USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
In the fall of 1875 work on the church was begun. It was completed in 1876 and dedicated by Bishop Galberry March 24, 1877. Upon his removal to Norwalk Father Russell was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas P. Joynt, who also attended Taftville until June, 1883, when Taftville and Occum were
423
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
separated from Jewett City, and the Rev. James J. Thompson appointed first resident pastor of Taftville. A census taken at that time disclosed a Catholic population of 1630 souls, whereas the census of 1887 showed a mem- bership of 2340. In January, 1885, Rev. Maurice J. Sheehan was appointed assistant to Father Thompson. The convent and school were commenced in April, 1886, and completed in March, 1887. Father Thompson's period of service terminated with his death, in January, 1894, his successor being the Rev. Terrence Dunn, who remained till the May following.
The present incumbent, the Rev. John Synnott, began his labors here on May 16, 1894. Among the achievements that distinguish Father Synnott's administration are the liquidation of the parish indebtedness of $7, 100, the erection of a chapel and community room for the sisters, the renovation of the school, the purchase of a tract of land on October 30, 1897, 200 by 512 feet, and the building thereon of a handsome parochial residence. This new property and rectory are valued at $15,000. Father Synnott also put in a metal ceiling in the church. The entire parish property comprises church, convent, school, rectory, about 214 acres of land on Providence street and about two acres on School street, and a cemetery which was purchased in 1886 and blessed by Bishop McMahon in May of the same year. The Catholic population of Taftville is 2,300 souls, one-third of whom are Irish and the remainder French.
The Sacred Heart school is conducted by ten Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, Mother of Mercy, Sister M. Benoit, Directress. When opened 300 children presented themselves for enrolment. There are now in attendance 400 pupils distributed through eight grades.
The clergy who assisted the pastors in parochial work, were the Rev. Fathers Fones, Sheehan, Cartier, Mailhot, Senesac, Chapdelaine, and Per- rault. Rev. Father Synnott is a member of the Diocesan School Commission.
ST. THOMAS' PARISH,
VOLUNTOWN.
HEN the Rev. James B. Reynolds was appointed pastor of Jewett City, in 1872, Voluntown was assigned to him as an ont-mission. St. Thomas' church was built during the administration of the Rev. Father Joynt, who succeeded Father Russell as pastor of Jewett City. Voluntown remained a dependency of the latter place during this and the pastorate of Rev. F. O'Keefe, until February, 1892, when, witli Glasgo, it was organized into an independent parish, with the Rev. Edward Chapdelaine as first resident pastor. The duration of his pastorate was sixteen months. The next pastor of St. Thomas' was the Rev. L. Mayeur, who remained in office two ycars and a half, receiving as a successor the Rev. J. E. Senesac, whose pastoral labors terminated six months later. The Rev. J. L. Desaulniers administered the parish for eighteen months, when the Rev. J. H. Chapdelaine was appointed. During the last illness of the first resident pastor, Rev. Edward Chapdclainc, the parish was in charge of the Rev. Pierre Cardin, from Canada. The cemetery attached to St. Thomas's was purchased and
424
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
blessed in 1895. The present population of the parish is about thirty families, mostly French, with three Irish and one American family.
Since the organization of the parish the sacrament of baptism has been conferred on 88 persons; the number of marriages within the same period being 17. The first baptism in the newly-formed parish was that of Ovila Russi ; the first marriage, February 28, 1892, was that between Napoleon Jacques and Amelie Coutu. The first death recorded occurred on July 27, 1894, and was that of Rosa DeLina Grenier.
Father Chapdelaine attends St. Ann's church, Glasgo, every Sunday, where the Catholic population is about 200 souls. From 1892 to 1898, exclu- sive, the number of baptismns here were 80, and the marriages, 14. The first baptism recorded in St. Ann's is that of Eva Daigneault. The first marriage ceremony was performed on October 1, 1892, the contracting parties being Arthur Pepin and Amanda Labarre. The first death occurred on the 24th of March, 1894, that of Adeline Jolicoeur.
TOLLAND COUNTY.
OLLAND COUNTY was formed from Hartford and Windliam Counties, and was incorporated in 1876. Its form is irregular, and is bounded on the north by Massachusetts, on the east by Windham County, on the south by New London County, and on the west by Hartford County. Its greatest length is thirty iniles ; its northern breadth is twenty miles ; while its extreme southern breadth is only five miles. The cities and towns in which there are Catholic parishes are :
ROCKVILLE, SOUTH COVENTRY, STAFFORD SPRINGS.
ST. BERNARD'S PARISH,
ROCKVILLE.
