USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 17
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Lorenz, who came to the church four years ago from Lindenhurst, L. I., succeed- ing the Rev. L. Brunke, who died last year. Its first pastor was Rev. Wm. Jentsch, who served from 1891 to 1898. He was succeeded by Doctor Minkus, Rev. Richard Pfeil and Rev. J. A. Lenke.
In May, 1916, a site for a church was purchased on Grove Street, and during the coming year, if building conditions improve, a new house of worship will be erected. The church started with a membership of 30 and now has 275 contribut- ing members.
The officers of the church, elected in 1917, are: Pastor, Rev. Martin J. Lorenz; secretary, Edward Koslosky; treasurer, Ernest Burtsch.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOIIN'S CHURCH OF WATERBURY 3
The Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church was founded September 20, 1903, by the following German citizens of Waterbury: Reinhold Brenner, Gustav Nickel, Ernest Schnabel, Robert Molzon, Frederick Marlow, August Schmidt, Henrick Bojke, Ferd. Kranvitz, Daniel Kratzke, Ed Litwin. It was served as a mission during the first year by Rev. O. Duessel, of Bristol. In 1904, the Swedish Lutheran Church on Cherry Street was rented and its first pastor in this church was Rev. August Koerber, who remained until 1905. His successor was Rev. Julius Kretzmann. In 1906, during his pastorate, the church was incor- porated and the building at 48-50 Park Place was purchased. In this building the congregation worshipped until November, 1916, when it was sold and tem- porary arrangements were made to hold services in the parish house of St. John's Episcopal Church. Contract has been let for a new church building, and it is now in process of erection on Cooke Street, between Grove and North Main streets. It is expected to be occupied early in 1918.
Rev. Julius Kretzmann left in 1909 for New Haven, and for a time continued to serve the Waterbury congregation. On July 18, 1909, Rev. Valentin Geist came to the church. He remained until January 5, 1914, and was succeeded by Rev. F. H. Lindemann. The present pastor, Rev. Edward Paul Merkel, came to the church in August, 1916.
The church has 85 enrolled on its list, and a Sunday School of about 20, with three teachers in charge. The officers of the church at present are: Pastor, Rev. Edward P. Merkel; secretary, F. H. A. Bufe; treasurer, H. Abel.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTIIERAN ZION CHURCH OF WATERBURY
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church of Waterbury was organized January 1, 1891, and celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1916. It has its own house of worship at 210 Cherry Street, and its membership has shown steady growth during the past decade.
Its officers, elected in 1917, are as follows: Pastor, Rev. J. Herman Olsson ; secretary, Carl E. Olander ; treasurer, Fred Person.
SECOND ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHI OF WATERBURY
The Second Advent Christian Church of Waterbury was organized May 12, 1881, with about a dozen members. The late Thomas Fitzsimons and Kendrick H. Simons were largely instrumental in effecting the same, and both remained members until their death. The widow of the latter, Mrs. Maria A. Simons, of 94 Cherry Street, Waterbury, is the only surviving charter member at the present time.
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The pastors have been as follows, in the order named: Rev. Geo. L. Teeple, Rev. L. F. Baker, Rev. Cornelius Pike, Rev. Jas. A. Gardner, Rev. Chester F. L. Smith, Rev. A. Judson Bolster, and the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Feltman.
For several years after organization, the services were held in a hall on Bank Street, but in 1886, during the pastorate of Rev. L. F. Baker, a church building was erected on the present Cherry Street site. This building was remodeled in 1906-the year of the church's twenty-fifth anniversary. A Sunday School room was arranged in the basement.
The debt incurred on the original building and for remodeling was cleared off in 1914, during the term of the present pastor, and a special service was held in the fall of that year, at which the burning of the note took place.
On July 3, 1913, the church was incorporated under the laws of Connecticut. The present membership is 147. The present officers are : Deacons, Theo. Patchen, Samuel J. Bonney ; assistant deacon, Wm. Strong; elders, Charles H. Chatfield, Geo. Read; treasurer, Eben J. Lewis; collector, Harry S. Johnson; steward, Wm. Moulthrop; Sunday School superintendent, Charles B. Slater, and clerk, Henry D. Curtiss.
THE FIRST CHURCHI OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
On January 19, 1898, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized, with the following charter members: Leon I. Wood, Carrie W. Blakeslee, Mary T. Thompson, Winifred A. Wood, and George G. Blakeslee. The first readers appointed were Mrs. Geo. Blakeslee and Mr. Leon I. Wood.
