USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 28
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ST. JOSEPH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL .- The lot on which the Cathedral school is erected on the corner of Broad street and Capitol avenne, was purchased by Right Rev. Bishop Galberry in the summer of 1878. He began the erec- tion of a school, but died before it was completed. It was opened for the reception of children in 1879. The school lias eight grades witli 830 children. It is conducted by eleven Sisters of Mercy under the direction of Sister M. Benedict. The school takes hiigh rank among the educational institutions of Hartford. No better evidence of the scholarship of its pupils need be adduced than the great success that invariably attends their examinations for entrance into the high school of Hartford, and the honorable positions they maintain thicre throughout their course. Like many other parochial schools of the diocese, St. Joseph's is under the supervision of a priest specially ap-
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pointed for that purpose. A contemporary writer says of this school: "Tlie system of education carried on here is one of the best in vogue in any of the public schools in New England. Work is begun in the kindergarten and primary grades and extends through the grammar grades. The boys and girls from the primary up are taught in separate rooms, and so much inter- est is taken in their studies that even in the most inclement weather but a small percentage of the children are absent. We had the pleasure of listen- ing to a singing exercise in the kindergarten, which was very cleverly ren- dered and showed that the teacher in charge knew well the work she was handling. In every room, from first to last, there is an atinosphere of culture and refinement, stimulated by the presence and influence of the worthy Sis- ters in charge of the school. No blackboard nor wall is without its decora- tive drawings in vari-colored crayon, the handiwork of artists and a stimulus to the furthering of artistic talent in the pupils."
THE CATHEDRAL LYCEUM .- The cathedral lyceum, an organization of Catholic young men, was organized by the Rev. Walter J. Shanley, rector of the cathedral, on August 12, 1894. Increasing rapidly in membership it was deemed advisable in March, 1895, to erect a building for lyceum purposes. This was made feasible by the generous donation by Mr. William F. O'Neil of a piece of land 112x150 feet on Lawrence street. Ground was broken on June 4, 1895, and the corner-stone was laid before a large concourse of people on July 21, 1895. The lyceum was blessed on April 11, 1896, and was for- mally opened on April 13th. The building affords the members a suitable place to spend their evenings and furnishes them with means of varied amusement.
The object of the lyceum is the moral, intellectual and physical develop- ment of its members. Its endeavor is to strengthen them in the practice of their religion, to make thein good citizens and useful members of society. A large library of choice works has been formed, and connected with it is a fine, commodious and well-furnished reading-room. The gymnasium has been dedicated to Mr. William O'Neil as a recognition of his generosity. Every effort is made to elevate the members of the lyceum ; to this end courses of lectures have been established and classes have been forined in draughting, free-hand drawing and vocal music.
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
HARTFORD.
HE history of St. Patrick's parish is chiefly the history of the pastorate of the late Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G., LL. D. When Father Hughes received from Bishop O'Reilly at Hartford on November 9, 1854, his appointment as the successor of Father Brady, be began the longest pastorate in the history of the diocese of Hartford. For two score years or more Father Hughes was a prominent figure in the ecclesiastical and civil life of Hartford. During all the vicissitudes of this long period he wielded an influence among all classes that reflected honor on the sacerdotal character,
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VERY REV. JAMES LYNCH, V.G.
VERY REV. JAMES HUGHES, V.G.
VERY REV. THOMAS WALSH, VG.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
and which was always employed for the best interests of church and state. His was preeminently an active life. His term in the priesthood abounded in works that will long survive him and serve to keep his memory green for generations yet to come. Of noble and stalwart appearance, he was every inch a priest. He loved the church, and sought by every legitimate means to conserve and promote her highest interests. Of deep and abiding faith in the sacredness of his vocation, self was submerged in his congregation, and the wishes of the latter became paramount. Father Hughes was a man of strong, sturdy character, and his individuality was evident in all the parochial works of his pastorate. From the time of his ordination, almost, lie occupied high official positions in the diocese. As vicar-general and administrator he dis- played superior executive powers, and that which rests upon his memory as a glorious crown are the justice and impartiality that characterized liis rule. His name will long linger in the hearts of the people of Hartford, and the impress of the master hand upon the works he accomplished will be visible to children yet unborn.
