USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 53
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Father Lawlor's mantle fell upon the shoulders of the Rev. Thomas W. Broderick. Among the works which signalized his administration of four years was the reduction of the parish indebtedness by over $10,000, and the artistic grading and beautifying, and otherwise improving, the valuable property about the church and parochial residence. On May 28, 1883, the present incumbent, the Rev. Thomas P. Joynt, assumed pastoral charge of St. Mary's. Father Joynt has continued the excellent work of his predeces- sors, manifesting great zeal and priestly activity in promoting both the tem- poral and spiritual interests of his people. In July, 1891, he purchased a beautiful residence on Franklin street, which, suitably remodeled, lias become the home of the Sisters who are the teachers of the children of his parish. This purchase was made at the expenditure of $6,000. In May, 1892, the Young Ladies' High School, contiguous to the church, was secured at a cost of $10,000. In addition to these works, Father Joynt has reduced the in- debtedness every year, so that the financial condition of St. Mary's is sur- passed by few parishes in the diocese. Father Joynt is assisted in his paro- chial labors by the Rev. David O'Donnell and the Rev. John F. Quinn. St. Mary's school is taught by nine sisters of Mercy, of the Meriden community, Sister M. Xavier, superioress, who began their efficient labors in New London in August, 1892. The school is attended by 369 girls. A new parochial school is in the course of construction and will be ready for the ceremony of dedication on Sunday, September 3d, of the present year.
Attached to New London is the mission of Rocklawn, whose church is dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
On Sunday April 30, 1893, the Catholics of New London observed the fiftieth anniversary of the erection of their first church in that city. The Solemn High Mass on the occasion was celebrated by the Rev. Michael Tier-
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ney assisted by Rev. John Lenehan, deacon; Rev. Timothy R. Sweeney, sub-deacon ; the Rev. Michael H. May, master of ceremonies. Right Rev. Bishop McMahon occupied a throne in the sanctuary with the Rev. J. P. Dougherty of New York and Rev. Thomas W. Broderick of Hartford as. attendants. The oration was pronounced by the Rev. V. A. Higgins, O.P., S.T. M., of New Haven. His subject was "The Benefits Conferred by the Church." The day's celebration was fittingly closed by Solemn Vespers sang coram episcopo, with the Rev. J. J. Furlong as celebrant, Rev. J. H. Fitz- maurice as deacon, the Rev. M. Cray as sub-deacon, Rev. M. H. May, master of ceremonies. The chaplains to Bishop McMahon were Rev. T. W. Brode- rick, Hartford, and Rev. J. E. Leonard of Troy. The discourse was pro- nounced by Rev. John A. Mulcahy of Waterbury. At the close of the ser- vices Bishop McMahon in a felicitous manner addressed words of congratula- tion to the congregation. Among those present on this joyous occasion, who attended the first church a half century before, were Michael Gaffey, Stephen Hayes, William Sheridan, Mrs. Daniel Hogan, Mrs. Edmund Sweeney, Mrs. Maurice McDonald and Mrs. John Ferguson.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH, BALTIC.
B ALTIC is located in the town of Sprague, and is built on both sides of the Shetucket river. Besides the village proper, the parish com- prises the outlying villages of Franklin, Scotland and Hanover.
As early as 1840, a small band of Irish Catholics located in Baltic and vicinity, and were generally occupied in farm work. Among the early settlers we note Denis P. Sheahan, Jeremiah Donovan, Jeremiah Curtin, and Peter Hartnett. Their number was increased by the building of the Provi- dence and Hartford railroad. It was, however, the building of a large cotton mill by the Spragues of Rhode Island, which brought the first great influx of Catholics to reside at Baltic. This necessitated the speedy erection of a church.
In the meantime, the Catholics of Baltic experienced the happiness of assisting at the Holy Sacrifice for the first time in the summer of 1852, the Rev. Michael McCabe being the celebrant. When Father McCabe assumed charge of Danielson his jurisdiction included also Willimantic, Baltic, Colchester, Stafford Springs and Putnamı. The successors of Father McCabe to attend Baltic were Rev. H. O'Reilly, 1860 to 1863; Rev. Daniel Mullen, January 7, 1863, to May, 1863; Rev. Flor. De Bruycker, May, 1863, to September 1, 1869.
The first Catholic church in Baltic was built in 1860, during the pastor- ate of Father O'Reilly. It was 77 x 38 feet. Father O' Reilly also purchased the cemetery in 1860, which was blessed on November 1, 1861. Father O' Reilly's successor was the Rev. Flor. De Bruycker, as when Willimantic received its first resident pastor Baltic became a dependency. During his administration, Father De Bruycker enlarged and renovated the church at an expenditure of $15,000. The enlarged structure was 120 x 60 feet.
