USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 39
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The parish cemetery was purchased in 1852 from Henry Seymour by a committee comprising John Cruess, Joseph McManus, James Cummings and Santy Cruess. It was enlarged and the new part blessed on June 4, 1883, by Bishop McMahon.
The parochial school was begun int 1888, and on September 9 of that year the corner-stone was laid by Bishop McMahon. The preachers on the occasion were Rev. M. J. Lavelle, LL. D., of New York, and Rev. T. J. Dunn, of Dayville, Conn. The building was completed in 1889. The con-
1 The Catholic Almanacs of 1850 and 1851 assign.the Rev. Philip Gillick to St. Paul's church, Belleville, N. J., diocese of New York. In 1853 he was in Winsted. In 1855 he was at Greenville, R. I.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
vent was finished in 1890 and the rectory in the year following. On Septem- ber 7, 1890, the school, convent and school bell were blessed by Bishop Mc- Mahon, Rev. J. J. Quinn preaching the English discourse, and Rev. J. A. Bachand, of Canada, delivering the sermon in French.
In August, 1890, Father Fitzsimmons introduced the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose mother-house is in Chambery, France, and placed them in charge of his school. There are four Sisters with 102 girls and 81 boys. Sister Mary Amedine is the local superioress. The Sisters engage also in Sunday- school work and visit the sick.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S PARISH, NEW MILFORD.
IKE many other stations within the limits of the diocese, missionary priests came hither occasionally to celebrate Mass, administer the sacraments and to minister in other ways to the spiritual wants of the scattered Catholics of this section.
According to reliable traditions, the first Mass celebrated here was after the completion of the railroad. This Mass was said at the residence of Matthew Dunn, who resided near the railroad station, but the name of the celebrant is not known ; probably it was the Rev. James Smyth, of New Haven. In 1850 Rev. Father Brady and Rev. Father Ryan visited New Milford and said Mass at quarterly intervals during that year. Father Ryan said Mass in Wright's Hall, on Main street. In 1851 Father O'Farrell, of Danbury, celebrated the Divine. Mysteries at the residence of Edmond Finn. The next priest to visit New Milford was the Rev. John Smith, of Falls Village, who said Mass for the first time on Sunday, July 3, 1853. His period of service here was four years. In succession to Father Smith, Fathers Kelly, Mulligan and O'Gorman min- istered to the Catholics of New Milford. In the fall of 1858, Rev. Father Lenihan, of Newtown, assumed spiritual control of the Catholics of New Mil- ford, and remained until 1862. During Father Lenihan's pastorate the site of the present church was purchased from Messrs. Beach and Canfield, on May 21, 1860. Upon the premises was an old saw mill which was remodeled into a church, and divine services were held here in the following October, This humble house of prayer and sacrifice was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier by Bishop McFarland. Succeeding Father Lenihan came Father Daly, also of Newtown, whose term of service was four years. It was during his admin- istration that the cemetery was purchased. The Rev. John Rogers then assumed charge of Newtown and served the Catholics of New Milford from 1866 to 1871. The Catholics of New Milford were honored with a resident pastor on May 21, 1871, in the person of Rev. P. G. McKenna. The first trustees of the new parish were Michael A. Kelly and John Dolan. Father McKenna died after two years of successful labors in July, 1873.
In succession to Rev. Father McKenna, Rev. Fathers M. O'Herr, M. P. Lawlor, W. Hart, P. Finnegan, B. Bray, J. Gleason, J. C. O'Brien, C. Mc- Elroy, J. J. Curtin, T. Crowley, and T. Kelly faithfully and zealously dis- charged their duties as pastors of their widely scattered flock. During
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Father Finnegan's pastorate the rectory was built. The work which marked the administration of Father Bray was the interior decoration of the church, and the purchase of horses and vehicles for use on the missions. Father Gleason materially reduced the indebtedness of the parish, besides making marked improvements in the property.
In 1886 Father O'Brien enlarged the church, adding a spire, chancel and sacristy ; the interior was also handsomely frescoed, and a new altar erected. The renewed temple was dedicated by Bishop McMahon on Tues- day, August 13, of that year. Father McElroy's pastorate was signalized by putting in a splendid pipe organ, a heating apparatus in the basement of the church, re-shingling the spire, and by making other improvements in church and rectory. In 1892, during Father Curtin's administration, a parcel of land in the rear of the church was purchased, upon which were erected horse-sheds for the accommodation of the parishioners. Father Crowley liquidated the church indebtedness, enlarged the rectory, and left a substantial sum in the treasury. Rev. Father Crowley preached his farewell sermon in New Milford Sunday, September 18, 1898, and was succeeded in the following week by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Kelly. The first High Mass celebrated in New Milford was sung by the Rev. William Hart, on Christmas Day, 1874. No pipe organ was there to add dignity nor lend solemnity to the occasion ; but the devout parishioners listened to the familiar Adeste Fideles and Venite Adoremus with as much joy and gladness as though discoursed by a cathedral instrument.
