USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 24
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" When the terrible form of deathi stalks unbidden across our threshold and takes such a one, as it has in this case, you cannot but reel and stagger at the blow. Not only does the chapel bell ring out its sorrow, but the bells of the city toll for the honor of its noble dead. He is dead, but his spirit still lives. He still lives in every home in this diocese, vivifying by his spirit, his prudence, and his zeal, every influence of religion. At his tomb we render thanks for his work, especially of the last fifteen years. At the foot of his bier may we not say he has consummated his work, he has run his course and a crown awaits him ?
" His labors and works have become a sacred inheritance for us. He has built us a monument that will evoke a prayer froin every Christian heart that he will enter into the joy he has won from his Master. Each may select from his character some trait applicable to himself. I might select his undeviating tenacity of purpose. You might envy his prudence. I would rather con- template his generosity and his unassuming religious devotion to duty.
" The dominant emphasis of all Bishop McMahon's relations with his clergy and people was an adamant will, determined to do what was right in his opinion on all occasions. Look for a criterion over this rich and pros- perous diocese. Look at the unity that prevails and all the other indications of good government due to the bishop's great executive ability. As we con- template the results of his work we can indeed say that God placed in his soul a determination to do according to his conscience and to leave the rest to Almighty God. In our last episcopal gathering, he, speaking of the ad- ministration of his diocese, remarked : 'I have difficulties, I presume you have, I try to keep a clear conscience, do what I can and leave everything else to God.'
"We can only express our desire that the excellent condition of the dio- cese may bring to him in his heavenly abode a completion of all those bless- ings he brought to his fellow-men: The past in his life brings to us many treasures. Shall we guard them, so that what he has done will be an en.
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couragement to us ? Labor without stint, labor with generosity, then we may enjoy all that God has for us in life and in the future. Let us quietly and silently waft to the throne of God a silent prayer that God be merciful to one who so loved and so worked."
The final absolution over the remains was pronounced, first by Mgr. Griffin, of Worcester, Mass .; the second, by Bishop Beaven; the third, by Bishop Michaud ; the fourth, by Bishop Bradley ; the fifth, by Archbishop Williams.
The remains of Bishop McMahon rest in the crypt in the rear of the ca- thedral near the dust of his predecessors, Bishops McFarland and Galberry, where they await the glorious dawn of the resurrection morn.
The memorial tributes paid to Bishop McMahon testified to the universal esteem in which he was held. All who knew him loved the man as they revered the bishop. Reserved in manner, his was withal a gentle, kindly and affectionate nature. A lover of all that was good he was an assiduous promoter of whatever tended to the welfare of religion. No one who repre- sented a good cause ever made a vain appeal to Bishop McMahon. From among the many tributes tendered to his memory we append the following : At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Summer School of America held on August 22d, at the Catholic Club, New York City, the following resolution was ordered to be entered on the minutes:
" Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Summer School of America have learned with heartfelt regret of the unexpected demise of Right Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, D. D., of Hartford, Conn., and deem it a duty of gratitude to give expression to their recognition of the eminent character of the deceased and the invaluable services rendered by him to the Catholic Summer School at its first session in New London, 1892."
" The Catholic Total Abstinence Union, in convention assembled (August 29, 1893), embraces this first public opportunity of formally expressing its heartfelt regrets for a death that removes a wise counsellor, a tender friend, an understanding and sympathetic advocate of its material and spiritual good, and one from whose guidance the union derived sincere comfort aud benefit and to whom it was indebted for a watchful and assiduous care that faltered not nor wearied.
"Light, comfort, strength and peace flowed from the full fountain of his enlightened mind, a soul to thousands whose faces he never saw, yet to whom he was a kind, a generous and all-seeing father.
" Brief was his life, but vast his achievements. Strong and clear, his voice called ou each and all to prepare in time to tread the way of the Lord. Deeply consecrated as the human agency of divine energy, lie was a conspicuously worthy channel of divine will aud blessings ever receptive. His care, ever alert to obey and carry out the mandate, ever eager by sympathy and service to fulfill the useful and the lioly. His was a practical and pious nature. He recog- nized that he serves God best wlio serves Him by prayer, by precept and by work."
