USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
The same year (1842) the traditions of the preaching of Jesse Lee in Niantic bore fruit and a church was organized. This had been preceded by class-meetings and itinerant preaching. A church was built at that time. In 1873 the present edifice was erected, and later a parsonage. In 1882-83 a large number of Swedish Methodists joined the church. In 1890 an Epworth League was established. Rev. G. H. Wright is the present pastor (1922), and the membership stood at ninety-three in 1920.
The Jewett City church was started in 1874 with a class and a Sunday school. A revival service in that year was followed by a church organiza- tion in 1875. Baltic, Gardner Lake and Versailles were other points where small groups of Methodists formed churches, and where, at one time or another, organizations have been active.
In 1863 a band of Abolitionists came out from the Baptist church in Noank, and seem to have kept together for a number of years. In 1878, after a revival service, a Methodist church was built. This organization is linked by a common pastorate with the Mystic (Bridge) Church.
We left the Methodist Church at New London just moving into the Washington street meeting-house in 1842. Here, after all its ancient troubles, the church greatly thrived. On June 4, 1843, it celebrated the semi-cen- tennial of Methodism in New London. Revivals and steady growth by 1854 had made the building inadequate to the needs of the organization. The difficult project was carried to a successful issue, and the imposing Methodist church building on Federal street (now the Jewish Synagogue) was dedi- cated in 1856. The legacy from Jonathan Coit, Esq. (Congregationalist). was a substantial aid in this effort.
In this much enlarged equipment, Methodism in New London forged ahead under a series of able pastors. A parsonage was secured in 1882 through the activities of the Ladies' Aid Society. Bishop Ames presided over a conference here in 1864, and other conferences were entertained in 1877 and 1891. In 1893 the centennial of the advent of Methodism in New London County was duly commemorated.
The lengthened pastorate of the late Rev. C. Harley Smith (1911-1918) in the Federal Strect Church will be long remembered by the present gen- eration.
In 1918 began the pastorate of Rev. Myron T. Genter. It soon became evident that Methodism in New London needed a much ampler equipment for its strong development. Fortunately, it had kept a solid unity in the city, and had a host of friends on the outside. With marked heroism, the pastor and his official board took hold of the project. Land was secured for a new structure directly north of the old court house in which Jesse Lee preached in 1793. With rare business sagacity, the project was carried through, and the beautiful church, with ample equipment for social purpose, was dedicated by Bishop Edwin H. Hughes, November 13, 1921. The dedi-
314
NEW LONDON COUNTY
cation came at the close of a series of evangelistic services in the church and community conducted by Rev. Dr. Milton S. Reese. One most interesting and inspiring event following the dedication services was the welcoming of one hundred and twenty-seven new members as the first official act in the newly consecrated building. This brought the entire membership up to seven hundred and nine. The church and its pastor have been active in the Federation of the Churches of New London County and Vicinity since its origin in 1920.
Thus it is seen that while Methodism in New London county stands fourth in numbers among the Protestant bodies, it has been a powerful element in the spiritual development of the Kingdom of God in south-eastern Connecticut. The New London county contingent of the Norwich District under the administration of Rev. William H. Bath as superintendent, in- cludes eighteen churches and preaching stations, with about twelve hun- dred members. They form a strong harmonizing element in the religious life of the county.
VII.
OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES IN NEW LONDON COUNTY
Scattered throughout New London are a large number of Protestant denominations with one or more small organizations doing faithful work for the Kingdom of God. In New London there are the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the A. M. E. Zion Church, All Souls' Church (Federated Universalist- Unitarian)* and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, together with a number of auxiliary organizations like the Learned Mission and the Salvation Army. The Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. form the specialized institutional work for young men and women by the churches. In Norwich there are also similar groups of organizations, the Universalist Church being of long standing in that community. The data for all this scattered effort is not easy to gather.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Among the many organizations which have come into existence in this county during the past sixty years, none has proved more effective or valuable than the Young Men's Christian Association. On June 1, 1867, in the town of New London, forty-seven young men met and organized a "Y. M. C. A.," which has existed continuously up to the present day with increasing value to the churches and the community, and from which thousands of young men and boys have carried influence and inspiration into other States and perhaps into foreign lands. As the years passed, Associations were formed in other towns in the county, but their history is brief, the work having been abandoned for various reasons, principally lack of trained leadership.
