James Coyle

James Coyle (1873-1921) was a Catholic priest who was tragically murdered in Birmingham, Alabama. Born in Drum, County Roscommon, Ireland, Coyle was ordained a priest at the age of 23 and later sailed to Mobile, Alabama, where he served under Bishop Edward Patrick Allen. He became an instructor and rector at the McGill Institute for Boys before being appointed as the pastor of St. Paul's Church in Birmingham. Coyle was highly respected and beloved by the congregation. Tragically, on August 11, 1921, he was murdered by a Ku Klux Klan member for performing an interracial marriage. Coyle's death shed light on the racial tensions and violence in the area at the time.