USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 52
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Dr. Martin applied himself at once to the erection of a church for his people. The work of construction commenced in May, 1894, and the corner- stone was laid on July 29th following. Bishop Tierney officiated, the Rev. Wilhelm J. Reumper, S.J., preached in German, and the Rev. S. B. Hedges, C.S.P., in English. The work progressed so rapidly that the ceremony of dedication took place 011 November 18, 1894, Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, Vicar-General, officiating. After the dedication a solemn High Mass was celebrated with Father Mulcahy as celebrant, the Rev. John H. Duggan as deacon, the Rev. William Lynch as sub-deacon and the Rev. James H. O'Donnell as master of ceremonies. The English sermon was delivered by the Rev. L. A. Delurey, O.S. A., and the discourse in German was pronounced by the Rev. John Roser, O. S. F.
The parish property consists of church, rectory and a lot. The number of baptisms in the parish from 1892 to 1898 was 184, and the marriages 32. The first baptisin administered was that of Rudolph August Gauthe, March 26, 1892. The first marriage took place on January 29, 1893, the contracting parties being Frederick Stubenrauch and Margaret Eagan.
The members of St. Cecilia's parish are of different political affiliations, of good social standing, and in occupation are mostly factory employees. They number about 800 souls.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S PARISH,
WATERBURY.
HE territory comprised within the limits of St. Francis Xavier's parish, with the exception of a few streets, was under the jurisdiction of the Rev. John H. Duggan from the time of his appointment to St. Patrick's parish in April, 1880, till his death in 1895. It is that section of Waterbury known as Washington Hill, with about 200 souls from the parish of the Iin- inaculate Conception parish. The first Catholics to reside within the present limits of the parish were Michael Donahue and .Patrick O'Reilly. They came to Waterbury about . 1836, but settled in this section of the town a few years later.
The first and present pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah J. Curtin, came here from New Milford. He received his letter of appointment to Waterbury on No- veinber 30, 1895, and arrived among his new charge on December 3rd, the feast of St. Francis Xavier ; it was this circumstance that determined the selection of the patron saint. Father Curtin took up his temporary abode at the rectory of the Immaculate Conception, and began to cast about liin for a suitable place in which to assemble his people for Mass and instruction. The Auditorium, a public liall, on South Main street, was secured, and on Deceni-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ber 8, 1895, the members of St. Francis Xavier's parish assembled for the first time as a distinct organization ; on this day, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the pastor said two Masses for his people. At this time the pop- ulation of the parish was 2,800, or 565 families. The new parish was enthu- siastic and determined to vie with their pastor in securing a place of worship of their own, and more centrally located than the Auditorium; and when both forces were active and generous the object of their hearts' desires was soon accomplished. On December 30, 1895, Father Curtin took possession of the present parochial residence on the corner of Washington and Baldwin streets, and in the reception-room of which on January 2, 1896, was offered the first Mass said within the boundary lines of the parish. In this room and on the same date the Rev. Peter Skelly administered the sacrament of Baptism to Thomas Murphy and Ellen Kearns. Father Curtin used this room for week-day Masses and baptisms until May 29, 1896. On the feast of St. Blase, February 3, 1896, 5,000 people passed through this room after having received the blessing of the throat given on that day. Thus began the sacred functions of religion in St. Francis Xavier's parish.
The formal and complete organization of the parish into a corporation took place on January 19, 1896, when the following church committee was formed : John Havican, John E. Finley, James Coughlin, Francis Reed, John C. Allinan, Thomas Halpin, William Delaney, Timothy Meehan, Emmet Riordan, Thomas McEvoy, James Tiernan and John Galvin. The lay trus- tees elected by this committee on that evening were James J. Cassin and James Coughlin.