The dependencies of New Milford were formerly Bridgewater, Kent, Warren, Washington and Roxbury. In Bridgewater Mass was celebrated first in the Town hall and afterwards at the house of Mr. Thomas Halpin. Ser- vices here were discontinued upon the removal from the town of the hatting industry. The property purchased by Father Lenihan, whose intention it was to erect here a church, was sold by Father McKenna in November, 1872. In 1883, Kent and Warren were attached to Cornwall Bridge, but Brookfield was added to New Milford. In 1874, the missions of Woodbury and South- bury were placed under the jurisdiction of New Milford, by whose pastors it was served for thirteen years. These missions were assigned to the Water- town jurisdiction in 1887. Previous to Father McKenna's pastorate divine services were held at Roxbury only at irregular intervals. Being desirous of providing a place of worship for this portion of liis flock, he secured the consent of Mr. Lenihan and Mr. Michael Pickett to say Mass in their residences. It was reserved, however, to the Rev. Father O'Brien in April, 1885, to purchase a lot in Roxbury Center, upon which he erected a church which was dedicated in Angust of the following year in honor of Ireland's Apostle. On September 21, 1890, the church at Washington Depot was dedi- cated under the title of "Our Lady of Perpetual Help," during the adminis- tration of Father McElroy. Emulating liis predecessors Father Curtin erected a churchi at Brookfield, which was dedicated under the patronage of St. Joseph in November, 1892. The labors of Father Crowley were attended with gratifying success ; indebtedness liquidated, the relations of pastor and people
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
firmly cemented ; and under the present administration the spiritual status of the entire jurisdiction is faithfully maintained.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH,
NORFOLK.
27 HE town of Norfolk was incorporated in 1758. It is the highest land reached by railroad in Connecticut. The scenery in this vicinity is unsurpassed by any in New England.
It is traditional among the Catholics of Norfolk that Bishop Cheverus, of Boston, visited here in the discharge of his missionary duties. This is not improbable, as in 1823 he made an extensive tour through the State. Another interesting tradition has a Father Plunkett, of Boston, as a visitor to Norfolk before 1829.
The introduction of Catholicity into Norfolk as a part of the town's life dates from 1836. In March of that year Matthew, John and Charles Ryan and Edward C. Ryan, a convert to the faith, settled here and engaged in the woolen industry. In this year Patrick Burke, father of the Rev. Charles E. Burke, of North Adams, Mass., established his home here. Mr. Burke was present at the first Mass known to have been said here. It was in 1836, Rev. James Fitton, of Hartford, officiating, in the home of Matthew Ryan, now occupied by Michael Whalen. About twelve persons assisted at the Mass.
Father Fitton's extensive territory, which must needs be visited, pre- cluded frequent visits to Norfolk. The Ryan family, in the absence of the priest, proved faithful and worthy auxiliaries. In a room in the woolen mill they would gather the handful of Catholics, and in prayer petition the Giver of all gifts for the grace of perseverance. They practiced their devotions ear- nestly, faithfully, and if Christ the Lord is in the midst of two or three gath- ered together in His name, we may well believe that this little band were . partakers of the divine favors.
The successor of Father Fitton, the Rev. John Brady, also caine to Nor- folk when possible, and offered the Holy Sacrifice in the wool-sorting room or at the house of John Ryan. Rev. John D. Brady, Rev. John Brady, Jr., and Rev. James Strain also exercised the ministry here, though their visits were necessarily infrequent owing to the difficulties of travel. The old resi- dents still speak of Father Brady's experience in being snow-bound for a week in Norfolk.
The first Catholic marriage solemnized in Norfolk was that of Patrick Burke and Ann O'Neil on October 9, 1842, the Rev. John D. Brady officiating.
The generosity of the Ryans was not confined to providing a place for divine services ; they also purchased a piece of land for cemetery purposes, which they transferred to the congregation. In this spot rest the remains of pioneers from all that section of the State.
