USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 33
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Among the early settlers of Tariffville whose names have come down to us, were Thomas Flynn, Neil Lagan, Patrick Timon, John McAleer, James Kelly, Moses Leary and Richard Mulherring. Rev. John Brady of Hart- ford celebrated the first Mass said in Tariffville in 1846; at this period there were about fifteen Catholics here. The first church was built by Father Daly, and was forty by sixty feet in the clear. The Catholic population at the time of the erection of the church was about 100 souls. The principal benefactor of the old church was Bishop Tyler who donated $100 to the building fund.
The priests who successively attended Tariffville until it was set apart as a separate parish were: Revs. James McDermot (and perhaps, Fathers O'Cavanagh and Fitton), Peter Walsh, John Brady, Luke Daly, P. O'Dwyer, Philip Daly, John Fagan, L. Walsh and B. O'R. Sheridan.
About May I, 1881, Tariffville was formed into a parish with Bloomfield as a mission. Rev. John Quinn was the first resident pastor and remained until his death on December 20, 1890. The present rectory was purchased during his pastorate. On Ash Wednesday, 1892, during the administration of his successor, Rev. James Walslı, a conflagration destroyed the church. A new site adjoining the rectory was purchased and an attractive and com- modious church was erected upon it. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop McMahon in 1892, Rev. T. W. Broderick preaching on the occasion. It was dedicated in May, 1895. On June I of that year Father Walsh was trans- ferred and his successor, the present incumbent, Rev. M. C. Cray, immedi- ately assumed charge.
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Father Cray attends also the church of the Sacred Heart, Bloomfield. This mission was organized by Rev. Joseph Reid of the cathedral parish, and was subsequently attended by Fathers Kelly and Harty. The church, a hand- some structure, was erected during the rectorship of Father Harty. The cor- ner-stone was laid on September 8, 1878, by Bishop Galberry, assisted by Very Rev. T. Walsh, V.G., Rev. Dr. Carmody, Rev. M. Tierney, Rev. M. Galligan, Rev. P. McAlenny, Rev. J. Larkin. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Carmody. The contributions on the occasion realized $440.
The dedication of the church on Sunday, August 17, 1879, was the first public official act of Bishop McMahon, the ceremony taking place one week after his consecration. The celebrant of the Mass, which followed the dedi- catory services, was the Rev. M. F. Kelly, and Very Rev. James Hughes, V.G., preached the sermon. At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop McMahon ad- dressed the congregation as follows:
"My first public act in the Diocese of Hartford, the blessing of this church, was partly by my own choice and partly by circumstances. I am sincerely glad to commence my labors among my people by such an act. The dedication of a new church is an im- portant event of itself, for it is the establishment of a new centre from which should go forth all spiritual graces and blessings ; but I take especial delight in dedicating this particular church because I understand it is practically free from debt. This is a good omen, a happy augury. The Catholics of Bloomfield have, in their act of dedicating a church practically free from debt, given a good example to more wealthy churches else- where, and done credit to themselves. I congratulate you and your pastor. You must have been very generous, or you have had good friends to assist you. I presume both suppositions are true. The church is a perfect little gem, complete in all its appoint- ments. As you have done so much now, I hope that you will do still more; that you will make use of the church for the purposes for which it was designed, and then it will indeed prove the means of rich blessings to you and your children."
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
THOMPSONVILLE.
T T is not improbable that the Rev. Father Woodley and the Rev. Father O'Cavanagh visited Thompsonville in 1828, 1829 and 1830, upon the occasions of their periodical trips to the Enfield Canal. The latter was the first resident priest in Hartford, and made frequent visits to the northern section of the State. At any rate, the Rev. Jamnes Fitton, Father O'Cavanagh's successor, made a missionary visit to Thompsonville and offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the house of Richard Murphy in the fall of 1831. Upon his arrival at Thompsonville he arranged to deliver a lecture, which was largely attended by the Protestants of the town, who were moved by curiosity to see a "real live Catholic priest." Through- out this whole section there were about ten disciples of the old faith, and after the lecture they were quietly notified that Mass would be said the next morning before daylight in the house above mentioned. According to appoint- 111c11t, the few Catholics who could possibly attend, assembled in this modest home in the gray dawn of that memorable morning to be present at the Adorable Sacrifice. There were seven in attendance. It was not a Sunday
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morning, and those who came did so at the risk of being summarily dis- charged by their bigoted employers.
Mass was not said again in Thompsonville for three years. On this occa- sion the attendance was larger, as a few additional Catholics had come to work in the neighborhood. The marriage register bears testimony to this visit as follows :
"Thompsonville, Conn.
