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 13
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July 9, 1902, the contract for building the basement of the new Church was awarded to Mr. Alfred Daigneault. It is 145 feet long and 70 feet wide, and seats about 1,000 persons.
Rev. Joseph S. Fortin, pastor of the Church of the Holy Family, was born in St. Anicet, P. Q., Canada, Feb. 6, 1859. His parents were Hermenègilde Fortin and Eliza- beth (Moore) Fortin. After a classical and theological course in the Seminary of Quebec, he was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1885, by His Eminence Cardinal Tasch- ereau. He spent the first year of his priesthood in this Seminary, and in 1886 was appointed curate in Pointe Claire ; in 1888, he was transferred to St. Cunegonde's Church in the city of Montreal. In 1890 he came to the United States, and was appointed assistant pastor of the Sacred Heart Church in New Bedford, Mass., where he re- mained ten years. February 6, 1901, he was appointed by Right Rev. Matthew Harkins, first pastor of St. John Bap- tist Church in Fall River.
February 28, 1902, he was transferred by Bishop Harkins to the new parish of the Holy Family in this city.
Rev. Father Fortin is assisted by Rev. G. H. DeFoy. He received his appointment as assistant pastor of the Church of the Holy Family in November, 1902. He was ordained to the priesthood the same day as the pastor, May 30, 1885, in the Basilie of Quebec.
The Diocese of Hartford.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF BISHOPS-RIGHT REV. WILLIAM TYLER,
D. D., FIRST BISHOP OF HARTFORD DIOCESE-REMARKABLE CONVERSIONS -- THE BURNING OF THE URSULINE CONVENT- DARING AND HEROIC ACT OF BISHOP BERNARD O'REILLY ..
The diocese of Hartford, of which Woonsocket formed a part from the establishment of that diocese on Nov. 28, 1843, by Pope Gregory XVI., was the second see erected in New England.
Right Rev. William Tyler, D. D., the first Bishop of this diocese, was consecrated on March 17, 1844, and died June 18, 1849.
Right Rev. Bernard O'Reilly, D. D., the second Bishop, was consecrated Nov. 10, 1850.
Right Rev. Francis Patrick McFarland, D. D., the third Bishop, was consecrated on March 14, 1858, and died October 12, 1874.
Right Rev. Thomas Galberry, D. D., fourth Bishop, was consecrated March 19, 1876, and died Oct. 10, 1878.
Right Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, D. D., fifth Bishop, was consecrated Aug. 10, 1879, and died Aug. 21, 1893.
The present Bishop, Right Rev. Michael Tierney, D. D., was consecrated Feb. 22, 1894. The present diocese is 4,845 square miles in extent and comprises the whole State of Connecticut.
Right Rev. William Tyler, D. D., the first Bishop of Hartford diocese, was born in Derby, Vermont, on June 5, 1806. At the age of 16 he and his father, mother and the other members of the family were converted to the Catholic
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faith and doctrine. He received a classical education at a seminary conducted by his uncle, Rev. Virgil Barber, at Claremont, New Hampshire. This uncle, as early as the year 1816, was principal of an Academy and pastor of an Episcopal church at Fairfield, New York, and became so impressed with the piety of an Irish Catholic servant girl, hired to do domestic work in his home, that he sought out the truths of the Catholic religion, which were expounded to him by Rev. Benedict Fenwick, afterward second Bishop of Boston diocese, who was at that time an assistant priest to Rev. Anthony Kohlman in New York city. Rev. Mr. Bar- ber and his whole family became converts. His wife, in order that he might become a priest, entered a convent. A son, Samuel Barber, studied for the priesthood and was in due time ordained, both father and son joining the Order of Jesuits ; Mrs. Barber and her youngest daughter, Jose- phine, became Sisters of the Visitation Order, and three other daughters became Sisters of the Order of St. Ursula. Mary, the eldest of these, became a professed nun at the Ursuline Convent, Charlestown, on August 15, 1826, being the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and remained in that institution until its destruction by fire, set by a " Knownothing " mob, in 1834.
The conversion of this pious and interesting family was due, through God, to the exemplary life, piety and de- votion to the Faith of that humble Irish servant girl. Rev. Father Barber was subsequently professor of Hebrew in Georgetown College, where he died in 1847.
In explanation of how the Church permits a man, as in the case of Rev. Father Barber, to become a priest, while the wife of such a man lives, it may be stated that when, by mutual consent, husband and wife agree to separate, with the understanding that the wife will subscribe to vows in a religious order, and that the children of such father and
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THE DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
mother, if there are any, are amply provided for, the Church, under such circumstances, does not prevent them from con- secrating their lives to God. All the conditions in this particular case were fulfilled.
