USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 45
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
" The choir having sung in an excellent manner 'Hail Glorious Apostle,' the Te Deum Laudamus and several other chants of the church, and the bishop having given the solemn benediction, the vast concourse retired with grateful hearts ; nothing occurred to disturb the solemnity of the occasion.
" The church is to be built in the style of the eighth century-the Romanesque- and is expected to be ready for divine service by Christmas day.
"This morning the Right Rev. Bishop, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. O'Brien and Tevin, consecrated with solemn rite and ceremony the new Catholic cemetery. It is beautifully situated on the northern bank of a small river, which forms the southern boundary of the city."
The corner-stone laid and the foundations finished, Father Sheridan was succeeded by the Rev. Matthew Hart, who had also been an assistant at St. Mary's until December, 1852, when he took up his residence among his new parishioners. Father Hart himself is authority for the statement that he offered the first Mass said within the limits of the present parish on December 19, 1852. With the Rev. Michael O'Farrell, Father Hart was ordained sub- deacon, deacon and priest on July 16, 19 and 20, 1851, respectively. Upon his appointment to St. Patrick's the work of construction was prosecuted with vigor until the church was ready for dedication. This event took place on October 9, 1853. The ceremony was performed by Archbishop Bedini, Papal Nuncio to Brazil, assisted by Bishop Fitzpatrick of Boston, Bishop Timon of Buffalo and Bishop O'Reilly. Archbishop Bedini celebrated Pon- tifical Mass, at which the Bishop of Boston pronounced the discourse. At Vespers in the afternoon, the Bishop of Hartford preached, and in the even- ing a discourse was delivered by Bishop Timon. The church was 120 by 65 feet and was built of brown-stone. At the time of the dedication, the parisli numbered about 1500 souls.
Father Hart continued his arduous labors, reducing the indebtedness and assiduously guarding the spiritual interests of liis increasing flock. He erected the pastoral residence, two school buildings, the first in 1853 and the second in 1858, and the convent in 1870. I11 1867, thie desire of his heart. was realized, tlie wishes of liis people were fulfilled. The church was freed from financial encumbrance and was ready for consecration. This ceremony
344
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
was performed by Archbishop McCloskey, of New York, on October 15th of the above year, assisted by two other bishops, in the presence of a large attendance of the clergy and laity.
In January 1875, a fire destroyed the roof of the church and severely damaged the interior of the edifice. The church was practically rebuilt and is a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture. Father Hart did not live to witness the completion of the church. Having been taken ill in the latter part of June, 1876, he went to St. Vincent's hospital, New York, on July 5th, where he suddenly expired on the morning of the 9th, in the fiftieth year of his age. "The announcement of the death of their be- loved pastor was received with the most touching demonstrations of grief by his parishioners in New Haven. He had endeared himself to them by every tie that can bind a priest to his people, and no one but a Catholic can fathom the unbounded love which a Catholic people hold for a priest to whom they have become attached. He lives but for them and their welfare ; he knows every one of them personally and is at once their father, brother, friend, physician and counsel; he has joined them in the holy bonds of matrimony; he has baptized their children and watched with the zealous care of a pastor the young souls committed to his guidance; lie has comforted them in afflic- tion and wept with them in sorrow; he has rejoiced with them in their joy and gloried in their glory ; he has supported and strengthened the weak and encouraged the strong; he has buried their dead and assuaged their grief for the loved one gone, by the soft and holy accents of the hope of a blessed re- union above. He has grown into and around their very heart-strings, and the sundering of the earthly tie that binds them to him, causes anguish and heart-rending too deep for expression. Such a priest was Father Matthew Hart-a priest beloved by all and whose inemory will be long sacredly cherished with the deepest reverence." 1
The remains of Father Hart were brought to St. Patrick's on their ar- rival from New York, but the funeral services were conducted at St. Mary's church, on July 12th. The Solemn Mass of Requiem was celebrated by Very Rev. James Hughes, assisted by Rev. James Lynch of Waterbury as deacon, Rev. P. Mullholland of New Haven as sub-deacon and Rev. Francis O'Keefe of Middletown as master of ceremonies. Bishop Galberry and Bishop Hen- dricken were present in the sanctuary. The funeral oration was pronounced by the Rev. Hugh Carmody of New Haven in the course of which he said : " For five and twenty years he labored among you with a success which few inen can expect, and we take it as a sign that God's blessing was on his labor. To all of us, and to the diocese of Hartford, death has brought a great loss.
