12/24/2025
When Father Bandini led an exodus to establish Tontitown, the remnant at Sunnyside were left without a priest for a while. That changed with the arrival of Father Galloni in late December 1903. Today marks 93 years since the end of this remarkable man’s earthly life, as recounted in this excerpt from Italians of Sunnyside: the History from 1895.
Father Joachim Galloni, who was born in Italy on January 10, 1871, came directly from Genoa, Italy on September 14, 1903 and immediately went to Father Bandini at Tontitown. In the latter part of December of the same year, he went to take care of the Catholic community of Italians at Sunnyside.
Due to the absence of a rectory, he initially boarded with one of the good Italian farmers of the area, Alessandro Alpe. One room of the farmhouse comprised his bedroom, study, and church for more than a year. He said Mass in the home on a table, with a crucifix hanging on the wall. Mary Borgognoni remembers her mother, Marcella Alpe Borgognoni, saying that as a young girl, she saddled his horse many times as he prepared to visit the inhabitants of Sunnyside.
Father Galloni desired to build a little church but was not able to get any accommodations in Sunnyside. Still determined, he moved the project to Lakeport, a short distance away. With the help of the Bishop and two Protestant friends, they found a temporary place to gather. This made it convenient for the people of Sunnyside. However, in 1905 he finally gained possession of a corn crib in Sunnyside, and this improvisation met the needs of their church from 1905 – 1912.
By 1912 many families left Sunnyside to live in other parts of the country, developing other interests and trades along with their farming.
At that time Father Galloni also left Sunnyside and chose to reside with Father Matthew in Lake Village. He was appointed pastor on July l, 1913, by his Excellency Bishop Morris.
Much was accomplished during the pastorate of Father Galloni. The unsightly dilapidated fences were removed and replaced by attractive and substantial iron fences. (These still enclose the church property and cemetery today). The room in the rear, which had been used for a school, was papered and painted, and the other buildings were generally renovated. A large, modern, and well-equipped school (St. Mary’s Catholic School) was erected in April of 1926.
Father Galloni established the St. Isidore Society because the Catholic community was largely made up of farmers, and they had a special devotion to the Saint. After making their first Holy Communion, all males who paid yearly dues of 50 cents were officially members. Members served as honorary pallbearers for every funeral. Father Galloni also named the new cemetery the St. Isidore Cemetery.
On December 23, 1933, Father Galloni died tragically as a result of an automobile wreck. A solemn, pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop John B. Morris of Little Rock, who was assisted by the clergy of the diocese on Wednesday, December 27, 1933.
The burial took place in the Saint Isidore Cemetery, at the foot of the cross in accordance with his oft expressed wish; it was a place he’d been so fond of. At the age of 61, death claimed the soul of this dedicated priest who had served this parish for 25 years.
