USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 39
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Karol A. Romenski was married (first), in 1898, to Johana Dembowski, who died December 23, 1923, leaving three children: Grace, who is a student in high school but also assists her father in the business; Bernard; and Joseph. Mr. Romen- ski married (second) Mary Szelka. The family home is at No. 470 High Street, in Central Falls.
REV. B. F. REDIHAN -- The pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, Rev. B. F. Redihan, has been in charge here since January 31, 1925.
The parish of the Sacred Heart was originally a part of the old St. Mary's parish of Pawtucket, which later was called the parish of the Immacu- late Conception. In 1829, St. Mary's, the first Catholic church erected in Rhode Island, was built at Pawtucket, at a cost of $1,200, and it was not until 1857 when, after extensive improvements and enlargements, the church was rededicated, that the name was changed to that of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The new parish grew and prospered and, in turn, became the par- ent of one after another of the younger parishes of the locality, St. Patrick's of Valley Falls being the first, in 1869, and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Pawtucket the second, formed in 1872, with Rev. James L. Smith as the first pastor. Father Smith took charge August 1, 1872. For a few Sundays Masses were said in Union Hall, at Central Falls, Rhode Island, and then in Battery Hall on Exchange Street. On September 18 of the same year the land, known as the Pleasant View Purchase, on which the present rectory and church stand, was bought. The corner-stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Hendricken, in May, 1873. During the following fall the base- ment was completed and there services were held until the upper church was finished. Father Smith continued in charge for two and a half years until ill health caused him to resign, in February, 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. Michael Fitz- gerald. The church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Hendricken, June 10, 1876, and during
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that same year the Sisters of Mercy took charge of the Sunday school. Father Fitzgerald proved to be an able and successful leader. He built a new rectory, which was completed in 1882, and at that time the old one, a small cottage, was sold and removed to No. 148 Fountain Street. The parish school, a fine building of red brick with granite trimmings, was the next structure to be erected, in 1889, and for that purpose the Durfee estate was purchased, at a cost of $5,000. During that same year Holy Trinity parish was set off from the parish of the Sacred Heart, taking with it about three hundred families in the Central Falls section. In August, 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph came from Springfield, Massachusetts, to take charge of the school and they have continued in charge since that time. Father Fitzgerald was not satisfied with a grammar school only but started a Catholic parochial high school, and from 1892 to 1896 he and the Sisters of St. Joseph taught the higher subjects to a class of seven pupils. At first five Sisters were enough to do the work, but by 1899 there were eleven Sisters in the school, which had an enrollment of five hundred pupils. During that time a two-tene- ment house on Carnation Street, rented from one of the trustees, was used as a convent. During the twenty-two years of Father Fitzgerald's pas- torate the parish and church societies were or- ganized and developed. On January 2, 1897, Father Fitzgerald was appointed to the perma- nent rectorship of the Immaculate Conception parish in Providence, and was succeeded by Rev. John Harty. A fine convent, costing over $23,000, was built in that year, a modern and well- equipped building containing twenty-three rooms, planned by Martin & Hall of Boston, and erected by McGuire & Penniman of Providence. It was blessed by Bishop Harkins, February 22, 1898. In 1901 the school was enlarged by the conver- sion of the parish hall on the third floor into the necessary classrooms. In the spring of 1903 the interior of the church was redecorated, new win- dows, new Stations of the Cross, and handsome candelabra and artistic electric fixtures were in- stalled, and the altars were repainted, after which a grand reopening took place Sunday, May 17, 1903, commemorating the twenty-seventh anni- versary of the dedication of the church. This was a double celebration lasting practically all day. In the forenoon Bishop Harkins presided at the exercises, which included the Confirmation of two hundred children. At 10:30 Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. John Barry,
assisted by Rev. J. C. Kenney, Rt. Rev. Fanelly, Rev. J. T. O'Meara, and Rev. James Roach, and an address dwelling upon the facts of the twenty- seven years of service of the church, was made by Rt. Rev. Bishop Harkins. A musical program by trained singers was given under the direction of Prof. Charles Kelley, the organist. In the evening Rev. B. F. Redihan, the present pastor, then assistant pastor of Holy Trinity Church, preached the sermon, using the decorations of the Stations of the Cross as his subject. In 1905 Father Harty went South for his health, but re- turned and died June 2, 1905. He was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Deady, pastor of St. Joseph's Church of Newport, Rhode Island, who took charge July 1, 1905.
