USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 12
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In October, 1853, he was transferred to Madison. Here he proved himself the worthy peer of his two illustrious predeces-
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sors. Less stern and more open-hearted than Father McQuaid, his flock loved and revered him, and were greatly shocked by his sudden death in Newark, in the house of a friend, of hemorrhage of the lungs, May 19th, 1868. Of him Bishop Bayley wrote: "One of my oldest and best friends."
Then came the lovable, brilliant Father D'Arcy. The Rev. James D'Arcy, born in Ireland, made his theological studies in All Hallows, near Dublin, and in Seton Hall. He was the first seminarist ordained to holy priesthood in the college chapel, December 19th, 1863. His first assignment to duty was assistant in St. John's, Paterson, where his memory is still held in affectionate re- membrance. Afterward he was in temporary charge of Morristown, where during his brief stay he had so entwined himself into the affection of his flock that they were not only deeply grieved but in- dignant at his removal. More than usually gifted with the sacred fire of oratory, he was often called upon to lecture REV. JAMES D'ARCY. Died March 23d, 1869. and preach on extraordinary occasions. In fulfilling an engagement of this kind in the Cathedral, Newark, where on March 17th, 1869, he preached the panegyric of St. Patrick, he imprudently exposed himself, and after a vigorous and splendid eulogy of St. Patrick and his children, he was seized with a chill, and died March 23d, 1869. April 2d of the same year Bishop Bayley appointed the apos- tolic, quiet, and unassuming Father Wigger, who during four years had labored so zealously in the vast Cathedral parish that his health broke down, and he was forced to go abroad to re- cuperate. When on his return to the diocese, after ordination, cholera broke out on the steamer Atalanta, he displayed his zeal and fearlessness in the discharge of his sacred duties, by asking permission and faculties from his Bishop to remain aboard in order to give the consolations of religion to the dying. For
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two weeks he remained at his post until the scourge had disap- peared, and reported for duty at the Cathedral, November, 1865.
That same zeal and devotion characterized his pastorate at Madison. But, elsewhere, a more detailed account will be given of his labors in Orange, Summit, and Chatham. When called by Bishop Corrigan to assume the herculean task of grappling with the debt-overwhelmed church of St. John, Orange, his successor was the Rev. Patrick E. Smythe. Father Smythe, born in Bally- jamesduff, county Cavan, Ireland, March 15th, 1841, made his preparatory studies in Kilmore Seminary, and his theological studies in Maynooth, where he was ordained priest March 17th, I 864.
He was appointed rector of Oxford Furnace, and built St. Joseph's Church, Washington. He came to Madison May, 1873. St. Vincent's Church is built on a site given by Amidee von Schalkwyck Boisaubin. The memory of this is recorded on his monument :
" With Manifest Liberality He Contributed to the Erection Of This Church. By Its Site His Remains Have Been Placed That his Soul May Be Remembered In the Prayers of All Who Pray Therein."
That family exercised, to a very limited extent certainly, a kind of patronage over the church, which was not renounced until Father Smythe's régime.
In January, 1876, Father Smythe was transferred to St. Bridget's, Jersey City, and St. Vincent's welcomed back their old pastor, Dr. Wigger, whom the Summit congregation tried hard to retain. In August, 1881, he was chosen by the Holy See third Bishop of the diocese of Newark, and consecrated by Archbishop Corrigan in the Cathedral, Newark, October 18th, 1881. The successor of Bishop Wigger was his friend and classmate in the Seminary Brignole-Sale, the Rev. Joseph Rolando. Born at Ber- zezio, in the diocese of Cuneo, Italy, September 28th, 1839, Father Rolando studied classics in Cuneo, and theology at Brignole-Sale, where he was raised to the priesthood, June 10th, 1865. His first appointments were the Cathedral and St. John's, Newark, for a brief period looking after the Italians in Philadelphia, and succes- sively rector of Hackensack and Milburn. His work in these missions was marked by energy and earnestness, and when ap- pointed rector of Madison he determined to clear off the debt
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with which for a long time it had been burdened. He not only succeeded, but brought the parish and its school to a high degree of efficiency, and when constrained by ill health-the result of the tension of incessant and unwearied labor-to resign, he left to his successor a very considerable sum with which to prosecute the ardent wish of his life, of erecting a church more suitable to the enlarged conditions of the parish, and more creditable to the faith and liberality of the Catholics of this thriving parish. The Rev. Joseph W. McDowell, D.C.L., born in Scotland, 1861, educated at St. Francis Xavier's College, New York, and at Seton Hall, was ordained priest October 12th, 1884. For many years he exer- cised the ministry in St. John's, Orange, and in 1895 went to Rome to devote himself to the study of canon law. In 1897 he took his degree, and was appointed rector of St. Paul's, Jersey City, and in August, 1900, rector of St. Vincent's, Madison. Dr. McDowell is a veteran of the Spanish War, having filled the office of chaplain of the Fourth Regiment N. J. Volunteers. Dr. McDowell has secured about four acres of land on Green Village Road and Wilmer Street, where in due time will be erected the new church, rectory, and school. The aspirations of the parish will be realized, and the mother will no longer be eclipsed in the beauty and splendor of schools and churches by her vigorous daughters. This notice would be incomplete if mention were not made of the cemetery, which has been beauti- fied and improved by Dr. McDowell, who gave the first fruits of his pastoral zeal to the spot hallowed by the earthly remains of a Madden and a D'Arcy, and of the early pioneers-all, priest and people, at rest in the bosom of God.
