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One of the Bishop Quinn’s four sisters, Sarah, married a man named Horan and they farmed at Gormanstown in the Co. Kildare. Four of their sons joined the priesthood and all four of them went to Australia to work on the Missions there. Matthew (Parish Priest of Gympie,) James (Parish Priest of Warwick,) Joseph (Bathurst ; died at age of 41), Andrew (Parish Priest of Ipswich).
Fr. James Horan in his 30 years as Administrator erected churches throughout the vast parish (extending to St. George) including St. Patrick’s Church in Allora. He built the presbytery at his own expense. In his will, he left the building to the parish providing the parish built a boys’ school.
On his death in 1905, Fr. Horan wa buried in the old church. In 1926, his body was exhumed and transposed to a crypt in the new church. On opening the coffin, the dumbfounded undertaker found the body perfectly preserved. Many people to this day believe there was divine intervention.
The following is extracted from the Warwick Examiner and Times, dated Wednesday 24th May 1905.
A Peaceful Ending, after a Few Day’s Illness
On Monday morning 22nd May 1905 it became generally known about town that Father Horan, the popular Parish Priest of Warwick, was lying in a critical condition at the Presbytery.
During Monday, no hope of his rallying was held out, and at 5 o’clock he passed away quietly. His death was exceedingly peaceful, and to some extent was unexpected at that time. Drs Phillips and Egan had just left their patient and he had finished the responses to prayers that were read to him when he fell back quietly and expired.
Needless to say the announcement of the death of the Rev. gentleman caused a deep sensation, not only among his own flock, but townspeople generally. The deceased was exceedingly popular among all classes, was personally known to almost everyone, and was regarded as a valued citizen. His open-handedness was proverbial; no one ever went to Father Horan for help, no matter how trifling the object, no matter what church or institution needed assistance, without receiving of his aid.
Always of gentlemanly bearing and very courteous manners, he became popular with all classes and creeds as soon as he came to Warwick, nearly 30 years ago, and that esteem he retained to the end.
He enjoyed the reputation of being a most forceful, ready aad eloquent preacher – a polished and fluent master of sacred eloquence. Amongst the members of his own congregation he was truly revered. He was looked to for counsel and advice; he was ever ready to give it. In a word a father to all, and the dignity of the position he occupied so long and so worthily was truly recognised.
Fr. Horan’s Life Work
The Rev James J. Horan was born at Gormanstown, County Kildare, Ireland on the 1st January 1846 and was therefore in his 60th year at the time of his decease. His mother belonged to a family which has given distinguished ecclesiastics to the Irish and Australian churches.
He completed with brilliant distinction a philosophical and theological course for four years. In January 1868 our subject was raised to the priesthood at the exceptionally early age of 22. After a few weeks with is parents, the young priest set out for Australia.
Father J.J. Horan arrived in Warwick on February 26th 1876 as parish priest succeeding father Stephen Henry McDonough.
Messages of Sympathy
Included the Premier’s telegram.. “Accept my deep sympathy. By the death of Father James I have lost a most kind and valued friend and Warwick has lost a citizen whom she could ill spare and will long mourn. All denominations will grieve for him, for his benevolence knew no distinction of race and creed.”
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