USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 51
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The hall is built in the Romanesque style of architecture, and presents a massive but graceful appearance. The building measures a little over 57 feet on East Main street, and is about 100 feet deep. The East Main street front is
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of White Vermont granite, trimmed with brown stone, and presents a striking appearance. The cornice is of brown stone, and the dormer roofs of blue slate, with terra-cotta crestings.
ST. MARY'S CONVENT.
St. Mary's convent, adjoining St. Mary's school, was ready for occupancy on November 27, 1889. The building measures 50 feet by 60, and has accom- modations for over one hundred pupils. The establishment, including the school building proper, embraces fourteen class-rooms, with sittings for eight hundred and fifty children.
The convent walls are built of pallet brick ; the roof is of Bangor slate, and has an iron cresting. The tower over the main entrance rises high above the roof, and is surmounted with a gilt cross.
The entire cost, including the grading of the grounds and the laying of the asphalt walks, was $20,000, everything having been constructed with a view to excellence and permanency.
The number of Sisters in St. Mary's convent is seventeen.
ASSISTANTS AND PRIESTS BORN IN THE PARISH.
The following are the priests who have served as assistants in the parish of the Immaculate Conception, including those who have served it temporarily : With the Rev. Michael O' Neill, from 1847 to 1855-Rev. Peter Cody.
With the Rev. Dr. Hendricken, from 1855 to 1872-Revs. Peter Cody, M. O'Riley, Charles McCallion, J. Sheridan, P. F: Glennon, J. A. Couch, J. O'Farrell, J. Smith, J. Bohan, J. J. McCabe, J. Daly, Michael Rodden, J. Camp- bell, John Fagan, Daniel Mullen, John Lynch, Phillip O'Donahue, Thomas Walsh, J. Reynolds, P. A. Smith, J. Mulligan, Richard O'Gorman, R. J. Sulli- livan, C. Lemagie, Thomas Kane, A. Princen, Bernard Plunket, Maurice Herr.
With the Rev. James Lynch, from 1872 to 1876-Revs. Richard O'Gor- man, Maurice Herr, M. J. McCauly, J. A. Mulcahy, James Fagan.
With the Rev. Lawrence Walsh, from 1876 to 1883-Revs. J. B. Creeden, J. O'R. Sheridan, Patrick Finnegan, Patrick Duggan, Michael Donahoe.
With the Rev. William Harty, from 1883 to 1886-Revs. P. J. Finnegan, J. O'R. Sheridan, Michael Donahoe, James Walsh, James H. O'Donnell, Fred- erick Murphy.
With the Rev. John A. Mulcahy, from 1886 to 1894-Revs. P. J. Finne- gan, Jaines Walsh, Frederick Murphy, John Flemming, James H. O' Donnell, P. F. Dinneen, Patrick Kennedy, William Lynch, J. J. Downey.
The parish of the Immaculate Conception has given to the Churchi the following priests :
William Hill, Patrick P. Lawlor, 1
Thomas Shanley,
F. H. Kennerney, Christopher McAvoy, O.S.A.,
William Lynch,
Jeremiah Fitzpatrick,1
Michael J. McGivney,1
Patrick McGivney,
Thomas Galvin,1 Joli Donaloe,1
Arthur McMahon, O.S.D,
Joseph Read,1 John Tennion,
John McGivney,
Martin P. Lawlor,
William White, Joseph Heffernan, O.S.I).
' Deceased. J. Delaney may be added, who died a deacon.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. JOSEPH'S AND CALVARY CEMETERIES.
On December 1, 1857, Father Hendricken bought St. Joseph's cemetery, paying for the same $2,000. The first person interred there was John Rice, whose funeral took place October 17, 1858.
Calvary cemetery comprises about sixty-seven acres. In 1885 the Rev. William A. Harty purchased fifty-three acres, and the Rev. John A. Mulcahy the remainder in August, 1891. The first interment in Calvary cemetery was that of Thomas Harry, infant son of P. J. Bolan, June 22, 1892. The ceme- tery was consecrated by the Right Rev. Michael Tierney, May 24, 1894. The serinon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. James H. O'Donnell, of Watertown.
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
WATERBURY.
MONG the early Catholic settlers in this section of Waterbury, we note Michael Spellman, William Luddy, Mr. McEvoy, father of the Rev. Christopher McEvoy, O. S. A., Michael Begnal, Thomas Claffey, Thomas Mellon, Thomas Russell, Michael McNamara.
