USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 50
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A short time previous to Father Smyth's departure the Catholics, con- stantly increasing in number, determined to secure a fitting house of worship, one that might be solemnly set apart solely for religious uses. The possession of a church had been their controlling desire, the aim of all their labors, and God rewarded their fidelity and perseverance. In 1847 they purchased the lot on the corner of East Main and Dublin streets, prejudice having again interfered to prevent the purchase of one more centrally located. The lot secured, the question of building a church became the all-absorbing topic. The financial means of the Catholics were limited. At this time the Episco- palians were seeking larger and better accommodations for their increasing flock, and the Catholics bought their church and began preparations for remnov- ing it to the lot on the corner of East Main and Dublin streets. The old church cost $1,500, of which Father O'Neil paid $600 in the course of nine weeks. When the building had been moved to a point in the street opposite the pres- ent church, the contractor (Major D. Hill, of Hartford), becaine convinced that he could not get it over the high ground a short distance ahead. The original plan was abandoned, and the lot on which St. Patrick's hall now stands was purchased from Elizur E. Prichard, by Michael Neville, acting as the agent of the Catholics. The sum paid for it was $650.
In the midst of these transactions Father Smyth was removed from New Haven, and placed in charge of St. Mary's church, Windsor Locks.
Except on the occasions when Father Smyth visited Waterbury, bap- tisms, marriages and funerals took place in New Haven. Among the earliest marriages recorded are the following :
Patrick Delaney and Mary Delaney, April 9, 1837. (Their first child, John, was born in Waterbury, February 11, 1838.)
William Moran and Bridget Neville. (Their first child, Catherine, was born in Waterbury, May 11, 1837.)
Michael Donohue and bride, July 7, 1839, and Patrick Reilly and bride, the same date.
The first children of Catholic parents to receive baptism in Waterbury were, Thomas Donolite and James H. Riley. Tlie sacrament was administered by Father Smythi at the residence of Michael Neville. Funerals were always largely attended, the entire Catholic community accompanying the remains to the cemetery at New Haven. The last funeral to go to New Haven was that of Captain Bannon. In 1847, Bishop Tyler, through John Galvin as agent, purchased tlie lot south of Grand street, adjoining the old burying ground, for burial purposes. The price paid for the land (about an acre) was $50. In 1890 the property, with that adjoining, was condemned by the city, as it was required for public uses. The Catholic section was valtied by the city
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
at $12,000, which amount was distributed among the Immaculate Conception, St. Patrick's and Sacred Heart parishes.
It would be impossible to speak of all those whose struggles in the early days built up a flourishing parish, and whose influence for good, always potent, is now unquestionable. Besides those previously named we will be pardoned for mentioning William Moran, Patrick Delaney and his brother, Andrew Moran, Thomas Matthews, Finton Riley, John Burns, Cap- tain Bannon and John Reid, all honored in their day and generation. Many of them have entered into their reward. Others still remain, happy in the enjoyment of the respect of their fellows, and proud of the achievements of the past. In the evening of their lives they may well rest from active parti- cipation in parochial affairs. It is for their children to sustain what they established.
About October, 1847, the Rev. Michael O'Neill arrived in Waterbury. He was the first resident Catholic pastor. His first work was to put the church recently purchased, in order. He placed it under the patronage of St. Peter. So energetically did he labor and so generously did his flock co-operate with him that on Christmas day, 1847, he had the happiness of offering for the first time within its walls the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It was an appropriate day on which to crown the self-sacrificing labors of those sturdy pioneers, and many recollections are still affectionately enter- tained of it. The young pastor was full of vigor and the personification of zeal. With pardonable pride lie rejoiced in the completion of his work, and his parishioners shared in his enthusiasm. Divine services were held in this church until 1859. Here in 1851 Bishop O'Reilly administered, for the first time in Waterbury, the sacrament of Confirmation. On that occa- sion 200 children were made soldiers of Jesus Christ. Bishop Tyler had previously visited Waterbury, and promised to return when his engagements would permit and administer the sacraments. But he was soon after called to his eternal reward. On December 29, 1854, while a large congregation was attending divine service, a fire broke out in the church. The coolness of the pastor and the efforts of the mnen present prevented what might have been a serious conflagration.
