USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 22
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measure is what is known as English measure. The height is nine feet English, and the width in proportion. I regret that my letter, owing to lack of sufficient explanation, has caused you some annoyance.
Father Thurnes died June 7th, 1902, and was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Rathner, D.D.
St. Bernard's Church, Raritan, N. J.
MASS was said in Raritan several years previous to 1850. Father Rogers came here from New Brunswick and said Mass here and there in private houses. A small frame building was then erected by a few enthusiastic Catholics about 1850, and whether by accident or as some say by design, owing to an anti- Catholic spirit then prevalent, soon became a prey to the flames. Father Rogers said Mass in this church. Father Howell fol- lowed, remaining about two years, and after him Father J. Mc- Donough had charge for about three years. The registry of bap- tisms commences with the year 1854, which was the date of the burning of the church. Mass was then again said in private houses, but soon after steps were taken for the building of a more substantial brick structure. Father Fisher had charge from 1855 to 1856; Father T. Kieran from 1856 to 1868, coming from Plain- field. Father M. Kaeder was pastor from 1868 to 1873, and bought the first parochial house, which afterward served for the residence of the sisters. After him Father Schandel of Stony Hill remained about a month, until the appointment of Father Marshall, who had charge from 1873 to the end of June, 1876.
The next pastor was the Rev. Joseph J. Zimmer, born in Wil- liamsburg, N. Y., June 20th, 1846; was graduated from St. John's College, Fordham, and, after completing his theological studies in Seton Hall, was ordained priest May 18th, 1872. His first ap- pointments were as assistant to St. Mary's, Hoboken, and St. John's, Paterson. Father Zimmer is a scholarly priest, and gifted with musical talent of a high order.
He was assigned to Raritan, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop Corrigan informed him, temporarily ; but he still has charge, having enjoyed the distinguished and rare honor of celebrating in 1901 the silver jubilee of his pastorate, begun in 1876.
Besides having charge of St. Bernard's Church, there were several missions attached-Somerville, Bound Brook, and Mill- stone. These have since been made into separate parishes, each having its own pastor.
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St. Bernard's Church is now well constituted for all the needs of the people. A cemetery was bought in 1876 and blessed by the Rev. F. Daly, O.S.D. A new rectory, built of brick, was erected in 1881; the parochial school and hall in 1887; and the old rectory moved from its former site and fitted up for the sisters. The school is taught since 1889 by the Sisters of Mercy with great success.
In the year 1883 there began a large influx of Italians and Slavs into the parish, so that in a short time it assumed a cosmo- politan aspect. An Italian priest was occasionally called in, until a regular assistant was appointed, the Rev. A. Soporno, who be- came the first assistant, and continued in charge of the Italians- from April, 1896, to October, 1899; then came the Rev. N. Cos- cia to June, 1900, followed by the Rev. T. Rudden, a Genoese student, who remained till December, 1902, to be followed by the Rev. J. Triolo, who had charge till April, 1903. At this time the Italians importuning the bishop engaged in a new venture. They determined to leave St. Bernard's Church and begin a separate parish. The congregation of St. Bernard's, at the time of the departure of the Italians to form a separate congregation, num- bered about 1,700 souls. The original congregation, owing to deaths and departure for more profitable fields of labor, is gradu- ally diminishing, but this is a problem many others have to face.
Church of St. Mary of the Lake.
HE first services of the Catholic Church that were held in this vicinity, as far as can be actu- ally known, were in 1850, when Mass was said in the small house of Larry Reilly, between the two lakes. Later a small B shedlike building was erected east of the railroad crossing at the Cedar Bridge road, and here the services of the church were conducted by priests from FIRST CHURCH AT LAKEWOOD. various parishes, such as Free- hold, Red Bank, and Trenton. Gradually this building was allowed to go to ruin, and Mass was then said for a number of
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years in the private houses of the Murphys, Wilsons, Carrolls, and Reilleys, until in 1889 Father James E. Sheehy, S.P.M., came to Lakewood and erected a temporary chapel on Second Street, where the present church now stands. On the first day of November, 1889, the parish of St. Mary of the Lake was found- ed by the Rt. Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton, who ap- pointed Rev. Thomas B. Healy rector, with instructions to build a church.