Young Tyler, after completing an ecclesiastical course under his uncle, studied theology under the guidance of Right Rev. Benedict Fenwick and was ordained a priest in 1828. After ordination he was stationed at the Cathedral, Boston, where he remained for several years, and from there was sent to Aroostook, Maine. From there he returned to Boston and was appointed Vicar General. When the new diocese of Hartford was created in 1843 he was nomi- nated its first Bishop, and was consecrated on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. 1844. He established his Episcopal resi- dence in Providence. He took part in the sixth and seventh plenary councils of Baltimore.
Through his zeal many Churches were built in his dio- cese, and the number of priests was greatly increased dur- ing his episcopate. He died in Providence on June 18, 1849. His remains rest in the crypt of the new Cathedral. The Tyler School in Providence, one of the finest educa- tional buildings in Rhode Island, was erected to his memory by Right Rev. Matthew Harkins.
Right Rev. Bernard O'Reilly was consecrated second Bishop of Hartford. This reverend divine is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born in the county of Longford, Ireland, in 1803; embarked for the United States on January 17, 1825, and on arrival proceeded to Montreal, where, after admission to the Grand Seminary, he entered upon the study of philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in 1831, after which he was appointed pastor of St. James' Church, Brooklyn, New York. Dur- ing his mission there the Asiatic cholera epidemic of 1832
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broke out. His services during the prevalence of that dreadful disease won the admiration of the whole commu- nity. Though twice prostrated by that scourge he rallied each time and renewed his heroic work of administering material aid, as well as spiritual consolation to those stricken with the disease. In December of that year he was as- signed to missionary work at Rochester, New York, the field of his labor extending west of Auburn and east of Niagara Falls. His work was continuous here until 1847, when he was assigned to duty at Buffalo, being at that time raised to the dignity of Vicar General. After conse- cration as Bishop of Hartford he established his residence in Providence.
It was here during the fierce reign of bigotry, fostered and propagated by the evil spirit of " Knownothingism " in 1855, he proved to all concerned that he was a true, un- flinching soldier of Christ.
A riotous mob surrounded the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, and threatened the destruction of the building by fire and also threatened the inmates with death. The Bishop, with fearless courage, stood before the building and addressing the riotors, declared that he would protect the Sisters while he had life. His undaunted courage so awed the cowardly bigots composing the mob, that they departed without carrying their fiendish threats into execution.
That mob was not so successful as the one that on the night of August 11, 1834, set fire to the Ursuline Convent at Charlestown, Mass., and reduced the stately building to ruins. A portion of one of the walls, on which was a cross, remained standing for many years after the fire, as a memorial of the bigotry which carried out the deed of destruction.
Bishop O'Reilly embarked for Europe on December 5, 1855, with the object of securing religious teachers for his schools.
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THE DIOCESE OF HARTFORD.
Having accomplished the mission on which he started he left for home in January, 1856, taking passage on the ill-fated steamer Pacific, which was never after heard from.
Right Rev. Francis Patrick McFarland, D. D., the third Bishop of Hartford, was born in Franklin, Pennsyl- vania, April 16, 1819. He was educated for the priest- hood at Mount St. Mary's College, and was ordained in New York on May 18, 1845. After ordination he filled a professor's chair for one year in St. John's College, Ford- ham. Leaving there he served as assistant priest for sev- eral months in New York City, and then was appointed to the charge of a mission at Watertown, New York. In 1851 he was made pastor of St. John's Church, at Utica, New York. On March 14, 1858, he was consecrated Bishop of Hartford, and like his two predecessors made Providence his home. When the new diocese of Providence was created he removed to Hartford, where he engaged in the erection of a Cathedral, Episcopal Palace and Con- vent, and continued this work until his health failed. He died in Hartford October 12, 1874.
St. Paul's Church, Blackstone, Mass.
St. Paul's Parish, Blackstone, Mass.
CHAPTER XXV.
FIRST MASS IN BLACKSTONE-FATHER FITTON THE CELEBRANT- REV. CHARLES O'REILLY FIRST PASTOR OF ST. PAUL'S PARISH -MAGNIFICENT GIFTS OF WELCOME FARNUM-REV. EDWARD JJ. SHERIDAN-THE LIFE WORK OF REV. W. A. POWER.
The first Mass celebrated in the Town of Blackstone was in 1846, in the home of Edward McCabe, by Rev. Father Fitton, then a missionary priest from Boston, Mass. After this the Catholic people attended services at St. Charles' Church, Woonsocket. About 1849, learning that Rev. Charles O'Reilly, then pastor of St. Charles, was about to sever his connection with that parish, the Catholic people of Blackstone held a meeting and appointed a com- mittee to wait upon Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick at Bos- ton, to solicit the appointment of Rev. Charles O'Reilly to create a new parish in the Town of Blackstone. The com- mittee were accompanied to Boston by Welcome Farnum, Esq., a wealthy Protestant gentleman, who was owner of many industries in the town, and was deeply interested in the welfare of its citizens. The efforts of the committee were crowned with success, and Rev. Father O'Reilly was assigned to the pastorate of Blackstone. He set about im- mediately to select a site for a Church. Mr. Farnum came forward and tendered to the new pastor as much land as he desired for a site for a Church, free of cost. The offer was kindly accepted and men of the parish commenced ex- cavation for the foundation for a Church. The contract was let for the building of the same. Again Mr. Farnum, not content with what he had already done, presented Rev. Father O'Reilly with a large sum of money, and personally
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HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
solicited from every Catholic employe in his factories for money to help defray the expenses of the erection of the edifice. Mr. Farnum refused to accept less then five dol- lars where he knew the parties could afford that sum.
The contractor began his work in 1850 and finished early in 1851, and the Church was dedicated in 1853 by Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick, of Boston. Rev. Dr. Mori- arty, of Philadelphia, preached the dedicatory sermon.
Rev. Father O'Reilly remained in charge of the parish until his death, which occurred Sept. 29, 1857, aged 65. Father Charles O'Reilly was born in the county Cavan, Ire- land, in 1792, where he received his education and was or- dained a priest. After ordination he went forth as a mis- sionary priest, his destination being the West India Islands, and erected a Church on one of these islands, after which he came to this country, locating in Boston, where for a time he performed missionary work. His remains are in- terred in St. Paul's Church.
Rev. Edward J. Sheridan, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Uxbridge, succeeded Rev. Charles O'Reilly as pastor of St. Paul's Church, Blackstone, in October, 1857, still re- taining Uxbridge, Whitinsville, East Douglas and Man- chaug as missions.
Father Sheridan was born in the province of Connaught, Ireland, in 1824, and immigrated with his parents to Can- ada, when aged 3. He received his education in St. Hya- cinthe College, after which he studied law and opened an office in Portland, Me. Always having a spiritual longing for the priesthood he abandoned the pursuit of law and en- tered the Grand Seminary in Montreal, where he studied theology. His ordination as a priest took place in 1853, . after which he was appointed pastor of Uxbridge by Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick, with outlying missions extending to and including Millbury. He finished work on St. Mary's
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Church, Uxbridge, the erection of which was begun by Rev. Charles O'Reilly.
In 1867 Father Sheridan was appointed pastor of St. Vincent's Church, Purchase street, Boston, and in 1871 was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, Taunton, Mass., where he died, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1896.
Rev. Henry Marie Smyth, first assistant pastor of St. Paul's Church, was born in Monaghan, Ireland, in 1839 ; studied in St. MacCartin's College in his native town ; came to the United States in 1860 and continued his studies in St. Charles' College, Elliott's Mills, Maryland ; from there went to Nicolet College, Que., where he finished a collegial course, after which he entered the Grand Seminary in Mon- treal, where he studied theology. He was ordained a priest by Right Rev. Bishop McFarland of Hartford diocese, in S.S. Peter and Paul's Church, Providence, on Saturday, November 4, 1865, and celebrated his first Mass in St. Paul's Church, Blackstone, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1865, hav- ing in the meantime received an appointment from Most Rev. Archbishop Williams of Boston as assistant to Rev. Father Sheridan. He was assistant pastor of St. Vincent's Church, Purchase street, Boston, when he was appointed pastor of North Brookfield, Mass .; was commissioned Chaplain of the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment by Gov. Alexander H. Bullock on October 3, 1868.
Father Sheridan was succeeded as pastor of St. Paul's Church by Rev. Father Bannon, who, after a few years, resigned on account of ill health. Then Rev. Dennis Scanlon was temporarily placed in charge of St. Paul's parish.
About 1870, Rev. William A. Power, then a young priest, serving as assistant to his brother, Rev. John Power, at Worcester, Mass., was appointed pastor of St. Paul's parish. He found the Church property encumbered with a
e
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HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
$2,000 mortgage, which he at once set about to pay off. He soon had the entire parish in sympathy with him in his efforts to accomplish his purpose.
In 1872 a spire was built. In 1874 the building known as Institute Hall was built. It contains two neat halls and ante-rooms. One of the halls is used for Sunday school services and the other for parish purposes, entertainments, lectures, etc.
In 1879 he purchased land and built St. Augustine's Church at Millville, Mass., and ministered to its people until the arrival of Rev. M. H. Kittridge, who had been appointed pastor.
In 1883 the old Church was remodeled and much en- larged under the personal supervision and planning of Rev. Father Power. The cost of the improvements amounted to about $20,000.
The Church, parsonage and Institute building occupy a commanding position on the hill near the passenger sta- tion of the N. Y., N. H. and H. R. R. The land covers an area of several acres.
Father Power was ever looking after the welfare and happiness of his parishioners, especially the young people, in whom he took a special pride. Soon after taking charge of the parish he organized St. Paul's C. T. A. and B. So- ciety, also the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, the Guardian Angels' Society, St. Joseph's Society, St. Aloysius Society, Temperance Cadets and other organizations. His delight was in hearing the little ones declaim and sing. He intro- duced monthly Sunday school concerts, and, health permit- ting, was always present on such occasions.
In 1901, Father Power began the erection of a new parochial residence, a project he had long under consider- ation, as the old residence had become somewhat dilapi- dated. When he made his intention known to his parish-
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ST. PAUL'S PARISH, BLACKSTONE.
ioners he informed them that the new residence would be erected without calling upon them for a dollar. The house was finished and ready for occupancy in June, 1902.
For several years past Father Power was so ill that at various times it was thought that he must die, but by good care and tender nursing his life was prolonged until the evening of September 1, 1902, when his spirit took its flight. Although many were prepared to hear of his death at any moment, when the announcement was made the news spread rapidly throughout the parish and many a silent tear was shed when it was realized that he, who had so often solaced their heart in time of trouble, was no more. No death in the town ever caused such profound sorrow. Dur- ing his long pastorate Father Power had won the love and esteem of every Catholic heart in the parish. Old and young, rich and poor, all worshipped and idolized him as their beloved pastor.
Rev. William A. Power was born in Charlestown, Mass., October 22, 1837. He attended the public schools in his native city, from which he graduated with the highest honors. Arriving at man's estate, he decided to embrace the art of sculptor. After making all necessary arrange- ments he entered the studio of Stephenson, whose great work, " The Wounded Indian," was at that time attracting universal attention, and whose studio was located in Charles- town. Father Power put great energy into his studies and displayed artistic tastes of great promise. He inclined toward piety, and, while he loved the art he had chosen, at the earnest solicitation of the late Rev. George Hamilton, his pastor, he gave up his worldly pursuit to consecrate himself to the service of God, as a priest of the Catholic Church. He spent several years at St. Bonaventure Sem- inary, in Alleghaney, N. Y., and on June 6, 1866, at the age of 29 years, he was ordained a priest in the Cathedral
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HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
at Buffalo, N. Y., by the late Bishop Timon. After his ordination he was appointed assistant to his brother, Very Rev. J. J. Power, D. D., who had charge of the parish of St. Ann, Worcester. This parish included as missions St. Phillip's Church, Grafton, and St. Bridget's Church, Millbury. In his capacity as curate he labored with a zeal that attracted the attention of priests and people. So many good results were accomplished, morally and spirit- ually by the priestly brothers, that the people of St. Anne's parish loved and venerated them. Highly educated and gentlemanly in all their dealings, they were the exemplifica- tion of the true Catholic priest.
After nearly four years of faithful service in St. Anne's parish, Father Power was promoted to the pastorate of St. Paul's parish by Right Rev. P. T. O'Reilly, who but a short time before had been consecrated Bishop. Pather Power took charge of St. Paul's parish in October, 1870, where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred September 1, 1902, as above stated.
His brother, Very Rev. John J. Power, Vicar General of Springfield diocese, died at Worcestr, Jan. 27, 1902.
REV. WILLIAM A. POWER,
Fifth Pastor of St. Paul's Parish, Blackstone, Mass.
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ST. PAUL'S PARISH, BLACKSTONE.
CHAPTER XXVI.
FUNERAL OF REV. WILLIAM A. POWER-PONTIFICAL HIGH MASS CELEBRATED BY BISHOP BEAVEN - REV. JOHN J. MCCOY DELIVERED THE EULOGY-LARGE NUMBER OF PARISHIONERS FOLLOWED THE REMAINS TO THE GRAVE-INTERMENT IN ST. PAUL'S CEMETERY.
The funeral of Rev. William A. Power took place on Thursday, September 4, 1902, and was the largest and most impressive funeral ever witnessed in the Town of Blackstone. The services began at 10 o'clock A. M. at St. Paul's Church, where the body had remained in state since the Tuesday evening previous. Long before the hour for the services to begin there was an immense throng of peo- ple in front of the Church waiting for the opening of the doors. The doors were opened about 9 o'clock and there was a rush to get in, but many could not gain admittance, and contented themselves standing about the outside of the Church, where they could hear the service and singing. No man who ever passed away in that town was more honored than Father Power, Catholic and non-Catholic vied with each other in doing honor to his memory and in paying their last tribute of love and esteem to this saintly priest.
The ushers were : John L. Maroney, John F. Meaney, John Gaines, John Clarkin, John W. Smith, Vincent Far- ley, William Dorsey and J. P. Cunningham. Shortly after 10 o'clock the visiting priests left the Institute and marched to the Church where they filed into the seats reserved for them in the auditorium. When they were seated the ser- vices, which were solemn and very impressive, were begun by the chanting of the office for the dead. The chanters were Rev. Peter O'Reilly of Whitinsville, Rev. John F. Lee of Jefferson, Rev. C. A. Sullivan of Worcester, Rev. Levi Achim of Northbridge, and Rev. Michael Carroll of Green- field.
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HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
At the conclusion of the office for the dead the officers of the Mass entered from the vestry and took their places at the altar. The Mass was a Pontifical Solemn High Mass and was celebrated by Right Rev. Thomas D. Beaven, Bishop of Springfield. The officers were : Assistant priest, Vev. Rev. John T. Madden, V. G., of Worcester ; Deacons of Honor, Rev. M. H. Kittridge of Millville, Rev. James Boyle of Pittsfield ; Deacon of the Mass, Rev. Jolin D. McGann, Westboro; Sub-Deacon of the Mass, Rev. James A. Hurley, Worcester; acolytes, Rev. James Meehan, Winchendon, Rev. William A. Hickey, Clinton ; thurifer, Rev. Joseph Daly, Oxford; Master of Ceremonies, Rev. B. S. Conaty, Worcester; Assistant Master of Ceremonies, Rev. M. T. O'Brien, Worcester; Preacher, Rev. John J. McCoy, Chicopee. Three of the officers of the Mass were formerly curates under Rev. Father Power-Fathers Mc- Gann, Hurley and Hickey.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Rev. John J. McCoy of Chicopee, Mass., delivered a masterly eulogy. The ab- solution was given by Right Rev. Thomas D. Beaven. Seated within the sanctuary were Right Rev. Thomas Conaty, head of the Catholic University at Washington, D. C., attended by Rev. John S. Cullen of Watertown, Mass., and Rev. Joseph Hanselman, President of Holy Cross, College, Worcester. There were also in the sanctu- ary Mgr. Thomas Griffin, Chancellor of the Springfield dio- cese, Worcester, and Mgr. Thomas McGuinness of Jamaica Plains, Mass. Bishop Conaty was dressed in his episcopal robes and the Monsignors wore their robes of office.
The music of the Mass was conducted by Daniel Dow- ney, director of St. Paul's Church choir, Worcester, and the organist was Edward F. Howe of Worcester. The singers were Mrs. Daniel Downey, soprano; Mrs. Mary E. O'Hara, contralto; F. A. O'Gara, Martin Drohan, Daniel
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Downey and Anthony J. O'Reilly. The organ prelude was " Rosamonde " (by Shuman ). At the close of the services Organist Howe played the funeral march by Beethovan.
The Mass was the Gregorian Mass. At the offertory " Domine Jesus Christie " (Schmidt) was sung by a mixed quartet, consisting of Mrs. Daniel Downey, Mrs. Mary E. O'Hara, A. F. O'Gara and A. O'Reilly. After the eleva- tion, " Pie Jesu " (Schmidt) was rendered by Messrs. O'Gara, Downey, Drohan and O'Reilly. At the close of the Mass the "Libera " was sung by the full choir. The services lasted two hours, and at the close the people passed by the catafalque and took a last farewell of the venerated priest who was so dear to them in life. There were over 70 priests present. Nearly all of these were from the Spring- field, Providence, Boston and Hartford dioceses.
After addressing the prelates, the reverend clergy and the brethern present, Rev. Father McCoy began his eulogy, which was a masterly effort, poetic in style and graced with appropriate quotations from famed writers of verse. The text was Maccabees xv : 12-13. The reverend gentleman after pronouncing the text spoke in part as follows :
" The Church does not make the day of death a sad one, but rather makes a festive day of that on which the saints go out. In this she differs from the nations who make a day of rejoicing at the coming of her heroes. The Church believes that death is simply a birth into life eternal and that there is jubilee in Heaven when the gates roll open for the incoming feet of a saint. Other people outside of the Church scarcely understand this.
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