USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 48
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St. Rose's church was begun and completed in 1856. Very Rev. William O' Reilly, Administrator, officiated at the ceremony of laying the corner-stone, and the Rev. Dr. Cummings of St. Stephen's parish, New York, preached the sermon. The same orator pronounced the discourse at the dedication of the church which took place towards the end of the same year.
In May, 1858, the Rev. Charles McCallion came to St. Rose's as assistant to Father Quinn, and remained in this capacity until the following December. While at Meriden Father Quinn became involved in a lawsuit, which attracted no little attention at the time. A woman, one of his parishioners, married a divorced man whose wife was still living. Realizing that, according to the laws of the Church her marriage was invalid, she submitted the matter to Father Quinn, who informed her that her reconciliation with the Church could be effected only by a complete separation. The husband brought suit against Father Quinn, claiming $10,000 damages.
Very Rev. Thomas Walsh began his administration of St. Rose's in Jan- uary, 1859, with a church burdened with a heavy debt. Among the achieve- ments of his successful pastorate were the purchase of a piece of land froin a Mr. Fuller, adjoining that secured by his predecessor, the acquisition of all the church property on Center street, save one lot in the rear of the garden, the purchase of a new cemetery in 1864, the erection of a spire and the placing therein of a bell. The impressive ceremony of blessing the bell was per- formed by Bishop McFarland on November 1, 1866, assisted by Very Rev. James Hughes, Rev. E. J. O'Brien, Rev. Thomas. Walsh and Rev. J. Smith. The preacher on the occasion was Bishop McFarland. The Solemn Mass which followed was celebrated by Rev. E. J. O' Brien, with Father Hughes as deacon, and Father Smith as sub-deacon. It was during Father Walsli's pastorate, also, that the Sisters of Mercy from Ennis, Ireland, were introduced into tlie diocese. They arrived at Meriden on May 7, 1872, and on that day four Sisters took possession of their new convent home on Liberty street, which Fatlicr Walsh had purchased from Mr. F. H. Williams for $8,300. The first Supe- rioress of the convent was Mother Teresa, who is the only survivor of the original band. I11 1875 tlic Sisters took up their residence in the new school, which had been built in the previous year at a cost of $20,000 ; lierc they remained until the erection of the convent in 1877. At thic laying of the corner-stone of the convent Bishop Galberry officiated, and the Rev. T. W.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Broderick preached the serinon. In 1876 St. Bridget's convent was elevated to the dignity of a Mother-house, Sister M. Teresa Perry being appointed the first Rev. Mother. Father Walsh was appointed Vicar-General of the dio- cese in succession to Very Rev. James Lynch, who died on December 6, 1876.
In the spring of 1883, Father Walsh began the erection of a pastoral residence. For thirty-four years he had been content with the comforts afforded by the humble home which the new and more commodious residence was destined to replace. He had completed the church, built a spacious school and provided the Sisters with a convent. A new rectory was neces- sary to complete the series of handsome structures that had grown up on Centre street. He would cheerfully have remained in the old home, as he was a priest of simple habits and of retiring disposition ; but he overlooked his own desires in his thoughts for others. But Divine Providence did not per- mit him to witness the completion of the work. Seized by a sudden illness, the Vicar-General expired, after a few days' sickness, on Monday, July 2, 1883. The funeral services, at which Bishop McMahon officiated, and Rev. Lawrence Walsh preached, were attended by over 100 priests and a concourse of people that taxed the capacity of the church to its utmost.
"The expressions of sympathy and regret manifested by all classes and denominations in the city revealed the happy relations which the good pastor had maintained with all, by whom he was universally respected. Meriden mourned his loss as one of her best citizens and most respected members of society."
The month following the demise of Very Rev. Father Walsh witnessed the advent of his successor, the Rev. M. P. Lawlor. During his brief pas- torate the rectory was completed, but ill health compelled his retirement in January, 1885.
The present rector, the Rev. Paul F. McAlenney, became pastor of St. Rose's on February 22, 1885. The works that have signalized his adminis- tration are evidence of sacerdotal zeal and of lay co-operation : the two schools were remodeled and renovated; St. Patrick's cemetery was beau- tified and improved by additional walks and driveways; on June 15, 1885, a handsome monument was completed in the cemetery, erected to the memory of Very Rev. Thomas Walsh, V.G .; the church organ was enlarged one-third its original dimensions, and the capacity of the sanctuary increased ; the confes- sionals were reconstructed and made conformable to the interior architecture of the building, and necessary changes were made in the means of exit. Father McAlenney purchased in 1886 from Mrs. Lucy Mather a piece of land on the east side adjacent to the church property, and later secured a tract of land on the corner of North First street and North avenue. A farm was also pur- chased from a Mr. Godey. In 1889 a tract of land comprising thirty acres was secured for cemetery purposes, but it did not receive episcopal blessing until 1893. In that year it was solemnly set apart for burial purposes by Bishop McMahon, Rev. J. J. Curtin preaching the sermon.