Father Deady at once began making repairs and started the task of clearing the church of debt. Though the organization of the Polish par- ish of St. Joseph in 1906 took away between seven hundred and fifty and eight hundred souls, the work went steadily forward, and in 1907 the old rectory was moved across the street and work on the present brick one begun March 31, 1907. It was occupied the first week in June, 1908. On July 4, 1908, the parish was made an irremovable rectorship. In 1910 the old rectory, which had been rented, was remodelled and the present pa- rochial high school, which has been recognized by the State Board of Education, was established. In 1922 the enrollment was ninety, and the gradu- ating class of June, 1922, was the largest in the history of the school up to that time, five boys and eight girls. Eighteen Sisters of St. Joseph were teaching in the parish schools at that time, and to their zeal and devotion is due the high standing of the schools at that period. A modern system of heating and plumbing was installed in all the buildings, and the church edifice was thoroughly remodelled. The spire was rebuilt for the sweet- toned bell donated by Dr. James F. and Joseph H. Clark, and the bell was blessed Sunday, No- vember 9, 1913. A brick veneering was placed about the original building. The decorations and detail of the rebuilt church are after the Gothic idea, though retaining to a considerable degree the original Romanesque plan. Incorporated in the woodwork of the transepts is a decoration forming crosses fifty feet high, which serve as buttresses, each with two small crosses, sympoliz- ing the three crosses of Calvary. The smallest of these forms the ribs of a beautiful window which depicts the story of the Holy Ghost, the twelve spokes symbolizing the twelve apostles and each
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spoke radiating to smaller circles which sym- bolize all the nations of the world. The four symbols of the Evangelists form the immediate cross. The handsome oak doors are adorned with emblems, the main door bearing the emblem of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the side doors those of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. The entire interior was decorated, the sanctuary ex- tended, the vestibule enlarged, and an ornamental screen of oak and stained glass installed at the rear. The window of the Sacred Heart was re- moved from the North transept and placed above the main altar. Three handsome new altars were installed, the main one entirely of white marble with a gold-plated tabernacle door, a representa- tion of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" at the foot, the dome a representation of the Pope's tiara, with a marble cross on the top. At the sides of the altar are life-sized figures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary. The Blessed Virgin's altar is of white Carrara marble, inlaid with pigeon-blue marble, and St. Joseph's altar is of white marble inlaid with yellow marble. The remodelled church was consecrated June 6, 1915, by Rt. Rev. Thomas Doran. In 1916 a new organ costing $6,000 was installed. The main body of the church seats about one thousand two hundred people and the basement eight hun- dred. In 1916 the formation of St. Leo's parish took away two hundred families in the Darlington section, but the parish continued to grow, and on May 3, 1920, the Craig and Dugdale property, corner of Park and Laurel streets, was pur- chased. On November 19, 1922, the Golden Jubi- lee of the parish was celebrated, and at that time the parish was entirely free of debt. Father Deady was pastor for nineteen years, to the time of his death, which occurred November 13, 1925, at the age of seventy-three years. He was buried November 17, 1925. A Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. William A. Hickey, D. D., Bishop of Providence, assisted by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Peter Blessing, D. D. Vicar-General; by the following: Assistants to the Bishop, Rev. P. Farrelly, Rev. J. C. Bessette; (Deacon of the Mass) Rev. J. W. Baggott; and Sub-deacon Rev. J. T. Barry. Father Deady's life was filled with good works and his gentleness was no obstacle to his achievements. He built and preached and performed the ordinary duties of his calling as a man chosen by God. He was succeeded, on January 31, 1925, by the present pastor, Rev. B. F. Redihan.
