USA > New York > Dutchess County > Pawling > History of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Pawling, Dutchess County, N.Y., and the mission church of St. Charles Borromeo, Dover Plains, Dutchess County, N.Y. [1848-1900] > Part 1
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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 06252729 0
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MICROFILMNED BY UMI
(Pawling, N.Y.)
Roman IRM
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
OF
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Pawling, Dutchess County, N. Y.
AND THE
MISSION CHURCH OF
ST. CHARLES BORROMEO
DOVER PLAINS.
Dutchess County, N. Y.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1905
18206.
Salutatory.
T DE Rev. George T. Donlin, pastor of the Church of St. John the Evan- gelist, Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y., and of the Branch Mission Church of St. Charles Borromeo, at Dover Plains, only thirteen miles away, has prepared this little volume for presentation on this glad Christ- mastide to the members of his congregation and to the friends and benefac- tors of his churches. To all he extends the happy courtesies of the season and to all he wishes long life and prosperity and the fullest measure of the AAlmighty's bounty. This little pamphlet, written by Father Donlin, tells the history of the creation and the growth of the parish of St. John's and. in- cidentally. as a matter of course, narrates the progress of Pawling and the expansion of Dover Plains. Father Donlin trusts that those who secure a copy of this pamphlet will treasure it as among their most sacred posses- sions. Surely. there is nothing greater than the record of a good work done in perpetuation of the truths established on earth by the Redeemer of men. And surely. there could be no better time to present a record of this achieve- ment to the faithful than the present. when the bells in every belfry are pealing forth the glad news that Christ has been born, that the Saviour of mankind has come to earth to preach the gospel of His Father. "Peace on earth to men of good will."
Photo by Fredricks, N. Y. Rev. George T. Donline
Rector of the Church of St. John the Evangeli, Bowling, N. Y.
F ifty Years Ago Catholicity Dawned in Pawling and Dover Plains.
T HE towns of Dover and Pawling, wherein the kindly light of Catholicity began to dawn some fifty years ago, are favorably located in the southeastern part of Dutchess county. They are bounded on the north by Amenia, on the south by Putnam county, on the east by Con- nectient, and on the west by Beekman. Between mountainous hills or ranges flanking the eastern and western borders of the townships respectively lie well cultivated fields in a broad and fertile valley, some four hundred feet above the sea level. In this beautiful valley may be seen thrifty farms owned and looked after by an industrious and hospitable people, as well as the villages of Pawling and Dover Plains. Through the valley flow rapid streams of river and brook water. The whole surrounding country, as a matter of fact, abounds in wild, romantic scenery, that contributes much to make it picturesque and inviting as a summer and health resort, principally because of its high alti- tude.
As far back as the early spring of 1848 there occurred an event almost simultaneously in the towns or villages of Dover Plains and Pawling, of great importance, affecting the Catholic Church in those sections. Men of experience usually candidly admit in friendly conversation that wherever the Church of the Apos- tles, the Church of Ages, has held sway, the precepts of her wise and salutary teachings have been a factor indeed, both potential and influential for the moral, religious and intellectual good of all classes of people. In the region covered by the churches of St. John the Evangelist and St. Charles Borromeo, much has been done and great good has been accomplished, yet it cannot be
said that the people were affluent. Quite the reverse has been the case. Still, out of their little they gave much, and the grand parish of St. John's is to-day the result-a monument for all time to the steadfast faith of the Catholic. When we come to speak of the early days of the parish we are lost for data, but Mr. Fer- gus Fay, an esteemed citizen and a man of much faith, has, from the resources of his memory, supplied a great deal of information for which the Church is grateful.
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Church of St. John the Evangelist, Pawling N. Y.
