USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 26
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 26
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About 1844, Charles A. Cummings, John Andrews, Samuel Higgins and others, seceded from the Point church, and pur- chased a site for a Methodist church at the corner of Sea and Canal streets, (now Chestnut and Canal streets.) Upon this site they had a small chapel built, which was dedicated November 20th, 1844, and came under the jurisdiction of the Providence Conference.
The Rev. J. C. Goodridge was the first pastor, who preached here from November, 1844, to June, 1845, and was succeeded by the Rev. Samnel Fox, whose ministerial labors continued two years, or from 1845 to 1847, which is the extent of time that their clergymen are allowed to remain in one place, excepting the superannuated ministers, who are allowed to remain a longer period.
Rev. Mr. Fox was followed by the Rev. Anser B. Wheeler, who preached here from 1847 to 1849. In 1849, Rev. J. B. Gould commenced his services with this feeble society, and appears to have been the last minister located here. In a short time the faithful few were obliged to dissolve, for the want of financial support. For some years the meeting-honse remained closed. About 1864, Mr. Clift Rogers purchased this estate, and was instrumental in having a Spiritualist church established here. In the spring of 1876, this building was purchased by the Quincy Reform Club, a temperance organization, and large ad- ditions were made to it, at a cost of seven or eight thousand dollars, (including the interior embellishments,) and was ded- icated Aug. 31st, 1876, under the name of "Faxon Hall," and is still in use by the club.
In 1872, a Methodist society was organized in West Quincy, and through the untiring exertions of Rev. Samnel Kelley, former pastor of the Methodist Church at Quincy Point, and now chap- lain of the National Sailors' Home, (who has done more to disseminate the doctrines of this sect in Quincy than any other person,) a considerable sum of money was collected towards the erection of a church, which stands a short distance off Ceme-
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tery street. In the absence of a located minister over this church Mr. Kelley supplies the pulpit at the present time.
The Methodist Society at Wollaston Heights was organized in 1873, and held their services for nearly a year in the school- house, or until their chapel on Beale street was completed, with ยท Rev. S. L. Beiler as pastor. In the year 1877, the conference left the pulpit to be supplied.
Rev. Mark Trafton, who resides there, occasionally supplies the sacred desk ; in his absence a part of the summer a Sweden- borgian clergyman has preached to the congregation. At the present time the Methodist churches of this town are without settled pastors.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first religion brought to New England by civilized people, was the Catholic, which was as early as 1609, eleven years before the Puritans landed on Plymouth rock. The location selected by the two French Jesuit Fathers, Rev. Peter Biard, a native of Grenoble, and Father Enemond Masse, was the Neutral island in Schoodic river. Here they erected a chapel, which in all probability was the first church constructed in New England. This location not proving a desirable one, they in a short time removed this mission to Mount Desert island, at the mouth of Penobscot river; this occurred about the years 1612-13. It was not many years before this religious station was obliged to be given up; the settlers being driven away by the English.1- Afterwards Father Druillettes, and some years later, Father
1. At this time Sir Thomas Dale, the Governor of Virginia, fitted out an expedition to dislodge the French from Acadia. "Captain Argall was ap- pointed to the command of the force destined for this purpose, which consisted of three armed vessels. Father Biard, glad of an opportunity to be revenged of Biencourt, offered to pilot the vessels to the basin of Port Royal; and Argall, having reached the Bay of Fundy, entered the harbor and landed forty men. A gun was fired from the battery, as a signal to the people who were abroad, but he advanced with such rapidity that he found the fort abandoned, and im- mediately took possession of it. He then sailed up the river Laquille with his boats, where he viewed their fields, barns and mills. These he spared, but on his return, he destroyed the fort and defaced the arms of the King of France.
