A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 133

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 133

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WINFIELD AND ITS EARLY OUT MISSIONS.

It was here that appeared the first dawn of the faith in northwestern Long Island. In 1854 a Mr. Anderson presented to Bishop

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Loughlin two lots with the understanding that they should be used for church purposes. They were accepted and the Church of St. Mary, Help of Christians, was erected during the fol- lowing year. The priests in charge of this church established missions at Maspeth, Green- point, Laurel Hill, Middle Village, Dutch Kills, Corona and Hicksville, all of which were attended as opportunity offered, and nearly all of which are independent parishes today. Rev. Joseph Brunnemann, as we have seen, took charge of the new parish and founded St. An- thony's parish, Greenpoint.

Rev. Theodore Ignatius Goetz, a French Alsacian, ordained in Strasburg, in 1855, after spending some years as professor in the Ecclesiastical Seminary of his native Diocese, came to America, offered his services to Bishop Loughlin, and was accepted. He was a man of great learning, self-sacrificing and of extra- ordinary prudence. To this day his name is held in veneration even by those who have not always been remarkable for the charity with which they have spoken of their pastors. He established several mission stations and gave them constant attention at a time when Long Island did not possess the means of transporta- tion it possesses today. While attending Hicksville, on one of his visits, he was nearly killed by a railroad accident. His labors ex- tended over a vast field and were attended with no little hardship, but they did not pre- vent him from meeting in controversy those not of his faith and who were willing to hear him, and he has the happiness of effecting the conversion of the Rev. Ignatius Zeller, then pastor of the Lutheran Church at Mas- peth, and the Rev. O. Schnurrer, also a Lu- theran minister of the neighborhood, and who subsequently became editor of the Orphan's Friend, published at Columbus, Ohio.

After ten years of hard labor as pastor of St. Raphael's Church, Laurel Hill, Father Goetz died, on February 8, 1879, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, near the scene of his trials and triumphs. The old grave-

diggers in Calvary point out his grave, and with hat in hand speak of his virtues with pious veneration. Strange to say, his succes- sor was Father Ignatius Zeller, the Luther- an minister above alluded to, who had in the meantime studied Catholic theology and be- came a Catholic priest. His work in the Dio- cese of Brooklyn has been frequently referred to in this book. He soon introduced the Sisters of St. Dominic to assist him in the work of teaching the young. He attended at the same time outlying missions, where improvements were in contemplation, when that terrible "Black Friday," which scattered so many hopes with its blighting influence, made itself felt in this small, out-of-the-way place and put a stop to Father Zeller's plan.

In 1868 the church, school and rectory were destroyed by fire. Fortunately they were fully insured. In 1875 he was succeeded at Win- field by the Rev. John McElhinney, and he in turn was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. Peter Dauffenbach, and upon the transfer of the latter to the rectorship of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Brooklyn, he was succeeded by Rev. M. Schneider, the present Pastor.

St. Rita, Ravenswood .- The first Mass was said in Ravenswood as far back as 1833, by Rev. Father Phelan. The present Church of St. Rita, on the Boulevard between Webster and Washington avenues, was commenced on Nov. 4, 1894, by Rev. Wm. J. McGuire. For some months Mass was said in -a store owned by Patrick Fitzgerald, and later on in a hall on Hancock street. Ground for a church building was broken in March, 1900, by the Rev. Thomas F. McGronen; and the corner- stone was laid on April 22, 1900, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McDonnell. Among the promin- ent laymen present at this ceremony were Hon. John P. Madden, the late Patrick Jerome Gleason, former Mayor of Long Island City, and Francis D. Thorne, Esq. On August 6 Mass was said for the first time in the new building by the Rev. Thomas F. McGronen, the unsafe condition of the hall above referred

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to having made it necessary to use the church before it was ready for dedication. The new church, 45 feet by 105 feet, was dedicated by Bishop McDonnell on Sept. 6, 1900. St. Rita's is an out-mission attended from St. Patrick's Church.

