Boland, John P., 1888-1968

Born in Buffalo. Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1911; named Monsignor in 1946. Father Boland was a strong supporter of organized labor. He was appointed regional director of the National Labor Relations Board in 1934, and served as first chairman of the New York State Labor Relations Board from 1937-1942. He organized and became director of the Diocesan Labor College, and served as a member of the New York State Board of Mediation from 1946-1965.

Diocesan priest and labor activist. He served in several Buffalo parishes before being named the first chairman of the New York State Labor Relations Board, a position he held until 1942. He helped found the Buffalo Diocesan Labor College in 1938 and was active in many labor organizations, including the Catholic Industrial Conference of America.

Following World War II, Monsignor Boland worked for War Relief Services (National Catholic Welfare Conference) in Europe and the Middle East and served as a labor relations consultant to General Douglas MacArthur in Japan. He was pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Buffalo from 1943 until his retirement in 1967.

Throughout his career, Monsignor Boland wrote and spoke extensively on the labor movement and the Catholic Church.