USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 46
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In November, 1879, Rev. Thomas Coleman was appointed administrator of the Sacred Heart parish, and in this capacity he served until the appoint- ment of Rev. John A. Mulcahy. To Father Coleman belongs the honor of paying the first thousand dollars of the parish indebtedness. The priests who served with Father Sheffrey as assistants were Rev. Luke Fitzsimmons, Rev. Thomas Mulvaney and the Rev. Thomas Coleman. Serving with Father Coleman during his administration were Rev. J. Dougherty and Rev. R. C. Gragan.
The successor of Father Sheffrey was the Rev. John A. Mulcahy, the present Vicar-General of the diocese, who began his pastorate of four years on November 1, 1881. Father Mulcahy was confronted with an indebtedness of $39,000, but when his pastorate terininated, this burden had been reduced to $14,000. He also added to the parish possessions by the purchase of sufficient land on Columbus avenue for a school and convent. Father Mulcahy was assisted in his parochial labors by Father Coleman and Father Gibbons.
Upon the transfer of Father Mulcahy to Waterbury, the Rev. M. Mckeon assumed charge of the parisli on January 1, 1886. Evidences of his zeal and success abound. He enlarged and remodeled the church, and decorated tlie interior in the most artistic manner at an expense of $30,000. The corner- stone of the new addition was laid in May, 1888, by Bishop McMahon, attended by the clergy of all the churchies of the city. Rev. Fatlier Mul- cahy pronounced the discourse on the occasion. The old church was 64 by 90 feet, and had a seating capacity of 1000. The chapel in the rear was razed, and on its site the walls of an addition were erected, wider than that of the church proper by ten feet, and sixty-five fect in length, making the edifice a total length of 155 feet. The renewed church is in the Romanesque style of
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
architecture. The altar is of the purest marble, is an artistic piece of work- inanship, one of the most beautiful in the diocese, and cost $4000. It is made of various kinds of marble, foreign and domestic. The quarries of France and Italy, as well as those of Vermont and Tennessee, furnished its material. It is twenty-five feet from the sanctuary floor to the top of the cross, while the table is twelve feet in length. Father Mckeon purchased at a cost of $5500 two lots on Liberty street in the rear of the church, 70 feet on Liberty and 126 feet on Portsea street, upon which he erected a commodious pastoral residence. In 1894 he erected a school tliat is an honor to the parish and which has few equals in the State; it was blessed in 1895. The handsome convent was built a year later, and blessed in 1897.
Having, in the meantime, liquidated the indebtedness on the church, Father Mckeon resolved to solemnly consecrate it forever to the service of God. The impressive ceremony took place on Sunday, September 27, 1889, Bishop McMahon officiating, assisted by Revs. James H. O'Donnell and John D. Coyle, masters of ceremonies ; Rev. F. Murphy, thurifer; Rev. J. Lawless, cross-bearer; Rev. J. Synnott, bearer of relics; Rev. P. McAlenney, bearer of holy oils; Rev. B. Bray, deacon of the door. The Pontifical Mass which followed tlie ceremonies of consecration was celebrated by Right Rev. Mat- thew Harkins, D.D., Bishop of Providence, with the following assistants : assistant priest, Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G .; deacon, Rev. P. Mullhol- land; sub-deacon, Rev. J. Russell ; masters of ceremonies, as above. The oration was pronounced by the Rev. Father McCarthy, S. J. Bishop Mc- Mahon presided at the Vesper services, and Rev. Richard Burke preached the serinon.
In his parochial labors Father Mckeon has been assisted by Rev. W. Gibbons, Rev. William Maher, D.D., Rev. J. Curtin, Rev. R. J. Early. The present assistants are Rev. G. Sinnott and Rev. J. J. Fitzgerald.
A sad occurrence, resulting in the death of a Sister of Mercy, cast a gloom over the parish. On June 29th, of this year (1899), a fire broke out in the convent, during which Sister Mary Aloysius died from suffocation. Twenty Sisters were in the building at the time, but the others escaped injury. The damage to the convent was $3000.
.The religious societies attached to the church, and which are accomplish- ing much for religion are : the Confraternity Society, with a membership of about 300; the Sodality of the Children of Mary, 150; the Holy Angels' Sodality, 300 ; the Sacred Heart T. A. B. Society, 200 ; the Sacred Heart Cadets, 180; the Catholic Club, 175; the Holy Name Society, 200; the Junior Holy Name Society, 150; Infants' Sodality, 200; Junior Sodality, 150.
The population of the parish is about 5000 souls.