F rench Catholic Priest the First to Officiate in the Parish of Pawling
T HIE first priest to visit Pawling was of French-Cana- dian birth. by name Cheveon or Cheveau, about the year 1848, when the Ilarlem road was completed between Chatham and New York. The good father was described as about forty years of age, agreeable and service- able to every one approaching him. In conversation and when preaching Father Cheveon lisped, a circumstance that bespoke his nationality. Dressed in clothing of clerical cut and coloring, the good man's office was easily distinguished from that of others. So it happened when he visited Pawling bulletins were posted announcing the coming of a missionary priest for the first time for the following Sunday. Catholics from far and near received the announcement with joy and began immediately to prepare properly for his coming, to hear him preach the Word of God, to see him administer the Sacraments and offer the Holy Sacrifice in Pawling. Certainly, the coming of the shepherd among the fold was, indeed. a comfort to the pioneers of those early days, who were holding firm the faith. The place of wor- ship selected for the religions exercises was known in those days as the Le Grande Hall Hotel sheds, on the site of the Excelsior Market, then opposite the old railroad depot. Prior to that time and at long intervals Catholics for miles about had been com- pelled to go afoot to Danbury, a journey both ways of thirty-two miles, to hear mass. When, however, Archbishop Hughes, aptly named "The Lion of the Fold." had taken in charge the diocesan administration of affairs for the States of New York and New Jersey, the villages of Pawling and Dover Plains were, compara- tively speaking, of little account. As it was, souls were found to be
looked after here as in other parts of the country. With no church in either of the missions to assemble the faithful, the sturdy people of that abiding day were compelled from their limited means to
St. John's Rectory, Pawling, N. Y.
have recourse to barns, sheds and dwelling houses to hear Mass. Still they, their children and their children's children, have by trials and many privations proved themselves equal to the task of keeping alive and spreading the faith for God's greater glory and their own spiritual welfare. Owing to the dearth of priests at that time in this and other sections of the country Catholicity was somewhat impeded in its advancement, because few, indeed, were found to co-operate with the head of the diocese and attend regularly the religious wants and views of the people. Dis- mayed in no way whatever by the seeming delay in recruiting the priesthood at home or from abroad, the prayers of the peo- ple were at length heard -- a fact that finally ended in general sat - isfaction. With regard to the advent of the first priest in Dover Plains, the information is more definite than that touching Fath- er Cheveon's coming to Pawling.
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Father Riordan's First Mass in Dover Plains Celebrated in a Barn
T - HERE appeared in the month of June, 1854. in the upper end of the mission, Dover Plains, the aged form of the good priest. Father Riordan, who had succeeded Fath- er Duffy, the founder of the first Catholic Church in Poughkeepsie, and who was also pastor of all Dutchess county. Coming to Dover Plains in 1854. Father Riordan celebrated Holy Mass for the first time in a barn belonging to Calvin Cut- ler. This site has since been used as the Catholic cemetery.
How strange that the places in both Dover Plains and Pawling where Mass was said first should ultimately become the resting place of those who died in the faith! The few now living who attended the early religious exercises well remember and to-day talk of the hardships they there and then encountered. From then on to the present time the growth of Catholicity has been great and creditable to the good people in this part of the coun- try, bordering on Connecticut. The Church has grown to great proportions here and become in that time a power of merit to al- lay the evils of ignorance, hatred and intolerance. The evidence of that statement no one in truth can deny . Still the history of op- position to the Church's growth and progress uplifts itself every- where from the very beginning. Even from the days of Herod and cruel Nero down to the present time, everywhere indeed. with rare exceptions only, in some way or other opposition has seemed to be the lot of the Catholic Church. Wherever the sub- lime Church has raised her voice to proclaim the teachings of her holy Founder, the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, men have arisen to oppose her.
Branch Mission Church of St. Charles Borromeo. Dover Plains, N. Y.
atholics Persevered in Building up Their Mission Churches.
B Y the sturdy efforts of the good old people of the bygone missionary days their work has indeed been blessed by God. "By their fruits you shall know them," said Our Saviour, for the priest, like Aaron of old, is chosen from among men to guide and lead them to God. Being of the people then, he is pleading for them by sacrifice. In joy or sorrow he is ever found standing by them. Gathered together, as in- tended by the Good Shepherd, there should be but one fold. under one shepherd, that all might dwell in harmony, worship- ping at the same shrine, the real presence of Christ, Our Saviour, . our God and Father of all.
Fifty years back, as stated, Catholics in these parts, as in other Catholic missions, were widely separated and at most not very numerous. They were poorly provided, for they had acquired the little they had after much labor and fatigue. Still their method of perserverance in building the mission churches here was the same as of old. Traditional indeed, were the methods coming to them as by inheritance from the early Christians long ago, that pleased God for the establishment of His holy Church. Contrast, by the way, the churches and the condition ·of the good few people of that day with the present. Fifty years ago a priest was rare in this part of the country. How multi- plied are priests to-day, with increasing numbers, who struggle to hold in the face of temptation the faith as durable as God Himself!
