Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Wendell P. Corcoran CSC

Feb. 3, 1885 – Aug. 22, 1957

South Bend Tribune 8/22/1957

South Bend - Rev. Wendell P. Corcoran CSC, former pastor of Christ the King, St. Joseph and St. Patrick’s Churches, died at 9 a.m. today in St. Joseph Hospital. He was 72. Father Corcoran was a missionary for the Congregation of Holy Cross and he traveled throughout the United States from his ordination in 1911 until 1934, when he became pastor of Christ the King Parish, north of South Bend. He became widely known for his sermons at missions and retreats.

Father Corcoran directed planning for the construction of Christ the King Church in 1935, holding services in an old building on Auten Road before the church was built. He was transferred in 1937 to the pastorate of St. Joseph Church and was credited in 1944 with bringing about the liquidation of the church’s $127,000 debt. He was pastor of St. Patrick’s Church from 1946 to 1949.

South Bend Council 553, Knights of Columbus, named it major class after Father Corcoran in 1947, the first time in the council’s history the degree was named for a member of the clergy.

In 1949 he was appointed chaplain of Columbia Hall, a resident for Holy Cross brothers on the University of Notre Dame campus, a post he held at the time of his death.

Father Corcoran was born Feb. 3, 1885 in Chicago. He entered the Holy Cross Community July 4, 1903 and made his perpetual profession June 30, 1906. He was graduated from Notre Dame in 1907 and then studied four years at Holy Cross College, Washington D.C. He was ordained June 30, 1911.

Survivors are a sister-in-law, Mrs. John L. Corcoran of Chicago, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Friday in Corby Hall Chapel on the Notre Dame campus. The office of the dead will be recited at 5 p.m. Sunday in Sacred Heart Church, on campus. The funeral mass will be said there, at 9 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in Holy Cross Community Cemetery. The Hickey Funeral Home is in charge.