USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 56
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Catholicity in Willimantic had an humble beginning, as its history elsewhere frequently began amidst humble surroundings. When the first Mass was offered here by Rev. John Brady, Jr., of Middletown, in March, 1848, about twenty Catholics, the entire number in the town, gathered before an humble altar in a kitchen of the Lathrop house, which stood on the cor- ner of Washington and Main streets, and was occupied by Arthur MeDonald and his family. Among the pioneers present at that first Mass were Owen Thompson, John Gates, Thomas Anderson, Arthur McDonald and their fami- lies. In the fall of 1849 Franklin Hall was secured for divine services, and the Rev. Father Brady and his successor, Rev. Michael McCabe, at monthly intervals until 1857 occupied the same building for public worship. In the meantime, Father Brady had, in 1848, secured a tract of land on Jackson street, upon which the present church was subsequently erected.
During Father MeCabe's attendance upon Willimantic he and his devoted people were annoyed by exhibitions of bigotry which all good inen to-day disavow. Intolerance was prevalent at that time in many places in Connecticut, and both priests and people were inade to feel the heavy hand of fanaticism. On one occasion Father McCabe went as usual to Franklin Hall to celebrate the Divine Mysteries, and found the door locked against him. But, determined upon offering the Holy Sacrifice, lie led his little con- gregation to the lot which Father Brady had previously pureliased on Jaek- son street, and upon a rudely-constructed altar offered the Divine Vietin. At another time, having ministered to the spiritual wants of his little flock, he started to drive for Baltie, which was in his jurisdiction, but had gone but a short distance on his journey when one of the carriage wheels came off, throwing the priest to the ground. Investigation diselosed the fact that tlie bolts, serews and nuts of the carriage had been removed, with the intention, evidently, of causing serious injury to Father McCabe. Realizing the serious- ness of the case Father McCabe remarked to a by-stander, "Thic one who did this will come to an untimely end." Verified soon after was the prophecy, as the guilty person was suddenly killed in a railroad accident.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
In 1857 Father McCabe purchased an old Baptist meeting-house, and removed it to the lot purchased in 1848 hy Father Brady. This building was 60 by 32 feet. Later additions enlarged it to 75 by 50. Having remodeled it as far as the means of the congregation would permit, and arranged it in a manner suitable for Catholic worship, Father McCabe blessed it and placed it under the patronage of St. Joseph. At this time there were about eight Catholic families in Willimantic, and as an instance of their poverty, as well also of the anti-Catholic spirit then prevailing, an attachment was served on the building for a debt of a few dollars only, before the blocks were removed from it.
Upon the death of Father McCabe in Danielson in 1860, the Rev. Hugh J. O'Reilly became the first resident pastor of Willimantic. His first work was the erection of a parochial residence, and in 1863 he secured a tract of land for cemetery purposes. Upon Father O'Reilly's appointment to Daniel- son, his successor became the Rev. Daniel Mullen, who labored here only four months, when his successor, the present incumbent, assumed charge on May 11, 1863. When Father De Bruycker succeeded to the pastorate of Williman- tic Stafford Springs, Baltic and South Coventry were also assigned to him, and faithfully and with signal success did he discharge his duties to these missions, all of which have had resident pastors for some years. In 1864 Father De Bruycker secured about thirty acres of land for a new cemetery, the old burial place having become inadequate to the needs of the congrega- tion ; the remains of those who reposed in the first cemetery were reverently and with due solemnity transferred to the new one on Good Friday of the same year. The new tract of land received solemn blessing in November, 1875, a portion of it only having been previously set apart by private blessing.
