Beneath this bronze monument lies a story of faith. It is also about community. Here stands the Dean William McNulty Statue. It depicts him counseling a young parishioner.
Dean William McNulty was no ordinary priest. Born in Ballyshannon Ireland he arrived in New York during the Great Famine. He dedicated his life to building the Catholic community in Paterson New Jersey.
Imagine Paterson in the mid-19th century. Few Catholic facilities existed. McNulty became the moving force. He helped create churches and institutions. These include St. John’s Church later the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Paterson. Also St. Joseph and St. Agnes Churches.
McNulty was affectionately known as “Father Mac”. He represented moral authority for Irish and German Catholics. He even diffused the 1880 Garret Rock May Day riot. The mayor and sheriff asked for his help. His presence calmed the mob.
The Pope recognized McNulty’s service. He was named papal chamberlain. This honor was usually reserved for European nobility. Yet McNulty remained humble. He even refused the Pope’s offer to become a domestic prelate.
Listen closely and you’ll hear tales of McNulty’s generosity. He used his own money to feed hungry families. He helped poor youth attend college. He was also known for collecting pay envelopes from parishioners. He did it before they could spend the money at bars. Paterson barkeeps feared him more than the police.
In 1908, McNulty received a gift of $24000. It was for his personal use. He used it to build the Mount St. Joseph Home for Boys.
When Dean William McNulty died in 1922 the city mourned. The mayor declared a holiday. Schools closed and flags flew at half-mast. Even the Ku Klux Klan protested these honors. They claimed it violated the separation of church and state.
Gaetano Federici sculpted the Dean William McNulty Statue. Eagle Bronze Works INC. cast it in bronze. The statue was dedicated in 1924. It shows McNulty in ecclesiastical attire. He wears a long cape. He has his arm around a boy. They are seated on a rectangular granite base.
The Dean William McNulty Statue is a reminder of one man’s dedication. He dedicated himself to his faith and community. He left an enduring legacy. The statue captures a moment of guidance. It shows a gentle soul helping a young person. It is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.