John O'Donnell was born in Dumbarton on 18 July 1918. He studied at St Peter's College in Bearsden and was ordained to the Priesthood on 29 June 1944. He was one of the youngest ever to be made a Monsignor. Having been Parish priest in St Brigid's Newmains, he was transferred to Wishaw in 1967 to take over as Parish Priest of St Ignatius while still holding the position of Chancellor of the Diocese of Motherwell. He rebuilt the presbytery and celebrated his Silver Jubilee of priestly ordination here in 1969. Unfortunately, ill health forced him to retire in 1984 after 19 years as Parish Priest and Chancellor. He died after a lengthy illness in this Parish on 3rd March 1989 and his funeral took place in the church.