"Bishop McMahon was essentially a successful financier and organizer. He was a scholar, too, deeply versed in the problems of theology and philosophy and widely read iu the works of the best literary, scientific and scriptural writers. It was a rare treat for one who was hiim- self somewhat acquainted with classic writings to spend a social hour with Bishop McMalion, and to drink in the wonderful streauis of knowledge that flowed from his mniud. He was not an extensive writer, nor yet a frequent preacher, and many thoughit because of that lie was not a profound scholar; but he was. His principal application, owing to the peculiar conditions with which he found himself surrounded on assuming the administration of the diocese, was in the direction of its material development ; and in this direction liis work will live after him. The magnificent cathedral of St. Joseph, which he found an irregular and shapeless pile on liis arrival in Hartford, was finislicd and consecrated under his administration, and stands to-day a
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
monument to his wonderful executive powers and financial resources. It was a stupendous work, this bringing to completion such a magnificent edifice within a dozen years, paying every- thing as the debt was contracted, and consecrating it to its divine use with no hand of mammon free to call it back from its worshipful objects.
" In another way, however, Bishop McMahon will be most sincerely mourned by all. He was the father of his flock, and his kindly heart brought him into the closest and tenderest rela-' tions with them all. He was the friend of the priest, and no man who ever wore the cloth found in him other than a tender counsellor, a sincere adviser and a kindly father. There is many a priest who can testify to his spontaneous generosity, his tender sympathy and his unswerving kindness, and who owes much of his success in a material and spiritual way to the guidance and advice of the departed prelate. To the laymen of his charge he was ever kindly and consider- ate, watchful of their interests, solicitous of their wants and prodigal of his service. He watched over them as tenderly as ever shepherd in Israel guarded his flocks, and he was perhaps nearer to them in a personal sense than any of the prelates who had preceded him in the administration of the diocese."
·Wisdom, kindness, and justice marked the administration of Bishop Mc- Mahon. Under his prudent, paternal rule the diocese flourished and reached a degree of prosperity that placed it among the first dioceses of the United States. Humble, modest and unassuming, he quietly advanced the interests of religion and inade many and generous sacrifices for the spread of the truth. He was courageous and patient in the face of great obstacles and unshaken in his confidence in divine Providence. He endeared himself to the clergy and laity, who regarded him as an able, upright ruler, a wise counsellor and a kind father.
RIGHT REV. M. A. TIERNEY, D.D.,
THE PRESENT BISHOP OF HARTFORD.
HE sixth and present Bishop of Hartford was born at Ballylooby, County Tipperary, Ireland, on September 29, 1839. At the age of eight years he came to this country with his parents, who settled at Norwalk, Connecticut. At an early age he entered St. Thomas' College, Bardstown, Ky. He completed his theological studies at St. Joseph's Provincial seminary, Troy, N. Y., where lie was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop Conroy, of Albany, on May 26, 1866. After his ordination he was stationed in Provi- dence, R. I., where he discharged the duties of rector of the cathedral. He occupied also the position of Chancellor to Right Rev. Bishop McFarland. While at Providence he erected the school of the Christian Brothers. From Providence he was transferred to New London to succeed the Rev. Father O'Connor as rector of St. Mary's, Star of the Sea. While herc Father Tierney continued the work of building the church, but before the edifice was completed he was removed to Stamford, where he labored with great suc- cess for three years. St. Peter's parish, Hartford, now became the theatre of his labors, and liis zeal was manifested in the erection of the convent and in building an addition to the parochial school. After a residence in Hart- ford of inore than six years, Father Tierney was appointed pastor of St. Mary's parish, New Britain, in 1883, in succession to the Rev. Hugh Car- mody, D. D. Here he built a magnificent stone church and purchased ground for a new cemetery.
Jams Rincerdyn +011. Vierny 2% of Warthand
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Father Tierney received from the Apostolic Delegate, Mgr. Satolli, the formal notification of his appointment as Bishop of Hartford on Thursday, January 18, 1894. The soleinn ceremony of consecration took place in St. Joseph's cathedral on February 22, 1894, in the presence of an assemblage of thousands who had gathered to do honor to the new prelate. The officers of the consecration services were :
Consecrator .- Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, Boston.
Assistant Bishops .- Bishop Beaven, of Springfield, and Bishop Harkins, of Provi- dence. Assistant Priest .- Rev. John Edwards, New York.
