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 6
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 6
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 6
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 6
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 6
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"THE youngest of Blackstone's spiritual chil- dren is a French speaking parish in East Blackstone, under Rev. H. Remy. This newest Blackstone parish, organized under the patronage of St. Teresa, has just begun its parochial exist- ence, but Father Remy's reputation as an or- ganizer and worker assures its rapid development. Though established in 1929, the parish already has church and school.
F OLLOWING Milford and Blackstone in the ·order of time came St. Mary's. of Uxbridge, which, after being a mission to each for a brief period, began independent parochial life in 1853. with the stalwart Rev. Edward Sheridan as first resident pastor. The first Mass in Uxbridge was offered as early as 1840, and of course the cele- brant was Father Fitton. In 1855, St. Mary's Church was dedicated which, with repairs and renovations, served the parish until the pastorate of the late Rev. Denis Sullivan. A line of zealous pastors, Fathers Denis O'Keefe, Moran, Robin- son, Thomas Sullivan and Maurice O'Sullivan, the last two of whom died here, guided St. Mary's flock to the recent pastorates of Fathers Sullivan and Meehan. Fathers Meehan and Sul- livan made a notable financial record in Ux- bridge, and their success reflected not merely their own capable energy, but the fine Catholic training of their people. The amounts which they collected from a people far from wealthy in this world's goods was little short of astounding. and the pledges made and kept by those whose only revenue was a mill wage amazed even their ow11
St. Luke's Church, Westboro. Rev. John F. Boland, Pastor.
leaders. The result was a new church and rectory on a new site, and beautiful St. Mary's is now among the most striking houses of worship in the Blackstone Valley. The present pastor, Rev. Richard D. Murphy, had already proven his ability and zeal during his first pastorate at Long- meadow. He is a man of exceptional parts, a fluent French speaker. and certain to carry on the work so well begun.
THE oldest spiritual daughter of St. Mary's is St. Luke's, Westboro, set off as a separate unit in 1870. under Rev. Richard Donovan. Of course, Father Fitton said the first Mass in West- boro, probably in the early forties, for Westboro was one of his stations. The first recorded Mass was by Father Gibson, in 1849. The first parish church, a remodelled Baptist structure, was burned in 1886, and a sightly frame building replaced it, completed and dedicated, in 1889, during the pas- torate of Rev. Dr. McCoy. This church, in turn, was burned to the ground about ten years ago. Though the insurance by no means covered the loss. Rev. John D. McGann, the venerable pastor who had succeeded Rev. Dr. McCoy, back in 1894, set to work with the ripe experience of his long years in the priesthood, and the energetic zeal of a young man. His people and townspeople rallied to his support, and within a year the new St.
John W. Donohue, Architect
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ST. ANN'S SCHOOL, SACRED HEART PARISH, WEBSTER Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. A. Desrochers, Pastor. Sisters of St. Ann in charge.
O. E. Nault, Architect
SACRED HEART CHURCH, WEBSTER Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. A. Desrochers, Pastor.
Heroux Bros., Architects
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Luke's, a modern, fireproof structure, more beauti- ful even than the old church which had been de- stroyed, was ready for dedication, with practically no mortgage encumbrance. This achievement spoke volumes for pastor and people, and Father Mc- Gann was soon asked to take charge of St. Paul's in Worcester.
The saintly Father Cronin. the eloquent Fathers Burke and McCoy and the tireless energy of Father McGann, a tirelessness manifested espe- cially in the catechetical instruction of the lambkins of his flock. have all combined to make St. Luke's a fine Catholic flock who, within a year, emerged from a disastrous conflagration with a parish plant bigger and better than ever. The present pastor is Rev. John F. Boland, a man of studious habits, marked eloquence and devoted to his people's interests.
T HE same year that Westboro became a parish, in 1870, St. Denis' Parish, of East Douglas, was cut off from Uxbridge, whose pastor, Father Sheridan, had said the first Mass there in 1857, on Christmas. The first pastor was the great French speaking missionary, Father Gagnier, who or- ganized the people and then relinquished the reins to Father Couillard in 1873. Father Delphos, who succeeded him in 1878, remained for sixteen years, built a mission church in Manchaug, under the title of St. Ann's, and first brought to the diocese the Little Sisters of St. Francis, whose home in Worcester is an asylum for the aged. East Douglas and Manchaug still remember with gratitude the solicitude of Father Delphos for the sick and needy.
