USA > New Jersey > The Catholic Church in New Jersey > Part 38
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In 1894, when Bishop McQuaid came to preside at the com- mencement of Seton Hall College, in reply to the question of his having been the first priest to celebrate the sacred mysteries in what is now known as the Borough of Chatham, he stated that he never said Mass in Chatham. In fact, he admitted that the fog about the Passaic " was a damper on his courage." He illustrated this feeling when he referred to his journey over Hobart's Hill on his way from Springfield; that he knew that he was near Chatham by the fog, "and then I closed my eyes and whipped my horse until I had passed Chatham." We are glad to say that no fog now exists in Chatham.
After Bishop Wigger had resumed charge of Summit and Chatham he set to work to better the school facilities, and, to prepare for the opening of the school-house as a church only, he secured the premises on the corner of Washington Avenue, now Chatham Street. There were three lots in the purchase. It was on this property that Dr. Wigger laid the foundation of the future school-house. However, before the frame was placed on these foundations, Dr. Wigger resumed charge of St. Vincent's Church, Madison. The completion of this building was the first of the labors of the Rev. G. A. Vassallo, of Summit.
Father Vassallo continued the work of his predecessor. New interest was established by the introduction of the Sisters of Charity, who took the place of the lay teachers for some years employed in the education of the youths of Chatham.
It was found advisable to cut off Chatham and make it an independent parish. This was effected by the bishop appointing Father Muhl. His appointment dates from the 19th of January, 1887.
The first pastoral residence was a small two-story frame house situated on the south side of Watchung Avenue, opposite Wash- ington Avenue. It is part of the old Dunning estate. The Ferdon house was purchased by Father Muhl, but he never occupied it.
Father Muhl, a native of Germany and a graduate of the Col- legium Germanicum at Rome, died at the Sanitarium, Denville,
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N. J., in July, 1896. After Father Muhl's removal to take charge of the parish at South Orange, the Rev. P. A. McGahan took charge of Chatham, November 5th, 1887.
After a few years' administration Father McGahan was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Joseph C. Dunn. The appointment dates from the 21st of September, 1889. The new rector came from St. James's Church, Newark.
Livingston had been added to Chatham when it was made a separate parish in 1887. The honor of saying the first Mass in Livingston belongs to the late Father McGahan, who died July 18th, 1894. Sterling mission was opened 1886, with Father Julian as rector. He remained in charge for two years, and was succeeded by the Rev. P. A. Wenzel, now of Orange.
On Tuesday evening, February 27th, 1894, a fire occurred which for an hour threatened to wipe away the work of twenty years. The damage amounted to $381.54.
When Father Dunn assumed charge of the parish the school was taught by a lay teacher, Miss Murphy, a very efficient teacher, yet unequal to the task of so many grades. In August, 1890, the sisters returned to the school and took up residence there.
Father Dunn was succeeded on September 25th, 1897, by Rev. William T. McLaughlin, who was transferred to St. Augus- tine's Church, Union Hill, May 31st, 1899. His successor was the Rev. James M. McCormick, who died May 29th, 1903; and he was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Hedges in June of the same year.
St. Francis's Church, Metuchen.
IN the diary of Bishop Corrigan while Vicar-General and Ad- ministrator of the Diocese of Newark, under date of September 15th, 1869, is found this entry : " New church needed at Metuchen ; cost $ 10,000." The property was bought and the church was built by the Rev. Major Charles Duggan, the assistant and adminis- trator of St. Peter's, New Brunswick. From St. Peter's journeyed the priests in all kinds of weather to attend this mission, but the inconveniences were mitigated by the royal hospitality of Mr. Nat. C. Robbins, who, although not a Catholic, always gave a hearty welcome to the priests and generous assistance to the church. St. Francis's Church was destroyed by fire in December, 1903. The first resident rector was the Rev. Stephen Bettoni. It is regrettable that more historic details cannot be given, but
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they are unavailable, as no response was received to the letter soliciting information. The present rector is the Rev. John A. Graham.
Most Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, D.D.,
Second Bishop of Newark.
