USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume V > Part 15
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Rev. John H. Lyons was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and received his early education in the local public schools. When his prepara- tory course was completed he entered Otto University, in Canada, and later began his theo- logical training in St. John's Seminary, at Brighton, where he took his theological degrees and was ordained a priest in 1887. Nearly half a century of service as a priest has made Father Lyons a man of wide vision, and a man of deep and strong Christian character. After his ordi- nation he was assigned to Ogdensburg, New
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York, for two years, then to Brookline, Massa- chusetts, where he remained for a period of three years. He was then transferred to the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, at South Bos- ton. For twenty years he continued his service there and then went to Holliston, where he continued until 1916, when he came to his pres- ent charge as pastor of St. Bridget's Church in Abington. Since taking up his work here Fa- ther Lyons has steadily improved and strength- ened the church and all the departments of its activity. Both spiritually and materially he has given ample evidence of his ability and of his devotion. Under his supervision the church has been entirely remodeled and re-decorated, a new altar has been installed, and the grounds have been beautified and brought to a splendid state of cultivation.
As originally built, St. Bridget's was a wooden church, in the Gothic style, seating about eight hundred and sixty. The remodel- ing has not destroyed the original pleasing lines and the oak pews of the present time furnish seating for about nine hundred, while the choir loft, with its beautiful-toned organ, seats about one hundred singers. The interior of the church is beautiful and impressive. Four- teen memorial windows admit a softened light and add beauty and color to the interior. The three altars are of the finest workmanship, of rare marble, and over the altars are three exquisite windows, representing three of the Apostles. On the right of the main altar a remarkable statue of the Saviour holds the attention, while on the left of the altar stands an equally fine statue of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Still more windows insure generous lighting, for over each of the sixteen arches which rest upon finely-wrought columns and support the roof, is a circular window, while in the rear of each of the side altars is another circular window. Around the sides of the church the fourteen stations of the cross are beautifully arranged, depicting the principal events in the life of the Saviour, and on the ceiling are two more beautiful paintings. Since coming to St. Bridget's Father Lyons has greatly endeared himself to the many young
people of his parish, which numbers about 1400 souls. All the usual sodalities and soci- eties are in flourishing conditions, and these organizations include a Holy Name Society for men, a St. Vincent de Paul Society for women, for the poor of the parish, and an Altar Boys' Sodality, and married and single ladies' sodality. Father Lyons is fond of music and has always taken an especial interest in the youth of his parish. While at St. Vincent de Paul in South Boston he had charge of a boys' choir of about eighty-five voices and he also directed the Sun- day school, taking charge personally. That close touch with his young people he has al- ways maintained, and it is one of the secrets of his success wherever he has labored. He is assisted in his work here at St. Bridget's by one priest, Father Fitzgibbons.
Nearly fifty years of service as a Christian priest have mellowed and strengthened the character of Father Lyons, and his kindly man- ner and cordial ways have won him the hearts of his people, both old and young. During the thirteen years of his period of service here he has exerted a powerful influence over the lives and characters of his people, and has won the high regard of the community in which he tives, both Catholic and Protestant.
REV. PIETRO MASCHI-In the heart of the Italian section of Framingham, Massachu- setts, on Waverly Street, stands the Italian Catholic Church of St. Tarcisius. To this mod- est building, reconstructed from an old, unused hall, come not only Italians and worshippers of Italian descent, but here also may be found, at each service, crowds of people of all nation- alities. At the celebration of the four masses on Sunday, at the week-day services, and es- pecially at all of the Lenten services, from every section of Framingham and from every town adjacent to Framingham the people of the Catholic faith gather to benefit by the min- istrations of the beloved pastor, Rev. Pietro
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Maschi. Twenty-one years of devotion to a single purpose and of wise and able service have won for Father Maschi the admiration and the affection of the people whom he serves, and his talent and broad human sympathy have attracted to his church all of his faith who are within accessible distance from the place of worship.