The parish was now thoroughly organized and the enthusiasmn continued unabated. As an earnest of the people's co-operation with the designs of their pastor, the first collection taken up on February 9, 1896, reached the gratifying amount of $3, 390. The first step towards the consummation of their hopes was the purchase of a piece of land on the corner of Washington and Baldwin streets from the Waterbury Buckle Company. The deeds of the property were conveyed to the corporation on February 12, 1896. Thereupon a con- tract for a temporary church was signed, and the work of construction given to Mr. Charles O'Connor. The first Mass said in the new church was offered up on April 22, 1896. On this occasion Father Curtin solemnized the marriage of Nicholas J. McEvoy and Elizabeth Wall. On May 30, 1896 (Memorial Day), the church was dedicated by Bishop Tierney. After the ceremonies of dedication a solemn High Mass was celebrated, with the Rev. J. O'R. Sheridan, celebrant. The Rev. Peter Skelly preached the dedication ser- 111011. On October 25th confirmation was administered for the first time in this parish, 174 persons becoming soldiers of Jesus Christ. On this occasion Bishop Tierney solemnly blessed the statues of Our Lady and of St. Joseph, the preacher being the Rev. James J. Eagan. In November, 1896, Father Curtin's parishioners gave further evidence of their willingness to co- operate with him by contributing $3,722 net at a fair. And if still further evidence were needed to show the ability of the pastor and the generosity of the people, it may be stated that the receipts of the first year of the parish's
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
existence were $20,657 ; furthermore, there is in the treasury a balance of nearly $20,000 on hand with which to begin the erection of a church worthy of the dignity of the parish. This work has been unavoidably delayed owing to the extreme difficulty of securing a desirable site. The assistant pastor is the Rev. J. E. Clark, appointed in January, 1896.
Among thie benefactors of St. Francis Xavier's parish may be noted Right Rev. Bishop Tierney, who donated the first and most highly prized property of the parish, a chalice of beautiful design ; and Mrs. Ann Weis, wlio presented the large pipe-organ now in use.
From the formation of the parish to 1898 exclusive, the baptisms have numbered 281 and the marriages 46.
The first baptism was that of Thomas Shea, December 5, 1895. The first marriage was between P. F. Cunningham and Catharine A. Saults, January 15, 1896.
The first death occurred on December 11, 1895, Ann Honors. The first child to receive confirmation was Thomas J. Coogan, October 25, 1896.
The population of the parish at present is 3,000 souls, Irish and their descendants.
The Rev. J. J. Curtin is a member of the Diocesan School Commission.
ST. JOSEPH'S (LITHUANIAN) PARISH, WATERBURY.
T. JOSEPH'S parish, comprising the Lithuanian Catholics of Water- bury, was organized in 1894. The Rev. Joseph Zebris was ap- pointed pastor, and entered upon his work on March 28th. The first Mass was celebrated on April Ist, in Mitchell's block on Bank street.
On September 28th, the Dreher property, with a frontage of 200 feet on James street and 220 feet on John street, was purchased at a cost of $7,000, and the erection of a church was begun on October 6th. On Thanksgiving day, November 29, 1894, the corner-stone was laid with the usual services. Vicar-General John A. Mulcahy performed the ceremony, the Rev. B. Molej- katys acting as deacon, and Dr. Farrell Martin as sub-deacon. The address of the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Joseph Jaksztys, first in the Litliti- anian and then in the - Polish language. He afterward addressed the other clergymen in Latin, and was followed by Vicar-General Mulcahy in an ad- dress of congratulation to the Lithuanian people.
At the time of the laying of the corner-stone, the exterior of the little church was already completed. It was ready for occupancy on December 16th. The building has a seating capacity of 300, besides the galleries over the vestibule. The dedication of the church took place on December 25tli, the pastor, Father Zebris, officiating. When the parisli was formed, its popu- lation was estimated at 478 souls. In 1898 the number had increased to 1,000, including the Lithuanians of Union City and Naugatuck and about 250 Poles in Waterbury and dependencics. From 1894 to 1897 the number of baptisms was 250 and thic marriages 74.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
The present church is designed to serve as a school-building, when a larger and more imposing church shall have been erected. The present pastor of St. Joseph's parish is the Rev. Peter Saurasaitis, who began his pastoral duties on May 28, 1898.
THE ITALIAN CATHOLICS,
WATERBURY.
RECENT estimate places the number of Italian Catholics in Water- bury at 1,500. As yet they have no church organization, although laudable efforts are being inade to erect a parislı for them. In 1894 a mission was conducted by two Italian priests at the church of the Immaculate Conception from which good results followed. For some time the question of securing for themselves a church has been under con- sideration by the Italian Catholics, and no doubt the near future will witness the realization of their hopes. With this end in view, the Right Rev. Bishop Tierney appointed the Rev. Dr. Martin, pastor of St. Cecilia's parish, to the pastoral charge of the Italian Catholics of Waterbury. He assumed this additional labor in October, 1894. Since then Italian clergymen have given missions to the people, with a view to the permanent organization of a par- ish. For the benefit of the Italians, a serinon in their language is preached at the first Mass in St. Cecilia's church every Sunday. The first baptisin since the Italians came under Dr. Martin's jurisdiction was that of Maria Oriano, October 21, 1894; the first marriage was between Ciro Carangelo and Benedetta Lanze.