As the old chapel had become inadequate to the wants of the Sisters, Father McAlenney assumed the labor of erecting a chapel that would be in all
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
respects a suitable place for the sisters to gather for divine worship. The result was the construction of St. Rose's present spacious and elegant chapel. It adjoins and forms part of the convent, and its general architecture conforms to that of the main building.
The construction of a boiler-house also engaged the attention of the rec- tor. Previous to this the buildings were heated by apparatus put in as each one was erected. To concentrate this force would lessen labor and expense, and secure more satisfactory results. The new boiler-house is 30 by 40 feet.
In March, 1895, Father McAlenney put into execution a plan he had under contemplation for some time, the securing of a "chapel of ease" in the western section of the city. He purchased a brick building from the Trinity- Methodist Society, transformed it into a well-equipped chapel, and named it in honor of the Sacred Heart. It is attended by the clergy of the mother church, who say two Masses there every Sunday.
With so much accomplished for God and His church, with so many evi- dences of material and spiritual prosperity abounding, the rector and his devoted parishioners celebrated the golden jubilee of the parish on Sunday, September 4, 1898. The joyful occasion brought together a large number of priests, many of whom were children of the parisli, and received here the rudiments of their education. The chief feature of the occasion was the Solemn High Mass, with the Rev. J. P. Donavan, D.D., as celebrant ; Rev. M. P. McCarthy, as deacon ; Rev. Denis Hurley, as sub-deacon; Rev. E. Lamnon- tagne, as master of ceremonies. The Rev. Walter Elliott, C.S. P., pronounced the oration. Bishop Tierney was present in the sanctuary, having as attend- ants Revs. John Russell and Richard C. Gragan. Besides the officiating cler- gymen, twenty-two other priests of the diocese assisted at the imposing cere- mony. The evening service was a fitting crown to the day's jubilation. At the solemn vespers Rev. R. C. Gragan officiated as celebrant ; Rev. T. J. Pres- ton, as deacon; Rev. J. H. Broderick, as sub-deacon ; Rev. M. P. McCarthy, as inaster of ceremonies. The preacher was the Rev. Denis P. Hurley, who spoke from the divine words : " The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of inus- tard seed."
The priests who received their early education in St. Rose's parish were Revs. Peter M. Kennedy, the first to receive this distinction; Richard C. Gragan, Maurice J. Crowley, James Connolly, Daniel Haggerty, Thaddeus Walslı, Andrew Haggerty, Denis P. Hurley, James P. Donovan, D.D., Michael McCarthy, Earnest Lamontagne.
Nineteen young ladies, members of the parish, embraced the religious life, and retiring from the world, entered various religious orders : Harriet McNamara, Miss Waldron, Mary Mulligan, Annie McCabe, Margaret Ames, Lizzie Dooley, Mary Martin, Mary Breen, Minnie Burk, Margaret O'Brien, Katie O'Brien, Mary O. Jolinston, Mary J. Byrnes, Fannie Garvey, Jennie Brock, Lizzie Jolinston, Rose Jolinston, Mary McFarland, Mary Quinn.
Before the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Meriden, the schools were conducted by lay teachers. As stated above, Fathier Quinn instituted the first Catholic school in Meriden, with Prof. P. Smith as the first instructor.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Father Walsh organized his school in the basement of the present church, which was taught successively by the following teachers : Miss Grogan, of Hartford, from 1860 to 1861 ; Miss McDonough for a brief period ; Miss Mul- vyhill, from September, 1861, to March, 1863; James Yates, from March, 1863, to September, 1865; from this date to 1866, Timothy Sweeney; Miss Spell- inan for a short time; the Misses Grundelle, Yates, and Mulville, from 1868 to 1871; F. J. Lamb and Miss Mulville, from 1871 to 1872; Miss Mary Daly and Miss Mary Liddy, from 1872 to 1874, as the Sisters did not assume charge of the boys and girls together until 1874. In 1872 they began to teach the girls in a two-room school on Liberty street, in the rear of the convent. Addi- tional room becoming necessary, a coach-house was secured, refitted, and here were gathered the younger children of the school. The building was afterwards removed to Center street.
