USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. > Part 98
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List of M. E. Preachers in L. I. Circuit, from 1784 [till 1845 :- 1784, Philip Cox; 1785, Ezekiel Cooper; 1786, Thomas Ware; 1787, Peter Moriarty; 1788, Robert Clond; 1789, Wm. Phobus, John Lee; 1790, David Kendall; 1791, Wm. Phoebus. Benj Abbott; 1792, John Ragan, James Boyd; 1793, Joseph Totten, Geo. Strebeck; 1794, E. Cooper, L. McCombs; 1795, Joseph Totten; 1796, John Clark, Jacob Rickhow, David Buck, Win. Phoebus; 1797, Andrew Nichols, Joseph Totten. Wm. Phobus; 1798, Andrew Nichols; 1799, Cyrus Stebbins, Jas. Campbell, John Wilson: 1800, David Buck; 1801 2,
* The churches were all In the Long Island District until 1564, when they were divided into the Long Island South and Long Island Nor h Districts, the former containing the Sands st., York st., Washington st., Johnson st., Pacific st., First place, Carroil Park. Warren st , W.I. Ham st., Isth st., 7th ave., Hanson place, Fieet st., New York ave., Enibury, Nostrand ave., Greene ave., Janes Swedish Miss., Norweglan Miss. The latter contalned Summerfield, Simpson, Park ave., Miss . De Kalb ave., Tompkins ave., Broadway, St. John's, Central, South 2nd. South Brd, Gothle, Cook st., North hth, Leonard st., St. Mark a Miss., Greenpolut, Flrst, Tabernacle and Orchard Miss. In 1877. the former were made part of the New York District, the latter the ilrooklyn District.
1045
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
David Bnck, Peter Jayne; 1801, Billy Hibbard; 1802, John Finnegan; 1803, Ezekiel Canfield; 1804, Cyrns Stebbins; 1805-6, Ezekiel Cooper; 1806, Samuel Thomas; 1807, Elijah Woolsey, John Wilson; 1808, Daniel Ostrander; 1809, Ren- ben Hubbard; 1810-'11, William Thacher; 1812-'13, Lewis Pease; 1814, Samuel Merwin; 1815, Nathan Emory; 1816-17, Joseplı Crawford; 1818, William Ross; 1819-20, Alexander McCaine; 1821-'22, Lewis Pease; 1823-'4, William Ross; 1825 -'6, Thomas Burch; 1826-7, S. L. Stillman; 1827-'28, Samuel Luckey; 1828, S. Landon; 1829-30, Noah Levings, James Covel; 1831-2, John C. Green, Charles W. Carpenter; 1832, J. Tackaberry; 1833-4, Thomas Bnrch, J. Kennaday, J. Luckey; 1835-6, B. Creagh, 1st ch. ; R. Gilbert, 2d ch. ; 1835, S. Remington, 3d ch .; 1836, J. B. Stratten, 3d cli .; 1837-8, Wm. H. Morris, 1st ch. ; J. L. Gilder, 2d ch. ; Robert Seney, 3d ch .; 1839, Fitcli Reed, 1st ch .; 1839-'40, E. E. Griswold, 2d cli. ; 1839, Benjamin Griffen, 3d ch .; 1840, Peter C. Oakley, 1st ch .; James Floy, 3d ch .; Benjamin Griffen, ('entenary ch .; J. Le Fevre, C. Foss, Williamsburglı and Newtown; 1841, Peter C. Oakley, 1st ch .; Seymour Landon, od ch .; James Floy, 3d ch .; Jarvis Z. Nichols, Centenary ch .; J. W. Le Fevre, Charles B. Sing, Williamsburgh; 1842, L. M. Vincent, 1st ch. ; S. Landon, 2d chi. ; James Sewell, 3d
ch .; J. Youngs, Centenary ch .; H. F. Roberts, Williams- burgh; M. Richardson, Bushwick and Wallabout; 1843, L. M. Vincent, 1st ch .; J. Poisal, 2d ch .; J. Sewell, 3d ch .; J. Youngs, Centenary ch .; H. F. Roberts, Williamsburghi ch .; O. States, Wallabout ch .; 1844-'5, H. F. Pease, Sands street ch. ; B. Goodsell, York street ch .; C. W. Carpenter, Wash- ington street ch .; J. M. Pease, Centenary ch .; O. Starr, Ebenezer ch .; Paul R. Brown, Williamsburgh; A. F. Beach, Bushwick.
