USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 32
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Bishop Tierney in the presence of a large assemblage of the clergy and laity.
When the school was opened forty-two pupils were enrolled. There are now 150, with three grades taught by lay teachers.
The last census of the parish disclosed 1330 souls ; 1200 of whom are Poles, 50 Slavonians and 80 Ruthenians. The number of baptisms from the organization of the parish in 1894 to 1898 was 537; the number of marriages for the same time was 172.
Through the zeal of Father Bojnowski, two Protestants and one Jew have received the grace of conversion.
ST. ANDREW'S (LITHUANIAN) PARISH, NEW BRITAIN.
N October 1, 1895, Bishop Tierney requested the Rev. Josepli Zebris, pastor of St. Joseph's (Lithuanian) parish, Waterbury, to say Mass every Sunday for the Lithuanians of New Britain. There- after, Father Zebris visited New Britain weekly and offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in St. Mary's church, and discharged other duties belonging to his office as pastor. Desirous of possessing a church of their own, they began to make preparations for the accomplishment of the work. Accordingly, on New Year's Day, 1896, the corner-stone of St. Andrew's church was laid in the presence of a large concourse of people. Bishop Tierney addressed the large assemblage in English, and the pastor delivered a discourse to his countrymen. The ceremony of dedication took place on Easter Sunday, 1896, the pastor, Father Zebris, officiating, who also said on that day the first Mass celebrated in the new church. To liquidate the indebtedness thus incurred, the Lithuanians with their pastor collected $3,000.
On July 1, 1896, the Lithuanians received as pastor the Rev. Joseph Masrolas, who remained about six months. St. Andrew's was then attended by the clergy of St. Mary's and Sacred Heart parishes until Father Zebris again assumed charge. He attended New Britain from Waterbury until June I, 1898, when, at the request of Bishop Tierney, he took up his residence at New Britain, and became the resident pastor of St. Andrew's. In October of that year, Father Zebris built the pastoral residence at a cost of $1,700. The property of St. Andrew's parish is valued at $12,000. The population is 400 souls. The baptisms average thirty-five annually and the marriages fifteen.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH. NEW BRITAIN.
T. JOSEPH'S parish was organized on April 9, 1896, by Rev. Rich- ard F. Moore, A. M., its first pastor, who celebrated his first Mass here in St. Peter's chapel, Sunday, April 19th, of that year. The estimated number of Catholics when the parish was formed was 1000 Irish, Irish-Americans and a few French. Among those living in this section of the city for any notable time before the formation of the parish are William Stewart, Edward Nihil, John Nolan, Michael Donnelly,
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
J. and P. O'Sullivan, Judge Roche, P. J. Flannery, Mrs. Devitt, Michael O'Connell, William and Patrick Coughlin, Richard O'Dell and John L. Gardiner.
Father Moore began immediately to make preparations for the erection of a church for his flock. The people responded generously to his appeals for financial aid, and the work progressed so favorably that the corner-stone was soon laid by Bishop Tierney, assisted by Very Rev. J. A. Mulcahy, V. G., and Rev. W. Harty, assistant priests; Rev. N. Schneider, deacon ; Rev. J. Lynch, sub-deacon ; Rev. J. Fitzgerald, cross bearer; Rev. H. Walsh and Rev. W. J. Dullard, chanters. The sermon was preached by Monsignor T. J. Conaty, D.D. Among the priests present were Rev. M. Rodden, Rev. P. McGivney, Rev. C. McCann, Rev. P. O'Leary, Rev. M. Sullivan, Rev. L. Bojnowski, Rev. A. Mizotus, Rev. D. Bailey and Rev. P. O' Reilly. Five thou- sand people witnessed the impressive ceremony. On the platform were seated many Protestant ministers, members of the Board of Education, Board of Aldermen, Councilmen and the Mayor. Work on the church progressed under the most favorable circumstances, the enthusiasm of the people increas- ing as they witnessed the fruition of their labors. On September 19, 1897, the new church was solemnly dedicated to God under the patronage of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. Bishop Tierney officiated at this ceremony, after which a Solemn High Mass was sung, with Rev. J. B. Nihil as celebrant, Rev. H. T. Walsh as deacon, Rev. M. Sullivan as sub-deacon, Rev. R. Early as master of ceremonies ; chaplains to Bishop Tierney, Rev. B. O., R. Sheridan and Rev. W. J. Slocum. Rev. W. J. Shanley, rector of the cathedral, preached on "The Beauty of God's House." A number of priests of the diocese were present in the sanctuary. St. Joseph's church has attached to it a school containing four commodious and well-ventilated rooms, which was erected with the church and blessed on the same day. The school, how- ever, has not yet been opened for the reception of pupils. It is the intention of the pastor to convert a dwelling-house of two tenements on the church property into a convent.