On February Ist, 1880, the Rev. John H. Duggan, who was tlien pastor of the Catholic parish of Colchester and the outlying missions, was directed by the Right Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, D.D., to proceed to Waterbury and purchase land for a new church and its future dependencies in the south- west part of the city, known as Brooklyn district. On February 19, 1880, Father Duggan purchased nearly three acres of land from J. C. Booth and N. J. Welton for $5200, the last installinent of which was paid July 25, 1881. In the following April he was instructed by the Bishop to go to Waterbury again and commence the organization of a parish, of which he was appointed pastor. On his arrival, about the middle of April, he was received at the pastoral residence of the Rev. Father Walsh, who on the preceding Sunday had officially announced the contemplated division of the parish of the Immaculate Conception. He announced that for some time past the Catholic population of the city had been outgrowing its facilities for providing for its spiritual wants. He had laid before Bishop McMahon, he said, the situation and the necessities involved in it, and they were promptly recognized and acted upon.
Father Walsh afterwards defined the boundary lines of the new parish, and having submitted them to Bishop McMahon, they were announced in the church of the Immaculate Conception as follows :-
"Commencing at the city limits in the direction of Thomaston, the line will run south along the Naugatuck railroad to the West Main street cross- ing, thence along the middle of West Main street to the New York and New England railroad, and down the railroad to the north end of Meadow street, thence along Meadow to Grand street, through the middle of Grand street across Bank street to South Main street, along the middle of South Main street to Clay street, through Clay and along Mill street to Liberty street,
ST PATRICK'S CHURCH
RECTORY
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, Waterbury, Conn.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
then across the bridge over Mad river, and thence in a straight line through the Abrigador and over the hill in the direction of St. Joseph's cemetery."
That part of the city lying west and south of this line was to constitute the new parish. By a census taken in 1881, it was found to contain 3000 souls. Father Walsh, on behalf of the Immaculate Conception parish, gave the use of the old Methodist church, on the corner of East Main and Phoenix avenue, then called St. Patrick's chapel, as a temporary place of worship for the members of the new parish, and they worshiped there until the basement of their church was ready, in December, 1882. The parish was placed under the patronage of St. Patrick.
The corner-stone of St. Patrick's church was laid on October 16, 1881. Fully 10,000 persons were present. The ceremony was performed by Bishop McMahon. The Rev. J. C. O'Brien was cross-bearer, and the Rev. P. M. Kennedy and the Rev. James Fagan as chanters. The Rev. Philip McCabe was master of ceremonies. In the corner-stone was deposited a parchment record containing the names of the President of the United States, the Governor of Connecticut, the mayor of the city, the selectmen of the town, the Sover- eign Pontiff, the officiating bishops, the pastor and his assistants, the trustees of the new parish, the architect and the mason ; also the name of the patron saint and the title of the new church, together with copies of the local and other newspapers, various curious coins, and other articles of interest.
The sermon was preached by the Right Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton, N. J. The contributions on the occasion amounted to $5000. Tlie Roman Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent society donated $150, the Young Men's Catholic Literary association $100, the St. Aloysius society $100, the Temperance Cadets $110, the Children of Mary $113, and the Con- vent of Notre Dame $50.
St. Patrick's church is situated on high ground in a lot containing nearly three acres. It fronts on Charles street and overlooks the city, commanding a beautiful view. St. Patrick's church would have been completed sooner, had not the Rev. Father Duggan determined to avoid, as far as possible, paying interest on borrowed money. In the meantime, the congregation lias had a comfortable place of worship in the basement of the edifice, which was fitted up for church use.
Father Duggan was called to his reward on November 10, 1895 ; his remains rest in front of the church which will be his monument. His suc- cessor is the Rev. Joseph Gleeson, who came to Waterbury on December 2nd, following. He completed the splendid parochial residence begun by his predecessor, and is now engaged in completing the church. The plas- tering is finished, the statues, made on the premises, are completed, and the beautiful Stations of the Cross, purchased in Munich, are erected. Father Gleeson is now negotiating for thic construction of the organ, altars, pews and confessionals, all of which will be worthy of the magnificent edifice. Besides the church and rectory the parisli possesses St Patrick's Lyceum on Porter strect, purchased by Father Duggan, to which Father Gleeson built an addition, making the seating capacity 900, and St. Michael's convent on
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Bank street, secured by Father Gleeson for the Sisters of St. Joseph, whom he introduced into the parish.
