History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 38

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

And now, to once again resume our sketch of the church. On the departure of Father Moran, already referred to, Rev. Arthur J. Teeling, then recently ordained, was appointed in his place in July, 1868, and remained till August, 1871, when he was traus- ferred to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newburyport, of which he is now permanent rector- thus, by something of a coincidence, reversing the condition of things, twenty-three years before, when Newburyport provided Lowell with a pastor, as Lowell now did for Newburyport. In connection with Father Teeling's term in Lowell, and subsequent

11-ii

162

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

carcer, a sketch of the Catholic Church in Newbury- port states : " It may be a not nuinteresting fact that Newburyport's present pastor, Rev. Arthur J. Teel- ing, was fer three years assistant to Rev. John O' Brien, of Lowell, Newburyport's first pastor. Per- haps, from the one whose brief sojourn in that town had been so successful, and who had given the good work such a strong impetus on the right road, Father Tecling, in the impressionable days of his early priesthood, imbibed some of the zcal that during his pastorate had crowned the church of Newburyport with a success almost unprecedented in the eccle- siastical records of Massachusetts, and equal to that of any church iu the country similarly situated."

It was while Father Tecling was in Lewell-and largely through his assistance and that of Father Michael O'Brien-that the pastor, in 1869, organized the St. Patrick's Temperance Society, whichi soon after became one of the largest in the State, num- bering thirteen hundred members -- abcut seven hun- dred men and six hundred women. Its first officers were : President, Rev. Michael O'Brien ; Treasurer, Rev. Arthur J. Teeling; Secretary, Mr. James J. Shea. The society still exists, though with some- what diminished numbers, and consists of men only. Its present 'officers are : Spiritual Director, Rev. R. S. Burke; President, Mr. William E. Broderick ; Secretary, Mr. Heury Johnson ; Treasurer, Mr. Michael Rourke.

The additional priests at St. Patrick's having ren- dered the pastoral residence as inadequate as it had always been unsuitable, Father John had it removed, and the present commodious one erected, at his own expense, in 1869.

Having now provided, not only for all the present needs of the parish, but for many of those for years to come; and beginning to feel the weight of ad- vancing age upon him, Rev. John O'Brien resigned the pastorate of St. Patrick's in 1870, and Rev. Michael O'Bricn became pastor de facto, though always under Father John's guidauce. Hale aud hearty, and scarcely less active than ever, did the zealous priest remain for four years more, when he was suddenly called, October 31, 1874, to enjoy the reward of his noble and edifying life. After most impressive funeral rites, his remains were placed beside those of his beloved and revered brother.

Meanwhile, other changes had taken place amongst the priests at St. Patrick's. After Father Teeling's departure, in 1871, a worthy successor came in the person of Rev. Michael T. McManus, who remained from May, 1871, to April, 1876, when he was trans- ferred to West Newton; and, after six years, was ap- "pointed to the spiritual charge of the large and pros- perous congregation of St. Patrick's Church, South Lawrence.

A few months before Father McManus left Lowell, two other assistants having become necessary for the increasing parish, Revs. William and Martin O'Brien

came in Sept., 1875. Of these reverend fathers, the former, Rev. William O'Brien, most faithfully minis- tered to St. Patrick's congregation until June, 1884, when he was placed in charge of the then recently formed congregation of St. Michael's Church, Cen- tralville, of which he is still the esteemed pastor. Rev. Martin O'Brien remained in Lowell about a year and a half, wheu lie was sent to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Salem, whencc, after nine years of valuable service, he was transferred to the pastorate of St. Mary's Church, Newton Upper Falls.

In September, 1876, Rev. William M. O'Brien came to Lowell, and, after a twelve years' stay, which is pleasantly and gratefully remembered, was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, Winchester, Massa- chusetts.

Rev. John J. Shaw, happily still at this, his first mission, came here January 16, 1883; and, about a year after, January 19, 1884, came Rev. James W. Hickey, whose health obliged him, in September, 1887, to seek the more genial clime of California.

Rev. Richard S. Burke came to take his place here soon after, and St. Patrick's is still favored with his services.