In those early days the activities of this Association were largely of a religious nature, and therefore did not appeal to young men of all classes. At the same time the social feature was recognized by the directors as some- what necessary; they also encouraged the formation of a Literary Society, which became a means of benefit to those who were interested in it. *See page 321.
315
RELIGION IN NEW LONDON COUNTY
Three years later, in 1870, the records showed a decided increase in the membership and in the amount of work which had been accomplished. More religious meetings were being held in different sections of the town, a build- ing fund of $1,000 had been accumulated, and other features which had been added were attracting the favorable attention of the public.
For the next decade the work moved on in the usual way, with the emphasis still on the religious phase, but during the period 1880-1900, the last twenty years of the nineteenth century, the scope of the work was broad- ened, and in 1885 the first general secretary, Mr. R. F. True, was chosen to guide the Association's affairs and to devote his whole time to carrying out its important program for young men and boys. Mr. True assumed his duties in December, and the movement advanced steadily. After two years he resigned, but he had demonstrated to the directors that a general secre- tary was essential to the success of the Association, and the vacant position was soon filled by Mr. A. L. Willis, who had been an active worker in the New Haven Association for a number of years. Efficiency in all departments characterized his administration. Particularly noticeable were the increased membership and the greater prominence given to the physical department.
After the departure of Mr. Willis at the end of two years, a temporary secretary served for a few months. Then, on June 1, 1891, a permanent secretary was secured in the person of Mr. F. H. Law, a graduate of the Inter- national Training School of Springfield, Massachusetts, who filled the position four years. When he gave it up and left the city, he had the assurance that his labors were much appreciated and that the directors and members greatly regretted his decision.
Mr. Law was followed by Mr. Richard W. Mansfield, who had cooperated with him as assistant secretary. Mr. Mansfield remained in charge of the Association for seventeen years, doing a constructive work. A building was secured in the form of a residential home, to which a gymnasium was added as a valuable asset to the property. The whole plant was valued at about $20,000. Mr. Mansfield made numberless friends. When he resigned as the executive head of the Y. M. C. A., he was given the position of city mission- ary, which he still occupies to the great satisfaction of all the people of the city.
The next in chronological order was Mr. Charles A. Green, formerly of New Jersey. In the four years which he served as general secretary, dating from 1913, he did a noble work. The old property was disposed of and a new and commodious structure, erected at a cost of about $150,000, was dedi- cated on February 16, 1916. A few months later, Mr. Green was called to a larger field, and Mr. John C. Church succeeded him at New London, con- tinuing in office until 1920. The present general secretary is Mr. Clyde L. Williamson. The work of the organization is in a prosperous condition and the outlook for the future is most encouraging.
The foregoing facts pertain to the town and city of New London, but the Y. M. C. A. movement in the county, even in those remote days, was not confined to that one place, for in 1870 the young men of Norwich organ- ized an Association which flourished for a while, then was discontinued for
316
NEW LONDON COUNTY
the time being, because the necessary support from the community was with- held. After several years had elapsed, interest was re-created in the welfare of young men and boys, and a new Association was organized in 1885, which has been doing a most excellent work throughout the past thirty-seven years, with the loyal approval and liberal financial support of the public-spirited citizens. One building was provided and dedicated in 1897. At this writing a new and more modern structure is being erected and the old one is soon to be sold.
The activities of this Association have been broad. The members have obtained rich benefits for themselves, but they have also endeavored to carry out the purpose of the Y. M. C. A. Brotherhood-"A work for young men, by young men." Nearly four decades ago the "Rose of New England" found its place among the Young Men's Christian Associations of America. Through the intervening years it has strengthened a host of young men and boys physically, socially, educationally and religiously, or has provided them with employment or homes, or has given them helpful counsel and advice.
The board of directors are to be congratulated upon their success in securing such efficient men as leaders for the work. As they have come to the field in turn and assumed their duties and discharged their responsibilities as general secretaries, they have seemed to be, each one, performing his part in the same infinite plan. Beginning with Mr. C. K. Flanders and continuing in succession, the list contains the names of Messrs. R. S. Ross, I. V. Cob- leigh, O. E. Ryther, F. H. Merrill, F. R. Starkey, W. A. Morse, and Edwin Hill, who is in the field today, having the confidence of all the people.