St. Mary's, South Amboy, N. J.
SOUTH AMBOY was visited as early as 1830 by Father Dona- hue of New York, who came twice a year to minister to the few scattered Irish Catholics of the neighborhood. Father Maguire, of New Brunswick, also visited South Amboy occasionally. Father Rogers was the first to establish a regular station in South Amboy about the year 1847, and attended it once a month. In 1850 Father Rogers built the first church, a frame building 30 by 18 feet, on the site of the present cemetery. In 1852 the Rev. Michael Madden, the first resident pastor, came to South Amboy, and moved the church from the cemetery to Stephen Avenue, building an addition 30 by 30 feet.
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In 1854 Father James Callan took charge, and remained until the advent of the Rev. John Kelly in 1855. Father Kelly set about to improve and extend the property. He added another wing 30 by 30 feet, thus providing for the growing congregation. He purchased ground back of the rectory and running to Church Street, thus affording ample ground for a future church, Sep- tember 20th, 1864. The property was incorporated under the title of "St. Mary's Catholic Church, South Amboy." On Feb- ruary 24th, 1873, it was resolved to build a new brick church on - the corner of John Street and Stephen Avenue. On August 15th following the Rt. Rev. Bishop Corrigan laid the corner-stone of the magnificent Gothic structure, 135 by 64 feet. The work pro- gressed rapidly, and the church was dedicated to the honor of God, under the patronage of "Mary, Star of the Sea," September 17th, 1876.
October 2d, 1875, the feast of the Guardian Angels, Father Kelly opened the parochial school in the old church building, placing two secular teachers in charge.
When the diocese of Newark was divided, and Bishop O'Far- rell placed at the head of the new diocese of Trenton, Father Kelly was selected one of the consultors. The Bishop, appreci- ating the zeal and good work of the faithful pastor, made him one of the first irremovable rectors of the new diocese.
As years advanced he grew in favor with his bishops, so that on the death of the Very Rev. A. Smith, the first Vicar-General, Father Kelly was selected to succeed him. Honors seemed to increase his zeal, for he called to his assistance the Sisters of Mercy to take charge of his school. A convent was built and the old church remodeled to meet the increase of pupils. In 1891 we find Father Kelly building a new rectory, but he did not live to finish it, as, after two weeks' sickness, he died February 27th, 1891, in the thirty-seventh year of his priesthood, aged sixty-one years, honored by his Bishop and brother priests, beloved by his faithful people, and respected by his non-Catholic fellow- citizens.
Father Kelly was a pioneer missionary of the old school, who braved both heat and cold fearlessly. In his early years his parish extended from Raritan Bay to Point Pleasant, including Sayre- ville, Mattawan, Red Bank, Atlantic Highlands, Long Branch, Asbury Park, and many other places along the coast. Twenty- six priests are now laboring in the territory in which Father Kelly alone planted the seed of faith forty years ago. In 1885
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Father Kelly received his first assistant priest, the Rev. John W. Lawrence. The Rev. William H. Miller, a native of South Amboy, succeeded Father Lawrence, and remained with Father Kelly until a few months before his death.
