USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 33
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Lake district (then a mission of Holy Ghost Church) and eventually securing the establish- ment of St. Bartholomew's as a separate parish. After three years of service as curate he was appointed first rector of Our Lady of Grace Church, in Johnston, Rhode Island. There he accomplished a prodigious work, organizing the parish, building the church, and vivifying the entire life of the parish. It is a matter of record that from the first week he took charge new religious vitality was apparent among the Italians of John- ston, and that the parish of Our Lady of Grace, which then numbered two hundred and sixty-five families, soon became one of the important and prosperous parishes of the diocese. When, in De- cember, 1920, he took charge of the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, he brought to his work there the same great zeal and ability which had characterized his earlier service, and the present beautiful church and the prosperous condition of the parish are lasting evidences of his service.
The Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is built in the Italian-Romanesque style, showing a strong Florentine influence. It was designed by the Irish architect, John O'Malley, and his Italian patrons pay the highest tribute to the artistic insight which enabled him to so successfully adapt and harmonize the classic lines of the Romanesque with the expressive splendor of the Renaissance as to produce purely Christian art. The execution of those well-drawn plans was the task of a con- tractor of Providence, Vito N. Famiglietti. Scru- pulous care in carrying out the plans to the finest detail, have made this work memorable and have reared the beautiful temple which is the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. There is an exten- sive campanile, and two flights of steps ascend from either side to the broad platform which leads to the center doors of the church. Inside, the artistic and harmonious furnishings and decorations give an atmosphere of beauty and peace. "From the altars, made of the whitest of white scagliola, to the throne of the Virgin, from the classic win- dows to the Corinthian columns and capitals, from niche to arch, all is pure beauty, all is serene light, all is peace of the spirit." The roof is sup- ported by six arches resting on twelve pillars. The oak pews provide seating for about eight hun- dred people, and the choir loft, which is lighted by a large and beautiful circular stained glass window, seats about one hundred singers. The basement accommodates about seven hundred people. The people of the parish are justly proud of their beau- tiful church, and the present pastor, Rev. Louis
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D'Aleno, is carrying forward most successfully the work so well begun by Father Armento.
Rev. Louis D'Aleno was born in Providence in 1897, and educated in the Providence city schools and La Salle Academy. His preparatory course was taken at St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore ; and his last three years of theology were com- pleted at the Seminario Romano Maggiore at Piazza San Giovanni Laterano, Rome, Italy. Upon his return to this country, he was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hickey, curate at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church; in March, 1928, he was appointed administrator and in April, 1930, pastor of the same church.
CHARLES HERBERT HOLT, M. D .- Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, April 26, 1881, Dr. Charles Herbert Holt, mayor of Paw- tucket, is a son of Richard George and Annis (Oddy) Holt, both natives of England, who came to the United States in 1886 and settled in Paw- tucket. Here the elder Holt, who had been a school teacher in England, became engaged in the insurance business, which he carried on until his death. His widow still resides in this city. Their son, Charles Herbert, was educated in the Gar- den Street Grammar School in Pawtucket and in the Providence English High School, afterward attending Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then attended the Medical School of Harvard University and from that in- stitution received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1906. The following year was spent as a hos- pital interne in Salem, Massachusetts. At the end of this period he returned to Pawtucket and estab- lished himself in practice as a surgeon, in which he has continued since then. He is visiting sur- geon, medical supervisor of the out-patient depart- ment, and president of the staff of the Memorial Hospital of Pawtucket, and for several years prior to 1917 was superintendent of health of Pawtucket. He is now a member of the Rhode Island Public Health Commission. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Pawtucket Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Medical Legal Society, and the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Dr. Holt, during the World War, was com- missioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps and entered active service on June I, 1917. He
served overseas for fifteen months with the Amer- ican Expeditionary Forces and was honorably mus- tered out with the rank of major on July 24, 1919. He now holds the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Medical Reserve Corps. He is a Republican in politics and in November, 1922, was first elected mayor of Pawtucket. Since then he has been reelected four successive times, the last time in 1930, having been elected mayor of Pawtucket more often than any other man. In the order of the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a Past Master of Union Lodge, No. 10; and also a member of Pawtucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Past Master of Pawtucket Council, Royal and Select Masters ; a member of Holy Sepulchre Comman- dery, Knights Templar; a member of all the Scot- tish Rite bodies, including Providence Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree; and a member of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has served as Grand Master of the Grand Council of Rhode Island. He is also a member of the Pawtucket Golf Club. With his family he attends the Park Place Congregational Church.
