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HISTORY 


OF 


THE  DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD 


BY 


REV.     JAMES     H.     O'DONNELL 

AUTHOR     OF 

"  Liturgy  for  the  Laity,''''      "  Stuiiia  in  the  Neio  Testament,'^ 
Etc.,  Etc. 


BOSTON 
THE     D.     H.     HURD     CO 

1900 


Copvright 

James  H.    O'Donnell 

1900 


PrinttJ  by 

The  Sfarrdl  Print 

Boston 


PREFATORY   NOTE. 


O^E 


..  HE  undersigned  desires  to  express  his  gratitude  to  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
«J  Tierney,  D.D.,  whose  words  of  advice  and  encouragement  and  un- 
failing interest  in  the  work,  often  stimulated  him  to  renewed  endeavor; 
to  Very  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Shahan,  D.D.,  Dean  of  the  Faculty  of  Divinity 
of  the  Catholic  University  of  America,  whose  copious  notes,  collected  in 
1888  for  a  "  Histor)'  of  the  Diocese  of  Hartford,"  have  been  of  incalculable 
value;  to  the  Hon.  Charles  T.  Hoadley,  LL-D.,  State  Librarian  and 
member  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society ;  to  Mr.  Albert  C.  Bates, 
Librarian  of  the  Hartford  Historical  Society;  to  Marc  F.  Valette,  LL-D., 
President  of  the  Brooklyn  Catholic  Historical  Society;  to  the  Hon.  William 
J.  Onahan,  Chicago,  Ills.  ;  to  the  Bishop's  Memorial  Hall,  University  of 
Notre  Dame,  Ind.  ;  to  the  Rev.  Edward  I.  Devitt,  S.  J.,  Gonzaga  College, 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  to  the  Rev.  John  O'Brien,  editor  of  the  Sacred  Heart 
Review,  for  the  favor  of  using  the  admirable  historical  sketches  of  the  Rev. 
William  F.  Powers  ;  to  the  Price  &  Lee  Company  for  permission  to  draw 
from  the  "  History  of  Catholicity  in  Waterbury,  Conn.  ;  "  to  Mr.  F.  X. 
Reuss,  of  Philadelphia,  Professor  James  Madigan  and  Professor  Leo  Curley, 
of  Waterbury,  for  valuable  services  ;  to  the  Watertown  Library,  for  free 
access  to  the  library  at  all  times,  and  leave  to  draw  one  or  many  volumes 
gratis;  to  Charles  F.  Chapin,  editor  of  the  Waterbury  American,  whose  letter 
"To  the  Newspaper  Men  of  Connecticut  "  smoothed  the  writer's  pathway 
into  editorial  sanctums  ;  to  the  many,  in  a  word,  who,  by  suggestion  and 
material  furnished,  contributed  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  present  work. 

James  H.  O'Donnell. 
Watertown,  Conn. 


To  THE  Right  Rkv.  Bishop  Tierney,  D.D. 

TO   THE 

Rev.  Clergy  and  Religious 

AND    TO    THE     LAITY    OF    THE     DiOCESE 
THE 

Following  Pages  are 
Affectionately  Inscribed. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  Page 

I.   Then  and  Now i 

The  Diocese  of  Hartford— Origin- 
ally Part  of  the  Diocese  of  Balti- 
more—Later of  the  Dioceseof  Boston 
—  See  of  Hartford  Erected  Sept.  iS, 
1843.  by  Pope  Gregory  XVI— The 
First  Bishop~Rt.  Rev.  William 
Tyler,  D.D.— The  First  Sunday 
School— First  Day  School— Catho- 
lics in  1835,  720 — The  First  Settled 
Priest— List  of  Early  Priests— First 
Order  of  Religious  Women— The 
First  Parish— Present  Status  of  the 
Diocese. 

II.  Intolerance  in  Connecticut    .    10 

Blue  Laws  and 'Popery'— Early  spirit 
of  Persecution— Church  and  State- 
Antipathy  of  Puritans  to  Foreign- 
ers—Early Enactments  —  Religious 
Prejudices. 

III.  The  Confession  of  Faith    .    .     17 

The  Saybrook  Convention  of  1708— 
The  Confession- Abhors  the  Pope— 
A  Man  of  Sin— Son  of  Perdition— Pri- 
vate Masses— Liberty  of  Conscience. 

IV.  Anti-Catholic  Sentiment   .    .    20 

Antipathy  to  the  Irish  People— Op- 
position Carried  to  Ridiculous  Ex- 
tremes-General Assembly  Enact- 
ment, 1724 — Renouncing  the  Pope 
— Un-Christian  Oaths. 

V.    "Pope  Day" 24 

The  Gunpowder  Plot— The  Fifth  of 
November — Guy  Fawkes — The  Fa- 
natical Mob— Washington  Sounded 
the  Knell  of  Pope  Day. 

VI.  The  Connecticut  "Observer  " 

AND  THE  Know  Nothings  .    .    26 

"  Romanism  *'  in  Connecticut  — 
Bishop  Fenwick— The  Catholic  Press 
—Rev.  Mr.  Hooker— The  Know  Noth- 
ings— Burning  of  Catholic  Buildings 
— The  Know  Nothing  Law  Repealed 
in  1861 — Captain  Cahill— Puritanism. 

VII.  Irish  Settlers 32 

John  Verrazano— New  France — Tra- 
ditions Relative  to  First  Resident 
Catholics- Pioneer  Irish  Settlers — 
King  Phillip's  War— The  Great 
Swamp  Fight— Irish  Soldiers. 


Chapter  Page 

VIII.  Emigration,  Compulsory  and 

Voluntary 36 

Exiled  from  Erin — Inhumanity — 
Transported  to  the  American  Col- 
onies— Persecution  and  Expatria- 
tion. 

IX.  Names  that  Speak 43 

Early  Catholic  Settlers— From  1639 
to  1805 — Extracts  from  Early  Rec- 
ords. 

X.   Evidences   of    Early    Catho- 
lics       50 

French  Family  in  Stratford  in  1662 
— Irishmen  in  Stratford  in  1679 — The 
Visit  of  Catholic  Governor  Dongan 
of  New  York  to  Milford  in  1685 — 
The  Canadian  Embassy  of  1700. 

XI.  French  Prisoners  in  Connec- 

ticut     54 

French  and  Spanish  Prisoners  from 
Cape  Breton— Fall  of  Fort  Niagara 
■ — French  Prisoners  Captured  — 
Brought  to  Connecticut— In  His 
Majesty's  gaols  in  Hartford  and 
New  Haven— Contingent  sent  to 
New  London — Incarcerated  in  the 
common  gaol. 

XII.  An  Unhappy  Event  —  Kidnap- 

ping     56 

a  Spanish  Vessel  in  Distress— Put 
into  New  London— Treasure  Stolen 
— Memorial  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly— Joseph  Demink  Kidnapped 
and  Sold  as  a  Slave. 

XIII.  Early  Catholics  in  New  Lon- 

don       58 

Early  Port  of  Entry— Foreign  Resi- 
dents—The War  Ship  Cygnet— John 
Sullivan— Thomais  Allen- The  "City 
Coffee  House  "—Early  French  Resi- 
dents-Exiles from  San  Domingo. 

XIV.  The  Acadians  in  Connecticut  .    63 

Deportation  by  the  English  Govern- 
ment—A Sad  Page  in  History— Four 
Hundred  to  Connecticut— The  Land- 
ing at  New  London— Distributed 
throughout  the  Towns  of  the  Col- 
ony-Interesting List  of  Charges— 
Their  Treatment  in  Various  Towns 
— Tradition  of  Two  Acadian  Priests 
— The  Verdict  of  History. 


VI 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  Page 

XV.  The    French    Army    in    Con- 

*    NECTICUT 76 

Services  Rendered  the  Colonists 
by  Catholic  France— Washington's 
Grateful  Acknowledgment— Mar- 
quis de  Lafayette — Count  de  Roch- 
anibeau— Washington  and  Rocbam- 
beau  at  Hartford. 

XVI.  The  March  through  Connec- 

ticut   80 

Plainfield  First  Point  Reached— 
Windham  —  nolton  —  Hartford  — 
Farmington— South  ington— Middle- 
bury— Newtown— Ridgebury—Roch- 
ambeau's  Liberality —  Ca  rr  ies 
Money  to  Washington's  Troops  — 
The  Camp  at  Hartford— Cordiality 
and  Generosity— Routes  and  Camps 
— Washington's  Congratulatory  Or- 
der to  the  Allied  Armies. 

XVII.  Mass  in  the  French  Army    .    86 

The  First  Mass  in  Connecticut — 
During  the  F.ncampment  of  Roch- 
anibeau — Now  within  Limits  of  St. 
Peter's  Parish,  Hartford. 

xviii.  Lafayette  in  Connecticut  .    88 

His  March  through  the  Stale— Visit 
to  this  Country  in  17S4— At  Hartford 
October  5— Makes  a  Second  Visit 
in  1S24. 

XIX.  The  Marquis  de  Chastellux 

IN  Connecticut 92 

His  Tour  in  1780 — En  route  from 
Newport —  Stops  at  Voluutown  — 
Plainfield  — Windham  —  Hartford— 
F  a  r  ni  i  n  g  ton— Washington— New 
Milford— Two  Subsequent  Tours 
through  Connecticut. 

XX.  Connecticut  Irishmen  in  the 

Revolution 94 

The  Tribute  of  History— Irishmen 
in  the  Lexington  Alarm— Irishmen 
in  Every  Important  Action  from 
Siege  of  Boston  to  Surrender  of 
Yorktown- In  the  Third  Regiment 
—  Fourth  Regiment  — Fifth  Regi- 
ment—  Sixth  Regiment  —  Seventh 
Regiment— Eighth  Regiment  — Be- 
fore Quebec,  December,  1775  —  At 
Ft.  Schuyler— Knowlton  Rangers^ 
Bigelow's  Artillery— The  "Connec- 
ticut Line  " — Hirst  Regiment — Sec- 
ond Regiment- Third  Regiment- 
Fourth  Regiment— Fifth  Regiment 
—Sixth  Regiment— Seventh  Regi- 
ment —  Eighth  Regiment  —  Ninth 
Regiment —  Col.  Shcrburn's  Light 
Infantry— Col.  Seth  Warner's  Regi- 
ment— Col.  Moses  Hazen's  Regiment 
—Col.  Durkee's  Regiment — Captain 
Ransom's  Company — First  Troop, 
Lisht  Dragoons —  Second  Troop  — 
Fourth  Troop- Fifth  Troop— Sixth 
Troop — Col.  Lamb's  Artillery — Col. 
Crane's  Artillery  —  Artificers  —  In- 
valid Corps — Pensions  for  the  Revo- 
lution-Invalid Pensioners. 


Chapter  Page 

XXI.  Early  Priests  in  Connecticut  io6 

Rev.  Gabriel  Druillettes,  S.  J.— His 
Visit  to  New  Haven. 

XXII.  Father  Druillettes*  Succes- 

sors     

Rev.  Jean  Pierron— Rev.  Thomas 
Harvey.  S.  J.— Rev.  John  Gordon, 
DD.— Rev.  Arnoux  Duprc— Visit  of 
Rt.  Rev.  John  Carroll,  D.D..  Bishop 
of  Baltimore- Rev.  John  Thayer- 
Rev.  Jean  Ambrose  Soug^ — Rev.  R. 
D.  Woodley— Rev.  Bernard  O'Cav- 
anagb. 


Bishops  of  the  Diocese       .    .    .    .122 

Rt.     Rev.     William    Tyler,    D.D.,     First 

Bishop  of  Hartford 122 

Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reilly.  D.D 134 

Rt.  Rev.  Francis  Patrick  McFarland.D.D.  149 

Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  Galberry.  O.  S.  A.,  D.D.  159 
Rt.   Rev.   Lawrence  Stephen    McMahon, 

D.D 166 

Rt.  Rev.  M.  Tierney.  D  D 178 

Parish  and  Mission  Churches    .     .  i8o 
Hartford  County 193 

St.  Joseph's  Cathedral,  Hartford           .      .  193 

St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Hartford  ....  208 

St.  Peter's  Parish.  Hartford       ....  214 

St.  Lawrence  O'Toole's  Parish,  Hartford  219 

St.  Anns  Parish,  Hartford 22b 

St.  Anthony's  Parish,  Hartford  .  .221 
Parish  of  Our  Lady  of  Sorrows,  Parkville  222 
Immaculate  Conception  Parish,  Hartford  223 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Bristol  ....  223 
St.  Catherine's  Parish,  Broadbrook  .  .  224 
St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Collinsville  .  .  225 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  East  Hartford  .  .  227 
St.  Bernard's  Parish,  Hazardville  .  .  228 
All  Saints' Mission,  Somersville  .  .  .  229 
St.  Paul's  Parish,  Kensington  ....  230 
Sacred  Heart  Mission,  Hast  Berlin  .  .  231 
St.  Bridget's  Parish,  Manchester  .  .  .  232 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  New  Britain  .  .  .  233 
St.  Peters  Parish,  New  Britain  .  .238 
Sacred  Heart  Parish,  New  Britain  .  .  239 
St.  Andrew's  Parish,  New  Britain  .  .  240 
St.  Joseph's  Parish.  New  Britain  .  .  .  240 
Our  Lady  of  Mercy  Parish.  Plainville  .  242 
St.  Matthew's  Mission,  Forestville  .  243 
St.  Patrick's  Mission,  Farmington  .  .  243 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Poquonock  .  .  .  244 
St.  Gabriel's  Mission,  Windsor  .  .  .  245 
St.  Thomas'  Parish,  Southington  ...  245 
St.  James"  Parish.  South  Manchester  .  246 
St.  Bernard's  Parish.  Tariffville  ...  248 
St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Thompsonville  .  249 
St.  Mary's  Star  of  the  Sea  Parish,  Nor- 
wich      252 

Parish  of  the  Sacred  Heart.  Wethersfield  252 

St.  Mary's  Parish,  Windsor  Locks  .  254 
Sacred  Heart  Mission,  Suflield        .      .      .257 

Fairfield  County 257 

St.  Augustine's  Parish,  Bridgeport  .  .  257 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  F:ast  Bridgeport  .  -  260 
Sacred  Heart  Parish.  Bridgeport   .  .261 

St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Bridgeport     ...    262 


CONTENTS 


Vll 


Page 

St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Bridgeport       .       .       .263 
St.  Authony  of   Padua's    Parish,    Bridge- 
port       263 

St.  Stephen's  Parish 264 

St.  John  Nepomucene's  Parish         .       .       .     264, 

St.  Mary's  Parish.  Bethel 264 

Redding  Ridge  Mission 266 

St.  Peter's  Parish,  Danbury  ....  266 
St.  Thomas' Parish,  Fairfield  ....  270 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  Greenwich  -  .  .  .272 
St.  Aloysius  Parish,  New  Canaan  .  .  .273 
St.  Rose's  Parish,  Newtown        ....     274 

St.  John's  Parish,  Noroton 275 

St.  Mary's  Parish.  Norwalk  ....  276 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  Ridgefield  .  .  .  .280 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  South  Norwalk  .  .  281 
St.  John's  Parish,  Stamford  ....  282 
Parish  of  the  Assumption,  Westport  .      .     288 

288 


I^iTCHFiELD  County       .... 

St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Winsted     . 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  Lakeville      .       -       .       .291 
St.  Anthony's  Parish,  Litchfield     .      .      .292 
St.  Thomas  of  Villanova,  Goshen,  Mission  295 
Immaculate     Conception     Parish,    New- 
Hartford  297 

St.  Francis  Xavier's  Parish,  New  Milford  298 

Immaculate  Conception  Parish,  Norfolk  300 

St.  Bernard's  Parish,  Sharon      ....  302 

St.  Thomas'  Parish,  Thomaston      .             -  303 
Immaculate  Conception  Mission,  Terry- 

ville 305 

Parish  of  St.  Francis  of  Assisi.  Torring- 

ton 306 

St.  John's  Parish,  Watertown    ....  306 
Sacred   Heart  (Mission)  Church.  South- 
bury     310 

Woodbury  Mission 

Middlesex  County       311 

St.  John's  Parish,  Middletown  .  -3" 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Chester  .  .  .  .318 
St.  John's  Parish,  Cromwell  ....  320 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  Portland  ....  321 
St.  Patrick's  (Mission)  Church,  East 
Hampton 323 

New  Haven  County 323 

St.  Mary's  Parish,  New  Haven  ....  324 
St.  Patrick's  Parish,  New  Haven    .      .      .342 

St.  John's  Parish,  New  Haven    .       .       .       .  34S 

Sacred  Heart  Parish,  New  Haven          .       .  350 

St.  Francis"  Parish,  New  Haven      .      .      .  353 

St.  Boniface's  Parish,  New  Haven         .      .  354 

St.  Lawrence's  Parish,  West  Haven    .      .  355 

St.  Louis' Parish,  New  Haven    ....  357 
St.  Michael's  Parish,  New  Haven  .      .      .357 

Parish  of  the  Assumption,  Ansonia            .  359 

Immaculate  Conception  Parish,  Branford  360 

St.  Mary's  Parish,  Derby 361 

St.  George's  Parish,  Guilford  .  .  .  .365 
Parish  of  St- Rose  of  Lima,  Meriden  .  .  366 
St.  Laurent's  Parish,  Meriden  .  .  .  370 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  Meriden  ....  372 
Parish  of  Our  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel,  Meri- 
den         372 

St.  Stanislaus'  Parish,  Meriden       .       .       .  372 

St.  Mary's  Parish,  Milford 373 

St.  Mary's  Parish.  Mt.  Carmel  (Hamden)  374 

St.  Francis'  Parish,  Naugatuck       .      .      .  375 

St.  Augustine's  Parish,  Seymour     .       .       .  377 

Holy  Angels'  Parish,  South  Meriden         .  378 


Page 

Holy  Trinity  Parish,  Wallingford  .  .  379 
Parish  of    the  Immaculate  Conception, 

Waterbury 381 

St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Waterbury  .  .  .  392 
St.   Michael's  (Mission)   Church,  Water- 

viUe 394 

The  Sacred  Heart  Parish,  Waterbury       .  395 

St.  Anne's  Parish,  Waterbury    ....  397 

St.  Cecilia's  Parish,  Waterbury      .      .      .  398 

St.  Francis  Xavier's  Parish,  Waterbury    .  399 

St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Waterbury      .      .       .  401 

The  Italian  Catholics,  Waterbury  .  .  402 
St.  Thomas'  Parish,  Waterbury       .      .      .402 

New  London  County 403 

St.  Mary's  Star  of  the  Sea  Parish,  New 

Loudon 403 

Immaculate  Conception  Parish.  Baltic     .  408 

St.  Andrew's  Parish.  Colchester  .  .  .  409 
Parish  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Rosary,  Jewett 

City 410 

St.  John's  Parish,  Montville      ....  411 

St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Mystic        ....  412 

St.  Mary's  (Mission).  Stonington    .      .      .  413 

St.  Patrick's  Parish,  Norwich   ....  414 

St.  Joseph's  (Mission)  Church,  Cecum  .  421 
Sacred  Heart  Parish,  Taftville        .      .       .422 

St.  Thomas'  Parish,  Voluntown       .      .      .  423 

Tolland  County 424 

St.  Bernard's  Parish,  Rockville  .  .  -  424 
St.  Mary's  Parish,  South  Coventry  .  .  427 
St.  Edward's  Parish,  Stafford  Springs      .    428 

Windham  County     

St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Willimantic  .  .  .431 
St.  James'  Parish,  Danielson  ....  433 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Dayville  .  .  .  -435 
St.  Joseph's  Parish,  Grosveuordale  .  .  435 
All  Hallow's  Parish,  Moosup  ....  437 
Parish  of  St.  Mary  of  the  Visitation,  Put- 
nam       438 

Sacred  Heart  Parish,  Wauregan  ...  441 
Sacred  Heart  Parish,  West  Thompson  .  442 
St.  Michael's  Parish,  Westerly  ...  443 
Sacred  Heart  Parish,  Hartford        ...    444 

The  Institutions  of  the  Diocese     .  445 

St.  Francis'  Orphan  Asylum,  New  Haven  445 
St.  James'  Orphan  Asylum.  Hartford        .  451 
St. Thomas'  Preparatory  Seminary,  Hart- 
ford        452 

Seminary  of  Mt.  St.  Joseph,  Hartford       .  455 

Academy  De  Notre  Dame,  Waterbury       .  456 

Notre  Dame  Academy,  Putnam       .      .      .  457 

Academy  of  the  Holy  Family,  Baltic  .  458 
St.  Augustine's  Villa,  Hartford       .      .      -459 

St.  Mary's  Home  for  the  Aged,  Hartford  459 
St.  Francis"  Hospital,  Hartford       .      .      -459 

Summary 460 

Societies 461 

The  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians        .      .  461 

The  Knights  of  Columbus 462 

The  Catholic  Benevolent  Union  .  .  .  463 
The  Catholic  Total  Abstinence  Union  of 

Connecticut 4^4 

Addenda 4^4 

St.  Mary's  Parish,  Norwich        ....    463 

Appendix       466 


Diocese  of  Hartford. 


DIOCESE   OF   HARTFORD. 

