The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 101

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Rev. JOHN J. AMMANN, born in New York, 1840; grad. St. Francis Xavier's Coll., 1868; St. Mary's Baltimore, 1872; located Bklyn, 1872-'84.

Church of the Nativity, Madison avenue, near Classon, is a brick edifice, 100 feet by 40, erected in 1872, through the labors of Rev. M. J. Moran, who still continues to officiate as Pastor. The other Clergy are : Revs. M. Hickey, 1873-'75; W. McGinnis, 1877-81; W. McGuire, 1882-83; P. Kenney, 1882-'83.

Church of St. Louis (French), Mckibben, near Leonard, is a wooden structure, 73x45 feet, erected in 1869. Rev. Jules Jollon has been its Pastor from 1869. Services in French and English are held and a French and German school is con- uected with the church.

St. Vincent's Chapel is attached to St. Vincent's Home for Boys, at 7 Poplar street, and was established in 1872, for the benefit of the inmates of the Home, by Rev. Maurice Hickey, its present Pastor.

St. Augustine's Church was organized in 1870, with about eighteen members, and Rev. Lewis J. Rhatigan, Pastor. Messrs. Bennet, Dougherty and Rorke were chiefly in- strumental in procuring its organization. Services were at first held at the residence of the Pastor, in Warren street. The present church edifice, on the corner of Fifth avenue and Bergen street, was dedicated March 19th, 1871. It is a brick structure, with a seating capacity of eight hundred, and its cost, including site, was $43,000. In 1873, a parsonage was erected, at a cost of $12,000. Father Rhatigan died in 1874, and was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. Edward W. McCarty. Under his wise financial management, the debt on the church and parsonage has been nearly discharged. The other Clergy have been : Revs. J. E. Bobier, 1873-'4; D. J. Sheehey, 1875-'83; D. Hickey, 1878-'83; James F. Crowley, 1883.

Church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice .- In 1871, Rev. J. J. Raber was appointed to the charge of this parish, then newly formed. In the same year, a church was commenced on Hamburg street, corner of Jefferson, and dedicated the year following. It is a substantial frame structure, 97 by 50 feet, finely decorated inside, with a beautiful painting of the Madonna and child iu the center of the ceiling, and the four evangelists in the corners, also a fine painting of St. Leonard above the altar. The parish now contains about 400 fami- lies.

The schools connected with the church contain some 600 children, and are in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic. New buildings will soon be erected. There is also an Orphan Asylum, with 80 inmates, occupying a handsome brick build- ing near the church. Father Raber has been the Pastor from first, and by arduous labors has built up and paid for the lots and buildings.

Church of the Sacred Heart .- In 1871, Bishop Loughlin established the parish of the Sacred Heart, in that portion of Brooklyn which is bounded by Ryerson and Canton sts., and Flushing and Myrtle aves., appointing Rev. Thos. F. McGiv- ern, Pastor. A chapel was opened in Vanderbilt ave., Dec. 3, 1871. About the same time nine lots extending front Cler- mont ave. to Adelphi st., near Park ave., were purchased, to which three more were afterwards added, at a total cost of $20,500.

The erection of a church was soon commenced, its corner- stone being laid May 10, 1874. In May, 1875, Rev. Mr. McGivern resigned, and Rev. John A. McCullum was ap- pointed pastor. He hastened the work on the new church, occupying it for divine service in three weeks after assuming the pastorate, finishing it for dedication June 24, 1877. It is a brick edifice, 64x137 feet, handsomely frescoed withiu, and possesses a very fine painting of the Sacred Heart. The As- sistant Pastors have been: Rev. John F. Nash, Rev. Chas. F. Wightman, 1882; Rev. P. O'Mallon, 1883. The girls' Sunday- school is taught by the Sisters of Mercy, and the boys' by lay superintendent and teachers. There is no day-school at present, but it is the intention to erect one.

St. Cecelia's Church .- This parish was organized in 1812, and, in the year following, a frame edifice, a' out 50x80 feet, erected on North Henry and Herbert sts. The congregation increased rapidly, now numbering some 300 families. Rev. Florence McCarthy was Pastor from 1872-'83, when he was succeeded by Rev. James Taaffe.

St. Alphonsus' is a German church in Kent ave., near Manhattan, built in 1873, of wood, at a cost, including site, of $21,000. Rev. W. Guhl has been the pastor since the form- ation of the parish. The number of families is nearly 500. There is a large school attached, which is taught by the Do- minican Sisters.

