John Gregory Murray

John Gregory Murray (February 26, 1877 – October 11, 1956) was an American Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Saint Paul from 1931 until his death in 1956.

[2] Murray attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1897 with the highest honors ever bestowed upon a student until that time.

[6] While in Leuven, Murray was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Josephus van der Stappen for the Diocese of Hartford on April 14, 1900.

[5] During the Great Depression, Murray organized relief committees to raise money for the homeless and unemployed families.

[9] During his 24-year tenure, Murray established over 50 new parishes, eliminated debt at the College of St. Thomas, and constructed a science hall, gymnasium, and a new seminary library.

[9] He also began a radio show on WCCO called Church of the Air, established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, the Family Guild, and mandated liturgical reform in the archdiocese.

[9] In 1941, the national Eucharistic Congress was held at Saint Paul, an event which many considered a testament to Murray's influence.