Patrick Joseph “P.J.” O’Connor, Esquire

A prominent local lawyer and city alderman, P.J. O’Connor and his family were early members of Sacred Heart Parish. O’Connor was a respected community leader and organizer, serving as local and later national president of both the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Catholic Knights of America, societies he helped organize and establish in Savannah during the early 1880s.

O’Connor played an instrumental role in the establishment of Sacred Heart Priory at its new site on Bull Street. As chairman of the church committee, O’Connor negotiated the purchase of the land as well as the stain glass windows on behalf of Abbot Leo Haid. In addition, O’Connor used his considerable contacts in the community to help raise the funds for the construction of the church.

Courtesy of the O’Connor/Persse Family