MICHAEL AUGUSTINE CORRIGAN, born in the city of Newark, August 13th, 1839, was the worthy successor of Archbishop Bay- ley in the See of Newark. The mantle of a noble, saintly father descended upon the shoulders of one who was eminently fitted to carry on the great and responsible task of governing a diocese. His preparatory studies were made at St. Mary's College, Wil- mington, Del., then under the presidency of the venerable Father O'Reilly. The future bishop, on leaving Wilmington, entered the nursery of bishops -- Mount St. Mary's, Emmettsburg, Md .- from which he was graduated in 1859. He was one of the little band sent by the bishops of the United States to start in the centre of Catholic unity the American College. Here, as else- where, the modest, gentle youth won for himself the friendship of his professors and fellow-students. His talents kept pace with his piety, for none applied himself with greater zest to his studies nor with greater success than the subject of this sketch. He was ordained to holy priesthood September 19th, 1863, in the Cathedral Basilica of St. John Lateran by the late Cardinal Patrizzi.
Returning to America in August, 1864, he was assigned to teach dogmatic theology and Holy Scripture in the seminary, Seton Hall, by Bishop Bayley. His ability and talents, which an extreme modesty was powerless to conceal, attracted the attention of many prelates in this country, and he was chosen and in fact appointed by Pius IX. to the See of Columbus, Ohio. The most earnest pleadings of the youthful dignitary, coupled with the influence of Bishop Bayley-who was loath to lose one so full of promise and usefulness-combined with the kind offices of Arch- bishop, afterward Cardinal, McCloskey, availed to put off for a few years his elevation. Meanwhile he strained every nerve and toiled day and night, in his endeavors to bring Seton Hall Col- lege up to the high conceptions of its founder and to make it second to no other Catholic college in the country. The student did not shrink from the stern gravity which seems to surround those whom circumstances perhaps had placed at the head of a school or a college, but with perfect ease and undisturbed confi-
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dence he detailed to the good "doctor " his catalogue of troubles and trials, and, whether vindicated or not, always went from the president's room very much comforted by his kind, soft words. Yet none dare trespass on his mild rule, for all knew that he could be firm when occasion called for it.
On the transfer of Archbishop Bayley to Baltimore he was appointed administrator of the diocese. In February, 1873, the news was flashed across the water that he was appointed to fill the See. "Is there no escape?" said he to Bishop McQuaid, then on a visit to Seton Hall, and was just entering a carriage to take the train when the messenger brought the telegram from the edi- tor of The Freeman's Journal announcing his promotion. "None," replied the bishop; "you must accept the burden." The follow- ing May he was consecrated by Cardinal McCloskey in St. Pat- rick's pro-Cathedral, Newark. The mitre was hardly placed on his head when the pricking thorns roused him to the realization that it was to be for him not a wreath of roses, but in very truth a crown of thorns.
Most complicated financial entanglements demanded the at- tention of the young bishop and brought into play his wisdom and prudence. It would be a waste of time to dwell longer on this dark period in the history of the diocese; it would but open afresh wounds long since closed. True, another form filled the chair of the illustrious and lovable Bayley, but his spirit was still in the diocese. God blessed the work and zeal of Bishop Corrigan. His time was wholly taken up blessing corner-stones, churches, hospitals; making the visitation, not solely of large city churches, but the isolated, distant, almost always forgotten and neglected country congregations. Benign, courteous, willing, he never thought of self. You might before asking, especially if it re- quired his personal attention, anticipate that your request was granted. His mind might be racked with anguish, his body suf- fering from illness; none would be the wiser. When we hear of bishops descending from their throne, condescending to speak to the lowliest as to the loftiest of their flock, sitting for hours in the confessional, anxious to relieve a weary pastor of a little of his burden, visiting the hovels of the poor to administer to some poor dying Christian the sacrament of confirmation, or speaking a kind word to some querulous old granny, we lose not a jot of that high esteem which from our very childhood we have had for the very name of bishop, but are carried back to the charm and simplicity of early apostolic days, when bishops were the guardians and
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fathers of the faithful. A vaster field awaited him. In October, 1880, he was made Archbishop of Petra and Coadjutor Archbishop of New York, with the right of succession, an honor which he would have refused, and which filled the hearts of the clergy and laity of the flock to whom he had endeared himself with many and sincere regrets.