Rev. B. F. Redihan was born in Providence,
Rhode Island, October 30, 1868, and after gradu- ating from the parochial schools of that city en- tered St. Michael's College at Toronto, Canada, from which he was graduated in 1887. He then entered the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Can- ada, where he was ordained to the priesthood, December 17, 1892. Returning to Rhode Island he was appointed assistant at St. Joseph's Church in Pawtucket, and one year later was transferred to Holy Trinity Church, then presided over by the present Monsignor Patrick Farrelly. After eleven years of service there he was made a pas- tor and assigned to St. Joseph's Church at Pas- coag, Rhode Island, and nine and a half years later was transferred to St. Augustine's Church at Newport, where he remained for ten years, until he was appointed to his present charge as pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Pawtucket, January 31, 1925.
In this parish Father Redihan has accomplished a splendid work. He has made many material improvements, expending $90,000 on the buildings and grounds and enclosing the entire block of church grounds with a beautiful iron fence. At the request of a large number of the parishioners the city closed a street at the end of the church property, February 9, 1929, thus making of the church property, formerly divided, a solid unit occupying an entire square. Buildings and park- like grounds are kept in excellent condition and are a source of pride to the neighborhood. The parish numbers about 4,200 souls and spiritually, as well as materially, is vigorous and growing. The two schools, a grammar school and a high school for girls, take care of five hundred and fifty pupils, and the Sunday school has an enroll- ment of five hundred pupils. Father Redihan is assisted in his work by Revs. J. M. Roth, E. J. Gately, and J. P. Tiernan.
REV. THOMAS A. MCGRATH-A long and successful pastorate has been that of Rev. Thomas A. McGrath, who has been in charge of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, of Phenix, Rhode Island, since 1912.
Phenix was the first mission of Crompton, established in 1853, only two years after the ap- pointment of Father Gibson as the first resident pastor of Crompton. Father Gibson purchased from the Episcopalians a little building known as "Rock Chapel" because it was built on solid rock, and for a few years this served every need
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of the Catholics of that locality. In June, 1855, Phenix was made a mission of East Greenwich in order to increase the income of the priest there, but when that priest died, in 1857, Rev. Michael Wallace was made pastor of Phenix and East Greenwich was made a mission which re- mained attached to Phenix until 1867. Soon after Father Wallace became pastor of Phenix he sold the old Rock Chapel and purchased a Baptist church. This was blessed by Bishop McFarland May 29, 1859, when the Bishop estimated that the property was worth about $1,000. As the con- gregation increased in numbers, this building was enlarged from time to time and improved in num- erous ways. In October, 1864, Father Wallace was succeeded by Rev. John Couch, who served as pastor for a period of twenty years, remaining until 1884, when Rev. John Harty was made pas- tor, taking charge of the parish in October of that year. In the latter part of 1887 Rev. John Ten- nian took charge of the parish, but he remained but a short time, a little less than four months, and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick McCabe, March 20, 1888. Father McCabe served until December, 1889, and the next pastor was Rev. Edward Carrigan. When Father Carrigan took charge, December 4, 1889, there was plenty of land around the church, but the building itself was in bad condition. Father Carrigan decided to build, with the approval of the bishop, a new church, and a hill overlooking the village of Phenix was chosen as the site for the new build- ing. Work was promptly begun, the corner-stone was laid May 1, 1892, and on September 18, of the same year the. new church was dedicated. The building had been erected at a cost of $17,000, and the old church was sold, moved away, and turned into a country store. Father Carrigan was succeeded by Father Brady, who continued in charge until 1912, when the present pastor, Rev. Thomas A. McGrath, took charge.
