reprinted in the 125th anniversary celebration booklet, April 29, 1984 ... Fr. O'Brien was buried at the right side of the front door of the church, where his gravestone stands today. From "The Weekly Review," published in Providence April 8, 1871. "Death of Rev. Joseph O'Brien of Spragueville, pastor 1868 - 1871. With painful regret we announce to our readers this week the death of Rev. Joseph O'Brien of Spragueville. Fr. O'Brien was the respected pastor of St. Ann's Church, and the sudden announcement of his decease cast a gloom over the village of Spragueville. He was taken with rheumatic pains shortly after leaving the confessional last Saturday night. Sunday he was unable to officiate and Rev. Fr. Flynn, of St. Mary's, was called to celebrate the mass. Fr. Flynn remained at St. Ann's till after the funeral, and attended Fr. O'Brien in his last moments. After Fr. O'Brien was taken ill Dr. O'Leary was called, who did what medical skill could, but congestion of the lungs took place and he died about two o'clock Tuesday morning. The news spread through the village that Fr. O'Brien was dead, and with tearful eyes the members of his congregation ran to ascertain the truth. Alas, it was too true. The thread of life was snapped, the spirit had fled to his Creator. Fr. O'Brien was thirty-two years old, and about eight years in the ministry. He was a graduate of Fordham and of the Grand Seminary at Montreal. He had been pastor of St. Ann's for about four years and had labored with unwearied zeal for the good of those for whom he was called to minister. He was dearly attached to and loved by his people, and tears and lamentations during the burial service in the church and at the grave testified the heartfelt sorrow at the loss they sustained by the death of their beloved pastor. The obsequies took place on Wednesday in St. Ann's Church. The altar and interior of the church were draped in mourning. In front of the altar were placed the remains, in a rich coffin, on which were bouquets of flowers, wreaths and crosses. The deceased was attired in his sacerdotal robes; and in his joined hands he held a chalice. The head was raised so that the features of the dead could be seen by all. Around the coffin were lighted tapers, kept constantly burning while the remains lay in state. At ten o'clock, the office of the dead was recited. A Solemn Requiem Mass was commenced. Thirty-eight priests from all over R. I. and Conn. took part in the services. At the conclusion of the Mass, Rev. Lawrence Walsh delivered an impressive discourse. All present were affected to tears, and the sad scene became still more pathetically mournful. 'You see before you,' the reverend gentleman said, 'the remains of your pastor, called away in the short space of forty-eight hours. Three days ago he was apparently in good health. He heard confessions on Saturday evening up to nine or half-past nine o'clock. Sunday morning, at half-past two o'clock, he was taken sick, and Tuesday morning at the same hour he was a corpse. You have reason then to shed tears, and I myself do not feel able to say a word to you this morning. You have lost your pastor. You are sad because God has stricken him down, I might say, in good health. You are a flock without a shepherd. His remains are before you. He speaks to you from that bier on which his body rests, and tells you to be ready to be called, for the hour you know not. From this death of your pastor you will learn a fruitful lesson. God neither spares pastor nor people, all are equally stricken down by death. Oftentimes from this altar did he preach to you the word of God; oftentimes did you receive at his hands the bread of angels; oftentimes did you kneel at his feet in the Confessional and make known to him your sins; oftentimes he has baptized your children; and now he lies dead before you. So sudden has been his death that we can scarcely realize it, and when his body is laid in the cold clay we will then ask ourselves, 'Is it possible God has given such a blow? What have we done to merit this?' My dear people, take a lesson from his that morning. Be always prepared to meet your God. In conclusion, I would ask you pray for him. Remember he ministered to you in this parish, and he now asks you to pray for him as he so often prayed for you at this altar. Do not forget him. No matter who your pastor may be that will stand here, remember him that is gone. As you see the grave to which his body will soon be consigned, pray to God for him, pray that you may yet be united to him in heaven.' A procession of clergymen was then formed and passed down the left aisle to the main entrance to the church, on the left of which was the grave. The remains were taken by the pall bearers and followed the procession down the aisles. When the grave was reached the usual rites and ceremonies took place, and amid the weeping of the relatives, clergymen and parishioners, the remains were interred. A number of people went from the city to attend the services. The music was mournfully suggestive of the sad occasion. Prof. Eugene Henri presided at the organ. 'Rest, spirit, rest' was pathetically rendered by Mrs. Henri. Mr. McElroy effectively sang 'Angels ever bright and fair,' and 'Libera' was sung by Prof. Eugene Henri. The singing was very fine and effective, inducing a still greater manifestation of sorrow on the part of those present. The ceremonies were impressively sad and the mournful occasion was indelibly impressed upon the minds of all." After the death of Fr. O'Brien, Fr. John Flynn was named pastor of St. Ann's in 1872, where he served until 1886, the year of his death. He was followed by a German immigrant, Fr. William Stang, for nine months in 1886 until he was assigned rector of the Cathedral, and later was named first Bishop of Fall River in 1904. He was succeeded by Fr. Michael O'Hare, who served from 1887 to 1902, followed by Fr. John Tully, from 1902 to 1918; Fr. Thomas Tiernan, from 1918 until his death in 1933. He was followed by Fr. James Tiernan, his brother, from 1933 to until his death in 1948; he was succeeded by Monsignor John L. Drury, who served as pastor from 1948 until his death in 1967, the longest term of any pastor. He was followed by Fr. John Murphy, who served from 1967 to 1971; and Fr. Francis Feeney, from 1972 until his death in 1978. He was followed by Fr. Jude McGeough, who was still pastor in 1984 when the 125th anniversary booklet was printed.