Monsignor Edward John Dodwell was born in Philadelphia on July 23, 1905. His mother had always commented that he was born "just in time for six o'clock Mass on Sunday morning." He died in Atlanta on March 16, 1975 just before the Sunday morning Mass. He died at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home where he was in residence.

Msgr. Dodwell spent his early life in Philadelphia where he attended Blessed Sacrament School and West Philadelphia Catholic High. He graduated from high school in 1922.

During his high school years, he worked part-time as a shipping clerk in a department store. He wrote for several publications at his school and took a four-year Latin course because he had the idea that he might possibly study for the priesthood some day.

In 1923, he entered St. Charles Seminary at Overbrook where he studied for three years. He then went to Rome to complete his studies at the North American College. In 1927, Msgr. Dodwell took his examination for his doctorate of philosophy degree.

Because of illness, he returned to Philadelphia in 1928, where he lived at home with his mother and sister. In the summer of 1929, he became a clerk in the drafting department of a manufacturing firm, and continued at that job until 1936.

In 1936, his pastor encouraged Msgr. Dodwell to resume his seminary studies. The previous year, Bishop Gerald P. O'Hara had been sent from Philadelphia to the Diocese of Savannah, so when Msgr. Dodwell thought of returning to the seminary, he wrote to Bishop O'Hara. He was accepted and went to St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained in the Philadelphia Cathedral on June 3, 1939.

Shortly after ordination, Msgr. Dodwell went to Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he earned a doctorate in Canon Law. When he returned to Georgia, he served as officialis for the diocese.

His assignments include: St. Mary's in Augusta, the Cathedral in Savannah, Christ the King in Atlanta, St. Michael's in Gainesville when it was first made an independent mission, Our Lady of Lourdes in Savannah, and Immaculate Conception in Atlanta.

In 1951 Msgr. Dodwell as assigned as chaplain to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home in Atlanta.

Father Patrick Connell is presently the chaplain at the Cancer Home where Msgr. Dodwell was living at the time of his death. Last Sunday morning, Father Connell was called to the deathbed of Adell James who had been at the home for 19 years. Only three hours later he was again summoned, this time to Msgr. Dodwell. Father Connell and the Sisters of the Cancer Home were present as their friend died. They then went immediately to the Chapel for the Sunday morning Mass.