On 3 July 1944, Rev. Emmanuel Callahan fell asleep in the Lord. Fr. Callahan had spent his years as a missionary priest riding horseback through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Although a priest of the Diocese of Nashville, Fr. Callahan crossed the state border and served souls in the North Carolina mountains as well. He was friends with the Benedictines at Belmont Abbey and it was their printing house that printed his books of poetry. His poems were inspired by his work among the people and the scenes of mountain nature he was blessed to behold each day. Fishing for his own food in streams and sleeping on church pews or in hollows of trees, Callahan spread the Catholic faith with great zeal and tireless dedication – even using his own money to help establish small mission churches.