Rev. Edmund Cheney, S.J. Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SC031-CHEN

Scope and Contents

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This collection contains the personal papers of Rev. Edmund Cheney, S.J., dating from 1930 to 1998, and primarily includes his personal correspondence and photographs. Notably, it contains materials related to Fr. Cheney’s time at Baghdad College from 1937 to 1939, with most of the correspondence from this period consisting of letters he wrote to his parents. These letters offer a valuable glimpse into his experiences teaching and living in Iraq. Some of the photographs and scrapbook pages may document this period, as well as his travels to and from Iraq. Additionally, some images could relate to his missionary work in Jamaica during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Another significant aspect of the collection is the set of photographs related to the Order of Alhambra, an organization Fr. Cheney was actively involved with. The collection also includes two fezzes from the Order. Many of the photographs have curled over time and should be handled with care.

Lastly, the collection contains a variety of ephemera, including awards and certificates presented to Fr. Cheney throughout his career and his life as a Jesuit.

Dates

Creation: 1930 - 1947
Creation: 1971-1998

Creator

Cheney, Edmund, 1910-2003 (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

Materials believed to be under copyright or other restrictions are available for limited noncommercial, educational and personal use only, or for fair use as defined by United States copyright law and with proper citation. Please note that the College of the Holy Cross may not hold the rights to all items in this collection. Users assume responsibility for identifying all copyright holders and for determining whether permission is needed to make any use of the content. For permission under rights held by the College, please contact archives@holycross.edu.

Biographical Note

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Rev. Edmund K. Cheney, S.J. was born on January 7, 1910, in Lowell, Massachusetts. He entered the Jesuit Order on September 7, 1930, leaving Boston College to pursue his calling, and was ordained on June 13, 1942. After completing a year of study at St. Joseph’s University in Beirut, Lebanon, Fr. Cheney taught at Baghdad College from 1937 to 1939. In 1945, he became the pastor of St. Mary’s Mission in Above Rocks, Jamaica, where he founded St. Mary’s College. He also had the honor of being received by the Queen of England in Kingston in 1953.

Fr. Cheney’s work extended beyond Jamaica. In the spring of 1958, he served as the papal representative at the United Nations Food and Health Conference in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. He returned to the United States in 1961 to serve as assistant chaplain at Boston City Hospital, before becoming chaplain at Worcester City Hospital, a role he held until his retirement in 1980.

In retirement, Fr. Cheney remained active in various organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Alhambra, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. He also contributed to the Catholic Alumni Sodality of Worcester County. In 1993, the Vatican honored him as a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Fr. Cheney passed away in 2003.