USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Woonsocket > History of the Catholic church in Woonsocket and vicinity, from the celebration of the first mass in 1828, to the present time, with a condensed account of the early history of the church in the United States > Part 10
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Rev. Napoleon Leclerc was born in St. Cecile de Mil- ton, P. Q., in September, 1861; came to the United States four years afterwards with his parents, who settled in Har- risville. Five years later the family moved to Providence, where Father Leclerc attended the public schools, and after graduation pursued a classical course in St. Hyacinthe Col- lege, and then entered St. John's College, Brighton, Mass., where he studied theology for four years.
On June 25, 1887, he was ordained a priest and in July of that year was appointed assistant pastor to Rev. Father Mahoney at the Church of Notre Dame de Sacre Coeur in Central Falls. On Jan. 16, 1890, he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Jean Baptiste at Woodlawn, where he built a parsonage, and shortly after its comple- tion came to Woonsocket.
On arrival here the new pastor consulted prominent
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men of his parish about the location and purchase of a site for a Church and parsonage. The result was the purchase of a lot from Bouvier & Gaulin, with a frontage of 205 feet on Cumberland street and a depth of 230 feet, running back to Gaulin avenue. Another lot, with a frontage of 205 feet on Gaulin avenue and running back 235 feet, was also purchased. Three other lots, with an aggregate front- age of 160 feet and a depth of 120 feet, were subsequently purchased.
After the purchase of the first land in October, 1900, the erection of a building was entered upon, which included a Church, a parochial dwelling and school rooms. This building is 110 feet long by 60 feet wide and has an ell 40 by 36 feet. The whole structure is three stories high, with a French roof. The Church located in the building has a seating capacity of 1,000, and is filled at six services held each Sunday, these being four Masses, a Sunday school and a vesper service. A little over 1,000 children attend the Sunday school, 600 of whom receive general in- structions each Sunday from Father Leclerc, the remaining 400 being instructed by the Sisters.
There are twelve school rooms and a reception room in the building, the schools being attended by 700 pupils, presided over by thirteen teachers, seven being lay teachers, the others being Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, who came here from their Convent home in Montreal in Septem- ber, 1893.
The erection of the first building was begun in May, 1891, and was finished in November of that year. Imme- diately on the establishment of the parish of St. Ann, and for ten months afterwards, the parishioners attended ser- vices held in the basement of the Church of the Precious Blood, this privilege being granted by the kindness of Rev. Father Dauray.
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St. Ann's Chapel on Gaulin avenue was dedicated with pomp and ceremony Sunday morning, November 22, 1891. At an early morning service Right Rev. Bishop Harkins confirmed a class of over 200 children, after which he ad- dressed them on the sacrament they had received, and hoped it would keep them strong in the Faith during life.
The dedication of the Chapel took place at the 10:30 morning services, Right Rev. Bishop Harkins, in full canon- icals, officiating, assisted by these priests : Very Rev. M. McCabe, Vicar General of the diocese ; Rev. Napoleon Le- clerc, Pastor of the Church; Rev. Mederic Roberge, as- sistant pastor; Rev. Father Payan of New Bedford, Rev. Father Jourdin of St. Charles' Church, Providence ; Rev. J. H. Lennon of Pawtucket, Rev. George T. Mahoney of Central Falls ; Rev. John T. Lynch, assistant pastor of St. Charles' Church ; Rev. Charles Dauray, Pastor and Rev. Eugene Lessard and Rev. Joseph G. Lavallee, assistant pastors of the Church of the Precious Blood.
A procession, consisting of the Bishop and priests, was formed at the chancel rails, which proceeded to the church entrance. The procession from there proceeded around the church, the Bishop and priests chanting re- sponsive psalms and the Bishop sprinkling the walls with holy water. When a circuit of the church was made the processionists proceeded up the center aisle, chanting the litany of the saints as they proceeded. The reciting of the litany was finished before the altar, after which the Bishop and priests proceeded around the interior of the church, chanting psalms, and the Bishop sprinkling holy water as he went. The dedicatory service was finished at the altar, after which the Bishop blessed a beautiful statue of St. Ann. This statue, which cost over $200, was purchased by the ladies of the congregation and represents St. Ann in the act of instructing the Blessed Virgin. The dual
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statue is on a pedestal on the gospel side of the altar. After the blessing of the statue a solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Payan, with Rev. Father Lavallee as Deacon, Rev. Father Lessard Sub-Deacon and Rev. Father Roberge Master of Ceremonies.