The priests who served as assistants in St. Rose's parish are :
Pastorate of Very Rev. Thomas Walsh : Revs. E. O'Connor, T. Smith, B. O'R. Sheridan, B. Plunkett, J. A. Fitzsimon, J. B. Reynolds, J. Russell, T. W. Broderick, T. P. Joynt, M. C. Mckeon, T. J. Preston, T. Sweeney, A. J. Haggerty, M. Costello, W. T. Doolan, T. M. O'Brien.
Pastorate of Rev. M. P. Lawlor : Revs. W. J. Doolan, T. M. O' Brien.
Pastorate of the Rev. P. F. McAlenney : Revs. W. J. Doolan, T. M. O' Brien, J. Walsh, J. H. O'Donnell, J. H. Broderick, J. T. Crowley, James Degnan, D. P. Hurley, C. McCann, F. Murphy, John Lee, R. Early, L. Guinan.
As St. Rose's parish fulfills all the requirements to constitute a permanent rectorship, Bishop McMahon conferred this dignity upon it with Father McAlenney as its first permanent rector.
ST. LAURENT'S (FRENCH) PARISH, MERIDEN.
RIOR to June 6, 1880, the Frenchi Canadians worshiped at St. Rose's church, where the 9 o'clock Mass was set apart for their benefit. Their spiritual interests were in charge of Rev. John Russell and his successors at St. Rose's, Rev. T. W. Broderick and Rev. T. P. Joynt. Becoming too numerous to be accommodated with one service, steps were taken to organize the French Canadians into a separate parish organi- zation. Accordingly, a meeting which had been duly warned at the paro- chial Mass on the Sunday previous, was held in the hall of the Y. M. C. A., on June 2, 1880. A president and secretary were chosen by the parishioners then and there present, a church committee was appointed and two trustees were legally elected by said committee. With the Canadians were a number of Germans, Poles and Italians; but the Canadians and Germans being the most numerous, it was thought at first to form both under one corporation ; by an agreement of both parties, however, it was determined, before organ- izing into a corporate body, to form the new corporation under the name of the "Frenchi Canadian Catholic Church," while the Germans were to enjoy all the spiritual privileges of the same. At this meeting, attended by two hun- dred persons, a few collectors, who had taken up a census, reported that 1100
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French-speaking people resided in Meriden. The announcement filled all present with enthusiasm, and before the meeting adjourned $3,500 was pledged by the French Canadians towards the building of a church.
Among the earliest French Canadian settlers in Meriden were Narcisse Anger, L. Loissell, O. Raby, P. and O. Belcourt, L. Gouin, - W. and E. Du- bord, D. A. Dolbec, V. Besurchaine, N. Lisee, T. and J. Chalifoux, R. Des- sureau, T. and A. Felix, E. Cossette, F. Cossette, O. Duplessis, Mons. Brunelle, M. Des Rosiers, M. Bibeau, M. Turcotte, N. P. Lamontagne and U. Neven.
The first Mass celebrated before the newly organized parish was said by the new pastor, the Rev. A. Van Oppen, on June 6, 1880, in the Grand Army hall; but for the following nine months, the people attended divine services in the City Hall. Work on the excavation of the cellar for the new church began on July 5th, 1880, and so numerous were the workers, and so vigor- ously did they ply pick, and spade, and shovel, that the excavation was completed that evening. The scene was enlivened by music by the city band, and so enthusiastic were the toilers at the success of their labors that they organized an impromptu procession and marched through the city, the inen shouldering their picks and other implements of toil.
In November, 1880, work on the basement was begun, and on Palm Sunday, April 10th, the following year, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop . McMahon, who also blessed the basement, which had been completed, on the same day. The morning discourse was pronounced by Right Rev. Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg. The celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. Flor. De Bruycker, and the master of ceremonies, the Rev. E. J. Vygen. Rev. L. G. Gagnier preached at Vespers. The basement structure, including the fur- nishings, cost $11,000.
The congregation worshiped in the basement until the completion of the superstructure, work on which had been resumed in the spring of 1886. On November 4, 1888, the church was solemnly dedicated to God in honor of the martyr, St. Lawrence, Bishop McMahon officiating. Right Rev. L. F. Lafleche, D.D, Bishop of Three Rivers, P. Q., preached the French sermon, and Rev. W. Stang, D.D., delivered the discourse in German. On the corner- stone are these inscriptions: " Eglise de Saint Laurent, 1880;" "Laurentio Auspice, pie fidelium obolis exstructa, 1886." The dimensions of St. Lau- rent's church are, length 118 feet, width 60 feet; the exterior is 601/2 feet · higli, and the interior, 45 12 feet; when completed, the tower will rise 165 feet.