Peter Casey 1834. August 13 : Married, Peter Casey to Elizabeth Bachelder. and Witnesses, Patrick and Mary Collins.
Elizabeth Bachelder JAS. FITTON."
The small band of the faithful was not again blessed with the presence of a priest until 1837, when it is said a Father Murphy, happening in the vicin- ity, gladly sojourned a few days with them and ministered to their wants. This priest officiated in the house of James Benson, a worthy pioneer of the faith. In 1838 the Catholics of Thompsonville were consoled by the visits of another priest, the Rev. John Brady, of Hartford, at intervals of three months. So strong was the current of intolerance that Father Brady was compelled to say Mass at four o'clock in the morning in Mr. Benson's resi- dence. Having been previously advised by Father Brady, he would carry the glad tidings of his coming visits to the Catholics of the town.
After the arrival of Father Smyth as assistant to Father Brady, he min- istered to the wants of the faithful for six or seven years ; and a private dwelling being now too small for their rapidly increasing numbers, the town hall was secured and used for divine service once a month. During this period Father Smyth received the occasional assistance of various priests, among whom were the Rev. Father Doherty, of Springfield, Mass .; the Rev. Father Duffy, of Rhode Island, and the Rev. Father Hogan, of Long Island. Increasing numbers brought to the devoted band confidence in their ability to build a church. Accordingly, Father Smyth purchased ground and announced his intention to erect a suitable house of worship. In a short time a fine, spa- cious and handsome frame structure arose. To this building Father Tully built an addition after a few years, so rapidly did the congregation increase. This edifice, the first Catholic church in Thompsonville, was erected in 1860.
Among the sturdy pioneers of Catholicity, other than those already mentioned, we may note the names of James Donovan, Patrick O'Brien, John Hubbard, Patrick Carroll and Daniel Lawlor.
In Bishop O'Reilly's journal under date of February 9, 1852, is this entry: " Wrote Rev. Carinody appointing him to the missions of Thompsonville and Windsor Locks ; this good young priest was sent to Bridgeport, but left, and begged these missions." Dr. Carmody officiated in Thompsonville on three occasions. His successor in Windsor Locks was the Rev. James Smyth.
The first resident pastor of Thompsonville was the Rev. Bernard Tully, who assumed charge in January, 1863. His term of service was three years, having as successor, the Rev. William E. Duffy, October, 1866. During his pastorate he enlarged the church and built the present convent, though he intended it for a pastoral residence. Having been transferred before the
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
building was completed, the work was carried on by the Rev. John Cooney, who came to Thompsonville in May, 1871. Instead of occupying the new building himself, Father Cooney installed therein a band of Sisters of Mercy, whoin he had brought from Hartford. Other substantial evidences of his labors are the parochial school and the present rectory. After a service of eight years he was followed by the Rev. John A. Mulcahy, the present Vicar General, who reduced the parish indebtedness $9,000, besides purchasing the choice lot upon which the present church stands. In October, 1881, the Rev. Patrick Donahoe assumed control of the parish and began the erection of the new church, having disposed by sale of the old buildings that stood on the premises. Father Donahoe also purchased a public-school building, moved it to the lot adjoining the convent, renovated it in a suitable manner and opened it for school purposes. The Rev. Joseph Gleason then came in January, 1889, and immediately took up the work of completing the church. The corner-stone was laid on August 11, 1889. The discourse on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. M. A. Tierney. The work progressed apace, and on October 16, 1892, the basement was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop McMahon. The celebrant of the Pontifical High Mass was the Most Rev. Archbishop Fabre of Montreal. Other works, such as enlarging the school and the building of a boiler house, closed a pastorate of six years. The pres- ent rector is the Rev. Thomas J. Preston, who took charge on December 8, 1895, and with whom the people are cheerfully co-operating to the end, that both may witness the dedication of their magnificent church as a fitting crown to their work. Father Preston's assistant is the Rev. James W. Hoey.
When St. Patrick's parisli was organized in 1863, its population was esti- mated at 500 souls, comprising Irish, Germans and a few French Canadians. In 1898 it was 1700, and of the same nationalities. During the thirty-five years of its parochial existence, 3074 souls have been regenerated by the sav- ing waters of baptism, while during the same period 744 were united in wed- lock. Among the generous benefactors of St. Patrick's parish are the Hartford Carpet Company, William Cashman and Mrs. Mary Diedrich. The parish possesses a beautiful cemetery, which was purchased in 1868 by Father Tully, and blessed in the same year by Bishop McFarland.
