USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 20
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FIRST CHURCH IN MORRISTOWN, BUILT IN 1847.
New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, compiled under the admin- istration of Governor Theodore F. Randolph by Adjutant-General Stryker, a cursory glance shows that many of the New Jersey regiments contained a liberal number of Irishmen, over four hun-
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dred officers and soldiers with unmistakably Irish names being credited to the southern counties.
Without priest or Mass, except on very rare visits from Father Farmer, they were married by the squire or magistrate; and their children, if they themselves did not, attended the Protestant Church, for the reason that it was the only one in the neighbor- hood. Their companions and associates were of an alien faith.
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CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION, MOR- RISTOWN.
It is not surprising, then, that the Celtic names which prevailed in Morristown in the first quarter of the pres- ent century are not found on our church records.
With their faith the chil- dren lost likewise the distinc- tive character of their family names. McGee becomes in its filtered state Magee; Mc- Carthy becomes Mecarty ; Kearney becomes Kerny or Kearny; Callahan becomes Callinan; Raferty becomes Raverty. All these names still prevail in our midst and are the indices of both the country and religion of their progenitors.
A list of letters, uncalled for in the post-office, October Ist, 1807, contains the following names: Andrew Darsey, Michael Flaherty, John Kelly.
It is said that one O'Hara taught a classical school in Morris- town in the first decade of this century, which was the germ of the subsequent McCullogh school
In 1825 Charles Berault, a Catholic and a native of San Do- mingo, lived in the Revere House on DeHart Street. He married a Mlle. Des Abbeyes, also of a wealthy San Domingo family. Another daughter was Madame Chegarray, who taught a fashion- able Young Ladies' Academy, afterward purchased by Bishop Bayley, and the cradle of Seton Hall. This is now the prop-
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erty of the Sisters of Charity on the old Convent road to Madison.
A certain Benjamin Douglas kept a diary, now in the posses- sion of the Brookfield family, his descendants, which contains the following entries :
"The first Roman Catholic service performed in the town- ship of Chatham was in the house of Lavaal Duberceau, at Bottle Hill, Sunday, July 30th, 1825, by Rev. O'Donahue. Text, fifth chapter of Galatians."
Father O'Donahue visited Madison once a month from Pater- son and said Mass in the upper part of the academy. His Sun- day evening instructions were attended by large numbers of non- Catholics. His light-hearted gayety drew to him the hearts of all, especially the children.
To the Rev. Louis Dominic Senez belongs the credit of crys- tallizing the little Catholic body in Morristown, and infusing into their hearts the courage, despite their small number and poverty, to build a sanctuary, which would hold their children and them- selves to the practice of their religion. "The first time I saw Father Senez," said old Tom Degan, "was at a vendue near Madison."
"If I am not mistaken," said the good priest smilingly, in broken English, flavored with a strong French accent, "you are an Irishman and a Catholic."
" And if I am not mistaken," replied Tom, "you are a Catho- lic priest."
This was their mutual introduction. There was no road throughout the three counties-Morris, Sussex, and Warren-he did not traverse. When he first visited this desolate and disheart- ening field there was but one church-at Madison; but St. Vin- cent's has been the fruitful mother of many children. No fewer than twenty-three Catholic churches lift to heaven the cross in the three counties which were the field of Father Senez's missionary labors.
In the springtime of 1844-45 good Father Howell was tempted to sample the pastures and pure air of Morris County, and, com- bining business with pleasure, he baptized quite a number of chil- dren in Morristown, Dover, and Mount Hope. A Catholic woman married to a Protestant was denied the convenience of a carriage by her husband, and walked with her child all the way to Eliza- beth to have it baptized, as it happened there was no priest then at Madison.
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There is considerable dispute relative to the house where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was first offered in Morristown. By some it is maintained that it was in a house formerly on the prop- erty of Dr. Dodge, Morris Street; by others, in a house on Mc- Cullogh Avenue; again, by some, in the Thébaud house, which long ago stood on Mr. John G. Foote's farm; and finally, by not a few, that it was in the Johnson house on South Street, on the way to the race-track, which was called by a subsequent Cath- olic owner Bellevue. Wher- ever it was, it is generally ad- mitted that the priest sought and received the hospitality of Mr. John Rogers. John Rogers was among the ear- liest settlers, and his home was looked upon as a head- REV. P. M'GOVERN. quarters for the clergy when- ever they made a visitation.
