USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 50
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From the erection of the diocese of Portland, a fresh impulse was given Catholicity, and soon after its bishop took possession of his new see the Catholic religion in Maine made rapid strides. But in an extensive diocese, with everything to create and very limited resources, the obstacles to be surmounted were not light. With not more than 6 priests and 8 churches scattered over two States for the mis- sionary labor, he might well have been appalled in the face of the weighty responsibilities he had assumed. Undis- mayed, however, by the spectacle before him he entered upon the work with great zeal and earnestness, and in the month of August, at St. Dominic's church, ordained his first priest, the Rev. Thomas Kenney. At the same time the Rev. Eugene Müller reported for duty, and was invested by the bishop with the important office of Vicar-General, and placed in charge of the church on State Street. Two months later the Rev. Father Keuney was stationed at the mission in Biddeford, and commenced the construction of a Catholic church there ; he died at this place in February, 1857. On the feast of All Saints the Rev. John Brady was raised to the priesthood in Portland ; he is now in charge of one of the churches in Biddeford. A week subsequent to this ordination the Rev. John O'Donnell was detached from St. Dominic's, in Portland, and assigned to the mission at Nashua, N. II.
The opening of the year 1856 found the single church in Portland entirely too small for the constantly growing congregation. And, besides, the cathedral church of the diocese must needs be built. So in the spring the bishop secured from William Senter, Esq., his own lot and residence, together with three more adjacent lots, and an adjoining lot from Deacon Storer ; all fronting on Cumberland Street, and lying between Franklin and Locust Streets.
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Before the year was at an end a brick chapel, with a seating capacity for 600 persons, was completed at the rear on these grounds, the main portion extending to the street having been reserved for the future cathedral. On the festi- val of Sts. Peter and Paul, 1856, the Rev. Michael Lucey was ordained priest at St. Dominic's. Late in the autumn the bishop purchased a tract of land less than a mile from Vaughan's Bridge, on the Saco road, which was converted into a burying-ground, and is known as Calvary Cemetery, for the exclusive use of those members who die in com- munion with the Catholic Church.
In the centre of the cemetery a frame church with tower and spire and an accommodation for 400 sittings was some time afterwards built, and in which divine service is held on certain occasions.
On the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this same year, the Rev. Patrick Bacon received holy orders, and in spring of the following year he sue- ceeded Father Kenney, deceased, at Biddeford. About the same time the Rev. Michael Lucey was sent on to the mission to Salmon Falls, N. Il., where he soon after built a church. The Rev. James Parasche was raised to the priesthood at this period, and after a stay of some months at the cathedral chapel was sent on missionary duty to Exeter, N. 11., and died in December, 1863, at Keene, N. II. In the month of August the Rev. Matthew Murphy was admitted to holy orders in Portland, and in the fall was charged with a mission at Calais ; a few years later he died. The Rev. D. Whalen arrived in Portland in the month of September, 1857, and was temporarily assigned to duty at the church on State Street, remaining but a short time, · when he left the city.
In the year 1859, St. Dominic's church was remodeled, the interior consisting of sanctuary, nave, aisles, and vesti- bule. Exteriorly, the new front is after the medieval Gothic style of architecture. The spring of this year found Father P. O'Donoghue stationed at St. Dominic's, and early in summer he left for fields of labor elsewhere. Prior to the modifications of St. Dominic's, the bishop had constructed a large and substantial brick addition to the original residence purchased in connection with the site for the cathedral. This was rendered necessary for the accommodation of the clergy that were being rapidly created, and, besides, it was contemplated to introduce at no distant day a teaching order of religious ladies for the instruction of the Catholic girls, for whose reception these improvements were partly intended. An interval of nearly two years, with little of interest to chronicle in the church, save the steady advance of its numerical strength, now occurred. In the summer of 1861 the Rev. John De Rose, ordained priest at Cleveland, Ohio, arrived in Portland and was attached to the cathedral chapel, and received the appointment of chancellor of the diocese. In 1872 he returned from a visit to his aged mother in his native Belgium, and in the month of March, 1873, like the true shepherd that lays down his life for the flock, in the act of administering the last sacraments of the church to one dying with the smallpox, this humble and self-sacrificing priest contracted the loathsome disease, of which he died in a few days, lamented by bishop, priests, and people; and
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
sadly, in the dead hour of night, his corpse was burried through the deserted streets of the city, followed by a few of his associates in the sacred ministry, to Calvary Cemetery, and there above the grave, in the light of the moon, they intoned the office for the dead. Soon after the death of this good priest the Catholics erected in memoriam a figure of' Faith, cut out of pure white marble, standing on a pedestal of like material, artistically designed and of supe- rior workmanship, supported upon an hexagonal granite base, the whole rising twelve feet high, placed in the western aisle of the cathedral.