St. Patrick's, Dutch Kills .- In 1868 Father Goetz, pastor of St. Raphael's Church, Laurel Hill, near Blissville, founded the present St. Patrick's parish, at Dutch Kills (as an out- mission from Laurel Hill), at the corner of Henry and William streets. The original church was a modest frame building 25 feet by 60 feet, and no corner-stone was laid. In 1870 the church was moved to Crescent street, be- tween Wilbur and Payntar avenues, and an addition built, which made the church cruci- form. It was dedicated by Bishop Loughlin. In the fall of 1889 the church was partly de- stroyed by fire. In the spring of 1898 the present handsome brick church, 80 feet by 135 feet, was begun, the Rev. Thomas F. M. Mc- Gronen turning the first sod. The corner- stone was laid Sept. 15, 1898, by Bishop Mc- Donnell, assisted by Rt. Rev. Mgr. McNam- ara. The sermon was preached by Rev. P. I. O'Hare. The dedication of this church took place Sept. 9, 1899, Bishop McDonnell of- ficating. A new rectory was completed and occupied on March 17, 1901. Father McGron- en, though a young man, has accomplished a grand work in the few years of his pastorate.

St. Patrick's Church, Glen Cove, dates back to 1856, when the Rev. Patrick Kelly said the first Mass in this place, in a hall, in the presence of some' fifty persons, among whom were Thomas McCormack and John Carroll. The first baptism dates back to March 30, 1856. Among the old tomb stones in the graveyard may be found those of Thomas Higgins and Andrew McGery, pio- neer Catholics of Glen Cove. The original church was 60 feet by 30 feet. In 1876 the Rev. James McEnroe enlarged and otherwise improved it. Father McEnroe became Pas- tor on Nov. I, 1858, and continued to minister

to the faithful of Glen Cove for nearly forty years. He is now Pastor of the Church of the Holy Rosary, Brooklyn. The present Pas- tor of St. Patrick's is Rev. Bernard O'Reilly.

St. Fidelis', College Point .- The history of this parish goes back to 1856, when College Point was known as Strattonport. In that year the Rev. Joseph Huber was sent to open a new church. There was not much to en- courage him, but he set himself to work with a will and continued to labor here until his death. which occurred on January 1, 1889, at the age of sixty years. He was one of the veteran priests of the Brooklyn Diocese, and was al- ways known as a quiet and unobtrusive work- er. He was succeeded by the Rev. Ambrose Schumack, C. PP. S., the present incumbent. The present church will seat between 700 and 800 persons, and the parish numbers some I,- 300 souls. A fine school, attended by 125 boys and IIo girls, is conducted by six Sisters of St. Dominic. The entire church property is estimated to be worth some $100,000, on which there is merely a nominal debt.

Our Lady of Loretto, Hempstead .- The first Mass said in Hempstead was in 1849, in the house of Mr. Powers. Before that time the people had to walk across the great Hemp- stead Plains to Westbury, and then they were sure of Mass only once a month. The congre- gation was very small, and the priest, Father McKenna, came from Jamaica.

In 1851 the Catholics living in the terri- tory now comprised within the limits of Nas- sau County held a meeting and resolved to build a church in a central location. West- bury was chosen and a very humble frame structure, valued at $200, was erected. In 1853 a church was built. It is now used as a rectory by the Pastor at Westbury. In 1861 Rev. James McEnroe, now Pastor of the Church of the Holy Rosary in Brooklyn, at- tended the church from Glen Cove. In 1872 the Rev. Eugene McSherry was appointed to Westbury, but made Hempstead his residence. The present Church of Our Lady of Loretto

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was built by him and it was dedicated by Bish- op Loughlin. The money subscribed for the building of the church came largely from the Irish laborers then employed on the water- works and in laying out Garden City. They at first purchased a large house and some out buildings. Among these buildings was one that had been used as a Baptist meeting-house, and it was in "an upper room" of this building that the first parochial Mass was said, by the Rev. Eugene McSherry. The following year additions were made to this building. On June 22, 1872, the corner-stone of the present church was laid. It is a beautiful edifice and is said to have cost $15,000.

