USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 54
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" Some of these exiles were inen of education and ability. One of them had been a justice of the peace : another, a young mulatto of manly and dignified deportment, was afterward the able and discreet President of the Republic of Hayti. He was then about twenty-four years of age, and having already attained considerable rank in the order of Freemasons, he was boarded while in Norwich, at the expense of the Masonic Lodge, in a private family. Most of his leisure time he employed in perfecting himself in the English language, and at his departure he cut from a piece of his linen his name, marked at full length, Jean Pierre Boyer, and gave it to one of the young members of the family that had assisted him in his lessons. 'Keep this,' he said, 'and perhaps, some day, you may send it to me in a letter, and I will remember you."
"The lad lost his mark, but nearly twenty years afterward, President Boyer, then at the head of the Haytien Republic, made inquiries, of certain Norwich ship-masters respecting his former friends, and sent a handsome gratuity to the two families in which he had been treated with special kindness." 1
Thenceforth, we find no trace of Catholics in Norwich until 1824, when we discover the name of Edward Murphy, the only Irishman in a population of 4000. Probably he was the first of the Catholics of later days to come to Norwich.
It is traditional that the Rev. James Fitton paid a missionary visit to Norwich in 1831. The tradition places no strain upon our belief, as the ener- getic priest visited this section of the State, New London, on October 19, 1831, and on September 21, 1835. It is not unreasonable to infer that on one, and, perhaps, on all of these visitations, Father Fitton songht out the few Catholics of Norwich also. However, there are records extant which prove the presence of Father Fitton in Norwich in 1838. The first record of baptism administered here is that of Catharine, daughter of John and Eleanor Con- nolly, born June 8, 1835, and baptized May 15, 1836, Father Fitton performn- ing the ceremony. The sponsors were Thomas Connolly and Judy Donnelly. The first inale child to receive baptism was James, son of David and Johanna
1 Ilistory of Norwich.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Shaughnessy, born on August 18, 1836, and baptized on the 21st. The first marriage ceremony performed by Father Fitton here was on June 30, 1840, the contracting parties being John Savage and Mary Melvin.
Upon the transfer of Father Fitton to Worcester in 1836, Norwich was attended from there by this pioneer missionary. He came at stated intervals, saying Mass and otherwise ministering to the spiritual wants of his flock. The building of the Norwich and Worcester railroad considerably augmented the Catholic population here. Father Fitton informs us that he held religious services on the Norwich road "in shanties or in groves and but few per- manent stations were established."
In 1843,1 the number of Catholics liad so increased that Father Fit- ton determined to erect a house of worship. He selected a lot "mid- way between " Norwich and Greenville in order to accommodate the people of both places. The foundations were laid in September, 1844, and the building was sufficiently completed to permit the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on December 25th, of that year. Two hundred and fifty persons assisted at this service. Work on the church was continued, and its permanent occu- pancy began on March 17, 1845. The church was dedicated in honor of the Mother of God, under the title of St. Mary's.
In May, 1845, Father Fitton severed his relations with Norwich, which again passed under the care of Hartford, Rev. John Brady, pastor, who at- tended it until 1848, when Bishop Tyler came in person for a brief period. The Bishop relinquished personal care of Norwich in November of that year, and Rev. William Logan, S. J., and Rev. Peter Blenkinsop, S. J., of Holy Cross College, received charge of St. Mary's, the former serving until May, 1850, the latter from this time until August, 1851. In the meantime, the Catholic population was increasing rapidly, so that when Rev. Daniel Kelly succeeded Father Blenkinsop as the first resident pastor, the Catholics num- bered well nigh 3000 souls. In 1854, Father Kelly enlarged the church which had been erected in 1843. On June 26, 1853, Bishop O'Reilly made a visitation of Norwich and administered confirmation to 190 persons. In the following year, April 22, the Bishop arrived at Norwich for another visitation, of which he thus wrote in his journal: "23rd, Tuesday : Confirmed at Norwich 75 and preached four times ; succeeded in settling difficulties between the pastor and a few of the people; all reconciled. Was much pleased with this visitation ; a pastoral residence has been purchased since the last visitation at the expense of $900; debt on church about $1300."