Deacon .- Rev. John Duggan, Waterbury.
Subdeacon .- Rev. William Slocuni, Norwalk.
Notary .- Rev. Florimond De Bruckyer.
Chaplains to the Bishop-elect .- Rev. J. A. Mulcahy, Waterbury, and Rev. T. Bro- derick, Hartford.
Master of Ceremonies .- Rev. J. B. Dougherty, Mystic
Assistants .- Rev. M. May, New Britain, and Rev. M. Sullivan, New Haven.
Crozier Bearer .- Rev. R. Carroll, Bridgeport.
Mitre Bearer .- Rev. C. McCann, Bridgeport.
Candle Bearer .- Rev. T. Shanley, New Haven.
Book Bearer .- Rev. E. O'Connell, New Haven.
Gremiale Bearer .- Rev. J. Curtin, New Haven.
Censer Bearer .- Rev. T. Keena, Stamford.
Acolytes .- Rev. J. Broderick, Meriden, and Rev. M. McGivney, Middletown.
The preacher of the consecration serinon was Right Rev. Bishop Bradley, of Manchester, N. H. In concluding his eloquent discourse, he thus addressed the new bishop:
"And, Right Rev. Father and co-laborer in this cherished ecclesiastical province, having elected, as you have, to be consecrated to the episcopate on the day on which the church commemorates the founding by St. Peter of the ancient See of Antioch, let us pray that in taking 'heed of the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishop,' you may be found a faithful imitator of the Prince of the apostles, so that when the time will have come when in God's providence you will lay down the pastoral staff, you may receive from the Prince of pastors, 'a never-fading crown of glory.'"
In June, 1895, Bishop Tierney made his ad limina visit to Rome, leaving the administration of the affairs of the diocese in charge of Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, whom he had appointed his Vicar General on September II, 1894. Since his return from Rome he has made a canonical visitation of the parishes of the diocese. Among the institutions founded by Bishop Tierney, and which are evidence of his zeal, are St. Thomas' Little Seminary and St. Francis' Hospital, both of Hartford.
At the convention of the National Total Abstinence Union held at Boston in August, 1898, Bishop Tierney was unanimously elected National President.
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PARISH AND MISSION CHURCHES.
E enter now upon a most important section of our work. Much of the information given in the following pages came to the writer through the kindness of local rectors to whom his sincere thanks are cordially tendered. In many instances there is a woeful absence of records bearing on early Catholic history ; where such is the case the writer has been obliged to rely upon the testimony of those who were a part of the stirring and epoch-making events of half a century ago. "Every year the means of remedying the deficiency in historical records of the early days of Catholicity grows more difficult," said the Freeman's Journal, March 31, 1883. "Old inen decay like old landmarks; and important facts never reduced to writing are forgotten with the remembrance of the men who knew them. Most of us are too busy 110w to realize the preciousness of these perishing records. But in time to come, when a complete history of the Catholic church in the United States will be demanded, it will be too late to make anything but a patch- work out of half-remembered traditions.
"A knowledge of the history of the church in this country would be most useful to the rising generation, whose reverence and love would be quickened by the knowledge of past sufferings and triumphs. To know of the sacrifices which each stone in the old churches cost would make thein sacred in many thoughtless eyes that now regard their existence as "matters of course." It is not a smattering of history-a record of impossible battles, in which the British always lost thousands to ten Americans, or when in later years, thie Federal troops always conquered, even when defeated, or vice versa-that we need in our Catholic schools, but the teaching of facts relating to the growth of the church. Of course, the history of battles and political changes must have its place ; but what would we say of the Christian schoolmaster, in the reign of Constantine, who would tell only of the eagles, not of the victories of the catacombs ?
" The teachers of our children tell them at times of the saints and mar- tyrs who lived and died long ago, of the great men who reflected the spirit of the church, but of the great men who are nearer to them, and whose presence left its marks on the life around them, there is little said.
" But we are told we must build up ; then we can proceed to ornament and embellish. The process of building is ever going on ; the time of bricks and mortar is not yet past. But shall we bury them under all this brick and mortar? Shall the progress of the churchi be only a material progress-a progress over which the statistician shall rejoice when he writes of so many churches, so many institutions? If no heed is given to the encouragement of learning and of research, there will be no ornament when the time for
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embellishment comes, for there will be no artists; nor can we consider the work of the Catholic historian or publicist as merely ornamental. It is vital; for the purpose of defence, of keeping zeal warm, of exciting imitation, it is inost important."