In the meantime, the growth of the congregation rendered the repairing, refitting and enlarging of the church necessary, but nevertheless, it soon became inadequate to accommodate the congregation. Accordingly, in 1892, Father De Bruycker took the first step towards the erection of a church edifice that would meet all future demands. He purchased a house and lot, west of the old church, and having reinoved both church and rectory in May, 1873, from Jackson to Valley street, began immediately to lay the foundations for a new structure. As evidence of the progress made on the work of construc- tion, it may be stated that the corner-stone was laid on August 17, 1873, by Bishop McFarland, which was the last public act of this prelate. Assisting Bishop McFarland were Rev. Fathers Walsh, Schale and Dent, of Hartford; Van Laar, of Baltic; Mullen and Desinond, of Norwich ; Lawlor, of Rock- ville ; Desoulniers, of Canada; Campbell, of Manchester; Reynolds, of Jewett City. The address was delivered by Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Hartford. The contributions realized $3,000. On November 17, 1874, the church was dedi- cated by Right Rev. Bishop McQuaid, of Rochester, N. Y.
St. Joseph's Church is Gothic in design; length, 156 feet; width, 64 feet; and from the floor to the highest point of the ceiling, 75 feet. From the curb- stone it is 175 feet to the top of the spire. The high altar is of Munich construction, and a notable work of art. The church will accommodate 1,200 people, and when completed cost over $80,000.
433
·
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. JAMES' PARISH,
DANIELSON. HE first missionary priest to exercise his ministry permanently in Wind- ham county was the Rev. Michael McCabe, a Franciscan friar from Ireland. Previous to his advent Jesuit priests from Worcester, Mass., visited this section of the State at irregular intervals, perhaps semi-annually, or at most, quarterly, and ministered to the wants of the people whom they found in their missionary journeys. Father McCabe entered upon his minis- try here in 1850 and offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the first time . in a private residence on Franklin street. Bacon's Hall was afterwards secured for Divine Worship. Father McCabe's pastorate in Danielson terminated with his death in 1860, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Philip B. Daly, whose period of service was of short duration. The Rev. James Quinn suc- ceeded Father Daly, taking up his residence at Moosup, Danielson becoming a dependency. On August 29, 1864, Father Quinn purchased an old Second Adventist chapel, with the lot on which it stood, of Sally D. Brown. This, the first Catholic church in Danielson, became afterwards the transept of a11 enlarged edifice. Father Quinn added the front part of the edifice and also secured additional property on the north of the church from Elisha Chamber- lin on July 3, 1866. On this land Father Quinn erected the parochial residence. In September, 1869, Danielson again became the residence of a pastor in the person of the Rev. A. Princen. Father Princen enlarged the church again by the addition of the sanctuary and vestry. His pastoral relations were severed by death in April, 1883. Rev. Thomas J. Preston began his administration of St. James' upon the death of Father Princen. The works which marked his pastorate were the renovation and remodeling of the church ; the liquida- tion of the $6000 indebtedness and the erection of a parochial school at an expense of $11,000, including the lot, which comprises two and one- half acres, and purchased on March 7, 1877, of Betsy H. Ely. The school is a spacious and an attractive structure and was opened in September, 1889. It will accommodate about 350 pupils and is conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Instruction is imparted in the modern languages, and also in music, drawing and fancy work. The present enrolment of pupils is 245, with four sisters, of whom Sister M. Theophane is the Directress.
At the time St. James' parish was organized a census of the Catholic population gave 800 souls, Irish and Canadians. During Father Preston's administration the estimated number was about 1300 French-Canadians and 500 Irish and their descendants.
Fatlier Preston's administration closed in 1895, when St. James' passed under the jurisdiction of the missionary Fathers of Our Lady of La Salette, Hartford, with the Rev. C. F. Socquet, M.S., as pastor. In1 1898 Father Socquet gave way to the Rev. J. P. Guinet, M.S., who is still in charge.
