author
Francis Clement Kelley
1870–1948
A Canadian-born Catholic bishop, author, and organizer, he helped bring the Church to far-flung communities in the United States and later led the Diocese of Oklahoma City. His life joined practical institution-building with a strong public voice in print and diplomacy.
2 Audiobooks
Charred Wood
by Francis Clement Kelley
The City and the World and Other Stories
by Francis Clement Kelley
About the author
Born in Prince Edward Island in 1870, Francis Clement Kelley was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Detroit in 1893. He became widely known as the founder of the Catholic Church Extension Society in 1905, an organization created to support Catholics in mission territories and scattered communities across the United States.
Kelley was not only a church leader but also an active writer and public figure. He published books and was known for a style that brought Catholic life and church affairs to a broad readership. His work also included diplomatic service, which added to his reputation beyond strictly diocesan work.
In 1924 he was appointed Bishop of Oklahoma City, where he served until his death in 1948. Remembered as a builder and communicator, he played an important role in shaping Catholic life in Oklahoma while leaving behind a body of writing that kept his name in circulation long after his lifetime.