The benefactors of St. Josephi's parish are William Stewart, who donated $500 for the main altar ; the family of Edward Nihil and that of Mrs. Devitt ; Mrs. J. Sullivan, who contributed the Blessed Virgin's altar, and Patrick Mulligan, the sexton, who donated St. Joseph's altar; Michael Donnelly, trustec, and Judge Roche, clerk of the church committee, whose generosity has been made manifest on various occasions. As evidence of the people's cooperation with their pastor, it may be stated that in one collection they contributed $3000 to furnish the church.
The baptisms for the first year numbered twenty-one, for the second, thirty-two. The marriages for the same periods were three and nine respec- tively.
St. Joseph's parish is in the residential portion of the city ; licre arc the State Normal School and the new High School. Many of its principal inem11- bers occupy positions of trust in political, business and factory life, while others are an honor to the teaching profession. The young parish has entered
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
upon its career auspiciously and has made enviable progress in the temporal and spiritual orders. Its prospects for a successful future are bright, indeed, if the successes of the past be any criterion.
OUR LADY OF MERCY, PLAINVILLE.
LAINVILLE in former years was called the "City of the Plains," and is situated about fourteen miles west of Hartford. The town received its name from the fact that its site is one unbroken plain, there being nothing like a liill within the limits of the township. It possesses fine railroad facilities, as both the Highland and Northampton di- visions of the Consolidated Railroad pass throughli it and make it an important junction town. To these may be added the accommodation afforded by the "Third Rail " system and no less than four different trolley lines.
Notwithstanding its attractive and commercial advantages, there are but few large industries located in Plainville, and none of any importance lias been introduced in many years. The population of the town has increased but little in twenty years, and the Catholic portion, owing to the few indus- tries, has not increased with that rapidity and steadiness characteristic of large industrial centers.
The pioneer Catholics of Plainville were Luke Doyle, Daniel Kelly, James Prior, Christopher Callen and James McCaul. All of these, with the exception of Jamies Prior, and possibly, Luke Doyle, were long since summoned to their reward, honored by all who knew of their devotion to the faith. The first Mass celebrated in Plainville was said in the residence of Daniel Kelly, about the year 1851, by the Rev. Luke Daly, whose kindly, priestly attentions are still fondly remembered. For some time afterwards Mass was said in "Neal's Hall," the present "Union House," which is under the management of Charles McCaul, the first Catholic child baptized in Plain- ville. For a number of years the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered up in "Newton's Hall," which was destroyed by fire about a quarter of a cen- tury ago. "Morgan's Hall " was then secured, and the faithful band of Catholics attended divine worship here for a few years. At this period, and for some years previous, the spiritual care of the people of Plainville devolved upon the pastor of Bristol, the Rev. Michael B. Rodden.
At the celebration of the first Mass here, probably not more than a dozen Catholics were present, all of whom were Irish. As their numbers increased with the years, they began to discuss the feasibility of erecting a church where their faith could offer suitable homage to the Divine Mysteries. They petitioned the Ordinary of the diocese, Right Rev. Bishop McMahon of blessed memory, with the result that Plainville was taken from the jurisdic- tion of Bristol and attached to Kensington, both places formning a parisli with the Rev. Paul F. McAlenney as its first rector. The work which the new pastor first undertook was the erection of a church, and so generous and con- stant was the co-operation of the people, that although the parish was formed on July 26th, 1881, the corner-stone was laid in the following December, and
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
the impressive ceremony of dedication took place on September 24th, 1882. The beautiful altar which adorns the sanctuary was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank McDermott.
On February 15th, 1885, the present pastor, the Rev. Henry T. Walsh, was transferred from Stamford to Plainville, as the successor to Father McAlenney. He began immediately the erection of a parochial residence. Again the devoted Catholics of Plainville responded cheerfully to their pas- tor's appeal for financial assistance, so that within six monthis a rectory, modern in all respects, was ready for occupancy. But more was yet to be accomplished. A cemetery was imperatively needed, as all burials took place either in Bristol or New Britain. As an evidence of the practical sympathy of the people towards this new project, it may be stated that the first collection taken up for the purpose was more than sufficient to liquidate the indebtedness incurred by the purchase of six acres of land on Farmington avenue. The cemetery was blessed on Sunday, July 12tl1, 1887, by Right Rev. Bishop McMahon. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Richard Moore. The procession, made up of religious and civic socie- ties, which marched to the cemetery on that day, was a revelation to the towns-people, and a parade equal to it has not since been duplicated.