"He was sent by Bishop O'Reilly to found a new parish, and God only knows what trials and struggles, sleeplessness and care were his. He had great difficulties to contend with, but he left his parish one of the first in the State. He built his church, parsonage, and school, and was engaged at the time of his death in the project of the orphan asylum. His heart was with the little orphans. During the twenty-five years of his residence here,
1 Connecticut Catholic Year Book, 1877.
345
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
he was esteemed by Protestants and Catholics alike, as a useful and one of our foremost citizens.
" His deep knowledge of canon law and church discipline was soon dis- covered by the late Bishop McFarland, of blessed memory, who reposed such confidence in his judgment that he inade him his theologian, and in that capacity he accompanied the Bishop to the Ecumenical Council at Rome, and only a short time ago the venerable head of the diocese appointed him one of his counsellors."
The successor of Father Hart was Very Rev. James Lynch, Vicar General, who preached his first sermon as pastor of St. Patrick's parish on Sunday, August 6, 1876. With this appointment came also his elevation to the office of Vicar General. Father Lynch was accompanied to New Haven by Rev. John A. Mulcahy, the present Vicar General. Father Lynch's pastorate was of only five months' duration.1 His final illness began on November 17th, with a stroke of paralysis, occasioned by an accident, which injured his spine. From that date he lingered until December 6th, when he peacefully expired, aged fifty years. A striking coincidence attending the final moments of Father Lynch, was that on the eve of his death, the 5th inst., the Holy Viati- cuin was administered to him by one of his assistants, Rev. William J. Slocum, whom nearly twenty six years before he had himself baptized in Winsted, while there shortly after his ordination. The funeral services were held at St. Mary's church on Saturday, the 9th, the following clergymen officiating :
Celebrant -- Rev. Thomas Synnott, Bridgeport. Deacon-Rev. Luke Daly, New Britain. Sub-deacon-Rev. E. J. O'Brien, Middletown. Master of Ceremonies-Rev. W. A. Harty, New Haven.
Present in the sanctuary with a large assemblage of priests were Bishop Galberry, of Hartford, and Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C., the latter of whom pronounced the eulogy on the departed priest. Bishop Lynch said in part : "Sorrow has fallen on your community. One of the chief churches of this city has lost its beloved pastor ; the body of the clergy has lost a reverend brother and one of its brightest ornaments; the diocese loses its kind Vicar General. . . . Shall I tell you of his call to the service of the altar; how that young heart answered the promptings of Divine grace and from his earliest years devoted himself to God, to the service of His church? . .. The day came to him, as it came to us, his brethren of the clergy, when in the sanc- tuary lie lay prostrate before the altar and offered to God all the days of his life to do His work. And he never drew back. . .. Shall I speak of the twenty-six years of his priesthood or of his character for earnest piety? Years ago I was struck with his sweetness of disposition, by his zeal and assiduity in the performance of works of charity. I have seen children's eyes gladden
' From Bishop O'Reilly's Journal :
" 1851. March 14 .- Recd. Revd. James Lynch from All Hallows.
" 14 .- Revd. Hugh O'Reilly arrived from the Seminary of All Hallows.
"31 .- Appointed Revd. James Lynch to the pastoral charge of Birmingham and its dependencies."
346
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
as they caught sight of his form, and his untiring exertions in behalf of those little ones, prone to evil, but easily led to good, are matters well known. Wher- ever he labored he increased the schools and the facilities for teaching his Catholic children the doctrines of our holy faith. Throughout his whole life he sought not distinction nor renown, but what he did seek with all his soul was to fulfill the vows taken at his ordination, and he labored faithfully and zealously among the population to which he was sent. Witness the congre- gation at Middletown, where for nearly sixteen years he worked tirelessly and gained the hearts of all. Witness the congregation at Waterbury, where for four years he was idolized by the people. And in this city, during his short sojourn, with what love, affection and reverence has he not inspired those to whom he had become as a father !
" But called to his reward, dying in the discharge of his duty, we may mourn for him, but not without hope. Such a life as his is happily terminated with such a death."1
The Rev. Jeremiah S. Fitzpatrick became the successor of Father Lynch and entered upon his duties Sunday, December 24, 1876. Father Fitzpatrick brought to his new field of labor reliable judgment, ripe experience acquired from pastoral labors elsewhere and from study and observation and a determi- nation to maintain the high standard of material and spiritual excellence established and sustained by his predecessors. He entered upon his labors confident both of the divine assistance and the co-operation of his people. Success followed his labors, and his pastorate promised the full measure of honor and glory for the Divine Head of the church when a serious and pro- tracted illness compelled his retirement after an administration of five years.
