USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 34
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When St. Mary's parish was established, in 1852, the census disclosed a population of 200 Irish people. In 1898 tlie estimate is 1600 Irish and about 300 Italians and French. During the forty-five years elapsing between 1853 and 1898, 4559 baptisms and 1095 marriages have taken place. The first bap- tism was that of Patrick Quirk, January 2, 1853. The marriage of Michael Kelly and Mary Quinn was the first soleinnized, August 4, 1850.
ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.
As stated above, Rev. Father Sinyth organized the first Catholic school in Windsor Locks in 1868. It was conducted in the brick building in the rear of the church by lay teachers, Michael Burke, . Miss Ellen Maloney and Michael Malone. It closed after a brief existence.
The present flourishing school was founded in 1888 by Father Sheridan. In November of that year the corner-stone was laid, the Rev. William Mul- heron, of Auburn, N. Y., preaching the serinon. The Rev. Walter Elliott, C. S. P., was the orator on the occasion of the blessing of the building. The school is taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, who were introduced into the
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
diocese by Father Sheridan in August, 1889. There are nine sisters teaching, with 328 pupils. The first superior was Sister Mary Ursula; the present directress is Sister St. Hilary. St. Mary's school has all the grades from the primary to the high-school grade inclusive, and is modern both in its material appointments and methods of teaching.
The Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph dates its canonical erection from March 10, 1651. Like many other religious communities it was dispersed in the French Revolution of 1789. Its restoration occurred in 1807. The Order was founded by Mgr. de Maupas and Father Medaille, S. J., at Le Puy, France.
SACRED HEART (MISSION) CHURCH,
SUFFIELD.
HE Sacred Heart church, Suffield, is under the jurisdiction of St. Mary's parish. Mass is celebrated here every Sunday. The land on which the church is built was purchased and paid for in 1883 by Rev. Father Kelly. In 1886, during the pastorate of Father Sheridan, the church was erected. It was dedicated on November 3Ist (Thanksgiving day) of that year, the preacher on the occasion being the Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan, of Middletown. The cost of the church, with the surrounding improvements, was $12,000, all of which was liquidated by Father Sheridan. The church grounds embrace eleven acres.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S PARISH,
BRIDGEPORT.
.
RIDGEPORT, known in early times as Fairfield Village, Stratfield, and Newfield, is the county seat of Fairfield county. It was incor- porated in 1836. As early as 1657 a portion of the site on which the city stands was known as "Ireland's Brook." The origin of tlie name is lost in obscurity.
The Catholic history of Bridgeport embraces a period of well-nigh thirce score and ten years. In1 1830, that prince of missionaries and apostolic 111a11, Rev. James Fitton, celebrated here for the first time thie Adorable Mysteries in the house of James McCullougli, on Middle strect. Seventeen souls, of various ages and conditions, formed thiat first congregation. At this time the follow- ing were residents of Bridgeport : Mrs. McLoughlin, Mrs. McConnell, Ber- nard Kennedy, Peter Carcy, Jolin Carey, Michael Sullivan, Joseph Delaney,
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
James McCullogh, John Reilly, James Gillick, James Ward, Thomas Garey, Edward Lutz, and John Coyle. Father Fitton was of the opinion that Bridge- port had been honored by the presence of a priest before his appearance there ; that the sacraments had been administered to a dying child of the faith by a priest from New York. This puts no strain on our belief, for we know that a few years before (in 1827) Very Rev. John Power, Vicar General of New York, attended a sick laborer at Windsor Locks, that he returned again in the same year, and that he said Mass in New Haven. Father Wood- ley, of Providence, may also have exercised his sacred ministry here, for the records show that he returned to Hartford from the Enfield Canal on July 21, 1829, and on the day following set out for New Haven and New London. It is not improbable that the Rev. Bernard O'Cavanagh, the first resident priest in Connecticut, also visited this section of his extensive parish, as he was on a missionary visit to New Haven on April 17, 1830.
However, Bridgeport was visited by the Rev. James McDermot occasion- ally from 1832 to 1837, when he was transferred from New Haven to Lowell, Massachusetts. Father McDermot said Mass in Mr. Farrell's residence 011 Middle street. At the period of Father McDermot's first visitation there were about ninety Catholics in Bridgeport.
The Rev. James Smyth, of New Haven, followed Father McDermnot in his attendance upon the Catholics of Bridgeport. . For seven years Father Smyth served Bridgeport, coming as frequently as once a month. He erected the old brick church-the first in Connecticut-that stood on the corner of Arch street and Washington avenue. It was dedicated to St. James on July 24, 1843. At this time the number of Catholics had increased to respectable proportions, numbering in 1841, according to Father Fitton, 250 souls. The church measured 60 by 40 feet, had a sacristy, and was adorned with a choir gallery.