The present Catholic population of Plainville is three hundred and seventy souls, ninety-five per cent. of whom are Irish. The first marriage solemnized here was that between James Prior and Ann Shields. The ecclesiastical property, consisting of the church and parochial residence, which are both lighted by electricity, and the cemetery, are striking proofs of the faith and generosity of the Catholics of Plainville, as well as of the zeal and energy of their pastors. The assistant priest is the Rev. P. F. Daly.
ST. MATTHEW'S MISSION, FORESTVILLE.
Forestville, formerly served front Bristol, has been attended as a mission from Plainville since September 20tl1, 1891. For about ten years previous to this change, Mass was said every Sunday in "Firemen's Hall " by Rev. Father Rodden of Bristol. After the transfer of Forestville to the jurisdic- tion of Plainville, Father Walslı began immediately the erection of a church there. Excavations were begin on November 5tl1, 1891, and the corner-stone was laid by Right Rev. Bishop McMahon on January 17th, 1892. The work of construction was carried on so successfully that the first Mass was said in the basement by Father Walsh on Sunday, March 27th, 1892. The dedication cere- monies took place on June 12tl1, 1892, Bishop McMahon officiating. Five years later the superstructure, a beautiful building, was completed and dedicated to God under the patronage of the Apostle, St. Matthew, by Right Rev. Bishop Tierney, on June 27th, 1897. The church is valued at $15,000, is an orna- m11cnt to the village, as well as a testimony to the faith of the 500 Catholics of Forestville.
ST. PATRICK'S MISSION, FARMINGTON.
Farmington was detached from Bristol in February, 1885, and assigned to the jurisdiction of Plainville. The first disciples of the faith in this hand-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
some old village were Thomas Smith, Lawrence McCahill, John Reilly, John Brady, Mrs. Mary Skelly and John Flood. The first Mass was said in the early fifties by the Rev. Luke Daly in the present residence of John Flood. The Catholic population of Farmington is chiefly Irish and numbers 200 souls. Mass is said every Sunday in the brick church purchased by Rev. Patrick Duggett and dedicated in honor of St. Patrick.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH,
POQUONOCK.
OQUONOCK, originally written Paqnanocke, is one of the earliest settlements in Connecticut. It was founded in 1635. Its Catholic history dates from 1848, when the first Mass was said within its boundaries by the Rev. John Brady, at the residence of Samuel Conroy.
Poquonock came under the jurisdiction of the Rev. James Smyth, after his appointment as pastor of St. Mary's, at Windsor Locks in 1852. An humble building at the corner of Main street and Maple avenue became the house of worship, and though bereft of all that makes a church a veri- table home, a haven of rest to the devout Catholic, it was nevertheless precious to them, for there they could gather before the rudely-constructed altar, and during the celebration of the divine mysteries, petition heaven for needed graces. This first place of worship afterwards came into the posses- . sion of the Catholics of Poquonock and was removed to the site of the present handsome edifice. Since the erection of the latter the original church has been transformed into a parish hall.
Before its organization into a separate parish Poquonock continued to be served successively by the Rev. James Smyth, Rev. Michael McAuley, Rev. Michael F. Kelly and Rev. James O'R. Sheridan. During the admin- istration of the last-mentioned, the present fine structure was erected.
Ground was broken in June, 1886, the people co-operating enthusiastically with their pastor, gratified that God had so prospered them that they were soon to possess a church that would be an ornament to the village. Two months later the comer-stone was laid, the orator of the occasion being the Rev. Charles McKenna, O. P. The sacrifices of the people were rewarded and their labors crowned on January 30, 1887, when the new temple, placed under the patronage of the patron of the universal church, St. Joseph, was dedicated with impressive ceremonial. Bishop McMahon officiated on the auspicious occasion, and the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas W. Broderick, of Hartford.
Poquonock continued under Father Sheridan's jurisdiction for five years longer. The congregation was in a flourishing condition, and contentment reigned among them. The indebtedness had been reduced to $3,000 during Father Sheridan's incumbency, a comparatively small amount when we reflect that the church was thoroughly equipped with all things necessary for the proper and decent celebration of divine worship.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Father Flemming, the first resident pastor of Poquonock, received his appointment thereto in August, 1892, and immediately set about the work of erecting a parochial residence, which he completed at a cost of $2,625. To the liquidation of the indebtedness thus incurred may be added the reduction of the original mortgage debt to $1,000. After five and a half years of unre- mitting labor in this field Father Flemming was transferred to Bethiel, as successor to the Rev. Patrick O'Connell, in the latter part of January, 1898. His successor is an active young priest, a worthy successor, and for many years assistant at St. Francis' parish, New Haven, the Rev. Thomas Shanley.