F OR years, St. Ann's in Manchaug was a four- ishing French speaking parish, with its own parochial school, and that at a time when it had no railroad or trolley connections with the outside world. A destructive fire, however, wiped out the mills during the stay of Father Paul Hanotel and, almost in a night, Manchaug all but dis- appeared. The few Catholics who remained are cared for by Rev. J. I. Lord, whose failing health has made a more exacting place impossible. Previ- ous to his appointment to Manchaug, Father Lord served in many curacies, and did good work at Worcester and Easthampton.
"THE mother parish of St. Denis, at East Douglas, still flourishes under the devoted leadership of Rev. James E. Meehan, beloved of
his flock alike for his personal piety and his long years of priestly service in their midst. He is espe- cially zealous in the instruction of the young-to him, a labor of sincere love.
W ITH the creation of our diocese in 1870, Cordaville became a mission of Westboro. and continued this affiliation until 1887, when Rev. John Redican became its first pastor, with South- boro as his mission. He found St. Matthew's Church at Cordaville, constructed by Father Cronin in the closing years of his life. Father Redican immediately built and dedicated the mission church of St. Ann, at Southboro, which later became the parish church, and Cordaville reverted to its mission status. Southboro, under able management, has become one of our flourish- ing smaller parishes. Its people are fairly pros- perous, and thoroughly loyal, and its church prop- erty is nicely located and well-kept. Its pastors have won merited promotion by their zealous efforts for this "cozy corner" of our diocese. From there, Fathers Farrell and Boland, both of blessed memory, went to Worcester, and Father Curran, to Pittsfield. The present pastor, Rev. Francis X. Maxwell, is a man of genial disposi- tion, marked ability and successful in every branch of parochial activity.
THE same year that saw Cordaville a parish witnessed the creation of a new parish in Fisherville under the patronage of St. James. The first shepherd of this flock was Rev. Michael J. Carroll, who served here for nearly twenty years, and had Holy Angels flock, at Upton, as his mission charge. Previous to this time. Fisher- ville had been attended from Grafton, whose pastor, Father James Boyle, had completed the church of St. James in 1884. The Fisherville Manu- facturing Company has always been the friend of
St. Peter's Church, North- bridge. Rev. J. Horace Gelineau, Pastor.
John W. Donohue, Architect
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Fisherville Catholics, and, among many benefac- tions, gave the land on which church and rectory stand. Father Carroll built a rectory, installed a splendid organ in the church, graded the grounds. and, all in all, made the St. James' Church prop- erty one of Fisherville's beauty spots. Incidentally. the altar of St. James is a historic one-its orig- inal home was the chapel of Holy Cross College, in Worcester.
T TPTON, the mission of Fisherville, had been attended first from Milford and later from Grafton, whose pastor purchased an old Congre- gational house of worship and transformed it into the present Holy Angels Church. During the Fish- erville pastorate of Rev. Anthony Dwyer, who remained in charge for nearly twenty years, Up- ton became a parish under Rev. R. S. J. Burke. The present pastor at Fisherville is Rev. William J. Lucey, who recently celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination. Father Lucey is an
eloquent preacher in both French and English, and. though at Fisherville for only a short time, has already added to the seating capacity of the church and made extensive repairs on the parish property. Since becoming a parish, Holy Angels' flock of Upton has enjoyed the ministrations of Fathers Cruse, Flynn, and Lane, who merited promotions to their present important posts in Springfield and Worcester, and is at present in charge of Rev. Gerald S. McGourty. Father Mc- Gourty has improved the surroundings of the church and redecorated the interior. The parish is too small, numerically, for schools, but Father McGourty has arranged for the transportation of the parish children of high school age to St. Mary's High, in Milford, to enable them to enjoy four years of education in a Catholic atmosphere. He is especially solicitous about the Catholic edu- cation of the growing generation, a most neces- sary activity in a parish without schools. His earnest, solid instructions, and his interest in the
Maginnis & Walsh, Architects
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, WHITINSVILLE Rev. John J. Foran, D.D., Pastor.
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sick as well as the young of his flock, have won warm commendation wherever he has served.