Rev. Father Dauray, Pastor of the Church of the Pre- cious Blood, preached the sermon, after the first gospel of the Mass, taking for his text this passage from the Psalms :
How lovely are Thy tabenacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord!
The reverend gentleman proceeded to say that these words of King David began one of his most beautiful canticles. This psalm overflowed with love and admiration for the house of God. After Jacob awoke from sleep, in which he saw as a vision a ladder stand- ing upon the earth, with the top thereof touching Heaven, ex- claimed : "How terrible is this place! This is no other than the house of God and the gate of Heaven." Such should be our lan- guage of love and admiration to-day in dedicating this new temple to the Lord. Let us open our hearts and be grateful for the favors God has bestowed upon us. We are sometimes unmindful of the glory of God's temple, in our worldly ways, and forget that the Creator of Heaven and earth is always within the Church erected for His habitation. Let us consider the greatness of the Catholic Church and the part it plays in the economy of the Christian life of this world. First, the Catholic Church is the house of God and the Gate to Heaven, because God dwells therein, and is really pres- ent in the blessed sacrament of the altar. Second, the Church is the house of God, because therein all homage, praise and adoration is rendered to Him. In it is offered up the holy sacrifice of the Mass, this sacrifice being established by Christ Jesus, the Son of God. Third, the Church is also the house of man, because there the most important events of man's life takes place. It is there he is made a Christian at the baptismal font. It is there he is fortified by confirmation and holy communion. It is there where the mar- riage ceremony is performed which unites in Christian bonds the husband and wife, receiving in this ceremony, when worthily re- ceived, the blessing of God. It is within the Church that the last remains of the faithful in Christ receive the last rites on earth be- fore being consigned to their last resting place in the grave.
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Within the Church we find symbolism of all that is noble. We find there the spirit of truth, and also see in the Cross, the symbol of our salvation and redemption, and in the images of the saints we are reminded of the souls in Heaven. The priest in all that he does preaches the infallible truth, founded on the law laid down by the Almighty and eternal God. The Catholic Church preaches this eternal truth through all her churches throughout the world. The Catholic Church is the house of virtue, as well as the Church of truth. It is not alone sufficient that man should know the truth, but he must put it in practice. It is said it is difficult to be good. The Church gives us the strength to be good, and teaches us to be patient in our trials, and strengthens us to fight against tempta- tions and frailties of the flesh.
The reverend gentleman at this point drew a very beautiful illustration of the manner in which God in Heaven, like the vision seen by Jacob, extends His grace, mercy and goodness from His throne above, to men on the earth beneath, thereby through His Church, leading all the faithful to that ladder by which they can ascend to Heaven. The kindness and goodness of God to His creatures is seen everywhere, but most of all in His Church. The cross placed on top of the Church proclaims salvation to man. The cross on the baptismal font opens the gate of Heaven to the infant in baptism. The cross on the confessional brings new life to the erring penitent who finds himself, if truly sorry for his sins, re-established in the grace of God. The cross on the tabernacle of the altar points out the sanctuary of immortal life. There Jesus Christ, the Saviour, is seen; from there He rests upon the lips and enters the heart. O, Lord, Thy tabernacles are dear to me, because everywhere I can see Thy presence and contemplate Thy goodness. He admonished all to be faithful to God and the Church. He spoke words of praise for what the people had done in erecting the Chapel just dedicated. These people, he said, were at one time his people, and were at all times generous, obedient and faitlıful. A separation had taken place, and a new Church was established. He did not like the word separation, it was harsh and unmusical to the ear. There was a place in his Church these people once occu- pied. The vacancy which took place in the seats when they left was now filled by others, but the vacancy in his heart, because of the loss of so good a people, could never be filled.
In final conclusion he admonished them to continue the good
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work so grandly begun, and be ever faithful to their pastor by being always filled with the love of God and in united obedience to His holy Church.
