USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 79
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 79
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The Waterbury Baptist Church was organized November 10th, 1803, and was composed first of 29 members, who had been dismissed from the Wallingford church. Among them were Zenas Brockett, David Frost and Isaac Terrell. Elders Samuel Miller and Daniel Wildman first preached, and for several years the members walked to Wallingford to attend communion services. In 1815 Samuel Potter and Jesse Frost were ordained as co-pastors of the church, and meet- ings were more frequently held at the houses of Enoch Frost, at Saw- mill Plain; Nathan Platt, at Plattsville; Samuel Potter, at Hopeville; and John Russell, at Prospect.
In 1817 60 persons were dismissed from the Waterbury church to form the churches in Salem and Bethany, whose organization was kept up until about 1840. After these members had left, in 1817, the first church building was put up at Sawmill Plain, beyond where is now the chapel in the cemetery in that locality. It was a simple and even rude structure, but was used 17 years, and in it the first Sunday school was organized in 1825. The same year Elder Jesse Frost died. The following year Deacon Timothy Porter was licensed to preach, exercising his gift until 1835.
In the latter year the brick church edifice on South Main street was built at a cost of $6,500. In 1859 it was reconstructed, the main en- trance being placed on Bank street. The building was now 40 by 95 feet, and had a spire 125 feet high. In the fall of 1876 the house was thoroughly remodelled. In 1882 this building was sold for business purposes, the last service being held there August 22d, 1882. Turner's Hall was now occupied while the new edifice was building.
Work on the Grand street church was begun in the spring of 1882, and on the 2d of August, that year, the corner stone was laid. The chapel was occupied December 15th, 1882, and the new church was dedicated May 31st, 1883. It is a fine and commodious edifice, and the entire cost of that property was $58,175.52.
After the church began worshipping in the South Main street
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building, in 1835, Elders W. Russell and E. Savage supplied the pulpit until 1838, since which year a regular ministry has usually been main- tained. The pastors were as follows: 1839, Reverend A. D. Watrous, who baptized 81 persons; 1840, Reverend William S. Smith; 1841-3, no pastor, and hard times in consequence of the panic and the unset- tled church debt; 1844, Reverend Allen Darron; 1848, Reverend Ne- hemiah Perkins: 1855-72, Reverend Joseph A. Bailey, died May 11th, 1873, aged 50 years; 1874-7, Reverend George A. Starkweather, who established the mission at Simonsville, which has partaken of the gen- eral prosperity of the church. The chapel at that place was dedicated May 10th, 1876. August 3d, 1877, Reverend G. W. Folwell became the pastor and served until August 15th, 1884; February 27th, 1885, Rever- end John W. Richardson assumed the pastorate and continued until December 9th, 1887. His ministry greatly increased the power and usefulness of the church. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Reverend William P. Elsden, May 4th, 1888.
In 1890 the church reported 565 members. John T. Trott is the treasurer of the church, and Henry F. Sanford the clerk. The Sunday school has 461 members, and the one at Simonsville has 138. Of the latter R. G. Snagg is the superintendent.
The Waterbury Methodist Episcopal Church dates its existence from the closing years of the last century. In the latter part of Sep- tember, 1796, Bishop Asbury preached in the Separate meeting house, in the Columbia district, and a small society of Methodists was formed there soon after. Later, this faith also found lodgment at East Farms, where a class was formed about 1800, which embraced among its mem- bers some who had previously been connected with the Congrega- tional church. The class never became strong in numbers, but the Methodists have remained the principal religious body in that part of the town and maintain worship to this day.
Another Methodist class was organized at Pine Hole (near Water- ville) in 1815, and from these sources has originated the present pros- perous Methodist church in the city. The Waterville class had at first but five members, and never became strong numerically, but those belonging were zealous and full of good works. Many changes in its affairs have taken place, but worship is now statedly held in a build- ing worth $2,500. Samuel R. Hickox was the first class leader and afterward became a local preacher.
The main place of these Methodist meetings was at Waterville, but prayer meetings were often held at the house of one of the members, Mother Mary Peck, who lived in a small red house in the village of Waterbury. Here, later, preaching was held in the school houses and other public places. Samuel R. Hickox was one of the first preachers to regularly proclaim the Gospel.