Despite Many Obstacles, Progress of Church was Satisfactory.
T HE Church's progress here as elsewhere has been some- what slow, due partly to the poverty of the people and impediments to her advancement. But, withal, it can be said to have been in the end effectual. Though the apparent method of her procedure be slow, yet we learn from the past how sure and certain the Church must be in ad- vancing to fulfil her prophetic destiny. She does not arise everywhere suddenly like the ephemeral things of man or man's empire on earth, to perish quickly or pass away like the nations. of old or the republics of ancient Greece and Rome. The Church and the doctrines of her teachings live on to-day unchanged and unbroken, ever the same treasure of the divine and from above,. beyond comparison and the endurance of monuments erected by man in days long since gone by, to tell in cipher or lettered story, picture painting or chiselled stone, what seems the achievement of some great ambition for the admiration of the coming genera- tions. Not so the Church, however, and her teachings. She is ac- tive, living and energetic to-day as when her teachers, the apos- tles, were empowered from on high to do God's work, while the glory of men and their achievements have long since passed away.
Thus, the handmaid of God, the Church, the spouse of Christ, continues to voice to men of conscience and all others to live and to take heed. Hence the disparity of the religion of God and the religion of man. The reduction of debt and the spiritual advancement of the people tell in very plain words what persistent application and sacrifice can do when a people have at heart that which is most dear to them and are united under
"one head for the same attainable and eternal purposes. Socie- ties, leagues and confraternities have been organized for the bet- terment of all. Banded together as they should be, they cluster closely and devotedly about the altar to worship the God of Hosts and the same Christ who died to save all mankind. The missions, indeed, have been blessed in many ways and speak elo- quently in telling the story that God indeed is with His people everywhere faithful in the discharge of duty.
St. John's Lyceum, Pauling, N. Y.
Pastorate of Father Riordan Succeeded by the Appointment of a Resident Rector.
A FTER ministering to the people in Dover Plains at long intervals of time, Father Riordan was succeeded by the pious and learned Father Sheehan, who was installed as pastor in 1856 of Wappinger's Falls. By the appoint- ment of Father Sheehan the spiritual needs of the missions of Dover Plains and Pawling were more frequently looked after. Mass was celebrated during Father Sheehan's administration once a month, and in turn at the houses of Messrs Connell, Big- lin and Hopper, and some few others, as well as at Mr. Feeney's, at Towner's station, some six miles south of Pawling.
While the best was being done for the people spiritually, other arrangements were being made for closer relationship between priest and people, until finally the good news began to spread that a resident priest would shortly be appointed. This news was confirmed by the appointment of the Rev. Father Charles Slevin by Archbishop Hughes in 1859. Dover Plains being centrally located, was chosen as the parish, about which encircled the missions of Pawling. Amenia, Millbrook, Beekman and Mil- lerton, in which places there were as yet no churches. The ex- tensive territory embracing the missions running north and south covered something over fifty miles by about twenty-five miles east and west. For the facts and figures of the later or more recent history of the missions of Pawling and Dover Plains we are indebted to Mr. J. K. Smith, author or compiler of the work known as "The History of Dutchess County," dating back from 1683 to 1882. On taking charge of the parish church of Dover Plains in 1859. Father Slevin set to work to secure by purchase the property now owned and occupied by the business
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Window of the Resurrection, naked my Mr. C. E. Syms, of New York, In Memory of Her Grandmother.
St. John's Church, Pawling, N. Y.
bank of the town. But soon after disposing of the lot of ground to considerable pecuniary advantage the site the church now oc- cupies was bought, and on it a handsome frame edifice was erected for divine worship and dedicated to God in the name of the pious St. Charles Borromeo, the patron and protector of young men preparing for the priesthood. South and west of the church, in the same lot, ground was surveyed and marked off for the burial of those dying in the Lord.
During the pastorate of Father Slevin the parish and the sur- rounding missions prospered greatly, to the satisfaction of all.