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Rale, revived and attempted to carry on this field of christian labor, and their efforts were attended with some degree of suc- cess; but the Indian wars and other difficulties interrupted and laid waste their Indian missions after long years of suffering and persecution. In 1713, Governor Dudley made an effort to pros- elyte the Abnaki tribe, by offering to rebuild their church that had been burnt, if they would renounce their religion and receive a Protestant minister instead of a Catholic "blackgown." The noble reply of the Indians to Governor Dudley in his attempt to have them change their creed by bribery, is worthy of all com- mendation.1 Owing to the Province wars, and the French loss
Biencourt was at this time surveying the country at a distance, but being called home, he requested a conference with the English commander. They met in a meadow, with a few of their followers. After an ineffectual assertion of rights equally claimed by both, Biencourt proposed, if he could obtain protection from the Crown of England and get the obnoxious .Jesuit in his possession, to divide the fur trade and disclose the mines of the country. But Argall refused to make any treaty, alleging that his orders were only to dispossess him, and threatening if he should find him there again, to consider him as an enemy. Whilst they were in conference, one of the savages came up to them, and in broken French, with suitable gestures, endeavored to mediate a peace between them, wondering that persons, who appeared to him to be of one nation, should make war on each other. This affecting incident served to put both of them in a good humor, After Argall's departure, some of the Frenchinen dispersed them- selves in the woods, and mixed with the savages; others went to the river St. Lawrence, and strengthened the settlement which Champlain had made there; the rest were carried to England, and reclaimed by the French Ambassador. Thus terminated the first effective settlement in North America, after an exist- ence of eight years."-Halliburton's History of Nova Scotia, Vol. I, p. 37.
1. " When the Abnaki orator heard this singular offer, with great dignity he arose and said, 'You were here first and saw me a long time before the French governors; but neither you nor your ministers spoke to me of prayer or the Great Spirit. You saw my furs, my beavers and moose skins, and of these only did you think then. But when the French blackgown came, though I was loaded with furs, he disdained to look at them. He spoke to me of the Great Spirit of Heaven and Hell, of the prayer which is the only way to reach Heaven. I heard him, and was delighted with his words. At last, the prayer pleased me; I asked to be instructed, and was finally baptized. Thus have the French acted. Had you spoken of the prayer, (prayer with the Indians was synonymous with faith) as soon as we met, I should now be so unhappy as to pray like you, for I could not have told whether your prayers were good or bad. Now I hold to the prayer of the French-I agree to it; I shall be faithful to it, even until the earth is destroyed. Keep your men, and your gold, and your ministers; I will go to my French fathers.'"'
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of their American possessions, these French and Indian settle- ments came to an end.1
The poet Longfellow has related the persecutions and suf- ferings of the poor Catholics in his sad story of the Acadian heroine, " Evangeline." In Massachusetts, even up to the Rev- olutionary War, Catholicity was held in great contempt; the Pope was frequently burnt in effigy, and so much so had this become the practice in the army, that General Washington, on his arrival at the camp at Cambridge, was obliged to issue the following order, which speaks for itself :- " Nov. 5. As the Commander-in-Chief has been apprised of a design formed for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the effigy of the Pope, he cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be officers and soldiers in the army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this juncture; at a time when we are soliciting, and have really obtained the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as brethren embarked in the same cause-the defense of the general liberty of America. At this juncture and under such circumstances, to be insulting their religion is so monstrous as not to be suffered or excused; indeed, instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to ad- dress public thanks to these, our brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy success over the common enemy in Canada."-Sparks' Washington Works, Vol. III, p. 144.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, a Chaplain of the French Navy, by the name of Claude Florent Bouchard de la Porterie, remained in Boston and privately celebrated mass. His stay, however, was of short duration; he was followed by the Rev. Louis Rousselet, who was soon succeeded by the Rev. John Thayer,2 the first native of New England, (being a descend-
1. Sce Halliburton's History of Nova Scotia, Vol. I, p. 176; also, Abbe Ray- mal, Vol. 5, pp. 278 to 286, inclusive. Edinburgh Edition.
