A History of St. Eulalia Parish

The first Catholics were Irish immigrants who came to Coudersport in the 1840's. The first Mass was celebrated by Father Burns in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Schollard. From that time on, Coudersport was visited every 3 months by various priests. Services were held in the home of Mark Gillon, on the corner of Maple and Borie streets.

In 1883, Fr. John Madigan became the resident pastor. With the beginning of the Lumbering Era in Potter County, the Catholic population grew. Many parishioners were from Germany, Austria, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Canada. Also in the same year it was decided to erect a church. It was to be built on the land that had been donated by the Keating family. John Keating was a prominent businessman and landholder in McKean and Potter counties. He also donated the land for St. Elizabeth's Parish in Smethport. A plain wooden structure costing about $2,500 was built, and on August 8, 1885, was dedicated by the Most Rev. Bishop Tobias Mullen of Erie.

The church was named St. Eulalia in commemoration of a deceased daughter of the Keating family, and in honor of the saint whose name she bore. Every year since then, 6 masses a year are celebrated for the deceased members of the Keating family.

Father Madigan died on November 6, 1886 and was succeeded by Fr. John Flood. In 1892, Fr. A. B. Mechura was appointed resident pastor. Fr. Mechura died on February 20, 1902.

In March 1902, the Most Rev. Bishop John E. FitzMaurice of the Diocese of Erie, appointed Rev. D.S. Sheehan from Oil City to take charge of the St. Eulalia Parish. In 1914, Fr. Sheehan was transferred to St. Callistus, Kane, PA.

Fr. Francis S. Doyle was appointed pastor in 1914 until he retired in November 1935.

Fr. F.M. O'Connell came in 1936 and served the parish needs until March 1953.

Fr. Arthur Leon served as pastor from August 1953 until June 1963.

Fr. W. Robert Griffin came to St. Eulalia's in 1963. Fr. Griffin was elevated to Monsignor in 1992 while pastor at St. Eulalia's. Upon his retirement in 1993, Msgr. Griffin remained in Coudersport until his death in 1996.

Fr. John Weibel was appointed pastor in 1993. Father Weibel passed away unexpectedly in January 2005.

Fr. Joseph Czarkowski was appointed in 2005 until he was transferred in July 2009.

Fr. James Campbell was appointed to St. Eulalia in 2009 until he was transferred in July 2022.

Fr. Daniel Hoffman was appointed to St. Eulalia in 2022 until he was transferred in July 2023.

Fr. Christopher Wheeler was appointed to St. Eulalia in 2023 and is the current pastor.

Who was St. Eulalia?

Eulalia was a Spanish girl who, in the year 312 A.D. was arrested with other Christians by the Roman authorities. This was during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. The Roman judge offered to spare her life if she would pay homage to an idol displayed in the courtroom. Eulalia responded to this by pushing over the idol. On seeing this, the judge sentenced her to be pulled apart with large hooks and then burned to death. All of this at the approximate age of 13.