Father McSherry died in 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. Peter Kearney. He was succeeded alternately by Rev. Peter Plunkett, Rev. J. J. McCusker, Rev. Robert Boyce, and finally the Rev. William B. Farreil, the present Pastor. In spite of many difficul- ties, Father Farrell has greatly improved the appearance of the church. He has devoted himself to the moral and intellectual improve- ment of his people, and during the recent Spanish war he was unremitting in his minis- trations to the soldiers encamped upon the plains and within the limits of his parish.

The following parishes are the outgrowth of the mustard seed planted in Hempstead: Westbury, Mineola, Hyde Park, Queens, Rockville Centre and Freeport. This shows the wonderful growth of Catholicity in this portion of the island in twenty-five years. Freeport is an out-mission of Hempstead and is attended by Father Farrell. The Church of the Holy Redeemer was founded in 1899.

St. Margaret's, Middle Village .- Quite a German population began to settle around Middle Village in 1858 and they have become quite numerous now. Many of the early Ger- man settlers were buried in the Lutheran Cemetery near by, the Catholics having no burial places of their own at that time.

In 1862 St. Margaret's Church was found- ed. It was at first attended from Winfield

by the Rev. Ignatius Theodore Goetz. In 1863 this church was attended by the Rev. J. M. Decker, of St. Michael's Church, East New York. The present Pastor is the Rev. Francis O. Siegelack. The parochial school is under the care of six Dominican Sisters. The church will seat about 300 persons, and the property is valued at about $25,000, with little or no debt upon it. Besides the church property there is a very large and well situated cemetery known as St. John's, and which is destined at no distant day to rival Calvary and Holy Cross Cemeteries. Between sixty and seventy acres are now under improvement and Bishop McDonnell is having this laid out and the roads macadamized, so that St. John's will soon become the Catholic Cemetery of Brooklyn.

St. Mary's Church, Long Island City, was founded in 1868, by the Rev. John Crimmins. The first Mass was said in an old public-school house on Sixth street. There were about fifty persons present, among whom were Justice Madden, James Dennen, M. Smith and Joseph Tusil.

The original church was 45 feet by 90 feet in dimensions. Rev. John McGuire, who be- came Pastor on Jan. 1, 1879, enlarged and im- proved the church, but in 1893 a fire destroyed both church and school. Father McGuire im- mediately went to work to rebuild his church, and in 1899 he improved the new church and it may be said with truth that he built this church twice. The school destroyed by fire was a four-story and basement building, 95 feet by 50 feet ; and a new building is now in course of erection. In 1897 Father McGuire opened a new lyceum building for young men on Fifth street, and had it dedicated by Bish- op McDonnell.

In 1891 St. John's Hospital was founded. In 1896 the corner-stone of a new and much larger hospital was laid. It is conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and will accommo- date 150 patients. Patients are admitted re- . gardless of race or religion. Father McGuire

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has done a great work at Long Island City, and it is appreciated by all classes.

St. Stanislaus', Maspeth. - In January, 1872, the Rev. Ignatius Zeller was deputed to establish a new parish at Maspeth, which was to be detached from Winfield. The first Mass was said in the new church. From 600 to 800 persons were present, among whom were ex- Police Justice Francis McKenna and ex-Sena- tor Edward Fagan. In June, 1872, the Rev. John McElhinney was appointed Pastor. He improved the church and built a rectory. Rev. John Baxter was Pastor from 1877 to 1880, when Father Malone came, and ministered to the parish until Dec. 17, 1881, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. X. Pauletigi. The pres- ent Pastor is Rev. Joseph A. Bennett. The congregation now numbers some 1,300, and the church property is estimated to be worth about $10,000.