The first resident pastor of Baltic was the Rev. G. Joseph Van Laar, who entered upon his duties in September, 1869. Zealous to a great degree, reli-
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
gion made rapid strides during Father Van Laar's pastorate. St. Joseph's school was opened on May 15, 1870, with 70 pupils. To meet pressing spiritual needs, he purchased in 1871 a piece of ground upon which he in- tended to erect a convent, school and chapel; but the sweeping away of the inill dam delayed, but did not prevent the continuance of the work. In the erec- tion of the convent, which contained four stories, Father Van Laar devoted not only his time, but contributed $8,000 from his personal income towards its completion. It was completed in 1874. In the spring of 1876, Father Van Laar resigned his charge and entered the Congregation of the Oblate Fathers.
His successor was Rev. John Van der Noort, who took up the great work left by his predecessor and brought it to a successful completion. Under his guidance religious education began to show forth its fruits. The school, erected at such sacrifices, abundantly proved that it had not been built in vain. Though the number of children attending the school had become reduced from 240 to 30, owing to a large number of people leaving the town on account of the freshet, yet the Sisters persevered and God so blessed their labors that it became necesssary to build an addition to the school. A fine chapel was also added to it. Other works did Father Van der Noort accomplish which made for the honor and glory of God and His church. With him were associated in parochial labors, Revs. James Lancaster, John T. McMahon, John Synnott and James Degnan. Having served with signal success in Baltic until October, 1889, Father Van der Noort was promoted to Putnam, and Rev. John Synnott was appointed his successor. Father Synnott's labors in this field as pastor were those of a priest, zealous and single-minded, one whose sole ambition is the spiritual and temporal welfare of his parishioners. For this were his labors unremitting and productive of excellent results. On September 1, 1897, his ecclesiastical superior called him to a higher sphere of labor and appointed him President of St. Thomas' Preparatory Seminary, Hartford. His suc- cessor is the present pastor, Rev. Terrance Dunn.
When the first Mass was celebrated in Baltic in 1852, there were in the vicinity 300 or more Catholics, laborers on the Providence and Hartford rail- road. When the church was built in 1860, the number had increased to 800. But the temporal status of Baltic has not kept pace with the years. Thirty- six years ago the Catholic population was about 2000 souls ; at present it num- bers about 500.
ST. ANDREW'S PARISH, COLCHESTER.
HE first settlement of Colchester began about 1701. Its average length from east to west is about nine miles, about four miles in breadth, and comprises an area of about forty-three square miles. The first Cath- olic settlers to reside here were Patrick Gardland, John Murphy, Patrick Henry, Thomas Sheridan, John English and James Kelleher and families. As far as can be ascertained, the first Mass celebrated in Colchester, was said in 1851 at the residence of John Murphy, by the Rev. Christopher Moore. About fifty Irish-Catholics were present at that Mass. The first pastor who
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
attended to the wants of the Catholics here was the Rev. Michael McCabe, of Danielson, coming once a month. Rev. Hugli O'Reilly of Willimantic was his successor, and visited Colchester also at monthly intervals. The Rev. Patrick Creighton was the first resident pastor. Following hint came in suc- cession Rev. James McCarten, Rev. Patrick Fay, Rev. John Duggan, Rev. B. W. Bray, Rev. John Cooney, and the present rector, Rev. Michael H. May.
St. Andrew's church was built about 1854, by the Rev. Michael McCabe. The first Catholic marriage solemnized in Colchester was that of Martin Minnick -and Ann Kearns, Rev. Christopher Moore performning the cere- mony. The school was erected during the administration of Father Fay, and is conducted by lay teachers, whose salaries are paid by the town. The school is under the full control of the pastor of St. Andrew's, and has at present 145 children. The present population of St. Andrew's is 600 souls, all Irish and their descendants. The priests who have labored in St. Andrew's parish in the capacity of assistants are the Rev. J. Winters, the Rev. J. Lee, Rev. D. Bai- ley, Rev. P. McClean, Rev. J. Sheehan, Rev. P. Daly and Rev. C. McCann.
Within the jurisdiction of St. Andrew's are three out-missions, St. Bridget's, Moodus, ten miles distant. The church was built in the seventies and is attended by about 400 souls, for whom Mass is celebrated every Sun- day. The Catholic population is chiefly Irish, though there are some Poles. Attached to St. Bridget's is a cemetery.