On November 18, 1844, the Rev. Michael Lynch, who in 1843 was pastor of Waltham, Mass., succeeded Father Smyth, and became the first resident pastor of the Catholics of Bridgeport. His missions were Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury, Wolcottville and Norfolk. In 1846 Father Lynch estimated the Catholic population of Bridgeport at 300.1 Father Lynch's relations with the Catholics of Bridgeport closed on August 12, 1852. Rev. Patrick Lamb was attached to St. James' at this time.
In August, 1852, the Rev. Thomas J. Synnott2 began his pastorate in Bridgeport, which covered a period of thirty-two years. In this new field Father Synnott gave evidence of the possession in a high degree of tact, patience, courage, unconquerable confidence and unusual financial capacity. It was a time when authority had to be exercised firmly, yet withal in a spirit of fatlierly kindness. Father Synnott was equal to every demand made upon him, and his conduct of affairs elicited the praise of his Ordinary. On June 5, 1853, Bishop O'Reilly administered confirmation in St. James' church, and under that date he wrote in his Journal : "All matters well in this congrega-
1 Letter to Bishop Tyler, February 16th.
2 Father Synnott was ordained to the priesthood on April II, 1851.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, Bridgeport.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
tion." Difficulties which had previously existed were happily adjusted, and with Father Synnott the parish began a new era of prosperity.
Father Synnott was an active laborer in the vineyard of Christ. His works attest his energy. In the first three years of his ministry he enlarged St. James' church, built St. Mary's, situated at the corner of Crescent avenue and Church street, and erected St. Thomas' church at Fairfield.
Old St. James' church continued to be the religious home of the Catholics of Bridgeport until 1864. As far back as July 18, 1852, Bishop O'Reilly had recommended the erection of a new church, and had received some subscrip- tions to that end. He had examined a contemplated church lot, but was unable to secure it. Notwithstanding the enlargements of the church, first by Father Lynch and afterwards by Father Synnott, it became inadequate for the accommodation of the people. With splendid foresight and judgment Father Synnott purchased a fine lot on the corner of Washington avenue and Poquonock street, and upon this he erected the church which stands a monu- ment to his zeal, one of the ornaments of Bridgeport. The corner-stone was laid on August 28, 1865. It was opened for public worship on March 17, 1869, and dedicated under the title of St. Augustine in June, 1868, by Bishop McFarland. The erection of St. Agnes' magnificent convent next occupied Father Synnott's attention, though he did not live to see it completed. When Father Synnott was attacked by his last illness he was engaged in improving some forty acres of land in the northern section of the city. Among his last acts in the temporal order was the purchase of the Billings property, now used as the parochial residence. Father Synnott died on Wednesday, April 30, 1884, aged 66 years, at the old parochial residence on Poquonock street. The Rev. Augustine Hewitt, C. S. P., pronounced the funeral eulogy. "As a citi- zen he was upright, honest and sincere; as a priest, he was a firm npholder of the doctrines of the church, and always solicitous for the spiritual welfare of his flock. The cause of education found in him an earnest champion. He was a member of the Board of Education for several years, and during that time not only maintained kindly relations with his colleagues, but endeared himself alike to teachers and pupils." 1
Father Synnott's successor was the Rev. Michael F. Kelly, a king among 11e11. Father Kelly took up his residence in the house on the Billings' estate, opened the new convent for a select academy, and purchased St. Michael's cemetery, the one in use. The parish has two other cemeteries, St. James' and St. Augustine's. Father Kelly's pastorate was closed by death in Sep- tember, 1887.
The present rector, the Rev. Denis Cremin, succeeded Father Kelly on November 1, 1887. The first work to which Father Cremin devoted his cher- gies was the renovation of the rectory. At an outlay of $3,000 it was trans- formed into a model parochial residence; but a conflagration, which broke out on the night of January 18, 1888, destroyed the labor, but not the hopes of the zealous rector. The rectory was rebuilt, the parochial school opened, the church spire was crected in 1894, the interior of the church has been superbly
1 Orcutt's History of Bridgeport.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
decorated and the spacious grounds about the church and rectory have been so graded and otherwise improved that they are among the handsomest in the city. Altogether, it is one of the finest and most valuable church estates in New England, and speaks eloquently of the faith, devotion and self- sacrifice of the people, and of the wisdom and courage and ceaseless toil of the pastors. Father Cremin is one of the permanent rectors of the diocese. His assistants are the Rev. William Fitzsimmons and the Rev. John McGivney.