St. Aloysius', Great Neck-Great Neck was for a time a dependency of Roslyn, and in February, 1876, the Rev. P. F. Sheridan, Pastor of the latter place, founded the Church of St. Aloysius at Great Neck. The first Mass was said in the new church on May 20, 1876. About 100 persons were present, among whom were Hon. Wm. R. Grace, John Chester, John Ryan, P. Regan, William Shea and others. In 1896 tlie church was enlarged from 45 feet by 30 feet to 60 feet by 30 feet. The succession of Pastors is as follows: Rev. P. F. Sheri- dan, from 1876 to 1880; Rev. Edward J. Smith, from April 25, 1880, to 1898; and the Rev. Daniel F. Cherry, the present incum- bent.

St. Ignatius', Hicksville .- In 1859 the Rev. Joseph Huber, of Strattenport, was sent to or- ganize a new mission at Hicksville. The corner-stone was laid on Aug. 31, of that year, on the site of the present church. The ground was donated by Adolph Pasker. Father Theo- dore I. Goetz was the first resident Pastor. He was succeeded by Revs. Casper Miller, Joseph Huber and L. Schneider. Very Rev. Lawrence Fuchs, V. F., the present Pastor,

took charge on Sept. 1, 1872. Under his care the congregation has grown and the church property has been improved. On May 12, 1891, the corner-stone of a new edifice, 40 feet by 96 feet and surmounted by a spire 110 feet high, was laid by Bishop Loughlin, and on December 15, 1891, it was dedicated. The older building has been remodeled and other- wise improved and turned into a parochial school. Father Fuchs is held in high esteem by his people. He is one of the Rural Deans of the Diocese.

St. Benedict Joseph, Morris Park .- The first parish founded by Bishop McDonnell on Long Island was at Morris Park (Clarence- ville). It was placed under the patronage of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, and the Rev. Will- iam J. McGuire was its first Pastor. Some time in August, 1892, Bishop McDonnell pur- chased a number of city lots at a moderate price for a church site and the new church was: dedicated on Oct. 8, 1892, by Bishop McDon- nell. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. A. P. Doyle, C. S. P. Father McGuire labored hard to raise the necessary means to start his church and God rewarded his efforts. When removed to a more responsible cure he was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick J. Fahey, the present Pastor. The parish was formerly a part of St. Monica's.

Church of the Holy Ghost, New Hyde Park .- In 1893 the Catholics of Hyde Park, under the pastoral care of Rev. Thomas F. Mc- Gronen, began to think of having a house of worship of their own. In August of that year, they raised $1,500. This amount steadily in- creased until May, 1854, when Bishop McDon- nell laid the corner-stone of the new Church of the Holy Ghost. On August 15 of the same year a very pretty church edifice was dedicated by Bishop McDonnell. The sermon was preached in Polish by Rev. Father Leo. The church commands an imposing site on the Jericho turnpike. The interior is in Gothic style. It is 40 feet by 67 feet in dimensions and will seat 420 persons. It is heated with

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hot air, and is lighted by seven stained-glass windows on each side. The altars, pews and windows were presented by the Church of St. John the Baptist, Brooklyn, and the organ by Father Zeller, of Jamaica. The present Pastor is the Rev. Thomas Videnz. Over 100 chil- dren attend a school conducted by the Sisters of St. Dominic.

St. Joachim's, Cedarhurst .- In September, 1893, ground was broken for a new church at Cedarhurst. It was placed in charge of the Rev. Patrick McKenna, of Hewlett's Station, and on Oct. 24 following, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop McDonnell, assisted by Vicar General McNamara, Rev. John I. Bennett, Secretary to Bishop McDonnell and the Rev. Pastor. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. Hill, Rector of St. Paul's, Brooklyn. The church was dedicated in June, 1894, by Bishop McDonnell, and the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. James H. McGean, Pastor of old St. Peter's, New York. The church was destroyed by lightning on July 12, 1899 and rebuilt in 1900. Father McKenna still at- tends St. Joseph's Church, Hewlett's, but has for some years past resided at Cedarhurst, where he has the gratification of seeing his congregation rapidly increasing under his fos- tering care.