From his arrival in Waterbury until the autumn of 1850, Father O'Neill resided with the family of Michael Neville, on Dublin street, opposite the cemetery gate. In 1850, lie rented a house on East Main street from John Sandland, now the property of James Lunney. On November 11, 1851, lie purchased from George Root the property on which the church of the Immacu- late Conception now stands. He occupied one of the old houses then on the property until July, 1855, when he was transferred to East Bridgeport.
Like many another pioneer missionary, Father O'Neill had his trials. Anti-Catholic prejudice was strong then. There were some who did not look with favor upon the rapid increase of Catholicity, and who in consequence sought to stem the tide of its progress. Obstacles great and numerous were thrown in the way of the priest's labors, and to the annoyances from indivi- duals, to which he was forced froin time to time to submit, were added not in-
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
frequently the complications of legal tribunals. In November, 1855, after his transfer to Bridgeport, the case of Blakeslee versus O'Neill came before the Superior Court at New Haven, and attracted unusual interest owing to the attendant circumstances. Alfred Blackinan and N. J. Buell appeared for the prosecution, and R. J. Ingersoll and J. W. Webster for the defense. The suit was brought on an action of trespass on the part of Father O'Neill, who in the discharge of his duty as pastor had endeavored to administer the last rites to Blakeslee's wife, who was a Catholic (her maiden name was Helen Lynch), and after her death to read the funeral services of the Catholic church. This was in accordance with the wishes of the deceased; but Mr. Blakeslee, who was an Irish Protestant, remonstrated against the execution of the wishes of his dying wife; hence the suit. During the trial attempts were made to coerce Father O'Neill to divulge the secrets of confession. A record of the case says: "The judge is taking time to consider whether he shall be made to answer; " but the priest very properly refused to disclose what had trans- pired between him and his penitent. His reply was: "I will burn first." The result of the trial was that Father O'Neill was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of $150 and costs. The judge in his charge stated that he did not require Father O'Neill to divulge the secrets of the confessional, as he did not consider that it affected the merits of the case, but said that if it had been important his priestly office would have been no shield against the usual punishment.
In July, 1855, Father O'Neill severed his connection with the Catholics of Waterbury and went to East Bridgeport. He died at New Haven, February 25, 1868, aged forty-nine years. His remains rest in Waterbury, the city he loved so well and served so faithfully. The Catholic people of Waterbury loved him, and to show their affection and to perpetuate his memory among their children, erected a handsome monument over his grave in St. Joseph's cemetery. We can truly say of him, that he was a man without guile- " with charity for all and with malice towards none."
The Rev. T. F. Hendricken arrived in Waterbury in July, 1855. He came from Winsted. He was ordained at All Hallows College, Dublin, Ire- land, April 25, 1853.
The first work to which he devoted his energies was the erection of the present church of the Immaculate Conception. On Sunday, July 5, 1857, lie had the happiness of seeing the corner-stone laid in the presence of a large concourse of people. The ceremony was performed by the Very Rev. Wil- liam O'Reilly, administrator of the diocese. The priests assisting were the Very Rev. James Hughes, of Hartford, Rev. Luke Daly, the Rev. C. Moore, the Rev. Dr. Wallace, tlie Rev. James Lynch, the Rev. Fathers Aubier, Cha- raux, Bede and Hendricken. A procession, in which were two hundred Sunday-school children, marched from the pastoral residence to the grounds. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Quinn, of Meriden.
On December 19, the church was solemnly dedicated under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. The ceremony of the dedication was performed by thic Right Rev. Bishop McFarland, who also
11-25
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
preached the sermon. Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Right Rev. John Loughlin, D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Reg- nier and Lynch as deacons of honor, the Rev. Fathers Hughes and Delaney as deacon and sub-deacon respectively, the Rev. Thomas Quinn as thurifer, and the Rev. James Lynch as master of ceremonies. At the evening service the preacher was Bishop Loughlin. At the close, Bishop McFarland ad- dressed the congregation, congratulating them on the completion of their splendid church, and paying a deserved compliment to the zeal of their pas- tor. The architecture of the church is purely Gothic. It presents the following dimensions: Extreme length, 162 feet; extreme breadth, 65 feet ; interior height, 65 feet ; height of the spire, 200 feet.
