YUBA COUNTY Biographies
GUERIN, MONSIGNOR PATRICK
The Reverend Monsignor Patrick Guerin, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Marysville for 25 years, was born in Cork County, Ireland on March 17, 1865, the son of Patrick and Mary (Sullivan) Guerin. Father Guerin studied for the priesthood in Dublin, Ireland and was ordained on June 24, 1888. He was immediately posted to Sacramento, California as an assistant in the Sacramento Cathedral. He next was assigned to Tuolumne and Mariposa counties where he reorganized the parishes, restored their churches, and paid off their debts. After spending some time in the Chico parish where he oversaw the completion of the church and the payment of parish debts, on August 30, 1917, Father Guerin came to St. Joseph’s in Marysville.
During his 25 years in Marysville, Father Guerin was instrumental in modernizing the pioneer church and building a parish house for the priests’ residence. In 1925, Pope Pius XI elevated Father Guerin to Monsignor following Father Guerin’s trip to Rome with his cousin, Bishop Patrick Keene. (Monsignor is an honorary title given to priests who have made an outstanding contribution to the church and is a position directly below that of Bishop.)
In 1937, Monsignor Guerin was a member of the United States delegation to the Eucharistic Congress held in Manila, Philippine Islands.
In August 1942, Monsignor Guerin was recognized for his 25 years of service to the Marysville Catholic parish. In September of 1942, he left for San Francisco to attend the golden anniversaries as priests of two of his long-time friends. On September 25, 1942, after visiting with his friend of many years, Monsignor Thomas E. Horgan, Monsignor Guerin died in a tragic accident. While attempting to open a window in his hotel room, he apparently lost his balance and fell to his death.
Monsignor Guerin was a modest man who was kind, sympathetic, and helpful to all.
Compiled by Cathie Manwell Adams from various newspaper articles, the California Death Index, and the 1881 British census.