USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 9
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCHIES OF HOLYOKE St. Jerome's Parish
The Catholic church is strong in Holyoke, stronger than in most New England cities of the size. When the water power of the Connecticut began to be developed by the building of the dam, large numbers of Irishmen came to do the work, and they have kept coming ever since in generous proportions, when com- pared with other nationalities. There are a great many French Catholics, also, in the city.
Ireland Depot was the first name of the city's center, and here the first mass, it is reported, was said under a tree by a Father Bartholomew Connor from Ireland, some time before
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Convent of Notre Dame
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1847. For several years the people were attended once in five weeks by priests from Chicopee, but in 1856 Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan was settled as the first resident pastor. His people gathered in Exchange hall, on High street, but he soon began to plan St. Jerome's church and pushed the enterprise so energeti- cally that the beautiful edifice was finished in 1860 and dedicated by Bishop Fitzpatrick.
Father O'Callaghan died the next year and his body was laid to rest under the eastern wall of the church.
Father James F. Sullivan was pastor for five years and then, in 1866, came Rev. P. J. Harkins, who still holds the office at the age of seventy years.
Father Harkins has been a man of ability and power in the community and has built up his parish wonderfully. He has seen the number of Catholics in Holyoke increase from 900 to more than 25,000 and has witnessed the erection of fom more Catholic churches. besides numerous other large buildings for the various needs of the people. He has made St. Jerome's the most complete parish in the Springfield diocese and he himself is the most eminent priest west of the Connectiont.
The building operations in connection with the church, in which Father Harkins has been engaged, make a remarkable ex- hibit. They are as follows : The convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame, cost $18,000; church in South Hadley Falls. $15,000: the Catholic institute for parish work and a school for boys, $40,000 : Sacred Heart church : the school for girls facing the park: re- building St. Jerome's church at a cost of $50,000; the convent home of the Sisters of Providence, cost $20,000; a chapel on the west side of the church, cost $20.000. He also gave as a per- sonal gift the "Harkins Home" for aged women. It cost him $20.000. He has had more than any other person to do with the orphanage for girls at Ingleside and the new Providence hos- pital on Dwight street.
The following have served as curates in this parish, their terms varying from one to six years: Rev. James Tracy, Rev. T. Hannigan, Rev. F. J. Lynch, Rev. Charles MeManus. Rev. Francis Brennan. Rev. Thomas Smyth, Rev. P. B. Phelan, Rev.
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C. J. Cronin. Rev. John E. Garrity, Rev. David Moyes, Rev. J. I. O'Reilly, Rev. R. F. Walsh, Rev. L. Derwin, Rev. L. E. Steb- bins. Rev. James McKeon. Rev. W. T. Jennings, Rev. John R. Murphy, Rev. W. J. Harty. Rev. W. J. Powers. Rev. John Crowe, Rev. George Fitzgerald. Rev. W. Hart. Rev. Garvin, Rev. Pat- rick Hofey, Rev. A. A. Dwyer. Rev. J. J. Donnelly, Rev. Richard Healey. Rev. Daniel Sheehan, Rev. C. M. Magee, Rev. A. D. O Malley, Rev. John C. Ivers.
PARISH OF THE PRECIOUS BI.OOD
It is estimated that there are in Holyoke more than 15,000 people of Canadian birth or descent and the parish of the Pre- cious Blood was the first one to be organized in the diocese among the French-Canadians. It was formed in 1869 by Father A. B. Dufresne, who built a frame church on Park street that year.
Among the first French families in the town were the Prews. the Benoits and the Terriens. Previous to 1860 John Proulx (Prew) brought down forty-five French people from Canada for the Lyman mills. They came in two large wagons, and in the company was one who became a noted missionary to the Indians, Father John St. Onge.
In connection with this parish occurred the saddest tragedy in the history of Holyoke. On a May evening. in 1874, while the church was filled with people, some lace was blown against a lighted candle and almost immediately the whole interior was in flames. A panic ensned and seventy-two lives were lost, many others being saved by the bravery of some Irish boys who were playing ball in the vicinity. Prominent among these was John J. Lynch, who is now chief of the fire department of the city, and who was, at the time, hailed as a hero all over the country.
