FATHER THOMAS K. CONNELL

Pastor 1932-1964

Father Thomas K. Connell holds the distinction of having served the people and the parish of St. Leo longer than any other priest-nearly thirty-two years, almost a quarter of the parish history to date. He became the eighth pastor of St. Leo’s. A native of Easton, Father Connell was born on December 21, 1890. He had been ordained by Archbishop Prendergast on February 16, 1916. He served assistant pastorships at St. Canisaus Church in Mahanoy City, St John the Baptist, Old St. Mary’s and the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. He also served as pastor of St. Joseph’s, Girardville, prior to his appointment at St. Leo’s. 

Father Connell's style was molded by the difficulties of the times at the beginning of his administration-the Great Depression. Times were tough; the pastor did what he could to help the people during those bleak years. Father Connell was a man of great personal charity. The only ones who knew of this charity were the recipients. He was an austere man who believed that churches were for prayer, period. He was one of the first to visit someone in the hospital and it was a rule during his administration that a priest of the parish visit the sick each and every week. He was extremely austere in parish matters, yet a fine piano player and avid baseball fan; socially reticent, yet an excellent homilist. He would leave the altar and come down to speak directly to the children.


The commercial school was closed in 1940. With the closing the parish was able to offer a new service in the 
vacated rooms-a kindergarten class. Sister St. Mary Magdalen was placed in charge and she found her life’s work. Father Connell was responsible for the last great addition to the parish school, the annex. In 1954 both the Boy and Girls Scouts were brought 
to St. Leo’s. Sr. Consolata, who directed the music and art programs and served as a substitute teacher for thirty of Fr. Connell’s thirty-two years, recalls him as a deeply spiritual priest who cared very much for his flock and especially the children. The infirmities of age finally
 called Fr. Connell on 
February 26, 1964