USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume V > Part 2
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Cross in Boston, as assistant, which office he filled until 1903, when he was made assis- tant chancellor of the Archdiocese. That posi- tion he held until 1907, when he was made chancellor, and in that office he continued un- til 1909, when he was made rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, in which capac- ity he served until 1915. In that year he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church at Roxbury. There for a period of thirteen years he gave to the parish such an adminis- tration as is seldom equaled and has never been excelled, even at St. Joseph's which has known the beneficent influence of some of the best pastors.
Monsignor Splaine, during this time, added much to the material resources of the parish, as well as to the religious life. In 1917, he built the present beautiful convent, which provides accommodation for thirty Sisters of Charity, eighteen of whom have charge of the 1100 children who attend the parish and Sun- day schools of St. Joseph's. His beautiful Christian character has endeared Monsignor Splaine to his parishioners and has enabled him to exert a powerful influence upon the lives of those with whom he has been associated in the parish of St. Joseph's.
On July 12, 1928, Monsignor Michael J. Splaine imparted farewell blessings at St. Joseph's Church, Roxbury, and delivered his farewell sermons to large congregations who deeply regretted his going. On July 16, 1928, he took charge of the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption, at Brookline. This church is located on Harvard Street, in Boston's most beautiful suburb, a town which is known throughout the country for its natural beauty, which has been carefully preserved, and for the number of its very wealthy inhabitants. Though larger than many cities of the Com- monwealth, Brookline still keeps the town form of government. The first Catholic con- gregation here was organized in 1852, by Rev. John O'Beirne, who held services in Lyceum Hall for about two years. He then erected a little church on Andem Place, which was dedicated September 24, 1854. In January of
the following year Father O'Beirne left the parish, because of ill health, and Rev. J. M. Finotti, who in his youth had been associated with the Jesuits, was appointed pastor. He continued in charge until 1872. On Thanks- giving Day, 1855, the chapel on Andem Place was destroyed by fire, and when the building was replaced it was enlarged to its present seating capacity of one thousand. Father Finotti built a parochial residence on Harri- son Place, from which he exercised jurisdiction over Brookline, Brighton, and other towns in the neighborhood. Rev. Patrick J. Lamb, who succeeded Father Finotti in the pastorate at Brookline, retained his charge for only a year and then went South in search of health, but died in New York City on the way home. Rev. Lawrence J. Morris took charge in 1873, and in 1880 work was begun upon a new church building. In October, 1882, the basement was occupied for the first time, and on Sunday, August 22, 1886, the church was completed and the dedication ceremonies per- formed. The church, designed by Peabody & Stearns, architects, is built of brick and brown stone, in a modified Gothic style, and the in- terior is different from the usual church in- terior, a refreshing departure from the ex- pected. Two massive oak doors, ten by fourteen feet, give entrance to the church, and upon entering one is impressed by the unique beauty of the architecture. The roof is sup- ported by twelve massive arches. Around the sides of the church, to a point well above the pews, the walls are covered with a polished gray marble which gives the entire interior a very rich appearance. At the head of the center aisle stands a magnificent marble altar, tipped with gold, while back of the altar eight stained glass windows beautify the light as it en- ters and falls upon the altar. Twelve more stained glass windows, six on the right and six on the left, of beautiful colors and exquisite workmanship, represent the twelve apostles, and at the top of the arch next to the altar are four more windows in which are portrayed some of the principal events in the life of the Saviour, including the Crucifixion and the Res-
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urrection. On the right and left of the church, near the center, are two side altars, and around the walls of the church are the fourteen stations of the Cross. Oak pews provide seating for about 1,000 people, and the choir loft, lighted by three stained glass windows and fitted with a splendid organ, accommodates about one hun- dred singers. In addition to the windows already mentioned there are fourteen more, of which a large number are memorials. Twelve great electric lights illuminate the church for evening services, and a high degree of artis- tic skill has been used in both the furnishing and the decorating of the interior. A rectory adjoins the church on Linden Place.