Father Hughes discharged the office of vicar-general during the episco- pates of Bishop O'Reilly, Bishop McFarland, Bishop McMahon and Bishop Tierney. He was administrator during the absence of Bishop McFarland at the Vatican Council, and after the Bishop's death in October, 1874, he served in the same capacity until the consecration of Bishop Galberry. Again he was called to the helin during Bishop McMahon's seven months' absence in Europe; and, finally, he governed the diocese during the interregnuin between the death of Bishop McMahon and the appointment of Bishop Tierney.
In recognition of his services to religion his Alma Mater, St. John's Col- lege, Fordham, N. Y., conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws ; and as the Catholic chaplain of the Connecticut National Guard during a suminer's encampment at Niantic, he won high encomiums from the civil and ecclesiastical authorities. But the recognition that would have been an appro- priate reward of an active, useful and successful career in the priesthood came when the shadows of death were beginning to fall over the form of the vener- able priest. Aware of the zeal of Father Hughes in promoting the interests of religion, the Holy See elevated him to the dignity of domestic prelate, but death summoned him lience before the ceremony of investiture. When Father Hughes passed away there went out from the diocese a true priest, a fatlier to his people, one of nature's nobleinen. The material works accolli- plished are still in evidence, and speak eloquently of the brain that conceived and of the hand that directed the11.
When Father Hughes came to Hartford lie found St. Patrick's parish burdened with debt. He at once set himself to its liquidation, displaying those splendid resources of business tact and energy which ripened in the years of experience that followed. He paid off the debt on the old church, bought the present parochial residence, built the old school in 1865, erected the convent and orphanage attached to the church (the latter in 1855), rebuilt the church after its destruction by fire, and purchased St. Patrick's and Mount St. Benedict's cemeteries. He built also an annex to the asylum to be used for
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
an hospital. The financial management of St. Patrick's parish during Father Hughes' pastorate was marked with the same unvarying success that char- acterized his spiritual administration. It is in every sense a model parish, the most painstaking care being bestowed on every detail connected with its spiritual and temporal well-being.
Father Hughes' sacerdotal career was contemporaneous with the period that has marked the highest progress of the diocese, and he witnessed its growth before and since its division from the coign of vantage of official position.
After forty-three years of devoted labor in the sacred cause of his divine Master, Father Hughes finished his course on August 7, 1895, during the ab- sence of Bishop Tierney in Europe. The large assemblage of priests from this and other dioceses, the concourse of people that thronged the church, the crowds of people who followed sorrowfully the remains to their last resting place-all demonstrated the deep affection of which Father Hughes was the object. The solemn pontifical Mass of Requiem was sung by Right Rev. John Brady, D.D., auxiliary Bishop of Boston, and the funeral oration was pro- nounced by Right Rev. Thomas S. Beaven, D.D., Bishop of Springfield. The ashes of Father Hughes mingle with those of his brother and sister in Mount St. Benedict's cemetery, Hartford.
The original St. Patrick's church, which occupied the site of the present building, was begun by the Rev. John Brady in 1850. On January 28th of that year, Bishop Fitzpatrick of Boston, who was Administrator of the Diocese of Hartford until the appointment of Bishop O'Reilly, visited Hartford and examined the plans which Father Brady had had prepared for the new church. It was built of rubble stone and was 166 feet long by 75 feet wide. The corner- stone was laid with imposing ceremonies on July Ist, 1850, and the dedication took place on December 14, 1851. Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick, of Boston, was the celebrant of the Pontifical Mass, and the famous Augustinian priest, the Rev. Dr. Moriarty, preached the sermon. The Bishop of Boston also offi- ciated at Vespers, and the discourse was pronounced by Bishop O'Reilly. The latter's comment on the occasion, as found in his Journal, was : "The cere- mony was grand, worthy of the church." On January 23, 1875, a conflagra- tion laid this fine edifice in ruins.
