History of the diocese of Hartford, Part 42

Author: O'Donnell, James H
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Boston : D.H. Hurd Co.
Number of Pages: 580

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The earliest Catholic services in this vicinity were held at Portland. The second priest to reside in Connecticut, Rev. Jaines Fitton, said Mass and discharged in other ways his priestly office in Portland in 1830. His suc- cessor in Hartford, the Rev. Peter Walsh, came to Middletown in the spring of 1836, with the intention to arrange for monthly services. He arrived on a Sunday afternoon at Middletown, and learning that the greater number of Catholics resided across the river, he went to Portland to secure a suitable place in which to assemble the people. Being unsuccessful in his search for a house or a hall, he finally secured the use of a barn from a Captain Worthi- ington on Main street. With his devoted little band he repaired to the place on the following morning, but found the doors of the barn bolted against them. Receiving no reasons for this change of attitude, Father Walsh was about to gather his flock, as liis brethren in the priesthood liad done before in those days, beneath the overspreading boughs of a large tree, when a neighbor of Captain Worthington, Joseph Myrick, graciously extended the hospitality of his house. Here the Divine Mysteries were celebrated. The Divine Victim of the sacrifice rewarded liis servant for liis generous act, and Joseph Myrick became the first convert to the faitli in Middlesex county.1 From this time till 1845, Father Walsh, Father Brady, Sr., and Father Brady,

1 In this connection the following marriage record will not be without interest :

Benjamin J. Myrick "August the 7th, 1831 : Married, Mr. Benjamin James Myrick,

to of Chatham, Ct., to Mrs. Eleanor Strong, of Hartford. Witnesses

Mrs. Eleanor Strong. present, Mr. Daniel Donevan and Lady. B. O'CAVANAGH."

The reader will notice that this marriage took place nearly five years before the above- mentioned event.

JI-21

322

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.

Jr., visited Portland frequently, until the appointment of Rev. John Brady, Jr., as the first resident pastor of Middletown. Thenceforth until 1872, the Catholics of Portland went to Middletown to Mass and were attended by the pastor of that place. The first marriage solemnized by Rev. John Brady, Sr., is the following taken from the record of marriages preserved at St. Patrick's church, Hartford.

" CHATHAM.

1838. January 28: Married, Martin Degan to Bridget Ryan. Witnesses: Martin Degan and Bridget Mulhern.

JOHN BRADY."

St. Mary's parish was formed in 1872, and the first resident pastor, Rev. William E. Duffy, assumed charge on August 8th of that year. Father Duffy secured Waverly Hall, in which he held divine services for some time ; after- wards moving to a building owned by Jolin Bransfield, where the congregation worshiped until the church was completed. It was Father Duffy's purpose to build a church, and to this end he had purchased the site on which the present edifice stands ; but death intervened. Father Duffy died on August 30, 1876.

The Rev. Denis Desmond was appointed Father Duffy's successor, and on October 1, 1876, assumed charge. The erection of the church first occupied Father Desmond's attention, and within a month after his arrival ground was broken. The corner-stone was laid on April 15, 1877. Bishop Galberry officiated at the ceremony assisted by Very Rev. Thomas Walsh, of Meriden, and Rev. Flor. De Bruckyer, of Willimantic, as deacons of honor. The ser- mon was preached by Rev. M. A. Tierney, of Hartford.

The church was completed and dedicated during the administration of Father Desmond, who built also the pastoral residence. His successor, the Rev. John Flemming, followed on September 2, 1881. St. Mary's cemetery was purchased during his pastorate, which terminated in 1885. Rev. Joseph Glee- son then became pastor of St. Mary's. Father Gleeson introduced the Sisters of Mercy into the parish, organized the parochial school, purchased a fine estate adjoining the parish property and transformed the dwelling thereon into a home for the Sisters. Appointed to Thompsonville, Father Gleeson was followed by the present rector, the Rev. Timothy R. Sweeney, on January 31, 1889.

Among the parochial works which Father Sweeney has accomplished are the liquidation of the indebtedness, which he found on assuming the pas- torate, $3,400; the remodeling of the pastoral residence, and otherwise im- proving the parish buildings; the grading of the grounds about the church and rectory; the placing of an $800 bell in the church tower on May 8, 1890, on which occasion Rev. T. W. Broderick, of Hartford, pronounced the oration ; the erection of a parochial school, which was blessed by Bishop McMahon, Rev. Walter Elliott, C.S.P., preaching the sermon, on November 27, 1890.