In 1860 the project for the construction of the cathedral engrossed no inconsiderable portion of the bishop's atten- tion. Ground was broken and the foundation laid ; more than this was not accomplished, in consequence of the civil war into which the country was drifting, and opera- tions were not resumed till five years later.
The Covell estate, fronting on Congress Street, and uni- ting in rear with the church property, was purchased by Bishop Bacon in 1863, thus securing undisputed control from street to street, and affording easy and ample commu- nication to and from the cathedral. To the very good resi- dence upon this property an enlargement was built, and the original modified, which, when completed, was occupied for the episcopal mansion, and the former one was surrendered, in the spring of 1864, to a community of nuns of the " Congregatione de Notre Dame," who immediately opened therein an academy for young ladies. Simultaneously a free day-school for girls was opened on Congress Street, about three blocks northeast of the bishop's residence, which was placed in charge of these nuns. The second story of this school-house was converted into a chapel, where mass was celebrated every Sunday, to relieve the over-crowded condition of the cathedral chapel.
On the festival of Sts. Peter and Paul, 1864, the Rev. John E. Barry, of Eastport, was ordained priest at the cathedral chapel, and at the same place, ou the feast of All Saints, same year, the Rev. Luke Bartley received holy orders. These two priests continued to perform duty at Portland until the summer of 1866, when the latter was named for the mission at Bath, and the former for Con- cord, N. H.
Encouraged by the success which resulted from the opening of the day-school in the eastern section of the city, a further step in the development of the Catholic educa- tional plan was taken. It was decided to erect a commo- dious and substantial two-story brick structure, with Man- sard roof, close to St. Dominic's church, upon the site secured a year previous, for the education of the girls be- longing in the western portion of the city. In the spring of 1865 operations were commenced, and carried on with- out interruption till the school-house was completed and made ready for occupation, about the Ist of December.
Meanwhile, in the summer season, a fair was inaugurated at City Hall, for the purpose of obtaining funds to liqui- date the cost of construction. This undertaking was very successful, surpassing the expectations of its promoters.
On the 8th of September the Rev. Michael O'Brien was admitted to holy orders; performed duty at Portland until late in 1866, when he was sent to the mission at
Rockland. Before the close of 1865, Rev. John O'Brien was ordained and sent to perform duty at Manchester, N. II.
In the spring of 1866 work upon the cathedral was re- sumed. The walls had been carried to a uniform height of fifteen feet above the foundation, when, singular to say, a circumstance, not understood, caused a suspension of opera- tions.
In little over a month afterwards that terrible conflagra- tion of 4th of July burst upon the city, devouring street after street,-everything in its path,-and consuming the episcopal mansion, church, the new walls of the cathedral, the nuns' academic building, and the school-house, leaving in its train a scene of fearful desolation. The loss to the Catholies seemed irreparable. None felt the weight of this blow more heavily than their bishop; his eyes beheld with sorrow the fruits of ten years' unwearied labor, of journeys far and near, carried off beyond recall. Almost heart- broken under this crushing calamity, he lost no time in appearing before sympathizing congregations in neighbor- ing States, and in the Provinces of the Dominion, where his appeals met with the sueeess they deserved. For a time one of the school-rooms at St. Dominie's was occupied by the bishop for his dwelling-place. ITis congregation worshiped in a shed on the Grand Trunk Company's wharf, returning therefrom on the completion of a temporary wooden building upon the " Hay-scale" lot, adjoining the site of the episcopal mansion. In consequence of this mis- fortune the nuns were obliged to return to the " Mother Hlouse" at Montreal, and the school of St. Dominie's was intrusted to lay teachers.