Many in the congregation shed tears during Father Dauray's final sentences. The Right Rev. Bishop ascended the chancel steps near the close of the Mass and addressed the congregation. He congratulated all on the good work accomplished and wished them to persevere in all things which will make the parish prosperous and keep the grace of God among them. The Catholic population of Woon- socket was very large and steadily increasing. Very Rev. M. McCabe could remember, the Bishop said, when a small wooden Church was large enough for all the Catholics in Woonsocket. Now there was the Church of the Precious Blood, St. Charles' Church and St. Ann's Church, all being filled each Sunday by large congregations. All ought to be united in the spirit of God and thereby work for His greater honor and glory.
The Bishop gave the benediction at the end of the Mass. The congregation present at the service was very large, all seats in the pews being filled. A large number of chairs arranged in front of the chancel rails were all oc- cupied. The music of the Mass was well rendered by an augmented choir under the direction of Miss LeBlanc, who presided at the organ.
The interior of the Chapel is very handsome. The walls and ceilings are frescoed in subdued tints of old gold, relieved with Van Dyke brown striping and gold ornamenta- tion. The altar is finished in cream color, with pearl color in the panels. The mouldings and other ornamentation are finished in gold leaf. The pews are finished in oak and black walnut.
The new rectory was built in 1893, the work beginning in April and ending in September. The parsonage, like
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every other building of St. Ann's, is built for comfort and endurance. It is 42x49 feet, with an ell 22x21 feet, and ell and main building are two stories high with French roof above the second story. Pressed brick and granite trim- mings are used in construction. There are twenty-eight rooms in the building, including bath rooms. All modern improvements are found in all the departments. The pas- tor and each of his assistants has a spacious sitting or study room and a chamber connected. It is attractively and at the same time comfortably furnished.
In 1894 the whole Church property was valued at over $100,000, and on which the people of the parish in the short space of four years have paid over $55,000, doing this through the zeal and untiring energy of their pastor. This is a wonderful and almost unparalleled record, but is by no means all this pastor and people have done.
One of the greatest events so far in this grandly pro- gressive parish is the building of St. Ann's gymnasium and theatre. This is a splendid building, being in all its equip- ments unsurpassed in the State. The architecture is of the Moorish, or what some call the Romanesque order, a style borrowed from the Etruscans at the time of the de- cline in Grecian architecture. F. Walter Fountain was the architect and John B. Fountain, father of the architect, the builder, under the supervision of A. Charles Fountain, and constant and ever-watchful general direction of Rev. Father Bourgeois. To all the greatest praise is due for the best work ever put in any public or private building in the city. The first work was entered upon on May 23, 1894. During the whole work Father Bourgeois never left his post of duty from the time the foundation stone was laid until the dedi- cation services were completed. The careful attention paid by him to every detail has terminated in conscientious work throughout, work which is the best of the best, each one
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of the sub-contractors vieing with each other in producing the best possible. In fact, it would be impossible to do poor work under the genial, gentlemanly, intelligent, and at the same time justly supervision of Father Bourgeois.
Let us enter the gymnasium portion of the structure. We find here an apartment 61x48 feet. It is sheathed with moulded-face Norway hard pine on walls and ceiling, fin- ished in the natural wood. The ceiling is supported by six panel posts. In this room are the latest and best improve- ments known in gymnasium apparutus. There are eighty- four lockers with individual keys, built of white wood, con- nected with this apartment. Among the equipments are a circular running track thirty-two laps to the mile, two bowl- ing alleys of regulation size, six chest weights, a neck machine, rowing weight, wrist machine, hitch-and-kick ma- chine, breast bars, vaulting horse, one horizontal bar, one vaulting bar, a striking bag and drum, flying rings, travel- ing rings, climbing pole and rope, rope ladder, a large as- sortment of Indian clubs and dumb-bells, mattresses, bridge ladder, parallel bars, medicine ball, and jump stands. A billiard hall 30x30 feet, off the gymnasium apartment, is grandly fitted up. The walls are sheathed three feet from the floor, and above this is terra cotta finish on walls and ceilings, with hardware light bronze finish. A bath-room is on this floor, which has a water-tight and air-tight floor, and in which a vapor bath, sponge, plunge or shower bath can be obtained. Water closets, urinals and wash stands are connected with this apartment.
Leaving the first story we ascend through the main hallway to the second story, the stairway being eight feet wide, with easy grade of steps. The fresco finish on wall and ceiling is terra cotta, with solid bronze trimmings on doors. Two handsome arches are passed through, one from the billard hall and one to the main entrance from
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Cumberland street. These are fashioned out of hard pine and finished in the natural wood.
On the second story is the library and reading room, each being 18x30 feet and connected by folding doors. The floors are maple, with white wood sheathing and terra cotta fresco on walls and ceilings, a relief being given in pink frieze. Handsome furniture and rugs adorn the room. A smoking room, 15x21 feet, finished in blue fresco, with white wood sheathing and maple floor, is easy of access from the library and reading rooms. A board of directors' room is next in order, and is 15x18 feet, the ceiling and walls of which are finished in Quaker gray and slate, the Quaker color being probably put in by the artist as indica- tive of calm, calculating wisdom.
And now we come to the grand apartment, par excel- lence of all, namely, the beautiful theatre in which the eye has much to admire, the judgment much to delight in. Five doors lead from the corridor to the theatre, all opening out, the cosy little box office, 4x7 feet, being in the corridor. The architecture of the interior is old colonial style. The colors in the beautiful frescoing on walls and ceiling are rich in gold, cream, yellow, brown, green and olive. The fronts of the four boxes and balcony are adorned with cream color and gold, the harmony of colors here as else- where being all that critical eye could desire. The frieze, cove, panels on boxes and balcony, capitals, bases, laurels and coping are papier mache. The emblems used in decor- ation are music and art. Heavy burnished brass rails adorn the front of the gallery and also the tops of the boxes, and inclose the place set apart for the orchestra. Eight chandeliers, used for lighting, hang from the dome. On these are forty lights, twenty-four of which are electric and the others gas. The boxes are 8x8 feet and have Brussels carpets on the floors, and are furnished with lace
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and silk plush draperies. The walls are finished in terra cotta and the furniture is of the willow style. The pro- cenium arch, 22 feet wide by 18 feet high, is very hand- some. In the center is a scroll, on which are the letters " G. S. A.," and on panels right and left of the scroll are emblems of art and music. Similar emblems are used in decorating the inside finish of the dome.
The theatre proper is 50x100 feet, with a seating ca- pacity of 800 in balcony and auditorium. The seats are models of comfort, and are each furnished with hat and umbrella racks. The tops, numbers and section letters are of burnished nickel. The stage is 21 feet 6 inches by 50 feet. The drop curtain is a splendid piece of art. The scene is the citadel at Quebec, with soldiers on duty, the English flag flying, and artillery in position. The promen- ade is seen below the fortress walls, with many people pass- ing to and fro, and far below is the St. Lawrence river, bearing on its bosom outgoing and incoming merchantmen, French and English men-of-war and pleasure steamers. The list of scenes is extensive, and they are all beautiful ; in fact, in scenery and every other appointment and prop- erty, the stage is one of the best equipped in the State.
There is a beautiful palace scene, on leg-drop, with six wings, this number of wings being furnished every scene. A kitchen scene is hung on flippers, and has doors, fire place and a practical window. A gothic chamber scene of Louis XIV. style, is unsurpassed in beauty and delicacy of touch. A center door fancy, prison scene, garden scene, light and dark wood, landscape, ancient street, modern street, rocky pass, snow-drop, set houses, set cottages, piazzas, trellis arbor, set rock, set bridge, set water, to- gether with set vases and set statuary make up a stage pharaphernalia which it would be hard to equal Above the stage are the dressing rooms, four in number each 8x12
REV. NAPOLEON LECLERC. Pastor of St. Ann . Parish.
REV. NAPOLEON LECLERC, Pastor of St. Ann's Parish.
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feet. There is also a green room, which is 12x14 feet, which is furnished with a first-class parlor set and has a handsome Brussels carpet on the floor. The corridor and stairway leading to the dressing rooms are carpeted. A large scenery dock room is off the corridor leading to the dressing rooms.
