USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > The story of a parish : the first Catholic church in Morristown, N.J. ; its foundation and development, 1847-1892 > Part 12
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Various tuneful hymns were sung on the way to the School, where all the societies were ranged in front of the archway. The Bishop then blessed the outer walls with holy water, and the procession then entered the quadrangle, at the south end of which was an oratory, on which were a crucifix and two lighted tapers. Here other prayers were said, and thence the Bishop went from room to room, sprink- ling the walls with blessed water and incensing them with the fragrant fumes which curled from the cen- ser. This ended the ceremony, which many fol- lowed in the translation of the beautiful Rite made by Dean Flynn and which was sold for the benefit of the School. In his brief but earnest address the Bishop congratulated the Catholics of Morristown on their magnificent building; alluded to the zeal of their priests, and dwelt on the necessity of Chris- tain education. He paid a glowing tribute to the devotion of the Sisters of Charity, who consecrated
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DIMENSIONS OF THE SCHOOL.
their lives to the education of youth, and brought his truly eloquent remarks to a close by giving his blessing to his attentive audience. The procession then re-formed and returned to the Church, where Benediction was given. The event will not soon be forgotten and the ceremony marks an important event in the history of Catholicity in this county.
The School is of brick, with granite trimmings, and has a frontage of 135 x 92 feet in depth. The entrance to the class-rooms is from a courtyard 62 × 35 feet. There are four class-rooms 22 × 25 feet ; two 26 x 25, and one 26 x 22. The base- ment on the south side has been concreted, and affords a pleasant recreation-room in stormy weather. On the northeast side is the Hall with stage, 90 x 35 feet.
In the second story are three rooms, held in re- serve for future need, divided by glass partitions, and respectively 35 x 31 feet, 29 x 21, and 29 x 34. The largest, fronting on Madison Street, is used by the Young Ladies' Sodality, the rear room by the St. Columbanus Council C. B. L., and the centre by the Senior grades for Cooking Classes.
The style of the building is mediaval, and re- flects the good taste of the architect, and is one of the attractive features of our beautiful City.
The Bishop availed himself of the occasion to make his parochial visitation.
On October 29 Bishop Wigger wrote to Dean
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Flynn : "I am happy to inform you that, at a meeting of the Diocesan Consultors, held September 22, by the advice of these same Consultors, I ap- pointed you one of the three priests to constitute the Diocesan Examination Board." The Fathers of the Third Plenary Council reiterated the monitions of their predecessors to advance the interests of Catholic schools, and, to that end, advised the crea- tion of Examining Boards for teachers and pupils. Bishop Wigger has never lagged in his efforts to enforce the wise provisions of the Council, and the result is evident in the increased excellence of the schools. Grades have been advanced, uniformity of school books and method established, and both teachers and scholars stimulated to extra efforts.
A very successful bazar, which opened Novem- ber 14, aided very materially in meeting the expense of the improvements in Church and School. A new feature was the Bazar Journal, edited by the chil- dren, which contained in its different issues interest- ing excerpts of local history. A society of women had been established to take care of the poor dur- ing the Winter months, by sewing for them, making and cutting garments, and providing the needy with coal and provisions. The Rev. Clarence Woodman, Paulist, gave an interesting illustrated lecture in the Church, which netted a goodly-sized increase in their treasury.
The events of the year closed with Midnight Mass, which was celebrated in this Church for the
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THE DIOCESAN EXAMINERS.
last time. The disorder which frequently annoyed the faithful and provoked scandal inclined the Bish- op to forbid its further celebration in the churches of the Diocese.
The new year 1888 was still young when the last payment on the loan for the purchase of the Condit property was made. On January 7 Dean Flynn paid the balance of the fifteen thousand dollar note to the National Iron Bank. This obligation was met, the house furnished, and the streets graded and improved by the sale of the lots.
A surprise was in store for the School. On Monday, January 23, the Rev. M. A. McManus, the Rev. J. Baxter, and the Rev. G. Funcke, the local Diocesan Examiners, visited the scholars, and put them through a searching examination on the matter outlined by the "Schedule of Studies" for the ses- sion just terminated. Allowing for a little nervous- ness and timidity, the school merited the highest commendations of the visitors.
On March 12 we were visited by the "blizzard," which for several days closed our school, stopped the wheels of commerce, and cut us off from com- munication with the outside world. Nothing like it in severity had visited this locality in the memory of man.
The Young Men's building, for which ground was broken in the preceding Fall, was advancing towards completion.