With the assistance of these zealous priests-under the wise and fatherly guidance of the rector-several excelleut societies have been formed in addition to those already mentioned. Amongst these is one very important in the advancement of religious affairs and the general good of the community -- the Holy Name Society, organized in May, 1879, with the following officers : Spiritual Director, Rev. M. O'Brien ; Presi- dent, Mr. Michael Meally ; secretary, Mr. John J. Shea ; Treasurer, Mr. William Downey. The society now numbers three hundred and fifty members, with Rev. Michael O'Brien, spiritual director; Mr. Michael MeDermott, president ; Mr. Michael Morau, secretary, and Mr. John Whitty, treasurer. Another society this present year established, is for the benefit of the poor and suffering-the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul. Its Spiritual Director is Rev. Michael O'Brien ; President, Mr. James O'Sullivan ; Secretary and Treas- urer, Mr. John P. Mahoney.

To revert again to the sad event of October, 1874. After Father John's death it soon became evident that his mantle had, indeed, fallen upon his chosen successor, Rev. Michael O'Brien, whom Bishop-now Archbishop-Williams immediately confirmed in that position.

To give au idea of what St. Patrick's Parish owes to these two zealous workers in God's vineyard-in- deed, to the three ; for Father Timothy was equally generous-is next to impossible. From the present rector, who is truly one that 'lets not his right hand know what his left hand does,' one can get only a meagre account. But, "actions speak louder than words, " and " figures will not lic." Ask the par- ishioners when contributions were solicited for such

163

LOWELL.

and such improvements and additions-they cannot tell you-they cannot remember. So quietly and un- ostentatiously has everything been done, that it is taken almost as a matter of course-"Father John did it "-" Father John gave it ; " and the same witlı Father Michael.

The time, however, for something of a reckoning had come. When Father Timothy came to Lowell, everything he then possessed, and everything he after- wards received, were generously placed at the dispos- al of Father John for the building of the church and school; so that, at the time of his decease, a large debt was virtually due him, which amount reverted to Father John as his heir. The latter, however, followed his brother's example, everything that be- longed to him, that came to him, he seemed to regard as belonging to his church and his flock. The Christ- mas before his death he made a statement to that effect, as many of the older parishioners can, proba- bly, remember. Out of what others would consider his own private resources, the parochial residence, worth ten thousand dollars, had been built; from them also, thousands of dollars had been expended on the school building, and three thousand had been left as a fund, the interest of which was to pur- chase text-books for needy pupils ; and three thousand more had been expended on repairing St. Mary's Church. These, and other figures, which might be presented by his successor, Father Michael, showing the indebtedness of the church and parish to them and to him, would be almost incredible. They were, however, submitted, with confirmatory vouchers, in the report of the standing of the church for the ycar end- ing December 31, 1874, to one who understood their truthful showing, the Right Reverend Bishop of the Diocese, accompanied, out of the generosity of Father Michael's heart, by the statement that all that had been used for the benefit of church, schools, etc., by both his predecessors, he, as their heir-inter- preting the condition of affairs as he believed tliey would wish him to do-now presented to St. Patrick's Church.

Of this report and statement the Rt. Rev. Bishop sent the following acknowledgment :

" BOSTON, Feb. 8, 1875.

" REV. DEAR SIR :- Your report for 1874 is received with the deed of the house. It is not necessary to say that the Report is very satisfac- tory. The people of St. Patrick's owe a debt of gratitude to Father John and to yourself, which I hope they will not forget.

" With best wishes for the year,

" Yours very sincerely,

" + JOHN J. WILLIAMS, " Bp. of Boston.

"REV. M. O'BRIEN, Lowell, Mass."

Soon, Father O'Brien's zeal began to manifest itself. Anything that time had impaired, or that bad heretofore been overlooked was soon attended to. Amongst the former was the basement of the church, which he renewed and greatly improved in 1878, making of it a large and handsome chapel, of the game dimensions, except height, as the church above,

for the celebration of Mass on week-days, for con- fessions, and for the accommodation of the Sunday- school, and of several religious societies that mect there at different times; while two good-sized and convenient apartments were set off, one for a vestry, the other for a library.