It would not be possible to express in financial terms or in statistics what has been done by these two organizations. Suffice it to say that the time and money invested in both have produced results far beyond what the most sanguine could have anticipated. Because of it all, Connecticut has better sons, better fathers, better citizens, better laymen as well as ministers, to direct Christian activities.
The most recent development of the Y. M. C. A. movement in New Lon- don county is what is known as the "County Work," which was begun on March 10, 1919, under the direction of State County Work Secretary, Mr. Harry Hedley Smith. On that date a county organization was effected on the Y. M. C. A. basis, and a committee was elected. The same plan is in operation today and the committee consists of the following: Benjamin T. Marshall, chairman, New London ; W.G. Park, vice-chairman, Hanover ; Allyn L. Brown, vice-chairman, Norwich; Ralph H. Melcer, treasurer, Montville; George H. Bathgate, East Lyme; Frank Palmer, Bozrah; E. T. Bunyan, Col- chester ; Frank E. Robinson, Griswold; C. W. Allyn, Groton; Otto Pultz, Lebanon; Reginald L. Lord, Lyme; Hadlai A. Hull, New London; E. E. Rogers, New London; H. M. Swinney, Niantic; C. E. Carpenter, Norwich ; Harry M. Clark, Norwich; Dr. A. L. Stebbins, Colchester; Fred H. Topliff, Versailles; James Cooper, Mystic.
A county secretary, Mr. C. A. Pipher, is in charge of the work, with an office at 102 Thayer building, Norwich. There are twelve groups organized
317
RELIGION IN NEW LONDON COUNTY
in thirty-two committees in the county, in which effective work is being carried on.
This is only a brief statement, but to the thoughtful reader it cannot fail to indicate to a high degree the power of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation in the building of manhood in the local community and the county, and also in the larger spheres of the State and the country.
VIII. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES
The Roman Catholic churches of New London county are in the Diocese of Hartford, which also embraces the entire State of Connecticut, and with officiary as follows: Rt. Rev. John J. Nilan, D.D., Bishop; Rt. Rev. John G. Murray, Auxiliary to the Bishop; Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas S. Duggan, Vicar General; Rev. William H. Flynn, Chancellor and Secretary.
The manager of the Diocesan Board for the Protection of Dependent Children for New London county is Rev. John N. Broderick, of Norwich. The Diocesan director of the Holy Name Society and district director of New London county is Rev. William A. Keefe, of Norwich.
There are seventeen parishes in New London county, of which there are in the city of New London three parishes; in the town of Norwich, five. These and the other churches are as follows:
St. Mary's Star of the Sea, New London-Pastor, Rev. Timothy M. Crowley, LL.D. Assistants-Rev. Alexander Wollschlager and Rev. John J. McGrath.
St. Joseph's, New London-Pastor, Rev. William C. Fitzsimons.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New London-Pastor, Rev. Paul Kosczyk.
St. Patrick's in Norwich City, 205 Broadway-Pastor, Rev. M. H. May. St. Patrick's Parochial School is in charge of teachers from the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Loyola, Superior, with nine other sisters resident there.
St. Mary's, 192 North Main street, Norwich-Pastor, Rev. W. A. Keefe. The Parochial School maintained by the parish is in charge of Sisters of Mercy from the Convent of Mary Immaculate, Sister Anacletus, Superior, eight sisters being under her care.
Sacred Heart Parish at Norwich Town-Pastor, Rev. C. W. Brennan.
Sacred Heart Parish of Taftville-Pastor, Rev. U. O. Bellerose. The parish has a Parochial School requiring in its various grades and depart- ments sixteen teachers, Sisters of Mercy; Mother Geraldine, Superior.
St. Joseph's (Polish), 120 Cliff street, Norwich City-Pastor, Rev. Ig- natius Maciejewski.
St. Patrick's Parish of Mystic-Pastor, Rev. W J. Fitzgerald.
Sacred Heart Parish of Groton-Pastor, Rev. William Fox.
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish of Jewett City-Pastor, Rev. John Mc- Cabe.
St. Andrew's Parish of Colchester-Pastor, Rev. Philip J. Mooney ; assistant, Rev. Daniel Sullivan.
St. Joseph's Parish of Occum-Pastor, Rev. Frederick Oessureault.
St. Mary's Parish, Stonington-Pastor, Rev. James E. O'Brien.
Immaculate Conception Parish of Baltic-Pastor, Rev. William T. O'Brien.