In the Spring of this year a spirit of patriotism
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seized our fellow-citizens, who resolved to mark the site of the old earthwork raised by the patriot soldiers of the Revolution on the lofty summit which commands our City on the west. The gran- ite boulder, about four feet high and weighing about four tons, was the gift of the Allen Brothers, one of whom was our former parishioner. It is inscribed :
THIS STONE MARKS THE SITE OF FORT NONSENSE, AN EARTHWORK BUILT BY THE CONTINENTAL ARMY IN THE WINTER OF 1779 AND '80.
ERECTED BY THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, 1888.
On April 27 it was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies. The stores were closed and business suspended. The buildings and streets were gay with bunting. Flags and streamers floated from their staffs, or were arranged in festoons in front of many of the houses. Among the handsomest was the display made on the Young Men's Catholic Association building. The young men, headed by their Spiritual Director, Dean Flynn, took part in the procession, thus marking their sympathy with the dead heroes, many of them Irishmen and Catho- lics, who, in the trying days of 1779, erected this barrier against British tyranny and oppression. It
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THE YOUNG MEN'S BUILDING.
was, indeed, a gala day, an event to strengthen the affection of the old and foster that of the young for the land which has been so rich in blessings for all.
On Tuesday, May I, took place the formal dedi- cation of the Young Men's Catholic Association building.
A large flag floated from the front of the attrac- tive building, while the interior decorations were superb, a wealth of pictures everywhere gracing the walls, supplemented by banks of palms and flower- ing plants, sprays of cut flowers and smilax, fes- toons of bunting, and other decorations pleasing to the eye. The committee on decorations were Messrs. W. V. Dunn, M. F. Lowe, J. T. Murphy, and Thomas Holton, the latter furnishing the floral display that on every floor delighted the beholder.
There were two receptions-one in the morning, to the ladies, and one in the afternoon and evening, to the gentlemen. The reception committee was Very Rev. Dean Flynn, Pastor of the Church of the Assumption ; President C. H. Knight, and Messrs P. Farrelly, T. Clifford, M. E. Condon, M. F. Lowe, John Murphy, Thomas Malley, T. J. O'Brien, D. L. Fox, and P. Welsh.
In the morning the committee was assisted by a number of ladies, friends and relatives of the mem- bers, and the scores of visitors were lavish in their admiration of the arrangement, finish, and equip- ment of the building. Voss's orchestra was placed
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in an alcove of the lobby outside of the parlor, and sweet strains of classic music added to the delight which the inspection of the building gave.
A special train brought a large party of out-of- town visitors in time for the afternoon exercises, among whom were Right Rev. Monsignor Doane ; Rev. J. M. Grady, president of the National Union of Y. M. C. A .; Revs. P. Corrigan ; Theodosius, O.S.B .; J. Nardiello, F. O'Neill, A. Kammer, J. Han- ley, J. Hall, E. P. Carroll, P. Connelly, I. P. Whe- lan, T. O'Hanlon, M. Kane, Walter Elliott, M. A. McManus, John J. Hughes, J. H. Brady, Joseph C. Dunn, C. P. Gillen, J. J. Brennan, and others.
Among the Morristonians present were Rev. Kinsley Twining, D.D .; Rev. R. N. Merritt, D.D. ; Rev. T. H. Hughes, D.D .; Rev. Wynant Vander- pool; Fathers Flynn and Farrell; Mayor Werts; Recorder Chisholm; Aldermen Barker and Far- relly ; Councilmen Foote, Dustan, Doty, Schureman, Malley ; ex-Mayors Miller and Taylor; Doctors Lewis and Pierson ; ex-Assemblyman G. W. Jen- kins ; Chief Engineer H. A. Freeman ; Lieut. Com. Miller, Lieut. Turnbull; Doctors Owen, Douglas, and Bradford ; ex-Mayor Seidler, Hon. W. W. Cutler ; Messrs. G. G. Kip, H. W. Roberts, H. O. Marsh, Paul Revere, Carman Randolph, D. D. Craig, and many more.
The reporter of the Morristown Banner gave an accurate report of the proceedings, which is here reproduced :
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MONSIGNOR DOANE'S REMARKS.
" The exercises were opened in the handsome hall, seating some one hundred and fifty guests, by President Knight in a graceful address of welcome, which was to have been followed by a dedicatory address by Bishop Wigger, but owing to ill-health he was unable to attend; and Very Rev. Dean Flynn, after reading the telegram of regret from the Bishop, declared the building, in the name of the loved prelate, dedicated to the purposes for which it was intended.