ST. THOMAS' PARISH, WATERBURY.
FFICIAL notice of the formation of the new parish of St. Thomas was given by the Rev. William J. Slocum, rector of the mother parish of the Immaculate Conception, on Sunday, September 18th, 1898. The boundary lines were announced as follows: Beginning at the inter- section of Walnut and Ward streets, and going westward along Ward and Vine to Grove street, along Grove, taking in the north side of that street, to Cooke; the north side of Cooke street from Grove to Buckinghamn, along Buckingham to Pine, from Pine to Columbia avenue, and from there to the city line. The Rev. Timothy M. Crowley was appointed pastor of the new parish. He preached his first sermon and assumed forinal charge of the parish on Sunday, September 25th, on the occasion of the dedication of the church. When the construction of a church in this section of the city was proposed, it was intended that it should be a portion of the old parish, a "chapel of ease;" but the need of a separate parish was soon recognized. The church was begun and completed by Rev. Father Slocum, who paid over half of the indebtedness which its construction entailed.
The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid on Saturday, September 24th, and the ceremony of dedication was performed on the day following. Bishop Tierney officiated, assisted by a number of priests of the city and
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
neighboring parishes. This ceremony was followed by a Solemn High Mass, with the Rev. Jantes O'R. Sheridan as celebrant ; Rev. W. A. White as dea- con; Rev. M. Daly as sub-deacon; Rev. P. Kennedy as master of ceremonies. The dedicatory serinon was preached by the new pastor, Rev. T. M. Crowley.
The church stands at the corner of Crown and Beacon streets, and is an imposing structure. It has a seating capacity of 700. The parish popula- tion is about 1800 souls, chiefly Irish and their descendants. Father Crowley is assisted by the Rev. William Kennedy. The work of erecting a parochial residence is in progress.
NEW LONDON COUNTY.
EW LONDON COUNTY is bounded on the north by Windham, Tol- land and Hartford counties, on the east by Windham county and Rhode Island, on the south by Long Island Sound, and on the west by Middlesex county. From east to west the length aver- ages 26 miles, and its average breadth is about 20 miles. The cities and towns in which there are Catholic parishes are the following:
NEW LONDON,
COLCHESTER, MONTVILLE, NORWICH,
BALTIC, JEWETT CITY, MYSTIC, TAFTVILLE,
VOLUNTOWN.
ST. MARY'S-STAR OF THE SEA-PARISH,
NEW LONDON.
EW LONDON was settled by the English in 1646. Its Indian name was Nameaug, otherwise known as Towawog. In March, 1658, the General Assembly gave the town its present name; "that they inight leave to posterity the memory of that renowned city of London, from whence we had our transportation, (we) have thought fit in honor to that famous city, to call the said plantation New London." At the same time the Pequot river became the Thames.
Elsewhere in these pages we have written of the presence in New Lon- don of 400 Acadian exiles in January, 1756, of the San Domingan refugees, who gathered here at the end of the last century, of the arrival and death of Father Duprè from the island of Gaudeloupe, of Thomas Allen's inn, of the visit of Bishop Carroll to this portion of his flock, and of other events of his- torical interest that occurred in and about New London. We have now to deal with the Catholic life of New London as a permanent force in the up- building of the city's welfare.
After Bishop Carroll's visit in 1791, thirty-two years elapsed before New London was honored by the presence of another bishop. Bishop Clicvernis, active, alert and solicitous for the welfare of his vast diocese, visited New
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
London in June, 1823, and on the first of the month, among other priestly functions, baptized two children. The record is :
"1823, June 1 :- Baptized Thomas, born January 4, 1821. Sponsor : J. B. Walbach.
" Honora, born December 4, 1822. Sponsor : John O'Brien.
" Both children of Richard and Catharine Morris. + J. CHEVERUS."