Prominent among the active workers in building and paying off the indebtedness may be mentioned with credit Mr. J. Whalen, Mr. M. Maher, Mr. P. Weatheral. Messrs. Richard and Thomas Barrett and Mr. T. Connell, at whose homes Mass was said frequently prior to the erection of the church. The attend- ance at Mass in the church greatly increased. numbers com- ing from the many neighboring out missions. Fond of rod and gun-a Nimrod-as well as a lover of a good horse, the active and sturdy priest. Father Slevin, remained in charge five or six years, until 1864. when he was retired on account of ill health, to the less arduous duties of St. Mary's Church, in Yonkers, vacated by the late Mgr. Preston. After serving fifteen years at the altar in St. Mary's the good priest was called to receive his reward in heaven. Next in order of succession to Father Slevin in Dover Plains and the neighbor- ing missions mentioned was the patient and kindly Father Or- senego, pastor at that time of Croton Falls in 1864. The mis- sions branching from the parish church of Croton Falls were numerous, and his missionary visitations to them were many. Mass was celebrated Sundays and week days, whenever con- venient, so that there could be no complaint in those far off places of the people being spiritually neglected. Tired of the strain en- dured by the care and laborious work of the distant missions, Father Orsenego was obliged to resign. £ Before retiring the goed father. we note as a fact, celebrated mass in Pawling and in Dover Plains. Soon after, in 1866, Rev. Father Tandy was sent from New York to Amenia, becoming resident pastor of that town. Dover Plains, Pawling. Millerton, Millbrook and Beek- man were connected as out missions from that point.
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Church Burned Down During Father Candy's Pastorate, but was soon Rebuilt
W ITH the arrival of Father Tandy as charge of affairs in the rearrangement of the missions, we begin now to tell more specifically of the beautiful village of Pawling, pleasantly situated sixty miles north of Greater New York. Father Orsenego, viekling the northern part of his extensive charges from fatigue and overwork, brought his closer attention to the spiritual wants of the people nearer to him, namely, those in Brewster. Katonah, Lake Mahopac and his own parish, Croton Falls.
Thus was accomplished in those days good work at much sac- rifice for the spiritual care of all. Being so obliged, as his prede- cessors had been before him, Father Tandy celebrated mass on al- ternate Sundays in the houses of his parishioners in Pawling. Locating purchasable property, Father Tandy secured the pres- ent site of the Catholic church on Main street, Pawling, from Mr. A. Arnold, where formerly stood the Methodist church, which was used as a day school for children. Shortly afterward, in the same year, 1800, the work of repair was begun on the old build- ing, and it was soon ready for occupancy, to the delight of the good people and their children. After mich sacrifice, repeated delays and great opposition from the outside, the work was finally accomplished and Mass could be celebrated in the Catholic Church. As precious metals are tried by fire to test their purity. so it may be said does God permit the trial of His own good law- abiding people to prove their deference to His own ends in His wondrous and mysterious ways.
Sad to relate. the proof of this test of the virtue of patience fell heavily and suddenly upon the people in 1872, when the church
in Pawling was totally destroyed by fire. Worse than all, some said that it was of incendiary origin. Not to be dismayed, however, by the severe tests of poverty and the machinations of men, the faithful gathered together again, still trusting in God. to begin the erection of another and handsomer Church. edifice. wherein all could worship. The indebtedness assumed by a handful of people amounted to $7.500, a burden indeed for honest people to pay. The condition of affairs at this critical period caused Cardinal MeClusky, on a visit to Pawling for visitation and confirmation at this particular time, to exclaim :- "How can it be possible for the few Catholics in Pawling to pay off the enormous debt?" But time and patience, with confidence in God, prove on all occasions of great help to the afflicted, who turn to the Great Comforter and place their trust in Ilim. Like his predecessors in the same trying work of looking after the exten- sive mission, Father Tandy, suffering greatly from strain of mind and body, was replaced in 1872 by the Rev. Father Healy, who for the first time became the resident pastor of the newly es- tablished parish of St. John the Evangelist in Pawling. Dover Plains and Beekman becoming by the change the out missions under his care. Even during this recent appointment trials be- gan immediately to beset the new incumbent.
Hard Times Found Big Debt on the Parish, But It has been Greatly Reduced.
A LONG with the individual discomforts of administering the new parish on limited capital, the country at large in 1872 was thrown into turmoil and financial trouble by the noted failure of Jay Cooke & Co. Hard times was the result of the panic, and it was difficult everywhere to obtain loans of money except on safe or gilt edged securities at exorbitant interest. People everywhere suffered by the strin- gency of money. Along with others Father Healy was found unable to meet the demands made upon him. Overwhelmed with the new parish church of Pawling, burdened by great debt and unable to meet payments, Father Healy resigned.
At this change of affairs the parish of Pawling again became a mission church and reverted to the care of Father Tandy, the pastor of Amenia. This sudden turn of affairs lasted for a short time only, when Father Tandy applied to his superiors for an assistant to help in the administration of the parish and mis- sions. Coming from St. Mary's Church, Poughkeepsie, the Rev. Father MeSwiggan, then acting as locum tenens dur- ing the absence of the Rev. Father McSweeney, was ap- pointed, and shortly afterward became resident pastor in 1877. Once again Dover Plains and Beekman or Sylvan Lake became attached to Pawling. Father McSwiggan taking up his resi- dence in the last named place as resident pastor. Under the good management of Father MeSwiggan and the co-operation of a willing people the debt was considerably decreased.
To the other arduous cares of a pastor must be added that of banker. To the credit of the good Father much work was accomplished by his personal labors as workman in
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Hon. J. H. Ketcham. M. C. Dover Plains, N. Y.
clearing the ground to prepare it properly for a cemetery. Father MeSwiggan, like every one of his predecessors, was obliged to relinquish his charge of Pawling to recuperate physi- cal good health. During his absence abroad Fathers Murphy, Haran and MeMullen managed the parochial affairs of the three missions of Pawling. Sylvan Lake and Dover Plains, and shortly afterward he was transferred to the pastorate of St. Joachim's Church in Matteawan, where in 1884 he yielded up his soul to God
Next on the stage of missionary life in the southeastern part of Dutchess county came the Rev. D. J. McCormick in 1884.
Promoted from the curacy of the pro-Cathedral of St. Patrick, in Mulberry street, New York. Father McCormick assumed the administration of the parish of Pawling and its mission, Dover Plains: Sylvan Lake and the Clove going to the care of Father McMullen. With no rectory or residence for Father Mc- Cormick in Pawling, he was obliged to board and lodge in the Dutcher House, making that hotel under the circumstances his home. By practical economy and good business tact, together with a lump sum of $1,000 from the estate of Mr. Murphy in cash, in addition to his precious savings, Father McCormick bought the present home of the priest in Pawling for $7,200. To secure a home for the resident priest was by all means necessary, and by the advice of Archbishop Corrigan he had done so, where the priest could hold council and do all that was necessary for the people without any feeling whatever of embarrassment. Two years after his appointment, in 1886, the rectory was purchased from the estate of Sandy Allen for the sum already mentioned. Of that amount Father McCormick, by thrift and tact, paid on ac- count $2,900, leaving $4,300 as an inheritance to be looked after by Father Sweeney, appointed by His Grace Archbishop Cor- rigan in 1880. Before going further in telling the story of the mission it may be well to state that the cemetery in Dover Plains was bought and paid for by Father McCormick and consecrated by Rev. Father Eagan, then Dean of Putnam and Dutchess coun- ties. Taking possession of the missions of Dover Plains and Pawling, Father Sweeney opened and closed a most successful fair that yielded the church in Pawling such results as to enable the good priest to make some repairs and pay off a floating debt of $300.
Incidents in the nine Years' Pastorate of Rev. Father George C. Donlin.
W ITH the remainder Father Sweeney began the building of Lyceum Ilall, which in due time was completed by his successor, Father George T. Donlin, in 1891. Coming to Pawling on the 10th of May of that year from St. Raphael's Church, West Fortieth street, New York city, the respective missions were handed over to his administration, and Father Donlin also inherited the same bequest of $4.300 that had been handed to his predecessor by Father McCormick. Now that we are moving to the end of this little narrative it is need- less to speak of the work accomplished by the present incum- bent, other than that the inheritance of $4,300 has been reduced and that the debt which now stands against the church in the Pawling Savings Bank is $2.600. Improvements made in both missions speak for themselves.
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