The difficulties mentioned by Bishop O' Reilly were renewed in the fol- lowing year with greater intensity of feeling. Visiting Norwich on May 15, 1855, the Bishop again became involved in the controversy between the pastor and a few of the parishioners. We quote again from his journal : "16th : Wrote a petition to the legislature adverse to the prayer of seven poor Catholics who petitioned for a change in the tenure of the church prop-
1 The building of the Norwich and Worcester road brought the first permanent set- tlers to Norwich, who built settlements of shanties, the ruins of which are yet to be seen on the line of the road, the extrema vestigia of the first sad exodus of the famine days.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
erty." The trouble had its origin in the disposition of the moneys received from the sale of lots in the cemetery which was contiguous to the church. Like church property in general, this burial ground was purchased with money con- tributed by the parishioners. The price of lots four feet wide by eight feet long was $8.00, except the purchaser was one of the original contributors, in which case he was entitled to a reduction of $1.00 on the price mentioned. The pas- tor, Rev. Father Kelly, used a portion of the money thus received for legitimate church purposes, but the seven malcontents-none others gave countenance to their protest-sought to control this money in ways conformable to their own ideas. Another source of the difficulty was the renting of pews at the two Masses.
Bishop O'Reilly's counter petition to the Legislature was as follows:
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, NOW IN SESSION AT HARTFORD :
The undersigned, citizens of Norwich, and members of the Catholic Church, in that city, have been apprized through the newspapers, that a petition is now pending before your honorable body, signed by William T. Brown, and six other persons, styling them- selves Catholics, and praying for the enactment of a law changing the tenure by which the property of that Church is now held in this State : and they take this method to re- monstrate against the granting by your honorable body of the prayer of said petition.
The signers of said petition are nominally members of the Catholic denomination, but are, we conscientiously believe, hostile to its best interests and inimical to its pros perity and advancement. It is, we think, in that spirit, and not from any sincere regard for the Catholic religion or the welfare of the Catholic Church, that they have brought their petition before you. Excepting them, we know of no person calling himself a Catholic, in this city, who does not deprecate the attempt which they are making to procure through your interposition, a change in the tenure by which the property of the Catholic Church is now held.
We would also call your attention to the fact that notwithstanding the said petition prays for legislative action in regard to the entire property held for the benefit of the Catholic Church in this State, even to the extent of vacating the titles under which the same is held, no notice of the intention to prefer the petition was ever given to the public, nor was the same ever served upon any of the parties whose rights are by the petitioners sought to be invaded, if not entirely destroyed. It seems to us that such notice ought as a matter of justice to have been given in order that those who are in- terested in the question might have appeared before you in a suitable state of prepara- tion, to show reasons why the prayer of the petitioners should not be granted. And we think, moreover, that the tenth section of " An Act relating to the General Assembly," requires such notice to have been given. In this state of things we cannot believe that your honorable body will take cognizance of a petition like the one under consideration, signed as it is, by only seven persons, in opposition to the wishes and feelings of the great body of our'Church, especially as by doing so a serious wrong will be inflicted upon us.
We believe that the change in the law contemplated by the petitioners would be productive of 10 good, but would work serious injury to us as a religious body. This is the view entertained by every member of our communion who has the good of our Church at heart and claims to be called a Catholic. In remonstrating, therefore, against the granting, by your honorable body, of the passage of said petition, we ask nothing more than that we may be permitted as heretofore to manage our Church affairs in our own way, and in the manner which we may deem most beneficial.
Norwich, May 16, 1855.
This remonstrance was signed by several hundred parishioners, thus II-27
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
showing that the great majority of the members of the parish were not in sympathy with the alleged reform movement.
Father Kelly remained at Norwich fifteen years, leaving in August, 1866, having been transferred to Providence, R. I., in exchange with the Rev. Peter Kelly. Father Kelly's death occurred at Thomasville, Georgia, Feb- ruary 19, 1877. "To say that Father Kelly was universally beloved by the people of Norwich," wrote a contemporary, "who were for years under his charge, is to express but feebly and imperfectly the affection, veneration and esteem with which they regarded him. During his long residence here liis existence was completely merged in that of his people. Their welfare was his; their interests his; their sorrows his. He never complained of too great or of too onerous labors, although he frequently undertook more than one mortal could possibly accomplish in a life-time. While his inclination often out-stripped his strength, he was never wholly baffled. His hands were ever tendered to lift his people's burdens ; his sympathies were ever ready-
'To fly East or West Which ever way besought them.'