BY  REV.  JAMES  H.   O'DONNELL, 

Watertown,  Conn. 
AUTHOR    OF    "liturgy    FOR    THE    LAITY,"    "STUDIES    IN    THE    NEW    TESTAMENT,"    ETC.,    ETC. 


"  Historia,  von  ostenlationi,  sed  fidei  veritaiique  compoiiitur." — Plin'N'. 

'•  One  lesson  we  must  learn  ourselves  and  teach  our  children.  It  is  to  know  our  antece- 
dents ;  to  glory  in  our  predecessors  in  the  faith  ;  to  be  ever  ready  to  explain,  but  never  to 
apologize,  for  the  faith  of  our  fathers." — Thomas  D'Arcy  McGee.  . 


THE    DIOCESE    OF    HARTFORD 


CHAPTER   I. 


THEN   .\XD   NOW. 


fHE  diocese  of  Hartford  comprises  the  State  of 
Connecticut.  Its  area  is  about  five  thousaud  and 
four  square  miles.  Prior  to  iSo8,  Connecticut 
formed  a  part  of  the  dioce.se  of  Baltimore,  whose  juris- 
diction comprised  all  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
east  of  the  Mississippi  River.  On  April  8,  1808,  Pius 
VII.,  then  occupying  the  Papal  chair,  by  the  bull 
^'-  Ex  Debito  Pastoralis  Officio^''''  erected  the  episcopal 
sees  of  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  and  Bards- 
town.  To  the  diocese^jof  Boston  was  allotted  the  ter- 
ritory which  now  forms  the  New  England  States.  The  first  bishop  of  Boston 
was  the  Right  Rev.  John  Lefebvre  Cheverus,  D.D.  Connecticut  remained 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  diocese  of  Boston  until  1843.  During  these  five 
and  thirty  years  Bishop  Cheverus  and  Bishop  Fenwick — apostolic  men  both — 
made  periodical  visits  to  the  scattered  Catholics  of  the  state,  preaching,  cate- 
chizing, visiting  the  sick,  administering  the  holy  .sacraments,  and  offering  up 
the  august  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  Their  ministrations  strengthened  the  faith 
of  the  few  Catholics  here,  consoled  them  in  their  trials,  and  fortified  them 
II— I  1 


Seal  of  the  Colony  of  Cona. 


2  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

against  the  spiritual  dangers  then  so  prevalent.  Their  visits  were  anxiously 
awaited  and  tlieir  services  accepted  with  an  eagerness  and  joy  understood  only 
by  those  who  know  of  the  tender  relationship  that  exists  between  priests  and 
people.  They  have  long  since  entered  into  their  celestial  reward  ;  but  tlie 
fruits  of  their  apostolic  labors  still  remain,  and  their  example  in  searching  for 
the  wandering  sheep  of  the  fold  exercises  a  stimulating  influence  upon  their 
devoted  successors  in  the  same  ministry.  They  labored  faithfully  and  well, 
and  prepared  the  ground  for  the  foundations  that  were  laid,  and  upon  which 
has  arisen,  grand,  stately,  and  majestic,  a  diocese  second  to  none  in  our  land, 
in  all  things  faithful  to  its  exalted  mission,  and  of  which  its  .subjects,  both 
priests  and  laity,  are  justly  proud. 

Bishop  Cheverus  ruled  over  the  dioce.se  of  Boston  from  1810  to  1823, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  the  See  of  Montauban,  France.  From  1823  to 
1825,  the  affairs  of  the  diocese  were  conducted  by  an  Administrator,  Verj' 
Rev.  William  Taylor.  The  successor  of  Bi.shop  Cheverus  in  the  episcopal 
office  was  Right  Rev.  Benedict  Fenwick,  who  was  consecrated  on  the  feast  of 
All  Saints,  1825. 

The  rapid  increa.se  of  the  Catholic  population  of  the  New  England  States, 
together  with  his  declining  health,  caused  Bishop  Fenwick  to  petition  the 
Fifth  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore  (1843)  for  ^  division  of  his  diocese.' 
In  accordance  with  his  request,  a  petition  was  duly  laid  before  the  Propaganda 
at  Rome,  with  the  result  that  on  September  i8,  1843,  Pope  Gregory  X\'I. 
erected  the  See  of  Hartford,  with  jurisdiction  over  the  States  of  Rhode  Island 
and  Connecticut.  The  first  bishop  of  Hartford  was  Right  Rev.  William 
Tyler,  D.D.^  Bishop  Tyler  and  his  successors  resided  at  Providence  until 
1872,  when  that  city  was  erected  into  an  Episcopal  See.  Bishop  McFarland 
in  that  year  took  up  his  residence  in  Hartford. 

Until  1830  there  was  not  a  Catholic  church  in  Connecticut.  When 
Bishop  Cheverus  and  Bishop  Fenwick,  and  others  who  preceded  them,  visited 
this  portion  of  the  Lord's  vineyard,  they  said  Mass,  preached,  and  dispensed 
the  graces  of  religion  in  private  houses  and  in  public  halls  ;  sometimes  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  in  barns,  suitably  prepared  for  the  joyous  occasion. 
Not  infrequently  bigotry  dethroned  reason  and  justice,  and  the  minister  of 
God,  with  his  devoted  little  band,  would  perforce  seek  access  to  a  stable 
wherein  to  celebrate  the  divine  mysteries.  But  what  mattered  it?  Was  not 
the  divine  Victim  of  the  sacrifice  born  in  a  lowly  .stable,  and  were  not  the 
dumb  beasts  among  the  first  witnesses  of  His  advent?     When  Bishop  Fen- 

The  records  of  the  Council,  May  19,  contain  this  item  : 

"  Censuerunt,  Patres  S  Sedi  supplicanduni  e.sse,  lit  nova  Sedes  Episcopalis  erig- 
atur  in  iirbe  Hartford,  qu;e  Provincias  Connecticut  et  Rhode  Island  includat." 

'In  a  letter  to  Archbisliop  Eccleston,  of  Baltimore,  September  30,  1S43,  Cardinal 
Fransoni,  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  Rome,  wrote  as  follows  :  "  Quod  spectat  ad  Nova- 
rum  Sedium  Episcopalium  ercctionem,  Kpiscoporum  et  Coadjutorum  electionem.  .  .  . 
sciatis  htec  omnia,  SS  mo  Dno  Nostro  probante,  jam  esse  decreta,  electis  videlicet  iis  ad 
singulos  Episcopatus,  vel  ad  niunus  Coadjutoris  obeuudum,  quos  prinio  loco  in  singulis 
casibus  proposuistis,  e.xcepto,'  etc. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  3 

wick  visited  Hartford  in  July,  1829,  his  church  was  a  printing  office  and  his 
altar  au  humble  table.  To-day  we  behold  in  Connecticut  one  hundred  and 
nineteen  parish  churches  where  Mass  is  said  regularly,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty-three  churches,  chapels  and  other  buildings  where  divine  services  are 
held  frequently.  On  July  19,  1S29,  the  first  Sunday-school  for  Catholic 
youth  in  this  State  was  opened  in  the  office  of  the  Catholic  Press  at  Hartford, 
no  doubt  with  meagre  attendance.  Now  children,  many  thousands  in  num- 
ber, gather  weekly  within  beautiful  temples  to  listen  to  words  of  Christian 
wisdom,  to  learn  the  salutary  doctrines  of  the  church,  and  to  imbibe  the 
sturdy,  vigorous  and  loyally  catholic  spirit  that  shone  so  conspicuously  in 
their  ancestors.  Prior  to  1830  there  was  no  day-school  in  which  Catholic 
children  could  receive  a  religious  as  well  as  a  secular  training  ;  but  on  Novem- 
ber 2d  of  that  year  the  doors  of  the  first  Catholic  school  in  Connecticut  were 
thrown  open.  It  was  for  boys  only,  and  was  held  in  the  basement  of  Trinity 
church,  on  Talcott  street,  Hartford.  The  master  was  Mr.  Joseph  Brigden,  a 
convert,  a  gentleman  of  superior  'intellectual  attainments,  and  possessing  at 
that  time  fifteen  years'  experience  as  an  educator.  To-day  fifty-three  hand- 
some and  substantial  parochial  schools  adorn  their  surroundings,  and  are 
imparting  to  twenty-three  thousand  children  instruction  in  the  secular 
branches  and  fitting  them  for  the  high  and  responsible  duties  of  citizenship. 
These  schools  are  erected  and  maintained  at  a  sacrifice  that  clearly  demon- 
strates the  depth  and  sincerity  of  our  convictions.  They  are  necessary  for  the 
proper  education  of  Catholic  youth.  They  are  nurseries  in  which  their  ten- 
der hearts  are  cultivated,  their  consciences  formed  on  the  lines  of  Christ's 
teachings.  The  religious  element  there  predominates  ;  it  pervades  the  class- 
room ;  religious  influences  are  ever  present,  for  we  believe  with  Washington 
that  "reason  and  experience  doth  forbid  us  to  expect  that  national  morality 
can  prevail  in  exclusion  of  religious  principles." 

In  1835  a  census  taken  by  Bishop  Fenwick  accredited  to  Connecticut 
seven  hundred  and  twenty  Catholics.  In  1844  the  Catholic  population  of  the 
State  was  4,817.  The  census  of  1890  placed  the  Catholic  communicants  oi 
Connecticut  at  152,945,  and  the  Protestant  conmiunicants  of  all  denomina- 
tions at  147,184,  giving  a  Catholic  majority  of  5,761,  with  a  per  cent,  of 
Catholic  communicants  of  .51.  In  1899,  250,000  souls  yield  generous  and 
loyal  obedience  to  the  Bishop  of  Hartford.  Previous  to  1829,  and  during  a 
part  of  that  year,  the  Catholics  of  Connecticut  were  attended  at  intervals  by 
priests  sent  hither  by  the  Bishop  of  Boston.  The  Rev.  R.  D.  Woodley,  of 
Providence,  visited  the  state  from  Noveinber,  1828,  to  July,  1829,  at  the 
request  of  Bishop  Fenwick.  In  August,  1829,  the  first  priest  to  reside  in  the 
State  by  episcopal  appointment  took  up  his  abode  at  Hartford.  This  honor 
belongs  to  the  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh.  For  well-nigh  eleven  months  this 
zealous  and  talented  young  priest  sowed  alone  the  seeds  of  righteousness  in  a 
parish  whose  limits  were  co-extensive  with  the  boundaries  of  the  State. 
Beginning  with  this  pioneer,  we  shall  present  a  list  of  the  priests  who  labored 
in  Connecticut  until  1850.  Truly,  those  were  the  days  that  tried  priests' 
souls.    Their  names  should  be  perpetuated  and  held  in  grateful  remembrance 


4  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

b\-  tlieir  co-religionists  of  the  present.  The  relation  of  their  labors  will  be 
found  elsewhere  in  these  pages. 

From  August  26,  1829,  till  July  30,  1830,  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh. 

From  July,  1830,  till  October  27,  1831,  Rev.  B.  O'Cavanagh  and  James 
Fitton. 

From  October,  1831,  till  September,  1832,  Rev.  James  Fitton. 

From  September,  1832,  till  1834,  Rev.  J.  Fitton,  Rev.  James  McDerniott, 
Rev.  Kdward  McCool,  Rev.  Francis  Kieruau. 

1835,  Rev.  J.  Fitton,  Rev.  J.  McDermott. 

1836,  Rev.  J.  Fitton,  Rev.  J.  McDermott,  Rev.  Peter  Walsh. 

1837,  Rev.  J.   McDerniott,   Rev.  John   Brady,   Rev.    Peter  Walsh,   Rev. 

William  Wiley,  Rev.  James  Smyth.' 

1838,  Rev.  P.  Walsh,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  J.  Smytli. 

1839,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  J.  Smyth. 

1840,  Rev.  James  Strain,  Rev.  J.  Smyth,  Rev.  J.  Brady. 

1841,  Rev.  James  Strain,  Rev.  J.  Smyth,  Rev.  J.  Brady,  Rev.  John  D. 

Brady . 

1842,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev.  John  D.  Brady. 

1843,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev.  John  D.  Brady. 

1844,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev.  Michael  Lynch. 

1S45,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James   Smyth,  Rev.  Michael   Lynch,  Rev. 
H.  Riordan. 

1846,  Rev.  John   Brady,   Rev.   H.   Riordan,    Rev.    James    Smyth ,    Rev. 

Charles  O'Reilly,  Rev.  Michael  Lynch,  Rev.  John   Brady,  Jr. 

1847,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev.  M.    Lynch,  Rev.  John 

Brady,  Jr.,  Rev.  Charles  O'Reilly. 

1845,  Rev.  John     Brady,    Rev.  James    Smyth,   Rev.    M.    Lynch,    Rev. 

Philip  O'Reilly,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Jr. 

1849,  Rev.  John    Brady,    Rev.  M.  Lynch,   Rev.  Philip    O'Reilly,   Rev. 

John  C.  Brady,  Rev.  William  Logan,  S.  J. 

1850,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  M.  Lynch,  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly,  Rev.  John 

Brady,  Jr.,  Rev.  Luke  Daley,  Rev.  M.  O'Neill,  Rev.  James 
Smyth,  Rev.  John  C.  Brady.  In  this  year,  the  Rev.  William 
Logan,  S.  j.,  of  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester,  Mass.,  attended 
New  London. - 

To  resume  briefly:  In  1830  there  were  two  priests  in  Connecticut;  in 
1840,  three,  and  in  1850,  nine,  eight  resident  and  one  visiting.  In  i860  the 
number  of    priests  in  the  Connecticut  portion  of  the  diocese  was  thirty- 

•  Not  all  in  the  State  at  the  same  time. 

'Father  Logan  died  at  New  London,  Maj'  30,  1850,  aged  40  yeans,  from  small-po.x, 
contracted  from  a  sick  call.  He  was  born  at  Emmitsburg,  April  10,  1810.  After  his 
elevation  to  the  priesthood  he  was  engaged  in  missionary  duty  at  Frederick  City,  and 
afterwards  as  professor  in  Hoh'  Cross  College.  He  was  subsequently  charged  with  the 
missions  nf  Norwich,  New  London  and  Pomfret,  and  in  this,  as  in  other  fields  of  labor, 
he  was  distingui.shed  for  his  piety  and  zeal.  In  a  Jesuit  catalogue  for  1 849-1850,  Father 
Logan  is  mentioned  as  :    "  Openiriiis ;  excurrit  ad  Nonvich.  Neo-Londiiium  el  Pom/iel.'' 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  5 

three.  In  1870  there  were  sixty-three;  in  18S0,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
three;  in  1S90,  one  hundred  and  eighty-six.  In  this  year  of  our  Lord, 
1899,  two  hundred  and  sixty  priests  minister  to  the  wants  of  the  Catholics  of 
Connecticut. 

In  1843,  before  the  erection  of  the  diocese,  the  priests  of  Connecticut 
were  stationed  as  follows  : 

Hartford.^  Trinity  Church.  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  John  D.  Brady,  who 
attended  also  Cabbotsville. 

Neiv  Haven.,  Christ's  Church.     Rev.  James  Smyth. 

Bridgeport  was  attended  from  New  Haven. 

Neiv  London  was  served  from  Worcester  by  Rev.  James  Fitton. 

1844. 

Hartford.,  Trinity  Church.     Rev.  John  Brady. 
Neii-'  Haven.,  Christ's  Church.     Rev.  James  Smyth. 
Bridgeport.,  St.  James.     Rev.  Michael  Lynch. 
Middletoxvn  was  served  from  Hartford. 

Nezv  London  and  Norivicli  were  attended  from  Worcester  bj-  Rev.  A. 
Williamson. 

1845. 

Hartford.,  Trinity  Church.     Rev.  John  Brady. 

Nezu  Haven.,  Christ's  Church.     Rev.  James  Smyth. 

Bridgeport.,  St.  James.     Rev.  Michael  Lynch. 

Middletown  served  from  Hartford. 

Nciv  London  and  Norivicli  attended  from  Newport  by  Rev.  James  Fitton. 

Norfolk  served  from  Bridgeport. 

After  the  death  of  Bishop  Tyler,  in  January,  1849,  the  diocese  was  gov- 
erned by  Right  Rev.  John  B.  Fitzpatrick,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Boston,  until  the 
appointment  of  Bishop  O'Reilly,  in  August,  1S50.  The  priests  residing  in 
Connecticut  in  1850  were: 

Hartford.,  Trinity  Church.  Rev.  John  Brady,  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev. 
Luke  Daly,  who  attended  several  stations. 

New  Haven.     Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly. 

Bridgeport^  St.  James.     Rev.  Michael  Lynch. 

Middletown.     Rev.  John  Brady,  Jr. 

IVaterbnry.     Rev.  Michael  O'Neill. 

Norwalk.  Rev.  John  C.  Brady,  who  attended  also  Stamford,  Danburv, 
New  Milford  and  Canaan. 

Nczv  London,  Norivich  and  several  adjoining  stations  were  attended  from 
Worcester,  Mass.,  by  the  Rev.  William  Logan,  S.  J. 

Cultured  and  refined,  with  an  exalted  idea  of  their  mission,  profoundly 
interested  in  whatever  makes  for  the  advancement  of  their  peoples'  welfare, 
the  clergy  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford  are  accomplishing  splendid  work  for 
God,  the  church,  and  society.  Faithful  to  duty,  prompt  in  responding  to 
every  demand,  insistent  in  their  efforts  to  promote  the  educational  interests 


6  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  the  children  committed  to  their  care,  charitable  to  the  needy,  tender  and 
compassionate  to  the  sick,  the  strength  and  consolation  of  the  dying  ;  the 
teachers  of  yonlh,  the  friends  and  guides  of  age;  successful  in  composing 
difficulties,  the  arbiters  between  men  estranged ;  aggressive  in  their  warfare 
against  the  drink  habit,  that  giant  evil  that  stalks  insolently  over  the  land, 
bringing  ruin  and  desolation  in  its  wake,  the  priests  of  Connecticut  have  at- 
tained a  position  of  influence  in  the  commonwealth  that  redounds  to  the 
glory  of  the  diocese.  Loved  by  their  own  charges  and  respected  by  their 
separated  brethren,  they  are  a  mighty  power  for  the  accomplishment  of  high 
and  noble  purposes,  a  stanch  barrier  to  the  progress  of  evil.  Thoroughly 
imbued  with  the  spirit  that  pervades  our  beneficent  laws,  familiar  with  the 
glorious  history  of  this  republic,  realizing  in  its  full  measure  the  blessings 
that  flow  from  the  religious  freedom  here  enjoyed,  it  were  superfluous — a  work 
of  supererogation — to  proclaim  here  their  loyalty  to  the  institutions  of  our 
country.  Happy  and  prosperous,  indeed,  will  this  republic  be,  if  in  her 
course  down  through  the  coming  years,  it  will  be  assailed  by  no  greater  foes 
than  the  priests  of  the  Catholic  Church.  The  shafts  of  hate  and  jealousy 
may  be  directed  against  them;  the  poisoned  darts  will  fall  harmless  at  their 
feet.  Their  ears  ma)'  be  assailed  by  shouts  that  come  up  from  hearts  eaten 
with  bigotry,  but,  conscious  of  the  purity  of  their  motives  and  of  the  recti- 
tude of  their  conduct,  they  will  remain  faithful  to  conscientious  duty  assured 
of  the  continued  good-will  of  their  fellow-citizens.  "By  their  fruits  ye  shall 
know  them."  Judged  by  this  divine  standard,  the  priests  of  Connecticut 
and  their  brethren  elsewhere  in  this  favored  land  of  ours,  need  not  fear  the 
hostile  criticism  of  those  whose  words  are  not  always  weighed  in  the  scales 
of  justice. 

The  first  order  of  religious  women,  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  was  introduced 
into  the  diocese  of  Hartford  in  1852,  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reilly.  The 
mother-house  was  located  at  Providence,  R.  I.  On  IMay  12  of  that  year  four 
sisters  arrived  at  New  Haven.  They  were  the  pioneers  in  Connecticut  of 
that  splendid  order  which  was  destined  to  achieve  many  and  wonderful  works 
in  the  cause  of  religion  and  education.  They  came  among  strangers,  but 
their  devotion  to  their  sacred  calling,  their  self-sacrifice,  their  unobtrusive 
piety  and  gentleness,  their  love  for  children  and  devotedness  to  the  sick 
mellowed  the  hearts  of  ])ersons  of  every  creed.  They  opened  schools  wliere 
children  could  receive  a  Catholic  training,  and  gathered  the  helpless  orphans 
within  their  protecting  arms  and  shielded  them  from  the  misery  and  hard- 
ships of  the  world.  From  four  sisters  in  1852,  they  increased  to  twenty-two 
in  i860;  and  in  the  present  year,  1899,  the  number  of  religious  women,  in_ 
eluding  novices  and  postulants,  in  the  diocese,  is  seven  hundred  and  fifty. 
God  has  singularly  blessed  these  holy  women,  who  have  made,  and  are  still 
making,  so  many  and  great  sacrifices  for  Him,  whose  very  names  are  un- 
known to  the  world,  who  go  uncomplaining  to  any  service,  and  who  are  as 
patient,  zealous  and  resigned  in  the  midst  of  contagion  as  in  the  class  room. 
For  many  years  the  spiritual  daugiiters  of  Mother  Mc.\ule>'  were  alone  in  the 
field;  but  in  the  progress  of  the  years  other  orders  were  introduced,  until  now 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  7 

there  are  three  mother-houses  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  besides  ten  other  dif- 
ferent conminnities  in  the  diocese.  They  are:  Sisters  of  Mercy,  Mother- 
house,  Hartford  ;  Sisters  of  Mercy,  Mother-house,  Meriden  ;  Sisters  of  Mercy, 
Mother-liouse,  Middletown;  Sistersof  the  Assumption,  (Nicolet,  P.O.);  Sisters 
of  Charity,  (Convent  Station,  N.  J.);  Sisters  of  Charity  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul, 
(Mt.  St.  Vincent  on  the  Hudson,  N.  Y.);  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  (Chambery, 
France);  Sisters  of  Charity  of  our  Lady,  Mother  of  Mercy,  (Tilburg,  Hol- 
land); Sistersof  St.  Francis;  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  (Flushing,  New  York); 
Sisters  of  the  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame,  (Villa  Maria,  P.  O.);  Sisters  of 
the  Holy  Cross,  (St.  Laurent,  P.  Q.);  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  (Baltimore,  Md.) 