The story of the parish of St. Tarcisius goes back to the time of a great disaster, when, in 1907, a building collapsed and more than twenty lives were lost, some of the victims kinsmen of Father Maschi. At that time Father Maschi came to Framingham, foresaw the need of an Italian parish, and assisted by some of the citizens of his own nationality, set about the task of organizing the parish of St. Tarcisius. On August 4, 1907, the new parish was organ- ized, Mass was celebrated in a small hall on the third floor of the Tribune Building on Irving Street, and the devout group of parishioners began looking forward to future growth and
enlarged plans. Each succeeding Sunday brought more people to the little hall for wor- ship and for celebration of the Mass, and in May, 1908, the parish purchased nine thousand feet of land at the corner of Winthrop Street and Bethany Road, facing property now owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph, on which the beautiful buildings of Bethany Convent are lo- cated. It was the intention of the parishioners to build a church on this lot, but lack of funds prevented the fulfillment of this plan, and when, during the following year, a larger hall was needed, the ground floor of a wooden building on Waverly Street, long unoccupied, was rented. The hall was put in good condition and relig- ious services have been continued there ever since, though the building has been thoroughly remodeled and transformed.
Meantime, as the years passed, the Italian population of the town had been increasing. The first settlers of that nationality arrived in Framingham a few years before 1890, and the Scagnelli, Garbarino, and Leverone families were well established here before the location of various industries here attracted a steadily increasing throng of their fellow countrymen.
Construction work, factory employment, and other means of making a livelihood soon de- veloped quite a settlement of Italian people, and as the Italian population increased Father Maschi's duties expanded proportionately. The last Federal census showed eleven hundred and sixty Italians of Italian birth, and several times that number of American born children of Ital- ian parents. This meant a rapidly enlarging field for the labors of Father Maschi and he met the increasing need with truly Gargantuan labors. By 1916 the need for a Catholic cem- etery was evident and in that year Father Maschi acquired for the parish five thousand feet of land. The next year seven acres of land on Winthrop Street were purchased and a cemetery fund was started, and in 1919 St. Tarcisius Cemetery was opened. An ornamen- tal entrance was constructed and a stone wall was built on the Winthrop Street side, and the grounds beautified as much as was possible at the time.
But all had not been unimpeded progress for the parish and its beloved pastor. On Friday, January 4, 1918, a cold wintry afternoon, a fire broke out in the basement of the church build- ing. The local firemen fought back the flames and saved the building from destruction but not before it had been badly damaged, and not before practically all of the contents had been destroyed. Undaunted by this disaster, Father Maschi determined that services should not be interrupted, and arranged that his parishioners could enter through the vestry door, and held services as usual, even though the front en- trance was blocked off because of the fire. Though the attendance was limited, Masses were said at eight o'clock and at ten o'clock, as usual, and the spirit which animated the pastor inspired his people. Plans were immediately made for the restoration of the building and the church was re-built throughout. A steeple was added, the building was made impervious to fire by a fine coat of stucco, in 1921, also other im- provements made, and at that time the people brought old silver and bronze which was cast by a venerable bell-maker into the silver-toned bell which now hangs in the steeple and calls
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the people to worship. Two years earlier, in 1920 a chapel and a tomb had been constructed in the cemetery, and in 1922 new benches were presented to the church. In 1924 the base- ment of the church was enlarged so that it could be used for socials and concerts, and in 1925 the sacristy was added. The church auditorium seats more than four hundred at the present time, and the basement, used for entertainments, seats about the same number. As yet no rectory has been built, but the second story of the present church building is used for that purpose, eight rooms being provided for the living quarters of Father Maschi. It has been said that the history of St. Tarcisius is the story of the achievements of Father Maschi during his twenty-one years in Framingham, and this is generally conceded to be the truth. "The Catholic Messenger," published in Worces- ter, issue of March 10, 1927, from which the facts of this account have been secured, states that such is the case, and attributes the con- tinually large congregations here to the talent and the personality of the pastor, asserting that because of the good he has accomplished here he is beloved by his fellow townsmen of all creeds.
