USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 38
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Among the works that distinguished Fathier Leo's administration were the purchase from a Mr. Philips of a dwelling-lionse; the providing the Sisters witli a building which they used as an academy and convent ; the opening of a parochial school in the basement of the church on August 15, 1865 ; the purchase of a piece of land in 1866 west of the church, and the erection on it of a spacious brick monastery ; the securing of the property in tlie rear of the church, known as the Grove; the building, in1 1876, of the convent of St. Margaret of Cortona, whichi, with the beautifying of the grounds, cost over $15,000. The corner-stone of the convent was laid on Sep-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
tember 17, 1876, and on December 3, of the same year, it was dedicated ; the new convent bell was blessed on this occasion. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated by Rev. E. J. O'Brien, assisted by Rev. C. Hughes, of Providence, Rev. Father Boniface and Rev. Father Leo. The discourse at the morning service was pronounced by Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield, and Bishop Galberry preached the sermon in the evening. In 1883 Father Leo remodeled the church by adding a transept and chancel, and had it thor- oughly renovated exteriorly and interiorly-the whole work at an expense of $15,000. The church was dedicated on June 13, 1883, the Rev. Charles McKenna, O.P., preaching the dedicatory sermon. In 1887 the energetic pastor built St. Anthony's school, a fine brick edifice, with a stone basement. The school was blessed by Bishop McMahon on December 1I, 1887. He was assisted by Rev. J. A. Mulcahy, now Vicar-General, and Rev. T. W. Broderick. The oration was pronounced by Mgr. Thomas J. Conaty, D.D.
The cemetery attached to the parish was purchased during the pastorate of Rev. Father Mangan, about 1858 of 1859. It was secured for the parish by a Mr. McGuire, and cost $400. A portion of it was blessed by Bishop McFarland before the departure of Father Mangan, and the remainder when Father Leo was pastor, before 1876. Prior to the purchase of this cemetery the parishioners buried their dead in the Catholic cemeteries of New Hartford and Norfolk.
According to the deed by which Bishop McFarland conveyed the entire property to the Franciscans, the people of the parish must have the use of the church; and it may excite surprise that they have only the use of it. This may be accounted for thus : that the people who visit a church of the Friars Minor on the Ist and 2d of August, other conditions being complied with, may gain the indulgences granted by the Pope. The circumstance affects the people indifferently, because all the property held in the name of the Friars Minor belongs to the Holy See.
When Father Leo took charge in Winsted he had as dependencies Cole- brook, New Boston, Torrington, Litchfield and Norfolk. Of these missions Colebrook alone remains. The estimated number of Catholics in Winsted, when the parish was formed, was 250, principally Irish. The number at present is about 2,000. Father Hickey is assisted in his parochial labors by Rev. Father Lewis, O.S.F., and Rev. C. Ryan, O.S.F.
Among the benefactors of St. Joseph's parish mention may be made of Mr. Harvey Wakefield, who died on July 24, 1884, bequeathing $1,000 to the churchi.
St. Joseph's school is taught by the Sisters of St. Francis, nine in num- ber, of whom Mother Leo is the Superioress. The school has nine grades, with an attendance of 314 pupils, and is among the best in the diocese.
From 1867 to the present there have been twenty-nine assistants, and among them was Rev. Father Diomede Falconio, O. S. F., now an archbishop in Italy, and recently appointed Apostolic Delegate to Canada.
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REV. MICHAEL MANN. O.F.M.
REV. JAMES H. O'DONNELL.
REV. P. KEATING.
REV. TIMOTHY F. BANNON.
REV. JOHN LEE.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. MARY'S PARISH,
LAKEVILLE. NTIL the appointment of Rev. H. Lynch in 1875, the pastors of the missions included within this jurisdiction resided at Falls Village, as here was the parish church. Mass was said for the first time in Falls Village in 1849 by Rev. John C. Brady, pastor of St. Mary's parish, Norwalk. Previous to this the Holy Sacrifice had been offered in North Canaan on Christmas Day, 1848, in the house of Patrick Lynch by Rev. John Smith of Albany, N. Y. The total Catholic population of North Canaan at this time consisted of three families, the Lynch's, McCar- thy's and Gorman's. The first Mass celebrated in Lakeville was said on July 4, 1849, under a tree near the Davis Mine by Rev. Father Howard of Pougli- keepsie, N. Y. Father Smith came from Albany at stated intervals and said . Mass in Mr. Lynch's residence and elsewhere as opportunity provided.