In 1846 the Catholics of Norfolk were attended by the Rev. Charles O'Reilly. On June 22d of that year he thus wrote from Waterbury to Bishop Tyler : "Yesterday was my second Sunday here ; the people seem anxious to have a churchi; the foundation is cleared, some brick are on the spot and
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
almost as much cash on hand as will pay up to this time. But to commence building would require a considerable sum, which these people cannot pro- cure, except I become security, and I have had a considerable degree of repug- nance at all times to have myself involved in money matters, and how to proceed I am really at a loss to know. Employment in -this locality is very precarious. ... . There is a great deal of labor and inconvenience in attend- ing Norfolk and this place (Waterbury), there being no decent mode of travel between thein. A person must either go by Bridgeport or Hartford and stop a night in either place, as the stages do not run all the way on the same day, so that there is considerable expense incurred and great loss of time. . .. The Norfolk people have made no move yet with regard to building ; they seem content to have Mass, but I will not be content with saying Mass in a shanty."
When Falls Village was organized in 1850 with Rev. Christopher Moore as the first pastor, Norfolk became its mission. On March 2, 1851, Bishop O'Reilly visited Norfolk and made arrangements for a church, and on the 3Ist of the same month lie appointed the Rev. Thomas Quinn to the pastoral charge of Norfolk and dependencies. Father Quinn's successor was the Rev. John Smith, who received his appointment to the Norfolk Mission on Febru- ary 9, 1852. On this date Bishop O'Reilly wrote : "This is a most difficult mission." 1
Under date of February 27 and 28, 1854, Bishop O'Reilly wrote in his Journal : "27th. Leave (Winsted) at 10 A. M. for Norfolk, where I arrive before noon and stop with Mr. Edward Ryan. I make this evening an arrangement with the Ryans for the building of a church on the lot they pre- sented me. This will be effected, I hope, next spring."
" 28th. Say Mass in Ryan's hall; it was full ; published the regulations for Lent ; said a few words to the people and left in Ryan's carriage for Falls Village, where I arrive at II A. M."
In 1859 the church of the Immaculate Conception was built, but in 1865 it had not yet been dedicated. In the meanwhile, the successors of Father Moore in Falls Village celebrated Mass and administered the sacraments over the store of Matthew Ryan, now occupied by M. N. Clark. In1 1856 Norfolk was under the jurisdiction of Winsted, from which it was attended once a month. It so remained until the summer of 1889, when it was formed into an independent parish, with the Rev. P. Keating as the first pastor. At this time the Catholic population of Norfolk was 380 souls. Upon his arrival Father Keating secured apartments in the village, where lie resided until the completion of the present commodious rectory. The work accomplished by Father Keating here is sufficient evidence of his activity. He graded the prop- erty about the church, whichi lie remodeled and frescoed and adorned witlı new stained glass windows, beautiful Stations of tlic Cross and organ, all at an expenditure of $1400. I11 1898 lic purchased a lot for cemetery purposes, whichi was immediately paid for.
In 1891 Father Keating began to attend Stanfield in the diocese of 1 Bishop O' Reilly's Journal.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Springfield at the request of Bishop O'Reilly. After two years of regular attendance he discontinued his visits, as nearly all of the Catholics had removed elsewhere.
Much of the prosperity that has attended the parish of the Immaculate Conception is due to the sturdy faith, the good example and the generosity of the Ryans. In practice they were Catholics as well as in namne, and though more than half a century has elapsed since they mnoved upon the scene, the influence of their lives is still visible in their successors. Numerically small, the Catholics of Norfolk are strong of faith, and their devotion to religion was manifested by their donation to Bishop McMahon of the Tabernacle of the main altar of the cathedral.
ST. BERNARD'S PARISH, SHARON.
HE township of Sharon was surveyed in 1732, and settlements were begun in 1739. The first white inan to settle here was Daniel Jack- son. In 1826 we find settlers bearing such names as Butler, Bailey and Donovan residing here. Two Catholics came into the town late in the thirties, and the following Catholics settled here in the early forties : Michael and Mrs. Henry, Mary Mannion, Bernard and Mrs. McDonald, Bridget Craven, Michael and Mrs. Curley, Mary Henry, Patrick and Mrs. Dunning, Sarah Henry, Thomas and Mrs. Kelly, Mary Moran.
From 1826 to 1840 there occur on the records names which investigation shows to have been borne by persons who were originally Catholics, viz. : Smith, Brown, Riley and Walsh. The descendants of these early settlers are not of the household of the Catholic faith, though one of them has admitted his Catholic ancestry.