In 1829 the Methodists of Waterbury received a valuable accession in the family of William Eaves, who were ardent Wesleyans, and who
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that year removed to Waterbury from England. In 1831 a revival, mainly the result of the preaching of Heman Bangs, increased the number from 25 to about 100, and private houses no longer accommo- dated the worshippers. It was now resolved to build a church in the borough of Waterbury. For this purpose a site on Union square was deeded, May 26th, 1832, to trustees William Eaves, Rufus Patchen, Ed- ward Perkins, Jr., and Ebenezer Welton. On this a plain frame meet- ing house was built, which was dedicated April 27th, 1833. This house was used for 21 years, much of the time with a debt resting on it. The members of the Waterbury church were poor in worldly goods, but they increased in numbers and influence. In 1850 there were belonging 245 persons, and the church debt had been fully paid.
The building of a new church more centrally located was begun in 1852, and March 1st, 1854, it was dedicated. This was a plain, com- modious brick building, and stood on the site of the Platt Block, on East Main street, until 1887, when it was demolished. Having be- come too small, it was sold to the Catholics in 1876, for the sum of $25,000, but was used under a lease until the present church could be occupied.
This handsome, roomy and well arranged church edifice is on North Main street and Abbott avenue. The lot was donated by Anson F. Abbott, in September, 1876, and soon thereafter the building was begun. The corner stone was laid July 19th, 1877. The chapel was occupied in January, 1878, and the main room was dedicated May 22d, 1878. The church is at present valued at $70,000. A fine brick par- sonage, adjoining on Abbott avenue, is valued at $7,500.
A number of successful missions have been established by this church. The one begun on Long Hill in 1886 has become St. Paul's church, and is now prosperous as an independent organization. At Simonsville a church was built in 1889, at a cost of $2,000, and it has also become a separate appointment. The aggregate membership of the foregoing churches is about 1,000, and the yearly expense of carry- ing on their work is more than $6,000.
In 1833 the first Sunday school was organized by the Methodists, who now have half a dozen schools in the town. The one connected with the First church has more than 600 members. Anson F. Abbott was the superintendent 23 years, ending in 1883.
The colored people of the city have in recent years organized a church of the Methodistic belief, which is also prosperous and promo- tive of much good among that class of citizens.
Also, in recent years, there has been established a Second Adventist church, and one of the German Baptist persuasion.
On Bunker Hill a Union chapel has been erected, in which services are held by various ministers of the foregoing churches.
In 1886 the First Congregational church organized a branch so- ciety among its German members. In 1890 this branch voted to be-
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come a German Lutheran church, and as such it was fully organized in February, 1891. A chapel on Leavenworth street is occupied, and there is a growing membership, with Reverend E. G. Julius Richter as the pastor.
The Catholics of Waterbury are numerous, progressive and influ- ential. They constitute about one-third of the population and their church property nearly equals in value that of all the other churches combined. This vast estate has been accumulated in several score of years. Scarcely half a century has elapsed since Catholicism has had an established place in the town. Its doctrines were here first preached by the Reverend James Fitton, a missionary priest coming from Bos- ton. In his visit to this place he found a few Catholics, but probably did not celebrate inass. That form of worship was first observed in the town by the priest who followed him, Reverend James T. McDer- mott, who came from New Haven, occasionally until 1837, when he was transferred to Lowell, Mass. He held his meetings at the house of a man named Donnelly, at the West End, and Michael Neville was one of those who was regarded as a leading Catholic.
The next priest to attend Waterbury was Reverend James Smyth, of St. Mary's parish, New Haven. He and Father John Brady were at that time the only resident priests in the state. His services here ex- tended from 1837 until the fall of 1848. His efforts to found a Catholic church in Waterbury were bitterly opposed and in 1839 a plan was laid to drive the Irish Catholics out of town by the use of violent means. But fortunately these base designs were frustrated through the friendly aid of John P. Elton, a Protestant employer of many of the Catholic workmen, who was a just and fair minded man, and the rapid increase of the Catholics soon after, prevented a similar attempt. Father Smyth continued saying mass until 1845, the house of Michael Neville being used as the place of meeting, until the latter year, when Doctor Jesse Porter's Washington Hall was secured and was used un- til the Catholics had their own church.