It was during Father Fitzpatrick's pastorate that St. Patrick's remodeled church was dedicated. After its partial destruction by fire in 1875, Father Hart embraced the opportunity to considerably enlarge the edifice and to improve its appearance, both interior and exterior. The work designed and pushed forward by Father Hart was continued vigorously by his successor,
1 In the three years previous to the death of Father Lynch the diocese lost by death sixteen of her ablest and most indefatigable workers, namely :
I. Rev. John Fagan, Stamford, December 5, 1873.
2. Rev. P. McKenna, New Milford, August 27, 1874.
3. Rev. J. B. Reynolds, Jewett City, December 30, 1874.
4. Rev. W. F. O'Brien, Middletown, January 8, 1874.
5. Rev. J. Smyth, Windsor Locks, May 16, 1874.
6. Rev. T. Drea, East Bridgeport, July 11, 1874.
7. Right Rev. F. P. McFarland, Hartford, October 12, 1874.
8. Rev. T. F. Healy, Windsor Locks, August 26, 1875.
9. Rev. Peter Smith, Norwalk, December 20, 1875.
Io. Rev. William Hart, Naugatuck, March 19, 1876.
II. Rev. John O'Brien, Hartford, March 27, 1876.
12. Rev. Matthew Hart, New Haven, July 9, 1876.
13. Rev. W. E. Duffy, Portland, August 30, 1876.
14. Rev. F. Duggett, Waterbury, August 29, 1876.
15. Rev. R. O'Gorman, Naugatuck, December 3, 1876.
16. Very Rev. James Lynch, New Haven, December 6, 1876.
347
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Very Rev. Father Lynch. The honor of completing the work so well begun and advanced fell to Father Fitzpatrick. The impressive ceremony of dedi- cation took place on Sunday, January 21, 1877. Bishop Galberry officiated at this ceremony, and at the Pontifical Mass following. At the latter ceremony he was assisted by
Very Rev. James Hughes, Archpriest.
Rev. H. Carmody, D.D., and Rev. P. J. O'Dwyer, Deacons of Honor.
Rev. P. A. Murphy, Deacon.
Rev. P. Kennedy, Sub-deacon.
Rev. E. J. O'Brien and Rev. J. A. Mulcahy, Masters of Ceremonies.
The Rev. Michael O'Farrell of St. Peter's church, New York, preached the sermon, taking his text from the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church." In the evening Bishop Galberry officiated at Pontifical Vespers, and Rev. H. Brady, of Ansonia, preached the sermon.
Father Fitzpatrick's assistants at this time were Rev. John A. Mulcahy and Rev. W. J. Slocum.
The first service held in the church after its re-dedication was a " Month's Mind " Mass for the late Very Rev. James Lynch, V. G., which had been post- poned owing to the unfinished condition of the church.
Upon the retirement of the Rev. Father Fitzpatrick the parish was admin- istered by the Rev. W. J. Slocum until the appointment of the Rev. John Rus- sell in April, 1883. What with the erection of new schools, the liquidation of the parish's indebtedness, the supervision of the great cemetery interests of the Catholics of New Haven, and the guarding of the manifold spiritual in- terests entrusted to his care, Father Russell has witnessed results that speak of zeal and priestly solicitude on the one hand and of confidence, appreciation and co-operation on the other. St. Patrick's parish is at the zenitli of its prosperity, temporal and spiritual, a potent factor in the intellectual, financial and spiritual life of New Haven. Father Russell found an indebtedness of $65,000, which was paid within ten years. A large lot was purchased and a new school building erected upon it, and the old buildings were renovated. The debt incurred by these improvements lias also been liquidated. A liand- some marble altar and new stations of the cross have been erected in the church. An extensive addition has been built to the convent, so that this structure is one of the most imposing convents in the diocese.
The schools of St. Patrick's parisli enjoy the distinction of being under the direction of the School Board of the city of New Haven. One thousand one hundred and eiglit pupils are taught by sixteen Sisters of Mercy, of whom Sister M. Patricia is the Directress.
Father Russell is one of the permanent rectors of the diocese. His co- laborers are Rev. E. O'Connell, Rev. Jeremialı Duggan, Rev. M. J. O'Connor.
348
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. JOHN'S PARISH, NEW HAVEN. T. JOHN'S PARISH is the second offshoot of the mother parish, St. Mary's. In 1857 Rev. John Smith, of Danbury, was appointed by the Very Rev. Administrator, Williamn O'Reilly, to proceed to New Haven and collect funds for the erection of a church on the site of old Christ's church, destroyed by a conflagration in 1848. The growth of the Catholic population in that section of the city rendered a new house of worship necessary. Moreover the people were desirous of seeing a church erected on the spot hallowed by the memories of the old historic edifice. Arrived at New Haven, Father Smith took up his residence with Father O'Brien at St. Mary's.