A local historian says of Bishop Cheverus' visit: "There was at the time, we believe, but a single family of Roman Catholics in the town-that of Colonel Walbach, who was commandant at the fort for many years. He had a pew at St. Janies'1 (Protestant), and himself and family were regular attendants upon its services, joining in the worship of the church with appa- rent interest and devotion. A priest of their own profession came to visit them occasionally, and give them the rites of their church. The Roman Catholic bishop of Boston at that time was Dr. Cheverus, a man whose amia- ble, pure and benevolent character secured the respect of inen of all creeds and conditions. On one occasion he came to New London to pass a Sunday with the family which has been mentioned. The rector took occasion to invite him to preach at St. James' in the afternoon. He accepted the invita- tion, and at the usual hour of service came to the church in the costume of his office, and after reading some English prayers from the desk, preached a sernion from the pulpit. A crowded congregation assembled to hear him, for in those days a Romish bishop, in the attire of his office, was a lion indeed. Fortunately, to secure us against any charge of tendency to Popery, our Congregational neigh- bors invited him to preach for them also at a later hour. It was a long summer day. A crowd assembled at the appointed hour. The bishop came again in his robes, and after offering an extempore prayer, delivered a serinon upon Martha and Mary from the pulpit of the Congregational church." During this visit Bishop Cheverus said Mass at the fort, the guest of Colonel Walbach.
The Rev. R. D. Woodley, of Providence, was the next ecclesiastic to visit New London. He ministered to the wants of the Catholics here in 1829, in the week beginning with July 12, and also in October of the same year. From his report to Bishop Fenwick of his visitations we learn that during those missionary tours he baptized two children, besides performing other duties incident to his office.
The first resident pastor of Hartford, who had all Connecticut in his juris- diction, the Rev. Bernard O'Cavanagh, attended New London in April, 1830. He offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the residence of Mr. P. Mitchell, and baptized one infant, having on the evening previous heard a number of confessions. The name of Father Fitton now becaine associated with New London, as we gather from the following record of marriages :
"NEW LONDON.
JOHN BALDWIN 1830, Oct. 14: Married John Baldwin to Matilda Dunn. Wit- AND nesses, John and Mary Dunn.
MAL'T DUNN.
JAS. FITTON."
1 The bell of this church "was brought from the West Indies, and had originally hung in some French church or convent. It was small, but its tone was sweet and musical." -Annals of St. James', New London.
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ST. MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH, New London, Conn.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Another entry in Father Fitton's handwriting is :
MATH. HIGHLAND " 1830, Oct. 19th : Married Matthew Highland to Esther
AND Murphy, both from New London. Witnesses, Lawrence McGuire ESTHER MURPHY. and Ann McGuire. JAS. FITTON."
Of his experiences in New London Father Fitton thus, writes : "To be hooted and occasionally stoned by urchins who had imbibed the prejudices of their parents was not an uncommon occurrence in former days. But deep- rooted as was the prejudice of the majority of the people, there were not a few found better informed at New London, who were inclined to liberality and toler- ance, and who allowed the use of the court-house for occasional preaching." 1
Notwithstanding the great influx of Catholics into New London at the close of the last century the number found here by Father Fitton was small. Deprived of priests, surrounded by hostile influences, the descendants of those who adhered to the ancient faith fell away and became believers in creeds that held the doctrines of their ancestors in abhorrence. And some of the New London families who boast of their Puritan ancestry are not of Puritan extraction, but are the descendants of men and women of Irish, French, Spanish and Portuguese ancestors-children of the Catholic faith. Their names are a part of the public records of New London, and the story of some of them is told in the pages of this history.
Of the status of Catholicity in New London, during his period of service, Father Fitton wrote in a record-book, preserved in St. Mary's church : "The Catholics of New London in 1831 numbered about three families and five unmarried persons. These were attended from time to time by the clergy- man from Hartford (himself). This number even, small as it was, dimin- ished, and then as gradually began to increase till 1842, when an appropria- tion having been made for repairs on Fort Trumbell, a number of mechanics and laborers came with their families to the place. About this time an upper room of a small building near the southwest corner of Long Bridge (now Bank street) was rented for the purpose of divine worship. Here the Catholics assembled on Sundays, and were attended monthly from Worcester, Mass., by the clergyman formerly of Hartford (himself). In January, 1843, a lot of land was purchased for a church and deeded in trust to Rt. Rev. Benedict Fenwick and the foundation immediately commenced, which, by the energy and persevering zeal of the little flock, was so far advanced as to be ready to have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered up in it the following April." Father Fitton paid a missionary visit to New London on April 9, 1832.
From the marriage register preserved at St. Patrick's church, Hartford, we take the following additional entries.
" NEW LONDON, CONN.