With its sister schools of the diocese, St. Mary's is doing splendid work for the church and the state. Its graduates reflect honor upon their instructors and serve well the state of which they become useful citizens. The training they here receive qualifies them to enter into the battle of life well equipped against the dangers that surround them. Five sisters are in charge, having under their tuition 178 pupils. Sister M. Ignatius is the superioress of the convent.

323

DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.

ST. PATRICK'S (MISSION) CHURCH,

EAST HAMPTON.

HE Rev. Patrick Creighton, of Colchester, was the first priest to attend the faithful of East Hampton. He began his visitations in 1857 and offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the house of William Wall. The name of Patrick O'Connell appears prominent among thie early Catho- lics, as on May 23, 1865, he transferred to Bishop McFarland a half acre of land for $100, upon which St. Patrick's church was built. The church was completed during the pastorate of Father McCarten in 1869. East Hampton became a dependency of Portland in 1872, during the pastorate of Rev. Father Duffy. Father Desmond enlarged the church in June, 1878, and on August 1Ith of that year, it was dedicated by Bishop Galberry, assisted by Very Rev. Thomas Walsh, V.G., Rev. J. S. Fitzpatrick, and Rev. Flor. De Bruckyer. The Solemn High Mass which followed the dedication ceremonies was celebrated by Father De Bruckyer, and the sermon was preached by Father Fitzpatrick. Over 2,000 persons assisted at the ceremony.

In 1895, Father Sweeney purchased a fine lot, and having paid the cost of it, $5,000, began the erection of the church on May 1, 1896. The new edifice was dedicated on February 14, 1897, by Bishop Tierney; the sermon was deliv- ered by Rev. Thomas Campbell, S.J., president of St. John's College, Fordham. The church was filled to its utmost capacity, one half of the congregation being non-Catholics. After the ceremony Bishop Tierney addressed words of congratu- lation to the parishioners upon the self-sacrificing spirit manifested in the erec- tion of the church, after which he imparted to the assemblage his benediction.

St. Patrick's church is 98 x 47 feet with a spire 104 feet high, and accom- modates 400 persons.

NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

EW HAVEN COUNTY is bounded on the north by Litchfield and Hartford Counties ; on the east by Middlesex County; on the south by Long Island Sound ; and on the west by Litchfield County and the Housatonic river. From north to south it is about 21 miles in width, and its length from east to west is about 26 iniles. It contains 546 square miles, or 345,600 acres. The population of the county in 1820 was 39,616; in 1830, 43,847; in 1890 it was 209,058. The cities and towns in which there are Catholic parishes are the following :

NEW HAVEN, ANSONIA, BRANFORD,

GUILFORD,

SEYMOUR,

MERIDEN,

SOUTH MERIDEN,

MILFORD,

WALLINGFORD,

DERBY,

MOUNT CARMEL,

WATERBURY.

NAUGATUCK,

324

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.

NEW HAVEN.

EW HAVEN was known among the Indians as Quinnipiac, and by the Dutch, who were here some years before the English, as Red Mount, so called from the appearance of East and West Rocks.1 In 1637 Mr. Eaton and others made a tour of exploration to Con- necticut. Selecting Quinnipiac as the place of their settlement, they spent the winter in a miserable hut at the corner of Church and George streets.2 In the following year, on March 30tl1, the Rev. John Davenport, Theophilus Eaton and others sailed from Boston to Quinnipiac, where they arrived on April 18th. Rev. Jolin Davenport was a vigorous opponent of the Catholic church, as were the Puritans of his day. They deemed it a privilege in their public declarations to associate "Popery " with the devil, tyranny and idola- try. Nevertheless, John Davenport's nephew, Christopher Davenport, re- nounced Puritanism, entered the Catholic church, became a student at the famous seat of learning, Douai College, in 1651, entered the novitiate of the Flemish Franciscans at Ypres, October 7, 1657, and was enrolled, October 18, 1658, as a Franciscan Friar, taking the name in religion of Francis a Sancta Clara. 3

Thirteen years after the advent of John Davenport there came into New Haven the first Catholics to tread the soil of Connecticut. One was a priest of the Society of Jesus, the Rev. Gabriel Druillettes ; the other a legal lumi- nary, Mons. Godefroy. They, with their retinue, all Catholics, arrived in New Haven about September 2d or 4th, 1651, and remained some days in convention with the venerable Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, to whom they had been sent as ambassadors from Canada.