Rev. Pietro Maschi is a native of the Province of Parma, Italy, and after attending the local schools and preparing for his theological train- ing he entered the Seminary in Piacenza, where he received his theological degree and where he was ordained. In 1904 he came to this coun- try, where for a time he was connected with churches in New York City, Boston and Provi- dence. Later, he removed to Boston and was affiliated with the church on North Square, Boston, and there he remained until 1907, when he came to Framingham. Since that time he has devoted his whole energy to the building up of the parish of St. Tarcisius, and he has performed for the people here a great work, which has been publicly commended by His Eminence, Cardinal O'Connell, and by other prominent prelates. His gracious manner, his cordial friendliness, and his wise counsel, have won for him the deep reverence as well as the affection of his fellow townsmen, and the
parish of St. Tarcisius is the result of his la- bors. On December 19, 1928, Rev. Father Mas- chi observed the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the Catholic priesthood. Many friends and parishioners called to extend their congratulations.
REV. THOMAS P. McMANMON-Corpus Christi Church, in Auburndale, Massachusetts, has had but one pastor, Rev. Thomas P. Mc- Manmon, who began the work of organization here in June, 1922. There was no church edi- fice and Father McManmon promptly began planning for a suitable building. Construction was started in April, 1923, and by November of the same year the lower or basement church was completed and dedicated. Built of Quincy seam-faced granite, it is furnished with oak pews and provides seating for about eight hundred people in the main body of the church and about fifty more in the choir loft, which is fitted with a fine-toned Estey organ. The usual three altars occupy the front part of the church, and the central one of these is exqui- sitely wrought, the workmanship being of a quality unsurpassed anywhere, and the design of an artistic beauty which evokes much ad- miration. The rectory, which contains fourteen rooms, was originally the dwelling house of the Hildreth place, and a portion of the acreage of that fine old place constitutes the present church property. The grounds surrounding the church and rectory have been put in splen- did condition and are carefully kept and from time to time improved with new plants and shrubbery, and every part of the church proper- ty is kept in the most perfect repair.
Rev. Thomas P. McManmon was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, September 21, 1873, and received his early education in the public schools of that city. After the completion of his high school course he entered St. Joseph's Univer- sity, New Brunswick, and when ready for his
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theological training entered St. John's Semi- nary, at Brighton, Massachusetts, where he was graduated and ordained a priest December 22, 1899. After ordination he was assigned to Win- chester, Massachusetts, as a curate, and after six years of faithful service in that parish he was transferred to St. Margaret's, at Dorches- ter, where he remained for a period of seven- teen years. He was then, in June, 1922, made a pastor and assigned to Corpus Christi Church, in Auburndale, where he has rendered most effective service. His first task was the organ- ization of the new parish, and the erection of the lower church, the place of assemblage and of worship. Father McManmon has not been contented with what he has already accom- plished and is expecting in the near future to begin the work of building the upper church, for which he has already collected $75,000. Like the basement, or lower church, this will be built of Quincy seam-faced granite, in Gothic style, with oak pews providing seating for eight hundred people. The choir loft willl be equipped with one of the best of church organs, and the interior will be appropriately furnished and decorated, especial attention being given to its three altars and their environs.
Throughout his pastorate here Father Mc- Manmon has given careful attention to the various societies and sodalities which carry on much of the parish work. There is a thriving Holy Name Society, and a sodality for both married and single women, and a Legion of the Sacred Heart for young people; another of the important features of the parish life is an orchestra of thirty pieces, organized by Father Ronan, the assistant of Father McMan- mon. This furnishes good music at various occasions of parish activity and interest, and also is often called upon to furnish music for public events of various kinds.
With the assistance of his able assistant and the generous cooperation of his parishioners of about twelve hundred souls, there is every pros- pect that the work of building the upper church will be completed during the year 1929. Father McManmon has won the entire confidence of
his parishioners and the kindly regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact in the community.