"Dr. Twining was then called upon, and made a most happy and interesting impromptu address. He was followed by the Rev. J. M. Grady, President of the National Union of the Y. M. C. A.'s, in a speech full of encouragement and good advice.
" Right Rev. Monsignor Doane was then intro- duced to an audience in which he had a personal acquaintance with almost every individual, and made a witty and eloquent address. Among other things he said : 'Morristown has a reputation second to no city in the States. It has often astonished me how a city of eight thousand inhabitants could become so important. It must be the quality, not the quan- tity !' He also paid a tribute to Mrs. Miller, the mother of ex-Mayor Miller, at whose home he had spent many happy hours in his youth.
" His allusion to Father Flynn's boyhood days and the noble work of his riper years, although made in a vein of humor, were a high tribute to the zeal and ability of the Rev. Father, the Monsignor modestly taking all the credit for the erection of the hand- some building in which he stood, the new school building, and other work done here, because he had appointed Father Flynn to this Parish !
" Mr. Thomas J. O'Brien, an active member of the Association, followed in the recital of a histori-
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cal sketch of the society. Mr. O'Brien's address was heard with closest attention. It was a concise and interesting history of the birth and growth of the Association, and an accurate description of their building. We are glad to be able to give it in full. " Mayor George T. Werts followed in an impas- sioned address, congratulating the town and commu- nity as well as the Association upon the accession of an edifice so handsome, well equipped, and per- fectly adapted to the purposes for which it is de- signed. The Mayor always handles English well, and his address was a source of pleasure and grati- fication to all who heard it.
" The closing address was made by Rev. Walter Elliott, C.S.P., who proved that the subject had by no means been worn out. Taken as a whole the addresses were the most satisfactory it has ever been our pleasure to listen to, not one of them being dull or commonplace. Musical selections were rendered between each oratorical effort, and the whole affair was well devised.
" The party was then invited to the gymnasium, where Day had spread a delightful dinner. During its service the band, stationed in the billiard-room open- ing above it, discoursed choice selections. All were comfortably seated and abundantly served, and the gathering thoroughly enjoyed itself, nor did it break up until the special train left for the City at IO P.M. "Many of the superb and valuable things that grace the various rooms are the gifts of liberal hearts, and particularly is this true of those found in the finely-appointed parlor.
" The centre of all observation is a portrait of Bishop Wigger, drawn in pastel and presented by Mother Xavier, of St. Elizabeth's Convent. It is the work of the talented Sisters of that institution,
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AN HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
and is life-like and complete in every detail. Framed in heavy gilt, it rests on an easel. The lace curtains are the gift of Mrs. P. Farrelly. A large table- cover and a tidy, embroidered, were presented by Mrs. Eugene Burke; a series of fine pictures, scenes in Rome, by Rev. Father Farrell ; others, copies from the old masters, by H. W. Miller ; a handsome easel, by George W. Smith; picture shades, by Thomas Murray; piano stool, by P. M. Kain; hall lamp, by Looney & Carroll ; clock, by C. K. Johnson. The flowers were the gift of Thomas Holton, whose taste in their arrangement was as artistic as his gift was liberal.
" Then, to crown the event, another gift of $500 was placed in Father Flynn's hands on the day of the dedication.
" While many heads and hands have contributed to the work of perfecting the scheme and complet- ing the building, to Father Flynn more than all others is due the credit of making it possible and bringing it to a happy consummation. Early and late, through storm as well as sunshine, pressed by other duties that were never neglected, always happy and confident, he has studied and watched and di- rected the erection of another perfect piece of work that shall be a monument to his good taste, ability, force of character, and untiring energy."
ADDRESS BY MR. O'BRIEN.
" About the middle of August, 1881, twenty-six Catholic young men met, at the suggestion of Thomas Malley, in the basement of the old Church of St. Mary's, lately removed to make room for more modern improvements, and in an informal manner united themselves together for the further 'moral, physical, and intellectual ' advancement of each other,
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THE STORY OF A PAF SH1.
and founded the Young Men's Catholic Association of Morristown. These informal meetings were held under the guidance of the Spiritual Director, Rev. Joseph M. Flynn, until November I, when more suitable quarters were secured in the Bates building. "On November 10 the first regular meeting was held, at which the Rev. Spiritual Director read for the first time the order of business and the Consti- tution of the society. An election was then held, resulting in the choice of President, R. F. Dempsey ; Vice-President, M. E. Condon ; Secretary, H. J. Curley ; Treasurer, D. L. Fox. As yet the furniture and surroundings of the rooms were very humble, consisting of a pine table and some old wooden benches. A few games of checkers and dominoes were all that offered amusements for the members, until a valuable acquisition, a billiard-table, was pre- sented by Mrs. General Revere.