With the destruction of the church the people were left without a place for divine services, and the Holy Sacrifice was offered up for the faithful in St. James' chapel, the first Mass in which was celebrated on the morning after the disaster, which was Sunday, while the smoldering fire from the black- ened ruins of the church added to the grief of the people. For some time afterwards the 10.30, or Parochial Mass was celebrated in Allyn Hall; but scarcely had the ruins of the old church become cold ere the energetic pastor, Very Rev. Father Hughes, began to take measures for the erection of an edi- fice, which in beauty of architecture and thoroughness of workmanship would surpass the old one. The work was begun on the 7th of July, 1875, and in the astonishingly short space of three months and twelve days, actual work- ing time, the chancel gable, 881/2 feet, the side walls 50 feet high, and the tower and gable to the height of the side walls, were completed.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, Hartford, Conn.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
St. Patrick's church, risen Phoenix-like from the ashes, was solemnly dedi- cated to the service of God with unusual pomp, accompanied with the most impressive ceremonies of the church, on Sunday, November 19, 1876, by Bishop Galberry. The procession, emerging from the vestry door, moved up Ann street to the main entrance, where it entered in the following order:
Cross Bearer. Light Bearers. Acolytes and Altar Boys. Clergy. Bishops. Deacon and Sub-Deacon. Deacons of Honor. Assistant Priest. RIGHT REV. BISHOP GALBERRY, Officiating Prelate.
At the conclusion of the dedicatory ceremonies a Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated with the following officers :
Celebrant, MOST REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D., Boston. Assistant Priest, REV. F. W. GOCKELN, S. J., St. John's College, Fordham, N. Y.
Deacons of Honor, REV. LUKE DALY, New Britain ; REV. E. J. SHERIDAN, Taunton.
Deacon of the Mass, REV. FATHER LEO DA SARACENA, O. S. F., Winsted. Sub Deacon, REV. THOMAS LYNCH, Hartford. Masters of Ceremonies, REV. P. J. MCCABE, Hartford; REV. D. CREMIN, Hartford. Cross Bearer, REV. P. GOODWIN, East Hartford. Book Bearer, REV. J. J. FURLONG, Rockville. Mitre Bearer, REV. J. CAMPBELL, Manchester.
Crozier Bearer, REV. J. RUSSELL, Jewett City.
Light Bearer, REV. E. J. O'BRIEN, Middletown. Chanters, REV. J. CAMPBELL and REV. JAMES FAGAN.
The sermon was delivered by Right Rev. Bishop McQuade of Rochester, who selected his text from the eightieth Psalmn.
At 7.30 Solemn Pontifical Vespers were celebrated, the following clergy- men officiating :
Celebrant, RIGHT REV. EDGAR P. WADHAMS, D.D., Ogdensburg, N. Y. Assistant Priest, REV. M. BENDER, Cincinnati. Deacon, REV. E. J. SHERIDAN, Taunton. Sub-Deacon, REV. LUKE DALY, New Britain. Masters of Ceremonies, Rev. P. J. MCCABE and REV. D. CREMIN.
The discourse was from Psalm xxv. 8, and was delivered by Right Rev. Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield. The following prelates honored the occa- sion by their presence : Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, Bishops Galberry, O'Reilly, Hendricken, De Goesbriand, McNeirney and McQuade. Among tlie Vicars General present was Very Rev. L. S. McMahon, of New Bedford, Mass., afterwards Bishop of Hartford. Priests had assembled from the New England, Eastern and Middle States to do honor to tlicir esteemed co-worker and friend, the pastor, and to participate in the joy that possessed the hearts of lis parishioners.
The crowning glory of St. Patrick's church was its solemn consecration in November, 1885. It was the second church in the diocese to attain this distinction, St. Patrick's, New Haven, being the first. The officiating prelate
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
at the services of consecration was the Most Rev. Archbishop Williams of Boston. Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by Right Rev. Bishop McMahon, during which the Most Rev. Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia, pronounced the oration. Right Rev. Bishop Conroy presided at the Vesper service, and Right Rev. Bishop McQuade was the preacher. The ceremonies of the morning and evening services were under the supervision of Rev. M. F. Kelly and Rev. James H. O'Donnell. With the exception of the conse- cration of the cathedral, the city of Hartford has scarcely witnessed so con- spicuous an assemblage of ecclesiastical dignitaries, priests and people. With their pastor the parishioners rejoiced at the realization of their hopes, their noble church edifice relieved of indebtedness ; and in recognition of divine blessings received, presented it, a heart offering, to the Giver of all gifts.