The priests who served here as assistants are the following : Revs. John Van den Noort, T. J. Preston, Father Finnegan, Joseph Gleeson, James Thompson, Andrew Haggarty, Arthur O'Keefe, P. Fox, A. I. Dusablon, II-28
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
F. Bedard. The present assistants are Rev. J. Blanc, M.S., and the Rev. T. Roux, M.S.
Besides the church, rectory, school and convent, the parish possesses a tract of land on which it is the intention to build a new church and parochial residence,
The difficulties which existed between the pastors and parishioners of St. James' and to which the English-speaking portion of the congregation were no party, and which, furthermore, may have been the result of a lack of proper appreciation of the genius of our institutions, are now, we trust, happily adjusted, and that the memory of them will never again arise to disturb the peace of the parish. Refusal to acknowledge legitimate ecclesiastical author- ity, especially when such refusal leads to seeking relief in the civil courts, cannot but exercise a deleterious influence upon those not of the household of the faith, while at the same time it tends to weaken, if not to utterly destroy, the faith of those who claim the Catholic church as their mother.
In the early days of Catholicity in this, as in other dioceses, difficulties between bishops and priests and people were not of infrequent occurrence ; but they sprang, not always from a desire to rebel against their lawful superiors, but were rather the outcome of the unsettled condition of ecclesiastical laws. Moreover, priests and. people came not so frequently into contact with one another as at present, owing to widely-separated missions and the scarcity of priests. The people, therefore, were, to a certain extent, under the influ- ences of designing inen who sought the advancement of self, and who, there- fore, endeavored to curtail the power of the priest with his people, and some- times to destroy it altogether. This was a potent factor in many quarrels, the memory of which is becoming dim as time advances. But at present, with our means of enlightenment, with our numerous priests and Sisters, with our bishops, who are 110 respecters of persons, ever active and willing to conserve the spiritual interests of all their flocks, irrespective of race conditions, resistance to legitimately established authority, under what pre- text soever, seems an anachronism, is utterly to be condemned, and to be repudiated by all who have the welfare of the church and the honor and glory of God at heart.
During the three decades of the parish's existence the sacrament of Bap- tism has been conferred 335 times ; in the same period 72 marriages were solemnized.
The clergy of St. James' attend also one mission, Hampton, where Mass is said every other Sunday, and two stations, Brooklyn and Chestnut Hill, which are attended once a month. Hampton was incorporated in 1786. In 1720 it was known as Kennedy, or Windham Village, so called from a Mr. Kennedy who, with his family, were the first settlers here. The corner- stone of the Hampton church of Our Lady of Lourdes was laid on Thursday, the 15th of November, 1877, by Bishop Galberry, during the administration of Rev. Father Princen. The priests assisting the bishop were the Rev. Fathers De Bruycker, as deacon ; Rev. Daniel Mullen, of Norwich, as sub- deacon ; and Rev. Thos. J. Preston, of Danielson, as master of ceremonies.
435
DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Other priests present were Fathers Van den Noort, Van Oppen, Martial, Van Wersch, Shahan, Russell, and Kennedy. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Father De Bruycker.
An acre of ground had been donated to the Catholics of Hampton for the site of a church by ex-Governor Cleveland. The church was dedicated the fol- lowing spring. The cost of the building when completed was about $4,000. At that time there were thirty-four families professing the Catholic faith in Hampton. The number has decreased to eighty souls, the present population.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH,
DAYVILLE.
ESIDES Dayville, St. Joseph's parish embraces within its jurisdiction Williamsville, Attawangan and Ballouville. Dayville was formerly attached to Danielson as an out-mission, and for some years the Rev. A. Princen said Mass in Sayles Hall. In1 1873 St. Josephi's church was built, and was dedicated by Very Rev. Jas. Hughes, V.G., Admin- istrator, in May, 1875. The lot on which the church stands, containing about three acres, was donated by Sabin L. Sayles. Dayville remained a mission of Danielson until September 1, 1881, when the Rev. Theodore Ariens was appointed first resident pastor. Father Ariens built the paro- chial residence, and also the church of the Five Wounds, in Ballouville. Father Ariens served five years, when the Rev. Terrence J. Dunn was appointed his successor. On February 7, 1894, the present incumbent, Rev. Jas. H. Fitzmaurice, was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's. In 1898 the Day- ville Woolen Co. became a benefactor of the parish by the generous donation of a tract of land to serve as an addition to the cemetery, which had been previously given by Mr. Sayles.