REV. THOMAS J. GOLDING-One of the youngest parishes in the Boston district is the parish of St. Francis of Assisi, in Medford, of which Rev. Thomas J. Golding has been pastor since November, 1922. The parish was organized in June, 1921, and was formerly a part of St. Joseph's Parish, Medford, and Immacu- late Conception Parish, Malden-Medford. Father Golding, who is a graduate of Boston College and of St. John's Seminary, is the second pas- tor of the parish, and has done much toward the strengthening and developing of the church and its various organizations.
Rev. Thomas J. Golding was born in Boston and received his education here. As a boy he attended the public schools, and later he entered Boston College, where he finished his work with graduation. His theological training was se- cured in the famous St. John's Ecclesiastica1 Seminary, at Brighton, Massachusetts, where he was ordained on December 22, 1899. His first appointment was at St. Catherine's Church, in Norwood, Massachusetts, where he served for a period of nine years. At the end of that time he was transferred to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, at Jamaica Plain, Massa- chusetts, and in this second charge he remained for fifteen years, building up the church and greatly stimulating the activities of the parish. On November 21, 1922, he came to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, in Medford, as pastor, and since that time he has been serving here most loyally. Though young in years, the parish is steadily growing, and there is every prospect that Father Golding's pastorate will bring increasing success and growth as the years come and go. The parish includes in its mem- bership about sixteen hundred souls, and its church seats about five hundred and fifty.
The parish of St. Francis of Assisi has grown
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from small beginnings and was organized to meet the growing needs of the people living in this district who were members of St. Joseph's, of Medford, Rev. Thomas L. Flanagan, and of Immaculate Conception, Malden-Medford, in charge of Right Rev. Monsignor R. Neagle. The first mass was celebrated in the Fulton Street School, by permission of the Medford School Committee, and the parish was organized in June, 1921, by His Eminence Cardinal William H. O'Connell, Archbishop of Boston, by a grant of territory formerly included in the parishes of St. Joseph's, of Medford, and Immaculate Conception, of Malden-Medford. The lines of the parish as then indicated were as follows: in Medford on Forest Street, just beyond Valley Street, and thence north to the Stoneham line ard west to Winchester. In Malden, at the corner of Fellsway West and Park Street, ex- tending in an air line to the end of Lookout Road on the hill; then by Lookout Road to Fells Avenue; by Fells Avenue to junction of Watervale Road; thence by a line running north- east by compass to Malden City line in the rear of Malden Hospital; and then by Malden City line north to Stoneham. In addition, Valley Street, Forest Avenue, and Maple Park Avenue, were given to the parish. Rev. Joseph P. Mahar was appointed the first parish priest, and as there was neither church building nor rectory in the parish he made his home with Father Neagle, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, in Malden, and served his people from that place. No time was lost in making preparations for the building of a church, however, and purchase of land on Fellsway West at the corner of Ful- ton Street, provided the site. A wooden church building was promptly begun, and on Decem- ber 18, 1921, only six months after the organi- zation of the parish, the first mass was cele- brated in the new building, while a few days later, on Christmas Day, 1921, a high mass was celebrated. Later, the house and land on Ful- ton Street, opposite the church, was acquired. The house was thoroughly renovated, and in June, 1922, was opened for the occupation of the pastor as a parochial residence. In Sep- tember, 1922, Rev. William J. Foley was ap-
pointed assistant to Father Mahar, and on No- vember 21, 1922, Father Mahar was transferred to Mary Help of Christians Church, at Concord Junction. Rev. Thomas J. Golding then came to St. Francis of Assisi, as pastor, and during the six years which have passed since that time he has served the church and the parish most ably. Father Golding was first assisted by Father Foley, who later was transferred to St. Bernard's Church at Concord. Father N. H. McGinnis was then appointed as an assistant to Father Golding. As time passed additions have been made to the territory included within the parish, which now (1928) numbers about 2,000 souls. On the anniversary of the first mass held in the new church, Monsignor Neagle hav- ing proposed and His Eminence the Cardinal having approved, the following additional lines were ceded to the parish, adding the block bounded by Salem Street and Fellsway West be- tween Almont Street (both sides) and Park Street (one side). More territory was added from St. Joseph's Parish, the pastor, Rev. Daniel Horgan, and on Sunday, August 5, 1923, announcement was made that the district bounded by the Fellsway, Park Street, Salem Street, Fulton Street, Water Street, as far as Gravelly Creek, Gravelly Creek to Webster Street, Webster Street to Forest Street, was ceded to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This last cession greatly enlarges the bounds of the parish and adds much to the resources of the church, and Father Golding, with his assistant, is carrying forward the usual parish activities with marked success. The usual church socie- ties for men and women, the sodalities, and the boys' and girls' organizations all are in a thriv- ing condition, and among his parishioners Father Golding is a much revered leader.