The afflicted parish had the courage to begin the ereetion of another and better house of worship. and it was dedicated in 1878. It will seat 1.100 persons and cost $78.000.
In 1887 Father Dufresne died and was buried in the church- vard, where the congregation have built a fine monument to him. He was succeeded by Father H. O. Landry, who died after three years of service.
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The present pastor. Rev. Charles Crevier, came in 1890, and four years afterward he opened a large school for boys, which he had built at a cost of $28,000. He also built a parochial residence at an outlay of $30.000. There are 6,000 persons in the Precious Blood church. The assistants are Rev. H. Desrochers and Rev. W. A. Hickey.
SACRED HEART PARISH
This parish was set off from St. Jerome's in 1878, Father Harkins having bought a large lot on South Maple street and
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Sacred Heart Convent and Parochial School
begun a church in 1876. Father James F. Sheehan came from Pittsfield to be the first pastor, but after completing the presby- tery liis already feeble health failed entirely and he died in 1880. His successor was the present pastor, Father P. B. Phelan, who came from West Springfield.
Father Phelan was obliged to take care of a debt on the parish of $40,000, but he managed so well that he was soon able to begin work again on the church and had it finished and fur- nished to double its original capacity two years later.
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In 1897 he raised a spire on the church and put in a chime of ten bells, the first in the city. The day the bells were blessed Bishop Beaven made Father Phelan a permanent rector. mak- ing Holyoke the first city in the diocese to have two permanent rectors, Father Harkins and Father Phelan.
The curates of this parish have been Rev. M. E. Purcell. Rev. P. H. Gallen, Rev. W. J. Dower. Rev. JJohn F. Leonard. Rev. P. J. Griffin and Rev. J. P. MeCanghan.
HOLY ROSARY PARISH
The English-speaking Catholics increased so fast that in 1886 the bishop set off another parish from St. Jerome's in the eastern part of the eity and placed it in charge of Father M. J. Howard. The name of Holy Rosary was given to the new parish. and for about two years services were held in the large briek church of the Second Baptist society. which had moved to the hill.
It is astonishing with what rapidity all these Catholie parishes provided themselves with commodious and handsome houses of worship. Probably Holyoke shows as many examples of this miracle of thrift as any place in the country.
In two and a half years after the parish of the Holy Rosary was formed a new church was erected and the basement. ready for service, was dedicated.
Holyoke has another distinction in furnishing for the dio- cese its new bishop on the death of Bishop O'Reilly.
Father Howard died in 1888 and Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Beaven of Spencer was called to be pastor of Holy Rosary, and in October. 1892. the pope made him bishop of Springfield. As pastor he was succeeded by Dr. F. MeGrath, who is still in ser- vice.
The curates have been Rev. J. J. Howard, Rev. John JI. Con- lin. Rev. William Ryan. Rev. J. F. Griffin and Rev. M. T. Burke.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH
The increase of the French Canadian population was so great that still another parish became necessary. This was set
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off in 1890 in the north section of the city and named as above. Rev. C. E. Brunanlt, who still remains, was made the first pastor and services were begun in Temperanee hall, on Maple street. In 1891, the very next year, a fine large building was completed. on the corner of Maple and Prospeet streets, which serves as church, school and convent. The structure oeenpies the most con- spicuous site in the thickly settled portion of the city, overlook- ing the dam and the broad sweep of the river for nearly twenty miles of its length.
Besides this building the parish owns a commodious presby- tery and other buildings. Father Brunault was formerly assist- ant to Father Dufresne in South Holyoke and was afterwards pastor in Gardner for three years. He is especially gifted as a musician and directs the literary and musieal organizations of his parish.
Father Brunault's eurates have been Rev. W. L. Alexander, Rev. N. St. Cyr and Rev. L. Geoffrey.
MATER DOLOROSA -THE CHURCH OF THE POLES
Rev. Anthony M. Sikorski was made. by Bishop Beaven, the first resident pastor of the Polish people in 1896, Father Cha- Inpka of Chieopee having cared for them previously. Services are held in the basement of the Church of the Holy Rosary, but Father Sikorski hopes they will have a church of their own soon. The people are poor, nearly all of them working in the Lyman cotton mills, but if we may judge from the history of the other Catholic parishes it will not be many years before Holyoke has a Polish church edifice.