ST. GABRIEL'S CHURCH,
WINDSOR. T. GABRIEL'S CHURCH, Windsor, is an out-nrission of Poquo- nock. The church is an old structure and has an interesting his- tory, having been the church of the followers of the famous English clergyman, and friend of Cardinal Newman, Dr. Pusey. Here also the late Right Rev. Mgr. Preston, of New York, officiated as a Protestant clergyman. The church passed into the possession of the Catholics of Wind- sor during the pastorate of Rev. James Smyth in 1866. It remained under the jurisdiction of Windsor Locks until the formation of St. Joseph's parislı, Poquonock, whose pastor has since attended it. Many notable improvements were inade on the church and grounds during the pastorate of the Rev. Father Sheridan.
ST. THOMAS' PARISH,
SOUTHINGTON.
HE announcement of a sorrowful accident is the first indication we have of the presence in Southington of a member of the Church. The fol- lowing notice is taken from The Catholic Press, Hartford, August 15, 1829:
" Drowned at Southington, Conn., on the 7th inst., Peter Dayle, aged about 44 years. The deceased was a native of Wexford in Ireland, and as he had friends and connexion in this country, editors of newspapers would per- form an act of humanity by publishing this notice."
Whether Peter Dayle had compatriots in Southington, it is difficult now to determine. It is not unreasonable, however, to believe, that others from "Sweet Wexford," and, it may be, from elsewhere in the Green Isle, were with liim here striving to build up homes in the land to which their youthful aspirations directed them. Bernard Kennedy was here very early, as were also Michael and Thomas Egan, Bernard Curran, Jolin Carmody and Patrick Dolan-these, with their families constituting, as far as the records show, the first Catholic colony of Southington.
I11 1852, the Rev. Hugh O'Reilly, of Meriden, offered here for the first time the Holy Sacrifice in the residence of John Cassidy on East Main street
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
in the presence of about twenty-five persons. Southington remained attached to Meriden until 1859, in which year it was attended every third Sunday. In 1860, it was served every second Sunday from Wallingford, reverting to Me- riden in 1861. The first resident pastor of Southington was the Rev. Thomas Drea, who assumed charge on September 4, 1862, and remained until Octo- ber 7, 1867. Rev. Patrick J. Creighton immediately succeeded Father Drea and was pastor of St. Thomas' until his death. His successor was the Rev. William A. Harty, who assumed charge on September 15, 1882. Entering upon his new duties with energy, liis zeal was manifested in the thorough renovation of the church and in making many other notable improvements. When lie severed his connection with St. Thomas' parisli, it was financially and otherwise firinly established. Father Harty's successor was the Rev. Matthew A. Hunt, who came on August 1, 1884. The present rectory was built during his administration. Father Hunt's labors were terminated by death, and his successor, the present incumbent, Rev. William J. Doolan, began his labors on March 26, 1894.
The corner-stone of St. Thomas' church was laid on July 4, 1860, and the edifice was dedicated in December of the same year.
The clergy who assisted the different pastors in parochial work were Rev. J. H. Carroll, Rev. J. J. Quinn, Rev. P. Byrne, Rev. R. Moore, Rev. P. Keating, Rev. P. Dineen, Rev. M. Traynor, Rev. J. Lee, and Rev. P. C. Dunigan.
When St. Thomas' parish was organized there were about 500 souls; at present the population is about 1500, principally Irish and their descendants, with some Italians, Poles, Hungarians and Germans.
ST. JAMES' CHURCH,
SOUTH MANCHESTER.
HE early Catholic history of South Manchester is mingled with that of the mother church, St. Bridget's, North Manchester. Mr. John Kennedy, who suffered the penalty of eviction by Landlord Stone, for permitting Father Brady to say Mass in his house, was a resident of this portion of the town. Other pioneers of the faith who performned yeomen's service in the cause of religion are Michael Connors, Denis Dunn, Catharine Moriarty, Catharine Powers, Mrs. John Riley, John and Patrick Connors. With their brethren of North Manchester, they were served from Rockville until the appointment of the Rev. James Campbell, in October, 1869. Until the completion of their own church, the Catholics of South Manchester at- tended St. Bridget's church in Manchester.