St. Joseph's, Hewlett's .- In 1871 the seven- teen Catholics gathered together in and near Hewlett's and formed themselves into a con- gregation and for nine months heard Mass said by Father Doris in the house of Mr. Dan- iel Longworth, who later on donated a plot of ground on Broadway, upon which, in May, 1872, the corner-stone of the present St. Jo- seph's Church was laid by Bishop Loughlin. The new church was dedicated in May of the same year.

St. Mary's, Roslyn .- St. Mary's Church, Bryant avenue, Roslyn, was founded by the Rev. Father O'Donnell in the latter part of the '6os. In November, 1872, the Rev. P. F. Sheridan became Pastor, and during the four years of his pastorate lie improved the church

and built the rectory adjoining the church. Father Sheridan died in May, 1876, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mortimer C. Brennan. The parish grew, in the meantime, so that some of its out-missions were detached and formed with separate parishes. In July, 1886, the Rev. N. J. Doran became pastor. On the death of Rev. Dr. Mitchell, in 1898, he was transferred to St. Stephen's, Brooklyn, and was succeeded here by Rev. Myles J. O'Reilly, in July, 1898. The present Pastor is Rev. M. J. Hogan.

St. Sebastian's, Woodside .- By the year 1894 the Catholic population of Woodside had so far increased as to warrant the erection of a church of their own. Up to this time they were obliged to go to Blissville or Winfield to hear Mass on Sundays and holy days. The organization of the new parish was entrusted by Bishop McDonnell to Rev. Edward W. Gannon, one of the assistants at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Brooklyn. Father Gan- . non set to work at once to collect funds for the erection of his new church. A tract of land was bought in one of the most desirable parts of the town, and on June 14, 1896, he had the happiness of having his church dedi- cated by Bishop McDonnell. The church will accommodate some 800 people.

.Church of the Sacred Heart, Bayside .- The corner-stone of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Bayside was laid on Sunday, Sept. I, 1895, by Very Rev. P. J. McNamara, V. G. It is a neat frame structure of Gothic archi- tecture, and together with the parochial resi- dence the church property is valued at some $18,000. The Pastor is the Rev. Matthew J. Tierney, who also attends to the needs of the Catholic soldiers at the military post at Willet's Point.

St. Adalbert's, Elmhurst .- In December, 1891, the Rev. Joseph Fyda was sent by Bish- op Loughlin to found a church at Elmhurst for the Poles. In the early part of the following year he gathered together about 150 of his countrymen, in St. Mary's Church, Winfield,

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and said Mass for them. Later on he erected a church, 50 feet by 100 feet, at Elmhurst, the basement of which he utilized as a school, which he placed under the care of the Sisters of Nazareth. It is attended by over 100 children. Father Fyda was succeeded in 1896 by the Rev. B. Puchalski, and in Dec. 9 that year the church was transferred by Bishop McDon- nell to the Capuchin Fathers from Syracuse. The present Pastor is Rev. Felix Baran, O. M. C., who is assisted by Rev. Benedict Langa, O. M. C., and two lay Brothers.

Corpus Christi, Mineola .- This is a com- paratively new mission, although Mass was said in Mineola some years before by the rever- end clergy of Hempstead. In 1897 the Rev. Herbert Farrell, of Westbury, of which Mineola is still an out-mission, invited two Paulist Fathers from New York to give a re- treat to the faithful, in Allen's Hall. The re- sult of the mission was the formation of a little congregation of some eighty Catholics, who resolved upon building a church of their own. On Sunday, Aug. 14, 1898, Bishop Mc- Donnell dedicated the new chapel or church, which has neat stained-glass windows and will seat 200 persons.