After an absence of nearly two months the bishop re- turned to his see elated with his success. Workmen were at onee employed in removing the débris, and the new church commenced, phoenix like, to rise from its ashes; at the same time the reconstruction of the episcopal palace went on apace. While these operations were being pushed forward a fine residence on Free Street was purchased and immediately occupied by the bishop and the clergy. A week before Christmas-day Bishop Bacon had the ineffable joy of dedicating to the service of God the new church, in which His praises continue to be chanted to this day. Closely following this event came the completion of the episcopal palace on a much more extensive seale than the original structure, and was forthwith occupied. In rapid succession the school-house was rebuilt, and the large wooden mansion on the corner of Oak and Free Streets was pur- chased and possession taken by the returned nuns, January, 1867.
April, 1867, the bishop visited Portsmouth, and there ordained Rev. John W. Murphy, who performed duty at both churches in Portland, until August, 1871, when he was sent to take charge of the mission at Laconia, N. H.
One year later operations on the construction of the cathedral were resumed, this time with the determination to push the work to completion. In the month of May, 1868, the Rev. Eugene Mullen was transferred from the charge of St. Dominic's to that of the church in Biddeford, and died there in November, 1869; the vacancy thus made was at once filled by the appointment of the Rev. Michael
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CITY OF PORTLAND.
O'Brien, from Rockland, and in July following the Rev. Louis Mutsaers, who was ordained at Troy, N. Y., on Trinity Sunday, arrived in Portland, and was stationed as assistant at St. Dominic's church. In May, 1869, the Rev. Michael O'Brien was relieved from duty in Portland and assigned to the church at Exeter, N. 11., the charge of St. Dominic's devolving on the Rev. John W. Murphy. On the 23d of the same month the Rev. John Duddy, born in Portland, was ordained priest in his native city, and about the same date the Rev. Eugene O'Callaghan received ordi- nation at the hands of Archbishop McCloskey in the semi- nary at Troy, N. Y., and immediately thereafter was assigned to duty at the church on State Street as assistant, relieving Father Mutsaers, who was attached to the mission at Lewiston. Father O'Callaghan continued on duty at Portland till the month of April, 1874, when he was given charge of the mission at Augusta. In the city of Port- land, in the summer of 1869, the Rev. James Cairns was raised to the priesthood, and soon after was charged with the mission at Eastport.
The 8th of September, 1869, was the day anxiously looked forward to for the dedication of the cathedral. On its arrival a multitude filled the edifice. aud crowds were unable to obtain standing room. The spectacle presented was one seldom seen and hardly ever to be forgotten by the specta- tors. Eight bishops and about 75 priests officiated in the ceremonies, in which nearly four hours were consumed. At two o'clock in the afternoon the sacred edifice was solemnly dedicated as the Cathedral of the " Immaculate Conception."
In the evening the visiting prelates, clergymen, and invited guests were entertained by Bishop Bacon at the Falmouth Hotel.
The architecture is of the florid Gothic, with nave divided into aisles, sanctuary, and two chapels. Exteriorly, the materials are bricks with freestone trimmings ; the founda- tion courses laid in large blocks of dressed granite. The cathedral front on Cumberland Street consists of eentral gable with oue main tower, and spire at one side rising to a height of two hundred and thirty-six feet, and a turret at the other side, and between it and the main entrance a smaller tower about one hundred and fifty feet high. A porch, extending some twelve feet towards the street from the central gable, is pierced by the grand portal, the jambs decorated with columns carrying foliage capitals, from which spring elustered mouldings ornamenting the arch. The paneled gablet above the arch bears the mitre in bas-relief, and above this in the central gable is set a handsome rose- window with tracery of skillful design filled with Scriptural imagery. A second entrance opens through the main tower, up which a staircase is carried which communicates with the organ galleries, and leads up into the spire. There are two side-doors, and two more communicating with Congress Street. The towers and main building are flanked with heavy buttresses. The basement contains the heating ap- paratus and the mortuary vaults. The cathedral is one hundred and ninety-six feet long, and one hundred feet wide; height of nave from floor to apex of ceiling, sev- enty feet. Emerging from under the organ gallery, after having passed the main portal, into the main aisle, at the
farther end of the nave is the sanctuary containing the high altar, the back of the reredos about twenty-five feet from the end. The sanctuary is a semi-decagon, termina- ting in an apsis in the clerestory. Running round the sanctuary dome are niches containing marble statues of the apostles. The reredos is an elaborate carving with one eentral and two smaller flanking towers having niches con- taining statues ; the spaces between are filled with niches intended for smaller statuary. From these towers rise spires, which, together with the intervening, are terminated in paneled pinnacles richly omamented with foliage bosses, the whole embellished in purest white and glittering gold, whilst high above upon a heavy cross hangs a life-size figure of Christ.