Father Healy was born in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, De- cember 27th, 1859. He made his classics at the college of St. Francis Xavier, New York, his philosophy at Seton Hall, and was graduated in 1883 with the degree of A.B., and in 1885 with the degree of A.M. His theological course was made at the Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada, and he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop O'Farrell in the seminary of the Sacred Heart, Vineland, N. J., on March 5th, 1887. He began his mis- sionary work in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Trenton, N. J., where he remained for two years and eight months, and then he went to Lakewood.
On his arrival in Lakewood Father Healy said Mass in the small frame chapel on Friday, November 8th, and on the follow- ing Sunday he celebrated two Masses and read the letter of the bishop appointing him rector, and announced that he was to build a church.
At that time there were only six Catholic families living in Lakewood, comprising about thirty souls, with as many more who worked in the one hotel, the Laurel Hotel, and in the cottages and boarding-houses throughout the town.
Not only was there no money to build the church, but the parish was then in debt to the extent of $1,600 for the lot on which the chapel stood. The Bricksburg Land Company had given the church two lots in the eastern portion of the town, which Bishop O'Farrell had exchanged for two others in a more central location at an increased price of $1,600. The kindness to Father Healy of the prominent Protestant clergymen of Lakewood was fully appreciated by him, especially that of Rev. Dr. Alfred H. Dashiell, Rev. Dr. Charles H. McClellan, and Rev. Ralph L. Bridges, and at the house of the latter fellow-clergyman he took his first Christmas dinner in Lakewood. People who visited Lakewood also showed their interest in the struggling church, and Mrs. Grover Cleveland, at that time "the first lady of the land," with Baroness McDonald, of Canada, attended and made gener-
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ous purchases at the first church fair which was held in Larra- bee's Hall.
Sufficient money having finally been raised, ground was broken for the church on the 9th of May, 1890, and the corner- stone was laid August 15th of the same year.
The church was dedicated with imposing ceremonies by the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Farrell, assisted by thirty-five priests, on April 29th, 1891.
The parish, which on Father Healy's installation was in debt for $1,600, now has a property value of not less than $50,000. In March, 1892, a rectory was built on land adjoining the church, and later a home for the sexton and a stable were erected. The- church itself is fully equipped; it owns land to the east and west of it, with an entire frontage of 175 feet, and has a good-sized cemetery just west of River Avenue, the cemetery of St. Mary of the Lake. This was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McFaul, assisted by Father Norris, Father Mccullough, and Father Healy, on Sunday, April 30th, 1899.
In the autumn of 1898 three Sisters of Mercy from St. Jo- seph's mother house at Bordentown, N. J., came to Lakewood and established the convent and academy of St. Mary of the Lake, with Sister Superior Gonzaga in charge. The acad- emy was opened with eight pupils, but from that small be- ginning it has grown now to have an attendance of forty pupils, with eight sisters, at the head of whom is Sister Superior Mary Agnes, and in the autumn their house was doubled in size.
Twenty-two acres of land have been purchased on the west side of the Squankum road, and within a few years a handsome brick building, to cost $75,000, will be erected on it to be used as a convent and academy.
During Father Healy's incumbency in Lakewood he has had to assist him Father John J. Mccullough, Father John R. O'Con- ner, Father Joseph A. Ryan, Father John J. Sweeney, Father James E. Sheehy, Father Peter J. Harold, Father Michael J. Brennan, and Father James J. Hughes.
St. Michael's (Monastery) Parish, West Hoboken.
THE superb edifice dedicated to God under the title of "St. Michael the Archangel " at West Hoboken is the development of a little frame church erected in 1851 under the title of "Our
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Lady of Mercy," by the Rev. Father Cauvin. On the front of the church was the following inscription :
"MATER MISERICORDIAE"
MOTHER OF GRACE! O MARY HEAR
MOTHER OF MERCY LEND THINE EAR FROM RAGING FOES OUR SOULS DEFEND AND TAKE US WHEN OUR LIFE SHALL END.
This church was generally called St. Mary's. It was dedicated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Hughes of New York, as this church was at the time in his archdiocese. The archbishop preached on the occasion.
St. Mary's Church was erected on ground donated by James Kerrigan at the corner of Clinton Avenue and High Street. This parish at that time embraced the whole territory that is now included in the parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Paul of the
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. Monastery of the Passionist Fathers in the left.
Cross, Jersey City Heights; St. Lawrence, Weehawken; the Holy Family and St. Augustine, town of Union; St. Joseph, Gut-
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tenberg; the Sacred Heart, Shady Side; and St. Josepn, West Hoboken.