At the time the parisli was organized in 1886 there were 1150 French Canadians in Meriden; when the churchi was dedicated in 1888 the number was 1300; the present population of the parisli is 1700 souls.
St. Laurent's school was opened in September, 1893, with 200 pupiis, under the guidance of the Sisters of the Assumption, whose Mother-house is in Nicolet, P. Q. The French and English languages are taught. There are at present 325 pupils in eight grades taught by six Sisters, of whom Sis- ter Felicite is the Superioress. Thic rector, Rev. Father Van Oppen, is a member of the Diocesan School Commission.
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Since the organization of the parish in June, 1880, to 1898, 1658 bap- tisms have been administered and 360 marriages solemnized.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, MERIDEN.
HE German Catholics of Meriden attended services at St. Rose's church with the French Canadians previous to June 6, 1880. On that date they became part of St. Laurent's parish. When the church was dedicated in 1888 the German Catholic population of Meriden numbered 400 souls. They remained under the jurisdiction of St. Laurent's until Decem- ber 6, 1891, when they took possession of their own church, St. Mary's, with the Rev. Ignatius Kost, as the first pastor, who is still in charge. Three Sisters of Notre Dame, Baltimore, Md., whose Superioress is Sister Helena, teach 212 pupils.
PARISH OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, MERIDEN.
S far as can be ascertained the first Italian Catholics to settle in Meri- den were S. Gentile, G. Maneano, G. Conco, J. Materese, S. Larese, and B. Ponzillo. Like other nationalities, the Italians worshiped in the mother church, St. Rose's, until June, 1880, when they came under the jurisdiction of the pastor of St. Laurent's parisli, the Rev. . A. Van Oppen. The first Mass said for them by a clergyman of their own nationality was in St. Laurent's church in October, 1892, the celebrant being Rev. Angelo Chiariglione. About sixty-five Italians attended that Mass.
The first resident pastor was Rev. Felice Morelli, who remained from May, 1894, until September of the same year. His successor was the Rev. Dr. Falcotill, who served until February, 1895. Father Becherini then became pastor, which office he held till May of that year, when the present „pastor, Rev. Vittorio Sovilla, assumed charge.
The corner-stone of the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was laid early in 1894, Bishop McMalion officiating. The ceremony of dedication was performed by his Eminence, Cardinal Satolli, in the presence of a host of people who gathered to witness the impressive ceremony and to render respect to the venerable Apostolic Delegate.
When the parish was formed the Italian population numbered about 400; a census recently taken enumerates about 600 souls.
ST. STANISLAUS' PARISH, MERIDEN.
HE Polish Catholics of Meriden were organized into a parish in the spring of 1891. They held divine services in the basement of the church, which was generously set apart for their use, until October 30, 1892, when the corner-stone of their new church was laid during the pastorate of Rev. Father Kelaniter. Remaining about eighteen months, he retired. Until the appointment of his successor, Father McAlenney, assisted
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
by Rev. Father Havey, administered the affairs of the parish. The present pastor is the Rev. C. Kucharski. The school attached to the church has sixty pupils and is taught by a lay teacher.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, MILFORD.
'N February, 1685, Colonel Thomas Dongan, the Catholic governor of New York, visited Milford to confer with Governor Treat of Connec- ticut, about the agreement of the Commissioners selected to determine the boundary line between the two colonies. On the 23rd of the month the report was assented to and ratified by both governors. On this occasion, Governor Dongan received the salutes proper to his dignity. In firing one of the great guns, a Samuel Adkins was injured, on account of which he petitioned the General Court for damages ; he was awarded five pounds. It is not improbable that Governor Dongan's retinue comprised a goodly num- ber of Catholic officials.
The construction of the New Haven railroad brought a great influx of Irish laborers to Milford, those sturdy sons of the Church, who craved the presence of a priest, and whose fellow-countrymen in scores of places in Connecticut laid strong and deep the foundations of what their descendants enjoy. In 1848, they experienced the great happiness of assisting at a Mass celebrated by a visiting priest in the house of John Lyons. Being informed of the presence here of children of the church, the Rev. Edward J. O'Brien of St. Mary's parish, New Haven, administered to them the consolations of religion, occasionally saying Mass in the houses of John Lyons or of Mrs. Sullivan.