On May 12th, 1873, Bishop Corrigan was invited to attend the second quarterly meeting of the Catholic Union, which was held at the Catholic Institute, Jersey City. On that occasion this body of prominent Catholic laymen delivered an address of congratula- tion to their lately consecrated bishop, in which, while expressing their regret at the loss of Archbishop Bayley, they declared they were consoled by the double consolation that His Grace, Arch- bishop Bayley, would add to the glory of Holy Church in a more extended field, and labor unceasingly to obtain a good pastor for the flock he had watched over so long and so tenderly.
The result is all we could have wished or expected, and since the voice of our infallible Pontiff called you to the vacant See of Newark, our hearts have been gladdened and our gloom dispelled.
We have anxiously awaited the hour of anointment, when with mitre and crosier you would ascend the episcopal throne in your cathedral and be officially proclaimed our future guide and pastor. This happy event has at last appeared, and, weary of restraint, we hasten to proclaim our gratitude to God and affection and loyalty to his bishop. ... May God add to your youth and firm- ness the necessary strength and grace for this great work. May the blessed Mother of God, whose month we celebrate, favor you with her powerful patronage. You will have our poor prayers for your assistance, and we beg that you will impart your benedic- tion to the members of the union, who are united by your per- mission in maintaining truth and justice. .
"To maintain truth and justice " was the motto which inspired loyal and intelligent Catholics the world over after the invasion of the rights of the Holy See, and rallied them to the defence of their faith and to consolidation everywhere of their coreligionists in a strong, vigorous body. This movement spread all over Europe and ultimately beyond the seas.
A council was formed in New York in 1871, and efforts were made at that early date to establish an association in the Diocese of Newark. But for one reason or another the matter was left in abeyance until after the transfer of Archbishop Bayley to Baltimore.
The Catholic Union of New Jersey was established for the
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larger parishes, and, as will be seen later on, although it did not accomplish all that was aimed at, yet it bore certain beneficial results.
In August, 1873, Bishop Corrigan made an urgent appeal in favor of the priesthood and on the necessity
of fostering and preserving vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life. In a commercial country like ours, where other careers in life are constantly presenting themselves to the notice of the young, we should not forget to seek to stem the current by putting before the minds of parents and of their children, as occa- sion offers, the glory and the great reward, as well as the self-sac- rifice and the voluntary privation for God's sake, of those who devote their lives to the service of the altar.
In the same letter he called the attention of the reverend clergy to some points of the statutes of the diocese, in order that there might be uniformity throughout.
The financial embarrassment of St. John's Church,Orange, has been already alluded to. In February, 1874, the bishop writes to his flock to thank both priests and people for the efforts they had made to enable him to meet the grave obligations of this unfortunate church.
I am happy to state that the disposition of both the reverend clergy and the Catholic laity of Newark to aid in this labor of love for the glory of God's house is beyond all praise. By their con- duct they have shown that they appreciate keenly the difficulties of the situation; that they regard it as one unprecedented in our midst and to be treated as a case entirely apart from ordinary con- tingencies; that it is not a question of simply raising a collection to pay the interest on the great debt and leave the future blank and unprovided for, but an occasion that calls for substantial aid that will reduce the principal to such an extent that henceforth the people of St. John's parish may themselves and by their own efforts, not only take up the burden, but also with God's help and blessing carry it for a while and gradually throw it aside.
Again, April 28th of the same year, in conformity with the often-expressed wishes of many of the Catholic laity, Bishop Cor- rigan expressed his resolve to do all that was possible to pay off the floating debt on St. John's.
Though most unjustly and recklessly incurred, nevertheless as it stands it is a legal debt, and not only the honor of the diocese but the good name of Catholics at large will be seriously com- promised if we neglect paying it. The Catholic Church does not
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accept the doctrine of repudiation. The entire debt on St. John's Church in 1873 was $265,000, with interest accruing for the last months of the previous year. The extrication of St. John's parish from its present difficulties is not a hopeless task; it is practica- ble, is presumptably certain and guaranteed even, but only with the generous and prompt cooperation of the sister churches throughout the State.
In the spring of 1874, mainly through the efforts of three prominent Catholic laymen of the Diocese of Newark, the Messrs. P. Farrelly, John McAnerney, and Harold Henwood, the first Catholic pilgrimage was organized in the United States, and left our shores to visit the different shrines in France and Italy and to lay at the feet of the common Father of Christendom the pledges of loyalty and devotion of their Catholic fellow-country- men. A reminiscence of this pilgrimage is still to be seen in the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes, in the American flag which still hangs over the sanctuary in this remarkable shrine of the Mother of God. It was successful beyond expectation.
The opening of the State Reform School for wayward boys, and the eliminating of all provision for the religious training of those who profess the Catholic faith in that institution, called forth an earnest protest from the Catholic Union. In October, 1873, in a letter to the trustees of the school, their attention was called to the fact
that the Catholic Union of New Jersey expresses the earnest desire of at least 200,000 fellow Catholics, citizens within the State, who ask your honorable body to make such modifications of the rules governing the Reform School as will enable Catholic inmates to receive the ministrations and consolations of their relig- ion, which are at present denied them. We are aware that a similar application has been made by a priest stationed at Free- hold, and declined, we charitably hope, because of the misappre- hension of the justice involved in his request. ... We want no State aid or chaplain's commission, only the simple right to administer the sacraments of the Church to the Catholic children under your charge who desire it. It need conflict with no rule nor interfere with the working hours of your establishment.
A second letter, December 20th, 1873, was addressed by the advisory board of the Catholic Union to the Governor, Chief Jus- tice, and Chancellor of New Jersey, comprising the Board of Con- trol of the State Reform School, enclosing copies of the corre- spondence between the Catholic Union and the trustees of the Reform School. The Catholic Union expressed regret
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that our hopes have been disappointed, but in seeking justice a second time from the board of trustees we feel that we pursue the proper course, particularly as this first was recommended to us by His Excellency, Governor Parker, on the occasion of our appeal to him as chief executor and member of your honorable board.
The superintendent of the school, Rev. Mr. Sheldon, held religious exercises every day, which the Catholic children as well as the others were obliged to attend. On Sunday he also had religious services. Mr. Sheldon informed the committee of the Catholic Union, which visited the institution, that while a Catholic priest might address the boys, he could not permit him to express himself distinctly Catholic in his remarks; in other words, not- withstanding the large number of unfortunate Catholic children in this public institution, a Catholic priest, as such, had no right to minister to those of his own flock; while Protestant clergymen were permitted to pray or preach to their own satisfaction, not only to the Protestant children, but to the Catholics as well. It was against this act of flagrant injustice that these Catholic lay- men protested in the name of the Catholics of the State of New Jersey, and at the same time called to attention that such a con- dition of affairs was contrary to the Constitution of our State, which in Section 3, Article I., declares "that no person shall be deprived of the inestimable privileges of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, nor under any pretence whatever be compelled to attend any place of worship contrary to his faith and judgment."
The condition of affairs manifested through this correspond- ence made it clear to Bishop Corrigan that in order to save the faith of the Catholic children it was necessary that the diocese make provision for them. A tract of land was purchased in Den- ville, Morris County, about thirty-five miles from New York, on which was a commodious brick mansion. Necessary improve- ments and repairs were made, and in the month of September, 1874, St. Francis's Catholic Protectory for boys was opened and placed in charge of the Franciscan Brothers. Many priests of the diocese, as well as a number of the laity, most of whom were members of the Catholic Union, were present on the occasion to participate in the formal opening of the premises. The property was admirably adapted for its purpose. The country is elevated and healthy in the highest degree, and the two hundred and four- teen acres of fine land is well adapted for cultivation. It has an
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abundance of wood and excellent water, a fine orchard of fruit- trees, and all the out-buildings necessary for an institution.