The first Catholic school in Bridgeport was opened in the house of Mr. John Coyle. It was taught by Mary Quigley, and was attended by about twenty-five pupils. In 1874 Father Synnott began the erection of the present school building. It was opened, as said above, as a select school by Father Kelly and as a parochial school by Father Cremin. The school contains nine grades, has 610 pupils, and is conducted by twelve Sisters of Mercy whose superior is Sister M. Colette.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, EAST BRIDGEPORT.
NTIL April, 1857, St. Mary's church was attended by the priests attached to St. James'. The first church was a frame building on the corner of Crescent avenue and Church street, now used as a parochial school. It was built in 1854 by Rev. Father Synnott, pastor of St. James', as an accommodation for the Catholics in this section of the city. Previous to its erection into an independent parish it had been served successively by the Rev. Michael O'Neill, the Rev. Patrick Lamb and the Rev. Dr. Wallace. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Peter A. Smitli, who assumed charge in April, 1857. He built the rectory and remained in charge until February 10, 1862. His successors were the Rev. Francis J. Lenihan, February 24, 1862; Rev. Richard O'Gorman, January 12, 1866; the Rev. Thomas Drea,1 October 2, 1867; the present pastor, the Rev. John F. Rogers, who succeeded Father Drea on July 6, 1873.
Father Rogers began the erection of the present fine churchi edifice in June, 1874. It is situated on the corner of Pembroke and Steuben streets. The corner-stone was laid by Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G., on May 16, 1875, and the church was dedicated by Bishop Galberry on October 14, 1877. Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Galberry, and the setmon of dedication was preached by the Rev. J. Fitzpatrick, of New Haven. The church is in the Romanesque style, is 74 feet front on Pembroke street and 154 feet in length, with a spire 187 feet in height. The principal feature of the interior is the Roman altar 35 feet high. The edifice cost, when completed, about $100,000. In 1890, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Father Rogers, a fine bell, worth $1,400, was placed in the tower in honor of the jubilarian. The inte- rior of the church was thoroughly renovated and handsomely decorated a few years ago.
1 Father Drea was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1851, at Hartford, by Bishop O'Reilly.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The present parochial residence was erected in 1881, on a lot adjoining, south of the church. It is a double lot, 240 feet wide on Pembroke street, between Steuben and Sherman, and 200 feet deep on Steuben. Another lot between Sherman and Cedar streets was purchased by Father Rogers, on which it is his intention to erect a convent and parochial school. The popu- lation of the parish is about 3200 souls. Father Rogers is assisted by the Rev. William Lynch and the Rev. Peter C. Dunigan.
St. Mary's church is admittedly one of the most graceful and majestic brick structures in the diocese of Hartford, its external beauty arousing the admiration of all beholders. So numerous and ornate are the stone trimmings on front and sides, that it might with truth be affirmed that it is a stone church with brick ornaments. The stately spire, which carries its golden cross aloft, like a prayer into the clouds, bears upward the aspiration of both Protestant and Catholic alike that so much of beauty, reared to the honor and glory of the Infinite, may never fail in its exalted and divine mission. The seating capacity is 1300 upstairs and 1350 in the basement. From this it will be seen that 2650 worshipers, including children and adults, can at the same time be assembled for divine service.
The parochial school is held in the old church, and the Sisters of Mercy who conduct it, reside in the rectory built by the first resident pastor, Rev. Peter Smith. At present there are 360 pupils, and ten sisters, whose superior is Sister M. Vincent.
SACRED HEART PARISH,
BRIDGEPORT.
