Patrick Joseph Minahan (1866-1933) was born in Killaloe, Ireland. He arrived in Sydney in 1870 and by 1890 had opened a boot factory in Newtown. Minahan joined the Labor Party and was president in 1910.
He contributed to organising and financing of the State and Federal electoral victories. He also held the State seat of Belmore in 1910-17. In July 1909, he chaired the meeting that established the Catholic Club and was President from 1909-24.
Minahan had become wealthy, with retail properties across Sydney and was known as the 'Boot King'. Active in the St Vincent de Paul Society, he helped to found St Vincent's Boys' Home at Westmead in 1891-96 and contributed to other Catholic charities.
He became the foundation chairman of the Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) in March 1919 and was national president in 1922-23. The KSC is an Australian wide federation of Catholic laymen who operate with the support of the Australian Bishops to serve the wider community and support those in need. In 1920, he received the papal knighthood of St Sylvester.
Minahan was opposed to Jack Lang’s policies, and claimed that the new 'red rules' opened the door to 'Sovietism'. He believed the Labor Party was no longer the one he had known 'for over thirty years', and that members of branches were now subordinate to trade unionists. He ran as an independent against Lang in the elections for Auburn but lost.
Minahan died of coronary occlusion at Lewisham in October 1933. Survived by his wife, five children from his first marriage and two from his second. He was buried in Rookwood Catholic Cemetery. His wealth and restless individuality had made him an unusual member of the Labor Party.
In March 2019, a special Mass to commemorate the centenary of the KSC was celebrated at St Michael the Archangel Chapel in the presence of current Knight members and the Minahan family. A commemorative plaque and restoration works were completed at his grave located in Mortuary 1 of Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.
The KSC will be in St Michaels Chapel on Sunday 22 September 2019 for the Rookwood Open Day and performing organ recitals. We welcome everyone to come into the chapel to hear the lovely music and join a tour with the Friends of Rookwood from 10am -3pm.
Read lessPatrick Joseph Minahan (1866-1933) was born in Killaloe, Ireland. He arrived in Sydney in 1870 and by 1890 had opened a boot factory in Newtown. Minahan joined the Labor Party and was president in 1910.
He contributed to organising and financing of the State and Federal electoral victories. He also held the State seat of Belmore in 1910-17. In July 1909, he chaired the meeting that established the Catholic Club and was President from 1909-24.
Minahan had become wealthy, with retail properties across Sydney and was known as the 'Boot King'. Active in the St Vincent de Paul Society, he helped to found St Vincent's Boys' Home at Westmead in 1891-96 and contributed to other Catholic charities.
He became the foundation chairman of the Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) in March 1919 and was national president in 1922-23. The KSC is an Australian wide federation of Catholic laymen who operate with the support of the Australian Bishops to serve the wider community and support those in need. In 1920, he received the papal knighthood of St Sylvester.
Minahan was opposed to Jack Lang’s policies, and claimed that the new 'red rules' opened the door to 'Sovietism'. He believed the Labor Party was no longer the one he had known 'for over thirty years', and that members of branches were now subordinate to trade unionists. He ran as an independent against Lang in the elections for Auburn but lost.
Minahan died of coronary occlusion at ... More