At the time the church was dedicated, and for some time after, Father Hendricken resided in the brick building directly opposite the present pas- toral residence. The dedication of the church marked an epoch in his life in Waterbury. Between that event and his election to the episcopal see of Prov- idence, his was an extremely busy life. What with the building of the paro- chial residence, the founding of the young ladies' academy of Notre Dame, and the purchase of eight valuable pieces of property in the heart of the city, his time was advantageously employed. It was during his administration that the parish of the Immaculate Conception was incorporated under the laws of the State.
The news of Father Hendricken's elevation to the bishopric of Provi- dence was received in Waterbury February 22, 1872. While his devoted parishioners were loath to part with him, yet they experienced feelings of par- donable pride in the fact that their parish had given to the church a worthy prelate. Many were the expressions of sorrow at his prospective departure, and sincere the testimonies to his worth not only as a churchman, but as a citizen interested in the welfare of his city.
Dr. Hendricken left Waterbury for his new field of labor in March, 1872, followed by the good wishes and blessings of the entire city of Waterbury. His faithful assistant, the Rev. Robert Sullivan, followed him to Providence soon after, having preached the farewell sermon on Sunday, April 22nd.
Coming to Waterbury a young man, Father Hendricken was full of zeal and willing to spend himself to advance the spiritual and temporal interests of the people. He was a man of marked faith and piety, and soon gave evi- dence of possessing superior executive ability. His enthusiasm knew no bounds, and his constant aim was to build up a parish second to none in the diocese. That he succeeded is a fact of history. For seventeen years he labored unceasingly in the cause of temperance, and the fruits of his labors in this field were numerous and are still manifest. Not less earnestly did he struggle for Catholic education. The seed sown by Father Hendricken is now bearing rich fruit. It is true that some feared that he was in advance of his time, and that a few of his undertakings were more or less hazardous. But he was a man who had implicit confidence in divine Providence. He believed that God's work must succeed, notwithstanding temporary difficul- ties. He saw far into the future and acted according to the light vouchsafed
REV. JOSEPH M. GLEESON.
REV. JEREMIAH J. CURTIN.
REV. WILLIAM J. SLOCUM. P.R.
REV. FARRELL MARTIN, D.D.
REV. TIMOTHY M. CROWLEY.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
him, and the result justified his actions. The name of Father Hendricken and the parish of the Immaculate Conception are inseparable. The history of the one in its brightest pages is a history of the other. He built the present church and parochial residence, established a parochial school in the old church, purchased the property of the convent of Notre Dame, erected the convent hall, and bought the magnificent property on which St. Mary's school now stands. Though a great deal of that property has been sold from time to time, it is at present unquestionably the finest school lot in Connecticut. Dr. Hendricken's influence in Waterbury was recognized by the whole com- munity. He was the head of a parish daily growing in numbers and influ- ence. Following his wise guidance it attained an enviable position among the parishes of the diocese. The poor were his special charges, and those whose temptations led them into the path of intemperance found in Dr. Hen- dricken a kind, considerate and sympathetic friend. He was particularly fond of children. In their company he was as one of them, and it is needless to say they reciprocated his affection. Many of them liave now attained to inan- hood and womanhood, but time does not dim their recollections of Father Hendricken.
On Sunday, April 22, 1872, the Rev. James Lynch preached his farewell sermon to his flock in Middletown, and during the week following arrived in Waterbury as the successor of Bishop Hendricken. Having witnessed for seventeen years the zeal, ability and foresight of their pastor, and knowing that under his administration the parish of the Immaculate Conception stood peerless in the Naugatuck valley, and ranked with the foremost Catholic parishes of New England, the parishioners dared not hope to find in Bishop Hendricken's successor the combination of qualities adequate to conserve and render permanent the prosperity they had attained. A few months, however, sufficed to show that the mantle of Bishop Hendricken had fallen upon worthy shoulders.
When Father Lynch arrived in Waterbury he was in the prime of life, being about forty-four years of age. Like the majority of priests of that day in charge of English-speaking congregations, he was born in Ireland. At an early age he prepared himself for the sacred ministry. Ordained to tlie priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin, he intended to devote his services to God in the diocese of Toronto, Canada. On his way hither he stopped at New Haven to visit his sister, and his brother Thomas, a respected member of the Waterbury parish. Bishop O'Reilly, who was very favorably impressed with the young priest, requested him to remain and labor in this portion of the Lord's vineyard. The Vicar-General of the diocese, the Very Rev. Father Hughes, fully shared the views of the Bishop, and prevailed upon Fatlier Lynch to make Connecticut his home.