The expedition against Cape Breton in 1745 resulted in the capture of that place with a large number of prisoners, many of whom were brought to New Haven and placed in the custody of Samuel Miles. By an act of the General Assembly of July of the same year, Miles was ordered to convey liis prisoners to the care of Joseph Whiting, Esq., also of New Haven. These prisoners were Catholics; but it is of no practical benefit to speculate as to their spiritual fate. The legislation of the time, and the spirit then prevail- ing, were hostile to the faith they professed, and though every mneans, 110 doubt, were employed to estrange them from their cherished belief, yet it is our privilege, as it is our hope, to believe that they remained steadfast to the creed of their baptism.

Eleven years later New Haven received nineteen Acadians-all children of the ancient Church-its quota, as established by the General Assembly of January, 1756. They were faithful, devoted Catholics, otherwise they would not have been exiles ; but deprived of priest and church, of the Mass and the sacraments and instruction, living in the midst of a people antagonistic to their dearest possession, their faith, a sense of fear steals over us that, though

1 Barber's Historical Collections.

2 Historical Collections.

3 Very Rev. Dr. Shahan's Pamphlet, Christopher Davenport.

325

DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.

the fathers and mothers were not attracted by an alien creed, their children eventually yielded to influences which, taken in every respect, were bitterly and inexplicably anti-Catholic.

Thenceforth, the records are silent concerning the presence of Catholics in New Haven until January 28, 1796. As told elsewhere in these pages, a French priest visited here and took up lodgings at Mr. Azel Kimberley's residence on Chapel street, probably to care for the spiritual interests of the numerous French refugees who had gathered here, as well as at New London and Hartford, at the end of the last century, victims of the San Domingan insurrection. It may be inferred that this priest said Mass during his sojourn in New Haven, and that the published notice of his presence brought a goodly number who profited by his ministry.

Bishop Cheverus, of Boston, active, ceaseless in labor, an apostolic man, seeking ever the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth, was the next representative of the priesthood to visit New Haven. He camne in 1823, and offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on York street, at the residence of a French professor of Yale College. Catholicity had now come to stay, to re- main a permanent and beneficent factor in the city's life. The prayer of the saintly bishop that religion might flourish here has received an answer which even those who cannot see inay read.

The next priest to visit New Haven was Very Rev. John Power, Vicar- General of the diocese of New York. He had ministered to the spiritual wants of the Catholics on the Enfield Canal near Windsor Locks, in August and October, 1827, and on his return from one of these visits remained over Sunday in New Haven. At this time there stood near the head of Long wharf a little chapel, which had been erected and used by the Protestants as a seamen's Bethel. The committee who had charge of the building were appealed to for permission to occupy it at an early hour on Sunday. The application was refused with the reply : "We have no Popery now in New Haven, and we don't want any." In this emergency the Catholics secured the only available building, a bar-room; the bar was closed and concealed from view by blankets, and a few benches were brought in as seats for the little congregation; amid these humble surroundings was the Holy Sacrifice offered by the Vicar-General of New York.

On July 13, 1829, Rev. R. D. Woodley, of Providence, set out from Hart- ford for New Haven, and on the following morning said Mass and adminis- tered the sacraments in a barn which stood on the corner of Chapel and Chestnut streets, then called "Sliny's Corner." "The barn was in such a dilapidated condition that the wind whistled through the crevices of the walls, and the good people thought it imiraculous that the candles on the altar werc not extinguished by the lively gusts. Here some of our leading Catholic residents were baptized." During this visit Father Woodley baptized two persons. About this time, there came to New Haven one who had acquired 10 little degree of local celebrity, George Gabriel. He was of Catholic ante- cedents, 110 doubt, as he was a descendant of a Frenchman who came over with Lafayette. He opened a grocery store near the college, but afterwards

326

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.

engaged in the fancy goods business. He accumulated a fortune, chiefly by mending canes, umbrellas and parasols, at which trade he was very proficient. He bequeathed $10,000 to Yale College, $15,000 to Yale Divinity School, besides leaving large sums to various charities.

The Rev. Bernard O'Cavanagh, who took up his residence at Hartford on August 26, 1829, as the first resident priest of Connecticut, visited New Haven on Sunday, December 21, of that year, and said Mass in the house of a Mr. Newman. Father O'Cavanagh returned to New Haven on December 31, and on January 1, 1830, celebrated Mass, preached and administered the sacraments at the residence of a Mr. McGrath. He remained here three days, intending to visit New London, but circumstances called him to Hartford on January 4th. Father O'Cavanagh's next missionary visit was on Saturday, April 17, 1830, when he said Mass and preached twice in Union church, near the city, heard the confessions of many and baptized two children. On June 17th he united in marriage Patrick Shea, of New Haven, and Hulda Cath- arina Whaley, of Waterbury. In its issue of October 30, 1830, The Catholic Press contained this notice :

"The Catholics residing at New Haven will be visited by their pastor on Friday, the 5th of November."