In 1847 a church lot was secured on the corner of East Main and Dublin streets, where it was proposed to place the old Episcopal church which had been purchased by the Catholics. Its removal from West Main street was begun, but when the building reached the foot of the hill on East Main street, the contractor became satisfied that he must abandon the undertaking on account of the high rising ground. The original plan was now abandoned and another church lot, opposite where the building rested in the street, where is now St. Patrick's Hall, was bought, and there the doors of the first Catholic church were opened as St. Peter's.
In October, 1847, the Reverend Michael O'Neile becaine the first resident priest. Up to that time many of the church rites were cele- brated in New Haven, and often the entire Catholic community, about 100 persons, traveled thither, a distance of 22 miles. Father O'Niele
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first offered the holy sacrifice of the mass in St. Peter's church, on Christmas day, 1847. He was young, full of life, and being zealous to an unusual degree, imparted to his parishioners much of the same spirit. Some time after 1850 he purchased the property on which is now the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and in one of the houses on that lot he lived until July, 1855, when he was transferred to East Bridgeport. He later lived at New Haven, where he died February 25th, 1868, aged 49 years. A monument to his memory has been erected in St. Joseph's cemetery, where he was interred.
Father Thomas F. Hendricken, the second resident priest, began his labors in July, 1855, and his ministry was remarkably successful. The fruits of his good works are still manifest on every hand. Said a later worker in this parish :*
" The seed sown by Father Hendricken is now bearing rich fruit. It is true that some feared he was in advance of his time, and that a few of his undertakings were more or less hazardous . . . But he saw into the future and acted according to the light vouchsafed him. And the future justified his actions. The name of Father Hendricken and the parish of the Immaculate Conception are inseparable.
" He built the present church and parochial residence, established a parochial school in the old church, purchased the property of the convent De Notre Dame, erected the Convent hall, and bought the magnificent property on which St. Mary's school now stands. Though a great deal of that property has been sold from time to time, it is at present, unquestionably, the finest school lot in Connecticut."
Soon after his residence here, Father Hendricken devoted his en- ergies to the building of the new church. The corner stone was laid July 5th, 1857, and on the 19th day of December the church was dedi- cated. The architecture is purely gothic. It presents the following dimensions: extreme length 162 feet, extreme breadth 65 feet, in- terior height 60 feet, height of spire 200 feet.
After 17 years of incessant labor in this parish, Doctor Hendricken was elevated to the bishopric of Providence, his consecration taking place at Providence April 28th, 1872. He discharged the duties of that office until his death June 11th, 1886.
Father James Lynch began his labors here in April, 1872, and re- mained until his elevation to the vicar-generalship of St. Patrick's par- ish, New Haven, in August, 1876. He died in that city in December, the same year. In a short space of time he cleared the Waterbury parish of a debt of $38,000 and left it upon a sound financial basis.
In August, 1876, Reverend Lawrence Walsh was called to the charge of the Immaculate Conception, remaining until July 29th, 1883, when he was transferred to Westerly, R. I. He died in Boston, Jan- uary 3d, 1884.
Father William A. Harty began his ministry in Waterbury August *Reverend James H. O'Donnell.
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4th, 1883, and continued it until January 1st. 1886. In this brief pas- torate he thoroughly renovated the church edifice at a cost of $15,000, without leaving a debt. It was reopened September 28th, 1884. He left the parish to become the rector of the Cathedral at Hartford. During his pastorate he greatly advanced the interests of the parish, whose work has been successfully continued by the present efficient priest, Reverend John A. Mulcahy, the pastor since January 1st, 1886. He is assisted by Reverends J. Flemming and J. H. O'Donnell. In all about 50 assistant priests have aided the foregoing rectors in carry- ing on the work of the parish. The value of the parish property is $150,000, and the population embraces about 6,000 souls.
Out of the original St. Peter's Church at Waterbury, and later the parish of the Immaculate Conception, have been formed three other parishes, viz .: St. Patrick's, St. Anne's and the Church of the Sacred Heart. In 1876 the Methodists sold their church building on East Main street to the Catholics, who in 1878 converted it into St. Patrick's chapel. As such it was used until April, 1887, when it was sold to I. G. Platt, who removed it to make place for his fine block, now oc- cupying that site. In this chapel most of the foregoing churches were organized.