The material successes that have attended the labors of the rectors of this parislı are evidence that its spiritual status is of a high standard, and are eloquent attestations of the fidelity of the people to instruction and of co- operation with their spiritual guides.
1
REV. EDWARD MARTIN.
REV. CHARLES J. MCELROY.
REV. PETER M. KENNEDY.
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REV. JOHN CORCORAN.
REV. JOHN D. KENNEDY.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. FRANCIS' PARISH,
NEW HAVEN.
NTIL 1867, the Catholics of Fair Haven, so called, attended divine services at St. Patrick's church, the Rev. Matthew .Hart, pastor. In that year Father Hart secured a piece of land upon which the first resident pastor of St. Francis' parish, the Rev. Patrick A. Gaynor, built the church. Its dimensions were 100 by 60 feet. After a pastorate of two years Father Gaynor died in 1869, and was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick Mullholland. When Father Mullholland assumed charge of St. Francis parish its population numbered about 1,500 souls. With their young pastor they entered enthusiastically into the work of promoting the great interests of the parish. His will was their law. Obedient to his wishes, even anticipating them often, both forces accomplished results that are visible to-day, and which will serve to keep the memory of Father Mull- holland green for generations to come. Active, responding to the demands of his high calling, sparing not himself when the interests of others were at stake, faithful to the promises made to the ordaining prelate, Father Mull- holland's career in St. Francis' parish produced results which his colleagues might pardonably envy, and which no doubt merited a benign sentence from the Supreme Pastor when he stood before the Throne to receive judgment. The school and convent, an enlarged and beautifully decorated church, a remodeled rectory, the institution of parochial societies, the purchase of valuable pieces of property, and other works redolent of zeal and priestly solicitude, all are reminders that a strong hand was at the helm. The people of St. Francis' revere his memory ; the children, for whom he ever had a father's love, hold his name in benediction ; all recognized that when Father Mullholland responded to the final summons, there went forth a devoted friend, a wise counselor, a faithful pastor, one who wore himself out in the service of his Master.
Father Mullholland died in October, 1897. Bishop Tierney celebrated the Pontifical Mass of Requiem, and the Rev. J. Creedon, of Windsor Locks, preached the panegyric.
The Rev. Peter M. Kennedy, the present incumbent, assumed the bir- dens laid down by his predecessor on October 26th, of the same year. As- sisted in the labors of his parish by Rev. D. O'Connor, Rev. W. J. Blake and Rev. D. F. Baker, Father Kennedy not only maintains the parisli upon the grade of efficiency established by those who went before, but is increasing its power as a spiritual force in the city. Thirteen Sisters of Mercy, under the direction of Sister M. Bonaventure, render invaluable assistance in instructing 700 children in the parochial school. Here, humanly speaking, are the lopes of the church, the future props of society, and the Sisters, realizing their responsibilities, are faithful to the trust imposed upon theni.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. BONIFACE'S (GERMAN) PARISH, NEW HAVEN.
HE following correspondence which appeared in the New York Citizen discloses the fact that harmony did not reign among the early German Catholics of New Haven. It shows that a disturbing element, under the name of religion, sought to sow the seeds of discord among the faithful :
THE GERMAN CATHOLICS OF NEW HAVEN.
In our last number we copied from a contemporary a preamble and resolutions, pur- porting to express the sentiments of the German Catholics of New Haven. We have since received the following correspondence on the subject :-
GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, February 9, 1855. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CITIZEN :
Sir-In looking over your good paper, the Citizen, of this week, I see a preamble and resolutions purporting to be the wishes of all the German Catholics of New Haven. Sir, perhaps the enclosed true preamble may be worthy of your insertion, and confound these infidels.
Yours, etc., A GERMAN CATHOLIC.
NEW HAVEN, February 15, 1855. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD :
In your issue of the 30th ult., you published certain resolutions said to have been adopted at a meeting of the "German Roman Catholics" of New Haven. I am sure you will not hesitate to make the correction which justice demands, when I make known to you that it was nothing else than a hypocritical trick to injure us in the estimation of our fellow-Catholics. The accompanying resolutions, as published in the New Haven Palladium, and which were adopted by the Catholic Germans, will explain. They read thus :
At a meeting of the Catholic Germans of New Haven, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :
" Whereas, certain persons calling themselves 'German Roman Catholics,' have wrongfully usurped the right of speaking for us, against our will ; and whereas, they have published resolutions in direct opposition to our feelings-said resolutions being drafted by a committee made up of one Jew, one Protestant and one who publicly pro- fesses himself to be an infidel, believing all religion 'a humbug,' and adopted by a meeting of the same class of men : Therefore-
" Resolved, That we Catholics deny having any part in the proceedings ; that we denounce the statements made by them as being wicked and injurious to us ; more like 'His blood be upon us and upon our children,' than the sentiments of true Catholics. We despise the hypocrisy of the Jew, infidel or Protestant, who would call himself Roman Catholic for an evil purpose.