The site on which the church of the Five Wounds, Ballouville, stands was presented by the Attawangan Company. The estimated number of Catholics in Dayville at the present time is 1,400, of whom the majority arc French Canadians, the remainder being Irish and their descendants.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH, GROSVENORDALE.
T HE early Catholic residents of the two Grosvenordales attended divine services at Putnam and Webster, Mass. The first priest to minister to their spiritual wants was the Rev. William E. Duffy, of Pascoag, R. I., who had Putnam in his jurisdiction. When Putnam received a resident pastor in September, 1866, Thompson was attached to it as a mission, witlı the Rev. Eugenc J. Vygen as pastor. Fathier Vygen purchased in 1872 twelve acres of land between Grosvenordale and North Grosvenordale, and inne- diately began preparations for the erection of a church. Having matured his plans, St. Josephi's church, a franc structure of Gothic design, was built at an outlay of $10,000. The churchi was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop McFarland, on September 29, 1872, tlie Rev. Father Martial, of Putnam, delivering the address.
436
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
In January, 1873, St. Joseph's was elevated to the parochial dignity, having in its jurisdiction the whole town with the exception of Mechanicsville, West Thompson, and Quaduc or Quanduc. The estimated population of the parish at that time was about 900 souls. The first resident pastor was the Rev. H. Martial, and the lay trustees were Patrick Kelly and Louis P. Lainourex. Father Martial built the parochial residence in the saine year, and in the year following the cemetery was blessed by Very Rev. James Hughes, V.G., Admin- istrator, on June 15th. Six years later the limits of the parish were extended to embrace the whole town, and Rev. A. J. Haggarty was appointed assistant. During this year the church of the Sacred Heart at West Thompson was erected, and dedicated by Bishop McMahon. Upon the death of Father Martial thie affairs of the parish were administered by Rev. Father Flannagan until February 14, 1883, when Rev. Thos. Cooney began his administration. Soon after entering upon his labors Father Cooney extended his mis- sionary sphere to New Boston and Quinnebaug. Mr. Eben S. Stevens, of Quinnebaug, moved by generous impulses and desirous of advancing the interests of religion, donated a piece of land for church purposes, and added $300 to this donation. The church was erected in New Boston and dedi- cated in honor of St. Stephen by Bishop McMahon on March 30, 1884. The edifice cost $3,000. St. Joseph's parochial school, an attractive, substantial and commodious structure, embracing also the convent and hall, was erected in 1881, at an expense of $12,000. The school was placed in charge of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and of the Seven Dolors, and was opened for the reception of pupils on January 2, 1882. On that day 300 children presented themselves for enrolment. At present 473 pupils are taught by nine sisters, whose Directress is Sister M. St. Beatrice.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was founded in the city of Mans, France, in 1837, by the Very Rev. Basil Moreau, C.S.C. The Congregation is at present divided into three branches, each having a superior and a government of its own. The Mother-house of the Marianites of Holy Cross is the cradle of the institution of Mans, France. The American branch has its Mother-house at Notre Dame, Ind., the title of the community being Sisters of the Holy Cross.
