Murder at the Cathedral: Remembering Birmingham’s Priest, a Century Later

Murder at the Cathedral: Remembering Birmingham’s Priest, a Century Later

Birmingham, AL – Today a stirring memorial was held at the Cathedral of St. Paul for the late Rev. James E. Coyle, brutally gunned down near the front of the cathedral 103 years ago in 1921. This solemn occasion brings back long-buried memories of this dark period in Birmingham’s history.

A Painful Past Revisited

Kathleen Grimm, the first cousin twice removed from Rev. Coyle, recounts her father’s tales about the slain priest and his undying faith. Back in 1921, Rev. Coyle was the pastor of the Cathedral of St. Paul, Birmingham from 1904 until he met his tragic end.

Rev. Coyle was assassinated on his front porch on August 11, 1921. The congregation rallied together to honor their fallen pastor, commissioning the building of a new brick rectory on the same site. The rectory was erected in memory of the Father and remains a significant part of the cathedral’s history, today nearing its completion after undergoing major renovations.

Historic Murder Trial Revived

Rev. Coyle’s tragic murder case gained national attention, partly due to the presence of the future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black. He represented the accused killer, the Rev. Edwin R. Stephenson, a Methodist minister also part of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The KKK, known for its anti-Catholic sentiments, funded the legal expenses and ensured that Jury, including several members of the Klan, acquitted Stephenson.

Stephenson owned a reputation as a marriage officiant at the Jefferson County Courthouse and was accused of becoming irate over Rev. Coyle officiating his daughter’s wedding to Pedro Gussman, a Puerto Rican man. The trial was tainted with racially based strategies, including dimming lights to highlight Gussman’s complexion. A few years after the trial, Hugo Black abandoned his Klan allegiance and assumed a position on the liberal side of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rev. Coyle – An Unforgettable Legacy

Birmingham was rampant with anti-Catholic bigotry during the time of Rev. Coyle’s assassination. Rev. Coyle, a champion of immigrants, had faced several death threats from the KKK, causing the federal authorities to alert his bishop.

Despite the threats, Rev. Coyle reportedly continued his daily ritual of reading his prayer book on the front porch. Post-acquittal, Stephenson returned to his duties at the courthouse. His daughter, his only child, never reconciled with him after the trial. Meanwhile, Rev. Coyle was remembered as a martyr for the faith.

One of the plans to honor Rev. Coyle’s memory involved placing a historical marker at his place of assassination. The historical marker would serve as a silent storyteller and reminds passers-by of the tragic history behind the bricks of the cathedral.

Rev. Coyle’s Lasting Influence

In his time, Rev. Coyle contributed to the community during the 1918 influenza pandemic, offering to print sermons and other religious materials in the local newspaper, The Birmingham News. This action helped locals adhere to their faith during a difficult time. Rev. Coyle’s courageous acts of standing up against bigotry, rallying support for immigrants, and continually serving his community have left an indelible mark. He is remembered as a symbol of strength and the embodiment of unwavering faith – a testament of his profound legacy at the Cathedral of St. Paul, in Birmingham.