USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five. Volume III > Part 21
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· The stained glass windows are from the celebrated European firm of Magnen, Clamens & Bordeaux of Paris. The window in the sanctuary on the gospel side (the left as you enter the church) represents the child Mary with her parents, St. Anne and St. Joachim .* The window opposite on the epistle side represents St. Dominic receiving the rosary from the blessed Virgin. In the sanctuary on both sides of the apparition are windows representing St. Patrick and St. Bridget. The former is the gift of the rector in memory of the Rev. Peter Kelly, the latter of the Holy Name society. The windows in the fourteen bays are triple, each con- taining three medallions of saints, and were all donations from the following organizations and individuals: the choir; the Holy Angels sodality; the " Children of Mary;" the Scapular society; the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Finn, in memory of their parents; Mrs. Catharine and J. F. Whelan; Mrs. John Finlay in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John McSweeney; George Byrnes, in mem- ory of his wife and children; Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Heffernan; Mrs. W. H. Noonan; Sarah Golding; Frank Cunningham; Mrs. John Conniff, in memory of her husband; James Tobin; Mary Tobin.
The cost of the church was $55,000. The architect was P. C. Keely of Brooklyn, N. Y.
During 1893 and 1894 the attention of the parish and its pastor was largely occupied with the erection of a parochial residence, on Wolcott street, adjoining the church. It is a substan- tial and commodious three story structure built of pal- PAROCHIAL RESIDENCE, PARISH OF THE SACRED HEART ; 1893. let brick with Dummerston granite and terra cotta trimmings. The entire inside finish is of brown ash, and the floors are of quartered oak and southern pine. The architect was Augustus J. Smith.
The number of religious organizations in the Sacred Heart parish bears testimony to the zeal of the pastor and his energetic
* This window is a memorial of Miss Ann Lyman.
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OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISHES.
assistant, the Rev. Frederick J. Murphy, in laboring for the spirit- ual welfare of their flock. They are effective auxiliaries in pastoral work. The societies are:
The League of the Sacred Heart, 900 members.
Confraternity of the Sacred Thirst and Agony (to repress intemperance), 450. Scapular society, 145. Temperance Cadets, II0.
Children of Mary, two branches, 112.
Holy Name society (to repress blasphemy, etc.), 47.
The present population of the parish is estimated at 2,000 souls.
THE PASTOR AND HIS ASSISTANT.
The Rev. HUGH TREANOR is a native of Providence, R. I. His primary education was received in the public schools of that city, after which he attended the Sulpician college, Montreal, St. Charles college, Ellicott City, Md., and later St. Mary's seminary, Balti- more. He was ordained December 21, 1878, and celebrated high mass for the first time in St. Peter's church, Hartford, on Christmas day, 1878. On January 1, 1879, he was stationed as assistant at St. Mary's church, Norwalk, and remained there until his appointment to the pastorship of the Sacred Heart parish in this city.
The Rev. FREDERICK J. MURPHY is a native of New Haven. He attended the parochial school connected with St. Mary's church in that city, after graduating from which he entered the Sulpician college at Montreal, and later St. Bonaventure's, Allegany, N. Y. At the latter he was ordained in June, 1885, and celebrated mass for the first time in St. Mary's church, New Haven, June 21, 1885. His first appointment was to the Immaculate Conception parish in this city, where he remained two and a half years. For about a year he was connected with St. Augustine's parish, Bridgeport, after which, December 15, 1888, he was appointed assistant in the parish of the Sacred Heart. On September 4, 1895, he was transferred to St. Rose's parish, Meriden .*
ST. ANNE'S PARISH.
In April, 1886, the Rev. Joseph Fones, while pastor of St. John's parish, Watertown, was requested by Bishop McMahon to assume pastoral charge also of the French Catholic population of Water- bury. He began at once to organize his new flock. The old Uni-
* Father Murphy went to Meriden as assistant to the Rev. Paul McAlenney. He was succeeded in the Sacred Heart parish by the Rev. James J. Egan of St. Patrick's parish, Hartford.
766
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
versalist chapel on Grand street (known also as Trinity chapel) was secured for divine worship. Mass was celebrated in this build- ing for the first time on Sunday, May 2, 1886. The first marriage ceremony performed in it, and the first after the erection of the parish, took place on May 5, 1886, Father Fones officiating. The congregation continued to worship here until the dedication of their present church, January 6, 1889. Previous to their organiza- tion into a separate parish, the French Catholics attended divine services in the churches of the districts in which they resided.