The names of ministers in years following 1845 will be found in the sketches of the respective churches.
M. E. Churches in the New York District of the N. Y. East Conference, 1884 :- Summerfield, Francis, Cook street, Cedar street, St. John's, Central, So. 2d street, So. 3d street "Gothic," No. 5th street, Leonard street, St. Luke's, First (Greenpoint) Tabernacle.
M. E. Churches in the Brooklyn District of N. Y. East Conference, 1883 :- Sands street, York street, Washington street, Pacific street, Johnson street, First place, St. Paul's Mission, Carroll park, Warren street, 18th street, 44th street, Grace, Hanson place, Fleet street, DeKalb avenue, Simpson, New York avenue, Embury, Nostrand avenue, Greene avenue, Janes, Swedish Mission, Norwegian Mission.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The history of the Roman Catholics of Brooklyn, as a body, begins in the second decade of the present century. Before that, the Catholics of Brooklyn were compelled, for religious worship, to cross the East river, to attend St. Peter's Church, in Barclay st., New York, the first, and long the only Catholic church in that city. The present Cardinal of New York, the Most Rev. John McCloskey, is a native of Brooklyn, and remembers the time when he, as a boy, thns crossed to the neighboring city. The Rev. John Power, Pastor of that church previous to 1822, cansed mass to be celebrated occasionally here, in such rooms as could be ob- tained. It is said that mass was first celebrated in Brooklyn, at the residence of Mr. William Purcell, on the north-east corner of York and Gold sts., by Rev. Philip Larissey.
the Catholics in the village, that only 70 were able to help, either in money or labor. Mr. Cornelius Heeney offered lots on the corner of Court and Congress sts., as a site; which, however, were declined as being too far out of the village.
St. James' Church .- Marclı 2, 1822, eight lots were pur- chased on the corner of Jay and Chapel sts., $400 being paid in cash, and $300 more secnred by a mortgage. The ground was blessed by Rev. Mr. Bulger, April 25th. Just two months later, a building committee was appointed; and, not- withstanding the difficulties attending the work, the edifice was so far completed that it was dedicated under the name of St. James, August 28, 1823. The building cost, including fences, $7,118.16. A school was at once established, but for some time all efforts to secure a resident Pastor failed.
The Clergy of the church from its organization have been : 1825-32, Revs. John Farnan, Pastor ; 1832-'42, John Walsh, Pastor; 1836-'7, P. Dongherty ; 1839, Philip Gillick ; 1840,
Patrick Danaher ; 1841, J. McDonough ; 1842-'47, Charles Smith, Pastor; 1845-6, Jerome Nobriga; 1847-8, Patrick McKenna ; 1848-'52, Jas McDonongh, Pastor ; 1849, Eugene McGuire; 1849-52, Jolın Quinn.
At this time, the Roman Catholic churches on Long Island had so increased from the small beginning at St. James', that the Holy See formed the island into a Diocese, and the Very Rev. John Longhlin, then Vicar-General of New York, was appointed Bishop of Brooklyn. He was consecrated October 3, 1853, and made St. James' Church his cathedral.