There has been a steady, healthy growth and during the past year a site for a building was purchased at the corner of Holmes and Mitchell Avenue. The new structure, it is stated, will probably be erected during the next year.
At present, the Sunday and Wednesday evening meetings are held in the reading rooms in the Buckingham building.
The present readers are Mrs. Belle Stone Booth, Mrs. Ada B. Soper. The president of the society is Mr. Harry A. Soper, and its treasurer is Mrs. Minnie T. Manville. Mr. Lyman D. Lewis is clerk.
BUCK'S HILL UNION CHAPEL
Buck's Hill Union Chapel is non-denominational. It was founded twenty- two years ago, the ground for the house of worship having been donated by the late George Faber, Sr. Its membership is about fifty. It expects soon to have a Sunday School organized. At present its pastor is Rev. Roscoe E. Hatch, of All Souls' Parish. Its officers are Wm. Foster and W. A. Platt.
UNION CHAPEL, MILL PLAIN
Union Chapel, Mill Plain, is non-denominational, its four trustees, M. E. Pierpont, F. W. Ineson, H. M. Judd, H. I. Abel, representing the four protestant denominations-Episcopal, Methodist, Congregational and Baptist.
Its membership is about two hundred and its Sunday School has an attendance of about one hundred and fifty. It is served by a pastor of each of the above denominations once each month.
The church, which is thirty years old, had much to overcome after its build- ing burned, but the new structure is in every way adequate, and the membership is showing a steady growth.
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WATERVILLE CHAPEL
Waterville Chapel is now celebrating the end of its first decade of non- denominational work. It has a membership of fifty, with forty-five in attendance at Sunday School.
Its pastor is Miss M. A. Barrett. The superintendent of the Sunday School is Miss E. M. Weeks. Its executive board consists of S. Butcher, Jr., M. McAllister, and Robert Benninghoff.
CHAPTER IX
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF WATERBURY
CATHOLIC POPULATION BY PARISIIES-IMMACULATE CONCEPTION-ST. PATRICK'S- ITS DEDICATION-SACRED HEART-ST. ANN'S-ST. CECILIA-ST. FRANCIS XAVIER -ST. JOSEPH'S-ST. THOMAS-OUR LADY OF LOURDES-ST. MARGARET'S-BLESSED SACRAMENT-ST. MICHAEL'S-ST. STANISLAUS-CONVENTS AND SCHOOLS HOLY NAME SOCIETY-SKETCHES OF MONSIGNOR SLOCUM AND FATHER CURTIN- M'GIVNEY DAY.
Waterbury's Catholic population was estimated at one-half the census figures for the city in 1890. In 1917, with a population of approximately 100,000, it can conservatively be placed at 55 to 60 per cent of the total. Reliable parish figures bear this out and the table compiled here is as given by the church authorities in each instance.
Immaculate Conception. 6,700
Sacred Heart.
3,600
St. Patrick's. 3,000
Our Lady of Lourdes ( Italian)
17,500
St. Joseph's ( Lithuanian )
6,000
St. Ann's ( French)
4,000
St. Stanislaus ( Polish)
1,300
St. Cecilia (German) 3,000
St. Michael's. 1,000
St. Margaret's. 2,100
Blessed Sacrament 850
St. Thomas.
2,200
Total 54,250
This growth from that beginning eighty years ago when Cornelius Donnelly was the only Catholic living here is a marvelous record. Where in 1847 there was a small one-story frame church dedicated by the small Catholic community, there are today thirteen distinct parishes, as many beautiful churches, six parochial schools, six convents, rectories in practically every parish, St. Mary's Hospital, one of the largest of its class in New England, and St. Mary's Day Nursery.
This large Catholic population has always been foremost in all public move- ments. It has aided in every civic endeavor to beautify the city and to make it a better municipality, morally and physically.
While it has its own parochial schools in a few parishes it has taken a deep interest in the building-up of the city's public school system. Father Hugh Treanor, among many of the Catholic faith, serves on its school board. In fact, it was during the chairmanship of Father Treanor that much of the work of thoroughly organizing the school system of the city was done.
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St. Francis Xavier. 3,000
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In the following history of the parishes, the records are confined largely to those of the past twenty-five years, and supplement the excellent work done in the previous histories of Waterbury.
THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
In the parish of the Immaculate Conception rests the beginning of the Catholic church work in Waterbury. The memory of the Right Rev. T. F. Hendricken, who built the present Church of the Immaculate Conception, dedi- cating it December 19, 1855, is revered by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, for his activities were community-wide and he laid not alone a wonderful corner- stone for the church, but one upon which many of the city's noblest benefactions have been erected. Without going deeply into the earlier history of this parish, it is well to add that during the pastorate of Rev. William A. Harty part of the present Calvary Cemetery was purchased, part of the land for St. Joseph's Cemetery having been bought by Father Hendricken.
During the pastorate of Father John A. Mulcahy, St. Mary's School was built and opened in 1896, and was then placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity from Convent Station, N. J. Its first superior was Sister Rosita, who was succeeded by Sister Marie Agnes, and she by the present superior, Sister Claudine. St. Mary's Convent was occupied on November 27, 1889. St. Patrick's Hall was built the same year. In 1891 Father Mulcahy greatly enlarged by purchase the property of the church now known as Calvary Cemetery. This was consecrated by the bishop of the diocese May 24, 1894. The splendid work of Monsignor Slocum followed, and St. Mary's Hospital, which he founded but the completion of which he did not live to see, will remain an enduring monument to his memory. A sketch of the life work of Monsignor Slocum, as well as the history of St. Mary's Hospital, will be found elsewhere.
Rev. Luke Fitzsimons, the present pastor, delivered his first sermon in Waterbury August 6, 1910. His work has been in line with all the beneficent deeds of his predecessors. Since coming to the parish, he has established St. Mary's Day Nursery, in which approximately seventy-five children are cared for daily. These are the children of mothers who are compelled to work during the day. Three sisters are in charge, and not alone are the children fed, but those old enough are given instruction. In 1915 Father Fitzsimons bought the Grannis property on Franklin Street and turned the home on it into a recreation hall and infirmary for children.
There are at present in St. Mary's School 1,100 pupils, with twenty-two sisters and one lay teacher in charge. St. Mary's Convent houses twenty-four sisters. St. Patrick's Hall at 110 East Main Street has been enlarged since its foundation. It contains two chapels, one for boys and one for girls. The Sunday School is also conducted there and has an attendance of about one hundred. This is for children who go to the public schools.
Father Fitzsimons graduated from Holy Cross College at Worcester, Mass .. from which place in 1873 he went to Troy, N. Y., for his theological course. He was ordained a priest in June, 1876. His first assignment was as assistant at Sacred Heart Church, New Haven. He was four years at Collinsville, and then became parish priest at New Hartford in July, 1881, remaining there until 1900.
The four assistants to Father Fitzsimons are: Father J. A. Doherty, Father E. P. Cryne, Father J. A. Dowd and Father F. M. O'Shea.
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
On the first day of February, 1880, the Rev. John Duggan was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Lawrence McMahon, pastor of St. Patrick's Parish. About three weeks later was purchased the land upon which the church stands, besides three acres of adjoining property. The following year Father Duggan came to Waterbury and commenced the work of the organization of the parish.
The cornerstone of St. Patrick's Church was laid by Bishop McMahon October 16, 1881.
Father Duggan died November 10, 1895, and his remains were buried in front of the church. The zeal of Father Duggan in behalf of his parishioners in the decade and a half which he was spared to them was productive of marvelous results. Father Duggan was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Joseph M. Gleeson.
Father Gleeson attended St. Dunstan's Preparatory College, afterwards going to Mount Mellory, Ireland, which college was in charge of the Cistercian monks. He spent five years there, completing the classical course. His studies in philosophy and theology were made in the Grand Seminary, Montreal. He was ordained to the holy priesthood by the Most Rev. Archbishop Fabre, December 23, 1876. He was appointed assistant to the Rev. Michael Tierney, the present bishop, then pastor of St. John's Church, Stamford, where he remained until November 1, 1878, when he was transferred to Danielson. In March, 1879, he was sent as assistant to the Rev. Father Mulcahy. Father Gleeson was appointed by the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon, pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Litchfield, April 1, 1883. On the 28th day of November, 1885, he was appointed pastor of Portland. During his pastorate he brought there the Sisters of Mercy. The first Catholic school was opened in Portland by him February 1, 1889. He was afterwards appointed pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Thompsonville. He came to Waterbury to succeed the Rev. Father Duggan December 2, 1895.