Yielding to the importunities of the people and pleased with the sus- tained interest manifested, Father O'Brien, in 1853, erected a church on a lot, ninety feet wide, bought from Mrs. Sullivan, southeast of the cemetery. From the directories we learn that in 1856 and 1857, Milford was served from .St. James' parish, Bridgeport, the Rev. Thomas Synnott, pastor ; in 1859-60-61, from St. Mary's, New Haven, by the Rev. Peter A. Smith ; fro111 1865 to. the first year of the pastorate of the Rev. John Rogers, from St. Mary's, East Bridgeport, when the Rev. John Lynch, pastor of Birmingham, assumed charge of the-Milford inission.
Milford owes its present church to the energy of Rev. P. M. Kennedy, the successor of Fatlier Lynch at Birmingham. In 1881, Father Kennedy bought a fine lot on the corner of Gulf street and New Haven avenue from Judge Fowler, for which he paid $500. He began the work of construction immediately, and the corner-stone was laid in December of that year. It was dedicated on June 25, 1882, by Bishop McMahon. The Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Waterbury, preached the sermon. The church has a seating capa- city of 400 and cost $12,000, not a lieavy burden when we consider the will- ingness of the people to make generous sacrifices in behalf of the faith to which they were devotedly attached, and the sacerdotal zeal that inflamed the hearts of their spiritual leaders. So prosperous in fact had this mission be-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
come, that it was deemed advisable to erect it into an independent parish. Accordingly in April, 1895, it was separated from the mother parish and the Rev. James Larkin was appointed the first resident pastor. He assumed charge also of West Haven and Stratford as dependencies. His seven years pastorate was marked by works which will long survive him. Two churches are evi- dence of his activity-St. James' at Stratford, and St. Lawrence's at West Haven. The erection of the pastoral residence is also his work; he renovated the old church, which is used for various parochial purposes. Father Larkin entered into his reward on July 25, 1892.
The Rev. William Maher, D.D., began his duties as pastor of St. Mary's parish on October 23, 1892. During Dr. Maher's illness, which occurred in December following his appointment and continued until June, 1893, the affairs of the parish were administered by the Rev. John T. Kennedy of New Haven. Though deprived of the manufacturing industries that are of such incalculable assistance to many parishes, St. Mary's parish is in a flourishing condition, the result of sustained co-operation on the one hand and of unre- mitting labor on the other.
St. Mary's, Milford, is the headquarters of the Hartford Apostolate.
St. Mary's cemetery is situated on Indian river, south of the N. Y. and N. H. R. R. Though purchased in 1868, when Milford was served from East Bridgeport, it was not blessed until about 1878.
Stratford is the out-mission of Milford and is attended every Sunday.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, MT. CARMEL (HAMDEN).
HEN the Rev. Matthew Hart, of New Haven, celebrated the first Mass said in Hamden in September, 1852, there were about thirty Catholic people in the town. At intervals of a month they were privileged to assist at Mass said by priests from New Haven. In 1856 Hamden was under the jurisdiction of Rev. E. J. O'Brien, of St. Mary's. The increasing number of Catholics prompted him to secure a suitable house of worship. In the above-mentioned year Father O' Brien bought a lot, to which lie moved an old building purchased from the Axle Company. This was suitably remodeled for divine worship. An enlargement became neces- sary in 1867. For thirty-four years was this humble but well-beloved church used by the Catholics of Hamden. The directories inform us that Hamden was attended from St. Mary's, New Haven, until 1860, when it was served from Wallingford. In 1865 it was in charge of the pastor of Southington, the Rev. Thomas Drea. On August 11, 1867, it reverted to Wallingford, and was taken in charge by the Rev. Hugh Mallon. There were at this time 225 Catholics in Hamden. Alone at Wallingford, Father Mallon could not give weekly services in Hamden; but after the appointment of the first assistant i11 1878, Mass was said regularly there every week. In 1890 the Catholics of Hamden had increased to 500; so that the old church was insufficient to accommodate the congregation. To encourage his people, to stimulate their faith and to provide them with a church suitable to their aspirations, Father
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Mallon purchased a lot between Centreville and Mt. Carmel, south of the old church. Work on the foundation was begun in 1888, and the church was dedicated in the summer of 1890 under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It is an imposing structure, the most prominent church in the town, and when completed and furnished, cost $20,000. The architecture is Gothic.
The church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel continued in the care of the Rev. Father Mallon until April 22, 1891, when Bishop McMahon bestowed upon it parochial honors and appointed the Rev. John Winters the first resident pastor. For over four years Father Winters labored in this portion of the Vineyard, accomplishing much for his people both in the spiritual and temporal orders. The sightly rectory was built by him and other improvements of a substan- tial character were effected. On September 1, 1895, he was transferred to South Norwalk, and was immediately followed by the present incumbent, the Rev. William Dullard.
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