The Canadian branch to which the Sisters of Grosvenordale belong has its Motlier-house at St. Laurent, near Montreal, and the official title of the community is Sisters of the Holy Cross and of the Seven Dolors. In April, 1881, Rev. Father Martial, pastor of St. Joseph's, first broached the question of a parochial school to his parishioners. Generous subscriptions were offered immediately, the St. John Baptist society, Cadets of Temperance, the Dra- matic Club, and the parisliioners vying with one another in their contribu- tions. Encouraged by these marks of good will on the part of his people, Father Martial visited Montreal during the same month, and through the intervention of the Bishop of that See, secured the services of six Sisters of the Holy Cross from the Mother-house at St. Laurent. On his return to Grosvenordale, Father Martial began the building of the convent and school, which were completed in November of the same year. The convent is a
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
substantial wooden structure, 48 by 39 feet, and three stories high. The school adjoins the convent, is two stories high, 98 by 29 feet, the largest por- tion being used as a public hall. The Sisters arrived in Grosvenordale on December 21, 1881, and were cordially received by the ladies of the parish. On Sunday, Christmas day, Mr. Joseph Magnan, at an assemblage of the parishioners, addressed the Sisters in behalf of the French-Canadians, and Mr. Patrick Kelly, in behalf of the Irish members of the congregation.
Of late years, the building has been enlarged and improved, and the work begun by Father Martial is continued by his zealous and energetic successor, Father Cooney.
ALL HALLOW'S PARISH, MOOSUP.
BOUT sixty-six years ago (1833), the first little band of Catholics settled in Moosup in the persons of Michael Smith, Sr., Andrew Smith, James McCaffrey, and James Meehan. Like their fellow- countrymen of those trying days, whom immigration brought to our shores, they yearned for the presence of those who could administer to them the consolations of religion and dispense the graces of the sacraments. Though deprived of priestly ministrations for some years they, nevertheless, held fast to the faith once delivered to the saints and rejoiced when, about 1848, the first Mass in Moosup was offered up in the house of Michael Smith, Sr., now occupied by Terrence Coughlin. The celebrant of this historic Mass was the Rev. William Logan, S.J., of Holy Cross College, Worcester, who about this time had charge of New London, Norwich and several adjoin- ing stations. On his way from Worcester, he may have heard of the pres- ence liere of some Catholics and sojourned amongst them to offer up the Holy Sacrifice. About this time there were between twenty and thirty Irish Catholics in Moosup. Following Father Logan, Moosup was attended at intervals of three inonthis by the Rev. Peter Blenkinsop, also of Worcester, until the appointment of Rev. Michael McCabe to the pastorate of Daniel- son. Father McCabe's visits were made at intervals of two or three months, and on these occasions he said Mass in private houses. His services con- tinued until the appointment of the Rev. Philip Daly, whose pastorate ter- ininated in June, 1861, when the Rev. James Quinn succeeded him. Father Quinn served until the appointment of the Rev. J. J. McCabe in October, 1869. The next pastor was the Rev. Ferdinand Belanger, who came in April, 1870. His successor was the Rev. John Quinn, who received his appoint- inent in November, 1872. Rev. Denis Desmond then followed in July, 1874, and remained until October, 1876, when Rev. P. M. Kennedy took 11p the reins of government. His pastorate terminated in October, 1878, and the Rev. Jolin A. Creedon became pastor of All Hallow's. Upon thic trans- lation of Father Crecdon to Windsor Locks, in January, 1896, the present incumbent, Rev. Jolin H. Broderick, became his successor.
All Hallow's church was built in 1859-60, by Rev. Philip Daly. So . enthusiastically did the people set about to witness the realization of their
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
hopes that the site of the church and parochial residence was soon purchased from M. S. Bennett. The corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop McFarland in the same fall, Rev. Thomas Quinn delivering the address. The same prelate dedicated it under its present title in the following spring. Dur- ing the pastorate of the Rev. Father Belanger the old pastoral residence and lot were secured. All Hallow's parish embraced at one period the towns of Sterling,1 Plainfield, Griswold, Canterbury, Hampton and a part of Killingly. When the parish was organized, the population was estimated at about 500 souls, chiefly Irish. At present it numbers about 1,500, comprising Irish and French Canadians. During Father Creedon's period of service, in 1889, the church was practically rebuilt, extensive improvements having been made both within and without. A conflagration in May, 1893, destroyed the old rectory, and the present attractive and spacious parochial residence arose from its ashes. Since the arrival of Father Broderick the reduction of the debt has been steady and gratifying both to pastor and people, new land has been acquired, the grounds about the church and rectory have been greatly improved, and hopes are entertained of beginning the erection of a new church in the near future.
