O'Regan, Cornelius

Cornelius O'Regan (18--1901), Catholic priest, was the eldest son of Catherine (Dowley), Carrickon-Suir, and John O'Regan, a native of Tallow, both in County Waterford, Ireland. The O'Regans had settled in St. John's, where John O'Regan practiced the trade of butcher, acquired a large estate and became highly respected in the community. The O'regans' youngest son, Thomas, became a Christian Brother and spent his religious life at Mount Cashel, Newfoundland, supervising their farming operations. O'Regan died in a storm aboard the schooner Cabot on 21 October 1901.

O'Regan completed his course of studies at St. Bonaventure's College , St. John's [ca.1888] and decided to become a priest, choosing the Diocese of St. George's as his field of service. He studied at a a seminary in France for two years to acquire the fluency in French which was necessary for a successful ministry on the West Coast. He was then sent to Propaganda College in Rome and was named prefect of the students. O'Regan was ordained in 1895, obtaining the rare distinction of a Doctorate in Divinity. When he left Rome, the Rector of the College sent a glowing recommendation to his bishop.

Rev. O'Regan returned to Newfoundland and was appointed parish priest at Grand River, Codroy Valley; he replaced Father Mclnnis who had left the diocese to join the Trappists. His headquarters were at Searstown, His sister Annie joined him to act as his housekeeper. Joseph Blanchard, who acted as sacristan for many years, spoke of his ability to reconcile people and create unity among a congregation of many different nationalities: French, Scottish, English, Irish, and Mi'kmaq.

Rev. O'Regan built an imposing church in Searston; the building was destroyed by fire in 1929 and was replaced at Upper Ferry. In October 1901 Rev. O'Regan set out on a sick call to Rose Blanche. He reached his destination safely but on the return trip by schooner he perished in a storm; his body was never recovered. O'Regan is commemorated in a bust in the Catholic church at Upper Ferry. A settlement in the Codroy Valley (formerly known as Backlands) been renamed O'Regans.

Created - April 12, 2013

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