Ambrose J. Murphy

Ambrose J. Murphy
Saint Paul Church, Cranston, Rhode Island
Born	(1869-07-12)July 12, 1869 Worcester, Massachusetts
Died	May 27, 1949(1949-05-27) (aged 79) Providence, Rhode Island
Known for	Architect, partner in Murphy and Hindle, Murphy, Hindle and Wright and Ambrose J. Murphy

Ambrose J. Murphy (1869–1949) was an American architect whose practice was based in Providence Rhode Island. He was a specialist in ecclesiastical work and, in a career that spanned over 40 years, designed many buildings for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence Rhode Island and Fall River Massachusetts.

Early life and career

Murphy was born July 12, 1869, in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he likely was educated. He began his architectural career with his uncle James Murphy (1834–1907), an ecclesiastical architect in Providence, Rhode Island. After this he worked briefly as a draughtsman for Martin & Hall.

Architectural practice

In 1900 he entered into a partnership with Franklin R. Hindle to form the firm Murphy & Hindle. Benjamin W. Wright joined the firm, now known as Murphy, Hindle & Wright, in 1907. The firm was dissolved in 1917 after which Murphy continued to work under his own name.

In 1918 Murphy began working with Samuel M. Morino, who continued with him and eventually inherited the office after Murphy retired in 1942. Murphy died on May 27, 1949.

Personal life

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Legacy

Ambrose Murphy began his career at roughly the same time that Charles Maginnis of Boston, Massachusetts, was beginning his. Murphy may have been influenced by Maginnis's beliefs. His ecclesiastical buildings are said to be admired locally and some are on National Registers. ^{[citation needed]}

Works

Murphy, Hindle and Wright

• 1908 Holy Ghost Church, Providence, Rhode Island
• 1909 St. Ann Church, Providence, Rhode Island
• 1912 Assumption Church, Providence, Rhode Island
• 1914 St. Rita Church, Warwick, Rhode Island
• 1901-1915 St. Michael Church (The current building replaced the second church built in 1868, and designed by his uncle James Murphy. In 1906, services were moved from the old church into the much larger basement chapel of the new church while the Upper Church was being completed. The Upper Church was dedicated on October 3, 1915.) The parish complex is on the National Register of Historic Places.

References