The present estimate of the population of the parish is 3500, Irish and their descendants. From April, 1880, to June, 1898, there have been 3812 bap- tisms and 348 marriages. The first baptism was that of Catharine Mulcahy, May 30, 1880, and the first marriage solemnized was that of Patrick Cronan and Margaret Madden, May 31, 1880.
The successful accomplishment of the work thus far accomplished is chiefly due, under God's providence, to the strong faith and religious zeal of the parishioners, who have heartily co-operated with the efforts of their pastors. Though principally of the working-class they constantly and voluntarily contributed of the means which God gave them to the erec- tion of a church that would redound to His glory and the advancement of religion.
The parishioners were buoyed up with the hope, often inculcated, of shar- ing in the merit that would accrue from the many holy works that were to be accomplished within this sacred edifice, namely, the preaching of the divine word, the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the sacraments that would be administered, the souls which would be regenerated, strength- ened, consoled and sanctified. They will leave to their descendants in St. Patrick's parish enduring memorials of what the strong faith that begets Christian zeal and genuine self-sacrifice can accomplish when strengthened by the all-powerful grace of God.
ASSISTANT PASTORS .- The Revs. James Birracree, Jeremiah Curtin, Edward O'Donnell, Farrell Martin, D.D., Dominic Brown, James B. Lawless, William Gibbons and F. A. Jordan.
ST. MICHAEL'S (MISSION) CHURCH, WATERVILLE.
ATERVILLE is a suburb of Waterbury, and, until the advent of the Rev. Father Gleeson, the Catholics of that district were attended from the church of the Immaculate Conception. The first Catho- lic settler of this mission was John McCarthy, who took up his residence in 1854. He was followed soon afterwards by Charles Shepley and Hugh O'Donnell. When Father Gleeson assumed charge of St. Patrick's parish, Waterbury, he took at the same time control of Waterville as a mission. The first Mass said under the new regime was celebrated in Ford's Hall, on January 19th, 1896, by Father Gleason. For a time this arrangement was continued, until the growing membership made it necessary to provide a place of worship of their own. An eligible site was secured, centrally located on the main street, directly in the heart of the thriving village. The corner- stone of the new church of St. Michael was laid in the presence of fully 3,000 people on Sunday, June 20th, 1897. Bishop Tierney officiated, attended by a number of priests. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Michael J. Daly, of Thomaston, whose text was, "And this stone which I have set up for a title shall be called the house of God," Gen. xxviii. 22. "And whosoever
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shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall, him will it grind to powder." Ibid., 43.
At the conclusion of Father Daly's address, Bishop Tierney spoke words of congratulation upon the work which the people had accomplished, and exhorted them to remain steadfast to the teachings of Holy Church, after which he imparted the episcopal benediction.
St. Michael's church was dedicated on Sunday, August 8, 1897, by Bishop Tierney, with impressive ceremonies. A Solemn High Mass followed, with the Rev. Joseph Gleeson, pastor, as celebrant, the Rev. M. J. Daly as deacon, the Rev. Luke Lawlor as subdeacon, and the Rev. J. L. McGuinness as Master of Ceremonies. The preacher was the Rev. William Gibbons, who selected the following text : "I will bring them to my holy mountain, and inake them joyful in iny house of prayer . .. for iny house shall be called a house of prayer for all the people."
The new church faces the west and is directly opposite the largest school in the village.
The first baptismn in Waterville as a mission of St. Patrick's was that of Charles Humphrey, March 8, 1896, and the first marriage in the chapel was that of Frederick Doll and Margaret McConnell, June 22, 1898.
THE SACRED HEART PARISH,
WATERBURY.
ECOND of the daughters of the mother church, the parish of the Sacred Heart is discharging faithfully its appointed task, and realizing the fondest hopes of its founders. Like all other young parishes, it has had its struggles and trials, but with steady purpose it has held to its course, and has seen the greater part of its material work accomplished.