These  devoted  women  instruct  our  )outh  in  parochial  schools;  tenderly 
care  for  God's  cherished  little  ones,  the  orphans;  nurse  the  sick  and  provide 
for  the  comfort  of  the  aged.  They  are  ministering  angels,  and  their  presence 
exhales  a  benediction.  They  are  noble,  efficient  auxiliaries  to  the  priesthood 
and  their  fervent  prayers  ascending  to  the  mercy  seat  from  the  silence  and  soli- 
tude of  their  sanctuaries  bring  down  many  alid  choice  blessings  upon  the  dio- 
cese. Twenty-three  thousand  of  our  youth  are  being  trained  under  their  foster- 
ing care.  Who  will  measure  the  extent  of  the  good  accomplished  by  these  holy 
women  among  this  number  of  children — almost  as  large  as  the  standing  army 
of  the  United  States  before  the  Spanish-American  war?  Entering  the  various 
walks  of  life  they  will  bring  to  their  chosen  vocations  both  virtue  and  talent. 
Religion  will  be  an  ever-present  factor  in  their  lives,  and  earthly  ambitions, 
how  strong  soever  they  may  press,  will  become  subordinate  to  a  higher  destiny, 
that  for  which  man  was  alone  created.  As  tlie  maternal  influence  is  para- 
mount in  moulding  the  character  of  children,  so  are  the  example  and  pre- 
cepts of  our  Sisters  of  inestimable  \alue  in  shaping  for  good  the  careers  of 
our  youth.  They  seek  no  worldly  encomiums;  they  are  indifferent  to  the 
plaudits  of  men.  Content  are  the)-  to  labor,  hidden  in  Christ,  from  whom 
alone  they  seek  reward. 

The  laity  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford  have  ever  been  conspicuous  for  their 
loyalty  to  holy  church,  for  cheerful  submission  to  diocesan  laws  and  for 
respect  for  parish  regulations.  Cooperating  generously  with  their  local  clergy 
by  suggestion,  advice  and  financial  assistance,  they  justly  participate  in  the 
glory  that  belongs  to  the  diocese.  It  is  true,  that  from  certain  sections  of  the 
diocese  discordant  voices  have  been  heard  from  time  to  time,  but  in  every 
instance  these  miniature  rebellions  have  received  the  unqualified  condemna- 
tion of  the  vast  majorit)'  of  the  laity.  Angry  passion  may  supplant  reason 
and  obedience  ;  the  law  of  obedience  may  be  disregarded  and  authority  set  at 
defiance ;  but  those  who  thus  give  rein  to  personal  feelings  find  little  sym- 
pathy among  their  brethren  and  are  subject  to  an  ostracism  that  speaks  its 
disapproval  more  forcibly  than  could  word  of  mouth. 

Seventy  years  ago  the  first  Catholic  parish  of  Connecticut  was  organized. 
It  embraced  the  entire  State.  Its  members  were  the  proverbial  "handful," 
but  strong  in  faith,  robust  of  physique,  self-reliant  and  confident  that  the 
future  held  nnich  in  reserve .  They  came  to  stay,  to  cast  their  lot  with  their 
fellows  of  other  lands,  and  to  assist,  as  far  as  they  could,  in  laying  deep  and 


8  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  f.V  NEW  ENGLAND. 

strong  the  foundations  of  what  is  now  a  prosperous  Commonwealth.  The 
Catholics  of  Connecticut  have  ever  manifested  deep  interest  in  whatever  con- 
cerns her  welfare.  Zealous  in  guarding  her  fair  name  and  in  upholding  her 
prestige,  they  join  willing  hands  with  their  Protestant  fellow-citizens  in  labor- 
ing for  the  couiinon  weal.  The  interests  of  the  one  are  the  interests  of  the 
other.  Catholic  citizens  should  not,  and  do  not,  form  a  separate  class. 
Knowing  their  duties,  and  grateful  for  the  blessings  they  enjoy,  they  have 
become  closely  identified  with  whatever  tends  to  the  advancement  of  the 
State's  interests.  In  all  good  work  they  emulate  their  non  Catholic 
neighbors,  who  applaud  their  zeal  and  extend  not  sympathy  merely,  but 
generous,  practical  assistance.  United  in  eflfort,  charitable  in  spirit,  one 
towards  the  other,  scrupulously  respecting  each  other's  rights,  privileges 
and  opinions,  the  Catholics  and  Protestants  of  Connecticut  will  constitute 
an  invincible  power  and  are  likely  to  achieve  still  greater  results  in  the 
moral,  intellectual  and  commercial  spheres  than  have  yet  been  wrovight 
among  us. 

Our  nation  is  justly  proud  of  its  composite  character,  and  of  the  fact 
that   its   formative  elements  have  been  drawn    from   such   branches  of  the 

human  family  as  were  most  essential  to  its  rapid 
and  lasting  development.  The  different  arrivals 
of  the  constructive  elements  were  generally  con- 
temi)oraneous  with  our  most  pressing  needs.  This 
is  especially  true  in  regard  to  the  Irish  immigra- 
\.\o\\.  The  nation's  development  demanded  hewers 
of  wood  and  drawers  of  water ;  men  of  brawn  as 
well  as  men  of  brain.     These  were  the  factors  es- 

^^^  sential  in  our  j)opulatiou  in  the  early  and  middle 

'v— ^NSTVLn-J  periods  of  our  history,  and  poor  Ireland,  that  pro- 

seai  of  the  State  of  conu.  y^^^  u  ^-^q^,^  ^f  nations, ' '  lougiug  for  freedom  and 

emancipation,  sent  us  thousands  of  her  sturdy  sons  and  pure  daughters  to  aid 

in  building  up  and  developing  this  new  and  rugged  land.     Of  this  beneficial 

accretion  Connecticut  received  a  goodly  share. 

The  spread  of  Catholicity  in  Connecticut  has  kept  pace  with  its  phenom- 
enal growth  throughout  the  country  at  large.  Numbering  nearly  one-third 
of  the  entire  population  of  the  State,  this  fact  serves  to  emphasize  the  strong 
words  of  Cardinal  Manning  written  in  1888  :  "  The  ])rogress,  the  growth,  the 
expansion  of  the  church  in  the  United  States  within  the  la.st  centurj-  is,  as 
far  as  I  know,  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  church  upon  earth." 
This  wonderful  expansion  is  forcibly  illustrated  by  Right  Re\'.  J.  L. 
Spalding,  D.D.,  bishop  of  Pecria.'  "The  thirteen  American  colonies," 
says  the  bishop,  "which  a  hundred  years  ago  declared  their  independence 
of  the  power  by  which  the)'  had  been  founded,  were  intensely  and  thor- 
oughlv  Protestant.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  Independence  there 
were  not  more  than   twenty-five  thousand  Catholics  in  a  population  of  three 

'  The  Religions  Mission  of  the  Irish  Race,  1880. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  9 

millions.'  They  had  no  bisliops,  they  had  no  schools,  they  had  no  religious 
houses,  and  the  few  priests  who  were  scattered  among  them  generally  lived 
upon  their  own  lands,  or  with  their  kinsfolk,  cowed  by  the  fearful  force  of 
Protestant  prejudice.  .  .  .  An  observer  who  a  hundred  years  ago  should  have 
considered  the  religious  condition  of  this  country,  could  have  discovered  no 
sign  whatever  that  might  have  led  him  to  suppose  that  the  faith  of  this  little 
body  of  Catholics  was  to  have  a  future  in  the  American  Republic  ;  whereas 
there  are  many  reasons  for  thinking  that  no  other  religion  is  so  sure  of  a  future 
here  as  the  Catholic."  The  bishop  continues  :  "  The  Catholic  church  in  the 
United  States  is  no  longer  confined  to  three  or  four  counties  of  a  single  State. 
It  is  co-extensive  with  the  country,  embracing  North  and  South,  East  and 
West.  Its  members  are  counted  by  millions,  its  priests  and  sacred  edifices  by 
thousands.  The  arch-bishops  and  bishops  rule  over  eleven  metropolitan  and 
fifty-four  suffragan  Sees.^  The  religious  homes  for  men  and  women,  its  col- 
leges, academies  and  schools  are  found  in  every  part  of  the  Union.  It  has 
acquired  the  right  of  domicile;  it  has  become  a  part  of  the  nation's  life.  It 
is  a  great  and  public  fact,  which  men  cannot,  if  they  would,  ignore." 
The  following  summary  exhibits  the  present  status  of  the  diocese  :' 


Bishop 

Secular  priests 23S 

Priestsof  religious  orders      .    .      22 

Total    ...  ....  

Churches  with  resident  priest  .  119 
Churches      without      resident 

priests     50 

Total 

Stations 

Chapels 

Religious  women,  including  novices 

and  postulants 

Preparatory  seminary 

Students 

Seminaries  of  religious  orders  .   .    . 

Students  

Students  in  Rome 

"  Louvain 


260 


169 

17 

56 

750 
I 

40 
I 

75 
5 
3 


6 
3 

50 

I 

40 


Students  in  St.  Sulpice,  Paris  .    .    . 

Eichstiidt 

Ecclesiastical  students 

Colleges  and  academies  for  boys .    . 

Students 

Academies  for  j-oung  ladies      ...  8 

Pupils 660 

Parishes  with  parochial  schools  ,    .  53 

Pupils 23,000 

Orphan  asj-Iums 2 

Orphans   .            327 

Total  number  of  j'oung  people  under 

Catholic  care,  about 25,000 

Hospital I 

Patients 314 

Home  for  the  aged  poor i 

Inmates  during  the  year 88 

Catholic  population,  about    ....  250,000 


'  In  1785  the  number  of  Catholics  in  the  United  States  was  approximated  as  follows  : 
In  New  England,  about  600  ;  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  about  1700  ;  in  Pennsylvania 
and  Delaware,  about  7700;  in  Maryland  (free),  12,000,  (slaves),  8000  ;  States  of  the  South, 
2500  ;  in  Illinois,  at  Kaskasia  and  the  French  e.stablishnients  on  the  Mississippi,  12,000. 
Total,  44,500.    Letter  to  Ve>'gen7tes,  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  to  Louis  XVI. 

^  There  are  now  fourteen  metropolitans  and  seventy -three  suffragans,  including  a 
Prefecture  Apostolic  in  Alaska,  in  the  province  of  Oregon. 

'  From  Catholic  Directory,  Hoffman,  1899. 


10  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 


INTOLERANCE    IN   CONNECTICUT. 

CHAPTER  II. 
BLUE   LAWS   AND   "POPERY." 

fHAT  the  Puritans  of  New  England  were  severe  in  their  treatment  of 
those  who  differed  from  them,  will  not  be  denied  even  by  their 
stanchest  apologists.  Severity  was  a  conspicuous  trait  in  the  Puri- 
tan character.  They  enforced  obedience  to  their  laws  with  a  rigor  that  has  no 
parallel,  and  their  enactments  militated  against  the  prerogative  of  personal 
liberty.  In  fact,  personal  liberty  was  a  boon  but  little  known  under  the 
harsh  system  of  Puritan  legislation.  While  many  of  the  "Blue  Laws"  of 
Connecticut  are  pure  fiction,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  the  spirit  they  were 
intended  to  exhibit  actually  prevailed,  and  caused  much  needless  hardship 
and  suffering.  A  few  instances  drawn  from  our  town  records  will  illustrate 
the  character  of  the  laws  in  vogue,  and  the  illiberal  spirit  prevalent  in  Con- 
necticut in  colonial  days. 

In  the  last  quarter  of  the  seventeenth  century,  a  New  London  fisherman, 
was  fined  for  catching  eels  on  Sunday,  while  another  offender  was  mulcted 
"twenty  shillings  for  sailing  a  boat  on  the  Lord's  day."  In  1670,  two 
young  Puritans,  a  youth  and  maiden,  John  Lewis  and  Sarah  Chapman,  were 
fined  for  "sitting  together  on  the  Lord's  day,  under  an  apple  tree  in  Goodman 
Chapman's  orchard."  At  New  Haven  Captain  Dennisou  paid  a  fine  of  fifteen 
shillings  for  absenting  himself  from  worship  on  Sunday,  and  William  Blag- 
den,  also  a  resident  of  New  Haven  in  1647,  was  "publically  whipped"  and 
declared  guilty  of  "sloath fulness"  for  the  same  offense.  Another  unfortunate 
inhabitant  of  New  Haven  was  whipped  and  fined  because  he  had  the  effrontery 
to  say  that  the  sermons  of  the  minister  were  unproductive  of  spiritual  frait. 
For  audaciously  declaring,  "I  would  rather  hear  my  dog  bark  than  Mr.  Bel- 
lamy preach,"  an  irreverent  resident  of  Windham  was  brought  to  trial  and 
formally  censured  for  his  tmchristian  remark.  When  threatened  with  the 
direful  punishment  of  being  ".shaken  off"  and  "given  up,"  he  made  a 
recantation  with  much  compunction  of  heart,  promised  to  "keep  a  guard  over 
his  tongue"  for  the  future,  and  to  attend  regularly  to  Mr.  Bellamy's  sermons. 
But  the  New  Haven  offences,  which  appear  to  have  been  numerous,  reached 
their  climax  when  Madam  Brewster,  in  1646,  proclaimed  that  the  custom  of 
bringing  the  collections  to  the  deacon's  table  was  decidedly  "popish" — it 
was  "like  going  to  the  high  altar"  and  "savoured  of  the  Mass."  For  this 
grave  offence  the  outspoken  woman  was  tried,  and  we  ma>-  well  believe  she 
received  condign  punishment.  But  this  illiberal  spirit  did  not  expire  with 
the  seventeenth  century,  nor  even  with  the  eighteenth  century.  In  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1831,  a  young  woman  was  arrested  at  I^ebanon  for  traveling  on 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  11 

Sunday  to  her  father's  lioiiie.  Litigation,  bitter  and  long,  followed  this  high- 
handed action,  and  the  victim  justly  received  damages  for  false  imprisonment.' 

These  instances  will  suffice  to  show  the  narrow  and  illiberal  spirit  that 
pervaded  the  lives  and  permeated  the  legislation  of  our  Puritan  forefathers. 

But,  if  they  were  severe  in  their  domestic  legislation  and  rigorous  in  the 
enforcement  of  local  enactments,  they  displayed  indefensible  severity  towards 
those  who  held  religious  opinions  different  from  their  own.  In  this  respect 
their  intolerance  stands  out  in  marked  contrast  to  the  very  first  enactment  of 
Thomas  Dongan,  the  Catholic  colonial  Governor  of  New  York  : 

"  No  person  or  persons  who  profess  faith  in  God  by  Jesus  Christ  shall  at 
any  time  be  in  any  way  molested,  punished  or  disquieted;  but  that  all  and 
every  such  person  or  persons  may  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times,  freely 
have  and  fully  enjoy  his  or  their  judgments  or  consciences  in  matters  of  reli- 
gion throughout  this  province. " " 

This  liberality  was  not  appreciated,  for  when  the  law-making  power  fell 
under  other  control  a  number  of  odious,  proscriptive  laws  were  enacted 
again.st  the  religion  professed  by  Governor  Dongan.  Ingratitude  supplemented 
justice. 

As  in  New  York  at  this  period,  so  throughout  New  England  ;  both  state 
and  church  conspired  to  crush  freedom  of  worship.  This  union  was  detri- 
mental to  the  highest  interests  of  both,  and  was  destined  not  to  endure.  It 
was  a  condition  of  things  which  we  to-day  utterly  repudiate.  "State  and 
church  were  both  victims  of  the  unnatural  alliance ;  and  what  was  begun 
with  purest  aims  and  invoked  in  prayer  heaven's  benediction,  bore  bitter 
fruits  of  intolerance  and  religious  declension."  ' 

Apologists  for  the  Puritans  in  their  endeavor  to  lessen  the  force  of  the 
charge  of  intolerance,  diligently  claim  for  them  the  merit  of  sincerity.  But 
some  of  the  most  misguided  and  unsuccessful  characters  of  history  have 
entered  the  same  plea.     While  we  may  grant  their  claim  without  prejudice 

'  Apropos  of  this  arrest  the  Press,  September  lo,  1S31,  contained  the  following  : 
"  The  Great  Outrage  in  Connecticut. 

"The  wife  of  Dr.  T.  C.  Foster,  of  New  York,  was  arrested  in  Connecticut  b}'  a  certain 
Deacon  Eliphalet  Hutchinson  for  breaking  the  Lord's  Da3-b3'  traveling  to  see  her  father. 
Dr.  Sweet,  who  resides  in  the  '  Land  of  Steady  Habits.'  She  was  nearl}'  in  sight  of  her 
father's  house,  and  was  basely  arrested  in  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  and 
held  in  durance  vile  till  after  sundown,  and  then  permitted  to  depart  in  consideration 
that  she  would  pay  a  fine.  We  hope  Dr.  Foster  will  bring  the  case  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  U.  S.,  and  have  this  vSunday  question  settled." 

Before  beginning  his  theological  studies  in  1827,  the  late  Cardinal  McCloskey,  Arch- 
bishop of  New  York,  was  riding  horse-back  one  Sunda}'  morning,  during  a  period  of  con- 
valescence, and  having  crossed  into  Connecticut  was  met  by  a  constable,  and  asked  why 
he  was  riding  on  the  Sabbath.  As  he  was  not  riding  either  to  or  from  church  he  was 
obliged  to  recross  into  New  York  SiSL^e..— Right  Rev.  Bishop  Farley  in  Historical  Records 
and  Sketches.    January,  iSgg. 

^  Act  of  Gen.  Assembly,  Oct.  17. 

'Rev.  E.  H.  Gillet,  D.D.,  in  Hist.  Mag.,  July,  1868,  p.  i. 


12  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

to  historical  accuracy,  we  know  not  how  to  palliate  their  harshness  towards 
adherents  of  different  creeds,  nor  can  we  disregard  their  incomprehensible 
inconsistency.  "Victims  of  intolerance,  they  were  themselves  equally  intol- 
erant when  clothed  with  power.  Their  ideas  of  civil  and  religious  freedom 
were  narrow,  and  their  practical  interpretation  of  the  golden  rule  was 
contrary  to  the  intention  of  Him  wlio  uttered  it.  .  .  .  They  regarded 
churchmen  and  Roman  Catholics  as  their  deadly  enemies,  to  be  kept  at  a 
distance."  ' 

The  Puritans  of  Connecticut  cannot  escape  the  reproach  of  cultivating 
the  spirit  of  per.secution.  Tlieir  enactments  displayed  but  little  of  the  sweet- 
ness and  love  tliat  shone  so  conspicuously  in  the  teachings  of  the  Master 
for  Whom  they  professed  sucli  profound  attachment.  Others  who  strove  to 
follow  the  Divine  Exemplar  with  as  much  devotion  as  the)',  were  visited  with 
their  godly  wrath  and  fined  and  imprisoned  and  banished.  What  Hutchin- 
son said  of  the  Puritans  in  general  is  applicable  to  their  brethren  in  Connect- 
icut:  "In  New  England  it  must  be  confessed  that  bigotry  and  cruel  zeal 
prevailed,  and  to  that  degree  that  no  opinions  but  tlieir  own  could  be  tol- 
erated. They  were  sincere,  but  mistaken  in  their  principles."  -  Equally 
pertinent  are  the  words  of  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall  to  Wilson  and  Cotton, 
two  ministers  of  Boston  :  "  It  doth  a  little  grieve  my  spirit  to  hear  what  sad 
things  are  reported  daily  of  your  t>ranny  and  persecution  in  New  England, 
as  that  you  fine,  whip,  and  imprison  men  for  conscience."  ' 

On  September  i,  1743,  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  minister,  and  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Hebron,  made  the  public  declaration  that  the  laws  of  the  colony 
concerning  ecclesiastical  affairs  were  a  great  foundation  to  encourage  perse- 
cution and  encourage  wicked  men  to  break  their  covenants.  He  also  declared 
that  "  there  is  no  colony  so  bad  as  Connecticut  for  persecuting  laws.  I  never 
heard  nor  read  of  such  persecuting  laws  as  in  Connecticut."  '  For  this  exer- 
cise of  the  precious  right  of  private  judgment,  Minister  Pomeroy  was  con- 
demned to  pay  the  costs  of  the  prosecution,  and  to  give  bonds  in  fifty  pounds 
to  keep  the  peace. 