The Rev. A. A. Lambing, the historian of the diocese of Pittsburg and Allegheny, has given expression to the common experience of all searchers after early Catholic historical information.
" Materials (for a diocesan history) are meagre, are scattered in many places and collected with difficulty ; for the first priests on the mission were content to labor and to leave the record of their deeds to God, and there was yet 110 local Catholic periodical by which they might have been permanently recorded and transmitted to future generations. Hence we have to depend upon tradition for many things, and while there are few persons left to trans- mit it from the beginning, even their accounts do not always agree, and tra- dition is found at variance with tradition. In our own day the history of the church in our midst is being made, events are transpiring before our eyes, and it is difficult to estimate them at their proper value. The actors are yet on the stage, and it is a delicate matter to speak of them always in such a manner as to give entire satisfaction and generally impossible not to speak of them at all.
"Another difficulty is the impossibility of avoiding a certain degree of sameness in the description of the churches and the sketches of the congre- gations, which must of necessity resemble each other in many respects."
In the presentation of the following sketches we deem it conducive to clear arrangement to divide the diocese into eight districts, corresponding to the number of counties in the State, namely, Hartford, Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham districts. In each district we shall present first the church or churches located in the county seat, and then take the remaining parishes in alphabetical order.
I. HARTFORD DISTRICT.
Hartford. Plainville.
Hazardville.
Thompsonville.
Bristol.
Poquonock.
Kensington.
Unionville.
Broadbrook.
Southington.
Manchester.
Wethersfield.
Collinsville.
South Manchester.
New Britain. Windsor Locks.
East Hartford.
Tariffville.
The first Catholics to reside in Hartford of whom there is any record, were thirteen Acadian refugees or French Neutrals, who were allotted to the town by an Act of the General Assembly, January, 1756. The selectinen of the towns in which these liapless exiles were billeted were directed to care for them and not to permit them to leave the towns to which they had been assigned without written permission. By a vote of the town, December 6, 1757, the selectmen of Hartford were directed to build a house for the French strangers and to furnish them with employment, if possible. The local records are otherwise silent concerning these poor people, with the exception of an entry of date December 26th, 1759, which informs us, that Mr. Robert
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Nevins was awarded twenty shillings for rent and damages which his building sustained during its occupancy by the French. What became of them? History furnishes no information. We can only hope that they were among the two hundred and forty Acadians, who found their way back to Nova Scotia. There is an interesting tradition that two Acadian priests lived near Hart- ford, one on the Bloomfield, the other on the Windsor road.
It is also a matter of historical record that a number of French prisoners captured in the wars against Canada were immured in prison at Hartford for some time.
We have also elsewhere adverted to the presence in Hartford at the close of the last century of a priest, the Rev. Ambrose Jean Sougé, who was the chaplain of the family of the Viscounte De Sibert Cornillon, an exile of the French Revolution. The Rev. John Thayer also visited Hart- ford, as did the Rev. Francis Matignon, D. D., and the Rev. Virgil Barber.
In 1823, the Catholics of Hartford were sufficiently numerous to forward a petition to Bishop Cheverus of Boston with the request that he honor them with a visit. They were evidently attached to their faith, and eagerly de- sirous of receiving the consolations of religion. To their petition the bishop sent the following reply:
BOSTON, February 7th, 1823.
To the Roman Catholics residing at and near Hartford. My beloved friends and children in Jesus Christ :
Your letter of the 3d inst. has been duly received, and has afforded me great gratifi. cation. I wish I could go immediately and pay you a visit, but it is out of my power to go till after Easter. I shall give you notice a fortnight before my going. In the meall- time, you will do well to procure a room and meet every Sunday to perform together your devotions. Let one who reads well and has a clear voice, read the prayers of Mass, a sermon, or some instruction out of a Catholic book. If you are destitute of books, let me know, and I shall send some at the first opportunity.
During the ensuing Lent, which is to begin next Wednesday, flesh meat is allowed Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, except the last, or Holy Week, but only once a day except on Sundays.
