History

Father Louis Jacquier

Catholic priest, pastor of Star of the Sea, Ocean City · active c.1902–1914

French-born Catholic priest, pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church at Ocean City and of St. Francis de Sales at Salisbury, Maryland. One of the leading figures of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, he organised the order in the United States about 1902 and built up its congregations at Wilmington, Del., and at Salisbury, Crisfield, Ocean City, Westover, Marion and Childs, Md. In September 1914, five weeks after the outbreak of the European war, he received notice from the French Consul at New York to return to France at once and take arms; the consul was understood to be pressing for his assignment to hospital work instead. Whether he went is not recorded in the 1914 Worcester County press.

In the record (1)

  1. 1914 · 1914-09-05

    PRIEST CALLED HOME TO FIGHT: the French consul at New York orders Father Louis Jacquier of Star of the Sea, Ocean City, back to France to take arms — the war reaches the island in five weeks.

    The Democratic Messenger of 5 September 1914: "**Father Louis Jacquier**, pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Ocean City, and of St. Francis De Sales at Salisbury, Md., has received notice from the French Consul at New York to return to France at once and take arms in defense of his country. Father Jacquier is one of the leading lights of the order of the **Oblates of St. Francis De Sales**, and about 12 years ago organized the order in this country, which has been very successful. The Oblates of St. Frances De Sales have a large membership in Wilmington, Del., Salisbury, Crisfield, Ocean City, Westover, Marion and Childs, Md., all of which have been largely due to the efforts of Father Jacquier. The order is largely made up of French, German and Italian speaking priests. It is feared that the other members of the order will be called upon by their country, which may have a tendency to decrease the work in this country. It is understood that the French Consul will use his efforts in having Father Jacquier assigned to hospital work." Germany invaded Belgium on 4 August; this is dated 5 September. It is the only person in Ocean City the campaign has found directly conscripted by the European war, and the sharpest local mark the outbreak left on the town in 1914.

    St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church

    Source · checked 2026-08-06