USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the diocese of Hartford > Part 57
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The first work accomplished by Father Vygen was the purchase of a residence from a Mr. Tanner ; he then secured five and a half acres of land which he laid out for cemetery purposes, and had it consecrated by Bishop McFarland in 1868. He then added to the church's possessions by purchas- ing additional property, and soon after erected a pastoral residence near the church at an expense of about $4,000. But Father Vygen's ambition, and a laudable one it was, was directed to the building of a church more adapted to the growing importance of his congregation. Before entering, however, on the project he visited the various capitals and other cities of Europe, making a tour of inspection of the chief church edifices. With this experience and having secured financial aid among his European friends, lie returned withi a determination to begin and prosecute the work to a successful completion. To this end lie purchased additional property from Messrs. Morse and Wilkinson, and removed the old churchi. The new edifice, an impressive brick structure, was dedicated by Bishop McFarland on November 24, 1870. The dimensions of this church were 160 by 93 ; transept, 90 feet. But Father Vygen's labors
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
were not yet finished. Early in 1873 he began the erection of a school and convent, and in April, 1874, the former was opened under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy.
But Father Vygen and his devoted people were to be tried in the crucible of affliction. On February 6, 1875, a conflagration destroyed the church, and what had been "the pride of the Catholics of Putnam, was a charred and blackened mass of ruins." The fire spread so rapidly that the sacred vessels, the vestments, the altar and organ, and a valuable library of a thousand volumes -in a word, all the treasures of the church were consumed. Among the precious articles destroyed was a gold chalice presented to Father Vygen by his parents on the day of his ordination. The church with its treasures was valued at $85,000, and was insured for $48,000. Of this amount $32,000 was spent in the liquidation of the debt on the school and convent. Undismayed by this severe loss, Father Vygen began immediately the erection of a chapel, his people worshiping in the meantime in Quinnebaug hall. Within a year after the conflagration St. Joseph's chapel was dedicated, on November I, 1876, by Bishop Galberry. The dimensions of the chapel were 95 by 60 feet, and it had a seating capacity of 800.
Father Vygen celebrated his silver jubilee in March, 1889. He was sum- moned to his reward in October of the same year. His had been a mnost useful and active life, and his memory is honored by Protestants and Catholics alike. A contemporary paid him this tribute : "Father Vygen is much beloved by his people and respected by all for his consistent Christian character, and faithful labors in behalf of temperance, morality and all salutary enterprises."
The present rector of St. Mary's, the Rev. John Van den Noort, became his successor.
In 1849, when the first Mass was said in Putnamn, about thirty-five persons were present. When the first church was built the Catholic population was estimated at 1,000, probably a high estimate. When the church whichi was destroyed by fire was completed, a census showed the presence in Putnamn of 2, 500 Catholics. The present population of the parish is 3,400 souls, of mixed nationalities.
In 1874 when the school was opened, 400 pupils asked for adinission. The present number of pupils is 586, taught by nine sisters, whose Superioress is Sister M. Paula.
The assistants who served in St. Mary's at various periods were the Revs. H. Martial, T. Joynt, A. Van Oppen, T. Cooney, W. Flannagan, T. Cronan, E. Broderick, E. Chapdelaine and J. Papillon.
Among the special benefactors of the parish inention should be made of Bishop McFarland, Rev. Engene Vygen, Rev. F. DeBruycker, Rev. Van Laar, and Rev. A. Princen, Michael McGuirk, Maria McDerby, Wmn. Mul- len, Augustin L'Esperance, Misael Desrosiers, Francois Bibeault.
The most remarkable conversion to Catholicism within the jurisdiction of Putnam was that of Mrs. Clara Thompson, of Pomfret, the authoress of several Catholic works of great value. She had forinerly professed the Epis- copalian faith.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
SACRED HEART PARISH,
WAUREGAN.
HE earliest known Catholics to settle in Wauregan were Thomas Gib- bons, P. Flanagan, James Riley, Louis Charon, Pierre Girard and Alexis Jetté. To them belongs the distinction of keeping alive the sacred flame of faith in this vicinity at a period when a Catholic was scruti- nized as the representative of a foreign despot, whose ambition it was to en- slave the human family, and as the embodiment of superstition, idolatry and disloyalty. Of inferior clay he was supposed to be, and as "an ignorant foreigner," was held in contempt, a sentiment which in this enlightenment age provokes rather pity than anger. Sons of the Emerald Isle and children of France, the fervent disciples of St. Patrick and of St. Louis, of Columba and of Genevieve, came hither to cast their lot with others more prosperous in the goods of earth and to assist in laying strong and deep the foundations of the Church in this portion of our beloved land.