He immediately took up the arduous work of finishing the church and rectory. The plastering work on both house and church was then being done. Besides carrying on the stupendous work of the completion of the massive structures, additions were made to the Lyceum Building, and a church building erected in the Waterville district. Meanwhile, the Sisters of St. Joseph were introduced into the parish. A free kindergarten school was opened in the Lyceum and several new societies were organized.
But the great task of completing the church ended in 1903, and on Sunday, January 18th of that year, the magnificent edifice was solemnly dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop Tierney.
After the dedicatory services, pontifical mass was celebrated, His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, being celebrant. The sermon at the morning service was preached by the Rev. D. J. Stafford, D. D., of Washington. In the evening solemn high vespers were sung by the famous Bishop Harkins of Providence, R. I., and the sermon was preached by the Rev. M. F. Fallon, O. M. I., of Buffalo.
The several services were marked by that richness of ritual, splendor of ceremony and gorgeous magnificence which is characteristic of Catholic services. The magnificent singing, the splendor of the church, the beauty of the service and the presence of so many priests, all were inspiring. Greater dignity was added to the gathering by the presence of His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Tierney of Hartford, Bishop Harkins of Providence and Monsignor Murphy of Dover, N. H.
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St. Patrick's Church is situated in the heart of the Brooklyn district on high ground on a lot containing nearly three acres. The church fronts on Charles Street and overlooks the city. Its roof towers high above almost every other structure, and the building proper is of imposing appearance. The church is built of a light blue granite, with trimmings of cut stone of the same material, and is constructed in the most substantial and perfect manner. The basement is more than fifteen feet in height, and has a seating capacity of over one thousand persons. There are four spacious entrances to the basement, one at each corner of the building, and two flights of stairs connecting with the church above.
Although the nave of the basement is seventy-six feet wide, there are but two rows of iron columns placed under the clerestory columns of the church above and supporting them. The church floors are supported upon heavy com- pound wrought iron girders, resting on these columns and on the walls, so that the basement is clear of all obstruction, excepting these, and preserves the comfort and convenience of a finished church. It is lighted by large windows of cathedral glass. The width between the main side walls is seventy-six feet. The style of the building is the early decorated Gothic, which prevailed at the commencement of the fourteenth century, when the expressive features of Christian architecture were developed.
The tower is in the northeast corner, fronting on Charles Street. It does not grow out of the church, but is distinct itself, carrying out the monumental idea of a church tower. The main entrance comprises three large doorways, besides one in the tower communicating with the church and with the end galleries which extend across the nave. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 1,525 persons. At the sanctuary end are two other entrances con- necting with the church proper, with the basement by a staircase, and with the sacristies on each side of the sanctuary, which are connected by a passway between the altar.
The parish of St. Patrick numbers about three thousand souls. As the parish of the Blessed Sacrament has been largely taken from St. Patrick's, there is no apparent growth shown, although this has in fact been considerable in its more limited territory.
Including the children, the Sunday attendance approximates one thousand two hundred.
When the church was dedicated in 1903 it had a debt of $85,000.00. Today the debt is about $33,000.00 and just as soon as this is liquidated, the church will begin the erection of a school and convent for the parish.
The assistants to Father Gleeson are Father Thomas A. Grumbley and Father Daniel J. Manning.
SACRED HEART CHURCH
On Sunday, February 15, 1885, the Rev. William Harty, then rector of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, made the formal announcement that the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon had established a new parish in the city. The announcement was not entirely unexpected, as rumors of the intended division had been current for some time. The new parish was to comprise East Main Street east of Dublin Street, all of Dublin Street, the east side of Welton Street, Walnut Street and all of the streets east of these points, and would include between 1,500 and 2,000 souls. The Rev. Hugh Treanor, who for six years had been the efficient assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church, Norwalk, was appointed pastor of the new parish by Bishop McMahon. A short time after
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the division the land on which the church now stands was purchased by Father Treanor.
On Sunday, February 22, 1885, Father Treanor preached his initial sermon to his new flock in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. On March Ist of the same year the members of the Sacred Heart Parish held divine services for the first time as a distinct congregation in St. Patrick's Chapel. Services were held there until the date of the blessing of the basement of the new church March 14, 1886.