St. Mary's church, Bozrahville, was built in 1880, six and a half miles from Colchester. Mass is also said here every Sunday. The estimated number of Catholics of this mission is 200 souls. St. John's church, Fitchville, was built by Rev. John Cooney in 1894, and is ten miles from the parochial residence. The population here also is chiefly Irish, and numbers 300 souls. They also receive every Sunday the benefits of the Holy Sacrifice. At the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of St. John's, the Rev. Michael Sullivan preached the sermon. The church was dedicated by Bishop Tierney, the Rev. John Winters preaching the discourse.
The marriage and baptismnal records of the mission churches are pre- served in the registers of the inother parisli. The first recorded marriage is the following : "November 1, 1860, married, James Fenton and Anna Sullivan. Witnesses, John Murphy and Mary Shea. (Signed) P. J. Creighton."
The first recorded baptism is: "October 25, 1860, baptized, Timothy, born 17th October, of John Sullivan and Mary O'Kiely. Sponsors, Michael Gorm- ley and Julia Sullivan, by proxy for Catherine. (Signed) P. J. Creighton."
PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, JEWETT CITY.
HE first Catholics to reside in Jewett City were John Dolan and Philip O'Reilly, in whose houses the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered about once a month. The first Mass, however, offered within the bound- aries of Jewett City was celebrated in 1857 by the Rev. Michael McCabe, pastor of Danielson. At this time the Catholic population numbered 25 families, all Irish. After the organization of Moosup into a parish, Rev.
411
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Fathers Daly, Quinn and Belanger mnade frequent visits to Jewett City. Be- coming too numerous to have divine service in private houses, the Rev. Father Quinn purchased from the Congregationalists in 1864 their house of worship, remodeled it, and suitably prepared it for Catholic worship. In 1868 and 1869 the Catholics of Jewett City were attended by the Rev. Fatlier Mullen of Nor- wich. Soon after it passed again under the jurisdiction of Moosup. The first resident pastor of Jewett City assumed charge in 1872, and was the Rev. James B. Reynolds appointed by Bishop McFarland. His parish embraced also the inissions of Taftville, Occum and Voluntown. Father Reynolds remained here until his death in 1875, having in the meantime secured the Samuel Cole estate for a pastoral residence. His successor was the Rev. John Russell, who served from February, 1875, to June, 1878. His administration was inarked by the enlargement of the seating capacity of the church at Jewett City, and by the erection of churches in Taftville and Occum. Following Father Russell came the Rev. Thomas P. Joynt, whose period of service here began in June, 1878, and terminated in June, 1883. Father Joynt built the church at Voluntown and the rectory in Jewett City.
In June, 1883, the mission relationship that existed between Taftville and Occum and Jewett City ceased, and the two foriner places were erected into independent parishes. The Rev. Francis P. O'Keefe at this time began his pastoral labors in Jewett City, having within his jurisdiction Voluntown and Glasgo. Recognizing that the future would bring new and greater needs, Father O'Keefe with wise foresight purchased the Enoch Hawkins estate, which will be used as the necessities demand. The church at Glasgo was built during his pastorate, mainly through the financial and other assistance of Mr. Lucius Briggs of the town, who donated the land and contributed $500 to the building fund. In February, 1892, Voluntown and Glasgo were separated from Jewett City and elevated to the parochial dignity, with Volun- town as the place of residence.
The assistant priests who served at various times in Jewett City were Revs. Thomas Broderick, Joseph Fones, John Synnott, Daniel M. Lawlor and Patrick Kennedy. When the parish was formed in 1872, its population was estimated at 80 families, chiefly Irish; at present there are 550 Irish people, and 1, 100 Canadians.
The cemetery owned by the parisli was blessed in 1883.
ST. JOHN'S PARISH, MONTVILLE.
HE Rev. James P. Connolly was the first resident pastor of St. Jolin's churchi, Montville. He began his parochial labors here on March 1, 1887. Prior to this date the Catholics of this town1 were served by the clergy of St. Mary's parish, New London. Father Connolly's pastorate terininated by death in October, 1890, and liis successor was the Rev. Charles E. McGowan, serving until December 10, 1894. Fathier McGowan gave way to Rev. James P. Ryle, who assumed charge on that date. Shortly after his arrival liere he remodeled the rectory, renovated and re-furnished the churchi,
412
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
erected horse sheds and a barn, liquidated the mortgage indebtedness, and paid, moreover, $1,000 of floating debts. After a successful pastorate of nearly four years, he was transferred to Westport on October 15, 1898. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Morrill, who died here in June, 1899. His successor, the present incumbent, the Rev. Patrick J. Kennedy, immediately followed in succession on June 14th.