318
NEW LONDON COUNTY
St. Thomas's Parish, Voluntown-Pastor, Rev. Ludovic Paradis. St. John's Parish, Uncasville-Pastor, Rev. John F. Quinn.
Legally, St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church of New London is St. Patrick's Corporation. The name St. Mary's Star of the Sea has been the recognized name of the parish for half a century. The church had its inception in the first mass ever sung in the city, about 1840, by Father Filton, who was then pastor of a church in Worcester, Massachusetts. The first service was held in a building on Washington street, a second mass being celebrated by the reverend father in a building at the corner of Bank and Bleinman streets. These services created an interest among the Catholics of New London, and soon afterwards St. John's parish was formed, and a chapel was erected on Jay street. Father Filton was followed by Father Brady, who in 1848 was succeeded by Rev. James Gibson, the first resident pastor. He remained with the parish two years, Rev. Peter Blenkinsop be- coming pastor in 1850; Rev. P. Duffy in 1851; then Rev. F. Stokes, who in October, 1852, gave way to Rev. Thomas Ryan, under whose pastorate a new church, St. Patrick's, was erected on Truman street, below Blackhall street. That church was consecrated May 4, 1855, the Jay street chapel being retained by the parish and used for church purposes. Father Ryan remained with St. Patrick's parish until 1858, and then was succeeded by Rev. P A. Gaynor, who remained until 1866. During that period he organized St. John's Literary Society, and started it on its long and useful career. In 1866 Rev. B. Tully became pastor, and while his pastorate was a short one, he left an indelible impress upon the history of the parish through his purchase of the large lot at the corner of Washington and Huntington streets. In August, 1867, Rev. P. Grace, D.D., became pastor, and he, too, made church history by begin- ning the erection of the present large and well planned structure in which the congregation worships in everincreasing numbers. Father Grace re- mained but a short time, being followed by Rev. E. A. Connor as pastor, he having as assistant Father Furlong. Father Connor continued building operations, and also organized St. Mary's Benevolent Society. He died in 1871, Father Furlong having temporary charge of the parish. Rev. M. Tier- ney became pastor in May, 1872, and during his short pastorate organized Star of the Sea Total Abstinence Society. In January, 1874, Rev. P. P. Lalor was made pastor, and under him the parish became St. Mary's Star of the Sea, and the large granite structure, one of the finest in the State, was completed and dedicated in May, 1876, with imposing ceremonies. Father Lalor was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. Thomas Broderick, whose pastorate extended over a period of four years, Rev. Thomas Joynt coming to the parish on May 28, 1883. The present pastor, Rev. T. D. Crowley, LL.D., succeeded Father Joynt as pastor, July 22, 1910. The congregation is a large one, about thirty- five hundred worshippers attending service every Sunday morning, five masses being celebrated, the children having a special mass in the basement. The Sunday school numbers eight hundred scholars. St. Mary's has a Con- vent of Sisters of Mercy, who are in charge of the parochial school, of which Rev. John J. McGrath is principal. The school course covers eight grades;
319
RELIGION IN NEW LONDON COUNTY
the graduating class of 1922 numbering seventy-two. There are twelve teachers, including special instructors in music, art, and domestic science.
Under Dr. Crowley's pastorate the church tower with its flaming cross was completed, the marble altars placed in the church and the interior redeco- rated and renewed.
A Norwich newspaper item of November 14, 1793, recites: "On Friday evening John Thayer, a Catholic missionary, delivered to a large audience at the Rev. Joseph Strong's meeting house (First Congregational) a learned and ingenious discourse in which he undertook to prove that the Catholic church was the only true church of Christ." This missionary priest delivered another doctrinal sermon the Sunday evening following, and with this ex- cepton there is no mention of a Roman Catholic service until 1831, when a priest from Worcester, Massachusetts, then the nearest Catholic mission, began occasional visits. The first mass was celebrated in the town about 1840 by Rev. James Filton, who about the same time visited New London. The first sacrament recorded as administered in Norwich was the baptism of Catherine, daughter of John and Eleanor Connolly, by Father Filton, May 15, 1836. The first Catholic marriage in Norwich was also performed by Father Filton, June 30, 1840, when he united John Savage and Mary Melvin.
