John Gregory Murray (February 26, 1877 – October 11, 1956) was an American Catholic prelate who served as archbishop of Saint Paul in Minnesota from 1931 until his death in 1956. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Hartford in Connecticut from 1920 to 1925 and as bishop of Portland in Maine from 1925 to 1932.
Biography
Early life
John G. Murray was born on February 26, 1877, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to William and Mary Ellen (née Connor) Murray. His parents were both Irish immigrants; his William was from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, and Mary Ellen was from Maryborough, County Leix (present-day Portlaoise, County Laois). One of his brothers, James, was a prominent lawyer in New York City. John Murray worked as a paperboy in his youth. He received his early education at Waterbury Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1895. He continued his studies at the University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium.
Priesthood
While in Leuven, Murray was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Josephus van der Stappen for the Diocese of Hartford on April 14, 1900. His first assignments, following his return to Connecticut, were as chaplain at the Hartford County Jail and as professor of Greek and Latin at St. Thomas Preparatory Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.
Murray was the first native of Connecticut to become a Catholic bishop, and the first auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Hartford.
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.