On Sunday, February 15, 1885, Rev. William Harty, rector of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, made the formal announcement that the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon had erected a new parish in the city. The announcement was not entirely unexpected, as rumors of the intended division had been current for some time. The new parish was to comprise East Main street east of Dublin street, all of Dublin street, the east side of Welton street, Walnut street and all of the streets east of these points, and would include between 1,500 and 2,000 souls. The Rev. Hugli Treanor, who for six years had been the efficient assistant pastor of St. Mary's church, Norwalk, was appointed by Bishop McMalion pastor of the new parish. A short time after the division the lots, on which the church now stands, were purchased by Father Treanor from the estate of Horace Porter for $4,440. A piece of pro_ perty north of the church, and six acres on the east, were subsequently added.
On Sunday, February 22, Father Treanor preached his initial sermon to his new flock in the church of the Immaculate Conception. On March 1, the members of the Sacred Heart parishi hield divine services for the first time as a distinct congregation in St. Patrick's chapel. Services werc hield here until the blessing of the basement of the new church, March 14, 1886.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Bringing to his new field of labor earnestness, zeal and a spirit not easily subdued by real or apparent difficulties, Father Treanor began immediately the task of providing his parishioners with a temple of worship that would be not only suitable to their present and possible future requirements, but an ornament also to the city. And this was no light undertaking. For years Father Treanor's parishioners had contributed generously to the support of the mother parish. Many of them had been pew-holders since the dedica- tion of the church. The memories of many went back to the days when, but few in number, comparatively speaking, they reverently knelt around the altar in old St. Peter's. To begin again the erection of a church and its necessary adjuncts was the task which the central authority of the diocese called upon them to perform. They cheerfully obeyed. With the courage, perseverance and self-sacrifice so characteristic of Catholic people in the cause of religion, they bent their energies to accomplish the will of the bishop, which they regarded as the will of God. Generously they co- operated with their pastor, giving freely of their time and money. In the furtherance of their purpose they received generous assistance from their former fellow-parishioners. So successful were their efforts that in seven months almost from the day that Father Treanor assumed charge of the parish, his congregation had the happiness of witnessing the laying of the corner-stone of their church with the impressive ceremonial of the Catho- lic ritual. That day, which meant so much for the parishioners of the Sacred Heart parish, was Sunday, August 16, 1885. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop McMahon, in the presence of an estimated attendance of 8000 persons. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Francis Delargy of the Order of Redemptorists. The handsome silver trowel used by the Bishop during the ceremony was presented to the Rev. John Russell of New Haven, who was the largest contributor on the occasion.
The first mile-stone on the journey of the young parish had been reached and passed successfully. The future was bright with promise, as the past had been fruitful in blessings. Redoubling their efforts the members of the parish began to look anxiously forward to the day when they could worship within the walls of their own church home. This happiness was vouchsafed them on March 14, 1886, when the basement of the church was blessed and formally opened for divine worship. Bishop McMahon graced the occasion by his presence. The Rev. John Russell was the celebrant of the Mass, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. William J. Slocuin, of Norwalk. At the vesper service confirmation was administered for the first time to a class of over sixty children.
Thanksgiving day (November 28), 1889, witnessed the crowning of the good work, a fitting day on which to give to God a holy temple wherein His name should be praised. On that day the new edifice was solemnly dedicated under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon. The celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. Michael Tierney, of New Britain. The serinon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Broderick, of Hart- ford. At the evening services, the Rev. James Fagan of Naugatuck officiated.
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The cost of the church was $55,000. The architect was P. C. Keeley, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
During 1893 and 1894 the attention of the parish and its pastor was largely occupied with the erection of a parochial residence, on Wolcott street, adjoining the church. . It is a substantial and commodious three-story struc- ture, built of pallet brick, with Dummerston granite and terra cotta trim- mings. The entire inside finish is of brown ash, and the floors are of quartered oak and southern pine. The architect was Augustus J. Smith.
On November 15, 1897, Father Treanor's pastorate ended with his appointment to St. Patrick's parish, Norwich. He was immediately suc- ceeded by the Rev. Thomas Shelley, who has gained the affection of his flock by his active and paternal interest in their welfare. The membership of the parish is between 1,800 and 2,000 souls.
The clergy who have assisted in the labors of this parish are the Rev. Frederick Murphy, the Rev. Robert Egan, and the present assistant, the Rev. Bernard Bray.
ST. ANNE'S PARISH (FRENCH-CANADIAN), WATERBURY.