Missionary priests from Holy Cross College, whose jurisdiction ex- tended as far south as New London, exercised their ministry here between 1848 and 1850, consoling the faithful by the graces of the Mass and the sacraments, and strengthening them against the spiritual dangers which are ever present to the soul when deprived of the holy ministrations of God's anointed.
The Rev. Michael McCabe, a pioneer missionary of north-eastern Con- necticut, visited Wauregan in the early fifties. When the church of All Hallows was built at Moosup in 1859-60, by Rev. Philip Daly, the Catho- lics of Wauregan attended divine services there, many of them making the journey on foot. But the inconvenience attendant upon these journeys was eliminated when, in 1870, Rev. Ferdinand Berlanger, pastor of Moosup, began the erection of a church at Wauregan, which was completed by his successor, Rev. John Quinn. The corner-stone was laid by Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G., and the church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Bishop McFarland. The church property, which is situated in West Wauregan in the town of Brooklyn, was purchased from Mr. James Atwood, manager of the Wauregan Mills, for $1000.
The priests who attended Wauregan in succession to Father Berlanger were Revs. John Quinn, Denis Desmond, Peter M. Kennedy, Jolın Creedon.
The jurisdiction of Moosup over Wauregan ceased on May 20, 1889, when Bishop McMahon organized the latter into a parish and appointed Rev. Arthur A. O'Keefe the first resident pastor. Father O'Keefe entered upon his new sphere of labors with characteristic activity, and, his parishioners cheerfully co-operating, has accomplished results that make for the temporal and spiritnal welfare of his people and the honor of the church. Among other material works, mention may be made of the erection of a parochial residence, and other buildings, barn, horse-sheds, etc. A new cemetery was purchased and blessed on May 17, 1891, the grounds about the church and rectory have been improved and beautified, and an abundant water supply
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
introduced into the parochial residence and outer buildings. The total ex- tent of the church property is twenty-five acres.
When the parish was organized, its population was estimated at 1350 souls, of whom 1100 were French and 250 Irish; the latest census gives 1200: French Canadians, 1000, Irislı, 200.
The baptismal register, beginning in 1889, discloses 452 baptisms to have been administered to 1898; while 97 inarriages were solemnized within the same period. The first birth, as well as the first baptismn, was that of Mary Ellen Fallon. The first marriage ceremony was performed on June 24, 1889, the contracting parties being Joseph Lefevre and Aglae Boivin. The first death was that of Ludger Gauthier, a child of two years.
SACRED HEART PARISH, WEST THOMPSON.
ECHANICSVILLE began its existence as an independent parish on February 2, 1886, the Rev. W. E. Flannagan having been ap- pointed by Bishop McMahon its first resident pastor. The pas- toral residence was built in 1887, at an outlay of $3,000. In 1880, Mechanicsville and West Thompson were assigned as dependencies of Grosvenordale. In that year the church of the Sacred Heart was built, the principal benefactor being Mr. Thomas D. Sayles, who donated the site and $500 additional to insure the inception of the edifice.
The present pastor is the Rev. James Cunningham.
Attached to West Thompson is the mission of Pomfret, church of the Holy Trinity.
First settled in 1686, Pomfret was granted the privileges of incorpora- tion in 1713. In this vicinity is Putnam's "Wolf Den," famous in Connecti- cut history, as the scene of the great American's encounter with a she-wolf in which the former was victorious.
Previous to the erection of the church divine services were held in Pom- fret Hall. A class in Christian doctrine was also conducted. Work on the construction of the church was begun early in 1885, and Mass was said in it for the first time on Easter Sunday, 1887. Shortly after it was dedicated.
An efficient auxiliary to the clergy in religious and charitable work, a inunificent benefactor to the parish, Mrs. Clara Thompson, a convert fromn the Episcopal faith, was a power for good among her co-religionists, devoted and zealous, withal prudent, enjoying the confidence and affection of all classes. She passed among them a striking example of the sweet and precious influ- ence of the Catholic religion upon a soul who realizes its relationship with its Creator, who recognizes that, not earthly pleasure, nor preferments nor wealth, is the goal towards which man should tend, but that his destiny, a supernatural end, is the eternal possession of God, and who from a heart craving for divine love, cries out with St. Augustine : "Our hearts know no rest, O God, until they find rest in Tliee."