Dr. Holt married, in 1910, Beatrice Irene Chap- lin, of Portland, Maine, a daughter of George and Nora (Keating) Chaplin. He has one son, Rich- ard George Holt, born February 10, 1916.
REV. JOHN A. TOOHEY -- As the new pastor of Saint Brendan's Church, of Riverside, Rhode Island, Rev. John A. Toohey took charge February 21, 1930.
St. Brendan's parish was originally a mission of the Church of the Sacred Heart, of East Provi- dence. As early as 1892 a summer chapel had been built there by Rev. John Harty. Later, as the number of Catholics living in Riverside had in- creased, a regular mission was established there on August 25, 1905. In that same year the present church, which is being enlarged, was built by Rev. John Heany. In April, 1909, Rev. Fr. Hughes took charge, and on May 5, 1909, St. Brendan's Church of Riverside was incorporated as a parish of the Diocese of Providence with Father Joseph E. Hughes its first pastor. Ordained in 1894, he had served as a curate at the churches of the Holy Name of Providence and of the Assumption in Providence until 1909, when he was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop to the pastorate of St. Bren- dan's. He built the rectory in 1911, put the entire church property in excellent condition, and greatly
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increased its value. As a leader he inspired his people and ably lead them to successful achieve- ment, continuing his labors for the parish to the time of his death, December 14, 1929, at the age of sixty-two years. He was succeeded by the present pastor.
Rev. John A. Toohey was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He received his early education in the Tyler School and La Salle Academy of Prov- idence. He attended Mt. St. Mary's College, Em- mitsburg, Maryland and prepared for the priest- hood in the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada, where he was ordained in 1906. After his ordina- tion he was assigned to St. Patrick's Church of Valley Falls, Rhode Island, as a curate, and there he remained until after the entrance of the United States into the World War. During the World War he served as a United States Army chaplain in camps in this country and with the American Expeditionary Forces. After the war, he was as- signed to St. Edward's Church, in Providence, as assistant. Three years later, April 17, 1922, he was appointed by Rt. Rev. William A. Hickey, D. D., Bishop of Providence, pastor of St. Michael's Church, Georgiaville, Rhode Island. He remained pastor of the Georgiaville church until February 21, 1930.
RT. REV. JAMES P. O'BRIEN-Since taking charge of St. Agnes' parish, at North Providence, Rhode Island, in 1925, Rt. Rev. James P. O'Brien has devoted his abilities to the task of develop- ing the spiritual and temporal resources of the parish.
St. Agnes' parish was organized in July, 1904, by the late Rev. John Francis Sullivan, D. D., who for eighteen years previous to his death in 1930 was pastor of Holy Trinity Church at Cen- tral Falls, Rhode Island. Father Sullivan's in- structions from Bishop Harkins defined the lines of the new parish as follows: On the side border- ing the Immaculate Conception parish no change was to be made. Beginning at Douglas Avenue and Mowry Street, the boundary followed along Douglas Avenue to Admiral Street, thence through Hawkins Street, Branch Avenue, and Opper Street northward to the city line, which forms the northern boundary of the parish. This gave a long, narrow area, irregular in shape, of which the central part is mostly taken up by the West River and unoccupied land. There was no
church building of any kind and Father Sulli- van's first task was the finding of a suitable place to serve temporarily as a place of worship. No- where in the parish did there seem to be a fitting place for holding services. Finally, at No. 448 Branch Avenue, Father Sullivan found a small hall over a hay store owned by Silver Spring Bleachery. The hall was occupied as a billiard room but, through the kindness of the superin- tendent of the bleachery, was promised to the church. The hall was soon prepared for church services and on Sunday, July 24, 1904, Masses were celebrated for the first time in the new parish. Because of the store down stairs, it was not deemed practicable to hold services in the hall on week days or to keep the Blessed Sacra- ment there so permission was given to Father Sullivan by Bishop Harkins to fit up a private chapel in his residence, which was then at No. 59 Chatham Street, the house of Philip and Mar- garet Fogarty. During the month of August the parish corporation was formed with