A new church was begun November 30, 1928, and will be completed in November, 1929, and will seat one thousand people.
REV. ANTHONY P. YAZBEK-As pastor of the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars of
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Boston, the Reverend Father Anthony P. Yazbek is one of the spiritual leaders of this city and State, and stands high in the affections of the members of his parish and of the people of all walks of life with whom he comes in contact. And although this parish was started only about the beginning of the present century, it has grown with the passing years to its present en- viable size and importance, largely as a result of the faithful efforts of its pastor, who has de- voted his time and energies without stint to the advancement of it, its people, and the in- stitutions connected with it.
The church was founded in 1900 by Mon- signor Yazbek, who came to Boston in 1893, and who for a number of years said Masses and held services in the Church of St. James. He came to America as a deacon, but was or- dained as a priest in New York City in 1897. He was appointed in 1900, in Boston, and given permission to found the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars of Mt. Lebanon. Work had been going on in this parish since 1896, paving the way for the work that Father Yaz- bek was to perform. He labored continuously in the church's behalf until, on July 24, 1904, he went to Rome, where he had an audience with the Pope and received a special blessing. He then was sent to Philadelphia to take charge of St. Maron's Church. He also acted as Syrian Superior of the Missions in the United States for a period of thirty-five years, from 1890 to 1925, during which time he rendered invaluable services to the church, and was a diligent worker until his death, which occurred in October, 1925.
The. Rev. Fr. Anthony P. Yazbek, who now, in 1929, is conducting the affairs of the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars, was born at Mount Lebanon, Syria, May 10, 1890, where he was educated in the National Schools and at St. Michael's College. He later went to St. Abda's Seminary, at Lebanon, where he studied philosophy and theology. Meanwhile, he taught French and Arabic, in which languages he was most proficient. He was ordained a priest at Mount Lebanon by Rt. Rev. John Murad, Archbishop of Baalbek, in 1916, and then, for
one year, was a teacher of the two languages, French and Arabic. He was then made a pastor of the Church of St. George at Beit Mery, remaining here for two and one-half years, at the end of which period he was summoned to Philadelphia to assist Monsignor Yazbek. There he remained from October 12, 1919, to Feb- ruary, 1922, when he was transferred to Boston, owing to the persuasion of the Cardinal and the desires of the people of his nationality, and by the direction of the authorities in Rome, to assist his first cousin, Rev. Joseph K. Yazbek. After the death of Fr. Joseph K. Yazbek in 1925, Father Anthony P. Yazbek was appointed pastor in his place.
Since coming here, he has made many im- provements in the church, including the ad- dition of electricity, the changing of the win- dows, and the opening of a school for children for the purpose of giving special education in the English and Arabic tongues. This school is the only one of its kind in this part of the country, and, as a result of the hard work and the marked talents of the church's pastor, it has, like the church itself, made headway under the most flourishing conditions. As to the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon, the first wedding was performed in it in 1899, although its work did not actually get fully under way before the following year; and since that time it has steadily grown, until it now has a parish of twelve hundred souls. Father Yaz- bek, to whom the credit for its recent growth is due, is one of the outstanding men of the church in this part of Massachusetts, as well as an influence for good among its people.
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