In 1847, however, steps were taken to secure a lot to build the church. The site on which the new rectory now stands was bought from John Kennedy, of Philadelphia, for $400 At the outbreak of the French Revolution Father Senez resigned the pastorate to return to his native land. Previous to his departure a "bee" was held to dig the foundations of the new church. Father Senez opposed the building of a basement, but finally yielded to the entreaty of Father McQuaid, and this feature was embodied in the plans. The honor of turning the first sod belongs to Patrick Cavanagh. Mr. Egsall built the masonry, and Mr. Muchmore did the carpenter work.
Before the walls were built Father Senez left, and the work devolved solely on Father McQuaid. To Father McQuaid alone belongs the entire credit of building the first Catholic church in Morristown; and of paying not only for the structure itself, but for the land on which it was erected. Three different times has this honor been wrested from him and unjustly given to another. This may seem to some a matter of indifference; but for the Catholics here it is all-important to know to whom they are in-
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debted for the church which cost more sacrifices, more anxiety and care from both priests and people, than would, to-day, the erection of a cathedral. Father McQuaid appointed William Nevins treasurer, and all the moneys passed through his hands. On the 15th of August the modest church was entirely roofed, and Father McQuaid gave the church the title of the Assumption in honor of the Blessed Mother of God, whose great feast saw the culmination of the hopes and desires of the little handful of Catholics.
On Christmas Day, 1848, Mass was said for the first time in the new church by Father McQuaid. Simplicity and poverty were everywhere apparent. The altar consisted of some planks laid on barrels. The little congregation of from forty to seventy
ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH, MORRISTOWN.
made themselves as comfortable as possible without pews or kneel- ing benches. A fair number of Protestants was present, among them Mr. Bonsall.
"Now," said Father McQuaid, " we depended on the goodness of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, and we are all right. Through frost and cold we have collected by five and ten
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cent offerings the funds necessary to build and enclose the church, and now we have everything except the pews."
There was little decoration and very little comfort in the new church, but there was great fervor. The poor exiles were full of gratitude to God that they had now a sanctuary in their midst where they might assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, recon- cile themselves to Him in the tribunal of penance, and bring their children to be baptized and instructed in their holy faith. Father Senez had borrowed the money to pay for the lot, but the people set themselves to work and rested not until they had paid back every penny of the loan.
Fortunate, indeed, it was for the Catholics of Morristown that Father McQuaid came among them.
According to Father McQuaid's estimate in 1849, the Catho- lics belonging to the Morristown mission, stretching out for miles into the country in every direction except toward Madison, num- bered, including babies in arms, about one hundred and twenty souls. The first efforts of the priest were necessarily directed to the salvation of those already within the fold of the Church; but even at this early period conversions were not unfrequent.
In 1843 William Fulton was received into the Church by the Rev. Dr. Ambrose Manahan; and the first convert baptized by Father McQuaid was Mrs. Laurence Johnson.
In 1850 the first festival, or tea-party, as it was called, was held by a few of the ladies of the congregation in what is now Farmer's Hotel in Market Street, then owned by Nathan B. Luse, and used by Isaac S. Runyon for a private school, another floor by the Odd Fellows and Freemasons, and the upper story as a hall.
The brass band of the town furnished the music. There was no dancing. About one hundred and fifty dollars, clear of all ex- penses, was realized, and Father McQuaid was overjoyed with the result, because it enabled him to pay each of three creditors the fifty dollars he owed.
The first sexton was Mr. William O'Toole, whose weekly sal- ary was fifty cents. In September, 1850, Father McQuaid opened the first Catholic school in Morristown, with Mr. Tracey, from New York, as teacher. He was one of the old school of hard taskmasters whose theory and practice ran on the line of Solo- mon's injunction : "Spare the rod and spoil the child."
One Antoine, a Frenchman, brutally murdered his master and mistress, for which he suffered the death penalty. This incident
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provoked an intense hostility to all foreigners, and, as a matter of course, the Irish were the first victims.
Two poor laborers were driven by threats from their homes and compelled to seek refuge in Mr. Ford's woods, there to hide until the passion of the rowdy element had cooled down.