St. Agnes' Church, Rockville Centre .- The first Mass said at Rockville Centre was by Rev. Thomas V. Robinson, C. S. P., in a pri- vate house. The next Sunday, owing to the increasing number of attendants, Mass was said in a shed. Later on, through the exer- tions of a Mr. Vincent, the Rockville Institute was secured and converted into the present St. Agnes' Church, It was first attended by the Rev. Patrick McKenna. In 1894 the Rev. Thomas Carroll was appointed Pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick M. Fitz- gerald, the present Pastor.

St. Kilian's, Farmingdale .- Farmingdale has the honor of being the first parish on Long Island under the care of the Sons of St. Bene- dict. In the fall of 1896 Bishop McDonnell invited the Benedictine Fathers of the Bahama Islands to establish themselves in the Diocese

of Brooklyn. Accordingly a band of Benedic- tine Fathers, under the Rev. Gerard Spiel- manı, went to Farmingdale, and on Sunday, Oct. 11, 1896, they said Mass for the first time in a building which had formerly been a Prot- estant house of worship. In February, 1897, the Fathers secured a beautiful mansion with four acres of land, in the heart of the village, for their monastery, church and school. The new church was dedicated on July 4, 1898, by Bishop McDonnell, and the ceremony was par- ticipatel in by a large concourse of people. Besides the Benedictine monastery, Farming- dale has the Nazareth Trade School, which is attended by 300 orphan boys, who are cared for by 28 Sisters of St. Dominic.

St. Joachim and St. Ann's, Queens .- On a plot of ground situated at the junction of Hollis and Franklin avenues and Joseph street stands the Church of St. Joachim and St. Ann's. The corner-stone was laid on Sun- day, Sept. 12, 1897, by Very Rev. P. J. Mc- Namara, V. G. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. James H. Mitchell, Chancellor of the Diocese. The church is 50 by 100 feet in dimensions. It is a frame structure, Gothic in style, and has a seating capacity of about 600. The parish was organized in 1896 by the Rev. Ignatius Zeller, of Jamaica. A small building on Bennett street, formerly used by the Episcopalians of Queens, was secured, and is still used. About one month after the or- ganization of the parish the present Pastor, the Rev. Frederick W. Dotzauer, was ap- pointed Pastor. He has about one hundred families under his charge, and his Sunday- school numbers about one hundred children. The congregation is drawn from Queens, El- mont and adjacent places. In its early days Queens was a dependency of Hempstead.

St. Martin's, Amityville .- This is a com- paratively new parish, and as such dates from June, 1897. A plot of ground of two acres on Union Avenue, was secured, and Father Ger- ard Spielmann, O. S. B., from St. Jolin's Bene- dictine Abbey, Collegeville, Minn., was en-

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trusted with the erection of a church, rectory and school. Mass was first said in Liberty Hall. The present Pastor is Rev. Benno Ferstl, O. S. B., who also attends Massepegua and Wantagh.

St. Michael's, Flushing .- St. Michael's Church, Flushing, is among the oldest founda- tions on the island. The original church build- ing, a small frame structure, was erected in the early '40s (1843), when Father Michael Curran, of Astoria, visited this and a number of other missions on the island. Later on the mission was attended by Fathers Dennis" Wheeler, the first resident Pastor, and Mc- Mahon. In 1853 Rev. James O'Beirne was ap- pointed Pastor of St. Michael's and continued to minister to its people for twenty-one years. He built the present St. Michael's church, and, in 1864, he purchased the ground upon which the convent and academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph now stands. In 1874 Rev. Henry O'Laughlin became Pastor. After a pastorate of a few years he was succeeded by Rev. John R. McKenna, who died in 1893. His successor was the Rev. Eugene Donnelly, the present Pastor, who had been an assistant at St. Michael's for some years. Father Donnelly built the present parochial residence and other- wise improved the church property. He has a flourishing parochial school, attended by nearly 300 pupils under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The church will seat about 800 persons, and the entire church property is val- ued at $150,000. Father Donnelly is a gradu- ate of the American College in Rome and is one of the Rural Deans of the Diocese.

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A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 133

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