2. The Rev. John Thayer was born in Boston, but descended from Old Braintree through Cornelius Thayer, his father. Mr. Thayer was educated for the church, and became a Congregational clergyman. Among his first duties as a minister was holding the position of chaplain to Governor Hancock. At this time he says, "Having a secret inclination to travel, I determined to take a European tour, to learn the languages which are most in use, and to acquire a
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ant of old Braintree,) converted to Catholicity. While traveling in Rome he became a convert, and was admitted into the church in May, 1783, and probably was the first Catholic Priest who
knowledge of the constitution of the States-of the manners, customs, laws and governments of the principal nations, in order to gain by this political knowl- edge a great consequence in my country, and thus become more useful to it. Such were my human views, without the least suspicion of the secret designs of Providence, which was preparing for me more precious advantages." In 1781, he sailed for France, and from there he journeyed on to Rome, where he might become more familiar with the manners and customs of this classic land. Mr. Thayer had been educated in the religion of the Puritans. His early edu- cation caused him to nourish a strong and bitter hatred to all questions con- nected with Catholicity, as well as to all classes and nations, that had embraced tliese theological views; with all this animosity against this doctrine, he entered Rome. The cordiality by which he was received, soon softened his religious prej- ndices. After a candid and prayerful investigation of the principles and doctrines of this religion, its pure refulgent light dawned in upon his anxious soul, and removed all doubt as to his future duty. From this time he renonnced Protes- tantism, and became a zealous advocate of Catholicity. At the sacred fount of the church at Rome, Mr. Thayer was baptized, received holy orders, and was admitted into this church of Christ in May, 1783. On leaving Rome, he returned to Paris, where he immediately entered the famous seminary of St. Sulpice. Here in Paris, after several years of study in gaining a more thor- oughi knowledge of the theology of the Catholic faith, he was ordained and received the full fellowship of the priesthood, and was the first Puritan clergy- man convert to the Romish Church.
The following letter, written to a friend after the arrival of Mr. Thayer in Boston, shows the cordiality with which he was received on his return :-
" MY DEAR FRIEND :- I reached Boston on the 4th of January last, and have everywhere been received with the most flattering attention. My own relatives expressed the greatest joy at my return. The Governor of the State, whose chaplain I formerly was, has promised to do all in his power to forward my views, and favor the work for which I have been sent to Boston. I have received nothing but kindness and attention from the ministers of the town. Many of them have visited me and evinced a degree of cordiality which I had little reason to expect. The officers of the Custom House have also carried their politeness so far as to be unwilling to take anything for my large boxes, which I had procured from France and England, having looked upon their con- tents as things designed for the church.
"On the first Sunday after my arrival, I announced the word of God, and all flocked in crowds to hear me. A great degree of curiosity is manifested to become acquainted with our belief, and the free toleration allowed here has enabled me to enter into a full exposition of it. But I was not long in a condi- tion to satisfy the curiosity and eagerness of the people of Boston. I had been only a fortnight in the town when it pleased Almighty God to afflict me with a sickness that kept me confined to my bed for a month. The danger appeared
36
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publicly celebrated mass in the little French Huguenot Church, then in School street, Boston, which was removed years ago. It stood about where the building numbering 16, 18 and 20 now
to me so serious, on one occasion, that I requested the holy vaticum of a French clergyman, with whom I am associated in the work of the Lord and of his church. My health was restored by degrees, and as soon as I had received suf- ficient strength, I availed myself of the privilege allowed me to celebrate mass in my chamber. When my health was sufficiently restored, I resumed my functions of preaching, confessing, and visiting the few sheep that composed my little flock.
" On every occasion the Protestants evince the same eagerness to come and hear me, but they content themselves with that. The indifference and philoso- phy which prevails here as much as anywhere else, are obstacles to the fruit of preaching which is exceedingly difficult to remove-obstacles, however, which do not in the least discourage me. I have had the pleasure of receiving a few recantations, and our dear Neophytes afford me great consolation by the sanc- tity of their lives. About one hundred Catholics, consisting of French, Irish and Americans, are what constitutes, at present, our church. About a dozen of them attend mass daily. I am engaged in instructing a few Protestants whom I hope to restore shortly to our common mother. I recommend our mis- sion most earnestly to your prayers, for we are in want of laborers for the culti- vation of this immense field which has been so long abandoned in these United States." (Signed.) Thayer, Boston, July 17th, 1790.