Endowed by nature with an amiable disposition which was nonrislied and purified by years of unselfish devotion, gifted with prudence garnered from varied and arduous missionary labors, filled with zeal born of his own good impulses, and quickened by the knowledge of the rich spiritual harvest tliat awaited liim, Father Lynch entered upon his duties as pastor of the Immacu-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
late Conception parish. By careful management combined with strict econ- omy he paid the parish debt of $38,000 in an incredibly short space of time. And the wonder was how it was accomplished. Apparently he devoted no time to financial matters, yet his annual statements of the financial condition of the parish were agreeable surprises.
On August 1, 1876, liaving received the appointment of Vicar-General, Father Lynch left Waterbury to assume charge of St. Patrick's parislı, New Haven. He died there December 6, 1876, from an accident that had befallen him a short time before.
Father Lynch's successor, the Rev. Lawrence Walsh, was born at Provi- dence, April 10, 1841. Evincing in his early youth marked tendencies towards the priesthood, he was sent by Bishop McFarland to St. Charles's College, Ellicott City, Md. Graduating with honor from this famous institu- tion, he was sent to the Grand Seminary, Montreal, to complete his studies. He was ordained a priest in 1866. His first appointment was to Woonsocket, R. I., as assistant. From there he was transferred to Hartford as assistant to the Very Rev. James Hughes, then pastor of St. Patrick's parish. His first pastorate was at Collinsville. From Collinsville he was appointed pastor of St. Peter's church, Hartford, where he remained until his appointment to Waterbury in August, 1876.
Here he displayed the same love for souls that shone so conspicuously in his former missions. His devotion to the old land abated not a jot nor tittle. His voice and pen were always at the service of the oppressed mother coun- try. His labors for the Irish cause made his name a household word through- out the United States and Ireland. While pastor of the Immaculate Con- ception parish Father Walslı occupied the honored and responsible positions of president, secretary and treasurer of the National Land League. As trea- surer, over $1,000,000 passed through his hands.
Father Walsh embodied in his character the noblest qualities of the priest, and the sterling traits of the patriot. His love for, and practical charity to the poor were boundless. A larger-hearted priest was never or- dained. There was not a selfish fibre in his body. He lived for his church and for the land of his ancestors. But his constant and arduous labors, both as pastor of a large congregation and as an official in the Land League, soon began to make inroads upon his health. He realized that a transfer to another field of labor was necessary in order to preserve his strength for the accom- plishment of the work to which he had dedicated his life. After seven years of zealous labor in Waterbury he was transferred to Westerly, R. I., and on Sunday, July 29, 1883, he bade an affectionate farewell to his parisliioners. His removal from Waterbury was at his own request, and his sudden deatlı occurring soon after, justified his grave apprehensions regarding the state of his health. While on a visit to Boston in 1884, he was stricken with apoplexy and died suddenly at the Commonwealth hotel on January 3d. The news of his death was a shock to the Catholics of the entire city. In life he was deeply loved, in death sincerely mourned. His remains rest in St. Francis' ceme- tery, Providence. His tomb contains the dust of "one whose life-work as a
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
priest, citizen and patriot has received the benediction of his fellow coun- trymen."
The successor of the lamented Father Walsh was the Rev. William A. Harty, whose successful pastorate began on August 4, 1883, and terminated January 1, 1886.
Although the period of his residence here was brief, he accomplished much. Prominent among his works were the purchase of property east of the city for a cemetery and the renovation of the interior of the church. This latter work is an evidence of his excellent taste and correct judgment in matters of art, and an illustration of his ability as a financier.
The renovation of the church cost over $15,000, and yet it was accom- plished within a year, without the addition of a dollar of debt to the parish. The church was reopened for divine worship on Sunday, September 28, 1884. The services consisted of a Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Right Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, Bishop of Hartford, assisted by the Very Rev. James Hughes, Vicar-General, arch-priest, the Rev. Thomas Broderick, of Hartford and the Rev. Michael Tierney, of New Britain, deacons of honor ; the Rev. Father Leo, O. S. F., of Winsted, deacon ; the Rev. M. P. Lawlor, of Meriden, sub-deacon, and the Rev. James H. O'Donnell, of Waterbury, mas- ter of ceremonies. The sermon was preached by the Rev. John H. Duggan, pastor of St. Patrick's church. In the evening, Solemn Pontifical Vespers were sung, Bishop Hendricken officiating. Vicar-General Hughes was assist- ant priest, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Shahan, D.D.