The nave is divided longitudinally into eight bays by eight clustered columns on each side, separating the side aisles from the main aisle; these columns support the clere- story ; it is lighted by sixteen large windows, each divided into three bays by mullions and filled with geometrical stained glass, the tympanum being inlaid with the symbols of the Passion of our Lord, and representations from Scripture, all executed in a variety and richness of coloring almost un- rivaled. The sanctuary receives its light from the clerestory, two side-windows, and the very handsome ten by nineteen feet stained-glass window representing the crowning of the Virgin Mary by Christ and Jehovah, and the angels above awaiting her coming, which is at the end ; below this wiu- dow is a chapel, and another chapel at either side.
The clerestory contaius twenty-one windows with the four evangelists represented, and scenes from Scripture illustrated. Underneath these windows and corresponding with the number of bays, the triforinm is indented with imitation triple windows. On the walls and groined ceilings of the aisles the freseving is simply gorgeous, being laid in oils. Blue, buff, and green are the ground colors used, and the decorations are foils inclosing monograms of the Trinity, the lily, cross, and shamrock entwined, the ivy, etc. At one side a most beautiful painting representing the Immaculate Conception embellishes the wall.
The organ is of the Gothic style, built in a rich, dark case and gilt trimmings, contrasting beautifully with the wealth of coloring in the cathedral.
Early in the month of November the bishop left Port- land en route for Rome, in obedience to the summons of the reigning pontiff, Pius IX., to attend the General Coun- cil of the Vatican, which was ordered to convene on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the month following.
As the convocation of a General Council of the Catholic Church is an event of rare occurrence, and has ever been regarded, to the extremities of Christendom, as of the most momentous importance, and the Council of the Vatican being the nineteenth in the history of the Church, and the only one held since the Council of Trent, which was con- voked by Pope Paul III. in the year 1545, it may be stated that the Council called by Pope Pius IX. was the most numerously attended of all preceding Councils, if we may except the second Council of Lateran, which was as- sembled by Pope Innocent Il. in the year 1139, at which, it is said, 1000 bishops met. The Council of the Vatican was attended by an assemblage of prelates including 49
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
cardinals, 11 patriarchs, 686 archbishops and bishops, 28 abbots, and 29 generals of religious orders,-in all 803 fathers, representing every country, region, and tropic, and of every variety of shade of complexion, and in all proba- bility the most distinguished and learned body of men brought together in modern times.
During the absence of Bishop Bacon, the Very Rev. John O'Donnell, V.G., administered the ecclesiastical af- fairs of the diocese. While in attendance at the Council the bishop's health became impaired, and in consequence he was permitted to return to his see, where he was cordially welcomed March 1, 1870.
In the month of June, 1871, Rev. Dennis M. Bradley arrived in Portland and was attached to the cathedral. Some time afterwards he was named chancellor of the dio- cese and rector of the cathedral. He still continues to fill these offices.
After the return of Bishop Bacon from Rome, his ener- gies neither tired nor flagged, and when not engaged at home was projecting work or rearing up structures else- where in his diocese for the promotion of the faith. Turn- ing his attention again to affairs at home, the subject of proper provision for destitute Catholic orphan children en- gaged his attention. The residence on Free Street, pur- chased the year of the great fire, was converted into an asylum for the reception and care of orphans; a large three-story brick addition, more extensive than the original building, was commeneed in the spring and completed in the fall of 1873, together with the construction of a Man- sard story on the original, and other needed alterations. These buildings were occupied on the 31st of May by three " Sisters of Mercy" from the Mother-House at Manchester, N. II. In the fall the number of the Sisters was increased to about fifteen, and on the 1st of September they were assigned to teach the free day-schools, thus relieving the Nuns of the Congregatione de Notre Dame, who, in conse- quence, were obliged to close their academy, and soon thereafter retired to Montreal. To supply the want, the Sisters of Mercy opened an institute, under their direction, on Free Street, known as St. Elizabeth's Academy. The beginning of winter found a score of orphans domiciled in the new institution, to whose wants the Sisters ministered.