Father Kelly was succeeded in the pastorate of St. Mary's by the Rev. John F. Brady, who took charge May 30th, 1891. Father Brady started immediately to increase the school accom- modation. The old school was remodeled to accommodate the larger children, and a dwelling-house was converted into a tempo- rary school for the little ones, so that on the opening of school in September of the same year there was ample room for four hun- dred children. In 1892 the new St. Mary's parochial school and hall was commenced, and the corner-stone laid May 8th, 1892, with imposing ceremonies by the Rt. Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton. The edifice was completed and dedicated June 29th, 1893.
It is constructed of brick with graystone basement and brown- stone trimming, and is finished with all modern improvements. It has twelve large class-rooms, and the hall seats fourteen hun- dred people.
In 1895 the church was overhauled, the sanctuary enlarged, three marble altars erected, the interior frescoed, and the grounds about the church and school graded and sown with grass.
The church, school, rectory, and convent of St. Mary's parish are the pride of South Amboy and the admiration of visitors. In the ten years, from 1891 to 1901, $160,000 was expended in building improvements and repairs, and every dollar of it contrib- uted by the poor people of the parish.
Father Brady has had associated with him in the administra- tion of the parish successively the Revs. William Dumphy, D. Geaghan, William Leacy, T. Nolan, Peter Hart, R. J. O'Farrell, and M. J. Lavey.
St. Mary's, Perth Amboy.
THE beginning of Catholicity in Perth Amboy, N. J., seems to date back to the year 1826, when, as stated in an old register, the Rev. Father McArdle held services in an old building once at- tached to the house on Mechanic and Centre streets, afterward occupied by James Tuite. Where the Rev. Father McArdle went, or who formed his congregation, is not known. But rumor says that the spirit of persecution was so strong in those days that
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some individuals threatened "to tar and feather " the said priest should he dare to return.
The next account we have of Catholicity in this place was when Patrick McCormick (father of William H. McCormick) and Patrick Haney arrived here. Both of these gentlemen were Catholics, and attended divine service at old St. Patrick's in New York City. This was about the year 1830. Later on, when Mr. McCormick engaged in the oyster business, he and his fellow Catholics went to service in South Amboy. Mass was then cele- brated in the house of the old widow McNally, by a priest from New Brunswick. The Catholics in this section were few and far between in those days, and obliged to endure many trials and hardships for the preservation of their faith. Besides Patrick McCormick and Patrick Haney we have the names of Bernard McAnerny, Matthew Smith, Daniel McDonald, and Thomas Flaherty. These with their families constituted the Catholic congregation for many years. If some of them forgot the teach- ings of their early years and drifted away from their Church, it is a comfort to know that others kept the faith, fought the good fight, and left to their children the inheritance of a noble, God- fearing ancestry.
In connection with the first struggles of these sturdy pioneers, it is related of old Patrick McCormick that, being the fortunate possessor of an oyster boat, he became the acknowledged ferry- man for the Catholics when they made their occasional trips to South Amboy to attend divine service. The custom was to pay 25 cents for the round trip, which money was given to the offici- ating clergyman as an offering. But on one occasion there was a certain individual who refused the contribution, demanding a free passage. Whereupon some of his fellow travellers tossed him out of the boat in mid-stream, and kept him in the water till the fare was given. This incident goes to prove that our early Catholic settlers were thorough business men and possessed more zeal perhaps than charity. Who the oppressed individual was, or who were his oppressors, is not specified. This arrangement appears to have continued for several years, for the Catholic population did not increase very rapidly.
Somewhere about the year 1835 Ezekiel Patterson opened a coal-yard at the foot of Commerce Street, and this brought many Irish Catholics from Jersey City to work there. Up to this time the Catholics found some difficulty in renting rooms from the owners of dwelling-houses. Consequently they were compelled
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to take up their quarters at the old "Barracks," or in the old "tea-house." Some procured lodgings in the houses along the shore. Matthew Smith lived on Smith Street near the ferry, as did also the Tuite family, and Patrick McCormick obtained the old homestead on Water Street. When the Jersey City people came they began to purchase land on "Tower Hill " from James Parker, and dwellings were soon erected. Mass was said at Mr. Biglin's house on Smith Street, now West's furniture store, also in Owen McAdam's on Centre Street, and in James Tuite's on Mechanic Street. It is also asserted that one of the early Masses was said in John Brown's on Maiden Lane.
