to live with a brother and died there on March 6, 1906, age 55. He is buried in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Atlantic.

St. Patrick's Church, Georgetown