When the Monastery Church was opened in 1875 St Mary's became St. Michael's parish of West Hoboken.
On September 29th, 1860, feast of St. Michael the Archan- gel, Fathers Gaudentius and Anthony, of the Passionist Monas- tery in Pittsburg, opened the first mission ever held in St. Mary's, and a most satisfac- tory one it was. Shortly after the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bayley invited the Passionists to es- tablish themselves in his dio- cese. His offer was accepted, and after looking about for the most desirable spot on which to locate, the fathers selected West Hoboken, then but a sparsely settled hamlet, and on April 27th, 1861, they formally took charge of St. Mary's, with Very Rev. Fa- ther John Dominic Tarlatini as pastor. A parishioner wrote: "That Sunday is a never-to-be-forgotten one in the memory of the writer Father Cauvin's turning the keys of the church over to the new pastor was like rend- ing the last link that bound us to a good priest who had done his duty faithfully tow- ard us, and there were many tearful eyes in the crowded little church; for all who could had come to bid their o'd pastor farewell."
ST. JOSEPH'S, WEST HOBOKEN, JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS.
Father Cauvin now devoted himself to the rapidly increasing parish of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken.
In the same year the Passionist Order purchased twenty acres of land, a portion of the Kerrigan estate, known as "Kerrigan's
I6
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woods," as a site on which to build a monastery in the near future.
The new mission of the Passionists being an accomplished fact, Very Rev. Father Victor Carunchio was appointed Superior. The small house at the rear of the church, being found wholly inadequate, was moved back, and a comfortable frame building was immediately commenced and shortly after finished. Such was the nucleus from which sprang St. Michael's Monastery.
Work was soon commenced on the new monastery, a building of "blue stone" IOI feet long by 36 feet in width, the corner- stone of which was laid Sunday, August 9th, 1863. On that day at 3:30 P.M. Bishop Bayley officiated at Solemn Vespers in St. Mary's Church. He was assisted by the Rev. Chancellor (now Monsignor) Doane as deacon and Very Rev. John Dominic Tar- latini, Provincial of the Passionists, as subdeacon. After Bene- diction of the Blessed Sacrament, a procession was formed and headed by a brass band, the young girls dressed in white, and the members of the congregation following, two by two, carrying the United States flag, the green flag of Erin, the French and Italian tri-colors, and the bishop, attended by the Fathers and Brothers of the Order, closed the procession, which marched to the site of the new monastery, where the ceremony was to take place. Rev. Dr. McGlynn delivered an eloquent discourse. Rev. Father Cauvin preached from another stand in French, while from an- other platform the Rev. Father Stanislaus of the Passionists preached in German. After the ceremony and the blessing by the bishop, the procession returned to St. Mary's in the same order.
At this time it was necessary to cross the open fields to get to the monastery, and at the time the site was not a healthy one on account of the lowness of the land and its swampy condition. But the history of the monks repeats itself, for by cultivation it now smiles and is altogether changed.
The dedication of the monastery took place a year later, Sep- tember 25th, 1864. On this occasion also a procession moved from St. Mary's Church to the new monastery, which was dedi- cated by Bishop Bayley. An address was read by Mr. P. M. Weldon, a very worthy member of old St. Mary's parish, to which the Very Rev. Father Dominic, Provincial of the Passionists, re- sponded as follows :
"GENTLEMEN: I thank you very heartily in my own name and in the name of all those of the Passionist community for your flat-
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tering address, as well as for the hearty cooperation you have always given us in the work that has been done for the good of the congregation.
" We likewise thank all the ladies of St. Mary s congregation for their interest in our undertaking. We also thank the neigh- boring friends who so generously helped us in the erection of this monastery. I hope you will persevere in the good work, and although for the future we are to be removed from you a short distance, some of us will remain to take care of you.
"Let us all then thank God for the many benefits he has be- stowed upon us, and by the purity of our lives show ourselves worthy disciples of the Cross."
The Rev. Dr. Brann, of Jersey City, followed in a timely, elo- quent discourse, after which Benediction of the Blessed Sacra- ment was given and all went away greatly pleased with this day's ceremonies.