St. Patrick's, under the pastoral care of Reverend J. H. Duggan, sought its field of labor on the west or Brooklyn side of the city. A fine church lot, extending from Bank to Charles street, was purchased, upon which ground was broken in 1880. The corner stone of the edifice was laid in 1881, and since that time the work of building has been carried on. The church when completed will cost $200,000, and will be one of the finest and most commodious in the county. The lower walls of the building are massive granite; the upper part is composed of hammered copper with a stone finish. In 1891 the build- ing was under roof, and the basement part had for several years been occupied. Father Duggan has continued as the resident priest, and his ceaseless labors have augmented the natural growth of the parish, which already has a large membership.
In February, 1885, the parish of the Immaculate Conception was divided, that portion lying east of Welton and Dublin streets, having been erected into a new parish under the patronage of the Sacred Heart, with Reverend Hugh Treanor as its first pastor. He still serves in that connection. In the summer of 1885 the corner stone of the Church of the Sacred Heart was laid, and after several years the fine and substantial edifice was completed at a cost of $80,000. The church is located on East Main street in a growing section of the city, and the outlook for the parish is very promising.
St. Anne's Church, for the use of the French Catholics, is a frame edifice, which was put up in 1888. It is in the southern part of the city on South Main street. The first pastor was Reverend Joseph W. Fones, appointed April 15th, 1886. The first service was May 2d, 1886, in the
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old Universalist society's building. The new church was occupied January 6th, 1889. The present pastor, Reverend J. E. Bourret, came April 15th, 1890. The assistant pastor is Reverend J. E. Senesac.
The entire membership of all these Catholic churches is more than 10,000 souls.
For more than a dozen years the Catholics of Waterbury held their funerals in New Haven. In 1847 a burial lot on Grand street, adjoint- ing the city cemetery, was purchased, and there many Catholics were interred in the next ten years. In 1890 the city condemned these cemeteries for public purposes, and the following year they were fully vacated. On December 1st, 1857, Father Hendricken bought St. Jo- seph's cemetery, paying for the same $2,000. Still greater cemetery privileges were obtained when, in 1884, Father Harty purchased "East Farms" for that purpose. Very proper care for the memory of the dead has been maintained, and many fine monuments may be seen in St. Joseph's cemetery.
Of the parish institutions the Convent de Notre Dame is the oldest. It was established September 8th, 1869, by Father Hendricken. A week later the school was opened by four sisters from Notre Dame, Montreal, with Mother St. Cecilia as the superior. In 1882 Mother St. Gabriel succeeded her, and was at the head of the school until her death, in May, 1887. Since that time Mother St. Mary has been the superior. In the main the school has prospered from the beginning, and an elegant new convent for its use has lately been built. Its dimensions are 80 by 106 feet and it is four stories high. In the fall of 1889 the convent was leased by the original owners to the sisters of the Congregation de Notre Dame, of Montreal, for a term of 999 years, and that body now has sole control.
St. Mary's school was one of the first great works inaugurated by the present priest of the parish of the Immaculate Conception. The corner stone of the building was laid August 29th, 1886, and Septem- ber 3d, 1888, the school was solemnly blessed by Bishop Lawrence McMahon, of Hartford. It is an imposing edifice, containing twelve rooms, each 25 by 29 feet in size. More than 800 pupils are in attend- ance.
The first parochial school was kept in the old St. Peter's church, which was demolished in May, 1888. Upon its site the erection of St. Patrick's Hall was begun, the design being to make this building sup- plementary to the church and school edifices. The building is very ornate, and one of the handsomest in the city. It contains several fine business rooms, a Sunday school assembly room, library and read- ing rooms, a gymnasium and a large hall, seating 900 persons, for society meetings and parish entertainments.
About the same time St. Mary's convent was erected on a lot ad- joining St. Mary's school. It was ready for occupancy November
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27th, 1889, and like all the other parish buildings has a chaste and pleasing appearance. Its entire cost was about $20,000.
