Central City in Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Father Edouard Gerard

Founder First Catholic Church in Phoenix, 1881

— Historic Site —

Father Edouard Gerard Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

1. Father Edouard Gerard Marker

Inscription. The first priest ordained in Arizona, Father Edouard Gerard, attended the Catholic people of Phoenix from Florence, Arizona, where he was the pastor of the Church of the Assumption from 1877 to 1885. For many years, Father Gerard was Vicar General of the Vicariate Apostolic and Diocese of Tucson. In recognition of his service to the Church, he was named Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XI. This devoted French missionary died in Prescott, on Christmas Day, 1936, and is buried in Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson.

Erected by Diocese of Phoenix and Arizona Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 33° 27.03′ N, 112° 4.155′ W. Marker is in Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is in Central City. It is on East Monroe Street near North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is to the right of the St. Mary's Basilica church entrance on Monroe Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix AZ 85004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pope John Paul II (a few steps from this marker); Saint Mary's Basilica (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Carriage House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phoenix Union High School World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Latter-day Saint Chapel in Phoenix (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel San Carlos (approx. ¼ mile away); Maricopa County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phoenix.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Rosson House (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Rt Rev Msgr Edward Gerard. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on July 13, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. St. Mary's Basilica History. Website entry (Submitted on December 2, 2019.)

Father Edouard Gerard image. Click for full size.

via Find A Grave, unknown

2. Father Edouard Gerard

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

3. Father Edouard Gerard Marker

Saint Mary's Basilica image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

4. Saint Mary's Basilica

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

5. Saint Mary's Basilica

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on July 13, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.