Clergy : 1852-'7, Revs. Engene Cassidy, Rector ; 1852-'4, Samuel A. Mulledy ; 1856-"7, Thomas W. McCleery, D. Whelan ; 1857-'9, Thomas Walsh ; 1857-'60, John F. Turner ; 1857-8, Bartholomew Gleason ; 1859-60, Robert McGuire ; Among the clergy who ministered to the Catholics of Brooklyn in these early days, were : Revs. Mich. O'Gorman, Patrick Bulger, McCauley, and McKenna, the latter of whom died and was buried in Brooklyn. 1859-60, Robert V. Moyce ; 1864, Joseph Giraud ; 1864-'6, Francis J. Freel, D. D .; 1865-'8, Thomas J. Gardner, D. D .; 1867-8, Eugene McSherry ; 1870, Michael Hickey ; 1872-'3, Jolın Kelly; 1872, P. Sheridan ; 1873-78, P. F. O'Hara; 1877- When, on Jan. 7, 1822, a meeting was held to consider the '78, M. J. Murray ; 1877, Richard Foley ; 1878, Ed. McCabe, erection of a church, it was found by a careful census of , John O'Donohue; 1879-83, James T. Woods; 1879, M. McCabe; 1879, Wm. Dougherty ; 1879, John Joseph Mallon ; 1880-3, Jas. F. Mealia, Jas. H. Mitchell. The parish has, from an early date, maintained a school for boys.
Bishop Longhlin has secured a fine site for a cathedral on Lafayette ave., between Carlton and Vanderbilt aves., and is now erecting a splendid church, which will be the finest ecclesiastical structure on Long Island .*
*The corner-stone was laid with much pomp and ceremony, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Loughlin, on the 21st of June, 1868 ; and an address was delivered by the Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey, of New York, in the course of which the speaker thus alluded to his own carlier recollections of Brooklyn: "And well may you rejoice on the day and on the occasion which is to be ever memorable to the Catholics of this city and of this diocese, a day which recalls so many memories, such, in part at least, as wero awakened in the hearts of oid ; for many thero are who had hardly hoped to see this day. Of that number I can men- tion one, and it 13 he who now addresses you. His first and earliest memories aro here. Ile first saw the light of heaven and breathed the
1046
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
St. Paul's Church, Court, cor. Congress st. The plot of ground originally offered by Cornelius Heeney, Esq., to St. James', became, in time, the site of the second Roman Catholic church in the city of Brooklyn. In 1836, the church of St. Paul was erected here. It was a substantial brick building, 72 by 125 feet, and cost about $20,000 ; the land being then valued at $8,000 more.
The Pastors and Clergy of this church have been : Revs. Richard Waters, 1838-40 : Nicholas O'Donnell, O. S. A., 1840-"7 ; James O'Donnell. O. S. A., 1840-'4 ; William Hogan, 1845-8; Joseph A. Schneller, 1848-'60; Hippolyte De Lnynes, S. J., 1849-'50 : Joseph Regan, 1851-'3 ; Timothy Farrell, 1852 -'3 ; John Curoe, 1852 ; John McShane, 1854-'7 ; M. O'Reilly, 1854-'5; B. Allaire, 1857-'8; Peter C. Fagan, 1858-'60 ; - McGerrish, 1862-'3; Robert J. McGuire, 1863-'80; V. Dallis, 1863-'5 ; P. Reddy, P. McGuire, John R. McDonald, 1863-4; Ed. O'Reilly, 1870-'3 ; Wn. Lane, 1870-3 ; Jno. McCarty, 1873 : Henry J. Zimmer, 1873; Win. Commolly, 1874; Peter Maguire, 1875 ; John Hogan, 1877-'8 ; John Longhran, D. D., 1877; Philip J. Kinney, 1877-'9 ; J. J. Marvin, 1878-'80; Win. Giles, 1879-81; Wm. J. Lane, 1880-83 ; M. S. Boylan, 1881- '82; Wm. J. Hill, 1882-'4 ; Peter Il. Plunkett, 1882 ; Edwd. M. Gannon, 1883-'4.