Shortly after the arrival of the Passionist Fathers in West Hoboken in 1863, the same year in which the corner-stone of the monastery was laid, St. Mary's School was erected on ground donated by the Kerrigan family. It was built opposite St. Mary's Church, on the east side of Clinton Avenue and High Street. In 1882, while Very Rev. Benedict Murnane, C.P., was rector of St. Michael's Monastery, an addition was made to the school. The schoolrooms are spacious, well lighted, and ventilated, and the sanitary conditions of the building leave nothing to be desired. The school is in charge of the Sisters of Charity. It ranks high among the parochial schools of the Diocese of Newark, and its general reputation is in every respect excellent. We shall return to speak of the erection of St. Michael's School in chronological order.
On September 25th, 1864, as we have stated, the monastery was solemnly dedicated, and on that day its portals were thrown open to the public, of which privilege hundreds of the townspeo- ple, Protestants as well as Catholics, availed themselves, the ladies especially; for well they knew that when the doors would close against them that evening this opportunity would never again be afforded them, as no woman is permitted to go beyond the parlors and vestibule. That same day the little band of Passionists bade farewell to St. Mary's, just three years and five months after their advent to West Hoboken.
It soon became evident that more room was required in the new monastery, and therefore strenuous efforts were made, fresh
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obstacles overcome, and in October, 1864, a wing, 65 by 50 feet, was commenced.
In this wing was erected a beautiful chapel, which was dedi- cated by the Rt. Rev. Bernard J. McQuaid, then elect and now the honored Bishop of Rochester, N. Y., on Sunday, September 30th, 1866. After Solemn Vespers at St. Mary's Church, at which Very Rev. Father Anthony Calandri, Provincial of the Passionists, was celebrant, in the presence of the Rt. Rev. Bishop- elect of Rochester, the Rev. Dr. Brann of Fort Lee, and other clergymen, a procession was formed, headed by the Germania band from Third Street, New York, which proceeded to the mon- astery. Arriving at the front entrance, the Rev. Dr. Brann as- cended the stoop and delivered a sermon full of strength and beauty, taking for his text, " And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us."
The bishop-elect then addressed the people and gave a sketch of the Passionist order in America. "May we not fairly believe," said he, "that the masses of these recluses, especially dedicated to the Passion of Jesus Christ, will have much efficacy in drawing down its redeeming fruits upon the streets and people of our own cities on the banks of the Hudson? May God increase sevenfold such institutions."
On June 29th, 1867, a date never to be forgotten by the Pas- sionists, Blessed Paul of the Cross was canonized by Pope Pius the Ninth of glorious memory. For this occasion, and the solemn Triduum that preceded it, a frame building 150 feet long and 60 feet wide was erected where now stands the magnificent stone structure which is justly the pride of the people. It was decorated by the ladies of the parish and adorned with the papal arms, flags, bunting, banners, and evergreens. The number that attended the services was legion. There were bishops, monsignori, and clergy from all parts, and right royally were they entertained, for was it not a gala week with the Passionists?
Among the orators for this Triduum were the eloquent Bishop of Hartford, Rt. Rev. F. P. McFarland; Rev. Dr. Wiseman, of Seton Hall; and Rt. Rev. Monsignor, now Archbishop, Seton.
The third fair was held in this temporary building in October of the same year, just previous to its being torn down; for in No- vember the first huge stone was rolled into place for the new church, which was commenced in the month of April, 1869. Sunday, July 18th, 1869, in the presence of all the societies at- tached to the church and those from St. Paul of the Cross,
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Holy Family, St. Joseph, and other parishes, the corner-stone of this grand edifice was laid by Bishop Bayley-a church which was to be a lasting monument to the memory of those who had been instrumental in its erection. The orator of the day was the Very Rev. Dr. Anderdon, an English convert. On July 22d, 1870, St. Mary's Church, amid the lamentations of its old parishioners, was closed forever to divine services, and the parishioners now wor- shipped in the basement chapel of the monastery church.
This chapel was dedicated by Monsignor Seton, D.D., July 17th. It was in the transept of the church, being 170 feet in width and 60 feet in length.
St. Mary's Church was used as a hall for school entertain- ments until 1895, when it was removed to make room for the fine new school of St. Michael.