When Rev. Christopher Moore, the first resident pastor of Falls Village, assumed charge in 1850, his jurisdiction embraced Canaan (Falls Village), Goshen, Salisbury (Lakeville), Sharon and Cornwall. Having no church in which to gather his flock, he said Mass and administered the sacraments in houses most convenient for the people. At the time of his arrival, about 800 men were employed at Ames' Iron Works ; for their accommodation Mass was frequently said in the school-house at Amesville. One Sunday morning, how- ever, they found the door of the school locked by the authorities against thein, so that divine services were resumed in private houses and in the open air, " an apple tree standing on Beebe Hill furnishing them shade on one fine Sunday morning in June." Rev. Peter Kelly succeeded to the pastorate of Falls Village in 1851. Here he built St. Patrick's church in 1854, as well as churches at Goshen and Cornwall. Before St. Patrick's church was dedicated it was paid for, Father Kelly's mother in Ireland contributing generously for the purpose. St. Patrick's church enjoys the distinction of never having been in debt, although it is the oldest church on the railroad line between Bridge- port and Pittsfield.
In 1887 Father Kelly was transferred to Hartford and was followed by Rev. Dr. Mulligan, who remained two years. Then Rev. Richard O'Gorman was appointed pastor. His pastorate was of short duration, having been suc- ceeded by Rev. Philip Sheridan in 1860. After serving three years, Rev. J. Couchi came, but remained for a short time only. The pastorates of his suc- cessors, Fatlier O'Reilly and Father O'Farrell, were also brief. The latter died at Falls Village in 1868. Early in 1868, Rev. John J. McCabe assumed charge, but was followed in September, 1869, by Rev. Joseph O'Keefe. During his pastoratc in 1871 lie built St. Josephli's church in Northi Canaan. After four years of labor liere Fatlier O'Keefe gave way to Rev. Steplien Shcffrey, whose pastorate was of one ycar's duration, having been sent to New Haven in February, 1875. Immediately following Father Sheffrey came Rev. Henry Lynch, who remained pastor of tlicse missions until December, 1886. Fatlier Lynch built St. Mary's church in Lakeville, and crecting a pastoral residence
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
also, moved his residence liere and constituted Lakeville the parish. The corner-stone of St. Mary's church, Lakeville, was laid on the feast of Corpus Christi, May 27, 1875, by Very Rev. James Hughes, Administrator, and it was dedicated to divine worship by the Rev. Luke Daly, on January 16, 1876. Falls Village then became a mission. At this time his jurisdiction embraced Lakeville, Falls Village, Canaan and Cornwall, with Catholics at Huntsville and Lime Rock. Father Lynch built the splendid St. Mary's convent and parochial school in 1882, and introduced the Sisters of Mercy from Hartford to conduct an academy for young ladies and to teach in the school. The academy was discontinued, but the school continues with three sisters and seventy-one pupils. Sister Euphemia is the Superioress of the convent. Father Lynch's pastorate ceased in December, 1886, when the Rev. P. Fox was appointed pastor. His success in this field, wherein he had been assistant to Father Lynch, was marked by a notable reduction in the indebtedness of the parish. Father Fox was transferred to Newtown in. February, 1891, and was succeeded by the Rev. P. Donahoe, who died here on July 12th of the same year. From this date the present pastor, the Rev. Timothy F. Bannon, has been the pastor of St. Mary's. Father Bannon is assisted in his parochial labors by the Rev. William Kiernan. It was in Lakeville, in the residence of Father Bannon, that Right Rev. Bishop McMahon died.
The population of St. Mary's parish is about 700 souls, including the missions, Falls Village and Canaan, where Mass is said every Sunday.
The chief benefactors to the parish were Jonathan Scoville, who donated $3,500 to St. Mary's, and the Hon. William H. Barnumn, who was ever a gen- erous and consistent friend, giving freely of his substance to further the interests of religion as represented by St. Mary's parish.
St. Patrick's cemetery, Falls Village, was purchased in the fall of 1853, but was not blessed until the episcopate of Bishop Galberry, July 17, 1876. Rev. Father Glackmeyer, S.J., preached on the occasion. St. Joseph's cein- etery, North Canaan, was bought in the spring of 1889, and in the following September was blessed by Bishop McMahon, Rev. J. J. Quinn preaching the sernion. St. Mary's cemetery, Lakeville, was purchased early in 1885, and was solemnly set apart for burial purposes by Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, V.G., in the same year. On this occasion Rev. J. J. Curtin pronounced the discourse.