" Resolved, That we do want a priest who can preach the Gospel to us in our native language, and who will find that we do not yet deny the 'one faith ' taught us care- fully by our parents, and which we shall never renounce for mammon.
" Resolved, That we hail Rev. Mr. Hender's advent among us with joy and grati- tude ; that Bishop O'Reilly be requested to make this city his residence, and that we shall do everything in our power to sustain him and make him comfortable.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be published in all the papers that circu- lated the late calumny on our good name.
"Signed on behalf of meeting,
" JOSEPH AUGRICK, President.
" ANDREW KLAFFKI,
"JOHN RATT, Vice-Presidents.
" FREDERICK THESING,
" GASPER FINK, 1
CHRISTIAN GERGEN, Secretary."
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The upshot of the former resolutions was this : Bishop O'Reilly sent a priest to take charge of the German Catholics of this city, about two hundred in number. The German Jews and infidels, who are trying to establish a society which would acknowl- edge no other God than nature, took this amiss. They saw the projected society in dan- ger, and consequently determined to oppose the priest. For this purpose they called a meeting, inviting a great many, whilst they kept the object of the meeting a secret. Some Catholics, myself amongst the number, went there to see what was going on, but when the object leaked out, most of them left, and were it not that a few stopped to watch the proceedings, the brotherhood would have been " alone in their glory." The meeting itself was an admirable burlesque on the use of reason ; and he who would be so foolish as to believe in God, Christ or the Bible, got a place among the long-eared tribe. At length, after much trouble and any amount of confusion, three individuals were ap- pointed a committee to draft Roman Catholic resolutions ; and they did draft them.
CHRISTIAN GERGEN, Secretary.
On July 21, 1868, tlie Rev. H. Wendelschmidt assumed charge of the German Catholics of New Haven. The parishioners assembled in a hall in Gregson Alley for divine services, and here they worshiped every Sunday until 1873. In April of this year St. Boniface's church was begun on a lot which had been previously secured. The corner-stone was laid on May II, 1873, by Bishop McFarland, the Rev. Dr. Schrader, of New York, preaching the ser- mon. Father Wendelschmidt's pastorate terminated on December 29, 1873, his successor, the present incumbent, Rev. Joseph Schale, assuming charge on May 15, 1874.
At the formation of the parish its population was about eighty souls ; at present it numbers about 800. St. Boniface school was organized in Septem- ber, 1896, with 143 pupils. It is conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis, has eight grades, with 163 pupils. In addition to the church, school, convent, and rectory, the parish owns Germania Hall.
The number of baptisms administered during the past three decades was 1773, and the number of marriages solemnized during the same period was 390. The first baptism conferred was that of Wilhelmina Reinpherd, and Joseph Dunbar and Gertrude Jansen were the first to receive the sacrament of imatrimony, October 18, 1868.
ST. LAWRENCE'S PARISH, WEST HAVEN.
HE earliest Catholics to settle in this section of New Haven were James, Peter, and Bernard Gaffney, Patrick Morrissey, James and Thomas Leddy, Jolın Slater, Denis Boyle, Edward McCabe, Lawrence Riley, George McDermott, David Monalian, Denis Kennedy, Paul Kehoe, Peter English, Philip Cronan, Jolin Ennis.
The first Mass celebrated in West Haven was said by the Rev. James Larkin, of Milford, in April, 1886, in thic Borough Officer's room of Thomp- son's block, in the presence of about forty persons, though at this time there werc about two hundred Catholics in this section. West Haven remained under the jurisdiction of Milford from 1886 until May 1, 1895, when the Rev. J. Curtin was appointed the first resident pastor. Previous to 1886 the people
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
attended Mass at the Sacred Heart church, New Haven, and still earlier at St. John's.
