Fr. James W Connerton, C.S.C.

Fr. James W Connerton

1897 - 1988

Fr. Connerton, C.S.C. was born in Binghamton, NY, and received his undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1920, and entering the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1921, being ordained a priest in 1926. He spent much time at Notre Dame, working often with the seminary’s choir after his experience in the Glee Club during his time in undergraduate education. Fr. Connerton is likely best known and remembered as being the founder and first president of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, a sister college of Stonehill College. Fr. James founded King’s in 1946 at the invitation of the Bishop of Scranton, PA, with the hopes of providing a new and bright future for sons of the many local coal miners and those returning from the war. When King’s opened its doors that September, there were 380 students, over 90% of which were World War II veterans. Fr. Connerton served as King’s president until 1949, emphasizing that King’s Catholic education taught students not only “how to make a living, but how to live.” 

 Fr. Connerton was the first provincial in the Eastern Province in North Easton, Massachusetts, and played an important role in the foundation of Stonehill College by the Congregation. Local  Archbishop Richard Cushing had offered the Franciscan Friars an opportunity to develop a college nearby. In response to this, Fr. Connerton urgently urged his superior general for permission to purchase the Ames’ land. This later led to the Archbishop’s withdrawal of his offer to the Franciscans.

Fr. Connerton was the first to suggest the name ‘Stonehill College,’ which he derived from the Ames’ property title “Stone House Hill House.”  He appointed Fr. George Benaglia as Stonehill’s first president, and the college opened its doors in September of 1948 with 134 male students. Fr. James worked to ensure the stability of Stonehill in its early days, even going as far as to facilitate a $175,000 loan from King’s College to assist the pursuits of Stonehill. In many ways, Fr. James was also the founder of Stonehill. Fr. Connerton is remembered fondly and thought of highly, as his impacts on the Congregation of Holy Cross and Catholic education in America was undeniable.

Biography sourced from Stonehill College, King's College, and the Holy Cross Quo Vadis Blog.