Father Bannon labors unceasingly, not only to promote the spiritual interests of his flock, but also to reduce the indebtedness of the parish; and in this arduous task he has been eminently successful.
ST. ANTHONY'S PARISH, LITCHFIELD.
T HE section now comprised in the town of Litchfield was known to the Indians as Bantam: it was incorporated in 1724 as Litchfield. The first minister in Litchfield bore the familiar name of Timothy Collins. He was a native of Guilford, and a graduate of Yale college in 1718. Another suggestive name found in the early records of this historic old town is Mark Kenney, who saw hard service in the French and Indian war. The first
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Catholics to come within the confines of Litchfield were three Acadians, the victims of English oppression. Sybil Shearaway, one of them, married Thomas Harrison in 1764, and their descendants are still residents of Litch- field. The town records of January, 1759, disclosed the manner in which these poor people were treated. . On this date it was "voted that the select- men may provide a house or some suitable place in the town for the mainte- nance of the French;" and in the county treasurer's book this entry is found: "To paid Jolin Newbree for keeping William Dunlap and the French persons, 54s. 6d., which the county allowed, and R. Sherman, justice of the quorum, drew an order dated April 25, 1760, as per order on file." As the proselytizing spirit was then rife in Connecticut, it is almost certain that if the elder Aca- dians did not sacrifice their faith, their descendants were taught to believe that nothing good could come out of Rome.
From this time on we find no trace of Catholicity in Litchfield until the period when Irish emigration was at its height. Irish people settled here in the rural districts and devoted themselves to the pursuits of agricultural life. "The celebrated 'Echo Farm,' known the world over," says a local historian, "as a most thoroughly scientific agricultural institution, is a glorious example of their success in this branch of industry."
The first priest to visit Litchfield was the Rev. John Smith, of Albany, who mnade a missionary tour through this section of the State in 1848 on horseback, seeking out and ministering to the Catholics whom he might find here. On one of these tours he tarried at Litchfield and said Mass, but where, has passed from remembrance.
Bishop O'Reilly visited Litchfield on February 25, 1851, as his journal inforins us; but the entry is silent concerning the Holy Sacrifice. It is pro- bable, however, the bishop traveled on these missionary tours provided with all things necessary for celebrating the divine mysteries. Missionary priests did so; why not missionary bishops ?
The second Mass was said in the house where Henry Ward Beecher was born. It was the house of John Ryan, on Mill street, and is now a portion of Buell's Retreat. This historic Mass was said by Rev. Philip Gillick in 1853, in the presence of twenty persons. At this time, or at least in the same year, was solemnized the first Catholic marriage in Litchfield, Father Gillick officiating.
The Rev. Thomas F. Hendricken was the next priest to visit Litchfield. In 1854, when pastor of Winsted, lie ministered to the spiritual wants of the Catholics in the residence of Peter Vogin. Father Hendricken was succeeded in Winsted by Rev. Richard O'Gorman, who in turn was followed by the Rev. Lawrence Mangan in 1856. Fathier Mangan visited Litchfield and said Mass in the Academy. The year following Rev. Peter Kelly gathered thc Catholics of this section about him in the residence of Josepli Fanning, on North strect.
During all these years that Litchfield was honored by the visits of priests, there was no settled place for divine worship In different private houses the faithful little band gathered to listen to the voice of the priest. But as the congregation grew, it became necessary to secure inore adequate accommoda-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
tions than afforded by private houses. Moreover, the pastors, energetic and willing as they were to meet the demands of their people, could not, as a rule, visit them oftener than quarterly. What was to be done for theni, espe- cially for the children, between visits? God provided the ways and means to keep alive the faith of his children here. A convert to the faith, born in Litchfield, Miss Julia Beers, became a ministering angel to her co-religionists.
She purchased from her father in 1858 a small building, which is now a part of the pastoral residence ; the room which she suitably arranged with altar and seats, is the dining-room of the rectory. Here the devoted congre- gation assembled at frequent intervals until 1861, when increasing numbers necessitated removal to the court-house, where they worshiped until the old church was completed in 1868. During these years and until 1882, the pastors of Winsted served the people of Litchfield. The old church was begun by Rev. Father Leo, O.S.F., in 1867, and the first Mass was offered up in the new edifice on New Year's Day, 1868. Father Leo also purchased a cemetery about this time.