Entering upon his mission with enthusiasm, and cordially assisted by his parishioners, Father Smith began the second period of his pastorate when the corner-stone of the church was laid on Sunday afternoon, April 18, 1858, under the title of St. John, the Evangelist. The Catholic population, with many others, formed in procession at St. Mary's church and proceeded to the site of the new church, where the stone was placed in position, in the presence of 12,000 people. Bishop McFarland performed the ceremony and preached on the occasion, selecting as his text the words of the royal psalmist : "Unless the Lord build the house, in vain do they labor who build it." The donations of the assemblage amounted to over $1,000. On Sunday, Septem- ber 28th, of the same year St. John's church was dedicated by Bishop Mc- Farland. The church was the first of the kind built in the United States, being of the Celtic style of architecture, which prevailed throughout Ireland in the IIth and 12th centuries. The architect was P. C. Keeley. Father Smith's pastoral relations with St. John's were severed by death, in 1864, the Rev. Hugh Carmody, D.D., becoming his successor. The church had been built, but much was to be done towards furnishing it. Dr. Carmody put in stained glass windows, erected the main altar and a commodious gallery. In 1874 the convent building on South street was built at an expense of $30,000, exclusive of the cost of the site. The pastoral residence was also erected during his administration at an expenditure of $15,000. Dr. Carmody was extensively interested in educational matters, and the South street school, built and owned by the parish, was leased to the school district. He pur- chased, also, the church known as "Hallock's church," which became the church of the Sacred Heart, with Father Sheffrey as its first rector. Dr. Carinody's fourteen years' pastorate came to an end on July 16, 1878, when he received notification of his appointment to St. Mary's parish, New Britain, as the successor to the Rev. Luke Daly. He preached his farewell sermon to his sorrowing parishioners on Sunday, the 28th, saying :
"My relations to the people of this parish have been so intimate and endearing during the past fourteen years that it is not surprising that there should be pain at parting. I do not desire to leave you, but it is the wish of the bishop, who makes changes and does what he thinks best for the interest of the diocese. I cannot look for-
349
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ward to such ease and comfort in my new station, for although much has been done by the saintly priest who has passed away, there is much yet to do. I can only offer up iny prayers in your behalf. In the fourteen years of my life with you I have always been treated with love and kindness. The greatest harmony has existed between us. Twenty years ago, this year, St. John's church was first opened for divine worship, and all its prosperity and all it has achieved is owing to God's blessing. Your new pastor has been placed over you by the bishop, and, with your hearty co-operation in all good works, God's blessing will be upon you. God has wonderfully blessed your parish, and I would ask you to give your prayers, your powers, your interest and your sympathies to the schools of the parish. The bishop says there are no better schools in the diocese. In a few years we elder ones will have passed away, and the children are the only hope of Catholicism in the future. Indeed, I do not know what to say on this occasion. Usu- ally, I am not at a loss for words, but to-day I am. The majority of my priestly life has been spent in this parish. You have aided my work in all ways. You have given what I have asked, and given freely and generously. You have upheld iny hand and my heart in all good works. I wish I could say more to you to-day, but I cannot do so From my inmost heart I pray God to bless you, and your families, and the church of God-the church so dear to us all."
In succession to Dr. Carmody came Rev. John McMahon, Rev. John Cooney, Rev. Bernard Bray and the present rector, Rev. John D. Coyle-all animated with zeal to extend the kingdom of God on earth, all fully cogniz- ant of their responsibilities, devoted to the interests of Christian education, conservative yet progressive-they have achieved successes in the great cause of the Divine Master, that redound to the welfare of souls, and to the honor of the parishi whose influence is ever expanding. Father Cooney assumed charge of St. Jolin's in December, 1878. His administration was marked by mildness and pastoral solicitude for all, but especially for the children to whom his heart went out in its fulness. 1
In February, 1887, Rev. Bernard Bray succeeded to the pastorate of St. John's. The sacristy was enlarged and the church redecorated during his pastorate. The present rector, Father Coyle, assumed charge in May, 1895. Since his advent the school has undergone a complete transformation, the convent has been renovated and the grounds beautified. A piece of land, north of the rectory, has been purchased, which enhances the value of the church property. The schools of the parish maintain their efficiency, and the pupils go out therefrom well equipped to engage the enemies which so sturdily assail youth upon their entrance into practical life. Success after success has attended the self-sacrificing labors of the devoted pastors of St. John's, but the material achievements were not secured at the sacrifice of higher and holier interests. Societies for mutual aid, religious confraternities, associations for the promotion of the virtue of temperance, institutes for the inoral, intellectual and spiritual advancement of youth have been founded, and are accomplishing in a gratifying manner the results anticipated from their organization. Thirteen Sisters of Charity, under the direction of Sister M. Geronimo, are efficient auxiliaries to the pastor in the training of the youth of the parish. Four hundred and fifty-nine children receive daily the benefit of their experience and come under the salutary influence which flows from the presence of a religious garb ; so that the parish, solidly established
-
350
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
financially and spiritually, has still brighter prospects in the children who are now being so religiously nurtured.