It is likewise related that in 1837, when the fever broke out in Europe, all vessels were quarantined off Staten Island. The ship Phæbe tried to land her cargo of immigrants in this city, but the people protested. Finally, however, they were landed and herded in the open fields beyond the Central Railroad. The citizens of Perth Amboy, however, were kind to the poor immigrants, and furnished them with food and clothing. During the same epidemic another shipload came in, and some of the passengers offered the captain of a pilot boat a considerable sum of money to land them in New York. The pilot agreed, but on reaching the upper bay became alarmed and landed his freight on a small island off the Jersey City flats, where they were almost drowned when the tide rose. Several fishermen from Staten Island rescued the unfortu- nates.
As far as research can determine it the Catholics of Perth Amboy were attended at this time by Rev. Father Maguire, a priest from New Brunswick, who also held services at South Amboy.
The first priest that seems to have taken permanent charge of the Catholics located at Perth Amboy was the Rev. Father Ma- dranno, a Spaniard, then residing at the old Quarantine Station on Staten Island, now called New Brighton. The reverend gen- tleman made his trips by means of the New Brunswick boats, Old Independence and New York. There are some of our citizens still living who remember these boats, and also can recall the good Father Madranno who came to them. Arriving on Saturday, he received the best hospitality his poor flock could furnish, and with this he was content. He remained with them until Monday morn- ing, when he returned to Staten Island. The exact date of his coming to Perth Amboy is not known, but those who recall him say it was about 1839. On some occasions he found shelter in
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the old hotel, also in Matthew Smith's, along the shore, also in M. Doyle's on Centre Street, and in Owen McAdam's, opposite the present St. Mary's Church. But after a little while Mr. Girard made Father Madranno's acquaintance, and insisted upon him ac- cepting the hospitality of his pleasant home on Water Street. The Girard family were not Catholics, but the society of the ac- complished priest was a source of enjoyment to all who knew him, for, like St. Paul, he was all to all with every one, a perfect gen- tleman and accomplished scholar, a model priest, and a man of probity and wisdom.
After another little while Father Madranno gathered his scat- tered flock and organized them into a congregation under the title of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and about the year 1842 began to collect subscriptions for the purchase of a site for a new church, and a place where they might bury their dead. Subscriptions were taken by the people, the most active being Matthew Smith, the father of the present Smith family. In those days the erec- tion of a church was indeed a difficult matter. The Catholics were poor and few in number, and their fellow citizens were not over friendly to their cause. Yet the subscription lists showed many non-Catholic contributors.
Father Madranno was not only a pious priest, he was also a brave and generous man, and in the late summer of 1844 the Rt. Rev. John Hughes, Bishop of New York and Northern New Jer- sey, laid the corner-stone of the old St. Mary's Church. The good Bishop also preached an eloquent sermon on the occasion, and the party was generously entertained by Mr. Girard. This was the beginning of a new era of good feeling, and as the days passed Father Madranno won the love and esteem of the whole community. The new church, a brick structure, with a porch extending along the front, began to rise at once. Our poor people spared neither labor nor expense in completing their little church. Some contributed money; others gave the willing labor and skill of their hands; others furnished building materials, all doing their utmost toward its completion. Father Madranno himself con- tributed over $ 500 to its erection.
But about the year 1847 his health declined and he was obliged to return to Spain.
When Father Madranno resigned the charge of St. Mary's Church to seek for health in his Spanish home, he carried with him the benedictions of the people to whom he had ministered so faith- fully and efficiently. His mission again reverted to the mother
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church at New Brunswick, and was attended by Father John Rogers, once a month when the weather would permit. Father Rogers is said to have ministered to the Catholics of Perth Amboy from the year 1846 to the year 1849, during which period he en- deared himself to his people by his priestly zeal and unselfish conduct. He generally drove from New Brunswick on Sunday at about eleven, returning about five o'clock. Father Rogers is said to have occasionally visited the few Catholics at Woodbridge.
About the year 1850 Father Stephen Sheridan was placed in charge of St. Mary's congregation, and he became the first resi- dent priest the mission had. Father Sheridan took up his lodg- ings at the house of James Tuite on Fayette Street for a time, and afterward rented part of the house and lived with his mother and sister. He did not, however, stay long, for, being delicate, he was obliged to leave Perth Amboy, and consequently retired from the mission in the year 1851.