"His actions were constantly characterized by that sincere charity which is ever indissolubly allied to kindness. To elevate and refine his congrega- tion, religiously and socially, was through life his highest aim. He con- stantly endeavored to appreciate and suitably reward the meritorious, while his benevolent aid was never withheld from any person by whom it was sought. In his exhortations to his people, mildness and force were invariably mingled. Towards offenders his deportment was so firm, but withal so tender, that even his checks and frowns had grace and favor in them." 1
Shortly after Rev. Peter Kelly's arrival in Norwich he purchased two lots on Church street commanding the Thames river, paying therefor $10,000. Intending to erect a suitable church for the growing needs of his congrega- tion, he broke ground on March 17, 1867 ; but as the ecclesiastical authorities deemed the site unsuitable, it was abandoned. Father Kelly's pastorate ended on July 27, 1867.
Though Father Kelly's administration in Norwich was but of a year's duration, he had gained the profound affection of all his parishioners. "Ovid's line,
'Non illo melior quisquam, nec Amantior aqui et Vir fuit,'
most appropriately defines Rev. Peter Kelly's character in life. Love of jus- tice and right were the distinctive qualities of all his deeds. A kind and genial disposition, unsullied purity and simplicity of manners ; unaffected wisdom and inward greatness, combined with the most persuasive eloquence, won for him subtle influence over all hearts, which rendered his mission in Norwich so satisfactory and successful."
After the retirement of Father Kelly he was succeeded for brief periods by the Rev. Bernard Tully, whose pastorate was of a few months' duration only, and the Rev. Michael Tierney, then Chancellor of the diocese, who
1 Connecticut Catholic Year Book, 1877.
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, Norwich, Conn.
419
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
remained in charge until January 20, 1868, when the Rev. Daniel Mullen suc- ceeded to the administration. Father Mullin had been chaplain for a time of the Ninth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers.
The erection of a new church was the all-absorbing topic among the parishioners. Project after project was abandoned and the people began to lose hope of witnessing the fulfillment of their desires. Father Mullen, however, having given the matter mature consideration, and acting for the best interests of the parish, mnade selection of a lot on Broadway, which with the buildings on the premises, was secured for $17,000. "This location was chosen, not only on account of its beautiful surroundings, but also because of its being so near the centre of the scattered parish, which extended from the village of Yantic on the north to Thamesville on the south and west, and Greenville and a portion of the town of Creston on the east."
Work was begun immediately by the breaking of ground on March 17, 1870, Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G., taking out the first shovelful of earth in the presence of the pastor, the city and town officials, and a large concourse of people. A building fund was then established in order to render inore certain a continuation of the work, and on Good Friday, April 7, 1871, the mien of the congregation, preceded by a band of music, with horses and carts, shovels and picks and other implements of labor, marched to the site of the church and commenced the work of excavation. The work on the cellar was completed after three days of unremitting toil. Work on the foundations now began, and the corner-stone was laid under the patronage of St. Patrick, on July 13, 1873, in the presence of the civic dignitaries and many thousands of spectators. The contributions on this occasion realized over $10,000, the largest ever received at a similar ceremony. The work of construction was pushed vigorously until the death of Father Mullen, which occurred on March 3, 1878. The funeral services were held in St. Patrick's church, Hartford, on Tuesday, the 5th, the following clergymen officiating: Celebrant of the Mass, Very Rev. James Hughes ; deacon, Rev. P. Fay, Colchester ; sub-deacon, Rev. T. Coleman, Norwich ; master of ceremonies, Rev. M. Galligan, Hartford." The Right Rev. Bishop of Springfield pronounced the funeral oration from the text-" Lord, the servant whom Thou loved, is dead." The absolution was pronounced by Bishop Galberry. Previous to the celebration of the Mass a delegation from Norwich waited on Bishop Galberry, expressing the desire of their congregation to have Father Mullen's remains interred in their cem- etery. The bishop replied that it was Father Mullen's expressed wish to be buried in Hartford. Father Mullen's remains rest among those of his rela- tives in Mt. St. Benedict's cemetery, Hartford.