Not long after the completion of this, he commenced ed preparations for the crowning glory in St. Patrick's record-the consecration of the church. Devoting to this purpose his strongest energies, and giving to- wards it-as in many other instances-thousands of dollars of his own private resources, more, indeed, than he will ever acknowledge, he went on with the noble work of clearing the church wholly from debt, and making the alterations and repairs necessary to render it worthy of that distinction. With this end in view, he had handsome new seats and fine, massive new doors put in ; also a most chaste and beautiful marble altar erected. This last is a magnificent specimen of art. It is built in the Gothic style to correspond with the church, and is composed of gray and white marbles, and inlaid with rich specimens of precious Mexican onyx, and rare marbles from Ireland and Portugal. At its base it measures twenty feet, and from its base to the top of the central pinnacle, the measurement is twenty-thrce feet. On the Gospel and Epistle sides of the altar are niches; in the former of which is placed a marble statue of the Blessed Virgin, and in the latter, a statue of the same material of St. Patrick, the patron of the church. Describing it the week after the consccration, the Boston Pilot said : " Altogether the altar presents a most imposing ap- pearance, and is one of the finest in the country." The walls and ceiling he also greatly beautified, the whole interior having been frescoed with a delicate purple tiut and embellished with rich gilding. Under his direction, too, the old windows were removed, and beautiful new stained-glass ones-a series of edi- fying and instructive lessons presented in lovely tints and colors by the sunshine-substituted for them, through the generosity of members of the congrega- tion and a few others.

Following is a list of the windows and their donors. The first on each side facing each other, are orna- mental windows presented-that on the left or Gospel side, by James J. McCafferty, Esq., in memory of his father ; that on the Epistle side, by Mary and Katie Griffin. Second, Gospel side, an allegorical repre- sentation of Temperance with its good, and Intem- perance with its evil results, designed expressly for and presented by St. Patrick's Temperance Society ; second, Epistle, pictures of St. Michael the Archangel and St. James the Apostle, presented by Rev. James McGlew. Third, Gospel, the Miraculous Draught of Fishies, donated by Miss B. C. Proctor in memory of her brother, Captain Patrick S. Proctor; third, Epistle, a picture of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes given by the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception. Fourth, Gospel, pictures of St. Mathew and St. Mark,

164

IHISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

given by James Collins; fourth, Epistle, pictures of St. Luke and St. John, presented by the Holy Name Society. Fifth, Gospel, picture of The Raising of Lazarus, the gift of the Rosary Society ; fifth, Epistle, representation of Christ Restoring Sight to the Blind, gift of Mr. Timothy O'Brien. First in Gospel trans- sept, pictures of St. Jerome and St. Augustine, pre- sented by Rev. Arthur J. Teeling; first in Epistlc transept, pictures of St. Gregory and St. Ambrose, given by Mrs. A. F. Jewett, in memory of her hus- band, Andrew F. Jewett. Second Gospel transept, pictures of St. Patrick and St. Bridget, given by Patrick Mead; second Epistle transept, pictures of the Blessed Virgin and St. Anne, given by Anne Hallinan. On left side of altar, picture of the Nativity of Christ, presented by Dr. F. C. Plunkett; right side, picture of the Resurrection, presented by Patrick Lynch. Above these in left transept, picture of the Annunciation, gift of the Sodality of the Holy Family ; above in right transept, one of the Ascension, gift of the Sisters of Notre Dame. In the choir, also, are two handsome windows-at the left, one repre- senting St. Rose and St. Agnes, presented by John Donovan ; and one at the right, representing St. John the Baptist and St. Columbkille, presented by Mrs. Terence Hanover, in memory of her husband, Terence Hanover. Above the altar is the masterpiece of all -a representation of the solemn and sublime mystery of the Crucifixion of Christ-donated by Rev. Michacl O'Brien in memory of Revs. Timorhy and John O'Brien.

Everything being now in readiness, even to the placing of the twelve anointed crosses that always mark a consecrated church, the solemn act of conse- cration-one of the most impressive ceremonies of the Catholic Church-was performed Sunday, September 7, 1879.

The following extracts are taken from the full ac- count of the ceremony which appeared in the Boston Pilot of that week :

"A RARE CEREMONY. " Consecration of a Church in Lowell.

" A raro Catholic ceremony was performed on Sunday, the 7th inst., by the Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, the occasion being the consecra- tion of St. Patrick's Church, Lowell, Mass. This is the third church that has now been consecrated in the archdiocese of Boston, the other two being the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Boston, and the church of the same name in Newburyport."

"THE CONSECRATION.