The land on which the church and rectory stand, consisting of one acre and worth $2800, was the generous gift to the parish of the Cheney Brothers, who have at intervals since given substantial contributions to the parish. Begun in 1874, St. James' church was completed and ready for dedi- cation in August, 1876. The solemn ceremony took place on the 20th, with the Right Rev. Bishop presiding. The dedication completed, Solemn High Mass followed, with Rev. Thomas Kane, of Valley Falls, R. I., as celebrant ; Rev.
REV. WILLIAM J. McGURK.
REV. FRED W. MURPHY.
REV. LUKE FITZSIMONS.
REV. W. H. REDDING.
REV. JEREMIAH DUGGAN
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
J. J. Furlong as deacon, Rev. P. Mulholland as sub-deacon, Rev. P. McCabe as master of ceremonies. The dedication discourse was pronounced by the Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Waterbury. The edifice cost $30,000, and has a seating capacity of 750. The centre window represents our Saviour in life size, and was the gift of John Walsh, the builder. The windows on the Epistle side are the donations of Thomas Egan, Oliver Maxwell, Michael Walsh, Thomas Golden ; those on the Gospel side were presented by William Dwyer, Denis Dunn, John Shaw and John Sullivan.
Before the church was entirely completed, the most dastardly sacrilege ever perpetrated in Connecticut was committed in St. James' church on the night of the 4th, or the morning of the 5th, of May, 1876. Thirty-five windows were broken, the vestry was ransacked, the altar despoiled of its ornaments and defiled. The altar cloths were afterwards found abotit a mile from the church, besmeared with blood, apparently from wounds which had been inflicted on the marauders by the broken glass of the church win- dows. They also attempted to fire the church, and with this object in view, collected a quantity of branches and brambles and placed them in position on the Gospel side of the altar and close to it. They were found in this posi- tion in the morning, with the evidences of fire having been applied, as some half-burnt matches were scattered near them. The town authorities promptly offered a reward of $200, to which the trustees of the church added $300 for the apprehension of the criminals. Suspicion, well grounded, at once fast- ened upon an Orangeman, Nicholas Murray. He had arrived in the town on the evening of the 4th and feigned ignorance of the place and people, but it was disclosed that he was acquainted with the prominent Orangemen and had attended a meeting of the lodge that evening. Murray disappeared immediately after the sacrilege, but was captured on May 19th, in New Hampshire, whither he had fled, having been warned by his Orangemen friends that officers were on his track. He was bound over in the sum of $200 to await his trial in the Superior Court of Tolland county.
Father Campbell, who died in 1890, pastor of St. Bridget's parish, Man- chester, was interred in front of the church, South Manchester, where a splen- did monument marks his last resting place.
The Rev. Daniel Haggerty was the first resident pastor of St. James' parish, coming here on November 21, 1890. For eight years previous he had been assistant to Father Campbell at Manchester. Father Haggerty built thie pastoral residence at a cost of $5,000, towards which the Cheney Brothers contributed $2,000. Other improvements were made which were indicative of good taste and sound judgment. After a month spent in southern climes in search of health, Father Haggerty died at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, in April, 1898.
His successor, the Rev. William McGurk, is the Diocesan Director of the League of the Sacred Heart, and the success that has thus far attended his ministry, in South Manchester, is a testimony of his sacerdotal zeal and solici- tude. The population of St. James' parish is 1,500, principally Irish and their descendants.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
The number of baptisms from 1891 to 1898 inclusive was 340; and the marriages for the same period, 97.
ST. BERNARD'S PARISH, TARIFFVILLE.
HE earliest evidence we possess of the presence of Catholics in Tariff- ville is the following record of marriage :
" 1832, October 14th : Married at Tariffville, James Kelly to Rosanna
Jas. Kelly and McEllier. Witnesses; Felix Gaffney and Rose McEllier. Rosanna McEllier S r
JAS. McDERMOT."
In October, 1836, Rev. Peter Walsh, the successor of Father Fitton in Hart- ford, reported twenty-four Catholics in Tariffville. The Catholics here con- tinued to be served by the Rev. John Brady of Hartford, until the appointment of the Rev. Luke Daly as pastor of New Britain, in September, 1848. I11 1850 a small church was built on the "Mountain Road." Before this, Mass was said in a barn and afterwards in the house of one of the parishioners. This church was destroyed by fire in 1876 and Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan, pastor of Collinsville, purchased a more suitable site upon which to build the second church. Bishop O'Reilly made a visitation here on May 19, 1851, offered the Holy Sacrifice and preached. Tariffville remained under the jurisdiction of St. Mary's, New Britain, until the formation of Collinsville into an inde- pendent parish on December 10, 1856.
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