" Shortly after the arrival of Father Matignon, Mr. Thayer entered upon his New England mission, where he was very successful in his labors, until called by the bishop to enter upon a more important sphere of duty, in the State of Kentucky. While here he matured his plans to found a convent in his native city of Boston. In 1803, Mr. Thayer proceeded to Europe for this purpose. After having travelled some years in soliciting aid for this project, he was enabled to establish a fund of eight or ten thousand dollars for it. In 1811, he took up his permanent residence in Limerick, Ireland, where he acquired many ardent and genial friends, among whom was Mr. James Ryan, whose two pious daughters came to Boston and entered the Ursuline Convent of Three Rivers. In 1818, after the expiration of their noviceship, they began their noble labors in the convent which had been prepared adjoining the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, under Bishop Cheverus. Sisters Mary Joseph and Mary Magdalen, as they were called, were the pioneers of this institution. The Ursulines removed to their new convent on Mount Benedict, Charlestown, in 1827. Mr. Thayer, in the early part of 1815, was taken sick in Limerick, where he died. Though among strangers, his last moments were consoled by the affections and tender care of his devout spiritual followers. Mr. Thayer was not a brilliant preacher, but was better adapted to controversy; this being one reason why he was called to so many extensive fields of labor. Subsequent to the Revolutionary War, Catholic literature began in controversy, and for many years it was their great and important weapon of defence. The Rev. John Thayer was the champion and originator of this home literature."
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stands. This was the first church occupied by the Catholics of Boston.1
On the arrival of Dr. Matignon in Boston, Aug. 20th, 1792, Father Thayer was somewhat relieved of his arduous duties; enabling him to extend his field of usefulness, by visiting nearly all the large towns and villages in New England, when many converts were made to Catholicity. In 1799, the Right Rev. Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, (at this time there was but one bishop for all the United States,) desiring some one to open the important field of religious labor in the State of Kentucky, se- lected Father Thayer for the purpose, on account of his adapta- bility and ardent zeal in missionary work. While in Kentucky,
1. In Mr. Drake's old landmarks of Boston we find the following in refer- ence to this old church :-
"Just before you come to where the Universalist Church formerly stood, ascending School street towards Tremont street, was the little church of the French Huguenots, of Boston. This was the church of the Fancuils, Baudoins, Sigourneys, Bontineans and Johonnots. The church was built of brick about the year 1704; was very small, and for a long time its erection was opposed by the town. Before building, the French occupied one of the school-honses. Queen Ann presented a large folio bible to this church, which afterwards fell into the possession of Mather Byles; Andrew Faneuil gave in his will three pieces of plate for communion and baptism, besides his warehouse in Kings St. Peirre Daille, the first minister, died in 1715, and was succeeded by Le Mecier. After the dissolution of the society, the house of the French Church fell into the hands of the Twelfth Congregational Society, which arose during the excitement caused by the coming of Whitefield. Mr. Crosswell was the pastor-dying in 1785, when the house passed to the Roman Catholics. Mass was celebrated in the church in November, 1788. It was re- moved in 1802." It is singular enough that the Huguenots who worshipped in this church, and who had fled from Catholic persecution, should have fallen into the hands of the Romish Church. On the destruction of this church, they purchased a site on Franklin street, and through the efforts of Rev. Father Matignon, who came to Boston in 1792, and of the Rev. John Cheverus, erected the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, in 1803. "Bishop Cheverus, afterward Cardinal, was sincerely beloved in Boston, by the Protestants and Catholics alike. Otis and Quincy were his friends. He took a deep interest in the heated controversy that ensued over the treaty negotiated with Great Britain, by Wash- ington, known as Jay's Treaty. On this question, Harrison Gray Otis came before the people of Boston for the first time, in a public speech, and the good bishop was so charmed with the brilliant oratory of the speaker, that he threw his arms around Mr. Otis, and exclaimed, while the tears ran down his face :- 'Future generations, young man, will rise and call thee blessed.'"
