John Barry was born on July 16, 1799, in Oylegate, County Wexford, in Ireland to Sylvester and Mary (Donohue) Barry. While still a seminarian in Ireland, Barry was recruited to immigrate to the United States and finish his theology studies in the Diocese of Charleston.[1]
Barry was ordained to the priesthood in Charleston by Bishop John England for the Diocese of Charleston on September 24, 1825.[2] Barry was then sent to Georgia (then part of the diocese), where he served as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Augusta from 1830 to 1854.[3] During the cholera epidemic of 1832, Barry converted his house in Augusta into a hospital. When the epidemic was over, it became an orphanage.[4] He was appointed vicar general and superior of the seminary in 1844.
When the Diocese of Savannah was erected in 1850, Barry was incardinated, or transferred, there from the Diocese of Charleston. He was named vicar general of the Diocese of Savannah in 1853.[1]
In July 1859, Barry traveled to France for medical treatment. John Barry died on November 19, 1859, in Paris at the convent of the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God.[4] His remains were returned to Augusta, where he was buried at the Church of the Holy Trinity.[3]