HE first Catholic, as far as is known, to settle in Rockville was James McAvenney. He came in 1842, but afterwards wandered into a strange fold. In 1848, about fifteen Catholics assembled at the first Mass cele- brated in Rockville. The place where divine services were conducted was a house owned by the paper-mill company, then occupied by Christopher Car- roll and family. The celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. John Brady, of Hartford. Among the attendants at that first Mass were Christopher Carroll, Patrick Quinn, Edward Gorman, Thomas McDonnell, Denis O'Donnell, James Conner, Philip Kiernan, Matthew Fay, Eugene Kiernan, Patrick Duffy, Mar- tin Flood, John Moore and Michael Lawlor.
It was deemed advisable afterwards in 1849, that regular visitations should be made. This duty devolved on the Rev. James Smyth, one of the patriarchs
425
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
of the diocese. He officiated here at monthly intervals at the Albert Lamb house, where Patrick Quinn resided. He said Mass also.in the Dean house on Mountain street, where Martin Flood and family then lived.
In 1851, more commodious quarters being necessary, a large room was secured in the "Brick Tavern " up-stairs on the west side. The altar used here was in the keeping of Michael Regan in 1888. Father Smyth also organized a Sunday-school at which both old and young were obliged to assist. Mass was said in the " Brick Tavern " for a couple of years, when a hall was secured on Market street over the Rockville meat market. This liall was used in later years by the St. John's Young Men's society. It was afterwards destroyed by a conflagration. Mass was said here by Father Smyth and others until March 15, 1854, when the Rev. Peter Egan assumed charge as the first resident pastor, with Manchester, Stafford Springs, Broadbrook and Mansfield as dependencies.
In the course of time, the arrival of strangers in quest of employment, made it evident to the Catholics that a site and a building of their own would become a necessity. But the financial means of the Catholics were meagre ; moreover, a deep-rooted prejudice existed in Rockville against Catholics and Irishinen. However, by a strict adherence to the teachings of their church, they gave evidence of the possession of Christian charity, and this overcame existing prejudices. A more friendly disposition soon becaine manifest. One of the first to evince freedom from prejudice was Hanly Kellogg, a druggist, who conducted his business on the terrace. He offered his entire property to the Catholics on terms satisfactory to them, and they quickly availed themselves of the opportunity presented. The store on the premises was moved back to School street and was known afterwards as the Blake house. Work on the new church was at once begun and rapidly advanced. Before its completion, Father Egan removed to Lee, Mass., on November 12, 1856. Father Egan purchased also the cemetery on the Tol- land road consisting of five acres in September, 1854. Owing to the death of Bishop O'Reilly, who was lost with the ill-fated steamer Pacific, the corner- stone of the new church was laid by a priest, probably Father Egan, assisted by Fathers Daly, Smyth and O'Brien.
The Rev. Bernard Tully was Father Egan's successor, coming in Deceni- ber, 1856. During his administration the church was finished and embel- lished. It was dedicated by Bishop McFarland. After a pastorate of six years Father Tully was transferred to Thompsonville in January, 1863.
The Rev. Hugh O' Reilly became the third pastor of Rockville, imme- diately following Father Tully. He enlarged the sanctuary, had the church beautifully frescoed and built the main portion of the rectory. The Rev. John Rogers, the present pastor of St. Mary's parisli, Bridgeport, was Father O' Reilly's assistant and remained with him until February 26, 1868. After a pastorate of five years, Father O'Reilly went to Valley Falls, R. I., where lie labored until his death.
To the great gratification of the Catholics of Rockville Father Tully returned to his former charge February 20, 1868. His second pastorate was
426
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
of brief duration. While on a journey to Ellington he expired suddenly in his carriage on July 20, 1869. In testimony of the love and esteem in which he was held, a splendid marble monument, whose estimated cost was $1,600, was erected by the people of Manchester and Rockville over his grave in front of the church. Father Tully's assistant was the Rev. William Halligan, who died recently at Pawtucket, R. I.
The Rev. James Quinn began his labors as the fifth pastor of Rockville in September, 1869. He died December 1, 1872. He was assisted for a few months prior to his death by the Rev. Thomas L. Lynch. His remains rest in the cemetery at Rockville.
Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor succeeded Father Quinn in November, 1872. He re-organized the parish, liquidated the indebtedness, and built an addition to the vestry at an expense of $1,700. After the shortest period of any of his pre- decessors, having remained but one year, he was transferred to New London.