On September 8, 1882, Litchfield was made an independent parish with the Rev. M. Byrne, as its first resident pastor. During his brief pastorate here he occupied apartments for a time with that pioneer of Catholicity in this section, Mrs. Fanning. Father Byrne was transferred to Bethel on April 4, 1883, leaving in the treasury $2,700, which he had collected for a build- ing fund. His successor was the Rev. Joseph Gleeson. Entering upon his work with enthusiasın, Father Gleeson, secured for his people the pre- sent rectory, paying therefor $6,000. After two years of service Father Gleeson was followed by the Rev. Timothy M. Sweeney, in November, 1885. His administration was distinguished by the erection of the beauti- ful church that is the pride of all who gather within its walls, at a cost of $23,000. The old church was removed to the rear and the grounds were beautified and fine walks laid about the church and parochial residence.
In March, 1889, the Rev. Patrick Finnegan was appointed rector of St. Anthony's in succession to Father Sweeney. Father Finnegan's pastorate was signalized by the most gratifying successes. In a few years he liquidated the entire indebtedness of $9,000, and placed a sweet-toned bell which cost $700 in the tower. Ill health brought to a close a pastorate as successful in spirituals as in temporals. Father Finnegan, to the grief of his devoted people, resigned his parish on October 15, 1896.
The present pastor, the Rev. Peter Skelly, was then appointed rector of St. Anthony's. Since his advent to Litchfield, Father Skelly has accon1- plished much for his people. The young are the special objects of his affec- tion. For their improvement he has established an indoor and outdoor gyin- nasium. The athletic field has been improved by the removal of the old church, and on its site a fine lawn-tennis court has been made. In this field his young inen gather for trials in athletic sports and the old saw, "a sound mind in a sound body," has nowhere a better illustration than among the enthusiastic devotees of this field.
As auxiliaries to the pastors of St. Anthony's parish, Miss Julia Beers and
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Miss Emma Deming, both converts, labored zealously in season and out of season to promote the spiritual interests of their co-religionists. In the intervals between the visitations of the priests these self-sacrificing women taught the young the salutary truths of our holy religion, while all gathered at their homes to assist at devotions. Their disinterested, faithful and labor- ious work for souls has left an impress upon the Catholic hearts of Litchfield which time will never erase. Their names are spoken with reverence by a grateful people, and from the hearts of child and parent fervent prayers are ever ascending for their devoted benefactors. They were a host in themselves, and the full measure of the good they accomplished for religion here will not be known until the pages of the Book of Life are revealed at the Final Day. Blessed, indeed, is the parish that possesses such heroic, saintly souls-souls, who, keeping ever in mind the divine injunction : "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice," have all things else added unto them.
ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA, GOSHEN MISSION.
POUR miles from Litchfield is the town of Goshen, a dependency of St. Anthony's parish, Litchfield. It was incorporated as a town in 1749. Catholics were residents of Goshen as early as 1831. The following record tells a story of interest :
" GOSHEN.
Henry Briordy ) 1831. June 7. Married Henry Briordy to Elizabeth Rosen. Witness, and Peter King.
Elizabeth Rosen JAS. FITTON."
In 1837 other Catholics found homes here and gave evidence of the faitli that was in them by traveling to Norfolk to assist at Mass, when they would receive notice of the coming of the priest to that station. In 1854, however, the Rev. Peter Kelly said the first Mass celebrated in Goshen, in a private house, unless we suppose that Father Fitton offered the Holy Sacrifice on the occasion when the above marriage took place, which is very probable. In 1856, Father Kelly converted a private residence into a chapel where Mass was said by the pastors of Falls Village for seventeen years. On December 1, 1873, Goshen passed under the jurisdiction of Rev. Fathier Leo, O.S.F., who visited it at monthly intervals. While in his charge Father Leo built St. Thomas' church. The pastors of Winsted continued to serve Goshen until Rev. M. Byrne assumed charge of Litchfield as its first resident pastor. During his brief pastorate Father Byrne liquidated an indebtedness of $800 on the churchi and left $300 in the treasury. His immediate successor, Fatlier Gleeson, re11- ovated the church, and his successors have labored indefatigably for the well- being of this portion of their flock.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH,
NEW HARTFORD.