The Irishmen who worked in Mr. Vail's Speedwell works were attacked, and more than one scrimmage took place; but the Irish succeeded in defending themselves. This condition of things con- tinued until Mr. Vail took sides with his Irish employees, and gave their shopmates to understand that he would tolerate the question of nationality no longer, and that the persecution must be stopped.
Father McQuaid was succeeded by Father Madden, and al- though the wide field of his mission tested to the utmost the physical endurance and zeal of the new pastor, during the three years of his administration the spiritual side of the flock was well attended and the temporal welfare promoted.
From the baptismal record it appears the care of the parish was entrusted at times to the Rev. L. Hoey; and occasional en- tries indicate that the Rev. Alfred Young, later of the Paulist community, together with the Very Rev. Dean McNulty, and, now and then, the Rev. D. J. Fisher came from Seton Hall Col- lege-now the old St. Elizabeth's Convent-to say Mass, catechize the children, and administer to the wants of the congregation. The Morristown Catholics held Father Young in high esteem. His genial manners made him friends everywhere. The young flocked around him. At the sick-bed his charm of manner never failed to cheer, and his tender message of patience plucked out the thorn of suffering and substituted the holy calm of Christian resignation.
The Rev. L. Hoey, who was appointed to the new mission of Morristown, cut off from Madison in 1860, was the first priest to reside permanently here. He stopped at Mrs. Rogers's eleven months, during which time he labored hard and zealously for the erection of the priest's house. His ability as a mathematician at- tracted the attention of his superiors, and secured for him a pro- fessorship in the new college.
His efforts were successful, and in 1861 the priest's home was built. About this time the old graveyard was bought for $500. The parish school started by Father McQuaid, although it had not all the appointments and conveniences of a modern school, continued its work. The rooms were dark, very warm in summer,
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and correspondingly cold in winter. A great stove stood in the middle of the room, and a pipe was placed through one of the windows, but not too far out of the reach of the tricky boys. When the task became irksome, or the tempting chestnuts strewed the ground, or the ice was in prime condition for skating, a sod conveniently thrust down the stovepipe checked the draught, filled the room with smoke and gas, and necessitated the dismissal of the school.
When Mr. Tracey severed his connection with the school he was succeeded by Mr. Donlin. Miss Slater, of Massachusetts, and a Mr. Faulkner, whose knowledge of the English language was too limited to make him a successful teacher, were engaged and taught for a short time. These teachers taught previous to 1860.
That the school might be kept together until a competent per- son was found to take charge of it, Father Hoey himself taught during the vacancy which occurred about the time of his appoint- ment. A Miss McDonald, with sufficient confidence in her ability to teach and rule the masons, painters, plumbers, and carpenters of the present day, presented herself for the arduous position ; but a short experience convinced her of the serious mistake she had made.
Mr. O'Neil was then secured; and, although gifted with con- siderable talent, was forced to resign on account of ill health. To him succeeded Mr. Meehan, who is remembered as "teaching the A B C's with the children on his knee, and both teacher and pupil enveloped in the smoke of his pipe." Then appears Mr. Fennessy "in a white shirt, ruffled upon either side of the bosom; this, together with his personal appearance, evoked such a volley of cheers from the scholars that he was mortally offended, and decided to punish severely the unruly children by teaching them only for the short space of half a day."
The absurd anti-Catholic and anti-Irish spirit, fed by the igno- rance and scheming of preachers and newspaper editors, made its sting felt in Morristown, as in almost every village, hamlet, and city of our country. There is a vague tradition of an attempt to destroy the little church first erected here by the lusty young bigots of that day, possessed of more brawn than brain. But a fanatic is usually a braggart; and the tidings that the miners from Dover were ready to march down to protect the Catholics and avenge any insult offered to them, cooled the courage of the bul- lies and dissipated their plans. But, from time to time, the old hatred cropped out, especially on St. Patrick's day.