And on December 18th, it published that

"The Catholics at New Haven will be visited by their pastor on the 23d inst."

The earliest recorded marriages of Catholics solemnized at New Haven are the following, taken from the Marriage Record. The entries are in the beautiful penmanship of Father Fitton, but are signed by Father O'Cavanagh.

Philip Slevin 1 1831, January 19th. Married, Philip Slevin to Ann McGrath.

and Witnesses : John McGrath, Daniel and Mrs. Donevan.

Ann McGrath.

B. O'CAVANAGH.

Rog" Kennedy January 24th. Married, Roger Kennedy to Bridget McGrath. and Witnesses : Daniel and Mrs. Donevan.

Bridget McGrath.

B. O'CAVANAGH.

The trials experienced by the pioneers of Catholicity in New Haven are thus described by one of them in a letter to a friend : "When we heard that a church had been purchased at Hartford, and was about to liave a priest, we were delighted. The appointment gave us an opportunity of having Mass at New Haven about once in three months, and happy we then were for so great a privilege. Hearing for the first time that the priest was about to visit us, we were at a loss to know where we could find a place for offering the Holy Sacrifice. After many efforts to secure a respectable and suitable place, we were in the end necessitated to take up with an old barn, which we swept and fitted up the best we could. (This was on the occasion of Father Woodley's visit, July 13, 1829). By the next visit of his Reverence we rented a room from a German, he not knowing for what purpose we intended it. We next needed a few benches; but the joiner, hearing what we wanted them for, refused positively to make them, saying that 'they-his fellow-

327

DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.

townsmen-were determined to put down that religion, at least in Connecti- cut, whether or no.' We succeeded, at length, in finding one who made us a few, not suspecting the place for which they were intended ; but as soon as as he found out, declared 'he would not have made them for fifty dollars a piece if he had known it in time.' "> 1

It had been announced in The Catholic Press that Father Fitton would visit New Haven on December 24, 1831, and that midnight Mass would be celebrated on Christmas morning at 12.30 at the residence of a Mr. Finnegan. The writer above quoted, thus wrote of that historic event:2 "Whenever we expected the priest we all caine together to receive him. One Saturday, in particular, it was the eve of Christmas, and, anticipating midnight Mass, we were all at our accustomed place of meeting, awaiting his arrival; but he did not come. We were certain he would not disappoint us, whilst, at the same time, we could not account for his delay. At length we concluded to go and see if we might not meet him. We did so, and met him on the road, about four miles outside of New Haven. The sleighing from Hartford had been good part of the way, and then failed, till nothing remained but bare ground, and his horse gave out; the distance fromn Hartford to this city is about thirty-four miles ; but the good priest, not wishing to disappoint us, determined to walk the rest of the way. When we met him he had his valise, containing his vestments, etc., on his shoulders. The walking being rough and frozen, his shoes were nearly worn out, and when he arrived that night he was scarcely able to preach, though he did so at the end of Mass, after which we secured a conveyance to leave him where he had left his horse, for he had to return and say another Mass at Hartford the same day." 3

The writer thus concludes his reminiscences: "There is another little incident that occurs to iny inind in connection with the early establishment of our religion at this place. As our members began somewhat to increase, I called upon a certain gentleman who owned an old building that we thought might be fitted up for church purposes, but neither for love nor inoney would · he listen to our proposition, declaring that he would not encourage Catholi- city in any way. We felt disappointed, and iny reply to him was: 'Sir, I hope that you and I may live to see Catholic churches in this city with spires as high as any of yours.' He doubted it; but, thank God, it lias come to pass ; and he has lived to see our splendid churches all well filled, and even crowded, every Sunday."

Rev. James Fitton, who succeeded Father O'Cavanagh as the second pas- tor of Hartford, attended New Haven, among other places, at regular intervals until the appointment of the Rev. James McDerinot as resident pastor of New Haven. Among the marriages solemnized by him, and the first marriage ceremony by him performned at New Haven, was recorded as follows :

Corn. Driscoll - 1832, May 28th. Married at New Haven, Cornelius Driscoll to jennet and Twitchell. Witnesses: Ricard England and Mary Bowen. Jen't Twitchell. S

JAMES FITTON.

' Father Fitton's " Sketches."

2 Ibid.

328

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.

