Priest led Sts. Peter and Paul Church through history

SANDUSKY — One of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church's earliest leaders guided the congregation through the Great Depression, World War I and the early years of World War II while overseeing significant projects and ceremonies. Father William F. Murphy led Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church for 38 years. Provided photo/SANDUSKY HISTORY BLOG On Sept. 5, 1905, Father William F. Murphy was appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the second priest to serve this parish. He succeeded Father R.A. Sidley. At the start of his 36-year tenure at the church, Murphy oversaw the building of a school for the parish, partially funded by a bequest from Sidley. In 1907, The new school and Sidley Memorial Hall was dedicated. Following two fires that damaged Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Murphy led the parish in seeing that the church was repaired and restored. With the help of a generous gift from Sandusky native Sister Mary Aloysius, a Catholic higher education professional, the church installed a communion railing made from Italian marble and two new side altars. Murphy officiated hundreds of weddings, baptisms, funerals and holiday masses. Most notably, on July 14, 1914, Murphy officiated at the wedding of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne to Bonnie Skiles. The pair met while they worked at Cedar Point. As college students working at the amusement park, Rockne and his roommate, Gus Dorais, perfected football's forward pass on Cedar Point Beach. A plaque about the wedding stands outside the church today. For Murphy's Golden Jubilee, when he celebrated 50 years in the priesthood, the whole community gathered to honor him. A mass occurred at Sts. Peter and Paul Church on July 4, 1934, with the Most Reverend Kal J. Alter, D.D. presiding. Catholic leaders all across Ohio attended the Golden Jubilee celebration. On July 5, 1934, a civic reception for Murphy took place at Jackson Junior High, and was open to the public. Speakers included Judge Edmond Savord; J. J. Carroll, president of the G & C Foundry; Congressman W. L. Fiesinger; attorney John F. McCrystal, Sr.; F. J. Prout, Sandusky Schools superintendent; Major C.B. Wilcox, president of the Sandusky Chamber of Commerce, as well as Rev. William Zierolf from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky and Rev. Thomas Hughes from Trinity Methodist Church. Murphy was respected as a community leader by residents of all walks of life and religious denominations. Father William Murphy officiated the wedding of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne to Bonnie Skiles in 1914. Provided photo/SANDUSKY HISTORY BLOG On Feb. 24, 1942, Murphy died at age 84. On the same day, in an article in the Sandusky Register Star News, Sandusky city manager A.J. Lauber said "the death of Monsignor William F. Murphy is a severe loss to our community. He was always eager to give his time and energy to those things which make for a better city in which to live and work. His kindly spirit, his wise counsel and his marvelous personality has endeared him to every person in Sandusky." Murphy's funeral was widely attended, and he was buried at St. John's Cemetery in Cleveland. His leadership, integrity and compassion were appreciated by his church members and the entire community.