Rev. John J. McGivney, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of Westville and one of the best known priests in the diocese, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, October 25, 1870, a son of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to America in early life. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1847 and the mother a few years later, both becoming residents of Waterbury, where the father worked for E. C. Lewis as an iron moulder. He continued in the iron business at Waterbury to the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. His widow survived him for a considerable period and died in 1888. In their family were thirteen children, of whom Rev. John J. McGivney was the twelfth in order of birth.
     In early life he attended the public and high schools of Waterbury and was graduated with the class of 1888. He continued his education in St. Charles College of Baltimore, Maryland, being graduated in 1890. He next became a student in St. John's Seminary at Brighton, now a part of Boston, Massachusetts, and later he entered Niagara University, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1896. He entered upon active service as a representative of the Catholic ministry in connection with St. Augustine's church at Bridgeport, where he continued for three years. He was next assigned to duty with St. Rose's church at Meriden, where he continued for two years, and later he was pastor of St. Mary's church at Milford, Connecticut, and missionary apostolic for the diocese of Hartford. He occupied that position for three years and in 1905 came to Westville, since which time he has been the beloved pastor of St. Joseph's church, which had been established some years before. Father McGivney is a member of all the different church societies and is prominent in the Knights of Columbus, being state chaplain in that organization.
     In public affairs Father McGivney takes an active and helpful interest. He is a member of the board of directors of the New Haven Public Library and is a member of the board of education at Westville. He is also on the board of directors of the Westville Donald G. Mitchell Memorial Library. He takes a most active and helpful interest in community affairs but allows nothing to interfere with the performance of his ecclesiastical duties and has become one of the prominent representatives of the Catholic priesthood in his diocese.