" The ceremonies of consecration, which were very long, began at seven A.M., tho Most Reverend Consecrator being assisted by the fol- lowing clergymen : First deacon, Rev. Thomas Shaban, Boston ; sec- ond deacon, Rev. John Gray, Salam ; sub deacon, Rev. M. McManus, West Newton ; Masters of Ceremonies, Revs. A J. Teeling, Newbury- port, and John Gilmore, O.S.A., Lawrence. This portion of the cere- monies occupied three hours, and was private. The church was opened to the congregation, who were admitted only by tickets, at ten o'clock ; and in a short time every available space was occupied. The Soloum Pontifical Mass was commenced at quarter-past ten, Ilis Grace, the Archbishop, being the colobrant ; Very Rev. Father Byrne, V.G., act- ing as Archpriest ; deacons of honor, Rov. James McGlew, Chelsea ; Rev. James Hourigan, Binghamton, N. Y. ; dencon of the Mass, Rov. Father Smith, rector of the Boston Cathedral ; sub-deacon, Rev. Father

Morris, Brookline ; Masters of Ceremonies, Rev. Fathers Metcalf, Bos- ton, and William O'Brien, St. Patrick's, Lowell.

" The entire ceremonies were carried out strictly in accordance with the Roman Catholic ritnal, and were impressive in tho extreme, the rich golden vestments of the officiating clergyman blending beautifully with the magnificent surroundings of the sanctuary. Qmte a number of the local clergy were present, and also many from different parts of the archdiocese. Tho following Bishops were present : Rt, Rev. Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo, N. Y., who preached a magnificent sermon in the morning ; Rt. Rev. Bishop llealey, of Portland, Me., the preacher at the Vesper service ; Rt. Rev. Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C .; Rt. Rev. Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; Rt. Rev. Bishop McMahon, of Hartford, Conn. ; Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield, Mass. ; and Rt. Rev. Bishop Conroy, of Albany, N. Y.

" Bishop Ryan's text for the morning sermon was as follows: 'And the Lord appeared unto Solomon by night, and said, I have heard thy prayer and I have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.' At the conclusion, the Rt. Reverend preacher congratulated the Catho- lics of Lowell in an especial manner upon the significant ceremonies which had been performed that day in St. Patrick's Church. He con- gratulated them for their zcal and, in closing, urged them to ever be proud of their Catholicity.

"The music sung was Haydn's Sixteenth, and was admirably ren- dered by the choir of the church under the direction of Mr. E. F. Faulk- ner, with Mr. Michael Johnson as organist. At the end of the Mass, and after the Archbishop's blessing, the Te Deum was sung by the whole congregation, led by Father Teeling, of Newburyport. To a lover of congregational singing the effect was grand. To hear a vast multitude offering up a hymn of praise to Almighty God is, indeed, the acme of devotional music.

" In the evening, Solemn Pontifical Vespers were sung by Rt. Rev. Bishop Conroy, of Albany ; and the sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Bishop Healey, of Portland, Me."

Hardly was this last work completed when another important one was undertaken by Father O'Brien. St. Mary's Church, to which we have already referred, having been for some time closed, he now determined to utilize as a school for the boys of his parish. For that purpose he had it transformed into a model school building, with two fine halls, and ten large, well-ventilated and conveniently-provided school- rooms, all ready for occupancy in September, 1881, though the school was not opened until the following year, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of suitable instructors. By September, 1882, however, he had procured as teachers one of the most successful religious-teaching societies in the country, the Xaverian Brothers, a congregation that had been introduced into the United States in 1854. Five in number came to Lowell, with Brother Joseph as Su- perior for seven months, after which he was succeeded by Brother Dominic, who remained in charge until 1886, when Brother Angelus, the present Superior, was appointed. The original number has now ill- creased to eleven. The number of pupils, which was was at first 200, has increased to 560, blessed with that teaching of all most essential, moral and relig- ious ; and pursuing a course of mental training sec- ond to none in the city, supplemented by physical drill and military discipline, making a grand combi- nation of educational requisites, which cannot fail to produce strong, intelligent, loyal and conscientious citizens. In connection with the school are a variety of societies, amongst them the St. Patrick's Cadets, two hundred aud fifty iu uumber; also, a fine or-

t P tl ir

th ri Ct

th d:

th m th

165

LOWELL.

chestra, and St. Patrick's School Brass Band, of twenty-six pieces.

An interesting event in connection with this school took place March 17, 1890, when our country's flag was raised above it, with most impressive ceremonies. The school hall, decorated for the occasion with na- tional emblems and the Irish colors, was inadequate to accommodate the large number of people gath- ered to witness the exercises. The school orchestra made its first appearance, and its fine rendering of national airs won enthusiastic applause from the audience, as did all the other participants. The flag was presented with an appropriate speech by Rev. Father Burke, on behalf of the St. Patrick's Tem- perance Society, and was accepted by the rector, Father Michael O'Brien, in behalf of the school. Mayor Palmer also made a short address.