The Rev. P. P. Shahan then became pastor of St. Mary's and took charge of the parish on Sunday, March 17, 1878. When Father Shahan became pastor the church walls, roof and towers were completed to the ridge-pole. He immediately entered upon the work of completing the entire church. The first Mass offered up in the new temple was celebrated npon St. Patrick's day, 1879, and the solemn ceremony of dedication was performed on September 28tli of the same year. The dedicatory services were conducted by
420
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Bishop McMahon, assisted by Very Rev. T. Walsh, V.G., and Very Rev. P. V. Kavanagh, C. M. Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop McMahon, with the Revs. James Campbell and T. P. Joynt deacons of honor, Very Rev. Thomas Walsh, V. G., assistant priest; Revs. Denis Daley, Suspension Bridge, N. Y., deacon ; Peter Kennedy, Birmingham, sub-deacon; Fathers Murphy and Farrell, masters of ceremonies; Father Russell, Norwich, censer- bearer. His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, preached the sermon, taking his text from the fourth chapter of St. Paul's epistle to the Ephesians. Solemn Pontifical Vespers were celebrated by Bishop McMahon, and the discourse was pronounced by Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg
During the evening services, Rev. Jaines Fitton, the missionary pioneer, gave some interesting reminiscences of the early growth of Catholicity in Norwich, a part of which we herewith append :
"A pastor (himself ) once had for liis parish the districts lying between Bos- ton and New York, and was occasionally called to visit the sick in New Hamp- shire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, and while thus traveling abroad in 1833 he discovered two or three Catholics in Norwich. It was not so encouraging then to build a church as now. But I notice that where you find one Cath- olic, you will soon find another, and so here they went on increasing until there were twelve, when a priest first came here and offered Mass in a house. The first Mass was said in the third story of an old building so weak that the weight of the congregation gave rise to apprehensions that we should all fall through to the cellar, and this fear prompted us in buying a lot, and, that there might be no jealousy, we secured it in the middle of the parish. We paid $300 for the lot and put up a shanty with the earth for the floor, and then there was no danger of falling through. This was in a place now called Toumeytown. The subscription books were opened, and $163 was subscribed the first day. William Toumey was a devoted Irish Catholic, the richest among the first congregation. He subscribed $30; the next in wealth $10, and some $1 eaclı. The church and lot cost $1, 300. We had shutters "to the windows, and there was no danger of the glass being broken. On December 25, 1842, the first holy Mass was offered in a church in this town, and it was not much like the present edifice, yet we were glad that we had a church ; and from that date Catholicismn has gone on spreading itself, not by the power of wealth, but by the grace of God."
After Vespers Right Rev. Bishop McMahon and the visiting prelates were serenaded at the pastoral residence by the Norwich City Band, and an address of welcome was delivered by Judge Shields.
Other works than the completion of the magnificent church edifice sig- nalized the pastorate of Father Shahan, such as the purchase of the present parochial residence, the transformning of the old rectory into an academy, the erection of St. Patrick's parochial school and convent at an outlay of $43,000, the grading of the church grounds and the laying of walks, which contribute inaterially to the beauty of the parochial property.
After a pastorate of fourteen years he was succeeded by the Rev. Peter M. Kennedy on February 1, 1892. Father Kennedy converted the old pas-
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
toral residence that adjoined St. Mary's church, in Greenville, into a primary school, sufficiently large to accommodate over 150 children. The church indebtedness was reduced during his administration many thousand dollars The old historic church, St. Mary's, was served with two Masses every Sun- day, and the succursal chapel of the Sacred Heart, in Norwichtown, was also attended. Father Kennedy's assistants were Rev. John Neale, Rev. F. M. Murray, Rev. R. J. Fitzgerald, D.D. The present assistants are Revs. John P. Neale and W. Bellerose. Father Kennedy's successful pastorate of over five years expired on November 21, 1897. The present rector, the Rev. Hugh Treanor, assumed control of the parish on November 26th, of the same year. Since Father Treanor's advent the Sacred Heart chapel, Norwichtown, which was begun under the pastorate of Father Kennedy, was dedicated. It is an attractive edifice of pressed brick and is adorned with a beautiful marble altar, the donation of a lady of St. Patrick's parish.