PETER WHITTEN 1835, Sept. 21 : Married Peter Whitten to Ann Phalen. AND Witnesses, Jas. Rargen and Elizabeth Crandell.
JAS. FITTON." ANN PHALEN.
"Sept. 22 : Married John Barry to Margaret Donoghue. Witnesses, Jas. Fitzgibbons and Bridget Ford.
JAS. FITTON."
1 " Historical Sketches."
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Upon Father Fitton's transfer to Worcester lie attended New London from that place at monthly intervals, saying Mass in an upper room of a small building on the southwest corner of Long Bridge. The growth of the Catholic population soon made more ample accommodations necessary, so that a lot was purchased by Father Fitton on Jay street in January, 1843. The work of constructing a church was begun immediately, and so vigorously was it pushed that the building was ready for occupancy in the following April. Of this little church Father Fitton wrote: "Although it was anticipated at the time that this edifice would prove too limited for increasing numbers, yet it was considered that the fact of the proprietors of the houses right and left being good Protestant fellow-citizens, would be the best insurance against casualties that otherwise might happen." Bishop Fitzpatrick, of Boston dedicated the church on May 13, 1850, and adminis- tered Confirmation on the day following. Among those confirmed on that occasion was Lieutenant Deshon.
In 1852 the church had become inadequate to the wants of the parish ; it was determined to erect a more commodious house of worship. A site on Truman street was obtained, and the work of building was begun with- out delay. This church was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly on May 13, 1855, the Bishop also preaching the sermon. "The church was well filled," wrote the bishop, "and the ceremony most edifying." In June, 1860, the church was furnished with an organ. Its seating capacity was 700, and the whole property was valued at $12,000.
In the meantime New London had been attended by a number of priests. In August, 1845, it passed under the jurisdiction of Rev. John Brady, of Hartford, who remained in control until September, 1848, when the Rev. James Gibson assumed charge. He attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholics here until 1850, when they began to be served by the Jesuit Fathers from Holy Cross College, Rev. William Logan and Rev. Peter Blenkinsop. Father Logan died here in 1850, a victim of smallpox.
The first resident pastor, Rev. Peter Duffy, came in 1851, but remained only for a brief period. His successor, the Rev. Thomas Stokes, officiated until October, 1852. Rev. Thomas Ryan followed as pastor. During his pastorate, which was of six years' duration, St. Patrick's church, on Truman street, was built and dedicated. The original church on Jay street still remains the property of the parish and was used for Sunday-school purposes.
The next pastor of St. Patrick's parish was the Rev. P. J. Gaynor, who came in 1858. He administered the affairs of the parish for eight years, having been transferred to St. Francis' parish, New Haven, in 1866. Then the Rev. Bernard Tully came, and during a short pastorate of a few months purchased the lot on the corner of Washington and Huntington streets, on which the present church edifice stands. Father Tully was followed in . August, 1867, by the Rev. Philip Grace, D.D., who began the erection of the present church.
In 1867, Dr. Grace was succeeded by the Rev. Edmund A. O'Connor, who laid the corner-stone of the church under the title of St. Mary's, Star of
REV. FRANCIS P. O'KEEFE.
REV. THOMAS JOYNT.
REV. PATRICK J. KENNEDY.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
the Sea, August 15, 1870. The exterior of the church had been almost com- pleted when the clerestory fell, entailing a great financial loss. Father O'Connor died here in 1871, the Rev. John Furlong succeeding temporarily to the pastorate. In May, 1872, the Rev. Michael A. Tierney took up the reins of government, and remained as pastor until late in 1873. Father Tierney organized the Star of the Sea Total Abstinence Society, and con- tinued the work of the construction of the church. About January 1, 1874, his successor, the Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor, became pastor. Resumning work on the church, he brought it to a successful completion. The solemn dedi- cation took place on Sunday, May 7, 1876, with elaborate ceremonial. After the ceremonies of dedication Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Galberry, the orator on the occasion being the Rev. Michael O'Farrell, of St. Peter's church, New York. In the evening Solemn Pontifi- cal Vespers were sung by the above-mentioned prelate, and the Rev. Father O'Farrell again pronounced the discourse before an audience that taxed the seating capacity of the church to its utmost. Father Lawlor remained pas- tor of St. Mary's until June, 1879, when he was transferred to St. Mary's parish, New Haven. A local historian says that "Father Lawlor was a very popular man, and had a high reputation for executive ability."
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