The old cemetery is in the churchi-yard, and was first used in 1861, but it has ceased to be used as a place of burial for well nigh fifteen years.
The priests who have served All Hallow's as assistants are the following: Rev. A. Bernard, from July, 1869, to September, 1869 ; Rev. T. Sweeney, from November, 1880, to January, 1882 ; Rev. T. J. Dunn, from March, 1882, to June, 1886; Rev. T. H. Shanley, from November, 1886, to October, 1890. The present assistant pastor is the Rev. E. J. Broderick.
The baptismal records disclose 5,402 baptismns from 1869 to 1898; in the same period the marriage ceremony was performed 773 times.
Oneco, a town on the N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R., formerly the New England railroad, is attended from All Hallow's as a station.
" The parish is prosperous, its numbers on the increase and the Catholic portion of the community, with its usual generous and self-sacrificing spirit, is determined to keep fully abreast of the times."
PARISH OF ST. MARY'S OF THE VISITATION,
PUTNAM.
S far as can be ascertained from existing records, the first Catholic in Putnam was a French-Canadian, Peter Donough, who came in 1843, with a large family. After the opening of the great factories, in 1848, other Canadians came and soon formed a comparatively numerous colony. Among the other early Catholic settlers of this mission, were Nicholas Cosgrove, James Rafferty, Francis Madden, James Bracken, Matthew Ragan, John Conway, Jean Baptiste Lapointe, Francois Piche, Menis Bibeault, M. Champeau, Ambrose Lapointe, and Thomas Luby.
1 Sterling was named after an Irishman, Henry Sterling, M.D., who was a resident of the State during the Revolution.
REV. JOHN H. FITZMAURICE.
REV. JOHN VAN DEN NOORT.
REV. THOMAS COONEY.
REV. J. P. GUINET, M.S.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
The Rev. William Logan, S. J., of Worcester, celebrated the first Mass said in Putnam, in the residence of Nicholas Cosgrove, on July 8, 1849. His successor was also a Jesuit priest of Holy Cross College, Rev. Peter Blenkinsop, who celebrated Mass in the house of Mr. Ambrose Lapointe. The Rev. Michael McCabe came next and celebrated his first Mass here in a private house, but afterwards secured Morse's Hall. The presence of Catholics, however, in this hall was displeasing to the Know-Nothing element, and Father McCabe and his congregation were ordered to discontinue their services there. Determined to build a church for his people, if possible, Father McCabe purchased an acre of ground from Edward Wilkinson. But the financial means of the people not corresponding to their own nor to their pastor's desires, they secured Quinnebaug Hall, where divine services were held once a monthı. In 1858, Putnam was attended from Pascoag, R. I., whose pastor was the Rev. William E. Duffy. In the year following he began the erection of the first church in this section of Connecticut. It was a small frame building, and cost when completed and furnished about $2200; its dimensions were 60 x 24. Father Duffy was succeeded in 1866 by the Rev. Eugene J. Vygen, who became the first resident pastor. When Bishop McFarland appointed him to this mission he said to him : "Putnam is a poor missionary field, and will not be able to support you ; but go there, board at the hotel and do the best you can." "Sent to administer the sacraments at Putnam, he was greatly moved by the spiritual destitution of the people without resident priest, schools or burial ground; it was no marvel that 'scandals became frequent and the church of God suffered.' The keen-eyed young missionary saw at a glance the great capabilities of the field. Some half dozen large manufactories in Putnam and Thompson were bringing in hundreds of Catholic families. Putnam village gave promise of becoming an important business centre, and was a natural church home of this increasing Catholic population. With muchi earnestness Father Vygen laid the need and opportunity before the Bishop of the diocese, and was allowed to enter upon the Putnam pastorate."
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