ST. JOSEPH'S (MISSION) CHURCH, OCCUM.
HIS mission comprises the two villages of Occum and Versailles, tlie former being on the right bank of the Shetucket river, and the latter on the left. Occum is located in the town of Norwich, and Versailles in the towns of Lisbon and Sprague.
In 1845 four or five Catholics came to labor on a damn which was being built at Occum, but remained only a short time. At this period an inexcus- able prejudice against Catholics existed here, and though few, and as intelli- gent and loyal as their tormentors, they were given to understand that their departure would be a boon highly prized.
The earliest Catholics to settle in Occum were John McCarthy and Mrs. Margaret Reilly, who came in 1847. With their families they came to labor in a small cotton factory, which had been built in Versailles about this time by a Mr. Bachelor. In 1864 a cotton inill was built in Occum, and soon after- wards Catholics came liere and established homes.
The first Mass said in this mission was celebrated at Versailles, in the town of Lisbon, in the residence of J. McCarthy, by Rev. Father De Bruycker, of Willimantic, early in January, 1867. About fifty persons were present at this Mass. For some time after this Mass was said here every three montlis by the pastor of Willimantic. On the intervening Sundays the faithful assisted at divine worship at Baltic.
The first Mass offered up in Occum was celebrated by Rev. J. Reynolds in Parent's hall, in January, 1873. Mass was said in this hall afterwards every two weeks until the erection of the church. When Father Russell was appointed pastor of Jewett City lie began preparations for the erection of a church in Occum. The people were unanimous in declaring for the project, , and contributions of the most encouraging kind began to flow in. The church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Galberry on September 22, 1878, under the patronage of St. Joseph, the Rev. Thomas Joynt preaching the sermon in French, and Rev. Flor. de Bruycker in English. At this time
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
Occuin had passed under the jurisdiction of Baltic, Rev. Father Van der Noort, pastor. The extreme length of the church is 78 feet; the distance between the altar-rail and the inner door is 55 feet ; the extreme width is 39 feet.
The first resident Catholics of Occum were under the spiritual jurisdic- tion of the pastor of Norwich. When a resident pastor was appointed to Willimantic, Occum was assigned to his care. It was detached from Willi- mantic and added to Jewett City, when the first resident priest of the latter place, Rev. Father Reynolds, was appointed on January 15, 1873. Father Reynolds died on January 1,'1875.
In succession to Father Reynolds, Rev. John Russell was appointed pas- tor of Jewett City on January 20, 1875. After the transfer of Father Russell to Norwalk, Occum reverted to the care of Father Van der Noort, the pastor of Baltic.
On February 8, 1886, Occum was made a parisli by Bishop McMahon, who appointed Rev. John Synnott pastor. In the same year an attractive and substantial parochial residence was erected. Owing to the closing of the Versailles woolen mill, and the consequent loss to the parish, Occumn was again united to Baltic in October, 1889. The Rev. John Synnott was then transferred to Baltic and the re-united churches were placed under his charge.
Revs. M. McCarten, M. H. May and F. J. O'Neil assisted Father Syn- nott in his parochial labors.
On September 1, 1897, Rev. T. Dunn succeeded Father Synnott as pastor of Baltic and Occum. Mass is said in the latter place on Sundays and holy- days of precept.
The Catholic population of Occum is about 400 souls.
SACRED HEART PARISH,
TAFTVILLE.
HE earliest Catholics to settle in Taftville were both Irish and French, namely, Thomas Kelly, Hugh Mclaughlin, John Sullivan, Michael Clifford, Patrick O'Neil, Daniel Day, Nazaire Lafleur, Joseph Massé, Kearn Nolan, Joseph Marsin.
The first Mass said in Taftville was celebrated in the school-house by the Rev. Daniel Mullen, of Norwich. From that time until the appointment of Rev. James B. Reynolds, as pastor of Jewett City, the people attended Mass at St. Mary's, Greenville, when it was not celebrated in Taftville. Father Reynolds was appointed pastor of Jewett City in May, 1872, at which time Taftville became one of his dependencies. After the death of Father Reynolds, whichi occurred in January, 1875, the Rev. John Russell attended Taftville as pastor of Jewett City. From that time Mass was celebrated at stated intervals in the school-house, and occasionally at Occum.
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