And  yet  it  was  Bancroft  who  wrote  :  "  There  never  existed  a  persecuting 
spirit  in  Connecticut."  And  again:  "That  heavenh- man,  John  Haynes, 
would  say  to  Roger  Williams,  '  I  think,  Mr.  Williams,  I  must  now  confess  to 
you  that  the  most  wise  God  hath  provided  and  cut  out  this  part  of  the  world 
as  a  refuge  and  receptacle  for  all  sorts  of  consciences.'  "  ''  The  great  historian 
has  not  drawn  a  faithful  picture  of  the  religious  condition  of  the  colonies 
under  Puritan  rule.  It  is  a  matter  of  historical  record  that  "  all  sorts  of  con- 
sciences" were  not  tolerated.  From  across  the  ocean  came  the  voice  of  remon- 
strance against  Connecticut  intolerance.  Dr.  B.  Avery,  of  England,  a  very 
influential  Dissenter,  wrote  to  a  gentlLinan  here  :   "  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  of 

'  Lo.ssing's  Hist,  of  the  U.  S  ,  pp.  1 18-119. 

'///.?/.  of  Mass-,  vol.  I.,  p   175. 

•■'  L()ssing's  Hist,  oftlie  U.  S.,  p.  1 18. 

*  Public  Records  of  Conn.,  vol.  IX.,  p.  28. 

^  Hist,  of  the  U.  S.,  vol.  II.,  p.  56,  ed.  1S41. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  13 

the  persecuting  spirit  that  prevails  in  Connecticut.     It  is  unaccountable  that 
those  who  live  and  breathe  by  liberty  should  deny  it  to  their  brethren."  ' 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Peraberton,  pastor  of  the  Presbj-terian  church,  New 
York,  to  Rev.  Dr.  Doddridge,  Northampton,  England  : 

"  New  York,  Dec.  i6,  1743. 
"  The  imprisonment  you  mention  in  your  letter  was  in  the  government  of  Connect- 
icut, a  colony  bordering  on  New  York,  and  was  of  the  most  favorable  kind  :  two  of  their 
preachers  (Moravians)  being  only  confined  in  the  officer's  house,  till  inquiry  was  made 
into  their  circumstances  ;  and  upon  giving  security  for  their  good  behavior,  thej'  were  in 
a  day  or  two  dismissed.  This  short  confinement  they  underwent,  I  doubt  not,  was 
unjust,  and  it  is  melancholy  for  me  to  be  obliged  to  say  that  the  government  of  Connect- 
icut is  daily  going  much  greater  lengths  than  these  in  persecuting,  not  the  ^Moravians, 
but  the  most  zealous  ministers  in  their  communion,  for  preaching  without  the  bounds  of 
their  respective  parishes.  By  a  late  law  they  have  enacted  that  every  minister  who  does 
not  belong  to  their  government  who  shall  presume  to  preach  in  anj'  of  their  towns  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  minister  of  the  parish  and  a  vote  of  the  major  part  of  the  society, 
shall  be  transported  from  constable  to  constable  to  the  place  whence  he  came  ;  and  if 
any  minister  that  belongs  to  this  government  transgress  in  the  same  manner,  he  for- 
feits all  his  salary.  This  is  certainly  going  on  with  a  high  hand,  and  I  am  greatly  afraid 
will  lay  a  foundation  for  the  loss  of  their  civil  privileges,  which  are  by  far  tlie  most  val- 
uable of  an}'  of  the  American  plantations." 

There  was  a  religion  by  law  established,  and  all  were  bound  to  conform 
to  it  under  severe  penalties.  No  one  could  be  admitted  a  freeman,  or  free 
burgess,  within  the  jurisdiction  of  New  Haven  colony,  btit  such  planters  as 
were  members  of  some  one  or  other  of  the  approved  churches  of  New  Eng- 
land. Union  of  church  and  state  existed  in  its  strictest  sense  ;  indeed,  so 
close!)'  allied  were  they  that  the  history  of  one  is  a  record  of  the  other.  The 
salaries  of  the  ministers  were  paid  by  assessments  levied  upon  all.^  "Early 
provision  was  made  by  law  for  the  support  of  the  ministry.  All  person^  were 
obliged  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  church,  as  well  as  of  the  Common- 
wealth ;  the  ministers' rates  were  made  and  collected  like  any  other."  '  If 
"all  sober, orthodox  persons"  who  dissented  from  the  Congregational  system 
were  allowed  by  the  General  Assembly  "peaceably  to  worship  in  their  own 
way,"  they  were  not  exempt  from  the  obligation  of  supporting  the  established 
religion.  The  modicum  of  religious  liberty  allowed  to  Dissenters  depended 
upon  the  good  will  of  the  General  Court.  So  intimate  was  the  relationship 
between  the  State  religion  and  the  civil  authorities  that  the  latter  made 
attendance  at  divine  worship  compulsory  under  penalty  of  five  shillings  fine, 
and  every  family  was  obliged  to  possess  "bibles,  orthodox  catechisms  and 
books  in  practical  godliness." 

Among  the  special  objects  of  aversion  to  the  Puritans  were  "some  loath- 
some heretics,  Quakers,  Ranters,  Adamites,  or  some  others  like  them."  The 
Quakers,  particularly,  were  the  victims  of  much  annoyance,  and  stringent 
laws  were  enacted  against  them.     To  entertain  them  was  to  incur  a  penalty 

^  Historical  Magazine, 'iu\y,  1868,  p.  11. 
'  Public  Records  of  Conn.,  1636-1650. 
'Rev.  Dr.  Gillett,  Hist.  Mag.,  July,  1868. 


14  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  five  pounds  a  week  for  any  town  infringing  the  law,  and  tlie  luckless  dis- 
ciples of  George  Fox  were  imprisoned  or  exjielled  from  the  colony.  If  the 
captain  of  a  vessel  brought  any  such  heretics  into  port  he  was  compelled  to 
transport  them  from  the  colony  or  pay  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  in  case  of 
refusal.  Quaker  books  and  manuscripts  were  forbidden  to  all  save  teaching 
elders,  under  penalty  of  ten  shillings  for  each  offence.  No  one  could  "un- 
necessarily speak  more  or  less  "  with  Quakers  without  forfeiting  five  pounds 
for  each  conversation,  and  any  town  that  harbored  them  paid  also  five  pounds 
for  each  Quaker  entertained.  Furthermore,  a  person  could  be  arrested  under 
suspicion  of  being  a  Quaker,  and,  if  after  investigation  he  was  so  adjudged, 
he  was  either  imprisoned  or  expelled  from  the  colony. 

Such  being  the  drastic  measures  taken  against  the  Quakers  at  the  rec- 
ommendation of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  not  many  of 
them  remained  within  the  borders,  and  those  who  did  so  could  enjoy  liberty 
of  worship  only  by  "soberly  dissenting"  in  approved  form  before  the  County 
Court ;  but  their  obligation  to  pay  the  assessments  for  the  support  of  the 
established  church  remained  inviolate. 

Tiie  antipathy  of  the  Puritans  to  foreigners  is  embodied  in  their  legisla- 
tion. Who  were  they  ?  Children  of  the  soil  ?  Foreigners — that  and  nothing 
more;  and  yet  with  the  utmost  nonchalance,  and  in  utter  disregard  of  the 
proprieties,  they  solemnly  passed  enactments  against  others  who  were  born 
beyond  the  seas.  At  the  "General  Courte  of  Election,"  held  on  May  i6, 
1650,  it  was 

Ordered  "that  no  Forreigner,  after  the  29th  of  September  next,  shall 
retaile  any  goods  by  themselves,  in  any  place  within  this  Jurisdiction  :  nor 
shall  any  Inhabitant  retaile  any  goods  w"'"  belong  to  any  Forreigner,  for  the 
space  of  one  whole  yeare  after  the  said  29th  of  September  next,  uppou  pen- 
alty of  confiscation  of  the  value  of  one  halfe  of  the  goods  so  retailed,  to  be 
paid  by  the  seller  of  them."' 

The  spirit  of  persecution  was  abroad.  Intolerance  was  a  cardinal  doc- 
trine of  the  Puritan,  and  the  foundation  upon  which  he  builded  his  hopes 
of  uninterrupted  rule.  "The  Puritan,  firmly  believing  that  he  was  elect  of 
God,  and  that  the  saints  must  persevere,  exercised  but  little  charity  towards 
those  whom  education  and  circumstances  had  taught  another  creed."  ^  A 
great  Puritan  figure,  Johnson,  declared  that  there  was  "no  room  in  Christ's 
army  for  toleratiouists,"  and  Cotton  taught  that  toleration  made  the  world 
anti-Christian.  "  The  church  never  took  hurt  from  the  punishment  of  here- 
tics," said  ancSther  devout  teacher.  "'Tis  Satan's  policy  to  plead  for  an  in- 
definite and  boundless  toleration,"  cried  Sliepard  in  1672,  and  a  year  later 
President  Oakes  made  this  declaration  :  "  I  look  upon  toleration  as  the  first- 
born of  all  abominations."  The  Simple  Cobbler  of  Agawam  wrote  :  "He  that 
is  willing  to  tolerate  will  for  a  need  hang  God's  Bible  at  the  devil's  girdle."* 

Such  being  the  views  of  the  Puritans  on  Toleration,  it  is  pertinent  to 

^Public  Records  of  Conti.,  1636-1665. 

'"  The  Puritan  Commonwealth."     Oliver,  p.,  193. 
'  Ibid. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  15 

inquire  how  fared  it  with  oiir  ancestors  in  the  faith  in  those  days?  Did  they 
feel  the  heavy  hand  of  persecution  ?  If  illiberal  laws  were  enacted  against 
"forreigners,"  Quakers  and  others;  if  Protestant  ministers  were  punished  for 
preaching  beyond  their  jurisdictions  without  license,  it  need  excite  no  sur- 
prise to  learn  that  a  deeply  hostile  spirit  prevailed  against  the  Pope  and  the 
Catholic  church.  Judged  by  Puritan  standards,  but  with  no  semblance  of 
reason,  the  Church  was  a  foreign  institution,  governed  by  a  foreign  potentate, 
and  inimical  to  the  progress  of  the  human  mind.  From  their  point  of  view, 
but  with  no  shadow  of  justice,  Catholics  were  idolaters,  grossly  superstitious, 
held  in  subjection  by  their  clergy  and  enveloped  in  spiritual  and  intellectual 
darkness.  Therefore  did  the  pious  Puritan  regard  the  Catholic  with  horror, 
a  being  of  inferior  clay,  with  no  religious  rights  which  the  elect  should 
recognize.  The  Pope  was  Anti-Christ,  and  his  "authority,  as  such,  was  from 
the  bottomless  pit."' 

Whatever  savored  of  Catholic  practice  was  scrupulously  barred.  They 
■would  have  nothing  in  common  with  "Papists,"  and  as  for  ceremonial  wor- 
ship, it  was  anathematized.  "The  Puritans  aimed  to  differ  in  their  worship 
from  the  Romish  ceremonies  as  much  as  possible.  Instead  of  kneeling 
at  prayers  they  made  it  a  point  of  propriety — if  not  of  conscience — to 
stand,  and  they  always  sat  at  singing.  Instrumental  music  they  excluded 
because  it  was  used  by  the  Roman  and  English  churches.  .  .  .  They 
observed  a  public  fast  in  the  spring  and  a  Thanksgiving  fast  in  the  fall. 
Especial  pains  were  taken  that  the  fast  should  never  be  appointed  on  Good 
Friday."  == 

Unlike  Massachusetts,  New  York  and  Virginia,  the  statute  books  of 
Connecticut  were  never  stained  with  enactments  against  the  Jesuits  or  other 
Catholic  priests.  What  have  passed  current  for  anti-priest  laws  are  stupid 
forgeries,  the  creation  of  a  clergyman,^  who  was  forced  to  leave  Connecticut 
on  account  of  his  offensive  Tory  propagandism.  He  was  a  man  with  a  griev- 
ance, and,  at  the  sacrifice  of  truth,  sought  to  cast  odium  upon  Connecticut. 
As  far  as  enactments  were  concerned  priests  could  come  and  go  without  fear  of 
molestation,  though  any  exercise  of  their  ministry  would  be  an  infringement 

^"  Will  and  Doom;  or,  the  INIiseries  of  Connecticut,"  by  Gershom  Bulkeley.  In 
"  The  Peoples'  Right  to  Election  "  the  same  author  wrote  in  Ma3-,  1689,  to  the  Court  or 
Convention  at  Hartford:  "Consider  j-our  profession;  we  are  all  Protestants.  I  hope 
there  is  not  a  Papist  in  our  limits." 

'  History  of  the  Colony  of  New  Haven,  by  Edward  R.  Lambert,  pp.  189,  190.  Apro- 
pos of  this  antipathy  to  music  at  divine  worship  :  1773,  April,  "  Voted  to  sing  on  the 
Lord's  da\-  in  the  afternoon,  according  to  the  rules  taught  in  the  Singing  Schools  in 
this  and  the  neighboring  societies." — "  Sinisburj'  Town  Records." 

Soon  after  this  a  teacher  of  music  was  employed.  After  practising  some  time  he 
appeared  with  his  scholars  in  church  on  a  Sunday,  and  the  minister,  having  announced 
the  psalm,  the  choir,  under  the  instructor's  lead,  started  off  with  a  tune  much  more 
lively  than  the  congregation  had  been  accustomed,  to  hear,  upon  which  one  of  the  dea- 
cons, Brewster  Higle}',  took  his  hat  and  left  the  house,  exclaiming  as  he  passed  down 
the  aisle,  "' Popery  .'  Popery!" — Phelps'  History  of  Simsbiiry. 

'  Rev.  Samuel  Peters.     His  book  is  known  as  Pele7-$^  History  of  Conn. 


16  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  the  following  law  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly,  May,  1742,  for  the 
regulation  of  ecclesiastical  affairs  : ' 

"  It  is  further  enacted.  That  if  any  foreigner,  or  stranger  that  is  not  an 
inhabitant  within  this  Colony,  including,  as  well,  such  persons  that  have  no 
ecclesiastical  character  or  license  to  preach  as  such  as  have  received  ordina- 
tion or  license  to  preach  by  any  association  or  presbytery,  shall  presume  to 
preach,  teach  or  publickly  to  exhort,  in  any  town  or  society  within  this 
Colony,  without  the  desire  and  license  of  the  settled  minister  and  the  major 
part  of  the  church  and  inhabitants  of  such  town  or  society,  provided  that  it 
so  happen  that  there  is  no  settled  minister  there,  that  every  such  preacher, 
teacher  or  exhorter  shall  be  sent  (as  a  vagrant  person)  by  warrant  from  any 
one  assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace,  from  constable  to  constable  out  of  the 
bounds  of  this  Colony." 

But  granting  the  non-existence  of  prescriptive  enactments  against  priests 
as  such,  it  is  undeniable  tliat  the  concrete  sentiment  of  Connecticut  was 
bitterly  hostile  to  Catholics,  and  this  hostility  was  not  infrequenth-  manifested 
by  men  of  exalted  station  in  civil  life  and  in  high  position  in  the  church. 
The  sj)irit  of  antagonism  to  all  things  Catholic  was  everywhere.  Children 
imlnbed  it  at  the  maternal  breast.  It  pervaded  the  religious  literature  of  the 
times  and  inspired  the  philippics  of  the  clergy.  Proscription  of  Catholics 
was  officially  taught  as  a  duty  "  for  the  defence  of  the  Protestant  religion  and 
people,"  while  "  jjopery  and  slavery"  were  seriously  joined  as  twin  evils  of 
equal  dye.^ 

In  1689  an  interchange  of  letters  between  Captain  Jacob  Leisler,  of  New 
York,  a  man  of  ungovernable  anti-Catholic  prejudices,  and  the  General  Court 
of  Connecticut,  disclosed  the  hostile  sentiment  existing  against  Catholics  at 
that  period. 

On  May  31,  1689,  Captain  Leisler  seized  Fort  James  at  New  York.  He 
published  a  declaration  "to  keep  and  guard  .surely  the  said  fort,  in  the  behalf 
of  the  power  that  now  governeth  in  England,  to  surrender  to  the  person  of 
the  Protestant  religion,  that  shall  be  nominated  or  sent  by  the  power  afore- 
said." On  June  5th,  Major  Gold,  of  Fairfield,  wrote  to  Leisler  a  letter  of  con- 
gratulation upon  the  capture  of  the  fort.      In   response  to  Gold,   Leisler, 

'  Pi<b.  /Records  o/Conn.    Vol.  VIII. 

^  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,  i6Sg,  p.  463.  An  address  to  King  William  III.,  June  13,  1689, 
signed  by  Robert  Treat,  Governor,  by  order  of  the  General  Court  of  Conn. 

The  following  letter  from  Jesse  Root  to  Silas  Duane,  dated  Hartford,  Jlay  25,  1775, 
furnishes  us  with  another  interesting  combination  of  powers,  which  throws  a  side  light 
upon  the  anti-Catholic  prejudices  of  the  time : 

"Dear  Sir  : 

"  The  troops  are  continually  marchint;  for  Hoston.  .  .  .  May  that  unerring 
wisdom  that  guides  the  rolling  spheres  through  the  unmeasurable  tract  of  ether,  that 
mighty  power  .  .  .  inspire  your  venerable  Bodj-  with  all  that  wisdom  and  firmness  that 
is  requisite  to  guide  and  direct  the  important  concerns  of  the  American  empire,  for  its 
safety  and  preservation  against  all  cralt  and  power  of  Tyranny,  the  Pope  and  the  Devil." 
—Conn.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  Vol.  II.,  p.  237,  A  troublesome  combination,  in  truth,  one  that 
now  provokes  a  smile. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  17 

under  date  of  June  7th,  declared  that  his  six  captains  and  four  hundred  men 
unanimously  "  agreed  to  the  preservation  of  the  Protestant  religion  and  the 
fort  for  the  jDresent  Protestant  power  that  now  raigns  in  England."  On  June 
13th  the  General  Court  of  Connecticut  ordered  a  letter  to  be  despatched  to 
L,eisler,  which  contained  among  other  matters  this  paragraph  :' 

"Gent,"  considering  what  you  haue  (have)  don  we  doe  adu(v)ise  that 
you  keep  the  fort  tenable  and  well  manned  for  the  defence  of  the  Protestant 
religion  and  those  ends  above  mentioned,  and  that  you  suffer  710  rotnan  Catho- 
Uck  to  ejiter  the  same  ariited  or  luithont  annes,  and  that  no  7-omish  Catholick  be  suf- 
fered to  keep  amies  tvithin  your  government  or  citty^  and  that  those  whoe  shall 
be  betrusted  with  the  government  or  command  of  your  forte  be  trusty  persons 
whome  you  may  confide  in."  This  document  was  signed 
"  The  Generall  Court  of  Connecticot, 

"  Per  their  order  signed, 

"John  Allyn,  Secret'y." 

It  was  an  official  paper  sent  forth  by  the  highest  authority  in  the  State, 
and  was  representative  of  the  religious  prejudices  then  e.xtant  against  Catho- 
lics in  Connecticut.  It  expressed  precisely  the  prescriptive  policy  of  the 
General  Court  against  a  class  of  persons  who  worshiped  fervently  and  in 
spirit  and  in  truth  the  same  God  as  they,  and  who  in  the  upbuilding  and  in 
the  perpetuation  of  this  republic  gave  freely  of  their  warm,  generous  blood. 
Catholics  coming  into  Connecticut  could  expect  no  toleration  nor  demand 
the  recognition  of  any  rights  from  a  government  that  could  proffer  such 
illiberal  counsel  to  another  colony.     The  principle  of  hate  was  dominant. 

CHAPTER   III. 

THE  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH. 

(5  I  HE  same  deleterious  influence  that  moved  the  General  Court  to  transmit 
'  I  the  above-named  letter  to  Captain  lycisler,  actuated  the  Protestant  Dis- 
.senters  of  Connecticut  in  their  rejection  of  the  Indulgence  granted  by 
Charles  II,  "that  all  manner  of  penal  laws  on  matters  ecclesiastical,  against 
whatever  sort  of  nou- conformists  or  recusants  should  be  suspended."  ■  This 
act  of  toleration  aroused  an  opposition  so  acrimonious  that  Charles  was  forced 
to  modify  his  grant,  and  to  promise  "  that  no  Catholic  should  profit  by  the  indul- 
gence." The  Protestant  dissenters  of  Connecticut  would  forego  the  boon  of 
freedom  of  worship  if  the  privilege  was  extended  to  Catholics.  The  "  Romish  " 
church  must  be  eliminated  from  any  plan  that  would  grant  to  dissenters 
liberty  of  conscience.  Catholics  were  not  members  of  the  great  family  of 
Christ,  and  were  beyond  the  religious  pale.  They  were  not  of  the  household 
of  the  elect,  nor  were  they  fit  subjects  for  toleration.  Their  political  loyalty 
was  suspected,  and  their  religious  doctrines,  more  precious  than  life  itself, 
were  branded  as  idolatrous  and  otherwise  denounced  with  a  degree  of  bitter- 

'  Colonial  Records  of  Conn.,  1678-1689. 