I am happy to liear that you openly profess your religion. Never be ashamed of it, nor of its practices ; and above all, do honor to it by irreproachable conduct. Be sober, honest and industrious ; serve faithfully those who employ you, and show that a good Catholic is a good member of society, that lie feels grateful to those who are kind to strangers, and sincerely loves his brethren of all persuasions, though he strictly ad- heres to the doctrines of his own church. It is thus, my beloved friends, that you will silence prejudice and win the esteein and favor of all the inhabitants of this hospitable country. Be assured that nothing I can do will be wanting on my part to promote your spiritual welfare. At my first visit we may fix upon regular periods when one of my reverend brethren, or myself, will go to administer to you the sacred rites of our holy re- ligion. With affectionate and paternal regard, and fervently imploring upon you all the blessings of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
I remain your friend and pastor, + JOHN CHEVERUS, Bishop of Boston.
Bishop Cheverus was soon able to redeem his promise to the unbounded joy of liis petitioners. In May, 1823, he paid a visit to Hartford, and offered the holy sacrifice of the Mass in the Hall of Representatives, now the Com-
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
mon Council Chamber. For this courtesy, the bishop was indebted to the kindness and liberality of Col. James Ward and Mr. Samuel Tudor. God, indeed, works in wondrous ways. Each of these gentlemen gave a descend- ant to the religion whose consecrated representative they befriended on that occasion. From the baptismal register of Bishop Cheverus we learn that at this time he conferred the sacrament of baptism in Hartford, Vernon, and East Hartford. The records are as follows :
Hartford, May 25, 1823. I baptized Francis Joseph Clerc, born April 18th, son of Laurent and Elizabeth Clerc. Sponsors-Francois Clerc, an uncle, for Calvin White, by proxy, and + JOHN CHEVERUS.
Vernon, May 25, 1823. I baptized Mary, born 20th, daughter of John and Bridget Mulligan. Sponsors-Patrick McManus and Mary Mulligan. + JOHN CHEVERUS.
East Hartford, May 25, 1823. I baptized Robert, born February 26th, son of Isaiah and Phobe Webb. Sponsors -- Patrick McManus and + JOHN CHEVERUS.
Laurent Clerc was born in La Balme, near Lyons, France, December 26, 1785. He was the son of the mayor of the commune, and when a year old, was badly injured by falling into the fire. By the accident he lost the sense of sinell and hearing. When twelve years old he was placed under the tuition of the Abbé Sicard in Paris, under whose instruction he made rapid progress. In 1805 he was appointed a tutor, and in 1806 received the appoint- ment as professor. In 1815 he visited England, where he inet the Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, who induced him to come to the United States and establish a deaf-mute institution. He arrived in New York in August, 1816, and on April 15, 1817, opened his institute at Hartford. He retired from the control of the asylum in 1858. In 1819 he married Elizabeth Boardman, a deaf mute, by whom he had several children, none of whom was afflicted. The eldest son became an Episcopalian clergyman.1
Besides those mentioned above, the Catholics who resided in Hartford and vicinity at the time of Bishop Cheverus' visit were James Chaswell, John Martin and wife, Thomas, Mary, Ann and Bridget McKiernan (or McCarron). Among the Catholics who came to Hartford soon after were Mrs. Alice Mulli- gan and her sister, Catharine Preston, who came to Glastonbury in 1824, Betsy and Thomas Crosby, Hugh McNamara, Arthur, Elizabeth and John McAstee, James and William Cody, Mary Twomey, Denis Callahan and wife, Mrs. Saralı Willey, Mrs. Margaret Moore, Edward Monahan, Thomas Cranny, Michael Kelly, Owen Shields, Edward McNally, James McManns, his wife and his brother Thomas and wife. 2
Mrs. Alice Mulligan, mentioned above, had the honor of giving the first Hartford young man to the holy priesthood, the Rev. John Mulligan, D. D. Graduating from Holy Cross College in 1850, he began his studies at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. In 1852 he was sent to the College of the Pro- paganda at Rome, where, having received the Doctorate in Divinity, he was
1 Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography.
2 Some of these names are taken from the Hon. Thomas McManus' Historical Sketch of the Catholic Church in Hartford, 1880.
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