In the spring of 1874 ground was excavated in the Hay- Scale lot adjoining that of the episcopal residence for a new school-house. This site was secured from the city in the year 1869. Here the walls of the new educational struc- ture arose to the level of the first floor, when operations were suspended, the bishop being called to Rome. But before his departure, which occurred towards the close of July, he ordained on the 14th of the month the Rev. John F. Mc- Kenna, at Manchester, N. II. This priest was assigned to the church on State Street, in August, 1876, where he now is pastor in charge.
On the ocean voyage from New York, Bishop Bacon was prostrated by a severe attack from a distressing ailment, and upon his arrival at Brest he was compelled to enter the mil- itary marine hospital in that French port. From this at- tack he did not recover sufficiently to continue the journey. On the contrary. having suffered a relapse, and suspecting that his ministry was about drawing to a close, he resolved
to retrace his steps in the hope of meeting death in his epis- copal city. Under the charge of the Very Rev. John E. Barry, V. G. of Concord, N. 11., who was summoned to his bedside at Brest, the bishop was borne in a litter on board the French steamer bound for New York. The steamship arrived at the Empire City in the afternoon of the 5th of No- vember, and in about three hours after his removal to St. Vincent's Hospital, in charge of the Sisters of Charity, in New York City, the Rt. Rev. D. W. Bacon, D.D., in the sixty-first year of his age. breathed his last. This sad in- telligence cast a gloom over the Catholics of Portland. On the 7th of the month the dead body of the bishop was con- veyed back to the city, and was met at the depot by the several Catholic organizations and Catholic citizens gen- erally. In processional order, the clergy in carriages pro- ceeded by the hearse containing the casket, and guarded by a military escort, the column moved with slow and solemn step over the principal thoroughfares to the episco- pal palace, which, but a little over three months before, was occupied by the departed.
Until Tuesday following, the 10th of the month, the body, arrayed in full canonicals. lay in state upon an elaborately contrived catafalque in the main aisle, before the grand high altar in the cathedral. On this date the funeral obsequies took place, many bishops and priests from the neighboring States and the British provinces assisting thereat, at the conclusion of which the casket containing the body was borne by eight priests to the vault in the basement of the cathedral, and there deposited in its final resting-place.
Bishop Bacon was distinguished as an eloquent preacher, the winter courses, and especially his Lenten sermons, at- tracting many of the Protestants. In the course of his episcopate not a few have been brought into the Roman Catholic Church. To his preaching was allied great zeal and earnestness. He was also endowed with a remarkable business capacity, and for his humility and exceeding urbanity he was much esteemed in Portland.
Upon the Very Rev. John E. Barry, V. G., now devolved the administration of the ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese, until the appointment of a successor in the see of Port- land.
In the month of March, 1875, the Rev. James A. IIcaly, pastor of the Church of St. James, in Boston, was designated by the Holy See to the vacant bishopric, and on the 2d of June following he was consecrated bishop in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, at Portland, by Archbishop Williams, of the city of Boston, assisted by eight bishops. Archbishop Connolly (since deceased), of Halifax, Nova Scotia, delivered the oration.
Rt. Rev. James Augustine Healy, second Bishop of Portland, was born in Georgia, in April, 1830. He re- ceived bis preparatory education at floly Cross College, Worcester, Mass,, commenced his theological studies at the Grand Seminary, Montreal, and completed the course at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris, receiving the ordination of priesthood on the 10th of June, 1854, in the celebrated Cathedral of Notre Dame, at the hands of Archbishop Libonr. The new bishop brought to his apostolic labor a reputation for sound learning, ardent zeal, and great holiness of life, which were clearly manifested in the alacrity with which
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