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
ST. MICHAEL'S PARISH, WESTERLY, R. I. (P. O.).
HE Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was first offered up in Westerly in 1835, by the Rev. Jamnes Fitton, in the house of a railroad contractor which was situated about a mile and a half from Pawcatuck bridge. After this visit Father Fitton returned to this neighborhood twice each year to offer- the Holy Sacrifice and otherwise ininister to the spiritual wants of the Catho- lics engaged on the railroad. But in 1837, when this work was completed, these sturdy laborers sought homes elsewhere, so that in 1838 only two Catho- lics remained in this vicinity, namely, John Ryan and Andrew Lahey. Besides these mentioned other Catholics were here early in Westerly's history, among whom we notice the Celtic names of Murphy, Keegan and Fay.
After Father Fitton's transfer to Worcester he continued his visits through this section of Connecticut, and about the year 1845 said Mass on one occasion in what was known as Babcock's Woods, under a spreading oak tree. During his subsequent visits for some time thereafter Mass was said in the open air. Recognizing the devotion of the apostolic missionary and of his little congre- gation to their faith, who were willing, if needs be, to worship God beneath the azure sky, the trustees of the Union meeting-house finally offered him the use of this building for divine worship.
The Rev. John Brady, of Hartford, succeeded Father Fitton in his attend- ance upon Stonington, Westerly and adjoining stations, and served them as well as his manifold labors would perinit.
The Rev. Patrick Duffy became the first resident pastor of Stonington, and Westerly was assigned to it as a dependency. During his visits here he offered the Holy Sacrifice and performed other priestly functions in the resi- dence of Mr. John Murphy, as did also his successor, the Rev. Thomas Drea. Owing to the steady increase of the Catholic population of Westerly, Father Drea visited this place at monthly intervals.
In 1857 the Rev. Peter Kelly assumed charge in succession to Father Drea, and shortly after his assumption of the pastorate purchased the property on which St. Michael's church now stands, as further use of the Union meeting-house was denied him. After a pastorate of brief duration in Ston- ington, Father Kelly-was succeeded by the Rev. Jolin Sheridan, who, serving but a short time, was followed in the same year by the Rev. Michael O' Reilly. Immediatiately upon his accession to the pastorate Father O'Reilly began preparations for the erection of a churchi, and the first step to this end was the purchase of a piece of land in Pawcatuck, upon which the church was built. The corner-stone was laid in August, 1860, and the churchi was dedicated in May, 1861. The dimensions of this building were 40 x 60. At this time the Catholic population of Westerly numbered about 100. After thic erection of the church in Pawcatuck Father O'Reilly disposed of the rectory at Stoning- ton and took up his residence in Pawcatuck. Attached to Pawcatuck at this time were Mystic and Stonington, in Connecticut, and Wakefield and Caro- lina, in Rhode Island.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
In succession to Father O'Reilly came the Rev. Patrick Sherry, in the fall of 1863, and five years later he repaired and enlarged the church sufficiently to accommodate 1250 persons. Father Sherry died here in 1870, and in Decem- ber of this year the Rev. Jeremiah Fitzpatrick assumed charge. Shortly after his arrival the mission dependencies were separated from the mother church. In 1873 Father Fitzpatrick, having secured an eligible site, built thereon a convent and parochial school. Father Fitzpatrick was transferred to St. Pat- rick's, New Haven, in December, 1876, and his successor became the Rev. Thomas L. Lynch.
In the meantime, the diocese of Providence had been erected with the Right Rev. Thomas Hendricken as its first bishop. Though Westerly was a part of Rhode Island, which was within the new See, the bishops of Hart- ford and Providence mutually agreed that it should remain a part of the jurisdiction of the former.
Father Lynch's relations with Westerly ceased in 1883, but during his administration the old rectory was disposed of by sale, moved elsewhere, and the present parochial residence was commenced, but not completed. His successor was the Rev. Lawrence Walsh of Waterbury, who came in August, 1883. Father Walsh's pastorate was of brief duration, ending after five months by death.