St. Lawrence's church was built by Father Larkin in 1885. The corner- stone was laid in November of that year by Bishop McMahon during a heavy rainstorm in the presence of two thousand people. The clergy present were Rev. Fathers Russell, Lawlor, Maloney, Gibbons, Mulcahy, Mullholland, Smith, Murray, Rogers, and Murphy. The preacher was the Rev. W. A. Harty, of Waterbury. He said in part :
" We are gathered here to-day to witness the solemn exercises of laying the corner- stone of another new church. It is eminently proper that there should be no difference in the ceremony for the church that is built in the village and the most gorgeous cathedral in the world. Each one is entitled to our respect and to our admiration. Each one should have our best wishes and our watchful care. And so may we repeat, 'How terrible is this place, it is no other than the house of God.' It is eminently proper, then, that we should gather here to-day, though the elements are against us, to join in these solemn services, and bid God-speed to the people who are so nobly spreading our glorious reli- gion. This is none other than the foundation of the house of God. Here in this church the poor will be as welcome as the rich, and the low will occupy positions as lofty as the high. Here the blessed Gospel will be preached alike to old and young, to the rich and to the poor. Here in this church, the corner-stone of which has been laid to-day, that awful Sacrifice that was transacted on Calvary will be explained, and its truths and lessons expounded. Here will be renewed the old story and from here the Bread of eternal life will be disseminated. Here, brethren, standing around these unfin- ished walls, will God's own words be fulfilled : 'Behold, I am with you all ages, even to the consummation of the world.' Again, I say, this is truly God's house, and no gale of bigoted opposition can destroy it. It is the house of God, and not the house of man. The country towns are especially dear to God's heart. It was in Bethlehem, not in Jeru- salem, that He was born ; in Nazareth, not in imperial Rome, He lived. There is not a village in Connecticut, having twenty Catholic families, that has not a Catholic church. On every hand Catholic churches are springing from the soil. During the six years and five months of the administration of our beloved bishop, half of the one hundred and twenty churches in this diocese have either been built or completely renovated."
The church is 40 by 70 feet, with a spire 130 feet high, and cost $12,000. Over $2,000 was contributed on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone. The ceremony of dedication took place in 1895.
Among the benefactors of St. Lawrence's parish mention should be made of John Anderson, Edward Kimberley, Donaldson Thompson, and James Graham. Handsome windows were donated by P. Morrissey, S. Boyle, James Gaffney, Ist; James Gaffney, 2d; Bernard Gaffney, Peter Gaffney, Margaret Leddy, Maria, Rose, and Julia Murphy, David Monahan, James McCarthy, Lawrence Reilly, Bernard and Lottie Farrell, and the Rev. James Larkin.
The population at the formation of the parish in 1895 was about 500 souls ; it is now about 600, chiefly Irish and their descendants. The number of baptisms conferred from 1895 to 1898 was 83, while II marriages were solemnized in the same period.
Attached to St. Lawrence's parish, and attended by its pastor, is St. Joseph's mission, Westville. Previous to the formation of St. Lawrence's parish, the Westville Catholics were attended by the pastors of St. John's, New Haven. The first Mass celebrated in Westville was said by the Rev.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Hugh Carmody, D.D., in 1871, in Franklin Hall, on Fountain street, now St. Joseph's Lyceum and T. A. B. Society Hall. A lot for a new church was purchased on Hill-now Emerson-street from E. W. Cooper for $1,400. Ground was broken in 1872, and the corner-stone was laid in the same year by Bishop McFarland, the Rev. M. Hart preaching the sermon. The cost of St. Joseph's church was $7, 500.
The first Mass offered up in the new church was celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Carmody in the fall of 1872. The first baptism recorded is that of Annie T. Powers, and the first to receive the sacrament of matrimony were Thomas Elliott and Annie Mullen, the Rev. P. Keating officiating. Martin Heath and Michael Sarsfield were the first pew-rent collectors.
Dr. Carmody's successor was the Rev. John McMahon, who remained only for a brief period. Rev. John Cooney, his successor, served St. Joseph's five years, during which time he frescoed the church, erected new stations and adorned the edifice with handsome statues. Rev. B. Bray was the next pas- tor, serving also five years. During his administration new stained-glass windows were put in the church, and concrete walks laid.
The principal benefactors of St. Joseph's parish were the Messrs. Beecher, who donated $300 to the building fund.
ST. LOUIS' (FRENCH) PARISH, NEW HAVEN.
HE history of the French Canadian Catholics of New Haven, as an organization, dates from May 25, 1889, when they assembled before the altar in St. Patrick's school to assist at the Holy Sacrifice offered by the Rev. J. E. Bourret. About 600 persons assisted at this Mass. In this year Father Bourret purchased a chapel, which was dedicated by Bishop McMahon in July, 1890. Father Bourret's term of service expired in May, 1890. His successor, the Rev. J. E. Cartier, came in August of this year, and remained as pastor until December, 1897. The priests who served as assist- ants in St. Louis' parish were Revs. J. E. Cartier, L. Mayeur and J. E. Fer- ran. The Rev. J. E. Senesac followed Father Cartier in the pastorate, and in turn was succeeded by Rev. H. Chapdelaine, the present pastor.