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the idea occurred to him, that one subject of great importance had been omitted in promulgating and establishing Catholicity in the United States ; and that was, the construction of a con- vent for young Catholic females for their christian education. So firmly had this idea become impressed on his mind, that he relinquished his ministrations in Kentucky, and went to Europe for the purpose of soliciting means for this noble institution, where he procured eight or ten thousand dollars. From the proceeds of this fund, under the direction of Right Rev. Dr. Cheverus, (to whose charge the design and construction was left by Mr. Thayer at the time of his death,) a convent was erected, near and in connection with the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Franklin street, Boston. This convent was removed to the ill-fated one on Mount Benedict, Charlestown, Mass., in March, 1827. So Father Thayer, after all the ridicule and con- tumacy that had been thrown out against the idea of erecting such an institution in the State, was by his untiring exertions, successful in accomplishing the object, of all others which he most desired; and to him must be attributed the honor of being its worthy founder. Fortunately he did not live to be pained by seeing this institution so near his heart, fall a victim to the incendiary's torch by the prejudice and bigotry of his own coun- trymen, on the 11th of August, 1834.
As far as we have been able to learn, the first mass celebrated in Quincy, was in the old Crane house, on Common street, in 1828; this estate now being in the possession of Mr. John Fal- len. Father French of Eastport, State of Maine, officiated on this occasion. At various times mass was celebrated in the old long house, (so called,) which was located on Adams street, a short distance north-east of Eaton's bridge.
About 1839-40, occasional mass was celebrated by Father T. Fitzsimmons of South Boston, in the old West District school- house, from which they were expelled by those persons of the district who were opposed to Catholicity ; but, after talking the matter over with those who had objected to their worshipping there, reconciliation was effected and services were resumed again in the old school-house, where they remained until the erection and dedication of the St. Mary's Church, on Cemetery
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street. This society being now organized, and their meeting- house built, Father Fitzsimmons first began religious services in it in the fall of 1842. He was succeeded by Father John O'Beirne in 1843, who remained with them about one year, or until 1844, when the bishop appointed him to take charge of a parish in Roxbury Highlands. After the removal of Father O'Beirne, the Rev. Bernard Carraher was appointed his successor over the St. Mary's, July 27th, 1845, and was the first resident priest. After remaining here a few years he received his dismission, and Fath- er Fitzsimmons was recalled to officiate over this church, where he remained three or four months; being succeeded by Father Rodden, who took charge of this extensive mission in December, 1848. This mission included at that time, the towns of Abing- ton, Randolph, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Cohasset and Milton. Father Rodden was a person of fine ability, improved by a finished education and extensive reading. At this time he was the principal literary editor of the Boston Pilot. His judi- cious management of the society, and his amiability, not only made him popular with his parish, but also with the town's peo- ple. At the close of his peaceful labors with this rapidly increas- ing mission, the bishop directed that Father Roche should officiate as Parish Priest over the St. John's Church. Father Roche continued his able and efficient ministrations over his faithful flock for several years, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Halley, who was one of the most devout fathers that was ever installed over them; untiring in his exertions for the the spiritual advancement of the society, working night and day, out of season as well as in season, for their temporal comfort. ITis social qualities were such as to endear him to all. By his executive ability and uncommon economical administration of the affairs of the parish, he was gratified at the close of his pas- torate, to inform them that they were free from all debt. Rev. James Sullivan followed Father Halley as parish priest, but after being connected with the society for several years his health failed him, and a great share of the arduous duties of the church was conducted by the curate. After some time of painful suf- fering from a lingering consumption, he was removed by death from his parochial duties, Nov. 13th, 1871. Father Sullivan was
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the first priest who has died in the parish. After his decease, the former curate under Father Sullivan, the Rev. Francis Frigu- glietti, was called upon by the Right Reverend Bishop to assume the charge over this parish. After his installation, it was found necessary to enlarge the church, and in August, 1872, ground was broken for that purpose. Father Friguglietti continues to preside over this large and still increasing parish, ably assisted by the curate, Father Dennehy.
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