Rev. Thomas A. McGrath was born in Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, July 16, 1868, and received his early education in the parochial school at Pawtucket. Later, he continued his studies in LaSalle Academy, and when his course there was completed entered Grand Seminary, at Montreal, Canada, for his theological training. After a time, however, he made a change and completed his theological course at St. Mary's Seminary, at Baltimore, Maryland, where he was ordaincd in 1895. His first appointment was as assistant at St. James Church in Arctic Centre, Rhode
Island, where he served for three years. He was then transferred to St. Patrick's Church, Valley Falls, and there he continued to serve most ably and successfully for a period of eleven years. At the end of that time he went to Sacred Heart Cl urch in East Providence, and three years later he was again transferred, this time to the Church of the Assumption at Providence. Two years later he was made a pastor and assigned to the Church SS. Peter and Paul at Phenix, Rhode Island, 1912. The parish numbers about four hundred and fifty souls and has a Sunday school with an enrollment of fifty boys and sixty-five girls. Since taking charge here Father McGrath has twice redecorated the church, built new walks around the church, and improved the church property in many ways. The conspicuous site of the church makes it a landmark in the neighbor- hood, for the hill which in 1892 overlooked the village from its outer edges now occupies a central position in the town which has grown around it and can be seen for miles from all four points of the compass. The usual church societies are vig- orous and prosperous, and include a Holy Name Society, a Blessed Virgin Society, a Holy Angels Sodality, an Aloysius Society, and a Rosary and Scapular Society. The parish of SS. Peter and Paul covers more territory than any other in Rhode Island, extending fifteen miles in all direc- tions, and this fact greatly increases the labor en- tailed in serving the parish. Father McGrath, besides attending to the numerous necessary calls in sickness and other troubles, many of which re- quire a long trip, conducts two Masses every Sunday morning, one at 8:30 and one at 10:00 o'clock, and holds a benediction service in the afternoon. His services are well attended for Father McGrath is greatly beloved by his people, and the church, which seats five hundred people and has a choir loft providing for seventy-five singers, is often filled to capacity. The devotion of Father McGrath to his work and to the inter- ests of parish and people, his ability, and his earnest Christian character are well known in the community, and the vast amount of work entailed in his service to so extensive a parish is abundant proof of his fidelity and his loyalty, and a striking example of his devotion to his work is the fact that in the eighteen years as pastor of these people he has missed but two serv- ices, then on account of sickness. His reward is the progress and prosperity of the parish and the deep devotion of his people.
Anes C. Dtelles.
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IVES C. WELLES-One of the younger gen- eration of Woonsocket's business men, Mr. Welles, in the comparatively few years in which he has been engaged in business in his native city, has established for himself a very high repu- tation as an able and progressive business execu- tive. As president of a lumber company, estab- lished many years ago by his grandfather, he is the directing head of one of the oldest business establishments of its type in Woonsocket. He also takes an active part in the social and civic affairs of the city and naturally has many friends in the town, where he has lived all his life.
Ives C. Welles was born in Woonsocket, Jan- uary 30, 1900, a son of the late Charles I. and Inez (Cook) Welles. His father, who died in 1912, was for many years successfully engaged in the mercantile business, handling at various times meat, lumber and insurance. Mr. Welles' mother died the same year he was born. Ives C. Welles was educated in the public schools of Woon- socket and, after having attended Woonsocket High School for one year and a half, spent three years at Milford Academy, Milford, Connecticut. Having completed his education there, he re- turned to Woonsocket and entered the employ of the City Lumber Company, of which at that time his grandfather, George M. Welles, was the president and owner, he having, with a partner, established it many years before. This partner later withdrew and George M. Welles conducted and owned the company for many years. When Ives C. Welles first became connected with the City Lumber Company he began work as the driver of a truck. Later he held various positions of ever increasing responsibility and importance and in this manner acquired a thorough knowledge of all branches of the business. Eventually he became a part-owner of the company and today he is its president and treasurer. Associated with him in the conduct of the business are several other successful business men, including Charles D. Southwick as vice-president, Charles H. Mc- Fee as attorney and assistant treasurer, and Sadie L. Darling as secretary. The offices and yards of the company are located at No. 333 River Street, Woonsocket. Mr. Welles is a director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company of Woonsocket, and of the Woonsocket Building and Loan Association. He is also a member of the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce and of the Lions Club. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Union Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons, Woonsocket Council,
Royal and Select Masters, Woonsocket Comman- dery, Knights Templar, also the Scottish Rite bodies including the Consistory in which he has obtained the thirty-second degree. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations, like those of his wife, are with the Universalist Church.
Mr. Welles married Julia Rankin, a native of Blackstone, Rhode Island, and a daughter of Austin B. and Bertha (Miller) Rankin. The family residence is located at No. 199 Carrington Avenue, Woonsocket.
JAMES W. THOMPSON-A native of Scot- land, but a resident of Newport since his early childhood, Mr. Thompson, immediately following the completion of his education, became connected with the Newport post office. After almost a quarter of a century of loyal and efficient service, during which time he received numerous promo- tions to positions of ever-increasing importance and responsibility, Mr. Thompson, some eleven years ago, resigned as assistant postmaster and since then has been connected with the Aquidneck National Exchange Bank & Savings Company, of which he is now vice-president and cashier. Of course, his position in financial and business circles in Newport is one of leadership. This is true also in respect to the various other phases of the community's activities, in which Mr. Thompson has interested himself for many years very effectively and extensively. His membership in numerous fraternal, civic, social, military and religious organizations and the numerous proofs, which he has given many times of his great public spirit, stamp him as one of the civic leaders of his generation in Newport.
James W. Thompson was born at Coatbridge, Scotland, May 2, 1882, a son of Alexander W. and Jessie (Hyndman) Thompson. His father, now deceased, was a native of Paisley, Scotland, and, after coming to this country, was for many years successfully engaged as a builder and joiner, continuing with this type of work until his death. Mr. Thompson's mother, a native of Islay, Scotland, is still a resident of Newport. Having come to this country with his parents in his early childhood, Mr. Thompson received his education in the public schools of Newport. After leaving school Mr. Thompson accepted a position as special delivery messenger with the Newport post office, which he held for four years,
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and until 1900, when he became a regular em- ployee of the United States Postal Service at this post office. His first position was that of clerk. Strict attention to the duties assigned to him from time to time and exceptional energy and industry gained him quick promotion, and in 1914, he was appointed assistant postmaster of the Newport post office, continuing in that capacity until 1919, when he resigned. In that year he went with the Aquidneck National Exchange Bank & Savings Company, where he assumed the duties of head of the bookkeeping department. In the following year, 1920, he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier and four years later, in 1924, he was appointed cashier. After the passing of another four years, in 1928, he was elected vice-president, which position, to- gether with that of cashier, he still occupies. While still serving as assistant cashier of this bank, Mr. Thompson took the examination for postmaster, and though he received the appoint- ment, he declined it, preferring to continue his connection with the bank. He is also a director and the treasurer of the Newport Beach Asso- ciation; treasurer of the Newport Civic Society and of the Newport Casino Theatre, as well as a director and the chairman of the discount com- mittee of the Morris Plan Company of Rhode Island. Civic affairs, too, have received a share of Mr. Thompson's time and attention. He has served as a member of the Newport Representa- tive Council for three years, acting as its deputy chairman for one of these, and for the same period of time he was a member of the Board of Alder- men of the City of Newport. For eleven years he belonged to the Newport Artillery Company, serving successively as private, corporal, sergeant, first lieutenant and quartermaster. For many years Mr. Thompson has been prominently active in fraternal affairs and he is a member of the following fraternal organizations: St. John's Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons; New- port Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Newport Lodge, No. 1040, Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a Past Dictator, having also served for five years as District Deputy Supreme Dictator for the State of Rhode Island; and Weenat-Shassit Tribe, No. 6, Im- proved Order of Red Men. He is past president of the United National Association of Postal Clerks for Rhode Island. His clubs include the Miantonomi Club, the Walter Lowrie Club, of which he is a past president; the Young Men's
Republican Club, of which he is a past president, and the Men's Club of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is also a past president. He is also an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and at one time served as one of its directors. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a deacon and a trustee, furthering its work also in the capacity of treasurer. Another organization, in which he is greatly interested, is the Army and Navy Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is one of the board of managers. He is fond of outdoor sports.
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