St. Mary's Mission was organized and a chapel begun in 1843. The church, small, but sufficiently large to accommodate the congregation, was first occupied for religious services March 17, 1845. In May of that year, Rev. John Brady was placed in charge of the Norwich Mission, he being followed by Rev. William Logan, who was succeeded by Rev. Peter Blenkin- sop, who remained in charge of Norwich and neighboring missions until September, 1851. There were then three thousand Catholics residing in Norwich and vicinity, over whom Rev. Daniel Kelly was settled as pastor in 1851 ; he remained until August, 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. Peter Kelly. St. Mary's Chapel had been enlarged several times to meet the demands of the congregation, and under Father Kelly a beginning was made toward building the much needed new church, he buying two adjoining lots on Church street. On March 17, 1867, ground was broken for the building, but the church authorities disapproved the location, and it was abandoned for church purposes. Father Kelly was succeeded soon afterward by Rev. Bernard Tully, who a few months later was followed by Rev. Daniel Mullen, who became pastor January 20, 1868. Father Mullen, after careful con- sideration, selected a plot on Broadway, about in the center of the scattered parish, which extended from Yantic on the north to Thamesville on the south and west, and to Greeneville and part of Preston on the east. Ground was broken March 17, 1870, and a new church was erected in the most sub- stantial manner. The cornerstone was laid July 13, 1873, and work con- tinued until the fall of 1877 under the direction of Father Mullen, who died during the last months of the year, leaving the church uncompleted. It was estimated that up to that time, $200,000 had been spent in the construc- tion of walls, roof, and tower up to the peak of the roof then in course of completion.
320
NEW LONDON COUNTY
Rev. P. P. Strahan became pastor in April, 1878, and at once assumed responsibility for the completion of the church, and so energetically did he prosecute the work that it was possible to use the building by March 17, 1879, when the first mass was celebrated. On September 28, 1879, the church was dedicated, Archbishop Gibbons, of Baltimore, later Cardinal, and now gone to his reward, preaching the sermon. A fitting honor was paid Father Filton, who offered up the first mass in Norwich thirty-six years before, and who built the first Catholic church there, in making his presence a feature of the occasion. This great church, a fine specimen of ecclesiastical archi- tecture, now known as St. Patrick's, seats nearly two thousand people, while the basement, reserved for the children, seats one thousand. St. Mary's Church seats twelve hundred, and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Nor- wich Town seats four hundred.
St. Mary's congregation has continued to worship in the old church on Central avenue, but a handsome church edifice built of Weymouth granite is nearing completion, Rev. William A. Keefe is the present pastor.
St. Patrick's parish is under the pastorate of Rev. M. May. Both parishes in all their departments are in a prosperous condition.
Until 1872, Taftville Catholics were under the pastoral care of the church at Norwich, but in October of that year they were placed under the care of the church at Jewett City, mass being celebrated in the town hall. In 1874, Rev. John Russell succeeded to the pastorate, and to his zeal and energy the Catholic church that crowns the Taftville hills, is due. That church was dedicated April 18, 1878. The present pastor of Sacred Heart parish is Rev. U. O. Bellerose.
The early Catholics of Jewett City received spiritual consolation from Father McCabe, of Danielson, a missionary priest whose district then included several Connecticut counties. In 1861, Rev. James Quin, stationed at Moosup, was given jurisdiction over the town of Griswold. In April, 1866, he pur- chased the church of the Second Congregational Society. Father Quin was succeeded by Rev. Ferdinand Bolenger, who in turn gave way to Rev. James B. Reynolds, who became the first resident pastor at Jewett City. Father Reynolds, of delicate constitution, succumbed to the hardships of his large mission field, and after a short pastorate died, in December, 1874. In Janu- ary following, Rev. John Russell became pastor, continuing until June, 1878. During his pastorate the church was greatly enlarged and embellished. In June, 1878, Rev. Thomas P. Joynt became pastor, and under him the con- gregation erected a new and appropriate parsonage. The present pastor is Rev. John McCabe.
Prior to 1850, Rev. James Felton, of Boston, Massachusetts, preached in Pawcatuck for the benefit of the Catholics there residing. There was no Catholic church there, and his services were held in the open air. He was, however, tendered the use of the Union meeting house, the trustees offering it to the preacher whenever he needed it. For five years Father Felton con- tinued his pastoral ministrations, Father Daley succeeding him, and followed after a year's service by Father Duffy, who remained two years, then being succeeded by Rev. Thomas Dray, who remained six years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.