The Rev. John J. Furlong assumed charge of St. Bernard's parish Janu- ary 24, 1874, though he was appointed on December 25, 1873, an illness pre- venting an earlier assumption of the reins of authority. In the meantime, the affairs of the parish were administered by the Rev. T. L. Lynch. Father Furlong's first work was to improve the cemetery. In 1875 he placed a new altar in the church. To provide better accommodations for his people the church was moved back forty feet and raised six feet, while a new front with a tower was added. The interior was handsomely decorated, a new organ put in the choir gallery, new pews placed in the body of the church and beautiful stained-glass windows inserted. Among the benefactors at this time mention should be made of the Hon. E. S. Henry, who contributed $500. The reno- vated church was re-dedicated on January 20, 1878, Bishop Galberry officiating. Rev. Father Ryan, C. S. P., of New York, preached at the morning service, and Rev. Father Deshon, C. S. P., in the evening. At both morning and evening ceremonies Rev. M. A. Tierney was the celebrant. In February, 1886, Father Furlong purchased the Johnson site on Park street, paying there- for $8,000. The house was fitted up for a convent and a chapel was arranged therein. To this eligible property was soon added the Cogswell lot adjacent. The school lot, on which the present handsome school building stands, was also secured by Father Furlong for $16,500. On this lot was the old building which Father Egan had removed to make room for the church. This was remodeled for the Sisters, who inoved thereto from Park street May 15, 1895.
In October, 1895, Father Furlong, in recognition of his successful labors in Rockville, was transferred to the permanent rectorship of St. Mary's Nor- walk. His successor is the present incumbent, the Rev. John Cooney, who is assisted by the Rev. Thomas Murray.
The Rev. Arthur O' Keefe was the first native of Rockville to be elevated to the priesthood ; he was ordained on December 18, 1883.
Father Furlong introduced the Sisters of Mercy into Rockville on No- vember 3, 1886. Four constituted the first band, Sister M. Columba, Sister M. Clara, Sister Mary Alphonsus and Sister M. Ursula. The basement of the church was fitted up for school purposes and opened on May 2, 1887, with five
427
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
grades and over 300 children. In 1894, Father Furlong began the erection of the new school building, which is 65 by 68 feet. The corner-stone was laid on August 11, 1895, by Very Rev. John A. Mulcahy, V. G., on which occasion the sermon was preached by Rev. William Rogers, of Stamford. On September 10th, the same year, the new school was opened. Its entire cost was $22,000. There are eight Sisters, Sister M. Gabriel Superior, withi 156 boys and 163 girls. The success of the pupils in the annual examination for the High School is evidence of the excellence of the course of studies and the proficiency of the disciplinary management.
ST. MARY'S PARISH, SOUTH COVENTRY.
N 1859, Jeremiah Crowley had the distinguished honor of having said within the walls of his home the first Mass celebrated in South Cov- entry. The celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice was the Rev. Michael McCabe, under whose jurisdiction were the three counties of Tolland, Windham and New London. Upon the accession of the Rev. Hugh O' Reilly to the pastorate of Willimantic, South Coventry came under his care. Father O' Reilly served this mission at occasional intervals, offering the : Holy Sacri- fice in private houses, as the Catholics here were few in number and poor in the goods of this world. Early in 1863, Father O' Reilly was transferred to Danielson and was succeeded in Willimantic by the Rev. Daniel Mullen, afterwards of Norwich. Father Mullen remained in Willimantic only three inonths, during which period he made about three visits to South Coventry. His successor was the Rev. Florimond DeBruycker, who began his admin- istration on May 11, 1863. Within his jurisdiction were Stafford Springs, Baltic and South Coventry. The Catholic population of South Coventry was increasing and Father DeBruycker, anxious to secure for them a public house of worship, purchased the old Methodist church on Monument Hill, near Lake Wangombog. In this humble edifice the Catholics attended divine services, until the appointment of the Rev. P. P. Shahan, as first resident pas- tor of Stafford Springs in 1872. Father Shahan purchased the site known as the Wilson property and began excavations for a new church on Good Friday, 1877, the men of the congregation coming in a body to assist in the laudable work. Work progressed so rapidly and auspiciously that the corner-stone was laid amid impressive ceremonies, by Very Rev. Thomas Walsh, V.G., on June 10, 1877. The church was dedicated under the title of St. Mary's on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 29, 1877. The officiating prelate was Bishop Gal- berry, assisted by the Revs. P. J. Garrigan, D.D., of Fitchburg Mass., Denis Desmond of Portland, Thomas Smith of Thompsonville, John Russell of Taft- ville, Thomas Broderick of Meriden, J. J. Keegan of Harrisville, R. I., J. Van den Noort of Baltic, R. Van Werschi of Willimantic, J. Furlong of Rock- ville, and the pastor Rev. P. P. Shalian.