T HE parish of the Sacred Heart is of comparatively recent origin, its his- tory beginning on November 18th, 1883, when it was organized by the Rev. Denis Cremin, now rector of St. Augustine's parish. It was the second division of the mother parish. From the time Father Cremnin assumed charge until the church could be used for divine worship, Mass was said in the Opera House. Having secured a lot on Myrtle avenue near Pros- pect street, Father Cremin began the project of erecting a church. Ground was broken early in 1884 and the corner-stone of the new structure was laid in the September following. So expeditiously was the work carried on that in Jannary, 1885, the Adorable Sacrifice was offered up in the basement. At the thoughit of enjoying the happiness of gathering within their own sacred walls to assist at Mass both pastor and people took on new courage, their zeal received new impetus. The work so progressed that on the na- tion's holiday, July 4th, 1886, the beautiful building was solemnly dedicated to tlie Adorable Heart of our Lord. The spire was completed and a bell placed in it to ring ont tlie praises of God and to proclaim to tlic parisliioners a welcome to their new temple. This work accomplished, Fatlier Cremin was promoted to St. Augustine's parisli on November Ist, 1887. He was followed immediately by the Rev. James C. O'Brien, who is still the rector. The eleven years of his pastorate have been attended witlı m11varying successes. The church interior was completed under his super-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
vision. A rich-toned organ, two marble side altars, statues and stations of the cross, a liandsome vestment case with complete sets of vestments of the prescribed colors in keeping with the dignity of the parish, and the frescoing of the interior-all are works bearing evidence of the thought that the beauty of the temple in which dwells the Lord God should be uppermost in the mind and fill the heart of him who is a dispenser of His mysteries. Yet other works speak of Father O'Brien's activity : the purchase of the rectory at a cost of $15,000, recently almost destroyed by fire; the securing of the con- vent property adjoining the church at an expenditure of $12,000; the pur- chase of an acre of land on Park avenue for which he paid $25,000; the erec- tion on this land of a model school which cost, exclusive of furniture, $35,000; the erection of St. Michael's "Chapel of Ease" in the western section of the city. The lot upon which this chapel stands was purchased in 1894. In September, on Labor Day, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Tierney, Rev. William J. Slo- cum, of Waterbury, preaching the sermon. It was blessed on January 6th, 1895. The church is a wooden structure with a seating capacity of 700. Its entire cost was $ 16,500. The clergymen who assist Father O'Brien in parochial work are the Rev. Charles A. Leddy, the Rev. D. P. Hurley, and the Rev. James Clyne.
The Sisters of Mercy were introduced into the parish on December 8th, 1892. After the erection of St. Michael's chapel they opened a school in the rear portion of the building.' Here they had three rooms and 125 children, with five sisters. The new school was opened in September, 1896. It con- tains twelve large and well-ventilated class rooms, has 768 pupils with thirteen sisters, wliose directress is Sister M. Petronilla.
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
BRIDGEPORT.
T HE growth of Catholicity in the northern section of Bridgeport con- vinced Bishop McMahon of the necessity of giving to the Catholics of that locality an independent organization. Accordingly St. Augustine's parish was for the third time divided, and St. Patrick's formed on May 29, 1889. The Rev. James Nihil was appointed the first pastor. Previous to the division Father Cremin had secured property on Lindley avenue known as the Lindley estate.
Upon his arrival among his new flock Father Nihil secured from the Board of Education the gratuitous use of the Grand street school, where for twelve months he gathered his parishioners for divine worship. This cour- teous action of the school board was an evidence that the narrow religious spirit that formerly prevailed in Connecticut is to be catalogued among the things that were. Believing that the Lindley estate was not sufficiently cen- tral to accommodate his parishioners Father Nihil purchased the Eli Thomp- son estate in April, 1890, for $27,000. No inore eligible property could be secured for church purposes. It is 250 by 200 feet, and is bounded by three streets : Thompson and Parallel streets and North avenue. The fine mansion purchased with the property became the parochial residence.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The first shovelful of earth was taken from the site of the future church on May 3, 1890, and the 3rd of August witnessed the laying of the corner- stone. On December 3rd of the same year, Mass was said for the first time in the basement. The basement, which is as far as the work has progressed, is 140 feet long and 64 wide. The interior is 13 feet above the floor, and has a seating capacity of 1000. When the church is completed it will present a truly striking appearance. Its architecture is pure Gothic, will have a clere- story and a spire 175 feet in height. Architecturally it will take front rank among the granite churches of the diocese.
The population of Father Nihil's parish is estimated at 825 souls. Not- withstanding this comparatively small number he has decreased the parish indebtedness nearly $20,000. The amount received from the sale of the Lindley property, first purchased, contributed somewhat to the reduction.
Though numerically small, Father Nihil's parishioners are stimulated to religious endeavors by his example. "To Labor and to Move Onward," is their motto, and they generously co-operate with their pastor in his efforts to advance the interests of religion.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH (GERMAN),
BRIDGEPORT.