'  New  Haveti  Hist.  Soe.  Papers,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  391.    Green's  Hist,  of  the  English  People. 
II — 2 


IS  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ness  incomparable  in  its  intensity.  And  this  pernicious  spirit  of  intolerance 
found  official  expression  in  the  "  Confession  of  Faith,  Owned  and  Consented  to 
by  the  I{Iders  and  Messengers  of  the  Churches  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut, 
in  New  England  ;  assembled  by  delegation  at  vSaybrook,  September  9,  1708." 
The  Assembly  sent  forth  the  Confession  as  "our  firm  persuasion,  well  and  fully 
grounded  upon  the  Holy  Scripture,  and  commend  the  same  unto  all,  and par- 
tiailarly  to  the  people  of  our  Colony,  to  be  examined,  accepted,  and  constantly 
maintained."  ' 

But  wherein  lies  the  intolerance  of  the  Saybrook  Confession  of  Faith? 
In  what  are  its  decrees  antagonistic  to  Catholic  dogmas  and  offensive  to 
Catholic  ears?  In  Chapter  XXIII.  "  Of  Lawful  Oaths  and  Vows,"  is  the  fol- 
lowing decree : 

"Papist  monastical  vows  of  perpetual  single  life,  professed  poverty,  and 
regular  obedience,  are  so  far  from  being  signs  of  higher  perfection,  that  they  are 
superstitious  and  sinful  snares  in  which  no  Christian  may  entangle  himself" 

Thus  at  a  stroke,  and  with  an  infallibility  denied  to  the  Pope,  the  whole 
economy  of  the  monastic  system  was  abolished.  Cha,stity  in  the  religious 
life,  obedience  and  evangelical  poverty  were  officially  repudiated.  The  celi- 
bacy of  the  priesthood,  that  disciplinary  law  so  precious  iu  the  sight  of  the 
Catholic  laity,  was  branded  as  a  superstition  and  a  snare.  And  yet  the  godly 
framers  of  this  Confession  protested  earnestly  their  faith  in  the  authority  of 
Holy  Scripture  "which  ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed."  "The  whole 
counsel  of  God,"  they  declared,  "  concerning  all  things  necessary  for  His  own 
glory,  man's  salvation,  faith  and  life,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture, 
or  by  good  and  necessary  consequence  may  be  deduced  from  Scripture. " "  With 
this  protestation  in  mind,  it  is  a  perplexing  task  to  reconcile  the  above  decree 
with  the  teachings  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testaments.  They  are  not  only 
contradictory;  the  decree  is  iudefensil)le.^  The  higher  spiritual  life  obtainable 
only  by  freedom  from  the  cares  of  the  world  appealed  as  liglitly  to  the  Say- 
brook  elders  as  did  the  plain,  unequivocal  words  of  St.  Paul  :  "For  I  would 
that  all  men  were  even  as  myself  ....  But  I  say  to  the  unmarried  and  to 
the  widows :  it  is  good  for  them  if  they  do  continue,  even  as  I."^ 

The  Confession  abhors  the  Pope  and  is  intolerant  of  his  claims ;  it 
endeavors  to  perpetuate  the  fiction  that  he  is  Anti-Christ.  Under  the  title 
"Of  the  Church" — Chapter  xxvi. — we  read  that 

"  There  is  no  other  head  of  the  Church  but  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  nor 
can  the  Pope  of  Rome  in  any  sense  be  head  thereof,  but  is  that  Anti-Christ, 
that  man  of  sin  and  son  of  perdition  that  exalteth  him.self  in  the  Church 
against  Christ  and  all  that  is  called  God,  whom  the  Lord  shall  deslrov  with 
the  brightness  of  his  coming." 

'From  tlie  Preface  to  the  Con/ess  ion. 

'  The  Confession.     Chapter  I. 

"Continency  possible,  Matt.xix.  11,  12  :  the  vow  binding,  Deut.  xxiii.  21  ;  the  breach 
of  that  vow  damnable,  i  Tim.  v.  12  ;  the  practice  commended,  i  Cor.  vii.  7,  8,  27,  37,  38, 
40 ;  for  reasons  which  particularly  have  place  in  the  clergy,  v.  32,  33,  35. 

*  I  Cor.  vii.  7,  8. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  19 

This  decree  wliicli  exhales  so  much  sweetness  and  Christian  charity  was 
built  upon  a  perversion  of  certain  texts  of  Holy  Writ '  and  is  a  repudiation 
of  St.  John's  counsel  to  love  one  another  in  deed  and  in  truth." 

But  it  is  upon  the  Hol\-  vSacrifice  of  the  Mass — that  Clean  Oblation  that 
is  offered  in  every  place  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  even  to  the  going  down ' 
— that  the  vials  of  their  wrath  are  emptied.  To  Catholics  the  Mass  is  the  most 
profound,  the  most  exalted  act  of  homage  a  creature  can  pay  to  the  Creator. 
It  is  the  center  of  all  religious  worship.  Toward  it  converge  the  heart  offer- 
ings of  the  faithful ;  from  it  radiate  the  choicest  and  purest  graces  and  bless- 
ings ;  around  it  cluster  all  the  sweet  yet  sad  memories  of  Calvary.  And  yet 
all  who  sat  beneath  the  shadow  of  Congregational  pulpits  were  officially 
taught  that 

"  The  Popish  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  (as  they  call  it)  is  most  abominably 
injurious  to  Christ's  own,  only  sacrifice,  the  alone  propitiation  for  all  the  sins 
of  the  elect."' 

Concerning  private  Masses  the  Confession  made  this  declaration: 

"  Private  Masses,  or  receiving  the  Sacrament  by  a  Priest,  or  any  other 
alone,  as  likewise  the  denial  of  the  cup  to  the  people,  worshiping  the  ele- 
ments, the  lifting  them  up  or  carrying  them  about  for  adoration,  and  reserving 
them  for  any  pretended  religious  use,  are  all  contrary  to  the  nature  of  this 
Sacrament,  and  to  the  institution  of  Christ." 

Of  Transubstantiation  it  defined  as  follows: 

"That  doctrine  which  maintains  a  change  of  the  substance  of  bread 
and  wine  into  the  substance  of  Christ's  body  and  blood,  (commonly  called 
Transubstantiation)  by  consecration  of  a  Priest,  or  by  any  other  way,  is 
repugnant  not  to  the  Scripture  alone,  but  even  to  common  sense  and  reason, 
overthroweth  the  nature  of  the  Sacrament,  and  hath  been,  and  is  the  cause 
of  manifold  superstitions,  yea,  of  gross  idolatries." 

The  Confession  contains  also  decrees  concerning  marriage.  It  declares  it 
the  duty  of  Christians  to  marry  in  the  Lord  and  that  those  who  profess  the 
reformed  religion  "should  not  marry  with  infidels,  papists,  or  other  idola- 
ters." ^  Verily,  the  devout  Puritans  had  a  wonderful  penchant  for  the  con- 
struction of  forceful  combinations.  They  proclaimed  sonorously  that  "God 
alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,"  "  and  then  arrogated  to  themselves  the  con- 
trol of  conscience.  They  declared  effusively  that  it  was  their  "duty  to  bear 
a  Christian  respect  to  all  Christians,  according  to  their  several  ranks  and 
relations,  that  are  not  of  our  persuasion  or  communion,"  and  forthwith  com- 
piled a  series  of  un-Christian  decrees  against  the  most  ancient  organization 
in  Christendom.  In  the  light  of  the  above  decrees  how  inconsistent  and  in- 
sincere appear  their  grandiloquent  protestations  that  the  New  England 
colonies  "  were  originally  formed,  not  for  the  advantage  of  trade,  or  worldly 
interest ;  but  upon  the  most  noble  foundation,  even  of  religion,  and  the  Liberty 
of  their  Consciences^     Liberty  of  Conscience?     For  Protestant  dissenters, 

'  Matt,  xxiii.  S-io  ;  2  Thess.  ii.  3,  4,  8,  9  ;  Apoc.  xiii.  6.  ^  i  St.  Jolin  iii. 

'  Malachias  i.  11.  *  Chapt.  xxx.  ^  Chapt.  xxv.  ^  Chapt.  xxi. 


20  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

granted.  For  Catholics,  it  was  peremptorily  refused.  It  was  a  strange 
toleration  that  made  Catholicism  synonymous  with  infidelity  and  idolatry. 
The  laws  permitting  dissent  explicitly  included  all  Protestants,  and  by  im- 
plication excluded  Catholics.     The  enactment  of  May,  1743,  is  plain: 

'■'■  A>id  be  it  further  enacted^  That,  for  the  future,  that  if  any  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's good  subjects,  being  Protesta)ils,  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  that  shall 
soberly  dissent  from  the  way  of  worship  and  ministry  establislied  by  the  lau-s 
of  this  Colony,  that  such  persons  may  apply  themselves  to  this  Assembly  for 
relief,  where  they  shall  be  heard."  ' 

CHAPTKR   IV. 
ANTI-CATHOLIC   SENTIMENT. 

I  Hi  antipathy  of  the  colonists  to  the  Irish  people  was  well  exemplified  in 
\'oluntown,  Connecticut,  in  1722.  In  this  instance  the  object  of  their 
aversion  was  a  Presbyterian  minister.  Their  opposition,  of  course,  was 
not  directed  to  his  religion,  but  against  his  nationality.  He  was  a  son  of  the 
Emerald  Isle.  When  hostility  so  pronounced  could  be  manifested  against  a 
Protestant  because  he  was  an  Irishman,  to  what  extent  would  it  not  have 
gone  had  the  person  been  an  Irish  Catholic,  especially  a  Catholic  priest? 

In  the  above  named  year  the  Rev.  Sanuiel  Dorrance  arrived  in  Volun- 
town,  and  was  duly  installed  as  rector  of  the  church.  The  installation 
aroused  bitter  opposition.  The  discontented  of  the  parish  drew  up  a  protest, 
which  they  forwarded  to  the  officers  of  the  church.  It  is  a  characteristic 
document. 

"  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  do  agree  that  one  of  our  New  Eng- 
land people  may  be  settled  in  Voluntown  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  us,  and  will 
oblige  ourselves  to  pay  him  yearly,  and  will  be  satisfied,  honorable  gentle- 
men, that  your  choose  for  us,  to  prevent  unwholesome  inhabitants,  for  we  are 
afraid  that  Popery  and  heresy  will  be  brought  into  the  land  ;  therefore,  we 
protest  against  settling  i\Ir.  Dorrance,  because  he  is  a  stranger,  and  we  are 
informed  he  came  out  of  Ireland,  and  we  do  observe  that  since  he  has  been 
in  town///^  Irish  do  flock  into  /ozc'n,&nd  we  are  informed  that  the  Irish  are  not 
wholesome  inhabitants,  and  upon  this  account  we  are  against  settling  Mr. 
Dorrance,  for  we  are  not  such  persons  as  you  take  us  for,  but  desire  the 
Gospel  to  be  preached  by  one  of  our  own,  and  not  by  a  stranger,  for  we  can- 
not receive  any  benefit,  neither  of  soul  nor  of  body,  and  we  would  pay  him  to 
withdraw  himself  from  us."  ^ 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Lyons,  of  Derby,  a  minister  of  the  church  of  England, 
was  also  the  recipient  of  unmeasured  abuse  on  account  of  his  Irish  birth. 
Writing  to  London,  May  8,  1744,  he  .said  :  "As  soon  as  they  had  advice  of 
my  appointment,  and  from  what  country  I  came,  and,  indeed,  before  I  arrived 
among  them,  they  abused  me,  calling  me  an  '  Irish  Teague  and  Foreigner,' 

'  Pi/blic  Records  of  Conn.    Vol.  VIII. 

'Larned's  "  Hist,  of  Windham  Co.,"  Vol.  I.,  p.  25. 


DIOCESE  OE  HARTFORD.  21 

with  many  other  reflections  of  an  uncivilized  and  unchristian  kind  ....  It 
would  be  too  tedious  to  record  all  the  abuse  and  insults  I  have  received  at 
Derby.'" 

The  Puritan's  opposition  to  the  Catholic  church  was  blind,  intense  ;  it 
carried  him  to  ridiculous  extremes,  so  far,  in  fact,  as  to  deny  to  priests  any 
spiritual  power  whatever.  To  him  the  ministrations  of  the  priest  were  of  no 
value.  Not  content  with  framing  decrees  that  outraged  the  religious  feel- 
ings of  Catholics,  and  which  were  entirely  inconsistent  with  the  teachings 
of  Holy  Scripture,  he  refused  to  recognize  the  efficacy  of  the  priesthood.  In 
1744,  there  occurred  a  case  in  point,  when  the  Windham  County  Association, 
an  organization  comprising  all  the  ministers  of  that  county,  after  vigorously 
wrestling  with  the  spirit,  solemnly  voted  that  "  Baptism  by  a  Popish  priest 
is  not  to  be  held  valid.""  This  sapient  decision  well  illustrates  the  narrow- 
ness of  the  religious  views  then  prevalent.  If  baptism  administered  by  a 
priest  conferred  no  grace,  if  it  failed  to  cleanse  the  soul  from  original  sin, 
which  is  the  end  for  which  the  sacrament  was  instituted  by  Jesus  Christ, 
then  were  all  other  spiritual  acts  performed  by  priests  equally  valueless.  In 
this  instance  the  hatred  of  the  Windham  County  Association  outran  itself. 

Further  evidence  of  this  anti-Catholic  spirit  that  pervaded  Connecticut 
in  the  early  days  of  our  history  is  found  in  an  enactment  of  the  General 
Assembly,  May,  1724,  which  made  it  obligatory  upon  all  members  of  the 
Assembly,  and  all  persons  who  were  or  would  be  chosen  on  the  annual  days 
of  election  to  the  office  of  governor,  deputy-governor,  assistants,  secretar)-, 
treasurer,  and  by  all  justices  of  the  peace,  sheriffs  and  their  deputies,  to  make 
and  take  the  declaration  against  "Popery"  before  they  could  become  eligible 
to  discharge  the  services  belonging  to  their  place,  office  or  trust. ^ 

This  act  breathes  the  identical  spirit  that  made  Irish  Catholics  outlaws 
in  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries  and  exposed  them  to  the  severest 
treatment  which  the  hostility  of  their  enemies  could  devise.  This  spirit 
crossed  the  water  with  the  very  framers  of  these  anti-Catholic  enactments. 
Proclaiming  loudly  and  advocating  strenuously  the  principles  of  religious 
freedom  and  equality,  their  unjust  laws  against  all  who  differed  from  them, 
but  particularly  against  adherents  of  the  Catholic  church,  gave  little  evidence 
of  the  sincerit}-  of  their  professions  of  equality  and  love  of  freedom,  and  have 
left  upon  their  names  the  stain  of  intolerance.  Enactments  like  the  one  in 
question  effectually  closed  to  Catholics  all  the  avenues  to  official  dignities, 
and  kept  them  socially  in  a  condition  of  inferiority  in  the  estimation  of  their 
Protestant  brethren.    They  could  not  aspire  to  positions  of  public  trust  witli- 

'  Church  Documents  of  the  Prot.  Episcopal  Ch.,  Vol.  I.,  p.  20S. 

^"  Contributions  to  the  Eccles.  Hist,  of  Conn.,"  p.  33S. 

'Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,  1717-1725.  Renunciation  of  the  Pope  was  an  indispensable 
requirement  for  all  occupying-  public  offices.  When  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut 
in  ^Ia}^  1669,  acknowledged  their  allegiance  to  King  Charles  II,  they  "professed  their 
duty  and  true  allegiance  to  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  Kiiig,  renotincing  the  Pope  and  all 
other  foreign  princes,  states  and  potentates,  and  their  jurisdiction  and  authority."  The 
Public  Records  abound  in  instances  of  such  renunciations. 


22  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

out  renouncing  one  of  the  holiest  doctrines  of  their  religion,  and  denying 
the  existence  of  a  mystery  around  which  cluster  all  actsof  divine  worship. 
Truly  this  oath  of  abjuration  and  the  declaration  against  "  Popery  "  were, 
as  they  were  intended  to  be,  mighty  agencies  of  proselytism,  and  may  have 
wrought  sad  spiritual  havoc  among  the  weak  in  faith.  The  di.stinctively 
Irish  Catholic  names  read  on  the  colonial  rosters  inclines  us  to  the  belief  that 
faith  was  sacrificed  to  position  and  influence,  and  that  the  Oath  and  the  Dec- 
laration were  contributing  causes. 

These  obnoxious  and  un-Christian  oaths  are  herewith  appended  that  the 
Catholics  of  this  generation  may  learn  with  how  little  of  the  milk  of  human 
kindness  the  Puritan  heart  was  nourished.  They  will  remind  them  of  the 
ob.stacles  thrown  in  the  pathway  of  their  co-religionists  in  the  colonial  period, 
and  will  furnish  them  with  the  knowledge  of  the  toleration  then  enjoyed,  and 
about  which  so  ni'.icli  eloquence  has  been  expended. 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  Representatives  in  General  Court 
assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  the  oaths  provided  by  Act  of  Parlia- 
ment instead  of  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy,  the  Declaration  against  poperj', 
and  also  the  oath  of  Abjuration,  agreeable  to  the  form  prescribed  by  a  late  act  of  Parlia- 
ment, passed  in  the  sixth  year  of  his  present  Majesty's  reign,  be  printed  with  the  acts 
of  this  Assembly  ;  which  are  as  follows  : 

"  I,  A.  B.,  do  swear  that  I  do  from  my  heart  abhor,  detest  and  abjure,  as  impious 
and  heretical,  that  damnable  doctrine  and  position,  that  princes  excommunicated  or 
deprived  by  the  Pope,  or  any  authority  of  the  See  of  Rome,  may  be  deposed,  murthered 
by  their  subjects,  or  any  other  whatsoever.  And  I  do  declare,  that  no  foreign  prince, 
person,  prelate,  state  or  potentate,  hath  or  ought  to  have  an}'  jurisdiction,  power,  superi- 
ority, pre-eminence  or  authority,  ecclesiastical  or  spiritual,  within  the  realm  of  Great 
Britain :  So  help  me  God. 

"I,  A.  B.,  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  in  the  presence  of  God  profess,  testifie  and 
declare,  that  I  do  believe  that  in  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  there  is  not  any 
transubstanliation  of  the  elements  of  bread  and  wine  into  the  bodj'  and  blood  of  Christ, 
at  or  after  the  consecration  thereof  of  any  person  whatever  ;  and  that  the  invocation  or 
adoration  of  the  Virgin  Mary  or  any  other  Saint,  and  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  as  they 
are  now  used  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  are  superstitious  and  idolatrous.  And  I  do 
solemnly,  in  the  presence  of  God,  profess,  testifie  and  declare,  that  I  do  make  this 
declaration  and  every  part  thereof  in  the  plain  and  ordinary  sense  of  the  words  read 
unto  me,  as  they  are  commonly  understood  by  English  Protestants,  without  any  evasion, 
eouivocation,  or  mental  reservation  whatsoever,  and  without  anj-  dispensation  already 
granted  me  for  this  purpose  by  the  Pope  or  any  authority  or  person  whatsoever,  and 
without  any  hope  of  any  such  dispensation  from  any  authority  or  person  whatsoever,  or 
without  thinking  that  I  am  or  can  be  acquitted  before  God  or  man,  or  absolved  of  this 
declaration  or  any  part  thereof,  although  the  Pope  or  any  other  person  or  persons  what- 
soever should  dispense  with  or  annul  the  same,  or  declare  that  it  was  null  or  void  from 
the  beginning." 

These  oaths  had  to  be  taken  also  by  Catholic  aliens  as  a  condition  of 
naturalization,'  the  taking  of  which  ipso  /ado  separated  them  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  Catholic  church.  They  are  conclusive  evidence  of  the  diffi- 
culties and  temptations  that  beset  the  Catholic  people  who  came  to  Connec- 
ticut in  early  times.     They  bear  irrefragable  testimony  to  the  hostility  of  the 

'  See  page  62. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  23 

colonies  to  the  Catholic  church  and  her  sacred  doctrines.  The  spirit  of  per- 
secution was  rife.  Catholics  were  ostracized  and  denied  the  privileges  of 
citizenship,  unless,  recreant  to  sacred  trusts  and  teachings,  they  sacrificed 
the  tenderest  and  holiest  relations  in  life.  I  believe  that  the  Catholics  who 
may  have  taken  these  oaths,  and  thus  abandoned  the  church,  were  moved 
thereto  more  by  worldly  motives  than  from  a  belief  in  the  errancy  of  the 
church's  doctrines.  Aiming  at  success  along  commercial  and  social  lines, 
they  made  their  eternal  interests  sxibservient  to  temporal  concerns  and  be- 
queathed to  their  descendants  the  legacy  of  a  strange  faith. 