TN 1889 the Catholics of Whitinsville. who at various periods after the saying of the first Mass by Father Fitton in the early thirties had been attended by Worcester, Milford, Blackstone and Uxbridge priests. formed the new parish of St. Patrick, with Rev. Peter S. O'Reilly as their first pastor. The first church had already been erected. in 1870, by Rev. Denis Moran, but Father O'Reilly, finding the mission church too small, purchased additional land on which he erected the present Gothic church and rectory. They rank with our best. Since the death of Father O'Reilly, St. Patrick's has known the able leadership of two whom the present Holy Father has elevated to the purple-Monsignors Sullivan and Phelan. Both reduced the debt, kept the charming property in excellent repair, and attended zealously to the spiritual needs of the people. Monsignor Phelan purchased property for a convent and school, and the Presentation Nuns of Fitchburg have recently taken charge. When Monsignor Phelan was pro- moted to Worcester, he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. John J. Foran, who was well and favorably known to the people as a former assistant pastor. Dr. Foran was for years a member of our diocesan mission band.
IN ITS early existence as a parish, Whitinsville had Northbridge as a mission. There, Father O'Reilly erected the church of St. Peter's, which in 1904 became an independent parish under the then curate of Whitinsville, Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Rice, who remained in charge until his elevation to the Episcopal See of Burlington. In 1910 he was succeeded by Rev. Michael T. Slattery, a finished French speaker, and a parochial administrator who combined energy and ability. He replaced the mission church with the present fine house of worship, 1913. The mill owners of Northbridge were always his generous friends, and thanks to this happy relation, Father Slattery's labors were cast in pleasant surroundings. A large part of his flock are French speakers, and his unusual fluency in their language was deeply appreciated by them. Father Slattery's last addition to the parish activities was the opening of a parochial school and it already has a registration of nearly three hundred. His recent promotion to Leominster
was deserved recognition of a highly success- ful pastorate. His successor, Rev. J. Horace Gelineau, came from St. Louis' Parish, West Springfield, but had the unusual experience, in the early days of his priesthood. of being adminis- trator in the large Precious Blood Parish of Holyoke. Father Gelineau is a man of pleasing personality, affable and gracious, whose efforts have always met marked success.
A NOTHER parochial offshoot of Westboro was St. Rose's, of Northboro, elevated to the status of a parish in 1886. The first Mass in Northboro was said by Father Gibson, of Worcester, as early as 1843. The first pastor was Rev. James McCloskey. Two years previously, the present church had been completed. The parish rectory was purchased by Father J. F. Galvin. Like so many of our towns, Northboro has not grown, and so a succession of pastors have labored here for a short time, all zealously and well. Fathers Derbuil, Dwyer, Achim, Smith, Hurley and Sellig preceded the present incumbent, Rev. James B. Murphy. Father Derbuil took over Shrewsbury as a mission, and erected St. Teresa's Church, which gave way to the new St. Mary's, when Shrewsbury became a parish. Father Murphy, the present pastor, has done much to beautify the church and grounds, and has won the affection and devotion of a people in whose service he has been indefatigable.
D URING the pastorate of Father Sellig, at Northboro, he found so many Catholic families, especially of Italian origin, along the Shrewsbury shores of Lake Quinsigamond, and
St. Mary's Church, Shrews- bury. Rev. Thomas F. McKoan, Pastor.
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Joseph Venne, Architect
NOTRE DAME CHURCH, SOUTHBRIDGE Beautiful Main Altar and Sanctuary. Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. O. Triganne, Pastor.
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so many children who needed attention. that Bishop O'Leary made Shrewsbury a parish, with a mission. St. Ann's, near the lake. Father Thomas F. McKoan was made the first pastor in 1922 and has proven a most capable one. He erected two beautiful frame churches, one in Shrewsbury and a duplicate near Lake Quinsigamond, which were dedicated the same day. Then, finding scattered Catholic families in old Boylston, who were be- yond the influence of any church, he built the small mission church of St. Mary's, to care for them. Thus, under his zealous supervision, the erstwhile mission of Northboro has become a parish with two missions, all provided with ade- quate homes for public worship and an excellent rectory at Shrewsbury. Father McKoan is a gifted musician, and among his compositions is a hymn to the Little Flower which has gained popularity beyond our diocese.