On Sunday, August 16, 1885, the cornerstone of the new church was laid by Bishop McMahon. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1889, the new church was solemnly dedicated.
The cornerstone was laid by Bishop McMahon in the presence of an esti- mated attendance of 8,000 persons. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Francis Delargy of the Order of Redemptorists. The handsome silver trowel used by the Bishop during the ceremony was presented to the Rev. John Russell of New Haven, who was the largest contributor on the occasion.
On March 14, 1886, the basement of the church was blessed and formally opened for divine worship. Bishop McMahon graced the occasion by his presence. The Rev. John Russell was the celebrant of the mass and the sermon was preached by the Rev. William J. Slocum, then of Norwalk. At the vesper service confirmation was administered for the first time in the new church to a class of over sixty children.
Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1889, witnessed the crowning of the good work. On that day the new church edifice was solemnly dedicated under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon. The celebrant of the mass was the Rev. Michael Tierney, later the bishop of the diocese. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Broderick of Hartford. In the evening vespers were sung, the Rev. James Fagan of Naugatuck officiating.
In 1893 and 1894 the present beautiful rectory was built.
Father Treanor remained as head of the parish for nearly thirteen years, leaving it to take charge of St. Patrick's Parish, Norwich. During this period of change, Rev. Thomas Shelley was in charge of the parish, and the school and convent were erected about ten years ago.
In October, 1912, Father Treanor returned and has been active in the work of building up the church of which he was the founder. In this period he has added another story to the school building, giving the parish a fine hall for its own immediate purposes.
The census of the parish is now about three thousand. The attendance at the four masses Sunday is about two thousand two hundred.
The parochial school has an attendance of 450 and is in charge of ten sisters.
ST. ANN'S CHURCH
St. Ann's Parish was founded in April. 1886, to provide services for the French Catholic population. Rev. Joseph Fones, who was at that time pastor of St. John's Parish, Watertown, was given this additional charge and services were held in the old Universalist Chapel on Grand Street. The first service was held on May 2, 1886. During the following year, Father Fones devoted his entire time to St. Ann's and purchased the lot on which the present edifice stands. Rev. J. E. Bourret succeeded him and planned the work of building the magnifi- cent church which it is hoped will soon be dedicated.
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Rev. Joseph E. Senesac, his successor, who died April 16, 1906, undertook the actual erection of the magnificent new church at South Main and Dover streets. Tributes were paid to his work when the cornerstone of the edifice was laid by Right Rev. Michael Tierney, Bishop of Hartford, on May 27, 1906, a little over a month after he had passed away. Father A. R. Grolleau, pastor of St. Ann's Church, Fall River, delivered the sermon in French. The clergy of the entire diocese participated.
The exterior of the church is now complete, but the interior work is still unfinished, the basement, which will eventually be the parish hall, being used for church services.
Rev. Ernest A. Lamontagne built the new convent six years ago. The school too has been greatly enlarged and is conducted by eighteen Sisters of the Holy Ghost, who in 1906 succeeded the Notre Dame Sisters:
The property of the parish today comprises the magnificent church which is built of granite and Vermont blue marble, two schools, the assembly hall, the rectory and the convent.
The census of the parish places the population at 4,000. The enrollment in the school is 650.
Father Lamontagne has taken a deep interest in the organization of the social work of the church, all the societies having large and enthusiastic memberships. He has also organized the St. John the Baptist Guards, a semi-military organiza- tion, and a troop of Boy Scouts.
ST. CECILIA'S PARISH
The formation by the German Catholics of Waterbury of a Holy Family Society in April, 1892, was the auspicious beginning of St. Cecilia's Parish. Even before the organization of the parish the land on Scovill Street, on which the church now stands, was purchased. On November 10, 1892, Rev. Farrell Martin, D. D., who had been assistant at the Immaculate Conception, was made pastor of the new parish, and the first services were held in the chapel of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The cornerstone of the new church was laid July 29, 1894, and the edifice was dedicated November 18, 1894. The master of cere- monies was the Rev. J. H. O'Donnell of Watertown. High mass was celebrated by Vicar-general Mulcahy, assisted by the Rev. J. H. Duggan as deacon and the Rev. William Lynch as sub-deacon. A sermon in German was preached by the Rev. John Roser, O. S. F., and one in English by the Rev. L. A. Delury, O. S. A.
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