Other dates on which Father Fitton visited New Haven are, Monday, February 13, 1832 ; Easter Monday, April 23d, and May 27th. On this last occasion services were "at 10 o'clock, where they were performed on last visit near the New Green."

The first resident pastor of New Haven was the Rev. James McDermot. He offered his services to Bishop Fenwick on September 2, 1831, was accepted and sent to Montreal, where he made his philosophical studies. He received Minor Orders on February 24, 1832, and in the same year received sub-deacon- ship, deaconship and priesthood on August 16th, 17th and 19th respectively. His first assignment was as an assistant to Father Fitton at Hartford, where he arrived on September 18th. After a brief term of service in this capacity he was appointed to New Haven, with Bridgeport, Waterbury, Derby, Nor- walk, Danbury, Meriden, Middletown, Goshen, Tariffville and other stations as dependencies. Among the prominent Catholics who resided here about this time were James Callaghan, John Connor, James Hayes, an engineer on the Farmington canal, Charles Fagan and Patrick Murphy, of State street ; in all they formed a congregation of about 200.

It was Father McDermot's desire, as it was the ambition of his people, to build a church in which they could assemble regularly and with comfort for divine worship. To this end a lot on the corner of York and Davenport streets, on which St. John's church now stands, was secured through the instrumentality of Mrs. Driscoll, a Protestant, whose marriage record is given above. The sum paid for this lot was $100, and on May 14, 1833, Bishop Fenwick received the deed for the same. The New Haven town records show other real estate transactions. On May 9, 1833, a transfer of a lot on the corner of Whiting and Hill streets was made by Adolphus Michael Bague- lin to Bishop Fenwick, the consideration being $450. On September 24, 1833, this piece of land was given to Timothy Alling in exchange for a lot 011 the corner of York street and Davenport avenue, "adjoining the land owned by Jannett Driscoll." A portion of this land was set apart and became the first Catholic cemetery in New Haven.

On the lot secured on May 14, 1833, was erected the first Catholic church in the city. It was a frame building, sixty by thirty-five feet, exclusive of sacristy, twenty-two feet high to the plates, exceedingly neatly furnished . inside and out, and contained one gallery. The feast of the Ascension, May' 8, 1834, was the date assigned for its dedication. Bishop Fenwick arrived at New Haven at noon on May 7tl1, and as he notes in his Journal, "Was courteously treated by a servant in the hotel, nained Daniels." During the ceremony of dedication a distressing accident occurred, which the Bishop thus described : "May 8. Said early Mass and gave communion. A great concourse was assembled at 10 o'clock, consisting of Catholics from all the adjacent country, and a very great number of Protestants who were attracted merely to witness the ceremony, from New Haven. I went to the church at 10; found Fathers McDermot and Fitton there ; dressed and prepared for the ceremony. After making the circuit of the church, returned to the altar; was hardly arrived when the gallery behind

329

DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.

gave way and fell with all its incumbents upon the mass of people below. One boy, fourteen years old was instantly killed, and several others were dreadfully wounded ; of tliese one died in the course of the day. Both of these were converts." The boy who was killed was Abraham Lloyd Bryan ; the other victim was liis grandfather, Mr. Hardyear, of West Haven, both brought into the Church, as converts, through the agency of the famous con- vert, Calvin White. As the blood of Hardyear mingled with that of his grandson in the church, his dying request was that they should be interred in the same grave. They were buried on the day following in the cemetery adjoining the church. A large concourse of people of all denominations fol- lowed the remains to the grave and manifested profound sympathy. Among the sufferers of this calamity were John Conner, of Derby, and Jaines Calla. ghan, who was on the point of removing to New York, but delayed liis jour- ney to witness the ceremony. Their escape from being crushed was almost imiraculous, for they were both caught by the falling gallery near the spot where the greatest pressure was. Of the Protestants who were present and received serious injury, were a Mr. Tomlinson, Mrs. Hinman, wife of Deacon Scovill Hinman, Miss Taylor, daughter of Solomon Taylor, and a daughter of Daniel Collins, all of New Haven. The cause of the disaster was ascribed to the carpenter who had constructed the gallery. According to the original plan, it was intended there should be two Gothic columns to support it. The carpenter, however, deemed these unnecessary, and in lieu thereof undertook to support the gallery by trussing.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the diocese of Hartford, Part 42

Author: O'Donnell, James H Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Boston : D.H. Hurd Co. Number of Pages: 580

Author: O'Donnell, James H
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Boston : D.H. Hurd Co.
Number of Pages: 580