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It was not unusual to see strung up on a flag-pole or suspended from a tree a stuffed figure to represent St. Patrick, with a string of potatoes about his neck, a whiskey bottle in one pocket, and a codfish in the other. It was such a sight that aroused the lion in Patrick Smith as he saw the effigy of his patron swaying in the wind from the flag-staff in the Park. The assuring words and wise counsel alone of Colonel Vail prevented him from cutting down the flag-pole. On a like occasion another Smith, a name- sake of Patrick but no relative, saw a similar figure pendent from a tree. His good wife brought him an axe, and down came both tree and effigy. The last appearance of this vulgar exhibition was in Market Street, a few doors down from South Street.
In 1864 the church was incorporated, the board consisting of Rt. Rev. James Roosevelt Bayley, the Very Rev. Patrick Moran, the Rev. Lawrence Hoey, Messrs. Henry James and Patrick Rowe.
In 1865 the school was found inadequate for the accommoda- tion of the children, and was enlarged at an expense of eight hun- dred dollars.
The Rev. James D'Arcy was appointed pastor July, 1867.
Father D'Arcy's magnetism and winsomeness were irresisti- ble. Gifted with more than ordinary ability, by careful study he enriched his mind.
On the 2d of June, 1868, in obedience to his bishop, he left this parish to assume the pastoral charge of Madison, made vacant by the death of Father Madden. The sorrow and regrets were mutual on the part of priest and people.
The Rev. P. McGovern took charge of the parish on the de- parture of the Rev. James A. D'Arcy, about October, 1865. Father McGovern busied himself with the spiritual interests of the flock entrusted to him. His gentle nature, when aroused by the misdoings of his children, plainly evidenced that he knew how to be severe where leniency failed.
A new church, owing to the increased number of Catholics, was a pressing necessity; but the very thought of building one, and of incurring a debt, appalled the pastor and flock.
In the fall of 1871 Father McGovern resigned and withdrew from a charge never entirely congenial. The most perfect har- mony, however, existed between him and his people, and when he left he was sincerely and deeply regretted.
Father McGovern was ordained by Bishop Hughes, January 29th, 1853. He was a subject of the Archdiocese of New York,
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but was received by Bishop Bayley temporarily, December 25th, 1853, and was assistant in Madison until 1855, when he returned to New York by reason of ill health. He again came back to Newark, and after his resignation of the Morristown parish went to Bergen Point, where he paid off all the indebtedness of the church; thence to Keyport, as first resident pastor, July Ist, 1876. Once more he retraced his steps to New York, and became pastor of Croton. After many years of service he retired, and died some two years ago.
The Rev. James Sheeran succeeded to the pastorate October, 1871. Father Sheeran was a born leader of men, an ideal nine- teenth-century priest. His life was varied by almost every inci- dent that may happen to layman or priest.
Father Sheeran was born in Temple Mehill, Longford, in 1814. He chose the profession of teacher, and taught school in Monroe, Mich., and for the Redemptorists. After the death of his wife he entered the congregation of the Most Holy Re- deemer, October 15th, 1856, of which he was a most efficient missionary.
When the yellow fever broke out in New Orleans and all the Fathers in the house were prostrated, he alone remained to attend the sick calls, and for weeks never slept in his bed.
When the war broke out he was South, and, together with Father Smulders of the same congregation, was assigned by his superior to attend to the spiritual wants of the Confederates. There was nothing of the gold lace or gilt edge connected with his position. The soldiers' meagre fare was his; their hardships in camp and bivouac he shared. Realizing the importance of the events which were daily happening he kept an accurate diary, for which at the close of the conflict he was offered a large sum of money by a Southern firm of publishers; this he refused.
Owing to a disagreement with his rector, he asked to be allowed to withdraw from the congregation. His petition was granted, and he was adopted for the Diocese of Newark by Bishop Bayley. Pending a permanent appointment, he assisted in the parish of Hackensack. Such, in brief, is the history of him to whom the Catholics in Morristown are so much indebted.
In October, 1871, Bishop Bayley made him rector of that parish. Already far advanced beyond the meridian of life, his naturally strong constitution was weakened by hardships in the field and on the mission. Although providentially preserved from contagion in the yellow-fever epidemic through which he had
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passed, the awful strain dealt a blow to his health from which he never recovered.
The economy and prudent administration of Father McGovern had freed the parish entirely of debt, so that the way was clear to proceed with the construction of the new church.
Fortunately a suitable site, secured by the wisdom and fore- thought of Bishop McQuaid, remained on which to erect the house of God, which was to excel all other church buildings in Morristown.
