Skip to content ↓

View entry

Back to search results

Name: BURKE, Thomas E. (Father)

image of individual

Birth Date: 13.9.1873 Stonehall, Co. Limerick

Death Date: 18.9.1907 Nairobi, tuberculosis

Nationality: Irish

First Date: 1892

Last Date: 1907

Profession: Subsequently Roman Catholic Priest in Charge, Nairobi

Area: Nairobi

Book Reference: Gillett, Cuckoo, Irish, Land, EAHB 1905, Hut, North, Playne, EAHB 1906, Barnes

General Information:

Land Grant 1905? - Father T. Burke - Agricultural, 640 acres - Near Roman Catholic Mission, Kikuyu - Jan 27 - Homestead, Freehold
Playne - Photo, p. 87
Playne - mention of horse - 'Kikuyu', country bred at St. Augustine's Mission by the late Father Burke (a most popular sporting padre), has won several selling races, and is owned by Captain Riddell.
EAHB 1906 - Father T.N. Burke, Kikuyu
North - Holy Ghost Father - Arr. Zanzibar Oct 1903; In charge of school for Goans at Zanzibar Nov 1903; dep. Zanzibar to teach in Nairobi Dec 1903; Nairobi Mission 1903-7; approved to perform marriages under the Native Marriage Ordinance April 1905; 1906 at Kikuyu
Nairobi South cemetery - Rev. Father Tom Burke, buried 18 Sep 1907 St. Austin's aged 34
Cuckoo - showed Foran around the coffee plantation at the Roman Catholic Mission at Kabete.
North has Thomas Burke, Holy Ghost Fathers, Nairobi Mission 1903-1907
Henry J. Koren, Spiritan East African Memorial, 1994: After studying at Rockwell, he entered the Congregation as a junior scholastic in 1895 and made his first vows October 1, 1899 at Orly. Struck by tuberculosis, he was sent to the Congregation's home for such patients in Pierroton, where he could take the prescribed cure and also finish his theological studies. He was ordained on November 30, 1902. At his own request, he received an assignment to Africa, more specifically, to the Zanguebar Vicariate, in 1903. On arrival in October, 1903, Bp. Allgeyer placed him on the island of Zanzibar to take charge of the small school for Goans and other lndians. Two months later, he went to the healthier climate of Nairobi. To his great regret, he was too weak to take part in the evangelization of the Africans and looked after Goans and European expatriates. He soon became very popular among the 400 Catholics and among Protestants as well in that budding city. He used his popularity to collect funds for the construction of a church for them and saw to it that it was built. Four years after his arrival, he died of tuberculosis

Back to search results