These  oaths  remained  in  force  until  the  Revolution,  and,  if  their  opera- 
tion was  suspended,  it  was  not  from  a  sense  of  justice  to  Catholics,  or  from  a 
conversion  to  the  idea  that  Catholics  had  any  rights  which  Puritans  were 
bound  to  respect.  The  colonies  needed  the  assistance  of  their  Catholic 
> brethren  to  successfully  resist  English  oppression;  therefore,  to  demand  from 
them  the  taking  of  offensive  oaths  would  be,  to  say  the  least,  an  incongruous 
proceeding.  The  Catholics  residing  in  the  colonies  repaid  the  harsh  and 
intolerant  treatment,  of  which  they  were  the  victims,  by  rushing  to  the 
defence  of  the  i\merican  cause.  They  gave  generously  of  their  strength  and 
wealth  to  cast  off  the  British  yoke,  and  to  achieve  the  independence  of  the 
colonies.  They  shed  their  blood  and  left  their  bodies  on  many  battlefields  as 
though  oblivious  of  the  fact  that  iniquitous  laws  were  ever  enacted  against 
them.  Here  was  true  manliness,  generosity,  nobility  of  character.  Here  was 
manifested  a  spirit  which  the  stern  and  narrow  Puritan  may  have  admired, 
but  could  not  imitate. 

Though  Catholics  could  become  naturalized  during  the  Revolutionary 
period  without  being  required  to  apostatize  from  the  faith  of  the  fathers,  it 
was  only  in  1818,  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  years  after  Governor  Dongan's 
famous  decree  of  toleration,  that  a  liberal  Christian  spirit  triumphed  in  Con- 
necticut. In  that  )ear  the  death  knell  of  exclusive  religious  privileges  was 
sounded,  and  the  union  of  church  and  state  became  a  memory.  The  consti- 
tution of  the  State  was  then  adopted  by  a  vote  of  13,918  in  its  favor,  and 
1 2, 364  opposed  to  its  ratification.  In  the  Declaration  of  Rights,  article  first, 
section  third,  it  was  declared  that  "The  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious 
profession  and  worship,  zcithoiit  discrimination^  shall  forever  be  free  to  all 
persons  in  this  State,  provided  that  the  right  hereby  declared  and  established 
shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to  excuse  acts  of  licentiousness,  01  to  justify  prac- 
tices inconsistent  with  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  State." 

And  in  section  four,  that  "  No  preference  shall  be  given  by  law  to  any 
Christian  sect  or  mode  of  worship." 

Section  first  of  article  seventh  is  an  elaboration  of  these  ideas  and  reads 
in  part  thus :  "  It  being  the  duty  of  all  men  to  worship  the  Supreme  Being, 
the  Great  Creator  or  Preserver  of  the  Universe,  and  their  right  to  render  that 
worship  in  the  mode  most  consistent  with  the  dictates  of  their  consciences,  no 
person  shall  by  law  be  compelled  to  join  or  support,  nor  be  classed  with,  or 
associated  to,  any  congregation,  church,  or  religious  association." 

The  Constitution  of  this  State  is  an  utter  repudiation  of  the  govern- 


24  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

mental  system  of  the  Puritans,  a  rejection  of  the  policy  that  united  church  and 
state  ;  it  was  a  splendid  step  forward  in  the  march  of  human  progress.  It  was 
the  recognition  of  a  principle  as  old  as  the  race,  but  ignored  by  some  of  the 
founders  of  the  New  England  colonies,  namely,  that  every  individual  has  an 
inalienable  right  to  worship  God  as  his  conscience  dictates.  It  was,  further- 
more, an  official  rebuke  to  the  legislation  which  compelled  Catholics  to 
forswear  allegiance  to  their  faith  in  order  to  acquire  the  privileges  of 
citizenship. 

CHAPTER  V. 
"POPE   DAY." 

(5  I  HE  spirit  of  hostility  to  Catholics  that  prevailed  throughout  Connecticut 
*  I  previous  to  the  Revolution  was  in  no  way  more  clearly  demonstrated 
than  in  the  ridiculous  celebration  of  "  Pope  Day,"  as  it  was  designated, 
on  the  5th  of  November.  The  celebration  was  intended  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  the  conspiracy  known  as  the  Gunpowder  Plot.  Catholics  were 
accused  of  the  crime  of  plotting  to  blow  up  King  James  I.  and  the  houses  of 
Parliament  in  1605.  Impartial  history,  however,  has  absolved  them  from  the 
responsibility  of  the  crime.  The  conspiracy  was  planned  by  Minister  Cecil,  a 
Protestant,  and  discovered  by  Lord  Montagle,  a  Catholic  peer.  King  James 
had  been  baptized  in  the  Catholic  church  and  received  Confirmation  from  the 
hands  of  a  Catliolic  bishop.  He  surrendered,  at  least  outwardly,  his  religion  at 
the  bidding  of  the  laws  of  Scotland,  but  he  inwardly  retained  his  love  and  attach- 
ment for  the  ancient  faith.  He  spoke  of  the  Roman  church  as  the  "  mother 
church,"  and  of  the  pope  as  "  the  chief  bishop  of  all  the  western  churches." 
This  unconcealed  regard  for  the  Catholic  church  was  offensive  to  his  minis- 
ters, particularly  to  Cecil,  who  resolved  upon  a  plan  that  would  turn  the  king 
against  his  Catholic  subjects,  and  perhaps  alienate  him  from  the  church.  Of 
the  heinous  Gunpowder  Plot  one  author  says  that  "he  (Cecil)  was  either  him- 
self the  author  or,  at  least,  the  main  conductor.'"  Another  calls  it  "a  neat 
device  of  the  vSecretary."  -  "Cecil  engaged  some  Papists  in  this  desperate 
Plot,"  says  another,  "  in  order  to  divert  the  King  from  making  any  advances 
towards  Popery,  to  which  he  seemed  inclinable,  in  the  minister's  opinion."^ 
Another  Protestant  authority  wrote  "that  this  design  was  fir.st  hammered  in 
the  forge  of  Cecil,  who  intended  to  have  produced  it  in  the  time  of  Elizabeth  : 
that  by  his  secret  emissaries  he  enlisted  some  hot-headed  men,  who,- ignorant 
whence  the  design  first  came,  heartily  engaged  in  it."  '  The  few  Catholics  who 
were  seduced  into  the  plot  were  apostates  and  were  known  as  such.  Of  them 
a  Protestant  writer  says  :  "  There  were  a  few  wicked  and  desperate  wretches, 
whom  many  Protestants  termed  Papists,  although  the  priests  and  true  Catho- 
lics knew  them  not  as  such  ;  nor  can  any  Protestant  say  that  any  one  of  them 
was  such  as  the  law  terms  popish  recusants ;  and  if  any  of  them  were  Catho- 

'  Politicians'  Catechism.  'The  author  of  tb«  Political  Grammar. 

'Stowe  &  Echard.  'Short  View  of  Hist.  Eng.,  by  Higjjons. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  25 

lies,  or  so  died,  they  were  known  Protestants  not  long  before." '  Cecil,  then, 
and  not  Catholics,  was  the  prime  instigator  of  the  dastardly  Gunpowder  Plot, 
notwithstanding  that  the  Anglican  church  thanked  God  for  the  king's  escape 
"from  the  secret  contrivances  and  hellish  malice  of  popish  conspirators." 
However,  the  plot  was  charged  against  the  Catholics  ;  that  was  sufficient ;  the 
consequences  hoped  for  would  naturally  follow.  The  5th  of  November 
became  a  gala  day.  What  with  processions,  bonfires,  the  ringing  of  bells, 
denunciatory  harangues  and  other  appropriate  features,  the  day  was  given 
up  to  unlimited  abuse  of  the  pope  and  of  Catholics  in  general.  The  spirit  of 
the  celebration  crossed  the  sea  and  received  a  cordial  welcome  in  the  English 
colonies  of  New  England.  The  5th  of  November  became  as  sacred  to  the 
Englishman  of  the  colonies  as  to  his  brethren  at  home,  and  the  day  was 
annually  observed  with  ceremonies  as  grotesque  as  they  were  offensive. 

"  Let's  always  remember 
The  fifth  of  November," 

was  their  refrain,  and  the  name  "  Pope  Day  "  was  substituted  in  New  Eng- 
land for  "Gunpowder  Plot."  Guy  Fawkes  was  set  aside  for  the  pope,  whose 
effigy  was  carried  in  procession  through  the  streets  with  another  effigy  of  the 
devil  amid  the  derisive  shouts  and  laughter  and  curses  of  the  fanatical  mob. 
Money  was  demanded  from  every  house  on  the  route  of  the  procession,  and 
if  refused,  windows  were  broken,  doors  smashed  in  and  other  damage  done  to 
property.     The  money  collected  in  this  manner  was  spent  for  liquor. 

"  Don't  you  hear  my  little  bell  ^ 
Go  clink,  clink,  clink  ? 
Please  give  me  a  little  money 
To  buy  my  Pope  some  drink," 

was  sung  by  one  of  the  leaders  as  a  preliminary  to  the  collection.  When  the 
boisterous  mob  became  surfeited  with  noise  and  strong  drink,  the  effigies 
were  taken  to  a  public  square  and  committed  to  th^  flames.  The  chief 
offender  in  this  annual  absurdity  in  Connecticut  was  New  London.  For 
many  years  the  rougher  element  there  celebrated  the  Sth  of  November.  The 
town  authorities  strove  to  abolish  the  custom.  On  December  27,  1768,  the 
following  vote  was  passed  at  a  town  meeting : 

"  AVhereas,  the  custom  that  has  of  late  years  prevailed  in  this  town  of  carr3'ing 
about  the  Pope,  in  celebration  of  the  5th  of  November,  has  been  attended  with  very  bad 
consequences,  and  pregnant  with  mischief  and  much  disorder,  which  therefore  to  prevent 
for  the  future,  voted  that  every  person  or  persons  that  shall  be  in  any  way  connected  in 
making  or  carrying  about  the  same,  or  shall  knowingly  suffer  the  same  to  be  made  in 
their  possessions,  shall  forfeit  fifteen  shillings  to  the  town  treasur}'  of  New  London,  to 
be  recovered  b\'  the  selectmen  of  said  town  for  the  use  aforesaid." 

Notwithstanding  this  vote  the  celebration  was  of  annual  occurrence,  with 
few  exceptions,  for  thirteen  years  after;  and  it  was  finally  discontinued  only 

'  Prot.  Plea  for  Priests,  1621. 

'J.  G.  Shea,  in  "  U.  S.  Cath.  Hist.  Mag.,"  January,  1S8S  ;  Caulkins'  "Hist,  of  New 
London," 


26  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

when  Washington,  with  characteristic  liberality,  issued  a  general  order  con- 
demning and  forbidding  the  absurd  custom  in  the  array.  His  order  is  dated 
November  5th,  and  shows  how  much  the  Father  of  his  Country  towered 
above  many  of  his  fellows  : 

"  As  the  Commander-in-Chief  has  been  apprized  of  a  design  formed  for  the  obser- 
vance of  the  ridiculous  and  childish  custom  of  burning  the  effigj'  of  the  Pope,  he  cannot 
help  expressing  his  surprise  that  there  should  be  officers  and  soldiers  in  this  army  so 
void  of  common  sense  as  not  to  see  the  improprietj-  of  such  a  step  at  this  juncture ;  at  a 
time  when  we  are  soliciting,  and  have  really  obtained  the  friendship  and  alliance  of  the 
people  of  Canada,  whom  we  ought  to  consider  as  brethren  embarked  in  the  same  cause — 
the  defence  of  the  liberty  of  America.  At  this  juncture  and  under  such  circumstances,  to 
he  insulting  their  religion,  is  so  monstrous  ;is  not  to  be  suffered  or  excused  ;  indeed, 
instead  of  offering  the  most  remote  insult,  it  is  our  duty  to  address  public  thanks  to  these 
our  brethren,  as  to  them  we  are  indebted  for  every  late  happy  success  over  the  common 
enemy  in  Canada.'" 

Tlie  colonies  were  then  fighting  valiantly  for  independence.  Catholics 
and  Protestants  stood  side  by  side  in  that  struggle.  Moreover,  a  powerful 
Catholic  nation  had  sent  money,  .ships  and  men  to  aid  the  revolutiouar>' 
patriots  to  throw  off  the  English  yoke.  Washington  rose  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion and  realized  how  utterly  incongruous  were  such  celebrations,  and  how 
offensive  it  would  be  to  his  Catholic  allies. 

The  order  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  sounded  the  knell  of  Pope  Day. 
It  passed  out  of  existence  and  soon  became  a  memory.  In  New  London 
the  custom  of  annual  processions  was  adhered  to,  but  the  traitor  Benedict 
Arnold  was  substituted  for  the  Pope,  and  publicly  burned  in  effigy  on  the  6th 
of  September,  the  anniversary  of  his  sacking  the  city. 

CHAPTER   VI. 
THE   CONNECTICUT    "OBSERVER"    AND   THE   KNOW-NOTHINGS. 

f  HOUGH  the  provisions  of  the  State  Constitution  concerning  religion 
were  redolent  of  true  progress,  the  spirit  of  bigotry  still  moved  on  apace. 
Not  infrequently  it  showed  itself  in  high  places.  It  was  nourished  and 
strengthened  by  jealousy.  It  could  not  look  with  favor  upon  the  spectacle  of 
men  worshiping  God  in  accordance  with  the  dictates  of  conscience.  In  the 
first  quarter  of  the  j^resent  century  the  signs  indicated  that  Catholicity  had  come 
to  stay.  The  descendants  of  the  Puritans  looked  askance  upon  its  develop- 
ment, and  with  characteristic  illiberality  forebode  dire  evils  to  the  State.  By 
cruel  insinuations  and  by  open  accusations  expressly  manufactured  for  the 
purpose,  they  sought  to  influence  the  lowest  passions  of  the  liuman  breast 
against  their  Catholic  fellow-citizens.  The  Connecticut  Observer  \\3&  the  self- 
appointed  mouthpiece  of  this  opposition,  the  chief  offender  in  this  crusade 
against  a  respectable  body  of  persons,  whose  only  offence  was  their  profession  of 
the  Catholic  religion.  It  was  an  active  member  of  that  class,  so  numerous  in 
the  early  days,  who  apprehended  grave  dangers  to  the  republic  from   the 

'  W'aslihigton's  ll'oris,  Vol.  III.,  p.  144. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  27 

introduction  of  the  Catholic  faith.     In  July,  1829,  it  gave  vent  to  the  feelings 
that  were  consuming  it  as  follows  : 

"  Romanism  i?i  Connecticut. — We  understand  that  a  Roman  Catholic  press  has  just 
arrived  in  this  city  ;  whether  sent  by  the  institution  propaganda  dc  fidi\  or  not,  we  are 
unable  to  say.  How  will  it  read  in  history,  that  in  1829,  Hartford,  in  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, was  made  the  centre  of  a  Roman  Catholic  mission  ?  " 

Bishop  Fenwick  was  on  a  missionary  trip  to  Hartford  when  this  appeared, 
and  in  the  initial  number  of  the  Catholic  Press,  picked  up  the  gauntlet  which 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hooker  had  thrown  into  the  arena. 

"  The  Catholic  Press, ^''  said  the  Bishop,  "had  not  yet  issued  its  first  number, 
when  the  above  article  was  read  in  the  Connecticut  Observer  of  this  day  (July 
II,  1829).  The  editors  take  this  early  opportunity  to  thank  the  gentleman 
conducting  that  paper  for  the  notice  he  has  been  pleased  to  take  of  the  arrival 
of  their  Press  ;  and  at  the  same  time  beg  leave  to  answer  the  question  sub- 
joined, viz.:  'How  will  it  read  in  history,  that  in  1829,  Hartford,  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  was  made  the  centre  of  a  Roman  Catholic  mission  ? ' 
The  editors  of  the  Press  assure  him  that  it  will  read  exceedingly  well.  They 
have  it  likewise  in  their  power  to  state,  that  the  Propaganda  at  Rome  are  in 
no  manner  concerned  in  their  Press — that  the  same  was  purchased  with 
American  money,  and  will  be  under  the  control  of  American  talent."  The 
Bishop  then  paid  his  compliments  to  the  Rev.  Editor  of  the  Observer  for  his 
use  of  an  offensive  epithet  thus  :  "What  does  the  gentleman  mean  by  the 
word  Romanism?  Is  it  intended  for  a  sneer  ?  If  so,  we  shall  let  the  matter 
rest  with  the  gentleman's  own  sense  of  propriety.  Or  did  he  really  believe 
that  the  word  truly  designated  our  religious  profession  ?  If  so,  he  may  with 
great  propriety  say  to  himself  in  the  language  of  Sallust :  jam  prideni  amis- 
simns  vera  vocabnla  reriim.''''  The  Bishop's  gentle  answer  turned  not  away 
the  wrath  of  the  Observer.  It  continued  its  offensive  tirades,  each  article 
surpassing  its  predecessor  in  virulence.  To  the  sapient  Observer,  Catholicity 
was  synonymous  wi|h  unpardonable  error,  gross  ignorance  and  disloyalty.  Its 
one  object  was  the  elimination  of  the  church  from  Connecticut  life.  To  this 
end  were  its  energies  directed,  but  with  what  success  is  now  evident.  Like 
all  things  human,  the  Observer  has  passed  from  existence,  while  the  institu- 
tion it  assailed  still  maintains  its  youthful  vigor,  glorious  in  the  record  of  its 
achievements,  and  flourishing  like  the  proverbial  sweet  bay  tree.' 

The  anti-Catholic  and  un-American  crusade  conducted  by  the  Cottnecticut 
Observer  was  continued  with  more  or  less  acerbity  by  individuals  and  organ- 
izations, who  cheated  themselves  into  the  belief  that  they  had  been  invested 

'The  following  card  was  placarded  in  public  places  in  Hartford  on  January  13,  1831: 

To  THE  Public. 
Be  it  known  unto  you  far  and  near,  that  all  Catholics,  and  all  persons  in  favor  «f 
the  Catholic  Church  are  a  set  of  vile  imposters,  liars,  villians,  and  cowardly  cut-throats. 

(Beware  of  false  Doctrine). 
I  bid  defiance  to  that  villian — the  Pope.  "A  True  American." 

—  Tlie  Ca/ho/ic  Press,  ]a.n\\a.ry  22,  1831. 


28  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

with  a  mission  to  hamper  the  progress  of  Catholicity  in  the  State.  One 
organization  in  particular,  very  properly  called  the  Know-Nothings' '  were  vio- 
lent enemies  of  Catholics  and  the  Catholic  church.  Their  platform  was, 
"No  quarter  to  Catholics;"  their  slogan,  "None  but  Americans  on  guard 
to-night."  One  of  their  objects  was  to  prevent  Catholic  citizens  from  holding 
office,  and  they  sought  to  frame  a  law  tliat  foreign-born  citizens  .should  reside 
twenty-one  years  in  the  country  before  being  invested  with  the  privilege  of 
franchise.  Tlie  in.sensate  rage  of  their  predecessors  against  Catholics  carried 
them  to  the  extreme  of  burning  churches  and  other  Catholic  buildings  in 
Philadelphia  and  a  convent  in  Charlestown,  Massachusetts."  Their  hatred 
was  particularly  directed  against  defenceless  women.  Catholic  nuns,  tliose 
angels  of  mercy,  whose  tender  ministrations  have  soothed  the  final  moments 
of  thousands  of  Catholics  and  Protestants  alike,  and  who  have  always 
commanded    the   profound    respect  and  veneration    of  men   worthy   of  the 

'  The  Know-Nothings  were  tlie  .successors  of  the  Native  American  party  of  1S44.  Its 
ritual,  was  entitled  "The  Know-Nothing  Ritual,  or  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Coun- 
cil of  the  United  States.  Adopted  unanimou.sl3-,  June  17,  1856,  the  anniversary  of  the 
Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill." 

Article  I.  was  as  follows  :  "  This  organization  shall  be  known  by  the  name  and  title 
of  the  Grand  Council  of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  and  its  jurisdiction  and 
power  shall  extend  to  all  the  districts  and  territories  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America." 

Article  II.  A  person  to  become  a  member  of  an5' subordinate  council  must  be  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  ;  he  must  believe  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being  as  the  Creator  and 
Preserver  of  the  universe  ;  he  must  be  a  native-born  citizen,  a  Protestant,  born  of  Protes- 
tant parents,  reared  under  Protestant  influence  and  not  united  in  marriage  with  a  Roman 
Catholic  " 

The  objects  of  the  organization  were  :  "  To  resist  the  insidious  policy  of  the  Church 
of  Rome  and  other  foreign  influence  against  the  institutions  of  our  country  bj-  placing 
in  all  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people,  or  bj-  appointment,  none  but  native-born  Protestant 
citizens." 

Tiiu  O.^TH. 