On Sunday, December 9, 1894, this beautiful struct- ure, the Gymnasium of the Church of St. Ann, was dedi- cated with great pomp and solemnity by Right Rev. Bishop Harkins, assisted by a number of clergymen. It was an epoch in the history of the young Catholic parish which must go down forever on the records as a grand, progres- sive event, so far unparalleled in its completeness among the other parishes of the city. It was an event which all citizens were proud of, because St. Ann's gymnasium, blessed and dedicated, is a physical as well as a mental educational institution for young men, and young men being the hope of the city, State and nation, all that tends to their progress for good in all things must be pleasing to every patriotic man and woman. Crowds surrounded the beautiful building from early morning, the people assembled being in the majority members of the parish, who took pride in looking at a monument erected by their pastor through their generous gifts for their use and enjoyment.
In the evening at 7:45 Right Rev. Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence diocese, assisted by Rev. Napoleon Leclerc, rector of St. Ann's, and Rev. Charles C. Dauray, rector of the Church of the Precious Blood, blessed the building, by passing around the interior of the gymnasium and sprinkling holy water on the walls, while responsive prayers were recited. At a little after 8 o'clock a literary and musical programme of great excellence was carried out in the handsome theatre, which was crowded to overflowing by an audience composed of representatives of all classes
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in the city, including clergymen, city officials, professional men, merchants, manufacturers and the laboring class, the last named being those whose generous contributions ma- terially assisted in the erection of the building.
After two selections by the orchestra and a hymn by a sextet, Alphonse Gaulin, Jr., was introduced by Rev. Father Bourgeois, who presided as master of ceremonies. Mr. Gaulin occupied half an hour in an eloquent address in the French language, which was frequently applauded.
A baritone solo, with orchestra and chorus, followed the able discourse, after which Mayor Aram J. Pothier de- livered the following address in English, which he supple- mented by an address in French :
Right Reverend Bishop, Gentlemen of the Clergy, Ladies and Gentlemen :
" I am grateful for the privilege of taking part in these interesting exercises. As Mayor of this city, wishing to see it amongst the most prosperous, well-administered and peaceful in the land, I cannot look with indifference at the sacrifices that are made to elevate youth. I feel that it is my duty to be here this evening, to encourage the move- ment so auspiciously begun. This stately pile bespeaks not only of the generosity of the people of St. Ann, it stands also as a monument to the intelligent foresight of those whose mission is to preach the brotherhood of men. The erection of such a building in a community is an event of the greatest import and significance, an event that all loyal citizens, of whatever creed, must hail with delight, for it means order, progress and liberty. As citizens of the proudest Republic which the world has known, we are in- terested in the maintenance of our institutions ; we want them to live that they may extend their influence for good to other nations. Our experiment, although extending over a century, is still an experiment, and the American
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people-that great exponent of democracy-is responsible to the world at large for the success of popular government. Let order reign, let the laws be respected, let the spirit of obedience to authority, remain the corner-stone of the Re- public, and its stability is assured.
" And yet, Right Rev. Bishop, ladies and gentlemen, however hopeful we may be for the future of the American commonwealth, we cannot overlook the dangers that threaten it. The sudden and immense development of the resources of the country, causing vast aggregations of capi- tal to control these resources beyond safe limits, the indis- criminate immigration permitted, the relaxation of the family ties often due to our divorce laws, the discontent amongst the masses due to real causes or sometimes to the demagogical utterances of cheap politics, the intemperate habits of many-all of these things have given rise to so- cial and economic problems hard to solve, but that can be solved, nevertheless, by the application of the rules laid down by Christianity. The influence of religion, which preaches fraternity to the rich and poor, which speaks of virtue, of justice and of mercy, is needed to keep that necessary equillibrium in our social life without which order is impossible. All well meaning persons realize the im- portance of that Christian influence for the preservation of order, and they like to foster it by contributing to the erec- tion of such buildings as this and of the many Churches which are the glory of our land. Churches are the foun- tainhead of all the noble deeds of charity and devotion which brighten our national life. They give to mankind the sister of the poor, the nurse on the battlefield, the min- istering angel of the hospital and house of refuge. They inspire the rich with that generosity which prompts him to share his wealth with others in erecting houses of learning, public libraries, hospitals, orphanages, etc. Assuredly
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