Father Sikorski was born in Russian Poland, studied at Warsaw and was ordained in 1875.
THE FRENCH PEOPLE OF HOLYOKE
It is said with evident truth that fully one-third of our eity's population is comprised of French-Canadians and persons of French descent, and further. that among the number are many men of means and influence and of moral worth and integrity ; men who have been and still are controlling factors for good in
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the business, political, professional and social history of our in- dustrial city.
In the early history of Holyoke we diseover that the town it- self was incorporated soon after the Hadley Falls company had completed the second dam aeross the Conneetieut and had sue- cessfully diverted the waters of that magnificent river for manu- facturing purposes. There were those who doubted the ultimate success of the water power company, and when the eanal system in fact was established and extensive mills had been built, there was found a shortage in mill hands and operatives. The news of this somewhat unusual condition of things soon spread abroad, especially in the regions of the Connecticut valley in this state and Vermont, and soon was extended into the provinces of Can- ada on the north.
About this time five French families came to Holyoke and constituted the pioneer element of French population in the town. The heads of these families were Narcisse Francoeur, Nicholas Proulx. Casal Viens. Furmenee Hamel and Charles Provost, of whom only the last two are now living. From among this number the Lyman mills company selected Mr. Proulx to return to Canada and arrange for the importation of a consider- able number of people of his own nationality, chiefly laborers and mill hands, skilled workmen when possible. but strong, indus- trious men were always desirable. For five years Mr. Proulx was engaged in transporting workmen and their families from the province to Itolyoke and during that time he is said to have brought here at least five hundred persons; and to him perhaps more than to any other one man belongs the honor of having peo- pled our town in its early history with a thrifty and industrions elass of inhabitants.
At the time of their immigration these families were poor in purse, but fortunately were possessed of strong physical consti- tutions and commendable ambitions. They knew little of Eng- lish and still less of American customs, hence frequently were made the victims of designing persons and overbearing masters. They readily adapted themselves. however, to the new conditions and soon beeame recognized among the more intelligent classes
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of our region. Originally it was their purpose to remain in the town only long enough to earn and save money sufficient to estab- lish themselves in business in Canada or to relieve unfortunate relatives left behind them, yet of the great number of persons who came here during the first twenty-five years of our town's history few, indeed. returned permanently to their native homes. The coming and success of one family had its influence upon others and after Mr. Proulx had completed his service with the company no further personal application was necessary to induce settlements by the French from the Canadas. All who came easily found employment. although for a time their pay was ex- ceedingly small, but as they became skilled in their respective lines of work wages were increased and to-day many substantial fortunes are the result of early struggles and hardships.
When the French settlement in Holyoke had beeome suffi- cietly strong a church was established, then a school, and with the constant increase of later years other societies and institu- tions were founded for the especial benefit of French residents. At first this people attended services in St. Jerome's church, later occupied a rented hall on High street, and, finally, in 1869, built a mission chapel on the site where now stands Father Crevier's residence, at the corner of Park and Cabot streets. About two years later this chapel was burned during service and sixty-three persons perished in the flames, while fourteen others subse- quently died from injuries received on that awful occasion. The disaster occurred on Corpus Christi day, during vesper services, when a lighted candle set fire to the altar decorations, and in spite of every effort to subdne the little blaze the flames spread with such terrible rapidity that every life in that body of devout worshippers was placed in jeopardy ; and then, when the congre- gation was endeavoring to escape from the doomed structure the single stairway at the entrance gave way and many lives were lost in the fall. We hesitate to dwell further upon the dreadful recital, for the events of that awful day are all too fresh in the memory of all our people. It was the most serious disaster in Holyoke history and never can be forgotten.
After the fire the French people worshipped in convenient halls until the completion of the Church of the Precious Blood,
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in 1876. Rev. Father Dufrense was its first pastor. He died in 1886, and was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Father Landry. who died in 1890. His successor was Rev. Father Charles Cre- vier, the present pastor of the church. During Father Landry's time the Precions Blood parish was divided and the new parish then organized was placed in charge of Rev. Father Bruneault. The first services were held in the St. Jerome temperance hall. but soon afterward the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was erceted on Prospect street. Both of these parishes now have splendidly equipped sehools.