At Brookline, Monsignor Splaine has already (December, 1928) renovated the entire church property and built two new entrances to the lower church, still keeping to the original style of the building as planned by Peabody & Stearns. The new gold-covered cross sur- mounting the graceful tower was also erected by Monsignor Splaine. St. Mary's has two splendid schools, a grammar school and a high school, also a convent which cloisters the thirty-five Sisters who now (1928) teach in thẻ parish schools.
Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War Monsignor Splaine joined the Home Guard and was commissioned a lieuten- ant-colonel, with which rank he served until after the signing of the Armistice. He was also a member of the National Catholic War Council, and served as chairman of the Re- construction Commission.
While Monsignor Splaine has been active in the general affairs of the Church in this coun- try, he has received recognition from the dignitaries of the Church of Rome. In 1909 he was created a domestic prelate by His Holi- ness Pope Pius X, with the title of Monsignor. On the occasion of his visit to the Holy Land in 1924 he was created a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulcher by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. It may truly be said that in the fullest degree his service has been an inspira- tion to the parish with which he has been in direct association. His exemplification of
the highest type of Christian life has fostered a personality which radiates warmth and good cheer at all times. Considerate, sympathetic, always ready to listen and to advise in times of sorrow or distress and difficulty, he has endeared himself to all with whom he has been in contact, and has led many into the highway of right living and high thinking. As per- manent pastor he will, it is hoped, have many years in which to perfect his work here, and, as in his former pastorate, he will be of in- calculable aid in raising the ideals of the people of his parish, winning in the community at large, as well as among his own people, the deep reverence and the genuine admiration which only true worth can invoke.
RIGHT REV. MONSIGNOR EDWARD
F. HURLEY, pastor of St. Matthew's Church, of Dorchester, received his college and theo- logical training in Montreal College and Semi- nary, Canada. His early years, in the ministry, were passed in the Diocese of Portland, Maine. At the end of October, 1915, he was appointed pastor of St. Bridget's Church, Lexington, Massachusetts, where he remained until the end of October, when he was appointed pastor of St. Philip's Church on Harrison Avenue, Bos- ton. Here he remained until January, 1926, when he was appointed pastor of St. Matthew's Church, Dorchester.
St. Matthew's Church on Stanton Street, Dor- chester, was set off from St. Gregory's Parish in 1900, and for ten years following the organi- zation of the new parish the congregation wor- shipped in a chapel at No. 89 Norfolk Street. Early in the year 1910 ground was broken and the cornerstone laid for a new church edifice, and after a time the lower church was com- pleted. In this and in the chapel the various church services and organization meetings were held until 1926, when the upper church was completed. The church is located on Stanton
Eng by E.C Williams & Bro NY
Per, Charles J. Ring
Lewie HISTORICAL Pub Co
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Street, and provides seating for about eleven hundred people. The interior of this church impresses the visitor with its magnificence. The roof, which is very high, is supported by twelve beautiful pillars. The church is lighted by twelve stained glass windows directly under the roof. In the lower part of the church are ten exquisite memorial windows. In the front of the church, back of the choir loft, is a large rose window, composed of sixteen small windows. The church's artificial lighting is by three mas- sive electric lights, and twelve smaller ones. At the end of the center aisle is a marble altar rail extending across the church, and inside this are five marble steps leading to the altar. The magnificent altar, hand-carved, was made in Italy, and weighs seven and one-half tons, the center alone weighing three tons. On the right of the altar is a statue of the Sacred Heart and on the left the Blessed Virgin, both of which are original and of unique design. Ad- joining the church is a chapel, the interior of which is finished in oak, this also has a fine altar and is used mainly for baptisms and wed- dings. The rectory is of brick, trimmed with light sandstone, and contains about twenty rooms. The grounds of the church and rectory are maintained most attractively. The usual societies and sodalities have been organized, and in 1926, when the church was finished, a parochial school of two grades was opened. In 1927 a third grade was opened, and Right Rev. Monsignor Hurley plans to open an ad- ditional grade each year until the full curriculum is provided. The parish has a membership of about five thousand souls.