The assistants who have served in Thompsonville are: Rev. M. F. Kelly, Rev. John H. Duggan, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. H. T. Walsh, Rev. Joseph Gleason, Rev. James H. O'Donnell, Rev. W. H. Redding, Rev. R. Walsh, Rev. John Broderick, Rev. D. J. O'Connor, Rev. D. J. Lawlor, Rev. C. W. Morrell, Rev. W. J. Kelly and Rev. James Hoey. The Rev. Father Preston is a inein- ber of the Diocesan School Commission.
St. Patrick's school was built during the incumbency of the Rev. Father Cooney. When it was opened it was attended by 200 pupils. At present there are 133 boys and 164 girls in attendance. There are seven class-rooms, six in the main school, and one in the old church building now used for gymnasium purposes. Sister Leo is thie Superioress. Tlic educational work accomplished in this school is of a gratifying character, and reflects deserved credit upon the management of it.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. MARY'S, STAR OF THE SEA, PARISH,
UNIONVILLE.
FOR many years the Catholics of Unionville were faithfully and regu- larly attended by the Rev. Luke Daly, pastor of St. Mary's parish, New Britain. In 1854 he began to say Mass here, and continued to do so until the appointment to Collinsville of the Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer, early in 1857. He was succeeded in 1861 by the Rev. John Fagan, whose pastorate ended in 1868. Rev. Lawrence Walsh then became pastor of Collinsville and dependencies, and labored in this jurisdiction until May, 1870. His successor was the Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan.
These priests were unremitting in their care for their Unionville charges. They organized them into a compact body, and were zealous in inculcating the necessity and importance of strict adherence to their religious obligations. In 1876 they had become so numerous and had given such unequivocal evidences of their desire and ability to build a church, that a large and attractive edifice was completed and dedicated in that year. At this time the Catholic population numbered about 600 souls.
Their devotion to the church and regular attendance at its various services ; their reception of the sacraments and generous contributions to the support of religious and charitable works-all demonstrated to the cen- tral authority of the diocese the wisdom of forming the congregation into an independent parish. This was accordingly done to the joy of the people, and the Rev. P. Fox was appointed the first resident pastor. He entered upon his pastorate with the determination to place his new charge upon a solid spiritual and financial basis. The rectory, the many improve- ments made on the church property, the prudent management of the finances of the parish attest his activity and success.
The present incumbent, the Rev. W. H. Redding, is the second pastor of St. Mary's, and faithful is he in the discharge of the duties which devolve upon him. Having enlarged the parochial residence, beautified the grounds and in other ways enhanced the value of the parish's possessions, he has also guarded the spiritual welfare of his people. St. Mary's parish, which now has 850 souls, consisting of Irish people and their descendants, is in a pros- perous condition and is fulfilling its mission of forming devoted children of the church and useful citizens of the State.
PARISH OF THE SACRED HEART, WETHERSFIELD.
HE town of Wethersfield received its name on February 2Ist, 1636. "It is ordered that the plantacon nowe called Newtowne shal be called & named by the name of Harteford Towne, likewise the plan- tacon nowe called Watertowne shal be called & named Wythersfield."1 The boundaries of the town were also then allotted.2 "Samuell Wakeman and
1 Public Records of Conn., 1636-1665. 2 Ibid.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Ancient Stoughton doe thinke mneete that the boundes of Wythersfield 1 shal be extended toward the Rivers mouth in the same side it standes in to a Tree Sixe iniles downeward from the boundes between them & Harteford [marked wth] N : F: & to [run in an east] & west line, [& over] the great River, the said Wythersfield to begin att [4] the mouth of Pewter pott Brooke & there to runn due east into the Countrey 3 miles & donweward six miles in breadth, wch is ordered accordingly . .. The boundes between Weathersfield & Harte- ford are agreed on the side wherein they stand to be att a Tree m'ked N : F: & to weh the Pale of the Said Harteford is fixed, to goe into the Countrey due east & on the other side of the great river from Pewter pott Brooke att the lower side of Hocanno due east into the Countrey, wch is nowe ordered accord- ingly."
This ancient town is rich in Catholic memories. It was in the hos- pitable "Webb House " that the Count Rochambeau and his staff held a conference with General Washington in May, 1781. At this meeting the plan of campaign was arranged which resulted in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. In Wethersfield also, it is asserted, was celebrated the first Mass said in Connecticut. This historic event is said to have occurred during the march of Rochambeau's army across the State to join Washington's forces on the Hudson. The celebrant of this Mass, according to tradition, was the Abbé Robin.