Church of the Transfiguration :- The parish was formed in 1874, with Rev. John Fagan its first Pastor. Lots were se- cured at the corner of Hooper st. and Marcy ave., and the erection of the present church was commenced; meanwhile services were held in a carpenter's shop on Hooper st. The church was finished in 1875; it is of brick, 40x75 feet, and is intended to be used for schools after a larger church shall be built on the corner adjoining. Father Fagan died i .. 1879, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. J. Hill, now of St. Paul's, and he in turn by tho present Pastor, Rev. Jno. M. Kiely, who came to the parish in February, 1881. Rev. D. A. Tive- nan was assistant from 1877-'81. The Catholic population of the parish is 4,000 souls.

Rev. JOHN M. KIKLY, born in Ireland, 1847; grad. Mt. Mel- leray Coll., 1864; grad. Theol., Dublin, 1869; located in B'klyn, 1869; St. James' Church; Church of Visitation; is

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

contributor to relig. journals; published sermons and lec- tures.

Church of the Holy Name .- The parishi was founded by Bishop Loughlin, March 15, 1878. A building on the corner of 18th st. and 11th ave., called McCann's Stable, was the only available place of worship. In this humble abodo the first service was held March 31, 1878, and continued on every Sunday until the following December. In the meantime at- tention was given to the purchase of land and the erection of a church. The site was secured April 29, 1878, at a cost of $6,000, by Mr. John Collins, Park place, who paid and pre- sented the first $100 of the purchase money. The following day, May 1, work was commenced; August 11, the corner- stone was laid; December 25, same year, it was completed and occupied.

The present church edifice, situated on the cor. of 9th and Prospect aves., is of brick and stone, and has a seating capacity of over one thousand people. It was erected by the present Pastor, Rev. Thomas S. O'Reilly, who is the first and only one since the foundation of the parish. The market value of church property in this parish, including church, parochial house and grounds, is about $40,000.

Rev. THOMAS S. O'REILLY, born in Ireland, 1844; grad. Mt. Melleray Coll., 1863, and Theol. Sem., Our Lady of Angels, 1871; located in Flatbush. 1871-'4; Bklyn., 1874-'84.

Church of the Holy Family (German). About the year 1876, Rev. F. Henselmann gathered a congregation in a hall at the corner of 27th st. and Fourth ave. Iu June, 1880, the corner-stone was laid for a new frame structure, 90 by 45 feet, on 13th st., near Fourth ave., which was completed in the following year. There is a flourishing school attached, in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic. Rev. Mr. Hensel- mann continues in the pastorate.

St. Patrick's Church, at Fort Hamilton, was established as a mission in 1849. Services wero first held in the residence of Peter J. Murphy, on United States ave., between Lafay- ette and Church sts., and afterwards in a new barn on Third ave., near Shore road. In 1852, a frame church was built on the corner of Stewart ave. and Lafayette st., with a seating capacity of 350. Rev. J. MeLaughlin was Pastor during the first year, when he was removed. Rev. Mr. Mckeon, of St. John's Church, Gowanus, performed pastoral duties until March 10, 1854, when Rev. Mr. McGuire succeeded as Pastor.

He built a Pastor's residence adjoining the church. His death occurred in 1856. Rev. Cornelius J. McCarney was tho next Pastor, and was succeeded, ia 1861, by the present in- cumbent, Rev. John Tanzer. There is a school connected, which is under the care of the Sisters of St. Dominic.

St. Michael's Church was established in November, 1874. The first place of worship was a private house on Third avo. In 1876, the present church edifice was erected an the corner of Fourth ave. and 42d et. It is a wooden structure, with a seating capacity of 900 to 1,000. Rev. M. J. Hickie was the Pastor about three months, in 1875, and Rev. J. P. O'Connell, D. D., from 1876 to the present time ; Rev. J. J. McCusker, Assistant Pastor, from 1878-'84.

St. Theresa's Church was organized March 29, 1874, under the present Pastor, Rev. Joseph McNamee. Ground on the corner of Butler st. and Classon ave. was purchased, in April of the same year ; and, in the following August, the corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid. Tho building was opened for divine service in February, 1875. In September, 1876, Rev. L. J. Guerin became Assistant Pastor, in which capacity he still continues.

St. John's Chapel, of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral of Brooklyn, is situated on Clermont ave., bet. Lafayette and

Greenc aves. It is of dark, rough-dressed stone, with light trimming, and is 97 feet long by 38 wide. It was opened for divine service December 27, 1878. It is the largest of the six chapels which will adorn the future Cathedral of Brooklyn- a cathedral which, in size, will be unequalled by any church yet erected on this continent; and in artistic beauty, impress- iveness, and ecclesiastical utility, will be without a modern peer. The first Priest appointed to the charge of St. John's Chapel was the Rev. Patrick F. O'Hare, who is assisted by Rev. I. I. Mallen and Rev. Martin I. Loftus.