On Sunday, September 8, 1895, Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, Vicar- General, assumed charge of St. Patrick's parish as the successor of Father Hughes. With every promise of a successful career in his new field of labor, Father Mulcahy was stricken down by illness in October, 1897, which has necessitated prolonged absence from home in quest of health.
Before this affliction befell him, however, he gave evidence of his zeal in the erection of a splendid parochial school, the finest in Connecticut, and perhaps in all New England. On September 11, 1894, Father Mulcahy was appointed vicar-general by Bishop Tierney, and who, previous to his depart- ure on his ad limina visit to Rome, made him Administrator of the diocese, which position he filled from June I to August 18, 1895. During Father Mulcahy's illness the affairs of the parish have been administered by the Rev. John J. Downey, who, faithful to the traditions of the parisli, is energetic in promoting the spiritual and temporal welfare of liis charge. The assistants at present laboring in St. Patrick's parisli are the Rev. J. J. Loftus and the Rev. J. F. Ryan, who is also a professor in St. Thomas' Preparatory Seminary.
Father Mulcahy was born in Ireland and came to this country when quite young. Shortly after his arrival he entered the English and business course of studies in Bryant and Stratton's school at Hartford. Believing himself called to the sacred priesthood, he entered St. Charles' College, Maryland, where he remained six years, completing the course. His philo- sophical and theological studies were made at St. Joseph's Seminary, Troy, N. Y., where he was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1873. His first appointinent was as assistant to the Rev. Father Lynch in the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury, and when Father Lynch was transferred to St. Patrick's parish, New Haven, in August, 1876, Father Mulcahy accom- panied him. He labored there until February, 1877, when he was appointed pastor of East Hartford, a mission which included Glastonbury, Wethersfield and Rocky Hill. His labors in this field are eloquent evidences of his zeal and energy. He erected the church at East Hartford and St. Augustine's at Glastonbury, liquidated the debt on the church lot in Wethersfield and col- lected money for the erection of a church at Rocky Hill. In November, 1878, he was transferred to Thompsonville, which mission then included the pres- ent parishes of Hazardville and Broad Brook. For three years he labored in
John a. Mulcahy U.S.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
this portion of Christ's vineyard, during which time he purchased new and inore eligible sites in Hazardville and Broad Brook and erected upon them substantial churches. His success in Thompsonville is attested by the fact that the parish indebtedness was reduced $9,000, and by the purchase of a lot on which the new church stands. On November 1, 1881, he was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart parish, New Haven, succeeding the Rev. Stephen Sheffrey, deceased. His four years of earnest and zealous labor there bore rich fruit. The church's indebtedness was reduced $22,000 and sufficient property for a school and convent was purchased adjoining the church on Columbus avenue. On January 1, 1886, Father Mulcahy assumed charge of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury. The work accom- plished by him from that date to the end of his pastorate will be revealed in part in the history of that parish.
ST. PATRICK'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL .- " When we consider that the maintenance of the parochial schools of Hartford is wholly by the members of the various Catholic churches, we must one and all admire the cheerful spirit in which these members accept their double school taxation. And again we note with what enterprise they are conducted and with what excel- lent equipment they are provided. What is good enough for the public school is not any too good for the parochial school, and what advancement is made in education, is as much due to the latter as to the former. They are not 'copyists,' but are originators of the most progressive type. Among their directors are found men of the highest intellectual qualifications and their principals are always priests of thorough scholarly training."
