Rev. William L. Kiernan, one of New Haven's loved priests of the Roman Catholic church, was sent into the diocese by the bishop to establish a church on the outskirts of New Haven, in a thinly settled district, and founded on Dixwell avenue the Roman Catholic church known as St. John the Baptist. Through his eloquence, his kindly disposition and his zeal in the cause he has built up a parish for which the present church is much too small and further extension of the church property is now being planned.

Father Kiernan was born in County Cavan, Ireland, September 20. 1867, a son of John and Mary (Harten) Kiernan, who were also natives of the Emerald isle, where the father devoted his life to the occupation of farming. In their family were seven children, Bridget, Katherine, Francis, John, Mary, Patrick and William L.

The last named spent his boyhood in attendance at school in Ireland and in 1886, when a youth of nineteen years, came to America. He entered St. Charles' College at Ellicott City, Maryland, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889 and then became a pupil in St. Mary's Theological Seminary at Baltimore and was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons, December 22, 1894. He was sent to Portland, Connecticut, and became assistant curate of the Catholic church there. Later he was sent to St. Mary's church at Bethel, Connecticut, where he was appointed pastor. He there remained for eight years and in 1915 was assigned to duty in New Haven to organize a church on Dixwell avenue near the city limits. That district was then but sparsely settled but has grown rapidly and Father Kiernan's interest in the church and efforts for its upbuilding have led to the establishment of a large parish. In fact, the church edifice is unable to accommodate the numbers who assemble there on Sundays and on feast clays for worship, which necessitates the holding of four masses on Sundays and holidays. Recognizing the need for greater accommodations, Father Kiernan purchased in 1917 the block of ground on Dixwell and Pound streets which had been the home of the Munson family for many years. He is now occupying the residence but has planned, in a. year or two to erect a fine Catholic church on this site to take the place of the original church at No. 828 Dixwell avenue.

Father Kiernan holds membership in the Knights of Columbus of New Haven and he has made a warm place for himself in the affections of his people during the two years in which he has had charge of the church of St. John the Baptist.