USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Century of Catholicism in western Massachusetts; being a chronicle of the establishment, early struggle, progress and achievements of the Catholic church in the five western counties of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin > Part 5
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O. E. Nault, Architect
INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, WORCESTER Rev. Wm. H. Ducharme, Pastor.
parish building is now given over entirely to school uses, and the three hundred pupils already fill it to capacity.
Father Ryan carefully planned his parish development, so that now, with the fruition of his plans, the indebtedness is not large. His is a win- ning personality, which gains and keeps the con- fidence of his people, whom he never tires of praising for their unswerving co-operation in the early days of parish struggles. Today, established
in the confidence and affection of his flock, Father Ryan enjoys the happiness which comes with the completion of a well planned and executed program of parish growth.
T THE last division of old St. John's came in 1911 with the erection of the present Ascen- sion parish, of which the late Rev. James J. Far- rell, LL.D., was the first pastor. Father Farrell was a genial, whole souled priest, deservedly popular among priests and people, especially devoted to his parish schools, erected by Mon- signor Griffin in 1873, but scarcely was he well established in his new charge with a fitting home for himself and his assistants, when the grim reaper cut him down. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph G. Daley, who has just completed a new parish rectory, to replace the one which Father Farrell had improvised by joining two houses.
St. Joseph's School, Worces- ter. Sisters of St. Ann in charge. Rev. W. H. Ducharme, Pastor.
O. E. Nault, Architect
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Father Daley is a man of fine mental accomplish- ments, a gifted writer of several volumes, and withal a capable administrator in parochial affairs.
This growth to the south and west of Worces- ter was balanced by a similar Catholic increase at the north end, where the Immaculate Conception has been twice divided, in 1911 to form the parish of the Holy Rosary, at Greendale, and in 1916 to set off the congregation of St. Bernard's.
THE Holy Rosary Parish, composed of English and French speaking members, had, as its first pastor, Rev. Gedeon Fontaine, who built a church and purchased a home for the clergy. His successor was Rev. Joseph Brochu, and, on his promotion to Aldenville, Fr. Paul Roy replaced him. All worked hard to raise the money necessary to carry out a building program. The present pastor is. Rev. Richard A. Riley, a fluent bi-linguist. His efforts have already resulted in the enlarging of the church to meet the needs of a growing population, and the erection of a new rectory, and placed the parish on a sound finan- cial basis, while multiplying the sodality organi- zations which promote the care of souls. Father Riley also cared for the mission at Oakdale until it became a separate parish, last year. He is a pleasant, approachable shepherd, who rules by gentleness rather than strenuosity, and always enlists the warmest support of his flock.
THE first pastor of St. Bernard's is still in charge of the Lincoln Street parish-Rev. George F. Flynn. who came to Worcester from Upton in 1916. For years, he carried on unaided and now has two assistants. Father Flynn, whose previous pastoral labors in Upton won him deserved promotion to his Worcester parish, is a man of great initiative, most successful in all financial projects, a methodical and careful cus- todian of parochial resources, a forceful speaker. and a prime favorite with his people, in whom his confidence is unbounded. He is always inter- ested in community as well as parish interests, and is at present one of the most active members of Worcester's Board of Parks and Recreation.
Through his efforts, St. Bernard's now has a beautiful Gothic house of worship, which enjoys a splendid outlook over Worcester, while well situated for the convenience of the parishioners. and nearby a spacious rectory, which he has re-
modeled and renovated to meet his needs admir- ably. He recently installed a costly organ of rare tonal quality, and its dedication was an event long to be remembered in musical circles.
THOUGH the growth of Worcester's French
speaking population was less rapid, it was none the less steady and healthy, and where Notre Dame cared for all the French Canadians prior to 1886, four parishes, three of them decidedly thriving, now care for the same terri- tory. In 1869, Rev. J. B. Primeau was made the first pastor of Notre Dame. This parish devel- oped a penchant for buying and dedicating Protestant temples to Catholic use. Its first church had been used by the Methodists, and the one which the parish has just discarded was a his- toric Baptist temple. Father Primeau covered his extensive territory until 1883, and opened the parish schools in 1881. He labored in Notre Dame for thirteen years, and after a short stay by two others, Father Brouillet came in 1883. During his time, in 1892, the Grey Nuns came to begin their work of caring for the orphans, and the Francis- can Sisters opened their asylum for the aged on Granite Street. Both filled a long telt want and have expanded and enlarged their accommoda- tions, up to the present day.
Father Brouillet also did much to "bring the church to the people" by building chapels in vari- ous parts of the city, to save the people the long
Main Altar, Blessed Sacra- ment Church, Worcester. Rev. WV. E. Ryan, Pastor.
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trip to the parish church, which then occupied the present position of the Bancroft Hotel. These chapels were the first places of worship in what are now St. Joseph's and Holy Name parishes. He purchased in addition, the Fox Mill property at Vernon Square on which St. Anthony's parish buildings now stand.
A disastrous fire destroyed old Notre Dame church, which was never rebuilt. Instead, the land was sold and the Baptist Church on Salem Square was purchased. and, with necessary changes, became a Catholic place of worship. Its basement served for years as the parish school, until the present pastor, Rev. L. D. Grenier, erected a new and thoroughly modern school plant on Orange Street, where nearly five hundred grammar and high school pupils receive a Catholic education.
Once the education of his children was pro- vided for, Father Grenier turned his attention to a new church. The Baptist church which the parish had purchased was large enough, but it was a frame building, had seen long service, had no parish hall, etc. The site was a superb one, on historic Salem Square, directly across from the sightly Common. A successful "drive" for funds proved that his plans were feasible, and soon the
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John W. Donohue, Architect
Architectural detail above Sanctuary of Blessed Sacrament Church, Worcester.
walls and towers of new Notre Dame mounted to the sky. The church was dedicated a year ago, and constitutes a real addition to the "picture places" of Worcester, and the noble homes of our Eucharistic Lord which grace our diocese. The plan was an ambitious one, carried out with enthusiasm. All its appointments, glorious win- dows, artistic pulpit, graceful altar, are in keep- ing, so that Notre Dame ranks with the best houses of worship in our Springfield fold.
THE first division of Notre Dame was St. Joseph's, on the side of Grafton Hill, of which Rev. Jules Graton became the first pastor, in 1891. He used the mission chapel built by the pastor of Notre Dame, who also had begun the construction of a new church before the division took place. Father Graton completed the church, built a rectory and school, and opened his parish school in 1896. With the coming of Rev. J. C. Allard, who had already established a reputation as a financier at Turners Falls, the debt was quickly and systematically reduced and a new school and convent erected. The present pastor, Rev. William H. Ducharme, followed Father Allard, and immediately constructed an imposing church and well-planned rectory, near the new school and convent, so that today the entire group of St. Joseph's, a most impressive and adequate one, has been transferred from its old position on Wall Street to a compact site, facing on Hamilton
Blessed Sacrament Church, Worcester. Rev. William E. Ryan, Pastor.
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL, WORCESTER
Rev. B. A. Bojanowski, Pastor. Sisters of The Holy Family of Nazareth in charge of School.
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, WORCESTER Very Rev. Msgr. Joachim Maffei, Pastor.
Raymond C. Gorrani, Architect
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Street. Father Ducharme has carried out his ex- tensive plans with energy and tact, and has given his people a parish plant in which they may take pardonable pride. His school ranks with the largest in the diocese : over nine hundred pupils are on its roll call.
TN 1893 the southern section of the mother parish of the French Canadians, Notre Dame, was cut off to form the new parish of the Holy Name, and for over thirty years had the late Rev. J. E. Perreault as its pastor. Father Perreault advanced as rapidly as his financial circumstances would permit, lived in a modest rectory, con- ducted divine worship in the basement of his future church, but opened his school five years after the foundation of the parish. When the state of the parish treasury justified it, he com- pleted his church which, with its two stately towers, fronts on Main Street, across University Park. He then proceeded to the construction of a roomy, sightly convent. With his parish plans completely carried out. Father Perreault, a vet- eran of twoscore years and ten in the priesthood. resigned and retired to the Grey Nuns' Worcester asylum, where he passed his remaining years as chaplain of the orphans whom he loved. His suc- cessor, Father Joseph A. Dalpe, enlarged and beautified the rectory, so that, today, Holy Name has four striking buildings, all fronting on the same street and in plain sight of Main Street. The buildings form a graceful background for the public park, and the park furnishes a pleasing outlook for the Holy Name group. Father Dalpe is a capable, pious, gentle priest, especially devout to Our Eucharistic Lord, and an experienced director of souls.
youngest of Worcester's French parishes, St. Anthony's, founded in 1904. has had a hard road to travel. owing to the initial cost of the church property and the exodus of its people to more desirable residential districts. The double handicap of a dwindling population and a crushing debt has hindered the parish in many ways. Schools and a hall for church services were opened in the buildings of Fox's Mills, found on the land, by Rev. J. E. Chicoine, the first pastor. So dire did the financial straits of the struggling parish become under Father Lord that the school was closed and the school rooms rented to the Polish parish of St. Mary's. However, the pres-
ent capable pastor who succeeded the kindly Rev. Paul Hanotel, deceased, Rev. J. S. Desautels, D.D., has done much to improve the parish prop- erty, and under his supervision, the parish ont- look is improving. He has leased a part of the parish property for a commercial enterprise : has disposed of some land to the city for street widen- ing, and this has lightened the financial burden to such an extent that the parish schools have reopened.
B ACK in 1894, the first Polish and Lithu- anian contingents had become numerous enough to form the parish of St. Casimir, under Father Jakcztys. Later on, both had increased in numbers enough to justify separate congrega- tions, and so the Polish people organized the pres- ent sturdy parish of St. Mary, in 1903, with Father Moneta as first pastor.
ST. CASIMIR'S, under Rev. John Jakaitis. opened its parish school which today is attended by over five hundred pupils. The parent parish increased so rapidly that the- new congre- gation of Our Lady of Vilna was entrusted to the late Fr. Julius Caplekas in 1925. Its present pastor, Rev. C. A. Vasys, has completed a rectory and the church itself has a most commanding site on the brow of the hill facing Holy Cross. The present pastor of St. Casimir's is Rev. A. Petrai-
Ascension School, Worcester. Rev. J. G. Daley. Pastor. Sisters of Notre Dame in charge.
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tis. who practically founded the Lithuanian parish of Athol before going to Worcester.
St. Mary's Polish congregation of Worcester was formed in 1903, with Reverend Father Mo- neta as its first pastor. After completing the church, he gave way to Reverend Father Redden, the courtly and capable leader who remained until his death in 1913, whereupon he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Tomikowski, for a year and a half. Then came Rev. B. Bojanowski, fresh from the establishment of a Polish parish in Pittsfield, and he still continues to guide St. Mary's spirit- ual destinies. The parish church was erected in 1905, its first school building followed in 1915, and in 1926 Father Bojanowski added a new building, which contains classrooms, hall, gymna- sium, society quarters, and is, in brief, a well- planned community centre for the activities of a large and growing population. Himself a teacher of experience, in his native Poland, Father Boja- nowski has given special attention to his schools. which, under the Sisters of Nazareth, have become the largest in our diocesan ranks.
When the Italians first began to come to Wor- cester in any numbers, they were given in charge
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to Rev. M. P. Kavanagh, then assistant at St. Stephen's, but in 1905 were organized into the new parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, which worshipped in a former Swedish church on Mul- berry Street. There the first pastor, who still re- mains, Very Rev. Msgr. Joachim Maffei, has de- veloped a spirit of unity and generous support which resulted in 1930 in a very beautiful new church. This leaves the old one to be used as a parish social center. Though the parish has no parochial schools, it has conducted a Sunday School, which, with an exceptional corps of teach- ers, has done wonders to instill the doctrine of the Saviour into the minds of the coming generation. The Italian people of Worcester, during Mon- signor Maffei's pastorate, have become a united, self-respecting group, and more than once have strongly defended the faith against public attack and the insinuating propaganda of would-be social meddlers.
Another youthful daughter in Worcester's family of Catholic parishes is the St. Margaret Mary group, on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond. The first pastor, who is still at the head of this flock, is Rev. James T. Hanrahan, who came to Wor- cester from Stockbridge, in 1922. He has a some- what scattered flock, many of whom find it more convenient to attend other churches. However, Father Hanrahan's gentle but persevering meth- ods have welded all into a united parochial house- hold. He held his earlier services in the K. of C. hall, but has since been obliged to enlarge his permanent church. Pious, studious, a talented linguist, Father Hanrahan has won the confidence of a heterogeneous flock, and has laid the founda- tion of a bright future by his fine work for the Christian instruction of his parish children. His parish is territorial, and includes English speak- ing, French and Italian elements, all of whom have been won by persevering patience, into a growing parochial consciousness.
THE cosmopolitan character of Worcester's Catholicity is reflected in the presence of two eastern congregations, both established in 1924- the Maronite parish of Our Lady of Mercy, of which Rev. George Sebhlani is spiritual head, and the Melchite Church, of which Rev. Polycarpe Warde is in charge. The former belongs to the Syriac rite, which claims St. James as its founder ; the latter to the Byzantine rite, which uses Arabic in its liturgy, except at solemn functions, when the service is in Greek.
St. Casimir's Church, Worces- ter. Rev. Augustine Petraitis, Pastor.
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Father Mtleigneault
IN MEMORIAM
Reverend napoleon Meigneault First Pastor of St. Louis' Church in Webster
Indefatigable missionary who cared for Southbridge, Oxford, Spencer, Brookfield, Warren and Barre, at times risking life and health. Twenty parishes now flourish in territory which he covered alone.
James Murphy, Architect
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, MILFORD Rev. J. A. Riordan, Pastor.
Worcester, a Genter of Missionary Activity
John W. Donohue, Architect
ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL, BLACKSTONE Rev. Thomas P. Smith, Pastor. Sisters of St. Joseph in charge.
ROM Worcester as a radiating center, the Catholic faith spread in all directions. The Irish laborers, working on the Provi- dence Canal and the Providence Railroad, carried it with them to the towns of the Blackstone Valley, and paved the way for future parishes.
The parish of St. Paul's, in Blackstone, was established in 1852, but the first Mass was offered there by the tireless Father Fitton, probably in 1834. Under the first pastor, Rev. Charles O'Reilly. Blackstone was an active missionary center which cared for all the surrounding towns. The land for the church was the gift of a non- Catholic mill owner. The original church has been remodelled and enlarged into the present stone
structure. For thirty years, Rev. Wm. H. Power was pastor of this parish, and under him the church was enlarged and beautified. The present pastor, Rev. Thomas P. Smith, was rector of St. Michael's Cathedral. previous to being named pastor at Blackstone. He has rounded out the parochial plant by the erection of a splendid gram- mar school and convent. Father Smith. a man of
St. Mary's High School, Mil- ford. Rev. J. A. Riordan, Pastor. Sisters of St. Joseph in charge.
John W. Donohue, Architect
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ST. MARY'S SCHOOL GROUP, MILFORD Rev. J. A. Riordan, Pastor. Sisters of St. Joseph in charge.
studious habits and scholarly attainments, is an effective speaker and a zealous worker who com- mands the respect and affection of his flock and wins their wholehearted co-operation with his leadership.
T THOUGH the first Mass in Milford was prob- ably not said as early as that in Blackstone, St. Mary's parish was created in 1850, with Rev. George Hamilton as first pastor. In 1857, Father Cuddihy, the sturdy missionary of the Berkshires, was assigned to Milford and ruled the spiritual destinies of this flock for over forty years. A giant physically and mentally. Father Cuddihy in- structed his people unto righteousness and began the present St. Mary's group, one of the "picture groups" of the diocese. He used the famed Mil- ford pink granite for the church, dedicated in 1869, and added the tower of the same material in 1890. Ireland's famed temperance advocate, Father Mathew, preached at the church dedica- tion. Parish schools under the Sisters of Notre Dame were opened in 1880, and the granite gram- mar school was completed ten years later. After
the brief pastorate of Father Canavan, during which the Sisters of St. Joseph took charge of the schools, Rev. D. F. McGrath was in charge for more than a decade. A man of energy and taste. Father McGrath beautified the church, graded the cemetery, and, relinquishing the former rectory to the teaching Sisters, purchased another home for the parish clergy. His successor, Father Grace, in a brief stay, did much to render the grounds attractive, and began the erection of St. Mary's High School, completed and dedicated by his suc- cessor, the present pastor, Rev. J. A. Riordan.
Father Riordan, an eloquent speaker, able ad- ministrator and kindly, zealous shepherd of souls, has accomplished wonders in both the spiritual and material administration of his charge. Under him, St. Mary's financial indebtedness has been rapidly reduced, the parish schools have flourished and frequent Communions have multiplied.
TN THE year 1905, the Italians were or- ganized into a separate parish, the Sacred Heart, with Father Petrarca in charge. On his departure, the care of this flock was entrusted to
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NOTRE DAME CHURCH, SOUTHBRIDGE Aisle on gospel side, showing magnificent pulpit. Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. O. Triganne, Pastor.
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the Stigmatini Fathers, of Springfield, under whose superintending guidance Milford's Italian Catholics have made steady progress. Recently they dedicated a large basement, capable of seating twelve hundred, and a beautiful parish church will soon be completed. The Italian Catholics, whose present pastor is Rev. Raymond Dalla Porta, C.S.F., have progressed materially as well as spiritually, and number many professional and business men in their ranks.
THOUGH St. Bridget's, in Millbury, became a parish as early as 1851, and dedicated the present church that year, it again reverted to the status of a mission from Uxbridge and Worcester. The first Mass was celebrated in the church in 1850. Its parish status was restored in 1869, and, since then, the church was so completely renovated as to be almost a new church, under Fathers Goggin, Conlin and Griffin. The present pastor, Rev. Daniel M. Tully, who is also Diocesan Direc- tor of Charities, believes that the old frame church which housed our Eucharistic Lord since 1850 has served its holy purpose, and plans the erec- tion of a more modern structure to replace it. He has already erected a new rectory. Fire destroyed the old one. Father Tully has been director of our diocesan charities for nearly two decades and has been especially zealous in caring for the orphan wards of the diocese. Under his capable management, Catholic orphans have been assured of Catholic homes and train- ing, our day nursery system has been de- veloped and priests have been appointed to safe- guard the interests of Catholic children in our juvenile courts. He has interested many Catholic orders, notably the Foresters, in the welfare of
these neglected children, with the result that the faith of hundreds has been safeguarded, while their material needs have been provided for.
TN 1884, the French speaking parishioners of St.
Bridget's organized the separate parish of the Assumption under Rev. J. A. Charland. The parish church was completed in 1886. On Father Charland's death, parish finances were in so healthy a condition that initial steps were taken which resulted ultimately in the opening of a modern parish school, under Father Comtois. After the short stay of Father Jacques, came the present pastor, Father J. M. Marceau, who has shown marked ability in reducing the debt caused by the opening of the school, and has won the con- fidence of his people, both by his ability as a man of affairs and his energy as a shepherd of souls. The Assumption has a complete parish plant and is in sound financial and spiritual condition.
ST. PHILIP'S, of Grafton, dates its parochial existence from 1869, though the prince of early missionaries, Father Fitton, said Mass there as early as 1834. It was subsequently a mission to Millbury and Worcester. Rev. Dr. Baret was its first pastor, and found, on his arrival, a church already constructed by Father Gibson, of Worces- ter. St. Mary's, in North Grafton, begun by Father James Boyle in 1882, was completed by his suc- cessor, Rev. John R. Murphy, who, arriving in 1887, remained at St. Philip's for nearly twenty years. Under him St. Mary's was completed, the grounds of St. Philip's beautified, and the civic in- fluence of Catholics grew apace. A shrewd busi- ness man, Father Murphy reduced the heavy parish indebtedness to the disappearing point, and, on his promotion to Chicopee Falls, left parish and mission in excellent financial condition. The pres- ent pastor, Rev. John F. Casey, has added a second mission to his charge, Our Lady of Lourdes, in East Millbury. Father Casey is a man of deep piety and zeal, tireless in the performance of all duties, but especially in the instruction of the little ones of his flock.
T TNTIL 1884, St. Augustine's, of Millville, was a mission of Blackstone, and the pastor of Blackstone, Rev. Wm. Power, said the first Mass in the present church in 1879. In 1884, how- ever, St. Augustine's became a separate parish,
St. Mary's Church, Uxbridge. Rev. R. D. Murphy, Pastor.
John W. Donohue, Architect
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under Rev. Michael Kittredge. wlio later became pastor of Blackstone and, at the time of his death, was in charge of his native parish, St. John's, of Clinton. Father Kittredge enlarged the church, graded the grounds, and put in cement walks. All the subsequent pastors of St. Augustine's, who include Fathers Prendergast, Leonard. McCaug- han and McDermott, have sung the praises of their people, and more than one, in large centres of activity, has sighed for his pleasant days among the good people of Millville, whose faith and generosity have always been pleasant memories to the shepherds who served them. The present pastor, Rev. Francis H. Swift, is an earnest, zeal- ous leader who, without any special display, accomplishes lasting results.
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