A NOTHER instance of rapid parochial growth in the Blackstone Valley is the parish of the Good Shepherd, at Linwood, founded in 1904. with Rev. A. Henry Powers, now of Holy Rosary. Gardner, as first pastor. Father Powers built a spacious church and rectory. His successor, Rev. Gedeon Fontaine, now of Precious Blood. Holyoke, added an excellent modern school build- ing and a well-appointed convent to give Linwood a complete parish plant. The present pastor, Rev. Albert Brault, is an energetic worker and an affable shepherd, under whom parish activities are flourishing. The attendance at the parish schools is approaching the five hundred mark.
W HEN we turn our attention to the south of Worcester, the foundation of St. Louis' Parish in Webster carries us back almost to the foundations of the first congregations in the Blackstone Valley. St. Louis' became a parish in 1853, under Rev. Napoleon Meigneault, but much earlier the zealous Father Fitton had said Mass for the few scattered Catholics, especially on the occasion of sick calls. The first St. Louis' Church was built in 1851. Later, Father Quan twice added to the original, and called the last wing which he added, the Chapel of St. Patrick. Then the late Monsignor Madden completely renovated the church, which he had rededicated in 1894.
Parish schools were opened in 1882, in the base- ment of the church and in a nearby house. Ten
years later. this temporary arrangement gave way to a frame building, which, with necessary addi- tions for high school work, served until its com- plete destruction by fire, two years ago. The pastor, Rev. Garrett H. Dolan. although approach- ing his fiftieth year in the priesthood. accomplished a modern wonder when he arranged to house his pupils in a nearby public school building, and had plans drawn up for a modern fireproof building. which was ready for his high school commence- ment within a year from the date of the fire. The new St. Louis' is a finely appointed school struc- ture, with spacious hall, excellent laboratories, the last word in sanitary and ventilating arrangements. Sightly to the eye, and thoroughly equipped, this stately building will be a grammar school for St. Louis' Parish, and a central high school for the Catholics of Webster and vicinity. It is a lasting memorial to the zeal and foresight of Father Dolan who, out of disaster, erected a real monu- ment to Catholic education. The fine old pastor of St. Louis served as rector of St. Michael's Cathedral and pastor in Spencer and Pittsfield, before succeeding Father Madden in Webster. His activities here have kept up the fine spirit and traditions which always obtained in Webster's mother parish, while his last achievement showed priestly confidence and courage before a task that would have given pause to many a younger man. His long experience stood him in good stead and gave old St. Louis' one of the model school build- ings in a diocese famed for its schools.
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Spencer. Rev. P. A. Manion, Pastor.
P. W. Ford, Architect
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....
John W. Donohue,
Architect
SACRED HEART CHURCH, SOUTHBRIDGE Rev. Victor Epinard, Pastor.
TN SPEAKING of our diocese in its missionary days, a word of admiration must be expressed for the first pastor of St. Louis', Rev. Napoleon Meigneault, whose jurisdiction extended to South- bridge, Charlton, Oxford, Templeton, Barre. Warren and the Brookfields, a territory which one man would find it difficult to cover in an auto-
mobile, but which Father Meigneault covered in the days of the horse and the stage coach. We may well believe that he was "young, with indomitable courage, faithful, energetic and capable of the severest labors." The old timers of all the missions still refer to him with gratitude, a worthy suc- cessor of our Fittons and Gibsons and others.
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B Y 1870. the French speaking settlers of Web- ster had increased in numbers enough to request a separate parochial existence, and Father Cosson, an Oblate, became their pastor. His suc- cessor, Father Landry, erected a frame church. which was replaced by the present beautiful struc- ture of Canadian granite in 1896, in the pastorate of Father Legris, under the title of the Sacred Heart. The present rectory was built at the same time.
In 1885. the parish schools were opened. and the present pastor, Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. A. Des- rochers, replaced the original buildings with new brick schools in which the Sisters give a complete grammar school education and two years of a com- mercial course. Monsignor Desrochers, who suc- ceeded Father Legris, has done such commend- able work to advance the spiritual and material interests of his people that he was in the first group of our diocesan clergy raised to the honors of the purple by the present Pope, Pius XI. A man of deep piety, exceptional talents and wide parochial experience, he won the warm praise of his Bishop, who recommended him for the high honor of domestic prelate.