Father Harty was succeeded, January 1, 1886, by the Rev. John A. Mul- cahy. On April 18, 1887, Father Mulcahy sold to Irving C. Platt the pro- perty known as St. Patrick's chapel, formerly the Methodist Episcopal church. On August 7, 1889, by virtue of a vote of the trustees at a meeting held two days before, he leased to the sisters of the Congregation de Notre Dame of Montreal, the convent property, so called, at the corner of South Elin and Union streets, for 999 years, froin September 1, 1889. Upon the acceptance of certain conditions by the lessees, the delivery of the lease was approved by Bishop McMahon. The granting of the lease was only carrying out the in- tentions of Dr. Hendricken, the founder of the convent. On September I, 1895, Father Mulcahy severed his relations with the parish of the Immacu- late Conception to succeed Rev. James Hughes as pastor of St. Patrick's church, Hartford. The successor of Very Rev. Father Mulcally was the Rev. William J. Slocum, who assumed charge on September 8, 1895, and is the present incumbent. Father Slocum has zealously maintained the high spiritual standard of the parish secured by his predecessors. Among the material works accomplished during his administration have been the beau- tifying of the old St. Joseph's cemetery and the purchase of a fine tract of land on Dublin street for a new cemetery. This new burial place has been finely graded and laid out in plots and solemnly blessed by Bishop Tierney on September 25, 1878. The clergymen who have assisted Father Slocum are Rev. Jolin McMahon, Rev. Patrick Finnegan, Rev. Patrick Kennedy, Rev. James McGnanc, Rev. James O' Brien.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.
The first of the great works inaugurated by Father Mulcahy was the erection of St. Mary's School. Its corner-stone was laid by Bishop McMahon, on August 29, 1886. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Father Harty, rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hartford. A large number of clergy assisted at the ceremony, and it was witnessed by an immense concourse of people. On September 3, 1888, the school was solemnly blessed by the Bishop, and on the day following was opened for the reception of pupils. The building is an imposing structure, and there are few school edifices in Connecticut superior to it. The rooms, twelve in num- ber, are large, well lighted, and furnished with an excellent system of ventila- tion and heating. They are all of equal size, twenty-five by twenty-nine feet.
The school was placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity from Convent Station, N. J. The first superior was Sister Rosita. After she had served the school for two years, failing health necessitated her transfer to another field of labor. She was succeeded by Sister Marie Agnes, and the present superior is Sister Claudine. On January 4, 1888, occurred the first death among the teachers. The deceased was Sister Rachel Cronin, aged twenty- four years. She had been stationed in Waterbury only four months, but in that time had won the esteem not only of the pupils of the school, but of the entire parish. She was interred in the sisters' plot in St. Joseph's cemetery.
An event of great interest in the history of the school was the presenta- tion of a large and handsome American flag by the four local divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, May 13, 1890. It was the first flag-raising over a school in Waterbury.
ST. PATRICK'S HALL.
The work of demolishing the old church on East Main street was begun in May, 1888. For many years it had served the purpose of a public school, but time made sad havoc with the venerable structure, and it was deemed advisable to remove it, and in its place to erect a building that would be an ornament to the city and a benefit to the younger portion of the parish. St. Patrick's Hall, as the new building was called, is another evidence of the zeal of Father Mulcally and the generosity of the people. In building it, the inter- ests of the youth of the parish were chiefly considered. The object was to provide them with a place for divine worship and Sunday-school, and to fur- nish a gymnasium and reading-room for the improvement of mind and body. On Sunday, April 11, 1889, the Sunday-school room was opened, the celebrant of the first Mass within its walls being the Rev. James H. O'Donnell. It was the aim of Father Mulcahy to have a reading-room in St. Patrick's Hall second to none in the diocese. His interest in the enterprise may be inferred from his presentation to the library fund of $1, 150, the amount donated to him by his parishioners on his return from Europe, in September, 1890.
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