Reverend David Dillon Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection is composed of three books. One of the books is a compilation of congratulation from Reverend Dillon’s friends in recognition of his Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years as a pastor. It is mainly in print and includes handwritten signatures in the back. The other 2 books are scrapbooks of articles pertaining to Reverend Dillon’s life, career, achievements, and death as well as letters, photographs, and sympathy cards. In addition, there is a collection of black and white photographs of Rev. Dillon along with photographs of the rectory at St. Philip’s Parish in Battle Creek, Michigan along with photographs of the rectory at that parish. These books are loosely bound together.
Dates
- Creation: 1902-1933
Creator
- Dillon, David Leo, 1871-1933 (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Reverend David Leo Dillon (1871 – 1933) was born and grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan. He studied law at the University of Michigan and then practiced it for a short time in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He decided to become a priest and studied at Assumption College in Massachusetts and then at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Ohio. After completing his studies and becoming ordained in 1902, Reverend Dillon gave his first mass at St. Mary’s Church in Paw Paw, Michigan. He stayed in Michigan becoming an assistant pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Douglas and then a pastor in Fenton and Clinton before ending his career as the chaplain of Leila Hospital in Battle Creek where he also subsequently passed away in 1933.
Full Extent
.25 Cubic Feet ; Collection consists of 3 books ranging in size from 11 inches x 7.75 inches to 12.5 inches by 9 inches.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection is composed of three bound books relating to Reverend David Dillon’s life and service to the Catholic Church in Michigan. They range from 1902 to 1933 and include a testimonial and scrapbooks of his life and service.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was part of the Congregation of St. Joseph and given to the Regional History Collections. The photographs came to the collection in 2025 from the Congregation of St. Joseph.
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .25 cubic feet and is composed of 3 books ranging in size from between 11 inches x 7.75 inches to 12.5 inches x 9 inches. The collection is in fairly good condition overall. The articles are yellowing but all of the print and handwritten signatures are legible.
Subject
- Catholic Church--Clergy (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Reverend David Dillon Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Katie Burrell, Lynn Houghton, Mallory Heslinger
- Date
- 2025-08-28
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu