A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 131

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188

USA > New York > A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 131

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help .- On Janu- ary 14, 1894, the new Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was dedicated by Bishop Mc- Donnell. He was assisted by Very Rev. P. J. Mc Namara, V. G., Very Rev. James H. Mitch- ell, Chancellor of the Diocese, and a number of priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The mass was celebrated by Rev. John B. Daily, C. SS. R., and the sermon was preached by Rev. Francis Sigl, C. SS. R. On May 23d Father McInerney resigned the posi- tion of Superior, on account of ill health, and was succeeded by Father Dailey. On June 24th the six boys and ten girls who approached the altar on that day can "tell posterity that they had the honor to belong to the first band who made their first communion in the new

church." The Sunday-school, which opened on May 7th with forty-nine children, now numbers 550. The League of the Sacred Heart, established in December, 1895, numbers over 1,000 members. The community now consists of seven Fathers and two lay Broth- ers. It has become a missionary center, and some of the Fathers are constantly engaged, during the season, in giving missions.

St. Barbara .- A new parish for the Ger- mans, under the invocation of St. Barbara, was founded in 1893; the church is situated on Bleecker street, between Central and Ham- burg avennes. It was placed in charge of Rev. Isidore Wunch. The first mass was cele- brated in a small building 20 by 60 feet, which was subsequently used as a school room. Among the first members of this parish were Joseph Eppig, William Wolf and John Pope. The corner-stone of a temporary church was laid on August 27, 1893, by Bishop McDon- nell, assisted by Vicar General McNamara and Mgr. May, and it was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of the same year by Bishop McDonnell. A Mass was celebrated by Rev. Peter Dauffenbach, of Winfield, assisted by Rev. Henry Weitekamp as Deacon, Rev. George Kaupert, Subdeacon, and Rev. John Hanselmann as Master of Ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Rev. John B. Zent- graf. Immediately after the mass the Rt. Rev. Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a large number of children. The new church is a neat Gothic frame build- ing with a front of forty-five feet on Bleecker street and a depth of ninety-five feet on Cen- tral avenne, with a seating capacity of 600. Father Wunch has a school of 600 children, in charge of thirteen Sisters of St. Dominic.

Church of the Immaculate Heart .- In Oc- tober, 1893, Bishop McDonnell called the Rev. James J. McAteer, an assistant at St. Agnes' Church, to the pastorate of a new church to be erected in the neighborhood of Windsor Terrace. The new parish was to be formed of parts of the parishes of the Holy

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

Name, Flatbush, and St. Rose of Lima, Park- ville. A plot of ground was secured near Ocean Parkway, and preparations were being made for the erection of a church. In the meantime Father McAteer celebrated mass in a hall at No. 38 Vanderbilt street, Windsor Terrace .. At the first mass Father McAteer announced that he had a larger congregation than assembled at the first mass in St. Agnes' parish fifteen years before. The church was placed under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Father McAteer set to work at once to secure funds for the erection of his church ; a fair given for the purpose was very successful, and in a short time ground was broken and the new church commenced. The corner-stone was laid September 26th. The edifice is 106 by 42 feet in dimensions, with a tower seventy feet high. The building will accommodate about 600. The congregation now numbers 1,200, and the church property is valued at $35,000. The Sunday-school is attended by 200 children. Father McAteer is assisted by the Rev. William T. Conklin.

St. Mark's .- In the year 1893 a new church dedicated to St. Mark, the Evangelist, was opened at Sheepshead Bay, now East Four- teenth street and Sheepshead Bay road. It was intended to accommodate the summer guests who lingered around the popular resort until late in September. The place had been visited by the priest long before this, how- ever, for as far back as 1861 we find that Father James Moran ministered to the people in this vicinity. Mass was celebrated in a little old building on the Bay road, erected by subscription. Mrs. Ellen McMahon, a con- vert, gave the ground. There were then only three Catholic families on the place, Messrs. Matthew Healy, John Boyle and a Mr. Dooley. Mrs. Ellen Johnson, who afterward married Mr. John McMahon, also became a parish- ioner. After Father Moran, the place was vis- ited by Revs. Michael Moran, William Do- herty, Thomas O'Reilly and James McKiver- kin, who officiated at Sheepshead Bay until

1889. The old church, which was 30 by 20 feet in dimensions, was destroyed by fire. The new St. Mark's Church was built by Rev. J. J. Hefferman, who attended the mission and be- came resident pastor in 1889. It is a very pretty frame structure, 100 by 40 feet, with a neat rectory adjoining. The new church was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McDonnell on Sunday, August 20, 1893. The sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. John J. Keane, D. D., rector of the Catholic University at Washington. The mass was celebrated by the Rev. John M. Keily. Father Hefferman is still pastor (1901). He has a regular congrega- tion of 500 or 600 people, but this number is largely increased during the summer months. He has also a flourishing Sunday-school, at- tended by some 200 children.

St. Simon and St. Jude .- On Sunday, Oc- tober 23, 1893, Bishop McDonnell laid the corner-stone of the new Church of St. Simon and St. Jude, Van Sicklen street and Avenue T, of which the Rev. William A. Gardiner is Pastor. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Donohue, Rector of the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas. Before starting the work Father Gardiner held a fair in the town hall at Gravesend, which proved a great suc- cess and gave him a handsome sum with which to start the erection of a church. He now has a neat little church, with a seating capacity of about 600.

St. Aloysius' .- On Tuesday, May 30, 1893, Bishop McDonnell had the happiness of dedicating the new Church of St. Aloysius, for the German Catholics residing in the vicin- ity of Onderdonk avenue and Stanhope street. The Pastor is the Rev. John W. Hauptman. After the dedication Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Anthony Arnold, with Rev. Joseph Hauber, Deacon, and Rev. P. Dauffen- bach as Subdeacon. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Michael May, V. G. Father Hauptman has devoted all his energies to the advancement of his people, and he now has a very handsome church, and a school of over

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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON LONG ISLAND.

500 children, under the care of thirteen Sisters · of St. Dominic. The number of parishioners now is nearly 3,000, in the spiritual care of whom Father Hauptman is assisted by Rev. Joseph Buser.

St. Finbar .- The Catholics of Bath Beach go back to the early 'eighties for the founda- tion of their parish. As the name of their church implies, the first Catholics in this vi- cinity were Irish, for St. Finbar was an Irish saint. The old church was a very modest edi- fice, which gave way in 1893 to a renovated St. Finbar's and a church property valued at $25,000. Under the pastorship of the Rev. Hugh B. Ward (1893) the old church was enlarged to nearly twice its former dimensions and the entire building was turned around so that it now faces entirely on Bay Twentieth street. Mass was celebrated for the first time in the new church on Sunday, June 25, 1893, and the good people of the parish contributed very generously out of their limited means for the completion of their church. In January, 1894, Father Ward was promoted to the pas- toral charge of St. Malachi's Church, East New York, and was succeeded at Bath Beach by the Rev. Andrew J. O'Rourke, who had been pastor of St. Agnes' Church, Greenport. The church will accommodate about 300 per- sons. Father O'Rourke is still in charge. Some eighty children attend the Sunday- school.

St. Francis of Assisi .- The growth of Catholicity in Brooklyn does not seem to be confined to any part of the city. New parishes are constantly springing up in every direction, and when we consider that 500,000 Catholics are to be provided for in the diocese it does not seem at all surprising that its Bishop is kept busy laying corner-stones and dedicating churches. Thus it came to pass that in the portion of the Twenty-ninth Ward bounded by the parishes of St. Teresa's, St. Matthew's and the Church of the Holy Cross, it became necessary to build another church. The site chosen was at Nostrand avenue and Lincoln

road, and the erection of that church was en- trusted, in May, 1898, to the Rev. Francis Ludeke, who had long been an assistant to the Rev. Martin Carroll, at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. Father Ludeke repaired at once to the scene of his new labors, and on August 28, 1898, Bishop McDonnell laid the corner-stone of the new Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The destruction of the little church on Putnam avenue, which will always be iden- tified with the memory of "Dear Old Father Bulleis," left Brooklyn without a church under the patronage of the Seraphic Doctor. Father Ludeke deserves credit for his choice of a patron. It serves two purposes: it gives his people a holy patron and it helps to perpetuate the memory of good old Father Bulleis. Fa- ther Ludeke's task was not an easy one,-no priest's is when he starts to build a church, -- but the great St. Francis, the apostle of hu- mility and of holy poverty, did not forsake him, and on Sunday, October 22, Bishop Mc- Donnell came to dedicate the new church. Father Ludeke had many friends at St. Vin- cent de Paul's, and they did not forget him in his new field ; nor was his own congregation slow to appreciate his worth. The result may be seen to-day in the handsome church, val- ued at $35,000, with its growing congregation, now numbering some 900 persons. Father Ludeke is assisted by Rev. Thomas J. Mulvey. The Sunday-school is attended by nearly 200 children.

St. Mary of Angels .- The Lithuanian par- ish of St. Mary of Angels was started on De- cember 25, 1895, on Grand street, in a build- ing that had been a Methodist Church, then a court room and next a skating rink. Later on the Rev. George W. Mundelein, now Chan- cellor of the diocese, secured old Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was soon remodeled and dedicated by Bishop McDonnell in October, 1899. After a connection with the parish of some three months Father Mun- delein was transferred to another field. Father Vincent Krawezunas had charge of the parish

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

until October 12, 1898, when he succumbed to pulmonary trouble. He did much to unite his people and advance the interests of the church, and his death was deeply deplored. He was succeeded by the Rev. Anthony Mi- lukes, and he gave way in time to the Rev. Vincent Varnagiris, the present Pastor. The church is now a very creditable building and is well attended, but it had to pass through many trying ordeals to reach its present pros- perity. As we have seen, its beginnings were humble enough, for part of the time mass had to be celebrated in a hall over a store. Then came the unsavory administration of the Rev. Judyzius, who gave no end of trouble to his Bishop and to his people; but the Queen of Angels guided her devoted children out of their difficulties, and to-day the church has an attendance estimated at 2,000 people.

The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, corner of Ninth and Prospect avenues, was founded in 1878, by the Rev. Thomas S. O'Reilly. The first mass was celebrated in a stable at Eighteenth street and Eleventh ave- nue. About 100 persons were present, among whom were Messrs. S. Donovan, P. Reigan, P. McGovern, Thomas Wall, S. Bannon and H. Corrigan. The present church is 84 by 96 feet in dimensions, with a congregation of over 2,000. It was founded March 17, 1898. In 1885 Father O'Reilly built a school-house, 40 by 98 feet, which is now attended by nearly 500 children, under the care of six Sisters of St. Joseph. Father O'Reilly has a congrega- tion not over-blessed with this world's goods, but they have done much with the little they have. They have built a fine church and school and are encumbered with a comparatively small debt. Father O'Reilly is assisted in his work by the Rev. John McEnroe.

St. Elias'-Greek Uniate,-On Leonard street, Greenpoint, just in the rear of St. Anthony's Church, is a neat frame church, 100 by 30 feet in dimensions. It is surmounted by a steeple, at the top of which is a cross with three cross pieces. This indicates that

the church belongs to the Greek rite, though in communion with the Catholic Church and subject to the Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn. It is known as the Greek Catholic Church of St. Elias. The congregation was formed Jan- uary 1, 1891, and the first mass was celebrated in St. Bridgid's Church, New York, through the courtesy of the Rev. Dr. McSweeney; there were about fifty persons present. In the course of time the congregation moved to Greenpoint. The first Pastor was the Rev. Alexander Sereghy. He was succeeded con- secutively by Rev. Nicholas Sztoczovich, the Rev. Eugene Wolkay and the Rev. Vladimir Deak. The present pastor is the Rev. Theo- dore Damijanovich, who has done very good work among his people during his pastorate. He has a parochial school, attended by some sixty children, and a Sunday-school attended by about 700 children.

The Italian Churches .- The Italian popula- tion of Brooklyn has grown very rapidly within the last ten years, and it soon became evident that means must be provided for them to attend to their religious duties and to guard them against neglecting attendance at church because of a want of knowledge of the En- glish language. Bishop Loughlin and Bishop McDonnell have both taken a deep interest in a people who are destined before very long to be a very important factor in our popula- tion. Care has been taken to place all priests educated in Rome in districts in which there is an Italian population. Then, too, Italian priests have been received into the diocese of Brooklyn that they might labor among their countrymen. Besides these, a band of Italian Lazarist Missionaries have taken up their resi- dence in Brooklyn and are engaged in giving missions and retreats to the Italians, not only in churches strictly of their own nationality, but in all parishes having a considerable Ital- ian attendance. At St. Patrick's Church, Kent avenue, for instance, there are 3,000 Italians receiving the ministrations of the reverend clergy attached to this church. The Rev. Dr.

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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON LONG ISLAND.

William J. White devotes himself almost en- until other arrangements could be made for their accommodation. The church was then situated where the school now stands. Dur- ing the same year Father Saponara moved with his people to the school hall of the Ger- ity of which the Italian colony in the Eastern District had settled. tirely to Italians, and his services are grate- fully appreciated by them. He has within the last year opened a kindergarten school for the little children, and it is growing rapidly. There is another kindergarten connected with St. . man Church of the Annunciation, in the vicin- James' pro-Cathedral, established some years ago under the direction of the Rev. William B. Farrell. Bishop McDonnell has manifested quite an interest in the educational and indus- trial advancement of the Italian colony in Brooklyn. In November, 1894, he directed Father Pasquale De Nisco to open an indus- trial school in his parish and furnished the means for starting the work. He was anxious that Italian children should be brought up with a thorough knowledge of American institu- tions. He wanted their minds broadened and that they should learn the English language. Classism was to be a thing of the past and true American citizenship the only thing to be thought of. The school was placed under the direction of the Salesian Sisters.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, at the corner of Laurence and Tillory streets, was founded in 1891. The edifice was orig- inally a Presbyterian Church. In 1880 the Polish Catholics purchased it from the Pres- byterians and dedicated it to God under the invocation of St. Casimir. In 1891 they sold it to the Italians, and Father Serafino Santi be- came its first Italian pastor, and he placed it under the invocation of St. Michael the Arch- angel. In May, 1893, the Rev. G. Garofalo assumed pastoral charge. The church is a frame structure, with brick basement, and a seating capacity of about 300.

The congregation of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel owes its start to the courtesy of the reverend clergy of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, on Montrose avenue. In 1887 the Rev. Peter Saponara arrived from Italy and was appointed by the late Bishop Loughlin to take up his residence at the pas- toral house of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity and to organize an Italian congrega- tion which was to worship in that church 54

In June of the same year he accepted the hospitality of Father Carroll, at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. In the meantime every effort was made to purchase ground and build a church for the Italians. Finally a suitable location was found and a lot was pur- chased on North Eighth street, near Haver- meyer street, for $3,000; but, as a more eligi- ble site was found to be available on North Eighth street and Union avenue, the lot was sold for $5,000. The new site was secured, but it was only after numerous difficulties had been overcome that Father Saponara was able to invite Bishop Loughlin to lay the corner- stone for his new church. This occurred on July 31, 1887. It was dedicated on November 20, 1887. The Italians were poor and unac- customed, in their own country, to contribute to the erection of churches, as the government there does all the church building. Still, under the guidance of their good pastor, they perse- vered, and soon the congregation of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel num- bered 2,000 souls. Two masses were said: every Sunday and holy day for their accom- modation, but as their numbers increased rap- idly it soon became necessary to have four- masses said on these days. Three years later a neat rectory was built, and Father Saponara saw his congregation still growing until now it numbers 10,000. Five hundred children at- tend Sunday-school. Father Saponara has now an assistant, and still continues to do all he can for his people. They are gradually growing to understand American methods, and in time they will learn the advantages of build- ing and supporting their own churches and charitable institutions.

The Church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND

and Mary owes its origin, in a great measure, to the Rev. Father Joseph Fransioli. This de- voted priest, seeing the necessity for having a church in which the Italians of the southern part of the city might hear sermons and re- ceive instruction in their own language, in 1882 rented a hall on Warren street for this purpose, and, with Bishop Loughlin's consent, placed it in charge of Rev. Father Defini, who after a brief period was succeeded by Rev. John Baptist Volpe. After a year's trial it was found that another location was more de- sirable and the mission was moved to No. 30 President street, a site formerly occupied by the Protestant Evangelical Italian Society, and which Father Fransioli purchased for his peo- ple and placed under the care of Father Pac- casson.

But Father Fransioli had something more than a mere mission station in his mind. In 1884, while in Kome, he called upon the Fa- thers of the Society of Pious Missions and in- duced them to send a priest to Brooklyn to take charge of the Italian parish it was his intention to found. In the same year, 1884, Rev. Pasquale De Nisco, of the Society, ar- rived in Brooklyn, and under the direction of Father Fransioli two lots, Nos. 37 and 39, were purchased, and the corner-stone of the present church was laid by Bishop Loughlin in 1885. This church, though inadequate to meet the wants of the growing congrega- tion, has nevertheless realized the hopes of good old Father Fransioli. Father De Nisco has been followed by other priests of the So- ciety of Pious Missions, until now it requires three Fathers to minister to the Italian popu- lation of that parish. The present pastor is Rev. John B. Vogel, who is assisted by Rev. Valentino Marino and Rev. John Corcoran. In 1892, as has already been stated, Rt. Rev. Bishop McDonnell purchased a building at Van Brunt and President streets, which had been used as a Protestant church, and con- verted it into a school for Italian children. It is now attended by 550 children, under the

care of eleven Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The attendance at school would be three times as large if accommodations could be provided for then.

The Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Powell street, between Liberty and East New York avenues, is the fourth church in Brooklyn for the use of Italians. The structure was originally a hall used by the Salvation Army. In June, 1896, Father Stephen Gesualdi, an energetic young Franciscan, was assigned by Bishop McDonnell to form a new parish. He secured this hall, enlarged it and otherwise changed it until now it presents the appearance of a Greek cross, 30 by 100 feet in dimensions, and its estimated value is set down at $10,000. It is neatly furnished, has oak pews and a beautiful altar, the gift of the German congre- gation of the Church of the Annunciation. The first mass in the renovated edifice was sung on June 29, 1896, by the Rev. John M. Han- selmann, rector of St. Benedict's Church, as- sisted by the Rev. Hugh Hand as Deacon and Rev. G. Garofalo as Subdeacon. The ser- mon was preached by Rev. Assunto Faiticher, C. M., of the Mission House, Rome. Father Gesualdi has labored most energetically for the spiritual advancement of his countrymen. He is a young man, who came to this country in 1891. His first work was as assistant to Father Saponara, with whom he remained until appointed by Bishop McDonnell to the charge of the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.

St. Rose of Lima .- The parish of St. Rose of Lima (Parkville) was founded in 1870, by the Rev. Michael J. Moran, now rector of the Church of the Nativity, Brooklyn. The cor- ner-stone was laid by the Very Rev. John F. Turner, V. G., on Sunday, August 21. It was a simple but very neat structure, and was dedicated by Bishop Loughlin on Sunday, No- vember 27, 1870. The pastor is the Rev. J. McAleese.

The parish of St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, at Bensonhurst, was founded in 1888. The first mass was said by Rev. J. McAleese, of

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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON LONG ISLAND.

Parkville, in a vacant house (now occupied as a drug store) at the corner of Twenty-sec- ond avenue and Eighty-sixth street. Mass continued to be said in this house until 1892. On June 26th of that year the Rev. Charles Wightman, who is now rector of the church, laid the corner-stone of a new edifice, pri- vately. There is no record of any ceremony. The church was built and had been in use some time prior to the advent of Bishop Mc- Donnell to the diocese, but it was never for- mally blessed or dedicated. On the day it was first opened for divine service, however, a Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Daniel F. Cherry, assistant at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, with Rev. James F. Melia as Deacon and Rev. Edward Duffy as Subdeacon. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. M. T. Killahy, rector of St. Stephen's Church.

St. Michael's .- The number of German Catholics in the town of New Lots, East New York, had been steadily growing for several years, and the need of a church for their ac- commodation was keenly felt, but it was not until January 25, 1860, that Father Philip Albrecht, Pastor of St. Benedict's Church, felt that he would take steps to provide one for this portion of his flock. He called a meet- ing of the more prominent German Catholics of the region and submitted to them his plan for the erection of a church for their use. At this meeting fifty of the best German families were represented, and they at once decided to give Father Albrecht all the assistance in their power. With the consent of Bishop Loughlin four lots were purchased on John street between Liberty and Atlanta avenues, and work was commenced. So rapidly did this work progress that the corner-stone of the new St. Michael's Church was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Loughlin on April 18, 1860.

The Germans are always very prudent, and that prudence manifested itself in the erec- tion of St. Michael's. The building was small, 40x30 feet, a plain frame structure, sur-

mounted by a modest steeple. By the 3d of June, 1860, it was dedicated by Bishop Lough- lin and placed under the invocation of St. Michael, the Archangel, and on the following Palm Sunday a bell was blessed and placed in the steeple. The Rev. Charles Peine became the first Pastor of this congregation. The church records show that the first marriage oc- curred on July 8, 1860, and the first baptism on August 6, 1860. Father Peine soon de- voted himself to the care of the young lambs of his flock, and on May 12, 1861, nine boys and three girls made their first communion in his new church. On Palm Sunday of the following year the Stations of the Cross were hung around the church. In February, 1863, Father Peine was succeeded by the Rev. Cyril Zielinski, who in June of that year invited the Rev. Father Laufhuber, S. J., to give a Mis- sion to his people. This Mission was at- tended with the most consoling results.

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A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 131

Author: Ross, Peter. cn Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1188

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188