The aim of the French parochial schools of Holyoke is to furnish not merely " book learning. " but to give special attention to the forming of character in the interest of good citizenship. In these schools the discipline is a little more severe than in the public schools, but results appear to justify the course pursued. The parochial school pupil, in addition to the subjects tanght in the public schools, must acquire a thorough understanding of French and also of his religion. He is taught etiquette and de- portment, and the traditional French politeness is plainly visible in his actions, so that a graduate of our French parochial schools. in addition to having acquired learning necessary for entrance to our high school. has as thorough knowledge of French as of English. and has the further advantage of personal acquaintance and association with persons who have abandoned worldly pleas- ures to devote all their energies to the one purpose of giving their pupils the broadest kind of education.
The first French society in Holyoke was that known as St. Jean Baptiste, organized in 1872, still existing and full of useful- ness. Two years ago it became allied to the Union St. Jean Bap- tiste d'Amerique. which consists of all the French societies of New England. Edward Cadiens of this city is the organizer of this federation and its supreme president. The other French so- cioties in the city, mentioned in the order of organization, are: 1. I'mion Canadienne (founded by Joseph Beauehemin). La Ligne du Sacre Coeur, Cour Mont Royal des Forestiers, Les Ar- tisans. Heptasophis. Le Cercle Rochambeau. Le Club de Naturali- zation. the Club Guilmant. besides musical organizations, literary «lubs and other societies of less note.
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In 1889 several influential French citizens of Holyoke, under the leadership of Pierre Bonvouloir (now city treasurer), organ- ized the City Co-operative bank, an institution in the nature of a co-operative loan association and one which has been of the greatest good to all persons who have availed themselves of its membership and which also has acquired a high standing in or- ganizations of its special class in Massachusetts.
The first French newspaper in Holyoke was "Le Defen- seur, " which was published weekly. "L'Annexioniste," a daily paper, next followed, and was continued for a time with indiffer- ent financial results to its founders. At the present time the only Freneh paper published in the city is "La Presse," a semi- weekly, under capable editorial management.
Reliable census statistics indicate that one-third of our city's population is composed of French persons and their direct de- scendants. and among the number is included some of the best and most publie spirited of our entire citizenship. Glancing over the pages of our municipal, mercantile and industrial history, it will be seen that French names abound, which indicates that the little colony of that people who came to the locality nearly half a century ago found a ready welcome among our native towns- people and soon became factors of commanding importance in the later industrial city : and through all succeeding years the more recent comers and as well the American-born sons and daughters of French parents have been earnest and zealous in doing whatever might tend to personal advancement and the pub- lic welfare. In the elinrehes, the schools. the various professions, the business and industrial departments of municipal life. in polities and in social and home cireles French influenee has cast its light always for good.
Having thus traced in a brief and general way something of the beginning and subsequent history of French life in Hol- yoke, it is proper in the same connection that allusion be made to some of the characters in accomplished results during the period of which we write.
Nicholas Proulx, who may be regarded as one of the founders of the French colony in Holyoke, came from St. Ours, Canada.
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in 1856. Soon afterward he entered the service of the Lyman mills company and for the next five years devoted much of his time to transporting workmen and their families from Canada to this town, thus furnishing hundreds of employees to the mills of this locality. After he left the company's service he gave his attention to mereantile pursuits, dealing in coal and wood for several years. and still later engaging in other business enter- prises, always with a fair measure of success. He accumulated a comfortable fortune and likewise gained the respeet of our peo- ple in general. He died in June, 1888. in his seventy-third year. He had five daughters and three sons, the latter now living in the city and being among its progressive business men. They are George J .. John J. and Joseph N. Prew. The older genera- tions of this family always adhered to their correet surname Proulx. but later generations have Angelieized the name into Prew. The name Prew, spoken in English, is identical with Proulx, spoken in French.
Furmence Hamel eame to Holyoke from St. Paul, Canada. in 1860, with a family of eight sons and two daughters. Al- though he had been a school teacher in Canada he began life here as an employee in the Lyman mills, and later on worked for John Newton, a prominent mill proprietor. Still later he was for twenty-three years in the service of the Conneetient River rail- road company, and now retired from active business pursuits. at the age of eighty-four years, he is an authority on all events of local history during the last forty years, his fund of aneedote being interesting and almost inexhaustable.
Charles Provost, now living in that delightful portion of our eity known as the Highlands, first came to Holyoke in 1868, hav- ing. to use his own words. "more children than dollars"; but Mr. Provost's subsequent business life is only another splendid example of what industry and perseverance will accomplish even in the face of adversity. for notwithstanding the vicissitudes of earlier years in the city, he now is possessed of a competeney. the result of his own personal effort. At first Mr. Provost was em- ployed as laborer by the water power company. and subsequently learned the carpenter trade, becoming a practical builder in all
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joiner work. In 1874, in company with Gilbert Potvin, he built a large block in ward one, and during his long residence here he also has carried on large real estate operations.
Thus might these reminiscenees of early life among the French colonists in Holyoke be continued almost indefinitely, but the foregoing narrative must suffice for present purposes. How- ever, before elosing our chapter, it is proper that brief mention be made of some of the representative French citizens of Holyoke of the present day : men who are factors in city history and who by their efforts have contributed toward the conditions of pro- gressiveness which now prevail in our constantly growing mu- nicipality.
Henry E. Chaput, M. D., was born December 29, 1869, in St. Hyacinthe, P. Q .. a son of Narcisse Joseph and Eloise (Guitte) Chaput. He acquired his elementary education in St. Hya- einthe, and pursued his medical studies in Laval college, Mont- real, taking his degree there in the spring of 1894. In Deeem- ber, 1898, he came to Holyoke, where he since has engaged in successful practice of his profession. He is secretary of the French medical association, physician to Jeanne d'Are Cirele, and has been president of the association of students of the uni- versity from which he was graduated. In October, 1895, he mar- ried Jane, daughter of A. D. Girard, of St. John, P. Q. They have three children-Girard. Sylvia and Jane.
Odilon Z. E. Charest was born June 1, 1857, in Three Rivers, Canada, a son of Elzear and Arlena (Sulte) Charest. He came to this city in 1878 and found employment with the Holyoke Fur- niture company, where he remained ten years and then went into mereantile business with M. Sainte-Marie, establishing what now is one of the leading houses of our city. Mr. Charest is now serv- ing his third term as member of the school committee, and in many other ways has been earnestly identified wit the best inter- ests of the city. In 1886 he married Mary Jane Robert, by whom he has five children-Leonise, Antoinette, Arthur, George and Romeo.
Felix J. Cloutier, M. D., was born March 15, 1864, in Na- pierville. Canada, son of Siffroid and Oylmpia (Gautier) Clou-
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tier. His father was born in St. Anne. P. Q., and died in Deeem- ber. 1900. Ilis mother was a native of L'AAcadie. Canada. Dr. Cloutier was educated in the schools of Napierville, in the classi- cal department of the College of St. Therese L'Assumption and St. Sulpice seminary in Montreal. He pursued his medical studies in and was graduated from the Queen's university at Kingston, Canada. He came to Holyoke in 1889, where he has sinee resided and engaged in successful practice. In 1895 Dr. Cloutier married Emily R. Robert.
Jacques L. Demers was born April 23. 1833, in Montreal, Canada, son of Louis and Mary Burrill) Demers. His father was a native of Montreal and his mother of Three Rivers, Can- ada. Both are deceased. Jacques was educated in the schools of Montreal and after completing his early education he studied portrait painting. In 1883 he came to Holyoke and established his present portrait and photographie business. In 1858 Mr. Demers married Louise Reel of Montreal. They have five chil- dren-Louis, Hormisdas. Wilfred. Marie Louise and Angelina Demers.
Valere Dneharme was born in St. Guillaume, Canada, Sep- tember 29. 1864. son of Hyacinthe and Sophie Ducharme. His father came to Holyoke in 1879. His mother died in this city in 1896. Valere was educated in Canada, and there also learned the grocery and meat business. He came to Holyoke with his father, and in 1886 opened his present grocery store and meat market in partnership with E. D. Durocher. In 1889 he pur- chased his partner's interest and since has condneted the busi- ness alone. In 1892 he married Corinne Lecault of Verehere. Canada. They have four children-Clement. Camille, Oliver and Romuld Ducharme.
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