T THE Polish people followed the Canadians to Webster so that by 1888 they were numerous enough to justify the establishment of a parish of their own, and Rev. Francis Chalupka became first pastor. Temporarily, services were held in the basement of St. Louis' church, while the men of the new parish gave their services free to lay the foundations of the first St. Joseph's. All was ready for Trinity Sunday, of 1888, and the first Mass in the new church was the first Mass of Father Chalupka, who had just been ordained. The young priest immediately began preparations for a parish school, which opened four years after the first Mass in the church. These buildings were all frame structures, but served the parish until the arrival of Father Anthony A. Cyran, the pres- ent pastor, who has accomplished marvels during his incumbency. An imposing brick church with stone trimmings and twin towers that beautify Webster's horizon, a modern convent, a large and modern school building, have sprung up as if by magic. This hard worker and able administrator neglected only his own rectory, which is the original frame home of Father Chalupka and his successors. A new rectory is now in process of construction. The people of St. Joseph's have be-
come a power in public life and business. The parish schools have multiplied vocations, so that this comparatively young parish has given over eighty young women to the convent and nearly twenty of its sons to the altar. It is not surprising that the pastor who supervised and directed this progress should win the recognition of his su- periors. Bishop O'Leary recommended Father Cyran for the prelate's robes, and, first of his people in New England, Father Cyran became domestic prelate to Pope Pius XI.
W E HAVE two churches in our diocese dedi- cated to the service of the Slavs-and one is St. Anthony's, in Webster. founded in 1908. The first pastor of the Webster congregation, Rev. Paul Herman, purchased a Universalist church and renovated it to meet the requirements of Catholic service. His successor was Rev. Stephen Scezci, who continued steadily the work of parish development until ill-health forced him to retire. and Rev. J. A. Plavcan assumed his duties.
F COURSE. the establishment of new parishes followed apace until the old mother parish of St. Louis had daughters as far away as Warren, the Brookfields and Barre. In 1870. Father Julius Cosson became the first pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary. Spencer, though Mass
St. Mary's Church, Spencer. Rev. J. O. Comtois, Pastor.
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Joseph Venne, Architect
NOTRE DAME CHURCH, SOUTHBRIDGE
Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. O. Triganne, Pastor.
had been said in Spencer as early as 1834 by Father Fitton, and Spencer was regularly attended from Worcester until the appointment of Father Meigneault to Webster. The first church was ready for use in 1854. Father L'Eveque, who supervised the erection of the first church, had people so loyal that they mortgaged their homes to complete the House of God. When they were unable to meet their obligations, the contractors obliged them to sell their homes at public auction. Father L'Eveque, broken-hearted over this misfortune to his people, resigned his pastorate and travelled far and wide, collecting money, until he had re- funded what his people had lost. The Fathers of Holy Cross College attended Spencer for a time before its elevation to parochial status, in 1870, under Father Cosson, under whom the parish flourished. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas D.
Beaven, who later became Bishop of Springfield. Father Beaven's first work was the erection of a new church and, thanks to his efforts, the present beautiful Gothic structure lifted its noble steeple to the skies, and was dedicated in 1887. He was an able leader, and prominent in civil as well as religious circles. Since his time, the pastor of Holy Rosary has always been elected to the Spencer School Board. Father Beaven was succeeded by Rev. Garrett Dolan, who came from the rector- ship of St. Michael's Cathedral. His successor, Rev. William McCaughan, served until the com- ing of the present pastor, Rev. Patrick A. Manion. All have taken great pride in the beautiful church property, have kept it in admirable repair, have developed a good parish spirit and have made Holy Rosary one of our soundest parishes, financially. Father Manion, the present pastor, is a genial per-
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Joseph Venne, Architect
NOTRE DAME CHURCH, SOUTHBRIDGE as seen from main altar
sonality, who, in a quiet but able way, accomplishes much without creating much stir. He has done a great deal to beautify the Spencer cemetery, and has erected a sturdy tomb, which fronts on the Boston Road. He is especially interested in the little ones of his flock, for whose instruction he has enlisted the services of the Notre Dame Sisters, of Worcester.
"THE very year that Holy Rosary was dedi- cated, 1887, a new French speaking congrega- tion was established from its Canadian members. and St. Mary's, of Spencer, came into existence un- der the parochial direction of Rev. Charles Viens. assistant to Father Beaven, in Holy Rosary. Old St. Mary's church was given to the new congrega- tion by Father Beaven, and was used by them until the erection of the present striking edifice
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