As far as can be ascertained, the first Mass said in Wethersfield in recent years was celebrated by the Rev. Peter Kelly, rector of St. Peter's parish, Hartford, about Christmas of 1861. The scene of this offering of the August Victim was the "Chester House," occupied by Jolin Connery. Present at this Mass were Patrick Taffe, James McCarthy, and about twenty-five others. Between this time and the erection of the church, the Holy Sacrifice was offered at various times in the "Chester House," the residence of John Mehegan, the Grand Army hall and in the Town Hall.
Previous to their formation into a separate parisli and the appointment of the first resident and present pastor, the Rev. John T. Lynch, on Septem- ber Ist, 1897, the Catholics of Wethersfield were served by the pastors of St. Peter's parish, Hartford, until the appointment of Very Rev. John A. Mul- cally to tlie pastorate of East Hartford, when they passed under his jurisdic- tion and that of his successor, the Rev. John McMahon. When the parish of St. Lawrence O'Toole was organized, Wethersfield was attached to it as a mission and was attended successively by the Rev. John F. Lenihan and the Rev. James Smith. The church was built during the incumbency of the Rev. Father McMalion, and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart on October 31, 1880.
When Father Lynch assumed charge of the newly erected parish, tlie population numbered 340 souls, Irish and their descendants. Among thie benefactors of this parislı, John Fitzgibbons, Bridget Galugan, Patrick 'Taffe, Jolını Mulligan, Michael Riordan and Honora O'Neil, deserve special recogni-
1 The Indian name of Wethersfield was Pyquaagg.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
tion. In the short time Father Lynch has been in charge, he has purchased a fine lot, on which he has erected a handsome parochial residence. . Besides attending to the manifold duties of his parish, Father Lynch is the Catholic chaplain of the Connecticut State Prison, an office he has held since May, 1888. It is a position that demands a high degree of tact, a good know- ledge of human nature, and a heart that sympathizes with the afflictions of others, even when justly imposed; but, during his chaplaincy of eleven years, Father Lynch has so discharged the duties of his difficult office as to merit the high encomiums of the honorable Board of Directors, as well as of his ecclesiastical superiors. As evidence of the tolerant spirit of the prison management, and of the good work he has accomplished, we append Father Lynch's last report:
To the Honorable Board of Directors of the Connecticut State Prison, James Cheney, president.
GENTLEMEN :- I have conducted religious services for Catholic inmates, at the Connecticut State Prison, every Sunday since my last report to your Honorable Board, one year ago.
On two different occasions during the year several clergymen have assisted me in administering to those foreigners, who can understand and speak only their own language. When necessity or occasion required it, I have visited the prison at other times, to admin- ister the consolations of religion to the sick or to those who were preparing to leave this world. Being an advocate of the reform movement recently introduced into our penal institutions, I have endeavored at all times to employ those agencies which are con- sidered the best means of accomplishing that reform, namely, religious instruction and moral suasion. These religious instructions constitute a part of my duties every Sunday. In this work, I am greatly assisted at our Sunday-school by a number of self-sacrificing men who generously devote their time and labor to this worthy cause. During the past year it has been a pleasure to notice a more uniform and regular attendance at religious exercises, as well as a greater earnestness manifested by the men who attended. As far as our means would allow, I have distributed among the men, every week, a sup- ply of reading matter, with a view to carry on the work of reforin spoken of above. By the kindness of the warden a number of books of a Catholic nature have been added to the prison library, and others that had become worn or soiled were replaced by new ones.
To the Sunday-school teachers who have so conscientiously and faithfully assisted me in my work at the prison I am greatly indebted. To Warden Woodbridge and his officers I am also indebted for the courtesy they have at all times extended to me.
Respectfully, JOHN T. LYNCH.
WETHERSFIELD, CONN., October 27, 1898.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, WINDSOR LOCKS.
HE Catholics of Windsor Locks were consoled and strengthened by the ministrations of zealous missionary priests very early in our history. Very Rev. John Power, Vicar-General of New York, Rev. R. D. Woodley, and Rev. B. O'Cavanagh, each in succession, came hither, the heralds of glad tidings and the dispensers of the precious graces that flow so abundantly from the Adorable Sacrifice and the sacraments. They watered well the seeds of faith that had been sown in the hearts of those hardy laborers beyond the seas, and God gave the increase. When Father Power
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
had performed the work of mercy that had brought him to the Canal he offered the Holy Sacrifice for the faithful souls there congregated ; but the Divine Victim was sacrificed upon no altar of marble. In the open air, upon an humble table with the thick foliage as a canopy, was Christ the Lord immo- lated for the first time here in Holy Mass. This was in August, 1827. Yielding to their earnest solicitations Father Power returned to the Canal in the October following.