In a small house, so small as to be alnost concealed from view, though just beside the road on a declivity, was the first Mass said in Sharon. It was the humble home of a good Catholic woman, Mrs. Bridget Dunning. It was in the spring of 1845, and the celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. Michael Lynch, of Bridgeport. About thirty Irish Catholics knelt reverently around that humble altar.
Before Cornwall, the original parish, was formed into an independent organization, it was under the jurisdiction of Lakeville. In 1883 it received parochial honors, and the Rev. W. O. R. Sheridan was appointed the first resident pastor. In the following year Father Sheridan completed St. Bridget's church, which had been started by Father Lynch, of Lakeville. Father Kelly built the church at Cornwall about 1854; it is now a dwelling house. It was the first church within the limits of the present parish. Father Sheri- dan was succeeded by the Revs. W. J. Doolan, Maurice J. Sheehan, Michael F. Rigney, Michael C. Cray, J. T. Walsh and John Lee, the present rector. Father Doolan's pastorate was of four years' duration ; Father Sheehan's, three; Father Rigney's, two; and Father Walsh's, three. All of the above- named pastors labored faithfully to advance the interests of their scattered flock. Among the benefactors of Sharon we may inention Mr. Wheeler, who
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
offered a site for a church on the principal street of the town, but the offer was not accepted; however, he is still a generous friend to the parish. When the parish was first organized it numbered 450 souls, chiefly Irish, with some French. At present the Catholic population is about 300 souls, including five French families. It is a sad reflection that about -40 French families of Sharon have departed from the faith of their fathers. The parish possesses a beautiful cemetery. The number of baptisms administered in the parish, the missions included, from 1884 to 1898, was 199. The total number of marriages solemnized within the same period was 46. In January, 1896, Rev. Father Walsh purchased the new parochial residence in Sharon, and in the same month transferred his residence here. St. Bernard's church was then inade a parish church. St. Bridget's church at Cornwall Bridge, until then a parish church, became a mission of Sharon. Mass is said in Cornwall Bridge every other Sunday. At present there are about 100 souls here, but the Catholic population is rapidly decreasing, as the furnaces have been closed for over four years. Cornwall Bridge also has a beautiful ceme- tery. The first marriage recorded in the town records was between Thomas and Sarah Rogers, September 14, 1855, Rev. Father Kelly officiating. Among the first births recorded were those of Ann Kenney, Michael Kenney and P. J. Kenney. The first death on record in Sharon was that of James Davis, March 10, 1857. The Rev. Father Lee has charge also of the Sacred Heart mission in Kent. The church was erected in 1884 by Father Sheridan. It was dedicated by Very Rev. James Hughes, Administrator, during the absence of the Bishop at the Baltimore Council. Mass is said hiere every other Sunday. The Catholic population is about 90 souls, and, like Corn- wall Bridge, is declining, owing to the closing of the furnaces.
ST. THOMAS' PARISH,
THOMASTON.
HE following entries are extracted from the early marriage records of Hartford:
PLYMOUTH.
Ber'd Mount 1831. April 17 : Married Bernard Mount to Neoma Braynard. Wit- and · nesses, Den's Ryan and Owen Right.
Neon1. Braynard
JAS. FITTON.
Den's Ryan and
Ibid : Married Dennis Ryan to Rosina Braynard. Witnesses, Ber'd Mount and Owen Right.
Rosina Braynard )
JAS. FITTON.
These felicitons events are evidence that Catholics were early settlers liere. What is now known as Thomaston was formerly called Plymouth Hol- lote. It is probable that, besides the above named Catholics, others were here to share their lot. It is not improbable that the above marriages werc soleninized during an historic visit of Father Fitton to Plymouth. Travel- ing from Hartford to Wolcottville (now Torrington) Father Fitton was con- pelled to remain at Plymouth over Sunday, as there existed a law against
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
traveling on that day. April 17, 1831, fell on Sunday. Eager to exercise his sacred ministry, Father Fitton obtained permission to preach in the school building, the belief being that he was a Protestant clergyman; but upon the discovery that he was a priest, he was violently assailed with abuse by the audience. The undaunted priest received their revilings with calin dignity and succeeded in so overcoming their opposition that he not only finished this sermon amid the silence of the assemblage, but received applause at the end.
Among the first Catholics to arrive and reside here, besides the persons who were married by Father Fitton, was Martin Claffin (or Claffey), after- wards janitor of the city hall, Waterbury. Then followed at various inter- vals, Denis Hogan, Garret Burns, Michael Higgins, Michael Ryan, William Dunlay, Eugene O'Connell, Bartholomew Gleason, Jeremiah Hurley, John Kelly, David Harrigan, Jeremiah Howard, Thomas Claffey, John Penders, James McDermott, Thomas Joy, William Hoard, Edward Stuart, Farrell Foy, John Murphy and Farrell Sheridan.