"  You,  and  each  of  you,  of  your  own  free  will  and  accord,  iu  the  presence  of  Almighty 
God  and  these  witnesses,  your  right  hand  resting  on  this  Holy  Bible  and  cross,  and  your 
left  hand  raised  toward  heaven  iu  token  of  your  sincerity,  do  solemnly  promise  and  swear 
that  you  will  not  make  knoicn  to  an)-  person  or  per.sons  any  of  the  signs,  secrets,  mys- 
teries or  objects  of  this  organization  ;  .  .  .  that  j'ou  will  in  all  things,  political  or  social, 

comply  with  the  will  of  the  majoritj' You  furthermore  promise  and  declare  that 

you  will  not  vote,  nor  join  your  influence,  for  any  man  for  any  office  in  the  gift  of  the 
people,  unless  he  be  an  American-born  citizen,  in  favor  of  Americans'  born  ruling  Amer- 
ica, nor  if  he  be  a  Roman  Catholic  ;  and  that  j'ou  will  not,  under  any  circumstances, 
expose  the  name  of  any  member  of  this  order,  nor  reveal  the  existence  of  such  an  organi- 
zation. To  all  the  foregoing  you  bind  yourself  undei  the  no-less  penalty  than  that  of 
being  expelled  from  this  order,  and  of  having  jour  name  posted  and  circulated  through- 
out all  the  different  Councils  of  the  United  States  as  a  perjurer  and  as  a  traitor  to  God 
and  your  country,  as  a  being  unfit  to  be  employed  and  trusted,  countenanced  or  sup- 
ported in  any  business  transaction,  as  a  person  unworthy  of  the  confidence  of  all  good 
men,  and  as  one  at  whom  the  finger  of  scorn  should  ever  be  pointed.  So  help  you,  God  " 

'■'  In  Philadelphia  on  May  6,  1844,  a  riot  broke  out,  during  which  two  Catholic 
churches,  one  Catholic  seminary,  two  Catholic  parsonages,  and  a  Theological  Library 
were  destroyed  by  fire. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  29 

name.  In  Connecticnt  tlie  Know-Nothings  burned  no  churches  or  con- 
vents, though  they  did  direct  their  poisoned  shafts  against  the  Catholic 
Sisterhood.  The}-  aimed  at  political  power  and  having  obtained  it,  to 
the  humiliation  of  the  State,  in  1855,  made  use  of  it  to  outrage  their 
fellow  Catholic  citizens.  Faithful  to  their  policy  of  proscription,  they 
secured  the  passage  of  a  law  disbanding  all  the  Irish  volunteer  companies  in 
the  State.'  One  of  the  companies  affected  by  this  iniquitous  law  was  the 
Washington-Erina  Guards  of  New  Haven,  all  of  whose  members  were  intel- 
ligent, respectable  and  loyal  Catholic  American  citizens.  They  had  been 
charged  with  no  breach  of  military  discipline.  They  had  given  no  sign  of 
disloyalty  to  the  state  or  the  nation  ;  nor  were  they  paid  the  poor  compli- 
ment of  facing  a  manufactured  accusation.  They  were  Irishmen  and  Catho- 
lics. Surely  these  were  offences  grave  enough  in  the  eyes  of  the  patriotic 
Know-Nothings  then  in  power.  That  it  was  the  race  and  creed  of  the  Guards 
that  brought  about  their  disband ment  is  evident  from  the  fact,  that  the 
German  companies  then  in  the  State  were  not  molested.  Had  they  been 
Catholics,  they,  too,  would  have  shared  the  fate  of  their  New  Haven  brethren. 
The  summary  disbandment  of  the  Guards  was  accomplished  by  the  fol- 
lowing order  : 

"Adjutant-Gener.\i.'s  Office, 

"  Hartford,  Sept.  zjth,  1855. 
"  nomas  If'.  Ca/ittt,  Esq.,  Captain  Commanding  Compatiy  E,  2d  Regt.  Connectiait Militia  : 
"Sir  :  By  order  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  Infantrj'  Company  E,  2d  Regt.  Con- 
necticut Militia,  is  this  day  disbanded. 

"In  pursuance  of  the  above  order  j-ou  are  hereby  directed  to  deliver  all  of  the  pro- 
perty belonging  to  this  State,  in  your  possession,  to  the  Quartermaster-General  at  the 
State  arsenal,  at  Hartford. 

"  Yours,  &c.,  "J.  S.  Williams,  Adjt.-GenL" 

For  six  years  this  obnoxious  law  remained  upon  the  statute  books  of 
Connecticut,  a  stain  upon  the  escutcheon  of  the  State.  For  six  years  the 
Irish  Catholics  of  the  State  lived  with  the  official  brand  of  suspicion  upon 
them.  They  were  regarded  as  unfit  persons  to  carry  arms.  But  grim  war  is 
a  great  leveler  of  distinctions.     It  brought  to  Connecticut  a  realization  of  the 

'The  Know-Nothings  were  successful  this  year  also  in  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire.  In  the  former  State  Governor  Gardiner,  faithful  to  his  principles,  dis- 
banded the  Irish  military  organizations  of  the  State.  John  Mitchell  was  at  that  time 
editor  of  the  Citizen,  and  had  this  to  say  of  the  Governor's  action  : 

"Since  the  Citizen  was  established,  seeing  that  the  existence  of  separate  Irish, 
German  and  Native-American  companies  could  not  be  helped,  we  have  earnestly  im- 
pressed upon  the  Irish  soldier  that  he  bears  arms  solely  for  his  adopted  country,  whose 
lavFS  he  is  bound  to  obey,  and  whose  flag  and  constitution  he  is  to  defend  with  his  life. 
We  have  loudly  condemned  the  anomaly  and  absurdity  of  what  is  called  the  '  Irish ' 
vote  (another  mischief  invented  and  used  by  American  politicians),  and  exhorted  our 
countrymen  not  to  vote  in  masses  or  batches  as  Irishmen,  nor  suffer  electioneering  in- 
triguers to  '  make  capital '  of  them  by  a  few  blarneying  phrases.  .  .  .  But  to  submit  to 
no  brand  of  inferiority,  no  shadow  of  disparagement  at  the  hand  of  these  natives.  .  .  . 
We  are  happy  to  find  that  Colonel  Butler,  of  Lowell,  refuses  to  brook  the  outrage.  He 
declines  to  transmit  the  order  for  disbandment,  invites  a  court-martial  and  appeals  to  the 
law.     And  the  Shields  Artillery,  of  Boston,  have  taken  like  action  in  the  case." 


30  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

gross  injustice  it  had  done  to  a  numerous  and  respectable  body  of  its  citizens, 
and  the  famous  war  Governor,  William  A.  Buckingham,  was  prompt  to 
repair  the  great  wrong  of  his  predecessor,  William  T.  IMinor. 

In  1 86 1,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  Connecticut  was  called  upon 
for  its  quota  of  troops.  The  military  branch  of  the  State  goveniment  was  at 
that  time  in  a  condition  of  deplorable  inefficienc\-.  Fully  cognizant  of  this 
state  of  affairs,  it  occurred  to  Governor  Buckingham  to  appeal  to  his  Irish 
fellow-citizens  to  organize  a  regiment  of  their  own.  But  with  the  memory  of 
the  law  of  1855  still  fresh  would  they  accept  the  invitation  ?  The  governor's 
request  was  made  known  to  Captain  Cahill,  who  returned  this  dignified  re- 
ply :  "Six  years  ago  I  was  captain  of  a  company  of  volunteer  militia  and  a 
native  of  New  England.  I  was,  w-ith  my  comrades,  thought  to  be  unfit  to 
shoulder  a  musket  in  time  of  peace,  and  tlie  company  was  disbanded  by  order 
of  the  then  governor  of  the  State,  under  circumstances  peculiarly  aggravat- 
ing to  military  pride.  The  law  by  which  we  were  disbanded  still  stands  on 
the  Statute  Book,  and  so  long  as  it  is  there  my  fellow-soldiers  and  myself 
feel  it  to  be  an  insult  to  us,  and  to  all  our  fellow-citizens  of  Irish  birth  and 
Catholic  faith.  If  we  were  not  fit  to  bear  arms  in  time  of  peace,  we  might 
be  dangerous  in  time  of  war."  When  this  reply  of  the  distinguished  captain 
was  brought  to  the  governor  he  caused  a  bill  to  be  introduced  into  the 
Assembly  repealing  the  Know-Nothing  law  of  1855.  It  passed  the  House  by  a 
unanimous  vote,  and  in  the  same  morning  it  met  with  equal  success  in  the 
Senate.  Justice  was  done  to  the  Irish  Catholics  of  the  State,  and  an  infamous 
enactment  was  stricken  from  the  records.  On  September  3,  186 1,  Governor 
Buckingham  commissioned  Captain  Cahill  to  organize  a  regiment,  and  the 
glorious,  fighting  Ninth,  known  in  the  military  annals  of  the  State  as  "the 
Irish  Regiment "  went  to  the  front  to  fight,  and,  if  need  be,  to  die  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  Union.  The  Irish  people  of  Connecticut  forgot  the  harsh 
treatment  to  which  they  were  subjected,  as  seven  lliousand  nine  hundred  of 
them  donned  the  blue  and  went  to  the  Southland  in  response  to  their  countr}-'s 
call.  In  this  way  they  repaid  the  ostracism  inflicted  upon  them  by  their 
Know-Nothing  contemporaries. 

The  hostility  displayed  towards  Irish  Catholics  by  Governor  Elinor's 
administration  was  the  last  official  recognition  in  Connecticut  of  the  odious 
principle  that  because  an  individual  is  a  Catholic,  therefore  must  his  loyalty 
to  the  republic  be  suspected.  Never  again  shall  such  a  law  as  the  one  above 
referred  to,  blot  the  public  records  of  our  commonwealth.  Since  then,  how- 
ever, various  organizations  have  from  time  to  time  sprung  into  being,  all 
animated  with  a  common  purpose,  whose  platform  may  be  summarized  in  the 
single  word  Hate.  They  exist  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  harass  their 
Catholic  fellow-citizens  and  to  exclude  them,  if  possible,  from  position  of 
public  trust.  But  their  proscriptive  policy  has  met  with  only  rebuke  from 
the  intelligent,  respectable  and  cultured  portions  of  our  Protestant  brethren. 
Professing  loyalty  to  the  Federal  Constitution,  they,  nevertheless,  seek  to 
nullify  one  of  its  grandest  provisions,  that  ''  No  religious  test  .shall  ever  be 
required   as  a  qualification  to  any  office  or   public  trust  under  the  United 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  -81 

State."  But  such  organizations  cannot  long  survive,  a  disturbing  element, 
among  a  people  so  devotedly  attached  to  the  cause  of  education  as  are  the 
citizens  of  this  republic.  They  fear  the  light  of  intelligence  and  seek  the 
cover  of  darkness  for  the  accomplishment  of  their  fell  designs.  Like  the 
Know-Nothings  of  other  days,  the  un-American  organizations  of  the  present 
"love  darkness  rather  than  the  light  because  their  works  are  evil,  for  every 
one  that  doth  evil  hateth  the  light,  and  cometh  not  into  the  light,  that  his 
works  niav  not  be  reproved  !  " 

We  shall  close  this  chapter  with  some  reflections  which  will  present  the 
Puritan  character  as  it  was,  and  not  as  it  has  been  portrayed  by  historians, 
who  see  in  the  Puritans  nothing  save  what  is  commendable,  who  exalt  them 
above  the  founders  of  all  other  States  and  who  enthusiasticall)-  proclaim 
them  the  salt  of  the  earth,  the  very  elect  of  God.  As  we  recede  from  the 
age  which  their  influence  dominated  the  halo  that  has  been  painted  around 
them  disappears  as  the  motives  of  their  conduct  become  more  apparent. 
Their  successors  in  the  governments  of  the  different  States  of  New  England 
have  done  well  in  freeing  themselves  from  the  influence  of  their  narrow  legis- 
lation ;  and  though  the  puritanical  spirit  is  still  in  evidence  here  and  there, 
more  especially  in  some  rural  districts,  it  is  unquestionable  that  in  the  not 
distant  future  it  will  have  totally  disappeared.  What  remains  of  it  must  suc- 
cumb to  the  advance  of  liberty  and  progressive  ideas. 

"  And  now  what  shall  be  said  of  Puritanism  ?  That  it  erected  one  monu- 
ment to  the  glory  of  God,  or  exemplified  the  duty  of  obedience  to  the  civil 
magistrate  ?  That  its  altar  was  set  up  in  the  wilderness,  consecrated  by  the 
prayers  and  blessings  of  the  savage  ?  That  its  usurped  powers  were  used  to 
quell  strife,  to  calm  dissension,  to  strengthen  peace,  or  to  enforce  equity  ? 
That  it  presented  an  example  of  hurailit}'  and  patience,  for  the  guidance  of 
those  simple  ones  who  were  fascinated  by  its  solemn  pretense  ?  That,  in  all  its 
doings,  it  had  only  in  view  '  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace  and  good-will  to  men  ?  '  Or  are  the  eulogies  it  has  received  from  his- 
tory like  the  epitaphs  upon  tombstones  ? 

"  Since  the  dawn  of  creation,  the  praises  of  the  Supreme  Being  had 
been  chanted  in  the  wilderness  of  New  England.  The  forest  teemed  with 
gorgeous  life,  and  not  a  brook  babbled  its  sportive  way,  but  glistened  with 
the  gambols  of  innumerable  fish.  Nature,  animate  and  inanimate,  was  full 
of  joyous  freedom,  and  the  lord  of  the  domain  roved  about  unmindful  of  the 
glitter  of  gold  or  the  splendor  of  courts.  This  system  of  Nature  Puritanism 
subverted  ;  but  its  powers  of  substitution  sprang  from  the  muzzle  of  its 
guns,  and  not  from  the  kindly  aflfections  of  the  heart.  It  subjugated  nature, 
but  the  wild  harmonies  it  destroyed  were  not  replaced  by  the  creations  of 
divine  art.  It  sought  exclusively  its  own  good,  or,  at  least,  it  made  that 
paramount.  Deriving  its  genius  from  the  theocracy  of  stubborn  Israel,  it 
promised  its  disciples  the  prestige  of  temporal  success  and  prosperity.  It  had 
an  eye  to  the  things  of  Cassar  as  well  as  to  those  of  Heaven.  Join  my  ranks, 
was  its  promise,  and  you  shall  be  rich  ;  for  the  promised  land  belongs  to  the 
saints  :  you  shall  be  powerful,  for  God  will  fight  your  battles.     Wherever  it 


32  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

penetrated,  its  work  was  to  destroy  and  create  anew.  //  defaced  the  moral 
landscape  of  Catholicism,  but  -was  finable  to  substitute  anything  so  fair  and  so 
beautiful.  Tlie  church  presented  a  vast  area,  on  wliose  surface  could  be 
seen  rocks  and  caverns  and  pitfalls  ;  but  then  there  were  also  quiet  nooks  and 
peaceful,  gladsome  vales,  smiling  in  tlie  brightness  of  an  eternal  sun.  Puri- 
tanism was  like  a  dreary  waste  overluing  b\-  a  wintry  sky,  where,  if  a  gleam 
of  light  were  perchance  discernible,  it  but  irradiated  desolation." 

"  Ignorance  and  presumption,  ever  hand  in  hand,  have  united  to  break 
down  that  noble  Tree  planted  by  Christ  himself  because,  forsooth,  it  has 
borne  some  decayed  branches.  But  amidst  all  the  desolation  of  this  world  it 
still  lives,  exhibiting  a  miracle  more  wonderful  than  that  performed  at  the 
humble  cave  in  Bethany.  For  its  roots  are  cherished  by  mortal  hand  and 
eternal  sunshine  lingers  upoii  its  fragrant  foliage. 

"  In  a  religious  sense  it  (Puritanism)  left  nothing  behind  but  its  warnings. 
The  synods,  the  confessions,  the  platforms  and  the  heresies  which  distinguish 
its  reign  in  New  England,  are  in  marked  contrast  with  this  noble  church  it 
presunijjtuou.sly  hoped  to  displace,  and  which,  since  the  days  of  its  Catholic 
defenders,  has  neither  altered  an  article  of  its  creed  nor  a  principle  of  its 
government."' 


EARLY  CATHOLICITY  IN  CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER   VII. 
IRISH    SETTLERS. 


IT  is  not  improbable  that  the  first  European  to  sail  along  the  shores  of 
Connecticut,  and  perhaps,  to  stand  upon  its  soil,  was  the  great  Catholic 
navigator,  John  Verrazano.  Accepting  a  commission  in  the  service  of 
p-rancis  I.,  King  of  France,  he  sailed  in  the  frigate  "Dauphin"  in  1524, 
and  after  a  tempestuous  voyage,  reached  the  coast  of  Florida.  He  sailed 
along  the  continent  as  far  north  as  Newfoundland.  To  all  this  territory  he 
gave  the  name  of  Neiv  France.  It  is  claimed  that  the  honor  of  discovering 
New  York  Bay  belongs  to  him.  If  such  be  the  facts,  it  is  not  unreasonable 
to  infer  that  the  prow  of  his  stanch  ship  cut  the  waters  of  Long  Island  Sound ; 
and  as  vessels  of  exploration  were  always  provided  with  priests,  whose  mission 
it  was  to  preach  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel  in  newly-discovered  lands,  it 
may  be  that  well-nigh  four  centuries  ago  the  virgin  forests  of  Connecticut 
re-echoed  with  the  chant  of  holy  monks,  and  that  some  spots  were  hallowed 
by  rude  altars  upon  which  was  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  and 
over  whose  table  towered  the  symbol  of  man's  redemption,  the  everlasting 
Cross. 

'  T/u-  Puritan  Commoniveallli  by  Peter  Oliver,  pp.,  4S4-493. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  33 

There  is  an  interesting  tradition  to  the  effect  that  the  first  resident  Catho- 
lics of  Connecticut  were  a  band  of  seventeen  Indians,  who  were  carried  to 
Southern  Europe  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  by  a  shipmaster,  who 
sailed  the  Thames,  there  instructed  in  the  Catholic  faith,  baptized  and  brought 
back  to  their  native  laud.  This  tradition  was  handed  down  to  the  time  of  the 
venerable  missionary.  Rev.  James  Fitton,  who  firmly  believed  in  the  accuracy 
of  the  story.  His  belief  received  confirmation  from  the  discovery  in  his  own 
time  in  the  eastern  section  of  the  State,  probably  near  Norwich,  of  an  ancient 
Indian  cemetery.  In  one  of  the  mounds  were  discovered,  among  other  articles 
comnionl)'  found  in  Indian  graves,  some  rings  upon  which  were  engraved  two 
hearts  and  glass  bottles  partially  filled  with  water.  Father  Fitton  had  in  his 
possession  one  of  these  rings,  and  held  in  his  hands  the  mysterious  bottles. 
These  he  concluded  contained  holy  water,  which  had  been  given  to  the 
Indians  when  leaving  Europe,  while  the  rings,  he  contended,  represented  the 
sacred  hearts  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  and  had  been  placed  upon  the  fingers  of  the 
converts  at  their  baptism. 

Such  is  the  narrative  as  told  by  Father  Fitton  at  the  dedication  of  St. 
Patrick's  church,  Norwich.  The  conversion  of  the  Indians,  if  true,  would  be 
a  remarkable  fact  in  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  Connecticut;  but  I  have 
made  diligent  inquiries  among  the  recognized  authorities  on  Indian  history 
in  the  State,  and  have  failed  to  verify  Father  Fitton's  relation.  As  to  the 
rings  representing  the  sacred  hearts  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  it  may  be  stated,  that 
it  was  in  1675  that  the  revelation  was  made  to  Blessed  Margaret  Mary 
Alacoque  that  she  with  her  holy  confessor  was  to  obtain  the  institution  of 
the  Feast  of  the  Sacred  Heart.  Did  the  rings  anticipate  the  devotion,  or  did 
the  alleged  conversion  take  place  afterwards  ? 

It  is  a  fact  incontestably  established  that  Irish  people  in  respectable 
numbers  were  residents  of  New  England  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  after 
the  Pilgrims  set  foot  on  Plymouth  Rock.  In  Connecticut  they  were  contem- 
poraries of  Theophiius  Eaton,  who  was  Governor  of  New  Haven  colony  from 
1639  till  his  death,  in  1657.  They  rendered  signal  services  in  the  Pequot 
war  in  1637.  Captain  Daniel  Patrick,  an  Irishman,  was  dispatched  from 
Boston  with  forty  men  to  assist  the  Connecticut  troops  in  that  struggle. '  He 
next  appears  in  1639,  when,  with  Robert  Feake,  he  purchased  Greenwich  from 
an  Indian  sachem,  thus  becoming  the  first  settlers  of  that  town.^  The  title 
of  purchase,  however,  was  not  transferred  formally  until  April  of  the  follow- 
ing year.  The  Dutch  Governor  Kieft  immediately  protested  against  the 
cession  of  this  territory  to  Patrick  and  Feake,  and  declared  his  purpose  to 
dislodge  them  unless  they  yielded  submission  to  the  New  Netherland  govern- 
ment. Patrick  withheld  his  submission,  though  he  declared  he  would  do 
nothing  in  the  least  prejudicial  to  "the  rights  of  the  States  General."  For 
two  years  he  held  possession  despite  the  protest  of  the  Dutch  Governor.     In 

'  Sanford's  "Hist,  of  Conn.,"  p.  24;  Carpenter's  "Hist,  of  Conn.,"  p.  54;  Broad- 
head's  "  Hist  of  New  York"  Vol.  I.,  p.  272.  It  is  asserted  that  Patrick's  name  was  origi- 
nally Gilpatrick. — Linehan's  "Sketches" 

^Tbe  original  name  of  Greenwich,  was  Petuquapam. 
II— 3 


34  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

1642  the  English  colonists  were  thrown  into  a  state  of  alarm  by  the  reports  of 
an  uprising  of  the  Indians  of  Connecticut.  Uncas,  the  great  chief  of  the 
Mohegans,  had  assiduously  circulated  rumors  regarding  an  intended  massacre 
of  the  Colonists  by  Miantonomoh,  chief  of  tlie  Narragansetts.  Connecticut 
and  New  Haven  Colonies  perfected  a  league  of  defence. 