REV. CHARLES J. RING-One of the old- est parishes in the State of Massachusetts is St. Stephen's, the church of which is located on Hanover Street in Boston. A succession of able and devoted pastors has developed the parish and greatly strengthened its spiritual
life. From July, 1923, to October 1, 1928, Rev. Charles J. Ring was the efficient and devoted pastor of this old parish and church, and he was a most worthy successor of the conse- crated men who preceded him. Since October 15, 1928, Father Ring has been in charge of St. Joseph's Church in Roxbury, succeeding Monsignor Splaine.
The history of St. Stephen's parish goes back to the establishment on Moon Street, by Bishop Fenwick, of a "free church," known as St. John's. A plain brick building, origi- nally an old warehouse, was fitted out as simply as possible with altar, organ gallery, and set- tees. Such was the unpretentious place of wor- ship, but the poor from all sections of the city came there in throngs and the necessary ex- penses were met by voluntary contributions. This was not only the original Church of St. John the Evangelist, but it also later became the nucleus of the present St. Stephen's par- ish. This was in 1843, and changes since that time have been many and far-reaching. Its first pastor, 1842-1846, was Rev. John B. Mc- Mahon. By 1846 the Catholic population had greatly increased, and a regular parish in the neighborhood had become a necessity. A por- tion of St. Mary's had been set off, and Rev. George F. Haskins, a convert to the Catholic faith, whose labors as a Protestant minister had brought him in touch with the public re- formatories, was placed in charge. Father Haskins was a man of great energy and wide sympathies, and for a period of twenty-six years he devoted his time and his talent to the development of the possibilities of this new parish of St. Stephen's. His sympathy with the inmates of the public reformatories lead him early to do what he could for wayward boys, and in a little house on Moon Street, be- side the church, he laid the beginnings of the present House of the Guardian Angel and established a reputation as the first and best friend in Boston of the wayward boy. By 1862 the parish had so grown that a new and larger church than the little chapel on Moon Street was needed, and the New North Church, with the advice and assistance of Vicar-General Wil-
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liams, was purchased for the North End Catho- lics. On November 27, 1862, Vicar-General Williams dedicated the newly acquired build- ing to St. Stephen. This building, erected in 1804, was one of the early strongholds of the Unitarian doctrine in Boston, and from 1813 to 1849 its pulpit was occupied by Dr. Francis Parkman, father of the historian. Situated on the corner of Hanover and Clark streets, it was known as the "New North Church." The old Moon Street Chapel was then abandoned, its title being transferred a few years later to the Portuguese Church on North Bennett Street. Toward the close of Father Haskins' pastorate, in 1869, when Hanover Street was being widened, St. Stephen's was moved back twelve feet. Three years later the beloved Father Haskins, who had given twenty-six years of continuous service here, was laid to rest. He was succeeded by Rev. Michael Moran, who came to St. Stephen's from Abing- ton, Massachusetts, and who remained in charge until 1894, when he, too, was claimed by death. Though born in Ireland he was a medal scholar of the Dwight School on Concord Street, Bos- ton, and was deeply attached to the place of his growth and education in this country. A well balanced gentleman of quiet, undemonstra- tive manner, he accomplished excellent results for his people, enlarging and thoroughly reno- vating the church and transforming its interior aspect, though retaining unmistakeable traces of its original service as a meeting-house, and leaving at his death a church property valued at a quarter of a million dollars, unencumbered by debt. A fine brick building, comparing fav- orably in size with the best public schools of the time, and thoroughly equipped, was erected on the site of the Moon Street Chapel, and Sisters of Notre Dame were placed in charge of the six hundred children of St. Stephen's parish. At the time Father Moran took charge, the population of the district was almost wholly Irish Catholic. By 1894 three con- gregations of other nationalities had been sep- arated from this flock and the parochial resi- dence on North Square had been surrounded by Italian residents.