On July 4th, 1875, the superb Church of St. Michael the Arch- angel was dedicated with all the pomp and splendor possible. The dedicatory ceremonies were conducted by Rt. Rev. M. A. Corri- gan, second Bishop of Newark, assisted by Monsignor De Concilio, of Jersey City, and Father Victor, C.P., as deacons of honor. Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C., and Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, were present in the sanctuary. After the ceremonies of dedication a Pontifical High Mass was sung by Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, assisted by Rev. Dr. McSweeney, of Poughkeepsie, and Rev. H. McDowell, of St. Agnes's Church, New York City. The sermon was preached by Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C. Among other things the speaker said:
"To-day your beautiful and grandiose church is dedicated to the service of God. Here is a temple worthy of any city, even of Rome itself. Here stand those noble soldiers of Christ-the Pas- sionists-toiling day and night, bearing on their heart a shield re- minding them of. Christ crucified. This order was brought here to this land not many years ago by the illustrious and devoted prelate who was the first Bishop of Pittsburg, Rt. Rev. Michael O'Connor, D.D., who was called to his reward last year."
The music on this occasion was by the choir of St. Stephen's Church, New York. It elicited the admiration of all present.
The following are the dimensions of the great blue-stone church of St. Michael: Extreme length, 195 feet; width of nave, 70 feet ; width of transept, 104 feet ; height of main aisle, 75 feet ; depth of sanctuary, 25 feet; height from ground to top of the cross on the dome, 193 feet. The blue-stone material was quar- ried on the Passionist Fathers' grounds. The trimmings are of
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brown stone. The architect was Mr. P. C. Keeley, of Brooklyn, and the church is one of his best specimens of the basilican order of Roman style.
In the south tower are three bells, each named for a saint: St. Michael, 3,040 pounds; St. Paul of the Cross, 1,500 pounds ; St. Joseph, 900 pounds.
On Sunday, April 24th, 1898, St. Michael's Church was con- secrated with imposing ceremonies. For fifteen months it had been undergoing repairs and alterations. Bishop Wigger, the third Bishop of Newark, was the consecrator. On this occasion the Pontifical Mass was sung by Monsignor Martinelli, the Apos- tolic Delegate, and the sermon was preached by His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore. The church is now one of the most beautiful and ornate in the State. At present, under the rectorship of Very Rev. Justin Carey, C.P., it is being fitted up with eighteen hundred electric lights, and promises to be wonder- ful in its attractions.
We must return to record the building of St. Michael's School at Clinton Avenue and High Street. It stands where old St. Mary's was formerly erected. It was dedicated on November 8th, 1896, by the Rt. Rev. M. W. Wigger, Bishop of Newark. The structure, whilst primarily a parish school, is meant to meet various parish needs. The building, whose construction belongs to the period when the Very Rev. Charles Lang, C.P., was in charge of the parish, is fitted up with every modern improvement. It is heated by steam, and special attention has been paid to light- ing and ventilation.
The building is a red-brick structure with a high stone base- ment trimmed with Belleville brown stone. It fronts on High Street, and is 118 feet long by 74 feet wide. Besides the base- ment there are three stories. The building has a very handsome high hip roof with a tower in the centre, which is surmounted by a gilt cross. The latter is 112 feet from the street level. In the basement are the bowling alleys for St. Michael's Young Men's Lyceum. On the first floor on the east side are the rooms of St. Michael's Young Men's Lyceum. The second floor is occupied by class-rooms. The top floor consists of a hall, which is the largest in North Hudson. It is 70 by 80 feet, with a stage 48 by 22 feet.
Seven hundred and eighty-six children attend St. Michael's and St. Mary's schools.
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St. James's Church, Red Bank.
THE Catholics of Red Bank in the early days were attended from the Amboys. The first priest whose name is connected with this mission is the Rev. Michael A. Madden in 1851.
The faith was planted here with the usual obstacles and oppo- sition. It is in the memory of some still alive that, after having offered Mass in different private houses, the opportunity offered itself to use an abandoned Presbyterian church. The Catholics had gathered from the surrounding country, and while service was going on a crowd on the outside threw through the open win- dows dead cats, old tins, etc .; and after Mass was over a guard of stalwart Catholics escorted the priest beyond the limits of the town to protect him from assault and insult. So bitter was the prejudice against our people that when the first church was built mechanics had to be brought from New York, as not one in Red Bank was willing to work on it. In 1853 the Rev. James Callan from South Amboy, and from 1855 to 1863 the Rev. John Kelly, ministered to the Catholics. The first resident pastor appears to have been the Rev. Thomas M. Killeen, born in New York City, November 3d, 1834, educated in St. Francis Xavier's College, New York, and in the Propaganda, Rome, and ordained in Newark by Bishop Bayley, December 6th, 1860. Before his appointment to Red Bank in 1863 he had been an assistant in St. James's, Newark, St. Mary's, Jersey City, and St. John's, Paterson.
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