USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 49
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ST. FRANCIS' PARISH.
NAUGATUCK.
HE first Catholic settlers in Naugatuck were Patrick Maher, John Kelly, Andrew Moran, George Burns, Patrick Conron, Patrick Butler, Walter Healy, Thomas and John Campbell and John Hyne. Though it is not improbable that Naugatuck was visited by Father Fitton and Father McDermot in their periodical tours through this section, the first Mass said here, as far as is known, was offered up by Father O'Neil of Waterbury, in 1847 in the Naugatuck hotel. There were about fifty Catholics here at this time. Anterior to this date the sacraments were administered to people in Naugatuck by Father Smyth of New Haven. Mass was said later in the residences of Patrick Conron and Patrick Boylan. In 1857 five mnen, public spirited and strong of faith-Patrick Maher, Thomas Campbell, John Dono- van, Edward Conroy and Patrick Conron-purchased a lot on Water street, for which they paid $400. At this time Naugatuck was served from Birming- ham, whose pastor was the Rev. James Lynch. Father Lynch began the erection of a church, which was continued by his successor, the Rev. John Lynch. In the meantime the Holy Sacrifice was offered up semi-monthly in Nicholas' hall. Mass, however, was said in the new church before it was entirely completed. In 1858, Naugatuck was given in charge of Father Hen- dricken, of Waterbury, who completed the church and purchased a cemetery about 1859. He continued in charge until 1866, when Naugatuck was ele- vated to the dignity of a parish. The Rev. Hugh T. Brady was appointed the first resident pastor. The duration of Father Brady's pastorate was nine years. He purchased a house on Arch street from George A. Lewis for $5,000, which became his pastoral residence. Upon his transfer to Ansonia, lie was succeeded by the Rev. William Harty, who died on March 19, 1876, five weeks after his appointment. He was followed by the Rev. Richard O'Gor- 111a11, who died on December 3d, after a pastorate of six months.
The Rev. James Fagan was appointed pastor on December 17, 1876. As the congregation was increasing it became evident to Father Fagan that a
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new church was a necessity. Accordingly, in 1877, he purchased the Hine property on Church street, and, after the necessary renovations, occupied the house on the premises as a rectory. The indebtedness incurred by this transac- tion was liquidated in less than a year. Father Fagan then established a build- ing fund and so actively did he labor and so generously did his people cooperate with him that in a dozen years the fund reached the sum of $20,000.
Ground was broken for the present beautiful church on .April 7, 1882, Father Fagan digging the first shovelful of earth. Right Rev. Bishop McMahon laid the corner-stone on July 23d, in the presence of the largest concourse of people ever gathered in Naugatuck up to that time. The Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Waterbury, preached the sermon.
The collection on that occasion added to the building fund the munificent sum of $5,000. The basement, with a seating capacity of 1160, was soon ready for occupancy. On Sunday, August 19, 1883, Mass was said in the old church for tlie last time, and on the Sunday following the basement chapel was dedicated by Bishop McMahon. The solemn High Mass, Coram Episcopo, which followed the dedication services, was celebrated by Very Rev. James Hughes, Hartford, as celebrant ; the Rev. James Campbell, Manchester, deacon; the Rev. Thomas Beaven (now Bishop of Springfield), sub-deacon; the Rev. Peter M. Kennedy, Birmingham1, master of ceremonies. The discourse was de- livered by the Rev. John H. Duggan, of Waterbury. The congregation wor- shiped in this chapel until November 30, 1890, the date of the dedication of the inain church. A striking architectural feature of the edifice is the tower on the right hand corner ; it is modeled after that of St. Gertrude's in Louvain, Belgium. Father Fagan's labors did not cease with the construction of the church. This work accomplished, he purchased a fine tract of land of over thirty acres, which, in November, 1892, was consecrated to burial purposes under the patronage of St. James. When Father Fagan took up the reins of government, St. Francis' parishi had not one thousand souls, and the value of the church property was estimated at $10,000. At the time of his death, August 1, 1893, the property valuation was $110,000, with a population of three thousand. An appreciative contemporary thus wrote of Father Fagan : "Father Fagan is warmly interested in all inatters pertaining to liis parish, which are constantly calling forth his best efforts; but in his relations to the community at large he is liberal and progressive. . . His zeal and energy were largely manifested in the erection of the new St. Francis' church, which is a grand and imposing monument to the Catholic faith and the sacri- ficing devotion of his parishioners."
Father Fagan's successor was the Rev. John F. Lenahan, who came here from Hartford. Brief as was Father Lenahan's pastorate, it was replete with good works. The Spring property, adjacent to the church, was purchased in 1895, and the grounds improved and beautified. Father Lenahan was sum- inoned to his eternal reward in December, 1895. His successor is the present rector, the Rev. James O' Reilly Sheridan. Early in his pastorate the parish was visited with a severe loss in the almost total destruction of the basement interior; the altar, two confessionals, and two statues only were saved from
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
the wreck. The damage was caused by detective drainage, which resulted in a flood. As a consequence, an improved and inodern system of drainage was introduced; and the chapel, thoroughly renovated, was transformed into a new and elegant place of worship, all at an expense of $10,000. On February 20, 1897, Father Sheridan introduced the Sisters of Mercy from the Mother- house of Middletown, and installed them in the residence purchased by his predecessor, where they conduct a select school for girls. Other evidences of Father Sheridan's activity are to be found in the improvements inade in the new cemetery, and the erection therein of necessary buildings. At the present writing, plans are being considered for a school, which exteriorly and in its interior appointments will be in keeping with the dignity of the parish.
Among the recent benefactors of St. Francis' parish are Thomas Neary, who donated the chandeliers in the church, valued at $1,000; Miss Mary Shields, whose gift was a statue of the Sacred Heart; Richard Neary, who gave a statue of St. Patrick. The assistant priests are the Rev. William Gib- bons and the Rev. William Fanning.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S PARISH, SEYMOUR.
HE original name of Seymour was Nau-ko-tunk, which signifies one large tree, so called from a large, stately tree which formerly stood near Rock Rimmon. To the stream on which Seymour is situated was given the English pronunciation of the above name Naugatuc. Nau-ko-tunk subsequently gave way to Humphreysville in honor of David Humphreys, whose manufacturing establishment was incorporated in 1810.
Fifty-five years ago Seymour (which received its present name in 1850) had only six Catholics, Nicholas and Daniel Brockway, Thomas Gaffney, Nicholas Cass, James Quinlan and Patrick Gaffiiey. In 1844, Father Smyth, of New Haven, celebrated the first Mass said in Seymour in a building known as the "Old Long House," which was situated on the site of the engine house on Raymond street. The construction of the railroad brought a goodly increase to the Catholic population, and at the appointment of Rev. Michael O'Neil, to Waterbury, Seymour-or Humphreysville-passed into his charge. During the interval between the first Mass and this period the Catholics of this mission assisted at Mass either at Derby or New Haven; at the former when Father Smyth would visit it. Upon the assumption of the pastoral charge of Birmingham in 1851, Rev. James Lynch also assumed control of Seymour. On September 24th of that year, he purchased a fine lot for a church from Alfred Blackman, paying therefor the sum of $400. In the fall of 1855, work on the new church was commenced, and it was dedicated under the patronage of St. Augustine in the fall of 1856. Seymour continued to be served from Birmingham until the transfer of Fathier O'Dwyer to Ansonia in 1870, when it began mission relations to the latter place. In October, 1885, it was organized into a parish with the Rev. Jolin McMahon as the first resident pastor. On May 1, 1886, he was followed by thic Rev. Richard C. Gragan, whose period of service terminated on April 1, 1894.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
For some time after his arrival Father Gragan had lodgings at a private house and at the hotel. Having liquidated an outstanding indebtedness of $1,000, he began the erection of a church more suitable to the needs of the popula- tion of the parish. On May 4, 1888, ground was broken, and on July 15th, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop McMahon, the Rev. M. A. Tierney, of New Britain, preaching the sermon. Divine services were held in the new church on Christmas day, 1889, for the first time, and on May 18, 1890, it was solemnly dedicated. The Mass which followed the ceremony of dedication was sung by the Rev. T. Kelly, assisted by the Rev. M. Mulholland as deacon and the Rev. Father Walsh as sub-deacon; Rev. J. Synnott as master of cere- monies ; the preacher was the Rev. James C. O'Brien. The cost of the edifice was $13,000. When the parish was formed the population was estimated at 650, consisting of Irish, Gerinans and Poles. When the church was dedi- cated, the number was about 700. After the completion of the new church, Father Gragan converted the old one into a parochial residence.
The present rector, the Rev. Michael Rigney, succeeded to the pastorate of St. Augustine's on April 1, 1894. His success attests his activity. What with renovating the basement, beautifying the grounds, improving the cemetery and purchasing a sweet-toned church bell, his zeal lias been expended in promoting the interests of his parish. The ceremony of blessing the bell took place on May 7, 1895, Bishop Tierney officiating, and Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, V.G., preaching the sermon. St. Augustine's church has a seating capacity of 600 and cost $13,000. The present population of the parish is 500. St. Augus- tine's cemetery was purchased in 1893 and blessed by Bishop McMahon on June 25th of that year, the Rev. J. Fitzgerald of Cromwell delivering the discourse.
From 1885 to 1898 exclusive, the sacrament of baptism has been ad- ministered 270 times ; while 98 marriages have been solemnized. The first baptism conferred after the organization of the parish, was upon Charles Parsons, December 6, 1885 ; the first marriage ceremony performed was be- tween John Cassidy and Elizabeth Frazier, November 26, 188.5.
Father Rigney attends also two stations, Beacon Falls and Oxford.
The Beacon Falls Rubber Company recently donated to the Catholics of Beacon Falls a fine tract of land upon which a church will be built in the immediate future.
HOLY ANGELS' PARISH, SOUTH MERIDEN.
OUTH MERIDEN is about two miles distant from Meriden and was formerly a part of St. Rose's parish, Meriden. For many years the Catholic people attended the mother church, but Father McAlenney, recognizing that on stormy Sundays and during the winter months, it was a trying task to walk this distance, souglit and ob- tained permission from Bishop McMahon to erect a church, suitable for the people's needs, in South Meriden. Selecting a fine site opposite Hanover Park, Father McAlenney broke ground for the new church in December, 1886. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday, April 3, 1887, by Bishop McMahon, Rev.
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John Russell, of New Haven, preaching the sermon. On July 17, 1887, the first Mass was offered up in the newly dedicated church. Holy Angels' church continued to be served from St. Rose's, until January 10, 1880, when the Rev. Richard Moore was appointed the first resident pastor. Upon his advent into the parish, Father Moore lived in a house that recalls the residence of Bishop Tyler in Providence, described elsewhere, which could be carried about by a pair of oxen. In this humble, yet cheerful home, Father Moore lived until the completion of the rectory which now ornaments the parochial property. Successfully fulfilling his mission here, Father Moore was promoted to a new parish in New Britain, St. Joseph's, and the Rev. P. Byrne became his suc- cessor. After a brief administration Father Byrne was transferred to New Canaan and was followed by the present rector, the Rev. Thomas Cronin.
Father Cronin attends also St. Bridget's church, Cheshire, among the pio- neer churches of the diocese. As early as 1852, Rev. Father Tevin and others visited Cheshire to say Mass, administer the sacraments and instruct the faithful. The residence of Michael Garde was one of the first in which divine services were held. The attendants at Mass at this time were principally miners. Later the Holy Sacrifice was offered in Baldwin's Hall by Rev. Hugh O'Reilly of Meri- den. Not long after a room in Martin Brennan's hotel was secured for divine worship, and here the Catholics of Cheshire worshiped until the church was built.
In the meantime the number of Catholics was increasing, and Father O'Reilly began to make preparations for the erection of a church. He secured an acre of land from Michael Garde in the northern part of the town, which he intended for church and cemetery purposes. The corner-stone of the church was laid in the summer of 1859, during the pastorate of Father Quinn of Meriden. The first Mass said in the new church was celebrated on Christ- mas day of the same year by Rev. Charles McCallion, assistant to Father Quinn. The church was beautified and improved in 1883, a small tower was added and stained glass windows were put in. So notable were the improve- ments inade at this time that the church was rededicated by Bishop McMahon 011 November 4, 1883. St. Bridget's church was attended at different times from Meriden, Wallingford and Southington. In 1888, it came under the juris- diction of South Meriden. At one time it had a resident priest, the Rev. Thomas Drea, who resided in the Beadle place and attended Hamden and Southington. The Catholic population of Cheshire is about twenty-five families, or 100 souls.
HOLY TRINITY PARISH, WALLINGFORD.1
T N 1840 there were only three Irisli Catholics in Wallingford, James Han- lon, Michael Mulligan and Mark Daly. Seven years later, on Deceni- ber 22d, Mass was said for the first time in Wallingford by Father McGarisk, an Illinois missionary, in the house of James Hanlon, at the corner of Main and High streets. Among those who were privileged to assist at this Mass were James Hanlon, Mrs. O'Connor, Mrs. Leonard, Mrs. Logan
1 For some of the details of this sketch, I am indebted to Mr. John Phelan's admir- able History of this parish.
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and Charles Logan, about a dozen persons in all. Previous to this, the Catli- olics in order to hear Mass were obliged to go to New Haven where the nearest church was located.
The Rev. Philip O' Reilly, of New Haven, was the second priest to visit Wallingford. He also said Mass in the home of James Hanlon, who was then residing on Academy street. When Meriden was organized into a parish, Wallingford became attached to it as a mission and was attended by the Rev. Bernard Tevin, who offered the Holy Sacrifice in the residence of Martin Owens at frequent intervals. Father Tevin performed the first Catholic marriage ceremony witnessed in Wallingford. The historic date is May 12, 1850, and the contracting parties were Philip McCabe and Ellen Maloney.
Father Tevin was followed by the Rev. Hugh O'Reilly, who had arrived at Providence on March 14, 1851. He was an alumnus of All Hallows' Col- lege, Dublin. Father O'Reilly continued to say Mass at the home of Martin Owens; and here also he established Wallingford's first Catholic school. De- sirous of providing a house of worship for his people, Father O'Reilly pur- chased three choice lots from Philip McCabe, on May 29, 1852, paying therefor $280. Land had been offered gratis to the people, but their locations were un- suitable for church purposes. Meriden still continued to serve Wallingford, which was visited regularly by the Rev. Thomas Quinn from 1854 to 1856.
His successor and the first resident pastor of Wallingford was the Rev. M. A. Wallace, LL.D., who assumed charge in 1857. He said Mass in Union Hall. The Catholic population at this time had increased to 150, and the people felt they could bear the burden of a church. They would make the necessary sacrifices to see in their midst a church, how linmble so ever, in which they could commune with their Heavenly Father. The project was auspiciously started, many non-Catholics generously contributing. The work progressed so favorably that the corner-stone was laid on November 23, 1857, the Rev. Father Quinn officiating. The church was a small structure, 60 feet in length by 40 feet in width; but it was a church, nevertheless, and their own. It was built on the lot previously purchased by Father O'Reilly.
Before the completion of the church, Wallingford passed again under the jurisdiction of Meriden-Father Quinn still pastor. In April, 1858, the floor of the church fell, while Father Quinn was saying Mass. Though no lives were lost, the accident resulted in the serious injury of many persons. From the directories we gather that the Rev. Father Sheridan was resident pastor of Wallingford in 1860 with Cheshire and Hamden as missions. From the same source we learn that his successor in 1861 was the Rev. Charles McCallion, whose pastorate here was very brief, owing to the outbreak of hos- tilities between the North and the South, which so unsettled financial matters as to render the maintenance of a separate parish organization well nigh impossible. Accordingly, Wallingford was again taken in charge by Meriden, under whose jurisdiction it remained from 1862 to 1867. In that year, on August 1Ith, the Rev. Hugh Mallon received his appointment as resident pastor of Wallingford.
Father Mallon's first success was the purchase of a fine piece of land
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near the center of the town, on which he purposed to erect a church that would accommodate his growing congregation ; and the future justified the wisdom of his course. The old church was improved by the addition of galleries, but the accommodations remained inadequate.
Ground for the new church was broken in 1875, and on September 24, 1876, Bishop Galberry laid the corner-stone in the presence of 8,000 interested spectators. From this time on the work advanced slowly, the height of the water-table being reached three years later. On August 9, 1878, a tornado struck Wallingford and spread desolation everywhere. The old church was swept out of existence, thirty persons were hurled into eternity and thirty-five were seriously injured, the majority of them being members of Father Mallon's parish. The dead were laid in the school-house, on the steps of which Mass was offered up on August 11, 1878, for the repose of their souls.
The heart of the pastor was crushed with grief at the calamity that had fallen upon his people ; but Father Mallon rose equal to the emergency. A temporary basement was fitted up by roofing the walls of the new church, and here the congregation worshiped until the following spring. The first Mass said in the temporary chapel was celebrated by the Rev. Father Harding. Father Mallon made a tour of the diocese, collecting funds for the comple- tion of his church. Generously did he receive. The work of construction was resumed, and in August, 1879, it had reached such a state, that it could be used for divine service. In November, 1879, the basement was ready for occupancy, and here services were held until the dedication of the church on November 24, 1887, by Bishop McMahon. The church is built in cruci- form style ; its extreme length is 148 feet ; the width of the transepts is 104 feet, and of the nave 72 feet. The side walls are 29 feet high, and from the floor to the apex of the roof the height is nearly 50 feet. The spire is 190 feet high, and the gilt cross that surmounts it is 12 feet in height.
The rectory adjoining was also built by Father Mallon. It is a hand- some structure and, with the church, presents an attractive view. The entire parish property is evidence, if any were needed, that a man of wisdom was at the head of affairs, and that his people nobly seconded his efforts to place and to maintain the parish upon a high spiritual and temporal plane.
After thirty-one years of faithful, diligent, and successful labor, Father Mal- lon laid down the burden on September 27, 1898. He was succeeded on Octo- ber 15th following by the Rev. John H. Carroll, who came here from Westport.
PARISH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION,
WATERBURY.
CCORDING to the testimony of those who may claim the longest residence here, the Catholic who is justly entitled to be nanicd the pioneer of his race and faith in Waterbury was Cornelius Donnelly, who lived on West Main street, near Crane street, about 1832. Others gradually found their way here, until Waterbury embraced within its limits a colony composed of the following Irislimen:
In 1837 and earlici : Cornelius Donnelly and family, James Martin and
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wife, Christopher Casey, John Flynn, John Connors, John Corcoran and wife, M. Neville and sister, (later Mrs. William Moran), Michael Corcoran, Wil- liam Corcoran, Timothy Corcoran and wife,1 John Galvin and wife, James Byrne, James Grier.
In 1838: Michael Donohue, Patrick Donohue, Patrick Martin, Patrick Reilly and sister.
In 1839, 1840 and 1841: Patrick Delavan, Matthew Delavan, Finton Delavan, Thomas Delaney, Thomas Kilduff and wife, Timothy Whalen and wife, Thomas Claffey.
The Rev. James Fitton was the first priest to visit Waterbury, and it may be safely asserted that he said Mass during his periodical visitations here. So little impression did his visit make, however, that his name is not remembered by any of the old people now residing here.
The Rev. James McDermot, of New Haven, also visited Waterbury, and celebrated Mass. The precise date cannot be determined, but the place was the dwelling house of Cornelius Donnelly. So anxious were the Catholics of Waterbury to have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for them, and to receive otherwise the consolations of their religion, that they generously pre- sented Father McDermot with a handsome horse, saddle and bridle, in the hope that, being provided with his own means of travel, he might occa- sionally find opportunity to visit them. But the good donors were doomed to disappointment, as he was unable to return, owing to a multitude of missionary duties. In the summer of 1837 he was transferred to Lowell, Mass.
The Rev. James Smyth officiated in Waterbury from 1837 to the fall of 1847. During these years Waterbury was connected with St. Mary's parish, New Haven. In these days traveling was either by stage coach or private conveyance, and Father Smyth generally traveled with a large sorrel horse that was about as well known as the priest himself.
His first reception in Waterbury was not very encouraging. When he arrived he went to the same house at which Father McDermot had stayed, but was informed that he could not be received there, as the owner had been notified by his employers that if he entertained the priest he would be discharged from his work. He then went to the old Franklin House, and immediately sent word of his situation to Michael Neville, who lived in the eastern part of the borough. Mr. Neville at once went to his assistance and offered him the hospitality of his home.
From 1837 to 1845 Father Smyth offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the residence of Michael Neville on East Main street. The building is standing now, a precious landmark for the Catholics of Waterbury. In 1845 Washington Hall, on the corner of Exchange Place and West Main street, was secured from Dr. Jesse Porter. Dr. Porter was an intelligent citizen, but his views in regard to Catholics were similar to those held by a good many
1 It appears from the records of the town that "Timothy Corcoran, of Ireland, and Sarah Glover, of Birmingham, England," were married January 7, 1831. Their first child, James, was born January 7, 1833.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Waterbury, Conn.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
others at that time. Although he granted the use of the hall, he insisted that the rent should be paid before the doors would be opened. The handful of devout worshipers were not at all disconcerted at this turn in the proceedings. Worship they would, so they climbed into the attic through a trap-door. Divine services were usually held in this hall until the Catholics secured a church of their own.
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