Solemn Higli Mass was celebrated after tlic dedication, with Rev. Thomas Broderick, celebrant ; Rev. Denis Desmond, dcacon; Rev. J. Russell, sub- deacon ; and Rev. J. Keegan, master of ceremonies. The orator of the
428
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
occasion was the Rev. Dr. Garrigan. St. Mary's church is 75 feet in length and 33 feet in width.
On the promotion of Father Shahan to St. Mary's parish, Norwich, he was followed by the Rev. Thomas Broderick as pastor of Stafford Springs. Serving only eighteen months, during which he regularly attended this mission, he was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Donahoe, who resold the old Methodist church which had been used for many years by the Catholics, to the Methodists, who transformed it into a rectory for their ininister, the Rev. J. O. Dodge. This building has a curious history ; first, a Methodist meet- ing-house, afterwards a Catholic church, then a Methodist parsonage ; finally it was rented by the Catholics of South Coventry for a parochial residence, until the construction of a new and permanent rectory in 1887, during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Quinn. The Rev. M. Mckeon succeeded to the pas- torate of Stafford Springs in November, 1881, and continued his attendance upon South Coventry, and liquidated the parish indebtedness.
After many years of mission relationship, South Coventry was honored with parochial privileges on January 2, 1886, with the Rev. J. J. Quinn as first resident pastor. Beside South Coventry, Father Quinn liad within his jurisdiction Eagleville, Mansfield, Merrow Station, South Willington, An- dover and Hop River. The Catholic population of all these missions was about 85 families at the formation of the parish. As stated above, the pastoral residence was erected during Father Quinn's period of service, and after three years of faithful administration he was followed by the Rev. J. H. Fitzmaurice, who purchased a tract of land for a cemetery. Five years later, in February, 1894, Rev. W. H. Gibbons became pastor of St. Mary's, and on the 9th of September of the same year the cemetery was blessed. The Rev. M. H. May became Father Gibbons' successor in September, 1895, and he in turn gave way to Rev. T. J. Dunn in October, 1896. After a pastorate of a year's dura- tion, Father Dunn was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas J. Cronan on Septem- ber 1, 1897. Father Cronan was succeeded by the Rev. Richard Carroll who is at present in charge. Father Carroll attends Hop River as a station.
ST. EDWARD'S PARISH,
STAFFORD SPRINGS.
HE first Catholic settlers to arrive in Stafford were Stephen Jackson, Jeremiah O'Brien, Thomas Hassett, Timothy Desmond, Daniel Hur- ley, William Tracy and their families. They came in 1849. In November of this year the Rev. Luke Daly said the first Mass in Stafford, and a second was celebrated by the same missionary on March 2, 1850. In 1851 the small congregation was augmented by the arrival of Stephen Collins, Wm. D. Brennan, Wm. I. Brennan, Peter Murphy, Thomas Warren, John Stewart, John Swanton, with their families. In this year the Rev. Michael Mc Cabe visited Stafford as often as the opportunity permitted, and ministered to the wants of the Catholic people. In 1853 the Rev. Father Smyth, of Windsor Locks, began to look after the spiritual interests of Stafford, which he con- tinued to do at quarterly intervals for two years. His successor here was the
429
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Rev. Peter Egan, of Rockville, who for two years served Stafford bi-weekly. Father Egan offered the Holy Sacrifice, preached and administered the sacra- ments in Oronoco Hall. Previous to this Mass was said in the district school house, and in private dwellings. In 1857 the Rev. Bernard Tully began his service of six years, offering the Holy Sacrifice once every two weeks in the above-named hall. The Rev. H. J. O'Reilly in 1855 took charge of this por- tion of Rockville's jurisdiction and attended it for one year and seven months, making his visits as did his predecessors every fortnight. When the Rev. F. L. De Bruycker became pastor of Willimantic, Stafford Springs became part of his charge. In October, 1866, he began the construction of a church in which his people here could gather for divine worship. The land upon which the church was subsequently built was purchased from Lewis Parkess for $100 by a committee consisting of Daniel Hurley, Stephen Jackson and William Brennan.
The church was completed in November following, and the first Mass offered up within its walls was said on the 24th of that month. It was dedi- cated on March 10, 1868, under the patronage of St. Edward.
The increase of the Catholic population in twenty years may be seen from the following brief table:
1851-40 persons. 1857-200 persons. 1871, Sept. 15-550 persons.