St. Agnes' Church .- This parish was formed in 1879, and placed in charge of Rev. James Duffy. The congrega- tion increased rapidly; it first worshiped in a small frame structure. on Hoyt st., near Sackett, where lots had been secured for church purposes.

The corner-stone of the new church was laid by Bishop Loughlin in the spring of 1881. It is a massive Gothic structure of brick, brown-stone and polished marble, and located on the north-cast corner of Hoyt and Sackett streets. The interior dimensions are 73} feet wide and 180 feet long, and from the ground to the tower the height is 130 feet. Seven large arched windows on each side, a rose window in the front, and three grand windows in the chancel, provide an ample supply of light, through stained-glass panes, which were made in Munich. The entire cost of the structure was $135,- C00, and the grand organ, built by the Jardines, cost $20,000 more. The parish is a very large one, and the money for the building was raised before work was begun. Rev. James S. Duffy is Pastor; Rev. M. T. Kilahy, Assistant.

Rev. MICHAEL T. KILAHY, born in Brooklyn, 1854; grad. St. Francis' Coll., Brooklyn, 1873, and Niagara Theol. Sem., 1877; located B'klyn, 1878-'84.

St. Bridget's Church .- The parish was org. October 9th, 1882, and Rev. Father McCloskey placed in charge. Lots were secured on Linden et., near Myrtle ave., and the corner- stone of a church laid June 17, 1883; first service, Christmas, 1883. It is a frame structure, 90 by 50 feet, with vestry and basement, and seating 600. The basement is used for a paro- chial school. The cost of the building was about $16,000.

St. Ambrose's Church .- In the early part of 1883 a num- ber of prominent Catholic families, f. eling that a church was necessary in their neighborhood, met, after the appointment of the Rev. D. J. Shechy, formerly Curate of St. Augustine's Church, Fifth ave., as their Pastor, in a private dwelling in Kosciusko street, where services were regularly held. The congregation increased rapidly, and it was finally deemed wisc to select other quarters, and, accordingly, a very desir- able site, comprising 150 feet on Kosciusko street, 200 feet on Tompkins ave., and 50 feet on DeKalb avc., was purchased, and a handsome little Gothic building, which cost between $5,000 and $6,000, was erected. A flourishing Sunday-school is established.

Rev. D. J. SHEEHY still remains Pastor. He was born in Ireland, 1850; grad. Mt. Melleray Coll., 1868, and Niagara Coll., 1873; located Brooklyn, 1873-'81.

The following Roman Catholic Clergymen reside in Brook- lyn:

Rev. THOMAS ADAMS, born in Ireland, grad. Coll. do los Nobles Irlandeses, Salamanca, Spain, and ord. 1866; lo- cated Ballymena, 1866-'72; B'klyn, 187 :- '76; author of Moral- ity of the Irish Land League.

Rev. M. J. HATTON, boru in France, 1838; ord. 1861; was Prof. in Sem., and Asst. Priest in France: located B'klyn, 1872, in charge of Homes for Aged of Little Sisters of the Poor, in U. S. A.

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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THE VERY REV. JOHN LOUGHLIN, Bishop of the R. C. Diocese of the City of Brooklyn, N. Y.

A little more than thirty years ago, in October, 1853, the city of Brooklyn was raised to the dignity of an Episcopal See. On the 30th of that month, Very Rev. John Loughlin, then Vicar-General of New York, was consecrated first Bishop of Brooklyn. The ceremony of consecration was performed in St. Patrick's Cathedral by Archbishop Bedini, the Pope's Nuncio, assisted by six bishops, and the consecra- tion sermon was preached by Archbishop Hughes. On the 9th of November, Bishop Loughlin's installation took place. The Catholics of Brooklyn made the occasion a gala day, and turned out en masse, to welcome him who was hereafter to be their spiritual director. Catholic societies paraded, banners waved, bands played, and over one hundred priests were present. Catholic writers termed it a great day for Brooklyn.

It is entirely unnecessary for us to refer, at any length, to the great administrative ability of Right Rev. Bishop Lough- lin. The condition of the Catholic Church in his diocese to- day speaks plainer than any written words, of the work that the Bishop has done. A plain, unassuming man, gifted not with ability alone, but also endowed with sound, prac- tical common sense, to a degree that few men are; he has lahored for the honer of God and the glory of his church, and his labors have been abundantly blessed with great fruits.

Upon the advent of Bishop Loughlin, the episcopal resi- dence of the diocese was fixed at St. James', where it has since been. He entered immediately upon the duties of his high position. The spiritual affairs of the diocese were then circumscribed. The number of churches in the diocese could be almost counted on the fingers of a single hand. Since his coming, the average of new parishes created has heen over one for each year; and the Bishop has fairly earned the title of the "Church Builder."

Bishop Loughlin was born in Albany, N. Y .; was educated at Emmettsburgh, Md., and was then appointed Assistant to the Bishop of the city of New York. When we have stated these facts, and presented the following résumé of the con- dition of his diocese, after his thirty-one years' administra- tion of its spiritual and temporal affairs, we have written his biography. Words can do no more.

When he came to Brooklyn, the churches of St. James, St. Patrick, St. Paul, and of the Assumption, comprised the bulk of the Roman Catholic membership of the city. It is true there were a few other scattered congregations, but they were generally insignificant in point of numbers; the great bulk of the people having clustered in the lower part of the city.

By 1856, seven new and fine churches had been erected and dedicated; besides one in Queens county; and, in the same year, the corner-stones of another one in Queens county, and one in Greenpoint, were laid. The work thus vigorously carried on in the early years of Bishop Loughlin's administration has never been allowed to stop, and to-day is being as earnestly prosecuted as ever in the history of the diocese.

Catholic societies of all kinds have also grown and pros- pered with the church in Brooklyn, and have done much in the various parishes in which they are situated, to asssist their respective Pastors. Almost every church has its

"Holy Name," and its "St. Vincent de Paul's " Society; and both of these societies have effected great good. In addition to these, there are numerous other societies having various aims and objects, and all doing good in their respective fields. The Young Men's Literary Societies in Brooklyn num- ber about fifteen, and have an aggregate membership rang- ing from 1,200 to 1,500. Most of them affiliate with a Na- tional Union of all the Catholic Literary Societies in the United States. The President of this National Union is a Brooklyn clergyman, Rev. J. H. Mitchell, of St. James' Cathedral.

Temperance societies exist in many parishes of the city. Those two beneficial organizations, the Catholic Knights of America, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion, both very strong in Brooklyn, have the unqualified approval of the Bishop. The Knights have eight branches in Brooklyn; the Legion seven- teen councils. Both are in a flourishing condition. Other societies of lesser importance our lack of space compels us to refrain from mentioning. Bishop Loughlin has not been slow to approve of good societies; but he has steadily refused to encourage any whose aims were not thoroughly Catholic.

The increase of opportunities for Catholic education in Brooklyn has kept pace with the growth of the church. That every Catholic child in his diocese should be provided with a Catholic education has always been Bishop Lough- lin's earnest desire.

Upon his arrival in Brooklyn there were but two Catholic schools in this city; one attached to the Church of the As- sumption, and the other to St. James' Church. The Chris- tian Brothers of New York were invited to take charge of the new school. The desire for Catholic education was so great even then that the school was overcrowded on the opening day. The Brothers are still in charge, and fully sus- tain their reputation as educators of Catholic youth. Very many of their pupils have become prominent in mercantile or public life; and not a few have been, and are to-day, zealous priests, exercising their ministry in this diocese and elsewhere.

At the invitation of the Bishop, the Sisters of St. Joseph came to Brooklyn in August, 1855. In September of the same year, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Sisters of the Vis- itation also came; and in 1858, Bishop Loughlin applied for a few Franciscan Brothers to assist in the work of Catholic education. Two Brothers came in May of that year, and aided by the Bishop, they multiplied in numbers, and be- came prosperous and flourishing. Their headquarters is the Monastery of St. Francis of Assissi, in Butler street. They are now educating about 5,000 children in this diocese eaclı year. To-day there is scarcely a church that has not a school adjoining. Church and school have been simultane- ously erected, and we can say, without fear of contradiction, that to-day no city in this broad land has better facilities for Catholic education than Brooklyn. These schools, as a rule, are well attended. In the diocese there are 73 paro- chial schools, 18 academies and select schools, and 2 col- leges. The parochial schools are attended by 9,173 boys and 9,825 girls; the aggregate attendance being 18,997. The se- lect schools are attended by 2,030 scholars, of whom 1,680 are girls, and 350 boys. St. Francis' College is attended by 225 pupils, and St. John's by 185. By this it will be seen

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

that the total number of scholars attending Catholic schools of all kinds in this city is 21,437.

For thirty years Bishop Loughlin has lived in this com- munity; and, during that time, his life has been as simple and open as that of the least of his flock. His heart has al- ways been with his people, and his door has ever stood open, that the meanest and most wretched of them might come to him for the relief not to be elsewhere found. He found the Catholics of Brooklyn few in number and weak in resources. To-day, in 90 churches and 37 chapels and stations; 150 priests

minister to the spiritual needs of 200,000 Catholics; in nearly 100 schools and colleges more than 20,000 children are being carefully instructed ; and within the confines of his diocese, four hospitals and sixteen asylums stand with their doors open to the poor, the sick, and the unfortunate. Deeds are more eloquent than words, and the administration of Bishop Loughlin has been big with deeds .*

* We acknowledge our indebtedness to The Catholic Examiner of October 6, 1883.

REFORMED CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

The movement of late years to return to the primitive Christianity which recognizes the Bible as the only authority in religious matters, instead of the decrees of councils, found a number of adherents in Brooklyn. Its mission is to reach, with Bible truths, the Roman Catholic element. In this, success has been achieved by not becoming identified with any particular denomination, but by standing aloof, and as ex-Roman Catholics, still retaining the name and character of Catholic; thus having a greater influence, speaking more directly to Roman Catholics. During the past two years of this church in Brooklyn, 69 persons have identified themselves with the First Reformed Catholic Church. This church is under no episcopal jurisdiction whatever, but conducted on a purely congregational basis.

Rev. E. H. Walsh, of New York, formerly a Trappist monk in the Church of Rome, formed the First Independent Catholic Church in this city, Sept. 25th, 1881, in Bridge st., between Tillary and Concord.

Rev. J. F. McNamee was the Pastor in charge until March, 1883, when he took a portion of the church and established a congregation in Central Hall, known as the First Reformed Catholic Church. At the same time Rev. Mr. Walsh came to Brooklyn and took charge of the Bridge street church, which was incorporated in October, 1883.

Rev. J. V. McNamara has charge of the Independent Re- formed Church, which holds it meetings in Everett Hall, and was organized in June, 1883.

Jan. 7, 1884, a branch was org. at Masonic Hall, Grand st., for the Eastern District, of which Father McNamee is Pastor.

These churches are all the outgrowth of a movement that took form about six years ago, and which throws off from church organization everything of human origin, and aims to return to the Apostolic form, and to the simplicity of the Gospel.

Rev. JAS. F. McNAMEE, born in Ireland, 1857; grad. Coll. de Beaucamps, Lille, 1879; located Newark, 1881; Brooklyn, 1881.

Rev. EDMUND H. WALSH, born in Ireland, 1853; was in Bridge St. Ch., and in Ind. Cath. Ch., Harlem, N. Y., from Sept. to Nov., 1881; Ind. Cath. Ch., Brooklyn, Nov., 1881-'84.

Rev. CHARLES F. GAEGAN, born at Fairfax C. H., Va., 1857; grad. Mt. St. Mary's Coll. (Md.), 1875, and New York Theol. Sch., 1880; located Newark, New York, Hartford, Boston, 1879-'83; lecturer, Gen. Miss. and Gen. Sec'y, Ind. Cath. Ch.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

First Presbyterian Church (New School) .- The ground upon which the Plymouth Church now stands was purchased in 1822, by John and Jacob M. Hicks, for the erection of an edifice for the use of the First Presbyterian Church. The population of Brooklyn was then less than ten thousand, and the church located in the midst of cultivated fields, and far out from the settled portion of the village. It was or- ganized with ten members, by the Presbytery of New York, March 10th, 1822, and incorporated ca the 13th of the same month. The new organization was admitted to connection with the Presbytery of New York, April 10, 1822; and on the 15th of the same month, the corner-stone of a substantial church edifice was laid. This building was ninety feet in depth, hy fifty-five feet in width. A lecture-room, including a Sabbath-school room and study, was attached to tho rear of the church, fronting upon Orange street, in 1831. The first Pastor was Rev. Joseph Sanford, installed Oct. 16th, 1823, and dismissed Jan. 11, 1829. He was succeeded by Rev.

Daniel Lynn Carroll, installed March, 1829, and dismissed July 9, 1835. The pulpit then remained vacant nearly two years; until, on the 8th of May, 1837, the Rev. Samuel Han- son Cox, D. D., was installed as Pastor. In November, 1838, the division of the Synod of New York was followed by a corresponding division of the membership of this church. About forty families, including three elders and nearly one hundred members, claiming to be the legitimate representa- tives of the original founders of the church, in their reli- gious opinions and sentiments, preferred to retain their con- nection with the Presbytery of New York (which remained attached to the Old School Synod and General Assembly), and asserting themselves to be the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, withdrew from Dr. Cox's charge. The Pastor, seven elders, and about five hundred and fifty members, ac- knowledging the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Brooklyn, continued on the even tenor of their way. On the 28th of July, 1846, the corner-stone of the present elegant house of

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345