History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 44

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862


USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44


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In May following a eall was extended to Rev. J. Jer- main Porter, of St. Louis, who began his labors as pastor July 1, and was installed by the Presbytery of Watertown on the 6th day of October, 1864.


Dr. Porter is still pastor of the church, which is in a flourishing condition, and now numbers 408 members ; 348 have been added during his ministry of thirteen years.


In 1867, a beautiful and convenient parsonage, situated on Clinton street, was purchased at a cost of $8500. The old stone church, erected in 1820, was demolished in 1850, having donc service just thirty years. The brick church in which the congregation now worship was finished in April, 1851, having been built under the immediate super- vision of Edward S. Massey, and was dedicated April 10. It is a beautiful and commodious structure, 63 by 100 fect, and has sittings for 1000 persons. A tall, symmetrical spire, surmounted by a gilded cross, springs from a central tower. The frescoing of the main auditorium is singularly chaste and beautiful. A door on either side of the pulpit communicates with a beautiful chapel in the rear, connected with which are parlors, Sunday-school library-room, cloak- room and kitchen for social gatherings. About $16,000 have been expended during the last few years for various improvements on church and chapel.


From an examination of the reports of this church for the last ten years, made annually to the general assembly, it appears that the congregation have expended and contrib- uted for all purposes the aggregate sum of $98,356, or an average of $9835 a year.


The following is a list of the ruling elders who have served the church from the beginning : William Brown, William Huntington, Jeronimus Van Nest, Horace Hunt, Buckley Steadman, Chauncey D. Morgan, Elias Hagar, F. R. Farwell, Hart Massey, Theoph. Redfield, Amasa Herrick, Solon Massey, Eli Farwell, J. L. Rice, Henry II. Kellogg, George B. Massey, James Stone, Asaph Ilor-


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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


ton, Job Sawyer, Jeremiah Holt, Albert P. Brayton, John C. Sterling, H. E. Conger, John C. Knowlton.


The following have served the church as trustees from and after the organization of the Watertown Ecclesiastical Society : Jabez Foster, Oren Stone, Theophilus Redfield, Job Sawyer, William Huntington, Israel Symonds, Noah W. Kinniston, Isaac H. Bronson, Adriel Ely, Jeremiah Holt, David D. Otis, Abner Baker, Daniel Lee, William /K. Hawkes, S. B. Upham, John C. Sterling, D. H. Yale, B. F. Hotchkin, David M. Bennett, Fred. Baker, John C. Knowlton, Richard E. Hungerford, W. W. Herrick, W. W. Taggart, J. P. Moulton, A. M. Farwell, Hart Massey, Thomas Sawyer, Timothy Burr, Orville Hungerford, Dyer Huntington, Eli Farwell, Silas Clark, Lewis B. Sandiforth, John Safford, O. V. Brainard, Thomas D. Huntington, Jo- siah W. Baker, Isaac H. Fisk, Talcott H. Camp, Edward S. Masscy, Samucl F. Bates, Alexander Campbell, M. H. Merwin, W. V. V. Rosa, George B. Massey, Volney P. Kimball, Levi A. Johnson, Norris Winslow, John Lansing, G. W. Knowlton, Jr., and H. Dean Waite.


The Sunday-school of this church was organized in 1821, and was held in the gallery of the new stone church. It is said to have been the first Sunday-school organized north of Utica. The first library was purchased in 1832, at a eost of $30.25. The following gentlemen have acted as superintendents : Timothy G. Seward, John C. Sterling, J. B. Tyler, Horace Hunt, C. P. Leonard, H. Johnson, D. D. Otis, Silas Clark, Alexander Campbell, Orrin Stone, J. L. Rice, M. M. Merrill, Adriel Ely, Elias Hagar, and John C. Knowlton.


The present officers of the Sunday-school are as follows : John C. Knowlton, superintendent ; T. H. Camp, assistant superintendent ; George B. Massey, secretary and treasurer ; A. L. Upham and N. P. Wardwell, librarians. Infant de- partment : Miss Elizabeth A. Clark, teacher; Miss May Johnson, assistant.