His successor, the present rector, Rev. Ambrose Briscoe, assumed charge on January 19, 1884. In May, 1885, Father Briscoe's parish was divided, the Westerly portion passing under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Providence.
In 1893, Father Briscoe built St. Michael's school, a wooden structure having six spacious rooms. The school is taught by five Sisters of Mercy, of whom Mother M. Ambrosia is the Directress, with 259 pupils.
The parish cemetery was purchased in 1856.
Free from financial burdens, the pastor zealous and the parishioners generously co-operating, St. Michael's parish is fulfilling its mission : Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
SACRED HEART (GERMAN) PARISH.
HARTFORD.
HE Rev. Joseph Schale was the first German priest to reside in Hartford. He came in the summer of 1872, at the invitation of Bishop McFar- land, with whom he resided, attending to the spiritual wants of the German Catholics on Sundays at St. Peter's church. In August of 1872, Bishop McFarland organized the Germans into an independent parish under the title of the Sacred Heart, and purchased a lot on the corner of Winthrop and Ely streets. Business depression followed, and the project of building a church was abandoned for the time. In 1874 Father Schale was given charge of the German Catholics of New Haven and Bridgeport.
On Pentecost Sunday, 1889, Bishop McMahon reorganized the parish in St. Peter's school hall, and the Rev. Nicholas Schneider, of New Britain, was appointed pastor. As soon as circumstances permitted, the erection of the church was commenced, and the corner-stone was laid on September 4, 1892,
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
by Bishop McMahon. The same prelate dedicated the present basement on April 9, 1893. Father Schneider continued to attend the German Catholics of Hartford until January 1, 1897, when the Rev. H. Dahme, the present rector, assumed charge. The present rectory, a brick building with brown- stone trimmings, was completed on November 1, 1898. Services are held for the present in the basement, and it is expected to have the superstructure finished in about two years.
In the preceding sketches mention is made particularly of the labors and successes of the clergy in the temporal order. There is no intention of exalt- ing the temporal above the spiritual, nor of conveying the impression that a pastor's success is solely to be measured by the amount of property pur- chased or indebtedness paid. But, circumstanced as the Catholics have been (and as they are still in many places) their pastors were obliged to exhibit in some degree the qualities that lead to success in temporals, as well as those of faithful shepherds of souls. At the same time it is gratifying to place on record the fact that the spiritual interests of the people have always been faithfully conserved. For this priests were ordained, and for this placed in their responsible positions. That in the midst of so many and so trying difficulties their spiritual labors have been crowned with success is a source as well of wonderment as of joy and thankfulness. To implant the seeds of strong faith and to extend the kingdom of Christ among men was the goal of their ambition, and their divine Master has bestowed the reward.
If the historical details of some of the parish sketches appear meagre, it is because they were inaccessible ; or in a few instances, having been received, were found untrustworthy and were rejected. In other cases, repeated at- tempts to obtain information having failed, tlie writer was obliged to make use of the data at his disposal.
THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE DIOCESE.
ST. FRANCIS ORPHAN ASYLUM, NEW HAVEN, CONN. Established 1852, incorporated 1865.
I TS PROPERTY .- The Asylum consists of a large brick building, three stories high, which contains the dormitories, school rooms, recreation halls, refectories and chapel, and of out-buildings used for laundry, bakery, barn and storage purposes. Surrounding these it owns about thirteen and one-quarter (13)4) acres of excellent land, so that there is sufficient room for all its nceds. The building proper is well heated, lighted and ventilated; and provided with baths and all else necessary or conducive to cleanliness and health. The various depart- ments of the asylum, even to the small farm, gardens and grounds, are kept in perfect order and cleanliness, and bear marks of excellent management.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND.
OBJECTS. - To support, maintain and educate orphan, half orphan, homeless, destitute and indigent children.
GOVERNING AUTHORITY .- This body consists of a Board of Trustees origin- ally named in the charter, and authorized thereby to appoint associates and successors.