HE first Catholic to reside within the limits of the present parish was an Irishman, a farm hand, and it is traditional that his advent created such a stir that the old residents came from miles around to see what "a real live Irishman looked like." He was here early in the forties, and no doubt, if he resembled his fellow-countrymen and co-religionists of that period, was fully competent to give a reason for the faitli that was in him. After him, in 1847, 1848 and 1849, came John Mangan, John Creuss, John Henry, Robert Smith, Joseph McManus, John O'Connell, John Smith, James Cum- mings, Joseph Hagarty and Timothy Buckley. In 1850, 1851 and 1852, we ineet the names of John and James O'Keefe, Patrick Keegan, James Donovan, John Cahill, John McNamara, Thomas Ryan, Patrick and John Whalen, Daniel Mulcondry, Michael Young, H. Lynch, Patrick Donovan, Luke Mc- Cabe, Cornelius Danalvy, J. Sheehan, Timothy Mulcondry, Martin Walsh, Mrs. Gorman and Mrs. Tuite.
In the residence of John Mangan in 1849, was offered the first Adorable Sacrifice in New Hartford, in the presence of about 30 persons. The cele- brant was the Rev. Michael O'Neill. Two months later a second Mass was said by the Rev. Luke Daly, then assistant to the Rev. John Brady, Hartford. At intervals of two or three months thereafter until 1851,1 Father Daly visited New Hartford, and said Mass in the house of John Henry and other places. Father Daly gained the affections of the people of this mission to a higli degree, and so zealously did he labor for their spiritual welfare that his name is yet held in benediction. After him New Hartford was attended by the pastors of Winsted, Rev. Thomas Quinn, in 1852; Rev. Thomas F. Hen- dricken, and Rev. Richard O'Gorman, who had charge in 1856 and 1857. When Collinsville received its first resident pastor in the person of the Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer in 1858, New Hartford passed under his care,2 and was served successively by Rev. John Fagan and Rev. Lawrence Walsh, his suc- cessors, who said Mass here twice a month until 1870, when the Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan began his administration. When Father Sheridan secured an assistant the Catholics of New Hartford were blessed with holy Mass every Sunday thereafter. It has been handed down that the Rev. Father Gillick was among the earliest priests to attend New Hartford; that, in fact, he was the successor of Father Brady and the predecessor of Father Quinn. This would make the time of his service between 1851 and 1852. But Father Gillick had not been received into the diocese up to March 1, 1852. He had previously applied for admission, but at this date his application was refused. Moreover, the Catholic Almanac for 1852, gives New Hartford as being attended from West Winsted, Rev. Thomas Quinn pastor. However, there is nothing to inilitate against the supposition that Father Gillick exercised
1 Father Daly was in charge of this mission as late as August, 1851.
2 The exact date of his appointment is not known, but it is certain that he was pastor of Collinsville as early as May, 1858.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
here temporarily the sacred ministry pending the granting of or the refusal of his petition.1
The project of building a church for the Catholics of New Hartford was inaugurated by the Rev. P. O'Dwyer, who took up the first collection for it. His successor purchased the land and built the basement. The corner-stone was laid June 10, 1869, by Bishop McFarland. Rev. Lawrence Walsh com- pleted the church, and it was dedicated by Very Rev. James Hughes, V.G., on March 27, 1870. Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan cleared it of indebtedness and pur- chased three acres of land adjoining the cemetery; on this lot there was a house which served as a rectory for nine years. This last purchase was also paid for except a mortgage note of $800.
The church is situated in the most elevated and picturesque part of the village. The land upon which it stands was bought of Mr. E. D. Curtis, M.D., on Marchi 11, 1867, by Henry T. Smith, who transferred it to Father Fagan. The purchase of a site for a Catholic church in those days required a discreet, tactful and responsible man, and Mr. Smith proved equal to the emergency.
The present pastor, the Rev. Luke Fitzsimmons, received his appoint- ment on August 15, 1881. During his administration the church was frescoed in water-colors, new stained-glass windows put in, besides being otherwise inuch improved interiorly and exteriorly. At the ceremony of re-opening the church on September 26, 1886, Bishop McMahon officiated, and Rev. John H. Duggan, of Waterbury, pronounced the oration. The church was frescoed the second time in oil, and a large handsome altar erected. At the celebration of this event, August 13, 1893, Bishop McMahon presided, and Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan preached the sermon. This was Bishop McMahon's last public function. Other works which are evidences of Father Fitzsim- mons' zeal are the grading and enlarging of the cemetery in 1883 ; the grad- ing and beautifying of the grounds of the school, convent and rectory; the completion and furnishing of the three buildings at a cost of $22,000, nearly all of which has been paid. Truly a record of cheerful co-operation and generous self-sacrifice, of zeal, faith and confidence.
When the Immaculate Conception parish was formed, its population numbered about 1,000 souls, 600 Irish and 400 Canadians. The latest census disclosed about 1,300 souls: Canadians, 700; Irish, 457, and Slavonians about 150.
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