Father Fones continued to reside in Watertown, visiting St. Anne's every Sunday. In November, 1886, he relinquished the
charge of his Water- town parish and re- moved to Waterbury. During his short pas- torate in Waterbury he accomplished much for the spiritual and material welfare of his parishioners. From a scattered flock they became a com- pact and influential organization. In April, 1887, he bought from the estate of A. C. Porter, the lot on the corner of Clay and South Main streets, for $10,000. In July, 1888, he pur- chased, from E. C. Lewis, the former ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, DOVER STREET. parochial residence, with its spacious grounds, the price being $22,500. St. Anne's church was built on this lot at a cost of $10,000.
For some time before his death Father Fones had been in declin- ing health. He realized that his course was well nigh run. Two weeks before the end came, he retired to Pawtucket, R. I., his birth- place. He died May 18, 1890, at North Attleboro, Mass. His remains were interred in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Pawtucket.
At the time of his death, Father Fones was about forty years of age. His father was an American and a Protestant, his mother an
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OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISHES.
Irish Catholic. At the age of fourteen young Fones became a con- vert to the Catholic faith. Removing to New Haven about this time, he was apprenticed to a tinsmith and plumber. Studying diligently after working hours and whenever the opportunity was presented, he soon gave evidence of the possession of those brilliant qualities of mind which afterwards distinguished him in the priest- hood. Through the intervention of his pastor, Dr. Carmody of St. John's parish, he entered the Sulpician college at Montreal, Canada
After twelve years of successful study, comprising the classical, scientific, philosophical and theological courses, he was ordained to the priesthood in December, 1880. He spoke the French language fluently; on this account the early years of his ministry were spent chiefly among the French-speaking Catholics of the diocese. As an assistant he labored in Jewett City, Willimantic, Grosvenordale and Thomaston. From Thomaston he was promoted to the pastor- ate of St. John's parish, Watertown, whence, as has been said, he was transferred to Waterbury. One who knew him well wrote of him thus :
Father Fones had few equals for ability, learning and eloquence among the clergy of the diocese. As a theologian he was profound and scholarly. As a preacher he was brilliant, magnetic and eloquent, whether speaking in French or his native tongue. As a man of general education, he was versatile, polished and accomplished. He was a man of strong opinions and took much pleasure in the clash of intellects. In Father Fones has gone to rest a gifted scholar, a brilliant orator, a priest whose abilities shed lustre on the church he served.
On May 15, 1890, the Rev. J. E. Bourret began his duties as pastor of St. Anne's parish. He was born in Quebec, December 3, 1858; became a student at Nicolet college and was ordained from Nicolet seminary in September, 1883. He was curate at St. Guil- liaume D'Upton till June, 1885, then was stationed at Stanfold, Quebec, until July 22, 1887, when he was transferred to St. Gregoire Le Grand. On June 20, 1888, he went to Worcester, Mass., and in May, 1889, was sent to New Haven to organize a French parish in that city.
The purchase of the two pieces of property already referred to and the erection of the church had entailed considerable debt. But with characteristic energy, and confident of the cooperation of his parishioners Father Bourret set himself at once to the task of reducing the burden. How well he succeeded may be gathered from the statement that since May, 1890, he has reduced the debt of his parish $30,000; a result that speaks eloquently for his finan- cial ability. Not less diligently has Father Bourret labored for the spiritual interests of his flock. The number of religious societies
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
in his parish attests his zeal in this respect. The following are the societies with their membership:
Dames de Ste. Anne, 300.
Enfants de Marie, 140. Ligue du S'S. Cœur, 1300. Bonne Mort, 850. Saints Anges, 220. Archiconfrérie de Ste. Anne, 430.
The population of the parish is about 3200 souls. The clergymen who have served the parish as assistants are :
The Rev. J. A. Cadotte, October, 1890, to January, 1892.
The Rev. J. E. Sénésac, January, 1892, to October, 1892.
The Rev. J. J. Papillon, since October, 1892.
ST. CECILIA'S PARISH.
The German speaking population of Waterbury having in recent years greatly increased, a number of German Catholics assembled in St. Patrick's hall, April 24, 1892, and organized a Holy Family society. The charter members were Thomas Hermann, Herman Herringer, Charles Martin, Jacob Daniels, John L. Saxe, Quarin Straub, Michael Dietz, Franz Schell, Louis Stroebel, Michael Block, Anton Hoefler, John Wiehn, Henry Schildgen and others, together with a number of ladies. Officers were elected as follows:
President, Jacob Daniels. Vice-president, Franz Schell. Corresponding secretary, John L. Saxe. Financial secretary, Herman Herringer. Treasurer, Michael Block.