A few days before there had been erected on the school building a substantial flag-pole, surmounted by a gilded cross-" the cross, not as the emblem of so- called Romanism, or Anglicanism, or any other ' ism,' but as the emblem of man's salvation." After the presentation all adjourned to the school-yard, whence to watch the raising of the flag, and, as the "Star Spangled Banner " was thrown to the breeze, all the pupils sang " The Flag Above the School," a song written for the occasion by Henry F. O'Meara, of Boston. A few days after, a somewhat similar cere- mony took place at the Academy.

The interest of the Catholics of Centralville, that part of the city across the river, who had been obliged to come quite a distance to attend Mass, next engaged Father O'Brien's special attention; and, the Arch- bishop having decided that they were entitled to a church, formed of Centralville and Dracut a separate parish, and committed to Father O'Brien the building of a church for their benefit in the former place. The site of this building is central and well adapted to re- ligious purposes. It has a frontage of ninety feet on Sixth Street, and is one hundred and eighty feet deep, extending to Seventh Street, with the same frontage on this as on Sixth Street, making it altogether most de- strable. On the 10th of December, 1883, ground was accordingly broken for the beginning of the work on the basement. From that time forward, work was pushed rapidly, and on the 21st of the following April the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies in the presence of over twenty thousand people. The Most Rev. Archbishop and other clergymen, of whom there were about twenty, were escorted from St. Pat- rick's to the site for the new church by a long pro- cession composed of the various Catholic societies of the city, with Mr. Michael Corbet as marshal of the day. After all had taken their places, and the Veni Creator had been intoned by the clergy present, Very Rev. Jeremiah O'Connor, S.J., president of the Boston College, preached a most eloquent ser- mon, which was listened to with uncovered heads by the vast multitude on all sides. He was followed by

Rev. Arthur J. Teeling, of Newburyport, who spoke briefly but forcibly on the objects and necessities of church-building in this young and rapidly-growing country.

The ceremony of laying the corner-stone was then performed by Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, with Rev. Fathers Tortelle, of Lowell, and McGlew, of Chelsea, as attendants ; Rev. Father Shaw as master of ceremonies, and Rev. Martin O'Brien, of Newton Upper Falls, as cross-bearer.

In the corner-stone was placed a box containing a copy of each of the Lowell papers, and one of each of the principal Catholic papers of the country; and some of the current coins of the United States. Writ- ten on parchment and placed in the box is an inscrip- tion in Latin, of which the following is a translation :

" For the greater glory of God. Leo XIII., Chief Pontiff. Chester A. Arthur, President of the American Republic.

George D. Robinson, Governor of Massachusetts.,

John J. Donovan, Mayor of Lowell. Michael O'Brien, the first pastor.

"The Most Reverend and Illustrious Archbishop of Boston, on tho 21st of April, 1884, laid this corner-stone, in the city of Lowell, in the presence of an immense concourse of people, under the invocation of St. Michael, Jesus, Mary and Joseph."

From that time forward, the work was puslied with incredible rapidity, until, the basement having been made ready for religious services, it was dedicated by Archbishop Williams, as St. Michael's Church, on the 22d of June of the same year, with Rev. William O'Brien, whom we have already mentioned, as its pastor. Mass on the occasion was celebrated by Rev. Wm. Blenkinsop, South Boston, and an appropriate dedication sermon preached by Rev. Joshua P. Bod- fish. Vespers in the evening was sung by Rev. Ar- thur J. Teeling, who preached an eloquent sermon on devotion to St. Michael, the Archangel.

Divine service is still held in the basement. It is provided with three altars, of which the prin- cipal is a very handsome and costly marble one, pre- sented by Mr. Timothy O'Brien. The two others are of cherry wood, finely finished and polished. The place is well ventilated and lighted by twenty-four large windows, and there is a seating capacity of about eleven hundred. The church, which is to be Romanesque in architecture, is to be built of brick, with granite trimmings, and, when completed, will be very handsome. It will be seventy feet in front, and one hundred and thirty-five feet deep. The tower will be one hundred and seventy feet high, and will contain a belfry. The windows will be the finest quality of stained glass. The interior will be finished in hard ash. There will be two hundred and thirty- five pews, and the seating capacity of the church will be over fifteen hundred. There will be three hand- some marble altars, and a finely finished cherry pul- pit. The architect's estimate of constructing the building is one hundred thousand dollars.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 38

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226