HE earliest German Catholics to settle in Bridgeport were J. Rickel, A. Vorsmeit, Marten Helleman and M. Roerich. St. Joseph's parish was organized in December, 1874, by the Rev. Josepli A. Schæle, of New Haven, who attended it as a mission until July 24, 1886. At first and for some time after the organization Father Schæle said Mass in the hall of the Father Matthew T. A. B. Society, and later in a hall at 449 Main street. In 1877, he began the erection of St. Josephi's church, which was dedicated the following year. On July 24, 1886, the parish was made independent, and the Rev. Theodore J. Ariens appointed pastor. When the parish was organized it contained 700 Germans and 500 Canadians ; but the latter were constituted a separate parish in 1893. Father Ariens celebrated his golden jubilee as a priest on October 19, 1895, amidst the universal rejoicings of his people and surrounded by a large number of his brethren of the clergy. Father Ariens was born in Holland on April 14, 1823, and is still active in the discharge of his manifold priestly duties.
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA'S PARISH (FRENCH), BRIDGEPORT.
T HE French Catholics of Bridgeport were organized into an independent parish in 1893, with the Rev. Father Cartier, of New Haven, as pastor. Mass was celebrated in a hall over the post-office. I11 1894 Father Cartier began the construction of a churchi, the corner-stone of which was laid on July 15th of that year by Bishop Tierney. The present pastor is the Rev. Joseplı Desaulnier, who succeeded the Rev. J. E. Scncsac. The parisli population is about 1,000 souls.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH (ITALIAN), BRIDGEPORT.
HE first Italian priest to attend to the wants of the Italians of Bridge- port was the Rev. Father Morelli. The Rev. Benjamin Berto was later in charge of them and said Mass in St. Mary's school building. The present pastor is the Rev. George Csaba.
ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE'S PARISH (BOHEMIAN), BRIDGEPORT.
HE Bohemians and kindred nationalities to the number of about 1,000 were organized into a separate parish by the Rev. Joseph Formanek in 1889. He said Mass and administered the sacraments for them in the basement of St. Mary's church. The church in which the congregation now worships was begun by Father Formanek in 1891 ; the basement was dedicated by Bishop McMahon in that year.
Father Formanek's successor was the Rev. F. J. Pribyl, who in turn was followed by the present pastor, the Rev. Joseph Kossalko.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, BETHEL.
ATHOLIC families first settled in Bethel about 1848. In the records of those days we find such names as Skivington, Doyle, Quigley, Hanna, Wixted, Crowe, Doran, Murray, Curtin, Brauneis, Diggins, McLoughlin, Lyman, Mainon, English, McHugh and McGee-all children of the ancient faith.
The Rev. M. P. Lawlor was the celebrant of the first Mass said in Bethel. The historic event took place on January 8, 1882, in the Town Hall, in the presence of about 400 persons. In the spring of the same year the congre- gation secured Fisher's Hall, in which Mass was said until the church was · completed. Before this year the Catholics of Bethel attended Mass at St. Peter's church, Danbury.
In April, 1883, Bethel was separated from the jurisdiction of Danbury and organized into a separate parish, with the Rev. M. Byrne as the first pastor. Father Byrne died after a successful, thoughi brief, pastorate. The main altar of St. Mary's church was donated by his mother as a memorial of her son.
The Rev. Patrick O'Connell succeeded Father Byrne in November, 1883. His period of service was fifteen years. Evidences of his sacerdotal zeal are everywhere visible. The works that signalized his administration were the purchase of the rectory and lot on which it stands, and a cemetery on the line of the Danbury and Norwalk railroad. He furnished the church with a pipe organ and a bell for the tower; erected three sets of granite steps for the entrances of the church; built an expensive property line wall, laid the con- crete walks, and graded and beautified the grounds-works which bear testi- mony to his activity and to the generosity of the parishioners.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The present rector, the Rev. John Flemming, received his appointment as Father O'Connell's successor in January, 1898.
Several years before Bethel was raised to the parochial dignity, Thomas Doran, Patrick Wixted, James Howley, B. Murphy, Michael Brauneis, James McGee, Charles Diggins and John Doyle met in conference and resolved to establish a Sunday-school in Bethel. For this purpose a building, owned by Thomas McCorkle, situated in Grassy Plain district, was rented and the school organized. The school was held here as long as the building was for rent, and when the time expired a small building, next to the residence of Mr. B. Morgan, was secured; but the school was soon after discontinued. Not long afterwards, however, The Catholic Society of Bethel was organized with John M. Doyle as President and Charles Diggins as Secretary. In the meantime, still determined on continuing the Sunday-school, Thomas Doran and Patrick Wixted purchased the lot adjoining the residence of Mr. E. Farmer from Willis Judd, paying therefor $475. They held this lot for some time, but finally relinquished it to the "Catholic Society " for the same price they had paid for it. Upon this lot the church was afterwards built.
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