 Fr. Raymond Thomas Johns, OP
Thomas James Johns was born in London, England on March 13, 1842. After trying his
vocation with the Cistercians, he received the habit of the Order of Preachers “pro
California” in the Priory of the Annunciation, Woodchester, England on March 6, 1870. He made his simple profession in Woodchester as Brother Raymond Henry on March 7, 1871. On
December 7, 1874, he made his solemn profession in Woodchester.
Brother Raymond
studied philosophy and commenced his theology studies in Woodchester. While there he painted the stations of cross which
was housed in the sacristy. He was ordained sub-deacon in 1875 and the next year he came to
St. Dominic’s Priory, Benicia where he continued his studies. He was ordained a priest here in 1878.
Father Johns was assigned to St. Dominic’s Priory, San Francisco, in 1879 and again
to St. Dominic’s Priory in 1883. He drew the rough designs for the present St.
Dominic’s church in Benicia and the second St. Dominic’s Church in San
Francisco, the one destroyed in the earthquake of 1906.
He was also a painter, but did not wish to show his work because it was not
original. Father Raymond Henry Thomas Johns died in St. Mary’s Hospital, San
Francisco, on February 24, 1902, at the age of sixty.
He is buried in St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Benicia.
|