Bishop Corrigan looked to the faithful of the diocese, and in a particular manner to the members of the Catholic Union, to enable him to carry on to a successful issue the work thus inaug- urated for Catholic wayward boys.
The Catholic Union felt that the time had come to make an effort to secure a charter from the State for the new institution, and its president, John McAnerney, wrote to Bishop Corrigan on September 29th, 1874:
The Catholic Union proposes, if agreeable to you, to make an effort at the coming election to ascertain, as far as possible, the opinions of the candidates for legislative honors in regard to the reform school. This, you will remember, is in the line of the agitation we have begun and which we think must be continued to be successful. We propose to do this work in our usual quiet manner and upon our own responsibility, if the proposed action meets with your approbation. We seek your approbation, not for public or general use, but for the reason that we do not desire to undertake anything of importance without your sanction.
Bishop Corrigan judged that it would be desirable to obtain a charter for the Denville protectory. Mr. McAnerney consulted Judge Bedle, who expressed the opinion that there should be no serious objection to the charter granting the judges and justices the right to commit Catholic boys to the protectory. This sug- gestion of the Ordinary met with the approval, not only of the Catholic laity, but of the leading priests of the diocese. Mr. McAnerney writes :
I think it will be well for you to prepare such a charter as you require, and if you could have it all ready by next week, we could then take the field and "sound " the candidates. If left until after the election I am sure it will be a much more difficult subject to handle than the reform-school matter. At all events there is no time to be lost.
Every effort was made to disseminate the campaign documents to be used throughout the State in order to secure the Catholic protectory charter. The leading men of the Hudson County Union had the charter printed, and it was proposed to make a thorough canvass of the whole State.
This movement spread consternation in the ranks of both parties of politicians. The office of the president of the union was besieged day and night by Republicans and Democrats,
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all groaning about the misfortune of having this matter in the canvass. I never saw so many people investigating this reform- school subject as at the present time. Please let no reports from politicians annoy you. The agitation will be grand in its results. Our people will be educated up to a true appreciation of the matter, and our non-Catholic fellow-citizens will be obliged to redress the present injustice. ... Next Tuesday the excitement and smoke of the battle will clear away, and the people of New Jersey will have a better idea of the injustice done their Catholic fellow-citizens than they have ever had before.
In another letter, written on October 30th, Mr. McAnerney says :
The breeze is now blowing in our favor. It is, indeed, curious to see Presbyterians, Episcopalians, etc., going about vigorously arguing the justice of the Catholic position in regard to the reform school. In Jersey City copies of the bill have been printed and generously distributed by the Democrats. The advocates of jus- tice are growing numerous and well-informed. Would that our Catholic citizens would everywhere stand up like men. We would then have no difficulty. The most ignorant people I have found on this question are the Catholic politicians. Thank God! the abuse of The Evening Journal has made them examine the mat- ter, and our people are better informed to-day than they would have been by Catholic-Union meetings, Church sermons, or any- thing else. Many of these unfortunate Catholics never go to church or read a Catholic book, and have always cried "Hush !" when anything in relation to Catholic interests was mentioned. This time the "Hobgoblin" has met them in the canvass and would not down at their bidding. If we don't get our charter, if they don't pass Assembly Bill 413, we have one thing beyond dispute; that is, the sympathy of non-Catholics, justly disposed, and our own people united and well-informed of the necessity for a protectory, as will be appreciated when the bishop deems it the proper time to issue his circular of a general collection. .. . The
time is not far distant when our rights in all the public institutions will be granted, in order to keep this "terrible " question out of the canvass. . .. At present the matter has gone beyond the control of the politicians, and will never be settled until our rights are granted. ... Gentle agitation of this kind likewise prevents our opponents from doing us further injury.
The cause was lost. The bill was defeated. The usual tricks which stigmatize legislation which has for its object the redress- ing of injustice to Catholics were successful.
Contemplated amendments to the Constitution of the State, some of which seemed calculated to impose new burdens upon Catholics or which might be construed against the Church,
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