On Sunday, June 30th, 1872, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Bayley, who also preached the sermon on the occasion.
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ALL SOULS HOSPITAL, MORRISTOWN. The old Arnold Tavern, 1780.
On Ascension Thursday, May 22d, 1873, a leaden dulness overspread the sky. The rain fell in torrents. Without every- thing was dismal and sombre, but within the walls of the church what joy filled the hearts of pastor and flock! Bishop Corrigan solemnly blessed the new church, and the ceremony was followed by solemn pontifical Mass. After the Gospel the Rev. Dr. Ed- ward McGlynn preached from the text, "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech " (Psalm cix.). There was a large attendance of priests and people. The music rendered during the Mass was by a choir selected from the different churches in Newark. Thus, twenty-five years from the erection
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of the first humble sanctuary, the pioneers who survived saw their first efforts eclipsed, the tender shoot developed into a mighty tree, and a dwelling-place enshrining the Holy of Holies which far ex- ceeded their hopes and expectations. The Lord had, indeed, builded the house, and their labors had not been in vain.
An important step for the welfare of the children was now made.
From every side came petitions to Mother Xavier for teachers. The influence of the children of St. Vincent had already made itself felt in the parish schools and orphanages of the Newark diocese.
Father Sheeran's plea was recognized, and arrangements were made in September, 1875, to send two of the Sisters from the mother-house every day. A little room was added to the school, and fitted up with a stove and cupboard. Here, after the noon dismissal, the Sisters prepared their lunch in light-hearted gayety and contentment. Their hallowing influence over both boys and girls was at once apparent. The success of the school was assured.
On Sunday, April 3d, 1881, the trials of Father Sheeran ter- minated, and the good priest, full of merit, comforted by the holy sacraments, went to his reward.
Mr. McMaster, an old friend, in the editorial column of The Freeman's Journal noticed his death, and among other things said of him :
" At an early age he came to New York. He was engaged here, for many years, in business. Out of a desire to do good he went to Monroe, Mich., to teach a parochial school, under the pas- toral care of Father Smulders, of the Redemptorists. Mr. Shee- ran married and had two children-a daughter who died in the Benedictine Convent, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and a son who died in the novitiate of the Redemptorists. The death of the latter inspired Mr. Sheeran with a desire, gallant and noble in its sentiments, to take the place of his deceased boy in the Redemp- torist novitiate. He entered, and, notwithstanding the difficulties of age somewhat too much advanced and habits of personal inde- pendence settled, finished his novitiate and his scholastic course and was ordained. His disregard of danger in face of the yellow fever has been spoken of in some of the daily papers. That is the rule for Catholic priests as soldiers of the Cross."
As the diocese was then without a bishop, the administrator, the Rt. Rev. George H. Doane, assigned the senior assistant of
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the cathedral, the Rev. Joseph M. Flynn, to the pastoral care of Morristown, and Father Flynn took possession of his new charge June 18th, 1881. Father Flynn was born January 7th, 1848, in Springfield, Mass. The early years of his life were spent chiefly in New York. He attended school, taught by the Christian Brothers, in St. Vincent's Academy until 1859, when, on the re- moval of his family to Newark, N. J., he was sent to the parochial school attached to St. Patrick's Cathedral, then located on High Street, now occupied by the Women's Hospital connected with St. Michael's.
In September, 1865, he entered St. Charles's College, Ellicott City, Md., and in March, 1869, Seton Hall. His assignments as curate were St, Bridget's, Jersey City; Assumption, Morristown; St. Peter's, New Brunswick; thence to the cathedral, Newark, May 7th, 1876, where he successively filled the offices of bishop's secretary, diocesan chancellor, master of ceremonies, secretary of the Commission of Investigation, and for over a year, while Vicar- General Doane was abroad in search of health, administered the parish until his return in 1879.
A site for a church in Morris Plains was secured, and, until its erection, an effort was made to have Mass in one of the houses conveniently located and sufficiently roomy for the accommodation of those who might desire to attend.
This, and the increasing ministerial work in Morristown and the important supervision of the school, made the services of an assistant priest a necessity. December 3d the bishop wrote, "Father Whelan may be relieved at any time, and, if so, will be sent to you, as you desired."
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