Librarian, Michael Dietz.
At this meeting a delegation consisting of Herman Herringer, Jacob Daniels and Quarin Straub was appointed to wait upon Bishop McMahon with reference to securing a pastor who should organize the German Catholics of Waterbury as a parish. They had an interview with the bishop in May, at which, while recogniz- ing the difficulty of securing such a priest as they needed, he assured them that he would consider their request and let them know what was practicable. He desired that they should buy a lot and organize as thoroughly as possible. A lot on Scovill street was accordingly purchased by the society, October 3, 1892, for $7500. Bishop McMahon had in the meantime sent the Rev. Farrell Martin, D. D., to Waterbury as assistant pastor in the parish of the Immaculate Conception, and had instructed him to
-
769
OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISHES.
organize the German Catholics. Dr. Martin addressed for the first time a meeting of members of his future parish at St. Patrick's hall, October 9, 1892.
On November 18, Bishop McMahon appointed Dr. Martin as pastor in charge of the German Catholics of Waterbury. The sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame offered to the new parish the free use of the hall in their convent for religious servi- ces. The holy sacrifice of the mass was celebrated for the first time by Dr. Martin as pastor of St. Cecilia's parish on the first Sunday in Advent (November 20) 1892. The parish was incorpo- rated January 1, 1893, Herman Herringer and Carl Martin being trustees. Previous to this the Holy Family society transferred the right and title of the church property, valued at $12,000, to St. Cecilia's parish.
Much had been accomplished, but the real work of building up the parish had only begun. The next and most important task was to secure a permanent house of worship for the people, and to this the pastor at once applied himself. So rapid was his success that work on a new church was commenced in May, 1894, and the corner- stone was laid with imposing ceremonies on Sunday, July 29, of that year. The day began with a high mass at the hall of the con- vent, after which confirmation was administered to a class of fifty- six by Bishop Tierney. In the afternoon, when the long procession of Catholic societies had reached the site of the church, the cere- mony of laying the corner-stone was performed by the bishop, after which a sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached in the German language by the Rev. Wilhelm J. Reumper, S. J., and an address in English delivered by the Rev. S. B. Hedges, C. S. P. The corner-stone when placed in position showed on the front a Gothic cross and the date, 1894; on the east side the words "Mein Gott und mein alles," and on the west side, " Pfarrei zur H. Caecilia."
The work was carried forward so rapidly that in six months from the date of the contract with the builders the new church was practically ready for occupancy. It was dedicated to the service of God on Sunday, November 18, 1894, by the Very Rev. J. A. Mulcahy, vicar-general of the diocese. The master of ceremonies was the Rev. J. H. O'Donnell of Watertown. High mass was celebrated by Vicar-general Mulcahy, assisted by the Rev. J. H. Duggan as dea- con and the Rev. William Lynch as sub-deacon. A sermon in Ger- man was preached by the Rev. John Roser, O. S. F., and one in English by the Rev. L. A. Delury, O. S. A. A special musical pro- gramme had been prepared by Marie Herringer, organist of the new church, and this was carried out by the choir, assisted by leading singers of the city.
49
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
The main architectural features of the church are as follows:
The building is ninety-five feet long by fifty-six feet wide on the front, and has a seating capacity of about 600. The design is purely Gothic; the material is
1 pallet brick with brown stone trim- mings. There are three large en- trance doors at the front, with six lancet windows just above, and over these a large rose window, glazed with opalescent glass in beautiful tints. Three aisles lead to the chancel rail and through three separate gates into the sanc- tuary. Within are three altars, the main altar in the centre and the altars of the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph on either side. The main windows are of figured glass. Directly over the central altar is the figure of St. Cecilia with pan- dean pipes. Additional windows ttttit A represent other saints, the Holy Family and the Immaculate Con- ception, etc. There are no side galleries; but the choir gallery over the vestibule has floor space sufficient to seat a hundred per- sons. There is an unobstructed view of the open-timbered Gothic ST. CECILIA'S CHURCH, SCOVILL STREET. roof trusses, and of the dormer windows, glazed with colored glass, which shed a soft radiance through the upper part of the nave. The pews are modern in construction and are more comfort- able than is usually the case in small churches. The building is heated by steam and lighted by electric lights as well as gas, and special attention has been paid to ventilation. The architect was Augustus J. Smith.
St. Cecilia's parish at the present time (September, 1895) num- bers about a thousand souls. The societies connected with it (and the dates of their organization) are as follows:
Holy Family, April 24, 1892.
St. Elizabeth, November 19, 1892.
St. Borromaeus, December 12, 1892.
Children of Mary, December 8, 1892.
St. Cecilia's Drum corps, April 27, 1893.
St. Cecilia's Dramatic society, April 5, 1894.
The Rev. Farrell Martin, D. D., was born October 9, 1861. His primary education was received in the public schools of the state of New York, but in his eleventh year he entered St. Joseph's Franciscan academy in Brooklyn. His subsequent studies were pursued at St. Charles' college, Baltimore, Villanova college, Phila-
77I
OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISHES.
delphia, and St. Bonaventure's college and seminary, Allegany, N. Y., the last named institution conferring upon him the degrees of B. A. and M. A. In 1888, at the close of his theological studies, . he was ordained by Bishop O'Reilly of Springfield, Mass., and on July 20 of the same year became assistant pastor of St. Patrick's church in this city. On August 6, 1890, with the permission of Bishop McMahon, he sailed for Europe to continue his studies, and
THE REV. FARRELL MARTIN, D. D.
while abroad attended the universities of Bonn, Paris, Rome and Freiburg in Breisgau. He made a special study of church history and archæology, constantly aiming to hear the most eminent pro- fessors. On May 3, 1892, he received at Rome the degree of D. D. While abroad he visited most of the countries of Europe. He speaks several languages, and his knowledge of German, added to his other qualifications, justifies his selection as pastor of the German Catholic congregation.
772
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH.
St. Joseph's parish, comprising the Lithuanian Catholics of Waterbury, was organized early in 1894. The Rev. Joseph Zabris was appointed pastor, and entered upon his work on March 28. The first mass was celebrated on April 1, in Mitchell's block on Bank street.
On September 28 the Dreher property, with a frontage of 200 feet on James street and 220 feet on John street, was purchased at a cost of $7000, and the erection of a church was begun on October 6. On Thanksgiving day (November 29, 1894) the corner-stone was laid with the usual services. Vicar-general John A. Mulcahy per- formed the ceremony, the Rev. Bartholomew Molejkajtys acting as deacon, and Dr. Farrell Martin as sub-deacon. The address of the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Joseph Jaksztys, first in the Lithuanian and then in the Polish language. He afterward ad- dressed the other clergymen in Latin, and was followed by Vicar- general Mulcahy in an address of congratulation to the Lithuanian people. .
At the time of the laying of the corner-stone the exterior of the little church was already completed. It was ready for occupancy on December 16. The building has a seating capacity of 300, besides the galleries over the vestibule. Joseph A. Jackson was the architect.
The present structure is designed to serve as a school building, when a larger and more imposing church shall have been erected.
THE ITALIAN CATHOLICS.
A recent estimate places the number of Italian Catholics in Waterbury at 1500. As yet they have no church organization, although laudable efforts are being made to erect a parish for them. In 1894 a mission was conducted by two Italian priests at the church of the Immaculate Conception from which good results followed. For some time the question of securing for themselves a church has been under consideration by the Italian Catholics, and no doubt the near future will witness the realization of their hopes. With this end in view, the Right Rev. Bishop Tierney appointed the Rev. Dr. Martin, pastor of St. Cecilia's parish, to the temporary pas- toral charge of the Italian Catholics of Waterbury. He assumed this additional labor in October, 1894. Since then Italian clergy- men have given weekly missions to the people, with a view to the permanent organization of a parish.
CHAPTER XLI.
A UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY-C. F. ELLIOTT-THE POTTER PROPERTY-A CHAPEL-DIFFICULTIES-OTHER PASTORS-FAILURE-THE CHAPEL
LEASED AND SOLD-DISPOSAL OF THE FUND-" ADVENTISM' "
- EARLY PREACHERS-AN ORGANIZATION-L. F. BAKER-CORNELIUS PIKE-PROSPERITY-THE "CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC " BODY-ORIGIN OF THE WATERBURY BRANCH-MEETINGS-PROTESTANT GERMANS- ATTEMPTS AT ORGANIZATION-A CONGREGATIONAL ENTERPRISE- A LUTHERAN CHURCH-PASTORS-A HOUSE OF WORSHIP-THE SWEDISH IMMIGRATION-DIVISIONS-THE FIELD LEFT TO THE LUTHERANS-A PASTOR AND A CHURCH-THE SALVATION ARMY- OPPOSITION, FIDELITY, SUCCESS-A WOOD YARD-SPIRITUALISM PAST AND PRESENT-HEBREW ORGANIZATIONS-RIVERSIDE AND OTHER MODERN CEMETERIES.