The parochial residence was built by the first resident pastor, and the church was enlarged during the pastorate of Rev. T. W. Broderick, of New London, by the addition of a transept. Originally a part of New London, Montville was incorporated as a town in 1876. It was noted as the home of the famous Pequot chief, Uncas.
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
MYSTIC.
T HE first Catholics to reside in Mystic were exiles, being eight of the four hundred Acadians who were landed at New London and dis- tributed throughout the State in 1756. No trace of Catholics is dis- covered after, until the ship-building interests brought some Irish-Catholics hither. Among the first Irish people to settle here were James Brahan and Denis Cradie. The few Catholics in Mystic attended divine worship at Stonington until September, 1870, when St. Patrick's church was purchased by Rev. Patrick Sherry, of Westerly, from the Methodists. After making necessary repairs, the church was dedicated on October 30, 1870, by Bishop McFarland. In November, 1871, Father Sherry was called to his reward. Mystic and Stonington were then erected into a parish on December 19, 1871, with the Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor as resident pastor.
At this time the Catholic population numbered about 450 souls ; at the time of the first Mass in Mystic, there were about fifty members of the an- cient faith in the town. Father Lawlor's pastorate ended on November 18, 1872, and he was succeeded by the Rev. William Hart. On April 9, 1873, the Rev. John Flemming assumed charge, continuing in office until his suc- cessor, the Rev. J. B. Dougherty, came on September 11, 1881. Rev. John F. Murphy, the present rector, began his pastorate on September 19, 1895.
St. Patrick's church has a seating capacity for 400 people, its original dimensions being 50 by 35. feet. The splendid organ which adorns the choir-gallery, was put in during the administration of Father Dougherty.
Father Murphy's jurisdiction embraces, besides Mystic, Stonington, West Mystic, and Noank. The entire church property, church rectory and cemne- tery has been free from financial encumbrance for many years. Writing ill 1871, of Mystic, the Rev. Father Lawlor said, " The only other fact of interest that strikes ine often, is, that, while almost every other place is prospering and increasing in population, this is decreasing. Six months ago there were 450 Catholics in Mystic, to-day there are about 300."
REV. J. F. MURPHY.
REV. AMBROSE BRISCOE.
REV. MICHAEL H. MAY.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. MARY'S (MISSION),
STONINGTON.
HE first Catholic settlers in Stonington were all Irish, and bore the familiar names of McCarthy, Sullivan, Kirby, Gilmore and Carr. The three first canie here about 1829, and the other two in 1836. Kirby was a brother to the Most Rev. Archbishop Kirby, late rector of the Irislı college at Rome. Kirby taught a select school. Mass was first said in Stonington by Rev. Father Fitton, about 1840, offering the Holy Sacrifice frequently at the home of Mr. Kirby. The first resident pastor of Stonington was the Rev. Patrick Duffy. Prior to his arrival, the people were served by the Rev. John Brady of Middletown. St. Mary's church was erected by Father Duffy in 1851 ; its dimensions were 60 by 40 feet, and it was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly, on October 5, 1851. On October the 10th, Bishop O'Reilly sent the Rev. Thomas Ryan to Stonington, giving him $425, to pay the mechanics who did the carpenter work on the church. On the 16th of the same month, the Bishop sent the Rev. Father O'Dowd here, as we gather from his journal. Following these clergymen, came in succession, the Rev. Thomas Drea, Rev. Peter Kelly, Rev. John Sheridan, and Rev. Michael O'Reilly. The terin of Father Drea's pastorate was about five years, that of Father Kelly a few months only. . Father Sheridan assumed charge in November, 1858, and served until 1859. Father O'Reilly removed the pastoral residence from Stonington to Westerly in 1861, with which Stonington assumed inis- sion relations. Thereafter for ten years, until the death of Father Sherry, and for a brief period by Father Fitzpatrick, Stonington was attended by the clergy of Westerly. In December, 1871, Stonington was attached to Mystic, and since then has been served by the pastors thereof.
During Father Dougherty's pastorate the church was partially destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt and beautifully renovated. The Stations of the Cross were erected and a fine organ placed in the church, also by the Rev. Father Dougherty. Like their brethren of Mystic, the entire church property of the Catholics of Stonington is free from indebtedness.