For half a century the children of St. Patrick's parish have enjoyed the- blessings of a Christian education. For fifty years have the parents gathered the rich fruits of the Catholic training of their children. Abundant, indeed, have been the graces that have flowed into the parish during these many years. Catholic schools have existed. here since 1848. In that year the first parochial school was opened with ten pupils in the basement of the old church. Here the devoted Sisters of Mercy taught an ever-increasing school for ten years. In 1865, Father Hughes erected the school on Allyn street, which in every respect was a model building in those days, and which for over thirty years maintained a high reputation among its sister schools of the city. In September; 1866, the Christian Brothers arrived at the invitation of Father Hughes and assumed control of the boys' department. . This school was conducted in part of the building now used as the parochial residence. The growth of the parisli made additional school facilities an imperative nie- cessity ; accordingly, at Father Mulcahy's advent preparations were inline- diately begun for the erection of a new school. The property adjacent 011 Ann street was purchased, and the spacious residence that occupied the site was removed. The work of construction progressed expeditiously, and the building was ready for occupancy in September, 1897. It was solemnly blessed by Right Rev. Bishop Tierney on September 5th, the Rev. James H. O'Donnell preaching the dedication sermon, and opened the day following for the reception of pupils. The ten pupils of 1848 have increased to 1145, the
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
number at present enrolled, and the humble basement has given way to one of the most thoroughly equipped schools in New England. Architecturally, there are schools that present a more striking exterior appearance, but the interior appointments have few equals and no superiors. The system of light and ventilation are unique and leave nothing to be desired in a building in which so many children daily gather. The main building contains eighteen rooms; in the rear, there are two spacious apartments set apart for kindergarten purposes. In this grade there are 175 little ones in attendance. We quote again from the writer whose words begin this sketch: " It is only just that we pay due tribute to the one who has by his indomitable energy and enthusiasm made the erection of this magnificent building possible. This is the present pastor, the Rev. J. A. Mulcahy. Since he took charge of the parish, he has doubled the size of the school, extended the course, added many features of study and in every way made it the equal, if not the superior, of any school in the State."
The success of the pupils in the annual examinations for entrance into the High school attest their proficiency. There are twenty sisters engaged in teaching, under the supervision of the Rev. J. Loftus, to whose efficient management is to be attributed much of the success that attends the sisters' efforts. The members of the parish, the sisters and the clergy have every reason to be proud of their school.
ST. PETER'S PARISH, HARTFORD.
POR well nigh forty years St. Peter's parish has been faithful to ics exalted mission of winning souls to Christ. Zealous in the perform- ance of duty, conscientious in their attention to the spiritual needs of their parishioners, its successive rectors have attained an enviable reputation for priestly energy, and have built up a parish in whose good name its men- bers rejoice.
In September, 1859, St. Peter's parish was set apart from St. Patrick's by Right Rev. Bishop McFarland, and comprised the southern section of the city below Little River. The first pastor of the new parish was the Rev. Peter Kelly, who was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1852. Father Kelly liad been received into the diocese from the famous Seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris, and spent about nine months completing his theological studies i Bishop O'Reilly's Seminary, Providence. Father Kelly had received the order of sub-deacon on December 13, 1851, and was elevated to the diaconate on the day following. These same orders were conferred at the same time upon the Rev. Patrick Delaney, whose ordination to the priest- hood had occurred on December 15, 1851, in St. Patrick's church, Hartford, thus antedating the ordination of Father Kelly six months.
When St Peter's parish was organized its population was estimated at 1500 souls, chietly Irish, with a small number of Germans. With character- istic energy, Father Kelly set about securing a fitting place in which liis peo-
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ple could attend divine worship, and having secured, through Mr. James Tiernan, an old school building, commonly known as the "Old South School- house," he had it suitably renovated and appropriately refitted for Catholic worship; and so expeditiously was the work accomplished that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated with joy and thanksgiving on the Sunday following the formation of the parish. As the parish was increasing in num- bers, an enlargement of the transformed building became necessary ; accord- ingly, an addition was built, and the structure, as it now stood, was dedicated to God under the patronage of the Prince of the Apostles by Bishop McFar- land on December 4, 1859. Father Kelly's next work was the purchase of a frame building north of the church, which he occupied as a parochial resi- dence. A dwelling house south of the church was also secured, and a school erected behind the church. The furniture of this school was of a superior
order, and the school itself soon vied with the public schools. Father Kelly accomplished all this work in the brief period of three years. Desiring a different field of labor, Father Kelly was transferred from St. Peter's to St. Joseph's parish, Providence, in October, 1862. He died at Valley Falls, R. I., on February 4, 1868. "Father Kelly was probably the best-known and best- liked man in Hartford. Certainly no person ever lived here to whom our non- Catholic friends would pay their money, by way of subscription, so clieerfully or freely. He was a ripe scholar, an eloquent preacher, and an enthusiast in whatever he undertook." 1
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