Londergan, Thomas

Thomas Londergan (1729-1787), Catholic priest, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1729. He was ordained a priest circa 1778 in Cologne, Germany.

Rev. Londergan arrived in Placentia, Newfoundland, from France on his own initiative in 1783. He clashed with Rev. James Louis O'Donel, superior of the Newfoundland Mission, while carrying out active pastoral ministry on the island. He was ordered out of Placentia by Governor John Campbell in 1785. During his brief time in Newfoundland, he served in the following parishes: St. John the Baptist Parish, St. John's; Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia; and St. Patrick's Parish, Fogo.

Rev. Londergan died at Fogo 25 October 1787. It is thought that he was the first priest to die in Newfoundland, and perhaps the first person to be buried in the cemetery at Fogo.