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
N 1868 there was a considerable number of persons in Waterbury who were so much interested in the doctrine of universal salva- tion as to desire that it should be definitely taught to them, and who came together from time to time to listen to the preaching of the Rev. C. H. Webster, a missionary of the Universalist State con- vention. In the course of the year the practicability of organizing a society was seriously considered, and a favorable decision was reached. A meeting was held on December 18, 1868, at which a society was organized. Marshall Granniss was elected clerk and treasurer, and W. O. Northrop, J. S. Benedict and F. H. Frost were elected a society's committee. During the first year the pulpit was supplied by the state missionary and others; but at the annual meeting of 1869 (December 20) the society voted to engage the Rev. Charles F. Elliott to preach for three Sundays with reference to inviting him to become their pastor. On February 13, 1870, a unanimous call was extended to Mr. Elliott, which he accepted. I
Mr. Elliott was born in Manchester, N. H., August 4, 1847; so that at this time he was in his twenty-third year. He was a student at St. Lawrence university, but left there before gradua- tion to accept the call to Waterbury.
On May 4, 1870, the society decided to purchase the Potter prop- erty, on the corner of Grand and Canal streets, with reference to
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
erecting upon it a chapel. A building committee was appointed, consisting of G. L. Carrington, W. O. Northrop, N. D. Granniss and J. H. Weeden, and under the supervision of these gentlemen a suitable and commodious house of worship was erected within a few months. The building was dedicated October 12, 1870, and the Rev. Mr. Elliott, who had begun his labors on behalf of the society in July, was ordained and installed as pastor at the same time. The sermon of the occasion was preached by the Rev. E. C. Bolles, who, although not a native of Waterbury, had spent the first ten years of his life in the town. Mr. Bolles was at this time pastor of the Uni- versalist church in Salem, Mass., and had already at- tained to eminence as a preacher and lecturer in the de- nomination to which he belonged.
The society un- der the leadership of its young pastor exhibited not only enthusiasm but ac- tivity, and both of these were consid- erably enhanced by UNIVERSALIST CHAPEL, GRAND STREET, 1870-1889. the addition to the parish of a Unitarian family of intelligence and cultivation which had recently removed to Waterbury from Brook- lyn, N. Y. But so strong was the traditional prejudice against Universalism in organized forms, and so little did the Universa- lists and "restorationists" in the other churches of the city hear from their pulpits that was calculated to disturb their ill-defined convictions or loosen their hold upon the older societies, that it was found impossible to secure for the new organization any tangi- ble increase. It soon became evident that there was but slight prospect of being able to sustain a pastor from year to year, and within a year and a half from his installation the Rev. Mr. Elliott gave notice of his intention to resign. His resignation was “reluc- tantly accepted," April 27, 1872, and he soon after returned to the jewelry business, with which he had been familiar in his earlier
775
THE LATER PROTESTANT ORGANIZATIONS.
life, and opened a store on Bank street. In 1871 he had married Henrietta, daughter of Robert Foster of Brooklyn, N. Y .*
On September 29, 1872, the society extended a call to the Rev. S. S. Fletcher of Exeter, N. H., to become its pastor. He accepted the invitation, and began work in the parish on November 3, but did not find encouragement to continue his ministry after July of the following year. His resignation was accepted August 4, 1873, and in the emergency Mr. Elliott came to the assistance of the church with an offer to conduct its services and preach gratuitously for six months, provided the society would raise the amount of a pastor's salary for that length of time and apply it to the liquida- tion of the society's debt. Soon after the expiration of this period the Rev. J. H. Amies accepted a call to the pastorate, and fulfilled the duties of that office so long as the society continued to hold services of public worship.
In May, 1875, the house and lot on the corner of Grand and Canal streets, included in the original purchase of property by the society, were sold to Dr. S. C. Bartlett for the sum of $7000. The resignation of Mr. Amies was accepted October 3. The Sunday school of the society continued to hold its sessions in the building for some time, and was earnestly sustained by a few devoted mem- bers. But on April 16, 1877, it was decided to lease the chapel to the newly organized Trinity parish (see page 665) for a term of five years from May I, at the rate of $700 a year, and from that time all Universalist services were discontinued. Most of the members of the society identified themselves with other Protestant congregations of the city, especially with the First church.
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