It will not be without a degree of interest to append herewith a list of the contributions paid to Bishop Tyler on January 14, 1848, as a nucleus of the building fund :
John Gorman $1 00
Margaret McMahon .... $1 00
John Drinen $1 00
James O' Brien. 1 00
John Keegan. 1 00
Peter Ducey. I 00
Felix McCarthy. 1 00
Thomas Gilmore. 1 00
Ann Gearm 1 00
John Corcoran. 1 00
Thomas Donnelly 1 00
Owen Hore. I 00
Eliza Gorman I 00
Walter Simons 25
Thos. Cosgrove. 1 00
John McCarthy I
Bridget O'Neil 00 50 John Murphy. I 00
Julia Shaw 50
Catherine Cune. 1 00
Thomas Fay 1 00
Richard Lynch. 1 00
Ellen McDonald. 1 00
Patrick Murphy 1 00
Patrick Carpenter. 1 00
Patrick Maher 1 00 Edward Cox I 00
Charles Mealy. I 00
Jas. Gilmore. 1 00
Owen McCloskey I 00
Ann Burns. I 00
414
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ST. PATRICK'S PARISH,
NORWICH.
ORWICH, like many of her sister towns in Connecticut, had Catholic people residing within her limits in the last, as well as in the begin- ning of the present century. Though such names as Tracy (1687), Kelly (1716), Kirby (1721), and Kennedy (1730) appear on the town records, there is no evidence that their owners professed the Catholic faith. In January, 1756, the first Catholics, certainly known to be such, came here, not voluntarily, but by virtue of legislative enactment. They were a part of the 400 Acadians who were landed at New London. Nineteen were assigned to Norwich, but as 240 of these exiles were taken back to Quebec in 1767, it is probable they were among the number returned. The historian of Norwich, Miss M. F. Caulkins, asserts that a priest was with the Acadians at Norwich, and returned to Canada with them; if so, the Holy Sacrifice was probably offered by this faithful shepherd for his exiled flock.
Eleven years after the return of the refugees to their former home we note the presence of a large body of Catholics in Norwich. In 1778 a detach- ment of the French army spent fifteen days here on account of illness that had broken out among them.1 "They had their tents spread upon the plain, while the sick were quartered in the court-house. About twenty died and were buried each side of the lane that led into the old burying ground. No stones were set up, and the ground was soon smoothed over so as to leave no trace of the narrow tenements below." Lafayette and De Lauzun were here during the Revolution, and the former visited Norwich on August 21, 1824.
The Rev. John Thayer, formerly a Congregationalist minister, now ap- pears upon the scene. He came hither as a missionary priest, seeking the few Catholics who were scattered throughout the State. His visit to Norwich is thus described by a local newspaper of November 14, 1793 :
"On Friday last, Mr. John Thayer, Catholic missionary, delivered to a large aud- ience at the Rev. Joseph Strong's meeting-house in this city, a learned and ingenious discourse, in which he undertook to prove that the Catholic church was the only true church of Christ. On Sunday evening following, at the same place, he delivered a dis- course on the propriety and true piety of invoking departed saints and the utility and efficiency of addressing prayers to them."
The Catholics who next entered Norwich came like the Acadians, under compulsion. They were refugees from San Domingo and were brought hither as prisoners of war.
"In September, 1800, the U. S. ship 'Trumbull,' Captain Jewett, returning from a cruise against the French, came into New London harbor with a prize vessel of ten guns, called 'La Vengeance,' which had been taken near the port of Jacquemel in the West Indies, with 140 persons on board. These were delivered over to the authorities as prisoners of war, and seventeen of them sent to prison, where they remained about six months.2
1 History of Norwich.
2 Eighty-four were sent to Hartford; the remainder were retained in New London.
REV. JOHN SYNNOTT.
REV. HUGH TREANOR.
REV. JAMES J. SMITH.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
"The terrific war of the races, French, Spaniards and Africans struggling for dom- inion, had made fearful havoc in St. Domingo, and at this period Gen. Rigaud was at the head of one party and the African chief, Toussaint of the other. The latter had laid siege to Jacquemiel, which was about to surrender, and many of the inhabitants, apprehensive that an indiscriminate sack and slaughter would follow, fled with what little property they could carry with them to the vessels in the harbor for safety. It was one of these vessels endeavoring to reach Cuba with its throng of exiles that was taken by the ' Trumbull.'
"The prisoners were natives of St. Domingo, partly of French origin, but with a large admixture of African blood. They were mostly civil officers, captains of barges, merchants and their servants, and though nominally of Rigaud's party, they had taken no active part in the contest, and might reasonably have expected that an American ship would humanely favor their flight, rather than plunder them of their goods and carry them into captivity.
" The prisoners sent to Norwich were treated with compassionate kindness. They had the privilege of the gaol limits and were allowed to stroll from house to house. Wholesome food and comfortable winter garments were provided for them. Dr. Philemon Tracy, who attended them as their physician, apprehending that they would suffer from the rigors of a cold climate, made great exertions to procure their immediate release. It was not, however, till March, 1801, that the government virtually condemned their capture by ordering their free discharge and furnishing them with transportation home.
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