COYLE, Rev. James, pastor of Saint Joseph’s Church, Newport, was born in Abbeylara, County Longford, Ireland, September 9, 1850, son of Daniel and Mary (Reilly) Coyle. His ancestry on both sides is distinctively old Irish. He acquired his rudimentary education in the Irish national schools, and came to America with his parents early in 1S63.  After spending two years in Saint Joseph’s College, Bardstown, Ky., going there in September 1869, ne entered in September 1871 Laselle Academy, Providence, where he taught Latin, at the same time continuing his own studies under Rev. H. F Kinnerney.  In September 1872, with the purpose mainly of acquiring knowledge of the French language, he went to Saint Laurent College, near Montreal, where he graduated in June 1874. While at Saint Laurenthe was president of the leading literary society, editor of the weekly college journal, the Spectator, and class valedictorian.   He entered the Grand Seminary, Montreal, in September following, and was there raised to the priesthood, December 22, 1877.  Bishop O’Reilly of the Springfield diocese needing priests, he was sent temporarily to Springfield, and reported for duty at North Adams, January 19, 1878; and on the return of the pastor of North Adams, then in Europe, was appointed assistant at Military, Mass., remaining there until called by Bishop Hendricken to the Cathedral in Providence, February 11, 1880, where he labored until appointed pastor of the new parish in Newport, January 14, 1885. Father Coyle’s first services in New-port were held in the old Unitarian Church on Mill Street, January 25, 1885. The new parish had not then an inch of ground, nor a resting place of any description. The pastor bought the property of the Zion Church Corporation, paying therefore $15,025, and celebrated the first mass therein on Sunday, March 8, 1885. He remodeled and beautified the church interior, and in January 1887 purchased the adjoining property, known as the Young estate, at a cost of $28,500.   In May 1887 he began the ejection of a rectory, which was tenanted the following October, the estimated cost being $9,000.   A con-vent was finished and occupied by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in July 1889, and a private academy started the September following.    Catholics and non-Catholics generously seconded Father Coyle’s efforts, many rare and costly gifts testifying to their continued goodwill.   On the 2d of August 1891, one of the finest school buildings in New England was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Harkins; the donor, till then unknown, being George Babcock Hazard, a non-Catholic.   In this substantial manner one of Newport’s oldest citizens proved his friend-ship for Saint Joseph’s pastor.   Ten teachers and five hundred and fifty children now utilize Mr.  Hazard’s beneficence.   In the eleven years of his pastorate Father Coyle has collected and disbursed upwards of $165,000, aside from the Hazard gift, and Saint Joseph’s, one of the finest church properties in the diocese, is now entirely free from debt, a splendid showing, all things considered. Barker.  Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller

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