A school was early established in connection with this church, and it was regularly maintained. The boys and girls are under the Sisters of Charity.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, York and Jay sts. Corner-stone laid October 27, 1831, by Rev. Father Farnham, as an independent Catholic Church, who afterwards abandoned his undertaking. It remained unfinished for many years, when it was finally purchased by Bishop Hughes, in 1840, who placed it in charge of Rev. D. W. Bacon. He completed it, and, on June 10, 1842, it was dedicated under the above title. Father Bacon remained its Pastor until 1855, when he was consecrated First Bishop of Portland. During his pastorate, he was assisted by the fol- lowing clergymen: Revs. P. McKenna, 1844-'5; Hugh Maguire, 1845-'6; J. Viera, 1851-'2; B. Farrell, 1852-'3, when the present Pastor, Rev. William Keegan, became assistant, and suc- ceeded Father (now Bishop) Bacon. His assistants have been : Revs. P. Bradley, P. Kelly, Benjamin Allaire, P. V. Moyce, Gaudentius Ballestrini, Thos. Farrell, T. Reid, 1865 ; Owen O'Brien, 1869-'75, when the present assistant, Rev. C. J. Gallagher, was appointed. The Very Rev. W. Keegan was appointed Vicar-General of the Diocese, in 1880; but still retains his position as Pastor, and still resides at the parochial residence, cor. of Jay and York sts. He has built a mag-
breath of life In what was then but the little village of Brooklyn. He well remembers the day when there was nelther Catholle church nor chapel, nelther prlest nor altar, within all these surroundings. Hle 1 .members when, as a youth, when Sunday morning came, he, as one of a happy group, wended his way along the shore to what was then enhod Ilucks' ferry, to cross the river, not In elegant and graceful steamers as now, but In an old and dingy horse-boat ; golng, led by the hand of tender and loving parents, to assist at the sacrifice of mass In the old brick church of St. Peter's, In Barclay st. How little could he then have drenmed ever to have whinessed a spectacle such ns this; to have stood here In the capacity In which he now stands, In such a presence: to see the foundations la. l and the corner-stone blessed and consecrated by n blshop of Brooklyn, surrounded by prelates from other sces and dloceses, by a numerous clergy from far and near, and by such a vnal and Innumerable concourse of people, brought together to take part, as it were, In the beginning of such a glorious work ; a work which Is to rear llaelf up In grand and goodly proportions before the eyes of men, and stands a monument of your Catholle falth, your Catholle generosity, and your Cathode zeal ; stands as a monument, too, of Catholle geulus, Cathoffe archllectural taste and skill, and to løn, braldes, looked upon, as It will be, as adding a newer beauty, and another glory, and another honor, and another source of pride to what Is already the renowned elty of churches."
nificent school, a hall for the young men of the parish; and, at present, there is nothing wanting to complete all the de- sideratum of a well furnished parish. The venerable church has been recently provided with a new roof, and the interior decorated in a most artistic and devotional style.
The Very Rev. WILLIAM KEEGAN, Vicar-General of the R. C. Diocese of Brooklyn .- The story of a life devoted to duty in the heart of a great city, can be neither romantie nor exciting, unless under very excep- tional circumstances. Novelists may indeed thrill their readers with the imaginary exploits of imaginary characters, discovered active in the routine of ordinary experience; but when for the eye of fertile fancy we substitute the observation of plain common sense, it is found that, even as navigable rivers have few falls, perilous straits or whirlpools to be described, the careers of men who carry forward the abiding work of society, are rarely marked by amazing incidents. Moral and material forces have at least this in common-that they operate, as a rule, steadily, rather than by unexpected manifestations. Perseverance, rather than audacity, progress effected step by step, and without any of the noise of battle, rather than a series of leaps and bounds, mark the records of the men who, upon the whole, have in settled states of society been helpful to their day and generation. By this, of course, no reflection is cast, so to speak, upon the valuation of the thunder storm. It is both sublime and serviceable. But the chief debt of the farmer, none the less, is to the rain that falls in dne season, and the winds that are never rude.
The very reverend gentleman, whose work and character are in this sketch ontlined, rather than described, falls within the unromantic category just alluded to; the category of those who by pa- tience, peace, good will, charity and an unwaver- ing faith in justice, make the world better by liv ing in it. This, however, we need hardly say, does not involve a trivial or negative onteome. On the con- trary, if the result be duly weighed, we shall see that the need of an unostentatious labor is an imposing fab- ric, made all the more enduring by the quiet sincerity of the builder. Emerson, referring to the Abbeys of England, says : " they grew as grows the grass, " and so, too, has the growth of the structure, in which Vicar- General Keegan has been concerned, gone on.
In 1853, when he was ordained, there were in the diocese of Long Island but 14 Roman Catholic Churches, and 14 priests. One parish school alone rep- resented the system of parish education, destined to reach the proportions already attained. There was no Catholic asylum, nor any Catholic hospital. To-day there are 90 churches, 37 chapels and stations, where mass is celebrated ; 160 priests; 75 parish schools; 20 academies and select schools; 2 colleges and I seminary, 16 asyhumus and 4 hospitals
When his work began in Brooklyn, the Catholic population of the diocese numbered not more than
٢
1047
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
26,000. The number is now over 226,000. This, as- suredly, is an impressive tale told in few words. Had this been wrought by the sword, historians would have been swift to give the narrative to the world; and the world would have treated the record with the skep- ticism reserved for whatever transcends ordinary ex- perience. But, duc as it is to the unremitting efforts of men and women, well content to have their decds unheralded and unsung, no other weapons than those befitting gentle minds, it is accepted as if it were an outcome of nature, as familiar as the rising of the sun, or the rounding out of the moon. If the statistics before us speak to any purpose with clearness, it is to the effect that in no other field has the Catholic Church in modern times gathered honor, power and confidence more rapidly, and by methods more amiable, than in the diocese of Brooklyn. 1
What Father Keegan's part has been in this cannot be told. Nor to him, or to anyone alone, is the credit due; though indeed, if comparisons were in order, special commendation could be given to those who, more than their fellows, have been distinguished for their zeal, skill and unwearying toil.
The record answers our purpose in illustrating the magnitude of the task in which the subject of our sketch has been, with others, engaged heart and hand, and as to which he can properly say: " All of which I saw, and part of which I was." It also indicates the variety, complexity and importance of the interests, which must be mastercd and managed by the mind, which demand the attention of the Vicar-General of Long Island diocese.
If the Very Reverend Wm. Keegan was the most commonplace of men (instead of being, as he is, distinguished for breadth of mind, large sympathies, and that art of arts, the art of ruling without seeming to command), there would be reason enough for writing about him, in the fact that over a quarter of a million Catholics look to him as the right hand of their vener- able and justly celebrated Bishop.
So far as dates go, here is the biography of the Vicar- General:
In the year 1824, he was born in Kings County, Ireland; a county by name, at least, significant of the field in which he was destined to make a name in the world. While yet a child his parents emigrated to the United States, and fixed their abode in the city of Brooklyn, in the year 1842, where the boy William soon began the work of fitting himself for his chosen calling. The family came here to remain, and it still is represented in the citizenship of Brooklyn, as well as in the priesthood. After a course of prepara- tory education, William entered the Jesuit College, then but recently cstablished at Fordham, New York, and was duly graduated from it in 1849, having made a record for scholarship, and the other qualities which secured for him, at the hands of the college authori-
ties, a teachership in the institution. As a teacher he remained, until 1853; pursuing meantime, with ardor and profit, the theological studies in which he still de- lights, and upon which he has been recognized as an authority in the provincial councils of the church. In the year 1853, he was ordained by Cardinal Bedini, then Papal Nuncio to the United States; and, almost immediately thereafter, was appointed to the assistant pastorate of the Church of the Assumption, at York and Jay strects, Brooklyn.
When Father Bacon, Pastor-in-Chief of the Assump- tion Church, was consecrated Bishop of Portland, Maine, in 1855, Father Keegan was promoted, and has continued from then until the present time in charge of the parish. In 1880, he was appointed Vicar-General.
Although the life of Father Keegan has been spent in the discharge of his priestly duties, and for the wel- fare of his people, yet snatching a moment now and then from this never-ending work, he has composed a few lectures and addresses, which are rare gems of wit and eloquence, and can be read at all times with plea- sure by the lovers of true and genuine English litera- ture. 1
On the 16th of October, 1878, occurred the twenty- fifth anniversary of his ministry, and likewise, almost, of his pastorship. The event was made the occasion of a Jubilee; and, whether at the mass of the morning, where were assembled the bishops and priests of the diocese, or, in the more popular demonstration of the evening, where were gathered all the civic dignitaries of Brooklyn, the men of letters and of social standing, the address of the congregation but expressed the gen- eral verdict-"Surely no words can frame a minorc glowing eulogy, a nobler panegyric, than this assem- blage." Hon. James Howell, then Mayor, abandoned a birthday celebration in his own home that he might unite with his fellow-citizens in this personal tribute to Father Keegan. Hon. Thomas Kinsella, editor of the Brooklyn Eagle; Mr. Andrew McLean, the present editor of the Eagle; Mr. George M. Nichols, Alder- man at Large; Mr. Dewey, editor of the Union; Mr. Barclay Gallagher, agent of the Western Associated Press; Corporation Counsel De Witt, Police Com- missioner John Pyburn; Controller Burrell; Alder- man Murtha and Assemblyman Clancy ; Doctors Bodkin, Young and Griffin; Colonel David T. Lynch, Mr. P. J. Regan, President of the St. Patrick Society, and its other officers, were all present; and many other notables ; while a great number of the reverend clergy occupied chairs within the sanctuary. The Brooklyn Eagle, in an editorial upon this jubilee, used the fol- lowing language:
" It is difficult to estimate the influence which such a man must exert, placed as Father Kccgan has been, in twenty-five years. The men and women who have been brought directly under his influence are numbered by tens of thousands. To-day, there are gentlenien distinguished in all the walks of life, who received from
1048
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
him their earliest lessons in manly duty, coupled with their first introduction to English education. In hun- dreds of households the matrons were girls subject to his guidance years ago. It needs a very mean soul to take other than delight in the proof that opportuni- ties so vast have been used as becomes a priest, a citi- zen, a friend and a neighbor."
The programme opened with a procession march, dedicated to Father Keegan, the music being furnished by Professor William H. Nolan's orchestra. This was followed by " Gloria " (Twelfth Mass), by Mozart, Mr. Thomas Ward officiating at the organ, and a full choir assisting. The Rev. Father Malone then followed in an address, in which he especially dwelt upon Father Kee- gan's remarkable ability in the guiding and education of young men. Rev. Henry C. Gallagher, who was trained to the priesthood by Rev. Father Keegan, was the next speaker; expressing the obligations of the younger clergy to Father Keegan for the spiritual training which they had received at his hands. "The Heavens are Telling" was then excellently rendered by the choir, after which an address from the congre- gation to their pastor was read by Rev. Charles J. Gallagher, as follows:
" Reverend and Dear Father Keegan :
" On this the twenty-fifth anniversary of your elevation to the priesthood, and, it may be said, the twenty-fifth year of your pastorate. the congregation of the Church of the As- sumption united this morning with the venerable Bishop and the reverend clergy at a mass of jubilee and thanksgiving. To-night we again meet to offer our congratulations on this happy day, and to give you thanks for the many favors which we have received at your hands.
" This morning we returned thanks to Heaven for the zeal- ous pastor; to-night we thank the prudent counsellor, the faithful friend, the kind, indulgent father.
" Yon are, in yourself, in your life and labors, an epitome of Catholicity in Brooklyn-its foundation, its progress, its full and grand development. As a boy, you assisted at the first mass celebrated in this church: as a priest, here, on this al- tar, was offered your first mass; and here, first, your pastor- ate commenced, which long may Heaven to us continue.
"Standing thus as it were by the cradle of Catholicity, you guided its steps in infancy, watched over its yonth, guarded and directed it in its progress; and whatever there is now in its maturer years which finds favor in the sight of Heaven or commands the admiration of men, is largely due to your ear- nest, zealous and untiring ministration.
" Words-fervent and heartfelt though they be-can do but faint justice to such a life. The children in your schools, the young men in your halls, the thousands that crowd this sacred edifice on each recurring Sabbath, speak more eloquently than any words of your entire devotion to the duties of your sacred calling and of the many claims you have to our love and reverence.
"To you belongs the credit of erecting the first building de- voted to the education of the Catholic children of this city. There, education and religion, both in their highest develop- ment, are found to be not antagonistic, but mutually self- sustaining and elevating.
" Assumption Hall is another monument to your priestly zeal and prudent forethought. There the youth who has left school and entered upon the battle of life, is not only afforded every farihty for self-improvement; but has likewise oppor-
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