The visits of Father Woodley and Father O'Cavanagh are referred to elsewhere in these pages. Rev. Father Fitton, the successor of Father O'Cavanagh, Father Kiernan, Father Walsh, the third resident postor of Hartford, also came hither at intervals and gathered the scattered Catho- lics of the vicinity to assist at Mass and receive the Sacraments. Rev. John Brady then appeared upon the scene. From 1837, when he assumed charge of Hartford, until February 9, 1852, the date of the appointment of the Rev. Hugh Carmody, D. D., as the pastor of these missions, Windsor Locks was served by Father Brady, Rev. John D. Brady, Rev. John C. Brady and the Rev. H. T. Riordan, who had charge of the parish during Father Brady's seven months' absence in Ireland. During these periodical visits the thoroughly Catholic home of John Byrnes was sanctified by the offering of the Holy Sacrifice, save on one occasion, when Rev. John C. Brady said Mass in a dilapidated structure on Grove street, July 4, 1845. Among the early set- tlers who assisted in laying the foundations of the faith in this parish we note James Coogan, John Byrnes, Patrick Gaynor, Patrick Googarty and William English.
The pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Carmody was of brief duration. He was followed by Rev. James Smyth, then serving as assistant to Rev. Father Brady at Hartford. At first he came here at monthly intervals, but took up his permanent residence on June 24, 1852. For twenty-two years this apos- tolic priest labored here for the promotion of God's glory and the sanctifica- tion of souls. It was his zeal that erected the present church edifice. He had seen the Holy Sacrifice offered amid humble surroundings ; it was the all-absorbing desire of his soul to raise aloft a temple to the Most High. On August 17, 1852, ground was broken, and on September 14th following, the corner-stone was laid by Right Rev. Bishop O'Reilly, who also preached the sermon. He was-assisted by Rev. James Smyth, the pastor, and Rev. Peter Kelly. The exertions of the faithful people were rewarded by beholding a completed church, within whose sanctuary the first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, 1853. The dedication of the church is said to have occurred on Christinas day, 1853 ; if so, Bishop O'Reilly did not officiate, as the records of his Journal show that he was in Providence on that day. However, we learn from the same source that the bishop visited Windsor Locks on June 15, 1853; but there is no information as to what, if any, ceremony was per- formed. It is not improbable that the dedication of the church took place 011 that occasion. The constantly increasing population made an enlargement of the church necessary ; accordingly an addition was built in 1872, which gave the church a seating capacity of well-nigh 2000. In 1853, Father Smyth
1
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
purchased the original rectory, which stood on the site of the present resi- dence until 1878, and added St. Mary's cemetery to the possessions of the parish, erected a school where the little ones of his flock could re- ceive a Christian education, and in 1869 adorned the church witli a valua- ble organ. Father Smyth died on May 16, 1874, aged eighty-seven years. "His labors were many and arduous; his sacrifices were made for the benefit of the flock he loved so well. Their spiritual wants were well attended to by him, and it might be truly said that he spent his life in their service."
His successor was the Rev. Michael J. McAuley, who governed the parish until his death in March, 1878. On March 16th, the Rev. Michael Kelly was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. The present commodious rectory was built during his period of service. Assigned to Bridgeport in June, 1884, he was followed by the Rev. James O'R. Sheridan. The works accomplished during his ministry were carried forward with characteristic energy. Sparing not himself, he sought only the welfare of his parishioners. Chief among his labors were the complete re-decoration of the interior of the church, including new windows, confessionals and altars ; the purchase of a school lot, 240 feet by 160 feet ; a home for the Sisters of St. Joseph, whom he introduced, and the erection of a parochial school. After twelve years of successful adminis- tration Father Sheridan was followed by the present rector, the Rev. John A. Creedon, on January 8, 1896. Well equipped for the charge assigned him, Father Creedon will faithfully conserve the best interests of his people and lead them in the ways of justice and righteousness. He is assisted in his labors by the Rev. John C. Brennan. The other clergymen who discharged assistant's duties in this parish since its organization are : Revs. P. Fay, T. F. Healy, A. Van Oppen, T. P. Joynt, J. B. Dougherty, J. J. Smith, M. A. Sullivan, W. Lynch, D. Lawlor, John Crowley, J. Cunningham, W. J. Blake.
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