" With a will, however, the young men worked together, each meeting bringing new applicants de- sirous of admission to membership. At the expira- tion of 1881, although but a few months old, the society counted fifty-two members.
"In January, 1882, at the first annual election, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, C. H. Knight; Vice-President, R. F. Dempsey ; Secretary, W. V. Dunn ; and Treasurer, D. L. Fox.
" With the proceeds of a bazar held in February they were enabled to furnish their rooms much more comfortably. In this they were very materially aided by valuable presents from Father Flynn, Mrs. Higgins, the late Mr. Nelson Wood, and Charles Knight. On August 15 the Association held its first picnic in Childs's Woods.
" As the year closed the society stood upon a
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PLAYS AND LECTURES.
good financial basis and numbered fifty-nine mem- bers. The officers elected for 1883 were : President, C. H. Knight; Vice-President, M. Norris ; Secretary, M. E. Condon ; Treasurer, T. Malley. On April 2 a successful performance of 'The Ticket-of-Leave Man' was given in Lyceum Hall by the Dramatic Association.
" In May the project of starting a Library for the society was mooted, and substantial encouragement received from Dr. Owen, P. Farrelly, F. A. Carring- ton, and others, who kindly presented some very excellent and suitable works.
" Athletics were not ignored by the society, as shown by the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Morris Base Ball Club, in the game played July 4. On July 31 the first Annual Steamboat Excur- sion was made to Roton Point. The Dramatic Club performed the drama of 'Time and the Hour' and 'Funny Bones Fix,' in the old school-hall on Thanksgiving evening. A reunion of the members was held in their rooms, December 12. The annual election was held on January 29, 1884, and C. H. Knight was re-elected President ; T. Malley, Vice- President ; T. F. Welch, Secretary ; and M. E. Con- don, Treasurer.
"'Solon Shingle,' and by request 'Funny Bones Fix,' were given February 22. On April I the so- ciety took quarters in the York building, which they have occupied up to the present time. The first target excursion of the members and their friends was made to Newton, October 19.
" The monotony of the winter months was relieved by a course of lectures delivered in the rooms, one by the Rev. M. A. McManus, Newton, N. J., on ' Love,' the other by Very Rev. J. M. Flynn on ' Money,' both of which were brilliant and witty.
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' Don Cæsar de Bazan' was presented by the Dra- matic Club in the Lyceum, January 19, and by re- quest was reproduced, February 18. At the election held January 28, 1885, President C. H. Knight, Vice- President Thomas Malley, Treasurer M. E. Condon were re-elected ; M. F. Lowe was chosen Secretary. March 21 was the day chosen by the Almighty to remind the members of His inevitable decree by call- ing from their midst Edward J. Mooney, at the early age of twenty-two years. He was a zealous member, known to all for his good deportment and generous sentiment. Very Rev. Dean Flynn and D. L. Fox, as delegates, represented the society in the National Convention held in Newark, May 20. C. H. Knight resigned the Presidency July 5 ; T. Malley succeed- ing for the remainder of the year, and R. F. Demp- sey became Vice-President. September 17 found the members and their friends enjoying their second tar- get excursion in Newton.
"The emblems of mourning had scarcely been removed before God called upon the society to part with another of its members, and all bowed in humble submission at the death of William P. Foley, on October 19. He was scarcely twenty-five years old, yet he had endeared himself to all his com- panions, who felt keenly the loss of an active and exemplary brother. The officers elected on January 5, for 1886, were: President, T. Malley ; Vice-Presi- dent, W. V. Dunn; Secretary, M. F. Lowe, and Treasurer, M. E. Condon. The ' Irish Yankee' was produced in Lyceum Hall, February 22. The appeal of the poor fishermen of Galway for help received a hearty response from the society. The beautiful drama, ' Eileen Oge,' was performed for their benefit, in the Lyceum. Father Farrell assumed the duties of Spiritual Director of the Association, and con-
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
tinued to discharge them during the temporary ab- sence of Dean Flynn.