From 1858, to January, 1899, the number of baptisms in St. John's parish was 8,097 ; for the same period there were 1,543 inarriages. The first marriage was that between Cornelius Leonard and Mary Collins, October 3, 1858, and the first baptism recorded was that of James John, son of Maurice and Mary Farraher, September 26, 1858.
Assisting Father Coyle in his parochial labors are Rev. Francis Murray and Rev. James Keating.
SACRED HEART PARISH, NEW HAVEN.
N December 20, 1874, the Rev. John McMahon, an assistant in St. John's parish, celebrated the Divine Mysteries in what had been a Congregational and Presbyterian church for twenty-three years. The cross that surmounted the original structure was raised on De- cember 18, by the Rev. Dr. Carmody and Major Patrick Maher. The church was originally built by the Congregationalists in 1851, and the chapel in the rear in 1852. The chief contributors to the building fund were Girard Hal- lock, Thomas R. Trowbridge and brothers, Sidney M. Stone and Amos Smith. In 1855, Mr. Hallock purchased the shares of Messrs. Stone and Smith, and in 1864 those also of Messrs. Trowbridge, thus becoming sole owner.
An ecclesiastical society was organized on November 8, 1852, and the two buildings, the South church and the South church chapel, were offered to it for the rental of a barleycorn a year. This nominal rental was faith- fully paid until the church passed into other hands. After many vicissitudes the property was transferred to the Dutch Reformed church of New York, a Presbyterian organization, on April 30, 1869. The Board of Domestic Mis- sions paid a rental of $2000 per annum, and the formal transfer was made on October 21, 1874. The property had been in the market for sale, and three days after the transfer to the Board, it was purchased by Rev. Hugh Car- mody, D. D., pastor of St. John's parish. On November 10, 1874, he received the deed transferring the property.
In the meantime, Dr. Carmody had been energetic in the endeavor to collect funds sufficient to make the enterprise an assured success. Forty thousand dollars, price down, was the amount asked for the property. The warranty deed was eventually executed and a mortgage secured. Among those who supported Dr. Carmody by suggestion and advice, but, particularly, by financial assistance, were John R. Gildea, Patrick Eagan, Bernard Reilly, Jolın Starrs, Thomas Deskin, Charles McConville, William Kearney, Dr. Barry, Thomas F. Stackpole, Edward Boylan, Michael Herrity, Lawrence Curtis, Thomas Kelley, David O'Donnell, Michael Reynolds, Francis Coyle, Patrick Maher and Martin Kennedy.
The new acquisition was refitted and prepared for Catholic services. It was attended by the clergy of St. John's church until Sunday, February 14, 1875. On that day, the Rev. Stephen P. Sheffrey began his administration
351
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
as pastor of the newly forined parish. When Father Sheffrey assumed charge of the parish the prospects of a successful pastorate were dark indeed. Not a dollar was there in the treasury, nor was there a parochial residence. His lodgings for a time were in the old South church chapel. It was his mission to unite his people, and to instill a love for the parish that had been formed in honor of Him whose adorable heart had been pierced on Calvary. His it was to assuage the grief that had been caused by the severance of time-honored ties. Twelve months after his arrival, Father Sheffrey secured the house on Columbus avenue, opposite the church, which was used as a pastoral residence until the erection of the present rectory. Exacting were the duties of Father Sheffrey, arduous his labors. The bur- den became greater than he could bear, and he yielded to its weight. The prospects of success which he had conjured up had faded and the hopes upon which he had builded were shattered. Illness, from which he never re- covered, followed, and on October 1, 1881, Father Sheffrey obeyed the final summons. He was "mourned sincerely by a congregation which at last had become unified through his ministrations," wrote one who knew him, "and every member of which loved him for the goodness of a patient heart which had endured much uncomplainingly. His memory remains green as the turf beneath which he sleeps in the churchyard."
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.