Upon the death of Father Moran in 1894, he was succeeded by Rev. Denis James O'Far- rell, who was born in Youghal, Ireland, March 25, 1844, and was trained in private schools and in the schools of the Christian Brothers until he was eighteen years of age, and then entered Carlow College. Later, he went to the College of St. Esprit, at Paris, France, where he spent five years and where he received Holy Orders in 1867. He then re- turned to Ireland, but in 1869 he came to this country, was attached to the Boston Diocese in Hopkinton for a year, and then transferred to St. Stephen's as assistant to Father Haskins for two years and to Father Moran for three months, after which he was sent to the Star of the Sea, in East Boston. There he was made a pastor, and two years later he went to Stoneham and Melrose, where he remained for nineteen years, buying old Protestant churches in each of those places. In 1894 he was assigned to St. Stephen's. Father O'Far- rell remained here until 1906, and during that tinie he built the present rectory. He was succeeded by Rev. Leo J. Knapp, who con- tinued as pastor of St. Stephen's until 1912, when he was succeeded by Rev. Edward James McLeod, who remained in charge until July, 1923, when Rev. Charles J. Ring took charge. He remained at St. Stephen's until October, 1928, when he was transferred to St. Joseph's and was succeeded by Rev. Francis J. Murphy.
Rev. Charles J. Ring was born in Stough- ton, Massachusetts, where he received his early and preparatory education in the public and parochial schools. Later, he matriculated in Boston College, where he was graduated in 1896. He then entered St. John's Seminary, at Brighton, Massachusetts, for his theological training, and there he was graduated and or- dained a priest December 21, 1900. His first assignment was to Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as a curate and he remained there for two and a half years. This experience fitted him for a more responsible appointment, and he was sent to St. Joseph's Church, in Roxbury, as a curate where he remained for twenty years, assisting the pastor, Father Michael J.
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Splaine (now Monsignor), in building up that parish. It is somewhat remarkable that five years after the close of his work here he should return as permanent pastor, in October, 1928. In July, 1923, Father Ring was made pastor of St. Stephen's Church on Hanover Street, and in that old historic parish he remained un- til October, 1928, making his influence power- fully felt for good. Upon taking charge at St. Stephen's Father Ring at once began the work of renovating the church, which is said to be one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical architecture in the country. In 1869-70 the lower church of the present building was con- structed with a seating capacity of twelve hun- dred. Later an addition of twelve feet was made to the church, and still later the present imposing building was completed, seating fif- teen hundred. Father Ring had the rectory completely renovated and the entire exterior of the church sand blasted, uncovering again the original red brick and the beautiful trim- mings and decorations. The building, designed by the famous architect, Bullfinch, is lighted by thirty-six stained glass windows and the interior decorations are beautifully harmonized, giving to the atmosphere of the church an indefinable sense of reverence, peace, and in- spiration. Father Ring also had the dome of the building gilded. The vestibule is as it was originally planned by the architect, Mr. Bull- finch, and its massive hand-made doors, held in place by hand-wrought hinges nearly three feet in length, are objects of admiration and wonder to all who behold them. The balcony and columns still remain in their original form, standing as monuments to the taste and skill of designer and workmen, while the interior walls are beautified with twenty-six mural paintings, life size, of the apostles and prophets. In the center of the ceiling is a wonderful piece of painting depicting the stoning to death of St. Stephen. All these were renovated by Father Ring and their beautiful colors brought out in bold relief. The bell which hangs in the belfry, where it was placed in 1805, is an object of interest to all visitors, for it was cast by Paul Revere, successively goldsmith,
copper-plate engraver, powder manufacturer, printer, and metal founder, as well as patriot. The bell is known, as far as it can be heard, for its sweet tones. One of the most important church societies at St. Stephen's is the con- fraternity of the Little Flower, which is now known throughout the country. It was founded by Father Ring, May 17, 1925, and has a membership of more than two thousand. The Little Flower is an adjunct of the above and has a membership of nearly three thousand. On every Thursday throughout the year four special services are held at St. Stephen's, in conjunction with the organization, which are attended by thousands coming from all parts of Greater Boston. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Boston, or in the State of Massachusetts, for that matter, and its present pastor, Father Murphy appreciates to the full the value of its service, the interest of its history, and its beauty.
A man of wide culture, of sincere faith, and of supreme devotion, Father Ring for the five years, 1923-1928, gave of his best to the inter- ests of the parish of St. Stephen's, and he well earned the deep respect which was given him by his parishioners and the community in general. In October, 1928, Father Ring was transferred to St. Joseph's Church, in Rox- bury, where as noted above he had spent twenty years as a curate prior to his pastorate at St. Stephen's, and where he now succeeds Mon- signor Splaine.