When the Rev. Father Sheridan relinquished the care of St. Mary's Church, the Bishop of New York sent the Rev. Patrick McCarthy as pastor. Father McCarthy entered upon his duties about the year 1851, and took up his residence at the house of Mr. J. Tuite. He also attended to the missions at Rahway, but was obliged to give up his work on account of ill health, and about the year 1853 he returned to New York City, to St. Mary's; he died at Holy Cross Church. Father McCarthy was a lovable man, and worked hard to make his people happy. During his pastorate, school was taught in the vestry and the gallery of the old church, and services were held regularly.
During the year 1853 the Rev. Thomas Quin came from Pater- son, N. J., to assume charge of the Perth Amboy missions. For some months he resided with the Tuite family in the old Fayette Street house. Besides attending to the spiritual wants of the Catholics in this town, he also visited Rahway, and opened the Woodbridge mission. In September of 1853 he took up his resi- dence at Rahway, from which place he went three times a month to Perth Amboy, and once a month to Woodbridge. On retiring to Rahway he appointed J. Rourke and John Sparks trustees of St. Mary's Church, empowering them to collect all dues and pay all debts. Under his direction the said trustees purchased a tract of four acres on the Woodbridge road, for $1,200. These trustees also erected a building to be used as a school, twenty-five feet by twenty-five, at a cost of $400, and gathered the Catholic children for instruction, employing a teacher at a salary of $50 per month.
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Up to this time (1860) several Catholic teachers had at different periods conducted private schools. Mr. Martin Gorman taught on Centre, and also Smith streets. Mr. Hurley also conducted a similar establishment, and later on a school was kept in the vestry of the old church and also in the gallery.
Father Quin said Mass in Perth Amboy whenever the weather permitted. Sometimes he rode in a carriage from Rahway, at other times he rode on a hand-car, propelled by some of his sturdy parish- ioners.
St. James's Church, Woodbridge.
ABOUT the year 1860 Father Quin opened the Woodbridge mission. Although, as we have already seen, the seeds of Catho- lic faith had fallen first on this soil, and Catholic priests had ad- ministered the sacraments and offered the holy sacrifice here at the close of the seventeenth century, no permanent results were achieved, and every trace of Catholicity was obliterated. It was reserved for the standard-bearer of the Cross-the Celt-to renew the spring, and to rear aloft the spire, beneath which the incarnate God would find a home, and man a source from which the life-giv- ing streams of grace would flow to his soul.
Mass was at first said in Patrick Masterson's, in John Dunn's at the clay banks, and also in a loft over an old stable. Later on the piece of ground, 120 by 250, on Main Street was purchased from Mr. Dally, and, after many difficulties, the old frame church, now used for a school, was erected and paid for. Father Quin also purchased the present Woodbridge Catholic Cemetery, and paid all except $500 on the purchase. After Father Quin was relieved of the charge, Father Cornell continued services at Woodbridge until Father Quin's second coming. In 1841 the mission passed to the care of Father Connolly, who added two small wings to the church. About the year 1878 the Rev. Father Betoni came to Woodbridge, and remained until October 14th, 1882, when Father Devine took the charge. Father Devine, however, was replaced in May, 1883, by Father Walsh. This priest built the present rectory, and also enlarged the church. But in May, 1885, Father Devine was again placed in the pastorate, to the great joy of the people of Wood- bridge. Through the priestly zeal and untiring efforts of this good clergyman the present beautiful church and grounds were procured, the present rectory and Sisters' House erected and paid for without burdening the people. According to the last financial statement the parish at Woodbridge is in possession of church
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property valued at over $ 50,000, and carries a debt of only $1,000. Woodbridge has also a flourishing school and various societies in active operation.
The present rector is the Rev. John J. Griffin.
About the fall of 1863 the parish of St. Mary's, Perth Amboy, N. J., was transferred to the care of Rev. John Cornell. Father Cornell placed a bell upon the church, and inaugurated the ringing of the Angelus. He also purchased an organ for the church, and held a successful fair for its benefit in old Columbia Hall. During his incumbency Bishop Bayley gave confirmation in St. Mary's.
Father Cornell during his stay resided in a house on Jefferson Street, and was very zealous in the performance of his parish duties, teaching the children many pretty hymns, some of his own composition. The Catholics of Woodbridge also shared in his pastoral care. In the spring of 1865, however, Father Cornell left for a trip to Europe. Father Cornell was a convert, and some of his people still reside in this county. His old parishioners hold his memory dear.
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