James Dunne and John P. Masterson as trustees. Previous to Father Sullivan's appointment, land had been purchased by Father Stang, then pastor of St. Edward's Church, who planned to erect there a mission chapel and school to be managed from St. Edward's. That property, comprising six lots of varying size, fronting about one hundred and fifty-two feet on Branch Avenue, two hundred and sixty-two feet on Chatham Street, and one hundred and thirty-five feet on Ashton Street, was deeded to the new St. Agnes' Church Cor- poration, September 7, 1904. Meanwhile, about the end of August, the excavation for the new church building had already been commenced, the contract having been awarded to William Gil- brane & Brother. On Christmas Day, 1904, the beautiful new chapel was opened for service and Masses were celebrated at 5:30, 8:00, and 10:00, the first and last being high Masses. The com- pleted church was dedicated April 2, 1905, by the Rt. Rev. Matthew Harkins, bishop of Provi- dence. The sermon of the occasion was preached by Rev. Thomas P. Grace, of St. Mary's parish and Mass was said by Rev. William J. Nagle, who used for the first time the altar erected in memory of Timothy and Joanna Mullaney. About a year later, May 21, 1905, announcement of plans for a new rectory was made, and three days later, May 24, 1905, work was begun on the cellar. The plans and specifications were drawn by Murphy & Hindle from sketches made by
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Father Sullivan. By December 12 the new rec- tory was ready for occupancy and Father Sulli- van moved in.
Meantime, the new organ built by Wilson & Bolan was completed. It was used for the first time March 16, 1905, on which day a grand con- cert was held in the church. The Blessed Sacra- ment having been removed to a temporary chapel in the basement, all the seats were reversed so as to face the choir and a platform was erected in front of the choir gallery. A splendid array of first-class talent volunteered for the occasion and the choir of St. Agnes' distinguished itself by its magnificent chorus singing. On Sunday, Novem- ber 18, 1906, at the last Mass, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered for the first time in St. Agnes' parish by the Rt. Rev. Matthew Harkins, bishop of Providence, to a class of twenty-eight boys, three young men, and twenty- six girls.
In 1907 several improvements were made in the church. A baptistry, the font of which was do- nated by Bernard Gillen as a memorial to him and his wife, was erected on the Gospel side of the church. A handsome- statue of St. Anthony, with pedestal, was donated by Miss Mary V. O'Con- nor in memory of deceased relatives; and a large number of electric lights were put into position on the sanctuary arch, in the domes of the altar, and in the niche over the Tabernacle. For five years longer, until 1912, Father Sullivan continued to guide the activities of St. Agnes' parish, but in May of that year he was made pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and was succeeded at St. Agnes' by Rev. James P. Harrington, who had been serv- ing as trustee of the Catholic cemeteries, with offices in the Tierney Building, and who con- tinued to fill that office while officiating at St. Agnes'.
Born and educated in Fall River, Massachu- setts, Father Harrington completed his collegiate studies in Toronto, Canada, and after a five years' course in St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachusetts, was ordained by Bishop Williams in Holy Cross Cathedral, Providence. After fill- ing a series of brief assignments he was trans- ferred to the permanent curacy at St. Ann's, Cranston, where he served for seven and a half years, during the last four of which he had charge of the adjacent cemetery. In January, 1906, he was transferred to St. Edward's Church, Branch Avenue, and given the supervision of all the properties controlled by the corporation.
When he was made pastor of St. Agnes' the man- agement of the cemeteries was continued as be- fore as his special work. A few weeks after taking charge at St. Agnes', Father Harrington was given an assistant, Father John H. Whit- aker, who labored with him until November 12, 1915.
On May 9, 1919, Father Harrington was suc- ceeded by Rev. James P. Coleman, who was born in Providence, educated in Holy Cross College and in Brighton Seminary, and ordained in Providence Cathedral in 1904. After fifteen years of service at St. Joseph's parish, Provi- dence, he came to St. Agnes,' where he gave faithful and able service until 1925, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. James P. O'Brien.
Rt. Rev. James P. O'Brien was born in Ire- land and received his early education there. After coming to the United States he attended LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, and then took both his classical and theological courses at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Mary- land, where he was graduated in 1908. He was ordained a priest in 1912 and soon after his ordi- nation was assigned to a charge in Maine, where he labored for three years. At the end of that time he was transferred to St. Joseph's parish in Providence, and from there he went to St. Andrew's Church, Block Island. In January, 1919, he was appointed editor of the "Visitor," an influential Catholic publication. In 1925 he was appointed pastor of St. Agnes'. Here he has been most diligent and effective in carrying for- ward the work of the parish. He has redecorated the church and put in new stained glass windows, making the interior attractive and artistic and creating an atmosphere which encourages quiet meditation and reverent worship. He has spared no effort to develop the latent talents of his young people, and there is now (1930) a thriving Holy Name Society for the men, a Blessed Virgin So- ciety for the women, and a Catholic Men's Coun- cil. In addition to the development of these so- cieties, Father O'Brien has thoroughly won the regard of his young people and made the church notable for two unusually able organizations. One is a fife and drum corps of thirty-two pieces, which is well known in Providence and has won for itself, and for its church and pastor, much commendation. It has been heard in many parades in the city and gives to the boys much pleasure, as well as excellent training. The other special organization is a dramatic society which is so well
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taught and trained that its numerous productions during each season are most enthusiastically re- ceived. This feature of the parish work has been most beneficial and attractive, and has provided opportunity for the development and training of not a little talent among the young people.
Father O'Brien is very highly esteemed in the community in which his parish is located and is doing a splendid work among his people, who give him hearty cooperation and sincere respect.
REV. DONAT L. LUSSIER-Though Rev. Donat L. Lussier has been pastor of the Church of Notre Dame de Bon Secours, or Our Lady of Good Help, of Mapleville, in the town of Burrill- ville, Rhode Island, only since July 12, 1929, he has already established an enviable reputation for ability and tact and has secured the willing and enthusiastic cooperation of the people of the parish.
The parish of Notre Dame de Bon Secours was created August 24, 1905, by Right Rev. Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence. For some time previous to 1905 the Catholics of Mapleville and Oakland, nearly all French-Canadians and included in the parish of St. Patrick's of Harrisville, had longed for a separate parish, with a church and school of their own. The matter was placed be- fore Right Rev. Bishop Harkins, who, after due consideration, granted their request, August 24, 1905, on the ground that the increasing population and growing prosperity of the villages would pro- vide the necessary means. On that same date Rev. Hormidas J. Mailloux was designated as first pas- tor of the new parish, which included about 1,000 souls. Father Mailloux went at once to his new post, accepting the hospitality of Monsieur Charles Pelletier until a rectory could be built. On Sep- tember 3 the first Mass was said in Recreation Hall, generously placed at the disposal of Father Mailloux by William H. White, superintendent of the Oakland Worsted Mills. The new parish was placed under the patronage of Notre Dame de Bon Secours, Our Lady of Good Help, and was offi- cially incorporated at the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin, September 8, 1905. On Sep- tember 13 a reunion was held in Recreation Hall and Monsieurs Charles Pelletier and James F. Maloney were elected the first trustees of the parish. A few days later the site for the much- desired new church was purchased. It was a wild, wooded, stony and irregular hillside, but without delay the men of the parish, under the leadership
of their pastor began the work of clearing the ground. On Saturday afternoons Father Mailloux and from fifty to one hundred men of the parish, handling pick and shovel, worked with untiring zeal and energy, contributing their labor without charge to transform the site into a lovely, level location, commanding a beautiful view of the entire parish with its comfortable homes and picturesque surroundings. By October 5 they were able to be- gin the construction of the rectory and by Sep- tember I of the following year Father Mailloux took possession of his new dwelling house. Three weeks later work was begun on the foundation of the church, and on October 14, 1906, the corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies and dedicated by Bishop Harkins. On May 30, 1907, the beautiful church, so picturesque in its rustic setting of field stones artistically arranged, was dedicated by Bishop Harkins, who was accom- panied by twenty-five priests of the diocese. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Right Rev. Charles Dauray of the Precious Blood Church of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, assisted by Rev. Peter Blessing of Providence, Rev. H. Archambault, of Providence, served as sub-deacon, with Rev. T. E. Ryan of Harrisville, and Rev. L. H. Lariviere of Olneyville as assistants, while Rev. M. A. Hebert, of Woonsocket, served as Master of Cere- monies. The sermon was delivered by Rev. L. T. Rodier, D. D., of Southbridge, and more than six hundred persons were present at the cere- monies. In less than two years the new parish had been established and placed on a firm foundation, but the strain of the great work he had accom- panied weakened the health of Father Mailloux and in December, 1909, he was forced to take a prolonged rest. Rev. A. Z. Sylvestre was ap- pointed temporary administrator, and served in that capacity until October, 1911, when Father Mailloux resigned the pastorate. On October 30, 1911, Rev. M. A. Hebert was appointed to succeed Father Mailloux as pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Good Help.
Father Hebert, who was born in the diocese of St. Hyacinthe, St. William of Upton, Province of Quebec, Canada, but came to Centreville, Rhode Island, as a child, studied in La Salle Academy at Providence, then in the College of Montreal, and finally in the Grand Seminary, Montreal, and was ordained in the Cathedral of Montreal, December 20, 1902. After six years as vicar in the parish of St. Louis Gonzague of Woonsocket, he was made secretary and vice-chancellor under Bishop Har- kins, with whom he served until coming to this
Rev. Donat R. Lussier pastor
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parish, in October, 1911. Immediately after tak- ing charge of the parish Father Hebert began tak- ing a census of the parish, which he reorganized with remarkable success. In April, 1913, a beau- tiful bell was installed, the ceremony of blessing being performed by His Highness Monsignor Har- kins on the thirteenth of that month. The bell was cast by Meneeley & Company of Troy, New York, weighs 1,600 pounds, cost $1,600, and was made possible by the generosity of some of the members of the parish. It is beautiful in design and in tone, and upon its side is engraved the following inscription, in French :
April 13, 1913. His Holiness Pope Pius X gov- erning the Church of God and His Highness Mon- signor Matthew Harkins the diocese of Providence, the faithful place me in the tower of the Church of Notre Dame de Bon Secours, founded by Rev. H. J. Mailloux and directed today by Rev. M. A. Hebert.
I sing the glory of God and of His Saints.
The bell also bears the names of the principal contributors : Hector St. Pierre, Charles Pelletier, Joseph Bilodeau, Joseph Godin, and William H. White. Distinguished guests present, besides Mon- signor Harkins, Bishop of Providence, were : Aram J. Pothier, Governor of Rhode Island, Hon. Judges Sweeney and Doran of the Superior Court, Hon. R. P. Daignault, mayor of Woonsocket, and Mr. and Mrs. William H. White.
On December 15 of the same year a new pipe organ built by the Estey Organ Company of Brattle- boro, Vermont, was installed and dedicated. The organ is a very fine one, tubular-pneumatic action, with two banks of keys and pedals, the keys producing sixty-one tones and the pedals thirty tones. There are twelve speaking stops and all of the accessories are of the most perfect and most modern workmanship. From the point of view of mechanical construction and also in the production of harmony the organ of Notre Dame de Bon Secours represents the last word in musical art.
From the beginning of his pastorate Father Hebert set himself the task of clearing the parish of the debt contracted by the large building opera- tions of Father Mailloux and of providing funds for a parochial school. In 1913 he acquired a house, destined later to become a convent, and also bought a piece of ground as a site for the school. So effectively did he plan and execute that in September, 1916, five years after his taking charge, the present handsome parochial school build- ing was blessed by the Right Rev. D. M. Lowney, auxiliary-bishop of the diocese. The school was
opened in October, and at the present time about one hundred and fifty pupils are enrolled under the guidance of five Sisters of Divine Providence, who were brought from Kentucky. Many improve- ments were made on the lawn, which Father Hebert planted with graceful maples and poplars, several beautiful retaining walls were erected, add- ing much to the picturesqueness of the property, extensive alterations were made to the interior of the rectory at a cost of about $4,000, making it one of the most beautiful and cozy dwellings in the diocese; and in less than twelve years the whole church property was freed from debt. When, in January, 1923, Father Hebert was transferred to St. Cecelia's Church, Pawtucket, he left the parish in a flourishing condition. The marvellous work of these two first pastors and their faithful pa- rishioners is a striking example of what can be accomplished with slender resources, and proof of the devotion and generosity of the brave, hard- working French-Canadian people in their service to the church.
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