The parish of St. Joseph's, at Roxbury, Mas- sachusetts, dates back to the year 1845, and to the long pastorate in old St. Patrick's Church, of Rev. Thomas Lynch, who gave per- mission to young Rev. Patrick H. O'Beirne to collect during the pastor's absence in Ire- land, money for the construction of a new church, which should be the center of a new parish to be set off from St. Patrick's. The money was collected, a site selected upon an eminence known as "Tommy's Rock," and in 1846 the basement of the new church was com- pleted and dedicated under the patronage of St. Joseph. It seats about six hundred people and in it is a tablet commemorating Rev. Pat-
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rick H. O'Beirne, who, in 1846, founded St. Joseph's, as the first Catholic church in Rox- bury. The upper church seats about one thou- sand two hundred, and is attractively and ap- propriately furnished and decorated, among its numerous attractive features being the coats-of- arms of St. Joseph's and of Cardinal O'Connell. The central altar is of Gothic design, flanked by smaller altars on each side, and the church is lighted by fourteen large memorial windows. The choir loft, which provides seating for about one hundred, contains a very fine organ, and the entire interior of the church is im- pressive. Father O'Beirne continued as pastor to the time of his death in 1883, a period of thirty-seven years, enlarging the church in 1860. Rev. Hugh P. Smyth succeeded Father O'Beirne and was pastor until September, 1901. Father Smyth remodeled the church, built school, convent and rectory. The Sisters of Charity of Madison, New Jersey, were brought here to teach and it was their first mission in the Boston archdiocese. Rev. Thomas Moyla11 succeeded Father Smyth and was pastor until his death in March, 1908. He was succeeded by Rev. Denis J. Whaley, who was pastor until his death in November, 1914. These pastors made important improvements, re-modeling the interior of the church, which is remarkable for its ceiling, geometrically paneled, with nine bays of different designs, said to contain five miles of quartered wood; and generally devel- oping the parish. Monsignor Splaine (an ac- count of whose life appears elsewhere in this work) remained at St. Joseph's for a period of thirteen years, and during this time added much to the material resources of the parish, as well as to its spiritual life. In 1917 he built the present beautiful convent, which provides ac- commodation for thirty Sisters of Charity, eighteen of whom have charge of the eleven hundred children who attend the parish and Sunday schools of St. Joseph's.
The well known ability of Father Ring makes him a very welcome leader in St. Joseph's parish, where his earlier service won him the deep regard of his many parishioners.
REV. WILLIAM J. BARRY-In East Bos- ton Rev. William J. Barry has for a period of eight years been directing his ability and con- secrated devotion to the advancement of the spiritual and material welfare of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in East Boston. He is a native of Cambridge and so has the advantage of a lifelong familiarity with this section of the State, as the whole of the twenty-four years of his clerical service pre- ceding his appointment to the Church of the Assumption was passed in this vicinity.
Rev. William J. Barry was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 24, 1873, and received his early education in St. Mary's Parochial School, from which he was graduated. He then entered St. John's Seminary, from which he was graduated, and ordained a priest, December 18, 1896. His first appointment was one which brought him valuable experience, for he was made assistant at St. Paul's Church, which place he filled for two years. At the end of that time he was appointed curate of St. Mary's Church, at Cambridge, and so well was his work there performed that he was retained for a period of seventeen years. He was then ap- pointed pastor at East Pepperell, Massachu- setts, and after four years of service there he was made pastor of the Church of the Assump- tion at East Boston, where he has since been rendering splendid service. He took charge here in March, 1920, and for eight years has given to his work unstinted effort. The church property has been improved and enlarged, as has also the parochial school.
The parish of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin was founded in 1869 and is the third oldest in East Boston. It was created to meet the needs of a rapidly growing Catholic population, and the land upon which the church and the parochial school are built was bought and paid for by the late Rev. James Fitton, the founder of all the churches in East Boston. Rev. Joseph H. Cassin, a nephew of Father Fitton, was then commissioned by the then Bishop Williams to erect a suitable church edifice. This was completed and dedicated un-
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