Up to this date (September 15, 1871,) the benefactors of St. Edward's parish were the following :
E. A. Converse and Sons $ 50 00 G. M. Ives $50 00
Charles Fox 100 00 Lieut .- Gov. Hyde 25 00
Howe & Converse
75 00 M. B. Harvey
20 00
P. P. Corner, Ridgefield, Ct 50 00
In 1872 the first resident pastor, the Rev. P. P. Shahan, began his six years administration of St. Edward's parish. In this period Father Shahan made notable improvements in the church's surroundings, remodeled the edifice itself, erected a pastoral residence, founded the parochial school, over which he placed the Sisters of Mercy from Hartford, purchased a tract of land, con- sisting of 30 acres, a part of which belonged to the Parley Converse estate, which was blessed and set apart for cemetery purposes. Father Shahan built also the chapel in Staffordville. All these works entailed an expenditure of over $15,000, yet his successor, the Rev. T. W. Broderick, found an indebted- ness of only $8000. Father Broderick's labors of eighteen inonthis resulted in a marked diminution of this debt ; his successor, the Rev. Patrick Dona- lioe, also reduced the financial burden, purchased a fine residence on High street, which tlie Sisters have since used as a convent. During the adminis- tration of the Rev. M. Mckeon, whichi began in November, 1881, the entire indebtedness was liquidated, and a thousand dollars left in thic treasury to liis successor, Rev. Jolin D. Coyle, who succeeded to the pastorate from the posi- tion of assistant at St. Edward's for four years, on January 1, 1886. Among the first works that engaged Father Coyle's attention was tlic erection of the present commodious school, with which is connected a liall having a scating capacity of 400. In 1887 he began the construction of the present St. Ed-
430
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
ward's church, the corner-stone of which was laid on November 6, 1887. The Rev. Thomas W. Broderick pronounced the discourse at this ceremony. The Right Rev. Bishop McMahon presided at the service of dedication on October 14, 1888, the sermons being delivered, in the morning by Very Rev. A. V. Higgins, O. P., S. T. M., and in the evening by the Rev. James Coyle, of New- port, R. I. The next work accomplished was the construction of the rectory. Father Coyle closed his pastorate in Stafford Springs in May, 1895, and was followed by the Rev. Daniel H. Lawlor, on the 20th of that month. Father Lawlor died January 11, 1897, and the Rev. Richard C. Gragan was appointed his successor on February 1, 1897. During his pastorate thus far Father Gragan has reduced the parish indebtedness $1500, besides laboring with zeal to promote the spiritual welfare of his flock. The clergy who served in the capacity of assistants in this parish are the Revs. John O'Connell, Edward P. McGee, John Donahoe, John D. Coyle, M. P. McCarthy, and A. Dykmans.
When St. Edward's parochial school began its educational career, the names of 75 children were enrolled ; at present there are four Sisters teaching, whose Directress is Sister Marie, with four grades, and 190 children.
The population of St. Edward's parish is estimated at 1750 souls, com- prising 750 Irish, 900 Canadians, and 100 Italians.
The baptismal register of St. Edward's parish from 1864 to 1897, inclu- sive, discloses 1603 baptisins. The marriage records inform us that 338 mar- riages were solemnized between 1865 and 1898.
Father Gragan attends also St. Joseph's mission church, Staffordville, where Mass is said every Sunday.
WINDHAM COUNTY.
ASSACHUSETTS bounds Windham County on the north, the State of Rhode Island on the east, New London County on the south, and Tolland County on the west. Its average length from north to south is twenty-six miles, and it is about nineteen miles in width.
Windham county was originally a part of Hartford and New London counties, and received its incorporation as a county in May, 1726. In 1820 its population was 31,684; in 1830 it had decreased to 27,077. The Catholic parishes of Windham county are the following :
WILLIMANTIC.
DANIELSON.
DAYVILLE.
GROSVENORDALE.
MOOSUP.
PUTNAM.
WAUREGAN.
WEST THOMPSON.
REV. FELIX J. O'NEILL
REV. JOHN H. BRODERICK.
REV. FLOR. DE BRUYCKER.
REV. ARTHUR O'KEEFFE.
REV. EUGENE O'CONNELL.
431
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH,
WILLIMANTIC.
HE historian of Windham county, writing of the early Catholic settlers, said: "The first colony of Irish Catholies came to locate in Willim- antie in the summer of 1847. But few representatives of that nation were then living here, and the little band of twenty foreigners, with but lit- tle of this world's goods to ineumber them, was visited with mueh curiosity, and their coming was the subject of considerable excitement. They came at the instance of the Windham Manufacturing Company, who sent for five persons, but their call was responded to by four times that number. The greater part of them, however, were employed by the company, while the balance readily found work at the other factories in the village. This was the opening wedge of Irish labor, which has grown by frequent accessions to be one of the most powerful elements in the industry of this community."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.