MEMBERS .- The members of the corporation are : First, the pastors of all the Catholic parishes of the St. Francis orphan asylum district and their successors in the pastorate; second, three laymen from each of the Catholic parishes of the City of New Haven. The original St. Francis orphan asylum district, outlined at the time of its incorporation in 1865, has never been changed. As appears from the records of the orphanage, all that portion of the original Hartford diocese, which after the division of 1872, comprises the present diocese of Hart- ford, constitutes the aforesaid asylum district. From the parishes formed within said territory the orphans have constantly been sent, many of the parishes, too, having been assessed, as they might be assessed again, if necessary, to help it in its work, and the asylum has always depended on its said district for support. Thus fostered, therefore, and supported by the bishops, priests and Catholic laity of the present diocese of Hartford, the orphanage from a private parish charity has not only grown into an excellent diocesan asylum, but has become one of the most attractive charitable institutions in this State.
OFFICERS .- President, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and fifteen mana- gers, whose duties are prescribed in the by-laws of the corporation. The Right Rev. Bishop of the diocese is ex officio president of the corporation ; the vice-presi- · dent, secretary and treasurer, each elected annually by ballot, are ex officio members of the board of managers in addition to the fifteen managers above provided for.
President .- Right Rev. M. Tierney, D.D., 140 Farmington avenue, Hartford, Vice-president .- Rev. John Russell, 640 Grand avenue, New Haven.
Secretary .- William M. Geary, 479 Orange street, New Haven.
Treasurer .- Rev. John F. Corcoran, who resides at the asylum.
The Board of Managers .- The managers are selected by the trustees; and they attend to the financial and secular affairs and details of the orphanage.
The internal management of the asylum is intrusted to the Sisters of Mercy, whose practical knowledge of institutional household duties and domestic economy along the line of what is useful, comfortable and necessary, without luxury, is only surpassed by their methodical system of training and educating children, both boys and girls and young ladies, in the religious and secular departments of education, which make for soul and body, and by example and precept teach their pupils to keep the commandments of God and to practice the Christian virtues. The Sisters of Charity had ably managed the institution for about eighteen years- from June 2, 1864, to July 1, 1882-when the Sisters of Mercy re-assumed charge of the work which they had so favorably begun in 1852, and so creditably continued till June 2, 1864. On January 1, 1899, the Sisters of Mercy had spent more than twenty-eight years in the management of the orphanage, and they are still doing their good work for their little charges.
THE SCHOOLS .- The children attend school in the main building, where they enjoy the advantages of six large and well-appointed school rooms. They are taught by the sisters, and the schools are under the direction of the local Board of Education. The classes are graded in the same manner as the public schools, and the Sisters who teach are paid by the Board of Education. The children,
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ST. FRANCIS ORPHAN ASYLUM,
New Haven.
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DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
according to their age and capacity, are also taught to make themselves generally useful about the house, farm, garden and grounds. As soon as funds permit, manual and industrial training especially adapted to the inmates will be supplied by the establishment of two trade schools, one for the boys and one for the girls, wherein such as cannot be provided with suitable homes, may be taught some useful trade or handicraft by which they may earn an honest livelihood after leaving the institution.
The number of children cared for from May 12, 1852, to September 17, 1898, is 3,763, of whom 2, 162 were girls and 1,601 boys; the orphanage from 1852 to 1875 admitted girls only, but from that year the institution has taken care of both boys and girls.
The number of children, representing about twelve nationalities, cared for during the year 1898, was 517; remaining January 1, 1899, 312-boys, 197, and girls, 115.
ADMISSIONS IN 1898 .- New-comers, 141 ; previous inmates, 77; total, 218.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMITTANCE. - Orphans, half-orphans, homeless, des- titute, indigent, or dependent children, healthy and of sound mind, between the ages of two and twelve years, are received from all parts of the State. Unless for special reasons, those living outside of Connecticut are not eligible. As the laws of Connecticut do not permit children of tender years to be kept in almshouses, many such children (none under two years of age being received up to the pres- ent) belonging to parents of the poorer classes are sent to the asylum if Catholic, and there provided for by the Board of Managers. Children suffering from conta- gious or infectious diseases are not admitted. Epileptic, idiotic, insane, crippled, blind, deaf, and dumb children, as well as all vicious, incorrigible, or ungoverna- ble boys or girls are not eligible for admission.
APPLICATION .- In regard to "church children," that is, such as are subjects of Catholic charity in the various parishes throughout the asylum district, appli- cation is to be made to the pastor of the child or children deserving the care and protection of the asylum, or to the Receiving and Dismissing Committee, residing at the asylum, every application to be passed or acted upon by the foregoing Committee, in accordance with the asylum's charter and rules, and the authority of the Committee on Admission and Discharge of Children1.
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