The city has a handsomely located and well endowed hospital, which has been in use since January 28th, 1890. But the need for such an institution was felt years before this noble charity was opened. The editor of the Republican, J. Henry Morrow, began urging the building of a hospital as early as September 1st, 1882, and subsequently em- phasizing his faith in the success of the project by raising, through his paper, a large popular subscription. The people having become interested in this matter, Mr. C. H. Carter, at that time in the legisla- ture, was instructed to procure a charter for the Waterbury Hospital, which was approved in March, 1883. The hospital corporation was organized December 15th, 1884, when the following directors were chosen: F. J. Kingsbury, president; A. S. Chase, vice-president; E. L. Frisbie, G. W. Beach, H. C. Griggs, executive committee; J. S. Elton, E. C. Lewis, D. S. Plume and R. E. Hitchcock. A decided effort was next made to collect funds to purchase the Wilson property, on the west side, as a site for a hospital, and after two years that object was accomplished. The property was bought in December, 1886, for $25,- 000, and the work of improving it for the present purpose was soon after begun. Few institutions of a similar nature are situated more favorably or hold a more popular place in the esteem of the community where they are located. Interest in its support continues unabated. All classes of citizens and every religious denomination bear it in re- membrance. Since the movement to have a hospital began the popu- lar contributions have been about $28,000, and systematic collections are now carried on by the Waterbury Hospital Aid Society, which was organized September 13th, 1890.
In the early period of the collections an unexpected and most gen- erous gift of $25,000 was received from Erastus L. De Forest, of Water- town. It was accepted November 22d, 1886. Thus far the name of Mr. De Forest stands as the largest individual benefactor. On the 25th of April, 1887, the general assembly passed an act directing that $25,000 be paid to the hospital from the state treasury as soon as a fund of $50,000 had been received from other sources. This appro- priation became available in the spring of 1889. On the 19th of March that year the hospital also received a gift of $10,000 from a former townsman, Doctor Henry Bronson, of New Haven, for a "perpetual fund for the support of free beds." The value of the hospital prop- erty is now about $100,000.
The hospital was opened with Carrie E. Lewis as matron, and the admissions from January 28th to December 10th, 1890, were 44 males and 41 females. In that period 17 of the patients died.
For many years the old burial ground on Grand street was the principal one in the town. But long ago it became evident that with the growth of the city would come a demand to have it vacated. This
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was fully done in the spring of 1891, when the grounds were graded for a public park. At Sawmill Plain a fine cemetery is maintained, and for the accommodation of those using it an attractive Union chapel has been erected near the main entrance. The Catholics have a fine cemetery in the southeastern part of the city, on Dublin street.
The most prominent place of burial is the lovely Riverside Ceme- tery. This is located on the right hand bank of the Naugatuck river, one-half mile south of Center square. It embraces nearly 40 acres, ly- ing on the second and third benches of that section, the lowest point being 84 feet above the river. A number of wooded hills and knolls in the cemetery produce a pleasant landscape, whose natural beauty has been increased by the skill of man.
To Doctor Amos Blake is given the credit of suggesting the open- ing of a new cemetery. In 1849 he urged the matter so strongly that an association was organized the following year, and a part of the present grounds purchased. Forty-six persons were united in this purpose, May 4th, 1850, when the first board of officers was chosen. The grounds were laid out in 1852, and in July, 1853, the choice of lots was sold. The first interment was made July 14th, 1853, when Harriet Upson was here laid to rest. The following year the ground was enclosed with a wooden fence, but in 1887-8 the fine iron fence on the front side was erected. In 1884-5 the Hall Memorial chapel was erected near the main gateway, and is one of the most marked objects on the grounds. Samuel W. Hall was born July 5th, 1814, and died March 5th, 1877. Among his other bequests was one of $20,000 to build this chapel, which was dedicated to its present use June 11th, 1885. It is in the modern style of Gothic architecture, the walls being of Ashlar stone work. A granite tower, 67 feet high, adds to the ap- pearance of the building.
Near by is a stone indicating that the cemetery was dedicated Sep- tember 24th, 1853.
Fine and costly monuments have been erected in many parts of the cemetery, some of them being of very attractive designs. Thus are marked the graves of some of the men who aided in making the Waterbury of to-day.
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