Who were Msgr. James McGloin & Msgr. Paul Juenker?
Learn about the two priests who inspired the creation of the McGloin Juenker Foundation.
Early Years
Right Reverend Monsignor James Francis McGloin, P.A., was born on November 10, 1862 in Alden, New York. Growing up, he felt a strong call to the priesthood but lacked the funds for the seminary. Recommended by a local priest to Bishop Stephen V. Ryan, he received sponsorship to study in Rome, completing his entire priestly formation there. Ordained at St. John Lateran Cathedral on March 5, 1887, he returned to Buffalo, celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. On June 1, 1887 he was appointed assistant pastor at the Cathedral and served as personal secretary to Bishop Ryan.
At Blessed Sacrament
On October 2, 1887, at the cornerstone ceremony of Bishop Ryan’s new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, it was announced that Fr. McGloin would serve as rector of the Chapel. He took on that role on May 26, 1889, and spent his first 32 years of priesthood on Delaware Avenue, transforming the chapel into a flourishing parish. He enlarged the original structure, acquired surrounding properties, and led an international design competition for what became St. Joseph’s New Cathedral, consecrated on July 15, 1915.
Moving On
On October 2, 1887, at the cornerstone ceremony of Bishop Ryan’s new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, it was announced that Fr. McGloin would serve as rector of the Chapel. He took on that role on May 26, 1889, and spent his first 32 years of priesthood on Delaware Avenue, transforming the chapel into a flourishing parish. He enlarged the original structure, acquired surrounding properties, and led an international design competition for what became St. Joseph’s New Cathedral, consecrated on July 15, 1915.
Early Years
Right Reverend Monsignor Paul Renow Juenker, P.A., was born on July 2, 1920, in East Aurora. He graduated from St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, Canisius College, and St. Bernard’s Seminary. He was ordained on September 22, 1945, by Bishop John O’Hara in St. Joseph’s New Cathedral—20 days after the end of World War II. He celebrated his first Mass the next day at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He ministered as a priest for 50 years; the first 29 were spent serving parishes and educating future priests at The Diocesan Preparatory Seminary.
At Blessed Sacrament
In 1974, Msgr. Juenker was appointed rector and pastor of St. Joseph’s New Cathedral, tasked with managing its deterioration and eventual demolition in 1975-1976. Although the Diocese also planned to demolish Blessed Sacrament Chapel, his leadership saved it. Afterward, he was named pastor of the newly designated Blessed Sacrament Church, which he remodeled. He supported the Cathedral School, was influential in the construction of Timon Towers on the former Cathedral site, converted the New Cathedral’s old sacristy into St. Joseph’s Hall, and transformed the church basement into Marian Hall.
Moving On
At age 75, he celebrated his 50th priestly anniversary and retired on July 1, 1995, remaining Pastor Emeritus until his death on February 8, 2018. This visionary and saintly priest was one of the most popular and beloved priests of the Diocese because of his intelligence, his inexhaustible and infectious sense of humor, and his kindness to all. He passed away at 97 as the oldest priest in the Diocese.
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