"The excursion to Roton Point took place July
20. The third annual target excursion went to Easton, September 22. Several musical and literary entertainments given in the rooms during the winter months afforded pleasure and amusement to the members and their friends. The officers elected Jan- uary 4, for the year 1887, were : President, T. Mal- ley ; Vice-President, T. Clifford ; Secretary, M. F. Lowe, and Treasurer, M. E. Condon.
"In response to an appeal for help by the La- dies of Good Help and the Charities Aid Association a reproduction of 'Eileen Oge' was given in the Lyceum on Washington's Birthday. An entertain- ment was also given in the old school-hall on March 17. Oscawanna Grove was the place chosen for the An- nual Steamboat Excursion, August 10. The target excursion was taken to Paterson on October 5. At the regular election held January 3, 1888, C. H. Knight was elected President, and Vice-President T. Clifford, Secretary M. F. Lowe, and Treasurer M. E. Condon were re-elected. A successful perform- ance of 'Time Tries All' was given in the Ly- ceum April 23.
" Retrograding, we find that at a special meeting held January 17, 1887, Very Rev. Dean Flynn stated that he so far approved of the desire of the mem- bers to erect a building of their own that he pro- posed to purchase from Messrs. Marsh and Craig a lot on South Street, containing a frontage of 24 and a depth of 136 feet, for eight thousand four hundred dollars. On this site stands the handsome building just completed. It is a three-story design, in style bordering on Queen Anne, with a front finish of terra-cotta brick.
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"The lower front floor is divided into two neat and commodious stores; entering the building from the left and ascending a stairway three feet wide, the visitor finds himself in the bright, cheerful lobby, 22 feet square and 16 feet high. Turning to the right, he enters the large, comfortable parlor, which is 28 feet long and 22 feet wide, with a height of 12 feet.
" Crossing the lobby to the rear, he finds himself in the Association kitchen, and going still further on, enters the refreshing bath and toilet rooms; still continuing on through a side hall four feet wide, he stands at the door leading to the janitor's quar- ters, and after his admission finds a suite of three large rooms, each 15 feet long and 12 feet wide, with ceilings 12 feet high.
" Returning to the lobby he passes down the spacious stairway to the first floor rear, and enters the billiard-room, which is 28 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 10 feet high. Two Collender tables tempt him to indulge in the pleasant pastime of billiards or pool ; but looking through the sliding windows in the rear, he is attracted by the merry laughter of the members, and retracing his steps, he descends to the lower floor and finds himself in the gymna sium, furnished with its odd but serviceable imple- ments for the development of health and muscle. The gymnasium is 70 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 21 feet high. On one side is the bowling-alley, and on the other the shuffle-board. On this floor is the boiler-room containing the steam-plant, and a patent steam generating boiler, built by E. Dunn, of New- ark, which heats the whole building. The conse- quent weariness of climbing two flights of stairs is forgotten as the visitor ascends the wide stairway, lost in admiration of the chaste natural wood finish
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HAPPY RESULTS.
with its blushing cherry-wood trimmings, which pre- dominates through the whole building. He is also attracted by the light-shaft, 16 feet long and 10 feet wide, which runs from the roof to the basement, lighting the entire centre of the building. Arriving on the third floor he rests for a moment in either of the two large library and reading-rooms in the rear, each 14 feet long and II feet wide.
" Across is the handsome meeting-room of the members, 45 feet long and 22 feet wide and 12 feet high. Light and ventilation come from the large dome, the circular window in the centre covered with old cathedral glass. The large front centre window with its elliptic arch, and the two smaller side ones, are of French plate-glass; their transoms are of stained glass containing the monogram of the Asso- ciation. Augustus Eichorn was the architect of this magnificent building, which cost $16,200. Every room is well ventilated, all the floors are deafened, and Looney & Carroll gave particular attention to the sanitary plumbing. John D. Collins did the mason-work, while Lonergan & Brown looked after the carpentering, as did Barrett & Dempsey the painting.
"Although the society is but seven years old, it has matured very rapidly, and is not surpassed by any in the State. It feels a justifiable pride in showing its roll of 101 names, and pointing to 27 of its mem- bers who are representative business men of the town. The little acorn planted in 1881 develops into a stout oak in 1888, to remain as a landmark. It owes its health and strength to the invigorating, generous sap given to its root by the many kind friends and benefactors without whose assistance but little could have been accomplished. The society recognizes its inability to express its gratitude for
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THE STORY OF A PARISH.
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