I N April, 1886, the Rev. Joseph Fones, wliile pastor of St. John's parish, Watertown, was requested by Bishop McMahon to assume pastoral charge also of the French Catholic population of Waterbury. He began at once to organize his new flock. The old Universalist chapel on Grand street (known as Trinity chapel) was secured for divine worship. Mass was celebrated in this building for the first time on Sunday, May 2, 1886. At this time the population was 500 French Canadians and 40 French. The first marriage ceremony performed in it, and the first after the erection of the parisli, took place on May 5, 1886, Father Fones officiating. The con- gregation continued to worship here until the dedication of their present church, January 6, 1889. Previous to their organization into a separate parish the French Catholics attended divine service in the churches of the district in which they resided.
Father Fones continued to reside in Watertown, visiting St. Anne's every Sunday. In November, 1886, he relinquished the charge of his Water- town parish and took up his residence in Waterbury. During his short pas- torate in Waterbury he accomplished much for the spiritual and material wel- fare of his parishioners. From a scattered folk they became a compact and influential organization. In April, 1887, lie bought from the estate of A. C. Porter the lot on the corner of Clay and South Main streets, for $10,000. In1 July, 1888, lie purchased from E. C. Lewis the former parochial residence, with its spacious grounds, the price being $22,500. St. Anne's church was built on this lot at a cost of $10,000. The corner-stone was laid on September 2, 1888, by Bishop McMahon, and the serinon was preached by Rev. J. M. Emard, now Bishop of Valleyfield, Canada. The dedication of the church under the patronage of St. Anne took place on January 27, 1889.
For some time before his death Father Fones had been in declining
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health. He realized that his course was well-nigh run. Two weeks before the end came he retired to Pawtucket, R. I., his birth-place. He died May 18, 1890, at North Attleboro, Mass. His remains were interred in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Pawtucket.
On May 15, 1890, the Rev. J. E. Bourret began his duties as pastor of St. Anne's parish. The purchase of the two pieces of property already referred to and the erection of the church entailed considerable debt. But with characteristic energy, and confident of the co-operation of his parishioners, Father Bourret set himself at once to the task of reducing the burden. Not less diligently has Father Bourret labored for the spiritual interests of his flock. The number of religious societies in his parish attests his zeal in this respect.
In 1895 Father Bourret erected a school, which has eight grades taught by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. Beginning with 175 pupils it has now 400. In the same year a commodious rectory was built on South Main street. The old residence, having been removed to the rear and suitably refitted, serves as a convent. The present church is a temporary structure which will be transformed into a school when the new church is erected. The present school building will be converted into a convent, as it is admirably built for that purpose.
The number of souls who have received the infusion of divine faith by baptism in St. Anne's parish from 1886 to 1898, exclusive, is 1,401 ; the num- ber of marriages, 275.
The population of the parish is about 3,500 souls. The clergymen who have served the parish as assistants are : the Rev. Eugene Roberge, the Rev. A. Mailhiot, the Rev. J. A. Cadotte, the Rev. J. E. Senesac, the Rev. J. J. Papillon, the Rev. F. Bedard.
ST. CECILIA'S PARISH (GERMAN) WATERBURY.
HE Catholic Germans of Waterbury were organized into the Society of the Holy Family at a meeting held in St. Patrick's hall, April 24, 1892. The charter members were Thomas Hermann, Herman Herringer, Charles Martin, Jacob Daniels, John L. Saxe, Irwin Straub, Michael Dietz, Franz Schell, Louis Strobel, Michael Block, Anton Hoefler, John Wieker, Henry Schild, Sr., and others. A committee of these, consisting of Herman Herringer, Jacob Daniels and Irwin Straub, were empowered to wait upon Bishop McMahon and to solicit the formation of the Gerinan Catholics of Waterbury into a separate organization. The committee was instructed to organize and secure a suitable site for a church. Accordingly, a lot was pur- chased on Scoville street by the Society for $7,500. The Rev. Farrell Martin, D.D., who had been appointed an assistant to the rector of the Immaculate Conception parish, had received instructions from the Bishop to organize the German Catholics. He addressed them for the first time in St. Patrick's hall on October 9, 1892, and on November 18th, Dr. Martin was appointed pastor of the newly organized parish.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame having donated the use of their convent hall to Dr. Martin, the first Mass after his appointment as pastor was said there on November 20, 1892. On January 1, 1893, the corpo- ration was formed with Herman Herringer and Carl Martin as the lay trustees. The church property, held by the Holy Family Society, in all valued at $12,000, was transferred to the corporation.
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