The Holy sacrifice of the Mass was offered up for the first time in Thomaston, in 1854, in Michael Ryan's residence on Railroad street, by Rev. Michael O'Neil of Waterbury. At this time there were about fifty Irish Catholics in the town. Father O'Neil visited Thomaston at monthly intervals, saying Mass and adininistering the sacraments at Mr. Ryan's house, until they secured Academy Hall. When Father Hendricken was appointed pastor of Waterbury, in 1855, in succession to Father O'Neil, he visited · Thomaston regularly or sent his assistants, Rev. Father Bohan and Rev. Father Rodden. When the Bristol church was organized with Father Rodden as first resident pastor, in 1863, he assumed charge also of Thomaston, which remained under the jurisdiction of Bristol until 1871.
Father Rodden's successor, Rev. Christopher Dugget, began the erection of St. Thomas' church, upon a site, which had been donated by Aaron Thomas, and the foundations had been laid when Rev. Eugene Gaffney was appointed the first resident pastor in 1871. Within his jurisdiction were also Terryville and Watertown. Father Gaffney had apartments at the house of Mr. Curtis, but soon secured a house from Mr. Bradley, in which he lived until the erection of the present rectory. He completed the church, pur- chased the original cemetery and erected churches also in Terryville and Watertown. Father Gaffney died on August 30, 1884. Until the appoint- ment of his successor, the affairs of the parish were conducted by Rev. joseph Fones.
Father Gaffney's successor was the Rev. Michael J. McGivney, who came here in November, 1884. For six years he administered the affairs of the parish with commendable zeal and gratifying success. He provided the church and parochial residence with electric lights and laid walks about both. While Father McGivney was zealous in promoting the interests of all his flock, he was particularly devoted to the younger element of his parish, and they reciprocated his affection. He died on August 14, 1890, and his remains rest in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Waterbury.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The present rector, the Rev. Michael J. Daly, began his administration on August 17, 1890.
Father Daly furnished the pastoral residence with steam heat, improved the old cemetery, besides enlarging it by the addition of four acres, built a new and fine entrance thereto, and provided the church with new vestinents of all the prescribed colors. The new cemetery was blessed by Bishop Tierney, on which occasion the sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward Brennan. On July 9, 1898, Father Daly increased the temporal possessions of the parish by the pur- chase of the splendid Woodward property with dwelling-house, and barn, situ- ated on the corner of Main and East Main streets. On this site it is the intention to erect a church and rectory which will be a worthy crown to the generous and constant efforts of the Thomaston Catholics in the sacred cause of religion.
When St. Thomas' parish was organized its population was 700 souls, chiefly Irish. At present it is 1000, comprising Irish, Germans and Poles.
The clergy who have labored as assistants here are Revs. Joseph Fones, E. J. Murray, T. M. Crowley, R. J. Early, C. W. Morrill, M. Byrne, and C. McGowan. The present assistant is the Rev. John F. Donahoe.
The first child to receive baptism in this parish was James Torrance, and the first marriage was that of William Trihey and Helen Burns.
St. Thomas' church is a neat and graceful structure, and adorns the eastern slope of the hill convenient to the railroad depot.
It was erected by the united and generous efforts of a handful of poor but devoted Catholics. It was solemnly dedicated on October 15, 1876, by Bishop Galberry, who made his first visitation to Thomaston on that occasion. The ceremony of dedication was followed by a solemn High Mass Coram Episcopo, with the Rev. James Fagan as celebrant, Rev. Father Isaias, O.S.F., as deacon, Rev. B. O'R. Sheridan as sub-deacan and Rev. M. Rod- den as inaster of ceremonies. Rev. Hugh Brady preached the serinon, his theme being the "Eucharistic Sacrifice." In the afternoon Bishop Galberry administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 139 persons.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION,
TERRYVILLE.
A TTACHED to Thomaston is the mission of the Inimmaculate Conception, Terryville, where Mass is said every Sunday and holyday of precept. The mission has 350 souls, and, like the mothier parish, is in a 111ost prosperous condition.
The first Catholic to settle in Terryville was Denis Ryan. He came in 1843, and his brother, Philip C. Ryan, in 1845. There were giants of Catholicity in those days, and Philip Ryan was one of them. Not infre- quently he walked to New, Haven, a distance of thirty-seven iniles, to assist at the Holy Sacrifice.
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