THE STONE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


was formed July 20, 1831, by the Rev. Abel L. Crandall and Geo. S. Boardman, a committee appointed for the pur- pose by the Watertown Presbytery. It consisted at first of thirty-one members, dismissed for that purpose from the First church, and four from the Congregational church. Lewis R. Sandiforth was chosen ruling elder. Pastors : James R. Boyd, installed September 7, 1832; Marcus Smith, February 10, 1636; Wm. E. Knox, February 14, 1844; and Peter Snyder, June 20, 1848. Their church, at the corner of Factory and Mechanic streets, was built in 1831, at a cost of about $5500, of which Mr. Beebee, pro- prietor of the Jefferson Cotton Mills, contributed about $3000.


The pastors and stated supplies have been : 1831, Jede- diah Burchard, S. S .; 1832, Jas. D. Pickands, S. S .; 1832- 33, James R. Boyd ; 1833-35, L. Hull, S. S .; 1835-43, Marcus Smith ; 1844-48, William E. Knox; 1848-63, Peter Snyder (died December 13, 1863); 1864-67, Geo. D. Baker; 1868-70, Chas. C. Wallace; 1870-76, Chas. M. Livingston ; Rev. Samuel A. Hoyt succeeded Mr. Livingston in December, 1876, and is the present pastor.


There are at present 278 communicants. The Sunday-


school has an attendance of over 200 scholars. The library contains about 550 volumes, many of which are late and valuable books.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.


Arsenal Street Church .- The territory embraced in the present county of Jefferson was visited by Methodist preachers as early as 1803. At that date the State of New York and the New England States were included within the bounds of " Philadelphia Conference." The State of New York was a part of what was known as "Genesee District," and what is now Jefferson County formed a small part of " Black River Circuit." Within this circuit was the little settlement of Watertown. The first Methodist itin- erants who pushed their way into this almost terra incognita were Barzillia Willy and John Husselkus. In 1809 they were succeeded by Griffin Sweet and Asa Cummins. In 1805 " New York Conference" was organized from a part of the Philadelphia Conference, when Jefferson County became a part of it, and formed a portion of Albany district. Sey- mour Ensign was the preacher appointed on the Black River Circuit ; in 1806, Matthew Vanduzen and William Vredenburgh ; 1807, Datus Ensign ; 1808, Matthew Van- duzen, Luther Bishop; 1809, Luther Bishop, William Jewett. In 1810 the Genesee Conference was organized, and made to embrace all northern New York. The district was changed to " Cayuga," and later to " Oneida" District, and Joseph Willis and Chandley Lambert were the preach- ers. William Snow, Truman Gillett, 1811 ; Joseph Kin- kead, 1812; Isaac Puffer and G. Stoddard, 1813; Chand- ley Lambert, 1814; Ira Fairbank and James Hagen, 1815; Goodwin Stoddard, 1816; Joseph Willis, 1817; John Demster, 1818. In 1818 Watertown became a sepa- rate charge, and John Demster was the first stationed preacher ; Dana Fox, 1819; Israel Chamberlin (Watertown Station, Black River District), 1820; John Demster, 1821-22; Benj. G. Paddock, 1823; Hezekiah Field, 1824 (Le Ray and Watertown) ; James Brown, John Ercanbrack, Nathaniel Salsbury, 1825; N. Salsbury, G. Baker, 1826; G. Baker, L. Edgarton, 1827; W. W. Run- dell, Azariah Hall, 1828. In 1829 the "Oneida Confer. ence" was organized, and Watertown became a station, and John S. Mitchell was its preacher, who continued through 1830 ; N. Salsbury, 1831-32 ; V. M. Coryell, 1833 ; Squire Chase, 1834; Luther Lee, 1835. In 1836 the "Black River Conference" was organized, embracing northern New York, east of Montgomery county, and N. Salsbury was appointed to Watertown, and continued through 1837; Albert D. Peck, 1838; Squire Chase, 1839-40; William L. Bowdish, 1841; Hiram Mattison, 1842-43; William Wyatt, 1844; Isaac Stone, 1845-46; James Irwin, 1847-48.


In 1848 a very extensive revival occurred in the church, under the labors of James Irwin, resulting in additions amounting to about 300 members. During the same year a strong colony separated from the old church, and organ- ized what is now the State Street Methodist Episcopal church,-the old church taking the name of " Arsenal Street Methodist Episcopal church." Since that date the appointments have been as follows : Arsenal St. Church.


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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


-1849, George Gary ; 1850-51, A. J. Phelps ; 1852-53, I. S. Bingham ; 1854-55, John B. Foote; 1856, J. W. Armstrong ; 1857-58, B. I. Dufendorf; 1859-60, W. W. Hunt; 1861-62, S. Call; 1863-64, J. W. Armstrong ; 1865-66-67, I. S. Bingham; 1868-69, S. R. Fuller; 1870, I. S. Bingham; 1871-72-73, F. Widmer; 1874, J. C. Stewart; 1875-76-77, G. M. Mcad, the present pastor. State Street Church .- 1849-50, E. Arnold ; 1851-52, F. H. Stanton ; 1853-54, James Erwin ;* 1855-56, L. D. White ; 1857-58, W. S. Titus; 1859-60, B. S. Wright; 1861, W. S. Tisdale; 1862, H. F. Spencer ; 1863-64, O. C. Cole; 1865, J. D. Adams; 1866-67, T. Richey ; 1868-69, W. D. Chase; 1870-71-72, M. D. Kinney ; 1873-74, T. Cooper; 1875-76, M. G. Bullock; 1877, S. Call, the present incumbent.


The original society of the old church was organized Nov. 27, 1821, with Jonathan Cowen, Titus Ives, John Collins, Thomas Potter, and Henry H. Coffecn, trustees. On December 9, 1822, and Dceember 30, 1824, it was rc- organized, and subsequently erected on Arsenal street a stone church, since taken down. The present church was erccted in 1851. The elegant building of the State street society (formed Jan. 29, 1849) was erected the same year. The first trustees of the State strect society were Thomas Baker, A. J. Peck, H. Scovill, S. K. Carter, A. Cook, George Porter, Edmond Davis, J. M. Sigourney, and I. Huckins. The present number of communicants in the Arsenal Street church, including probationcrs, is 397. Officers and teachers in the Sunday-school, 50; seholars, 250; volumes in library, 250 ; communieants, State Strect church, 324; officers and teachers, Sunday-school, 30; scholars, 160; volumes in library, 300.


THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WATERTOWN.


This church was organized by a couneil representing the Baptist churchcs in the Black River Baptist Association, convened in the village of Watertown, May 29, 1823. They met in a school-house on the north side of Factory street. Rev. Norman Giteau was pastor. At its organiza- tion the church numbered seventeen. In 1828 they built a small wooden church edifice on the south side of Factory street, which, in 1837, was sold to the Catholics, and is now known as "The French Catholic Church." During the same year the church built another house of worship on the corner of State and Mill streets, and dedicated it Jan- uary 10, 1838. This structure was burned March 8, 1846. In the same year the present edifice was erceted, and dedi- cated January 7, 1847. In 1872 over $5000 were ex- pended in modernizing and beautifying. The building is 80 by 45. The chapel is 30 by 42. The church seats over 500, and the chapel about 200. The membership of the church is 315; that of the Sunday-school is 250. The present value of the church property is $20,000.


The following-named ministers have served the church as pastors, viz. : Norman Gitcau, Seth Smalley, Jacob Knapp, John Miller, Charles Clark, L. T. Ford, W. I. Cranc, J. A. Nash, J. S. Homme, II. A. Smith, I. Butter- field, C. N. Chandler, L. J. Matteson, John Peddic, L. M. S. Haynes, and James W. Putnam, present pastor.


The officers of the church are: Clerk, John G. Harbottle; Deaeons, John G. Harbottle, Samuel Wilson, G. Cook, R. Thornton, John Frost, and H. E. Parson ; Treasurer, C. A. Waterman ; Trustees, John G. Harbottle, Dexter Wilder, C. A. Waterman, H. E. Parson, and Dr. C. M. Johnson.


At the present time the church is thronged with atten- tive hcarers, and in every way is meeting with the greatest sueccss.


TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


The first Episcopal service was performed in the town of Watertown early in 1812, at the old school-house, on the site of the present Universalist church, by the Rev. Daniel Nash, of Otsego county. On May 31, 1828, a legal organ- ization was effected, under the Rev. Joshua M. Rogers, of Turin, of which Ira Wright and Wm. D. Ford were war- dens, and Wm. Cowen, Samuel McClure, Philo S. John- son, Loveland Paddoek, Forrester Dexter, Henry L. Har- vey, Henry Bronson, Wm. McCullock, and Walter Wood- ward were vestrymen. In 1829 they engaged the pastoral labors of the Rev. Hiram Adams, then a missionary of the united parishes of Watertown and Sacket's Harbor, at which places he preached on alternate Sabbaths. Services were at first held at the court-house. In 1829 a Sunday- school was opened, having at first sixteen scholars and two teachers, and for four years not more than twenty-five scholars werc assembled.


In 1830 a subscription was circulated to obtain the means to erect a church, and a petition for aid was for- warded to Trinity church, New York; but these efforts failed. In the fall of 1831 the Rev. Mr. Salmon was hired six months, but remained a year, and in February, 1832, the efforts to raise means for building a church were resumed with vigor. A lot was secured, but the sum was still short of that necessary, when Henry D. Sewall en- gagcd to build the house on the subscription, and take thic sum to be received from the sale of pews to pay the bal- ance. A wooden church was accordingly commenced in the spring of 1832, and finished externally the same year. In June, 1833, Trinity church, New York, gave $1000 to the society ; and in 1833, Samuel Brown, of Brownville, raised $600 for this church in New York, and G. C. Sher- man contributed liberally towards its completion. The church, being completed, was consecrated September 18, 1833.


The frame of this building was 40 by 60 fect, with a square tower of 16 feet base, projecting 8 feet from the front, with a belfry formed by two parallelograms crowning each other, with recessed corners, above which rose an octagonal tinned spire, tapering to a point at 100 feet from the ground. The church had two windows in the front and four on each side, with semicircular tops. The exter- nal design and details of the tower were modeled from a church in Cambridge, Mass. In 1834, Mr. Gear, of Browr .- ville, was employed a part of the time, and in 1835 the Rev. - Hickox, of Rochester, was called, and the church prospered much under his labors. From May, 1837, till April, 1839, the Rev. Charles Ackley was employed, and in September of the latter year the Rev. John F. Fish was engaged, and remained until Sept. 22, 1844. During his ministry the numbers of the church inereascd from 56 to


# As spelled by Presiding Elder.


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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


134; there were 94 confirmations, 127 baptisms, 142 mar- riages, and 55 burials.


In January, 1845, the Rev. Dr. Wm. M. Carmichael was employed, and remained about a year, when he was suceceded, in August, 1846, by the Rev. Levi W. Norton, who continued the rector till the spring of 1853. On the 17th of July, 1853, the Rev. George Morgan Hills was employed. The Rev. Theodore Babcock, D.D., succeeded Mr. Hills as rector, serving from Nov. 15, 1857, to May 15, 1872. His rectorship was a long and prosperous one of ncarly fifteen years. The present rector, the Rev. Leigh R. Brewer, succeeded Dr. Babcock June 23, 1872.


The church originally erected was burned in the memor- able fire of May 13, 1849, and on May 14, 1850, the corner- stone of the present edifice was laid, with religious services, by the Episcopal clergy of the county. The building is after the plans of Mr. R. Upjohn, of New York, and is purely Gothic. The dimensions of the nave are 50 by 100 feet ; those of the church 25 by 21 feet. The building was consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, Jan. 23, 1851. The parish now numbers about 250 families and 400 communi- cants, with a Sunday-school of 250 children and 30 teachers.


GRACE (EPISCOPAL) CHURCHI.


The parish was organized August 14, 1867, the bishop of the diocese at that time being Right Rev. A. C. Coxe. The following persons were incorporated as the vestry : F. W. Hubbard and C. D. Wright, wardens; L. H. Brown, J. F. Starbuck, George A. Bagley, L. J. Dorwin, G. H. Sherman, W. R. Trowbridge, A. H. Hall, and C. H. Van- brackle, vestrymen. The society at first held its meetings in the court-house. The first rector was Rev. W. H. Millburn. A few months after the organization a chapel, situated upon the corner of Jay and Sterling streets, was secured for the worship of the parish, at a cost of $6000. The following is a list of the rectors of the church since its organization : W. H. Millburn, W. A. Ely, John A. Staun- ton, W. H. Hopkins, William L. Parker, and the present rector, Rev. G. T. Le Boutillier.


At the time of its organization the society had but 43 communicants. Since that time the number has increased to nearly four times that number. The parish is in a pros- perous condition, and proposes to erect a substantial church edifice within a reasonable timc. The Sunday-school has an attendance of 110 scholars, and is supplied with a library of about 300 volumes. The present officers of the church are Joel F. Blood and F. W. Hubbard, wardens; G. F. Starbuck, George A. Bagley, L. F. Phillips, G. H. Sher- man, A. H. Hall, C. H. Vaubrackle, C. D. Wright, and A. H. Herrick, vestrymen. The ladies of the parish have formed a society, called the " Ladies' Guild," the object of which is to promote the interests of the church and the social feeling among the parishioners. There is also a so- ciety called the " Young People's Choral Society," which was organized for the purpose of promoting church singing among the youth of the parish.


UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.


The Universalist Society was organized April 26, 1820, at the court-house. A legal society was formed, January


3, 1825, of which James Sheldon, R. Goodale, J. M. Honcll, Jona. Baker, and E. Makepcace were the first trustees. A church organization was formed June 21, 1823, of fourtecn members, under Pitt Morse, the first clergyman, who re- mained until 1825, and, after a year's absence, for many years afterwards. This society built a stone church upon the site of the present edifice, in 1824, at a cost of $7000, which was dedicated Nov. 10, 1824, and burned Sept. 29, 1850. The present church was erected in 1851-52, at a cost of $10,100, and dedicated Nov. 4, 1852. Its present value, with additions and improvements, is about $25,000. Rev. Mr. Morse was succeeded by Rev. William H. Wag- goner. After four years Rev. H. Boughton was employed, and he was succeeded by Rev. James H. Stewart. Subse- quent pastors are as follows : Revs. A. A. Thayer, E. W. Reynolds, I. M. Atwood, D. C. Thompson, Harvey Hersey, and G. F. Babbitt, the present incumbent.


The church is situated at the east end of Public Square, with a frontage of 66 feet, and is one of the best-appearing churches in the city. Its audience-room is 45 by 82 feet, with a seating capacity of about 600. Spacious school- rooms are located in the basement. The number of com- municants is 149. The Sunday-school has 150 scholars, and a library of over 700 volumes. The present trustees of the church arc : II. M. Ball, S. T. Bordwell, and W. G. Williams ; H. S. Gipson is secretary and treasurer.


ST. PATRICK'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH SOCIETY.


One of the first Roman Catholic families that came to Watertown to reside permanently was that of Mr. John O'Dougherty, who arrived there from Ireland September 23, 1820. About that time a Catholic church was erected at the village of Carthage, where he frequently attended mass until a society was formed in Watertown. Mass was first celebrated in Watertown in the house of Daniel Bran- agan, in the year 1830, as nearly as we can ascertain, at which time there were no more than six Catholic families in the village.


French and Irish Roman Catholic missionaries from Kingston, Ont., and Utica and Syracuse, N. Y., occasion- ally visited the village and said mass in the houses of the different members of the society.


Rt. Rev. John Du Bois, bishop, said mass and preached in the old court-house in the year 1832. He urged upon the little congregation the necessity of building some kind of a church in which to worship. Rev. Bradley, of Utica, Revs. Waters and Donahue, of Syracuse, and priests sta- tioned at Carthage, attended to the wants of the society during the years 1833-35, using private houses for places of worship, and the school-house which formerly stood where the Arsenal street school-house now stands.


Rev. John B. Daily, a Benedictine friar, also did mis- sionary work in the village during these years, residing a portion of the time with Patrick O'Dougherty and Thomas Bellerd. During the years 1836-37 and a portion of 1838 the society rented the " Beebee school-house," which stood near where the depot back of the Woodruff House is now situated, at the rate of fifty cents per weck. Services were held there fortnightly, principally by Revs. John B. Daily and Michael Gilbride.


167


HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


The last time mass was celebrated in the school-house was on Easter Sunday, 1838. On Sept. 1, 1838, the society, which then consisted of not more than a dozen families, purchased of the Baptist society of Watertown the church situated on Factory street, now occupied by the French Catholics, and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. The price paid for this church was $600. Mass was first celebrated in this church on Oct. 29, 1838. A lot of one and one-quarter aeres, adjacent to the churchi, was purchased at the same time for $750.


Rev. Michael Gillbride was the first pastor of this church. The society rapidly increased in numbers, and in ten years from its purchase the church would scarcely accommodate one-half of its members. Rev. M. Gilbride has been suc- ceeded by Revs. Philip Gillick, R. O'Dowd, Francis P. .McFarland, J. Fennily, P. McNulty, and James Hogan, who is now assisted by Rev. P. H. J. Ryan.


The present church-St. Patrick's (Irish) Roman Cath- olic-is situated on Massey street, and is one of the finest church structures in northern New York. Its erection was begun in 1856 by Rev. P. McNulty, and completed by Rev. James Hogan, who for the last eighteen years has been its devoted and respected pastor. The church was in- corporated under the State law of 1870. It is built of brick, is 150 by 80 feet, and has 1000 sittings. The church and parsonage are valued at $35,000. The number of commu- nicants is about 1400, and the Sunday-sehool numbers 200. The present church officers are as follows : Trustees. Rt. Rev. E. P. Wadhams, bishop of Ogdensburgh, Rev. J. Mackey, V. G., Rev. James Hogan (pastor), and John J. Hartigan and Edward Kennedy. The executive commit- tee is John W. Griffin, D. J. Pease, and Thomas Phillips. Treasurer, Henry Purcell .*


ST. MARY'S (CATHOLIC).


The society which at the present time worships at the church known as St. Mary's, on Factory street, was organ- ized July 5, 1857, under the title of " Société Catholique Française de Watertown, New York." Its members had previously worshiped in the same house while it was oecu- pied by the united Roman Catholic church of the city and vicinity, and, until its abandonment as a house of worship, upon the erection of St. Patrick's church, on Massey street. The edifice on Factory street was built by the Baptist so- ciety in 1828, and used by them until 1838, when it was purchased by the Catholic society, and duly consecrated, under the name of " St. Mary's church." The growth of the church from thenceforward up to 1856 had necessitated, and finally consummated, the erection of St. Patrick's com- modious edifice ; but the difference in nationality, language, and associations still keeping the French and Irish popula- tions socially somewhat apart, and deterring many of the for- mer from following to the new sanctuary, and there continu- ing religious exercises, it was thought desirable to institute a separate church organization. In pursuance of this object, Mr. John J. B. Primeau and other associates made a thor- ough canvass of the town and vicinity, for the purpose of learning the exact number of the French Catholic popula-


tion, and the probabilities of being able to accomplish the desired end. There were found to be 50 families, in- cluding .about 300 souls, in and around the village of Watertown, constituting a respectable nucleus for the pro- posed new organization. As before stated, the organization was effected July 5, 1857, the meeting for the purpose being held in Fairbanks' block. The first officers elected were : President, Edward Benoit; Vice-President, Charles La Berge; Secretary and Treasurer, Alexander Contois; Directors, John J. B. Primeau, Louis Ledue, Hyacinthe Deserve, C. Marin.


Numerous difficulties were encountered in the work of procuring a house of worship, but everything was finally overcome, and at a meeting held October 18 following, it was resolved to purchase the old Factory street Catholic church, of which a title-deed was secured on the 26th of the same month. The building was thoroughly refitted and refurnished, and Rev. Louis Lepic, of Cape Vincent, was engaged as pastor. The first mass was solemnly cele- brated in the new edifice on January 1, 1858. The fol- lowing-named gentlemen were chosen as the first board of trustees for the new society : John J. B. Primeau, Edward Benoit, and Antoine Lalonde.




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