The present population of the parish is about 1,000 souls.
ST. MICHAEL'S (ITALIAN) PARISH, NEW HAVEN.
T HE Rev. Vincent Asterri, M.A., was the first resident pastor of the Italian Catholics of New Haven. He organized his fellow-countrymen into a parish in 1889. His successors were Rev. Orestes Alussi, Rcv. Francis Becherini, Rev. Vincent Sciolla, Rev. Peter Lotti. The present pastor is the Rev. Aloysius Lango. The priests, who have served St. Michael's parish as assistants were Rev. Vitterio Sovilla and Rev. Father Battaglia.
St. Michael's church was dedicated with inusual pomp on Sunday, April 24, 1899. Among the ecclesiastical dignitaries, who graced the occasion by
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
their presence was the Apostolic Delegate, Most Rev. Sebastian Martinelli. He was accompanied by his secretary and the Rev. Francesco Zibolio, of New York, and the Rev. Giacomino Zambero, of Boston, Provincial of the Order of San Carlo Borromeo, and the Rev. Paulo Novati, of Providence, R. I. All the Italian societies of the city with two bands, a drum corps, and a great crowd of people, escorted the distinguished prelate from the station to St. Michael's rectory. The Papal Delegate was received at the depot by Bishop Tierney, Rev. John Russell, Rev. M. Mckeon, Rev. John D. Coyle, Rev. John Corcoran, and the rector of St. Michael's church.
Following the ceremonies of dedication a Solemn High Mass was cele- brated by the Rev. Orestes Alussi, of New York, assisted by the Rev. Jaines Gambera, the Rev. C. H. Victor Tiene and the Rev. J. P. Donovan, D.D. The discourse was pronounced by the Rev. Paulo Novati. During the vesper services Bishop Tierney administered Confirmation to 150 persons.
During the first year of the parish's existence there were 55 baptisms and 20 marriages. In 1897, the baptisms were 398 and the marriages 165. The Italian population of New Haven is about 11,000.
The limits and regulations of the English-speaking parishes of New Haven are shown by the following circular dispatched by the Very Rev. Administrator in 1878:
MERIDEN, Oct. 19, 1878.
REV. DEAR SIR :- You will please notify your congregation at all the Masses on Sun- day, the 20th inst., of the parochial regulations adopted at the late Synod. As applicable to New Haven, they are as follows:
I. The parish limits lately established by our lamented bishop will be strictly ob- served. These limits are the following:
LIMITS OF ST. MARY'S PARISH.
St. Mary's parish comprises that part of the city which lies between the east side of Meadow street, commencing at the N. Y. & N. H. Railroad Depot, to the junction of Meadow street with George, the north side of George street and Derby avenue, to the bridge over West river, and thence northerly along West river to town line, the west side of Olive street from the harbor to the junction of Olive street and State street, to Mill river, and thence along Mill river to Lake Whitney.
LIMITS OF ST. PATRICK'S PARISH.
St. Patrick's parish includes that part of the city whichi lies between the east side of Olive street from the harbor to the junction of Olive street and State, the southeast side of State to Mill river, and thence southerly to the harbor.
LIMITS OF ST. JOHN'S PARISH.
St. John's parish embraces that part of the city which is situated between the south side of George street from its junction with Congress avenue, and the south side of Derby avenue to West river, and the northwest side of Congress avenue to West river, with that part of the town of Orange which lies north of the Milford turnpike.
LIMITS OF SACRED HEART PARISH.
Sacred Heart parish comprises that part of the city which lies between the west side of Meadow street from the New York Depot to the junction of Meadow street with Con- gress avenue; the south side of Congress avenue to West river ; and that part of the town of Orange that is situated south of the Milford turnpike.
CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION, B. V. M., Ansonia.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
LIMITS OF ST. FRANCIS' PARISH.
St. Francis' Parish includes all Fair Haven and the town of North Haven.
2. No pastor or assistant pastor shall administer the sacraments or perform any sacred function in another parisli, without the permission of the pastor thereof. From this rule confession alone is excepted.
3. Funerals must be attended by the pastor of the parish in which the deceased lived. The funeral service, unless in prohibited cases, must take place in the parish church.
4. Persons holding sittings in any church may retain the sittings until they can con- veniently change. In the meantime they must apply to the pastor of the parish in which they live for the administration of the sacraments and other sacred functions, and no sit- ting for the future will be rented to a person living outside of the parish.
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