Fearing  the  consequences  of  his  isolation  should  hostilities  break  out 
Patrick  yielded  submission  to  the  Dutch  Government,  declaring  that  he  was 
moved  thereto  by  "  both  the  strifes  of  the  English,  the  danger  consequent 
thereon,  and  these  treacherous  and  villainous  Indians  of  whom  we  have  seen 
sorrowful  examples  enough."  His  formal  submission  was  consummated  on 
April  9,  1642,  when  at  Fort  Amsterdam  he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
States  General,  the  West  India  Company  and  the  authorities  of  New  Nether- 
lands. He  demanded,  however,  adequate  protection  from  enemies  and  all  the 
privileges  "that  all  patroons  of  New  Netherland  have  obtained  agreeably  to 
the  Freedoms." 

Late  in  the  following  year  the  Indians  of  Stamford  and  neighborhood, 
inspired  by  their  powerful  and  haughty  chief,  Mayano,  became  troublesome 
and  gave  the  Colonists  cause  for  grave  alarm.  On  one  occasion  Mayano, 
coming  suddenly  upon  "three  Christians,"  fiercely  attacked  them.  Patrick 
was  one  of  the  little  band.  The  chief  killed  one  of  the  three,  but  was  him- 
self dispatched  after  a  desperate  struggle.  Patrick  cut  ofif  his  head  and  sent 
it  as  a  trophy  of  victory  to  Fort  Amsterdam  with  a  detailed  account  of  the 
atrocities  perpetrated  by  Mayano  and  his  tribe.  An  expedition  consisting  of 
120  men  was  immediately  dispatched  from  Manhattan  against  the  hostiles. 
They  marched  through  Greenwich  to  Stamford,  but  failed  to  discover  any 
signs  of  the  Indians.  The  Dutch  soldiers  became  incensed  at  their  failure, 
and  one  of  them  in  an  outburst  of  rage  upbraided  Patrick  with  having  brought 
them  on  "a  fool's  errand."  Patrick  indignantly  repelled  the  implied  charge 
of  treachery  and  spat  in  the  .soldier's  face.  Then  turning  to  leave  his  irate 
accuser,  the  latter  "shot  him  behind  in  the  head,  so  he  fell  down  dead  and 
never  spake."  ' 

So  perished  one  of  the  first  Irishmen  to  enter  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
Patrick  "  had  married  a  Dutch  wife  from  the  Hague,"  Annetje  van  Beyeren. 
He  had  little  sympathv  for  the  cold,  severe  dogmas  of  the  Puritans,  and  we 
are  told  that  "  he  .seldom  went  to  the  public  assemblies.''  He  was  a  strong, 
daring,  adventurous  spirit,  a  sturdy  character  who  left  his  impress  upon  his 
time.  His  name  is  perpetuated  in  "Captain's  Island,"  on  which  stands  the 
light-house  off  Greenwich. - 

One  of  the  first  towns  in  Connecticut  in  which  the  Irish  people  became 
permanent  residents  was  Windsor.  John  Dyer  is  mentioned  in  the  town 
records  as  a  "  Pequot  soldier. "  ^  Edward  King,  "an  Irishman,  one  of  the 
oldest   settlers  in  this  vicinity,"^   probably  settled  here  about   1635.     The 

'Winth.  II ,  151. 

'  Broadliead's  "  Hist.  0/ New  York,"  Vol.  I. 

'Stiles'  "Ancient  IVindsor,"  p.  4>. 

'  Ibid,  pp.  55,  93.    He  speaks  of  King  elsewhere  as  "  the  Irishman." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  35 

name  of  John  Griffen  appears  in  164S,  but  he  resided  there,  no  doubt,  before 
that  time.  Another  Celtic  name  found  in  the  records  of  the  town  is  Edward 
Ryle.  King  was  Ryle's  host,  and  for  this  exercise  of  fraternal  charity  both 
became  amenable  to  a  peculiar  law  then  on  the  statute  books.  To  protect 
themselves  against  worthless  characters  who  might  sow  the  seeds  of  vice  and 
crime,  and  become  burdens  on  the  towns,  it  was  enacted  by  the  General 
Court  in  1637,  that 

"  No  young  man  that  is  not  married,  nor  hath  any  servant,  and  be  no 
public  officer,  shall  keep  house  by  himself  without  consent  of  the  town  where 
he  lives,  first  had,  under  pain  of  20  shillings  per  week." 

"  No  master  of  a  family  shall  give  habitation  or  entertainment  to  any 
young  man  to  sojourn  in  his  family,  but  by  the  allowance  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  said  town  where  he  dwells,  under  a  like  penalty  of  20  shillings  per 
week."' 

With  these  enactments  before  them  the  sage  fathers  of  Windsor,  in  town 
meeting,  June  27,  1658,  took  cognizance  of  the  fact  that  divers  persons,  from 
time  to  time,  resorted  to  the  premises  of  Edward  King,  and  that  such  recourse 
was  prejudicial  to  the  town  if  not  summarily  prohibited.  Accordingly,  it 
was  voted  that,  unless  King  gave  security  for  his  good  behavior  and  gave 
serious  consideration  to  the  orders  of  the  town  before  the  ist  of  October  fol- 
lowing, a  fine  of  20  shillings  would  be  inflicted.  It  was  "  also  ordered  that 
Edward  Ryle  shall  continue  there  no  longer  than  the  aforesaid  time  appointed, 
upon  the  same  penalty."  " 

It  was  not  alleged  that  Ryle  was  a  vagrant,  or  that  he  was  liable  to 
become  a  charge  on  the  town  ;  nor  was  King  charged  with  any  offense  grave 
in  itself.  Such  laws  were  restraining  forces  that  operated  to  the  prejudice  of 
personal  liberty.  They  furnished,  moreover,  occupation  for  unscrupulous 
persons  whose  zeal  in  the  jjublic  weal  was  commensurate  with  the  size  of 
the  fine. 

In  the  Great  Swamp  Fight  in  King  Philip's  War  in  1675,  five  Connecti- 
cut Irishmen  are  on  record  as  having  won  distinction  by  their  gallant  conduct, 
and  as  receiving  as  the  reward  of  their  services,  generous  grants  of  land.  The 
names  of  these  brave  men  deserve  to  be  perpetuated.  They  were  the  sturdy 
pioneers  in  this  land  of  a  race  that  has  ever  been  its  defenders;  and  as  the 
records  of  the  infant  nation  are  emblazoned  with  the  brave  deeds  of  Erin's 
sons,  so  will  the  annals  of  the  mighty  giant  in  the  future  be  enriched  with 
their  brilliant  and  valorous  achievements.  Our  heroes  of  the  Great  Swamp 
Fight  were  James  Murphy,  Daniel  Tracy,  Edward  Larkin,  James  Welch* 
and  John  Roach.  The  Norwalk  town  records  contain  this  entry  concern- 
ing Roach:* 

'  "Colonial  Records  of  Conn.,"  1636-1665,  p.  8.   The  first  section  of  this  law  was  in 
force  as  late  as  1821  ;  the  .second  until  1702. 
^  "  Aficifiit  lV!;!ifsor,"  pp.  54,  55. 
'  T.  H.  Murray  in  "  Rosary  Mag.,"  March,  1896. 
'  P.  63. 


36  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

"John  Roach,  a  Soldier  in  the  '  Direfui,  Swamp  Fight.' 
"Whereas,  the  town  of  Xorwalk  having  given  and  granted  unto  John  Roach  as  a 
gratuity,  being  a  soldier  in  the  late  Indian  War,  the  parcel  of  land  consisting  of  twelve 
acres  more  or  less,  layed  out  upon  the  west  side  of  the  West  Rocks,  so-called,''  etc. 

Were  these  heroes  Catholics?  Very  likely.  The  same  names  may  be 
read  in  the  census  list  of  every  considerable  Irish  Catholic  parish  in  New 
England. 


Wi 


CH.\PTER    VIII. 
EMIGRATION,   COMPULSORY   AND   VOLUNTARY. 

HEN  the  public  records  of  colonial  times  are  carefully  scanned  we 
liscover  abundant  rea.sons  to  account  for  the  presence  then  of  large 
numbers  of  Irish  people  in  Connecticut.  We  cease  to  be  surprised 
at  the  number  of  Celtic  names  that  greet  the  eye  when  we  reflect  upon  the 
causes  that  forced  them  to  bid  farewell  to  tlie  green  hills  and  pleasant  rivers 
and  crystal  lakes  of  their  native  laud.  Exiled  from  Erin,  they  were  brought 
to  our  shores  in  thousands,  sold  as  slaves  and  scattered  over  the  various  colo- 
nies of  America.  Official  documents  tell  a  heart-rending  story  of  how  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  Ireland  became  so  numerous  in  the  English  colonies  at  so 
early  a  period  of  our  history.  They  proclaim  loudly  the  existence  of  unparal- 
leled brutality  on  the  part  of  men  who  had  God  ever  on  their  lips,  and  whose 
boasted  knowledge  of  the  Divine  Word  was  their  choicest  accomplishment. 
Professing  godliness,  they  perpetrated  crimes  at  which  humanity  stands  ap- 
palled, and  upon  which  they  invoked  the  benediction  of  heaven  To  extermi- 
nate the  Irish  Catholic  race  was  their  aim,  and  all  means  were  alike  legitimate 
if  the  end  could  be  attained.  Let  us  pass  down  to  future  generations  the  names 
of  those  godly  man-hunters  and  pious  traffickers  in  human  lives.  Let  us  |)lace 
on  record  again  some  of  the  "orders"  that  cover  their  authors  with  infamy,  and 
which  consigned  to  living  deaths  thousands  of  pure,  innocent  little  ones,  who 
were  torn  from  the  hearts  of  those  nearest  on  earth  and  sent  into  strange  lands. 

The  names  of  some  of  those  man-catchers  have  come  down  to  us.  They 
■were  merchants  of  Bristol,  England :  Messrs.  David  Sellick  and  Leader, 
Robert  Yeomens,  Joseph  Lawrence,  Dudley  North  and  John  Johnson.' 

It  was  these  holy  men,  zealous  in  spreading  the  light  of  the  gospel,  who 
conceived  the  idea  of  relieving  the  British  government  of  a  serious  embar- 
rassment in  which  it  found  itself  after  the  compulsory  exile  of  40,000  soldiers 
who  fell  into  tlie  hands  of  the  devout  Protector.  How  to  dispose  of  their 
wives  and  children  became  a  grave  problem.  "They  could  not  be  sent  to  Con- 
naught,  as  women,  with  children  onh',  could  not  l:)e  expected  to  'plant'  that 
desolate  province ;  they  could  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  their  native  place, 
as  the  decree  had  gone  forth  that  all  the  Irish  were  to  '  transplant'  or  be  trans- 
ported; it  would  have  been  inconvenient  and  inexcusable  to  do  what  had  been 
so  often  done  in  the  war — massacre  them  in  cold  blood— as  the  war  was  over."* 

'  Prendergast's  "  Cromwellian  Settlement  in  Ireland." 
'Thebaud's  "  Irish  Race." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  37 

The  piety  of  the  above-named  merchants,  liowever,  furnished  a  way  out 
of  the  difficulty.  Had  they  not  ships  engaged  in  trade  with  the  American 
Colonies  ?  Why  not  put  them  to  the  devout  use  of  transporting  these  sur- 
plus wives  and  children,  the  enemies  of  the  kingdom,  and  distributing  them 
among  the  English  Colonies  of  the  New  World?  Here  was  a  solution  of  the 
problem,  even  though  it  entailed  misery  and  wretchedness  unspeakable. 
Accordingly  "The  Commissioners  of  Ireland,  under  Cromwell,  gave  them 
(the  British  merchants)  orders  upon  the  governers  of  garrisons  to  deliver 
them  prisoners  of  war  .  .  .  upon  masters  of  workhouses  to  hand  over  to  them 
the  destitute  under  their  care  'who  were  of  an  age  to  labor,'  or,  if  women, 
those  '  who  were  marriageable,  and  not  past  breeding  ; '  and  gave  directions 
to  all  in  authority  to  seize  those  who  had  no  visible  means  of  livelihood,  and 
deliver  them  to  these  agents  of  the  Bristol  merchants;  in  execution  of  wliich 
latter  directions  Ireland  must  have  exhibited  scenes  in  every  part  like  the 
slave-hunts  in  Africa?'' ' 

The  following  orders  are  extracted  from  the  "  Calendar  of  Colonial  State 
Papers,"  1571-1660,  and  1661-1665.  They  reveal  a  depth  of  depravity  that 
stains  the  escutcheon  of  no  other  nation  : 

' '  April  1st,  i6j^,  Ontc-r  of  the  Council  of  State.  For  a  license  to  Sir  John  Clotworthy 
to  transport  to  America  500  natural  Irishmen." 

"  Order  of  the  Council  of  State,  Sept.  6th,  i6jj.  Upon  petition  of  David  Sellick, 
of  Boston,  New  England,  merchant,  for  a  license  for  the  '  Good  Fellow,'  of  Boston,  Geo. 
Dalle,  Master,  and  the  '  Providence,'  London,  Thomas  Swanlly,  Master,  to  pass  to  New 
England  and  Virginia,  where  they  intend  to  carry  400  Irish  children,  directing  a  warrant 
to  be  granted,  provided  security  is  given  to  pass  to  Ireland,  and  within  two  months  to 
take  in  400  Irish  children  and  transport  them  to  these  plantations." 

"  Captain  John  Vernon  was  employed  for  the  Commissioners  for  Ireland,  and  con- 
tracted in  their  behalf  with  David  Sellick  and  Mr.  Leader,  under  his  hand  bearing  date 
<  14th  of  Sept.,  1653,  to  supply  them  with  i'jo  women  of  the  Irish  nation  above  12  years 
and  under  the  age  of  45  ;  also  s^o  men  above  12  years  and  under  50,  to  be  found  in  the 
country  within  twenty  miles  of  Cork,  Youghal,  Kinsale,  Waterford  and  Wexford,  to 
transport  them  into  New  England."     ("  Cromwellian  Settlement  of  Ireland,''''  1875,. p.  90.) 

Captain  Vernon's  five  hundred  and  fifty  unfortunates  were  Catholics, 
devoted  disciples  of  the  faith  which  St.  Patrick  taught  the  Irish  people. 
How  bitterly  intense  was  England's  hatred  for  the  Catholic  religion  ! 

One  shudders  to  think  of  the  fate  that  awaited  these  poor  and  virtuous 
children  among  their  stern  New  England  task-masters.  But  what  mattered 
it;  were  they  not  but  children  of  Irish  parents,  who  had  no  rights  their 
conquerors  were  bound  to  respect?     Sentiment,  begone  ! 

In  the  same  Collection  of  State  Papers  we  find  (1628)  the  proposal  of  Sir 
Pierce  Crosby  to  transport  for  /"5000  ten  companies  of  a  certain  Irish  regi- 
ment to  a  place  in  America  not  yet  settled. 

"  func  ig,  J6jj.  Order  of  Council  of  State.  Upon  petition  of  Armiger  Warner  pray- 
ing indemnity  against  his  bond  of  /Soo  entered  into  with  John  Jeflreys,  Merchant,  for 
transporting  100  Irish  to  Virginia,  etc." 

'  "  Crovrwellian   Settlement." 


38  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

"  Oct.  3,  1633.  Order  of  the  Council  of  Slate.  1000  Irish  girls  and  the  like  numb:r  of 
boys  of  14  years  or  under,  ordered  to  be  sent  to  -Jamaica.  The  allowance  to  each  one  not 
to  exceed  20  shillings." 

"May  23,  16^6.  Order  of  Coutui!  of  State  for  the  transportation  of  1200  men 
from  Knockfergus  in  Ireland  and  Port  Patrick  in  Scotland  to  Jamaica."' 

The  above  "Orders"  explain  the  presence  in  New  England  of  such  large 
numbers  of  Irish  people  a  century  before  the  Colonies  threw  ofiF  the  English 
yoke.  From  April,  1653,  to  May,  1656,  4250  of  Ireland's  men  and  women 
were  transported  to  the  New  World  by  Messrs.  Sellick  &Co. ;  and  it  is  asserted 
by  the  Rev.  Aug.  J.  Thebaud,  S.  J.,  "that  in  four  years  those  English  firms 
of  slave-dealers  had  shipped  6,400  Irish  men  and  women,  boys  and  maidens, 
to  the  British  Colonies  of  North  America."  ' 

The  number  of  young  boys  and  girls  alone  transported  to  the  West  Indies 
was  6000,  while  the  total  number  sent  there  has  been  estimated  at  100,000.  ^ 

"After  the  horrors  of  a  civil  war,  horrors  unparalleled,  perhaps,  in  the  annals  of 
modern  nations,  the  children  and  young  people  of  both  se.xes  are  hunted  down  over  an 
area  of  several  Ijish  counties,  dragged  in  crowds  to  the  .seaports,  and  there  jammed  in  the 
holds  of  small,  uncomfortable,  slow-going  vessels.  AVhat  those  children  must  have 
been  may  be  easily  imagined  from  the  specimens  of  the  race  before  us  to-day.  We  do 
not  speak  of  their  1  eatity  and  comeliness  of  form,  on  which  a  Greek  writer  of  the  age  of 
Pericles  might  have  dilated,  and  found  a  subject  worthj-  of  his  pen  ;  we  speak  of  their 
moral  beauty,  their  simplicit3',  purity,  love  of  home,  attachment  to  their  family  and  God, 
even  in  their  tenderest  age.  We  meet  them  scattered  over  the  broad  surface  of  this  coun- 
trj'— boys  and  girls  of  the  same  race,  coming  from  the  same  countries — chiefly  from  sweet 
Wexford— the  beautiful,  calm,  pious  south  of  Ireland.  Who  but  a  monster  could  think  of 
harming  those  pure  and  affectionate  creatures,  so  modest,  simple  and  ready  to  trust  and 
confide  in  every  one  they  meet.''  .  .  .  They  were  to  be  violently  torn  from  their  parents  and 
friends — from  every  one  they  knew  and  loved — to  be  condemned,  after  surviving  the  hor- 
rible ocean-passage  of  those  days,  the  boys  to  work  on  sugar  and  tobacco  plantations, 
the  girls  to  lead  a  life  of  shame  in  the  harems  of  Jamaica  planters  ! 

"  Such  of  them  as  were  sent  North  were  to  be  distributed  among  the  'saints  '  of 
New  England,  to  be  esteemed  by  the  said  'saints'  as  'idolaters,'  'vipers,'  'young 
reprobates,'  just  objects  of  '  the  wrath  of  God  ;  '  or,  if  appearing  to  fall  in  with  their  new 
and  hard  task-masters,  to  be  greeted  with  words  of  dubious  praise,  as  '  brands  snatched 
from  the  burning,'  'vessels  of  reprobation,'  destined,  perhaps,  by  a  due  imitation  of  the 
'saints'  to  become  some  day  '  vessels  of  election,'  in  the  mean  time  to  be  unmercifully 
scourged  by  both  master  and  mistress  with  the  '  besom  of  righteousness,'  probabl}',  at  the 
slighte.st  fault  or  mistake."  ' 

The  eloquent  Jesuit  has  not  overdrawn  the  picture.  Among  all  the  sad 
episodes  in  the  history  of  Ireland,  the  expatriation  of  these  unforttmate  people 
has  no  equal.  Their  religion  was  their  only  crime.  To  eradicate  from  their 
tender  hearts  the  precious  seeds  of  faith  implanted  at  their  baptism,  the  merci- 
less agents  of  the  Briti.sh  Governiuent  found  "homes"  for  thousands  of  poor 
Irish  children  among  men  and  women  who  would  see  to  it  that  not  a  vestige 
of  Catholic  faith  remained  ;  and  in  robbing  them  of  their  dearest  treasure 
would  think  they  were  doing  a  service  to  God.     It  is  of  no  consequence  now 

'  ' '  The  Irish  Race  in  the  Past  and  Present, ' '  p.  3S5. 
'Sullivan's  "  Story  of  Ireland,"  p.  391. 
'  Thebaud's  "  Irish  Race,"  pp.  388-'89. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  39 

to  speculate  as  to  which  of  the  masters  was  the  more  cruel,  the  libertine 
tobacco  planter  of  the  West  Indies  or  the  rigorous,  narrow-minded  Puritan 
of  New  England.  Both  dealt  harshly,  mercilessly  with  the  faith  of  their 
white  slaves,  and  instilled  into  their  hearts  a  spirit  of  animosity  to  the  Catholic 
religion  that  is  discernible  even  in  the  descendants  of  these  hapless  exiles 
to-day. 

The  year  1652  was  a  dark  and  dolorous  one  for  inihappy  Ireland.  It  wit- 
nessed the  close  of  a  fierce  and  terrible  struggle  against  Cromwell,  "when," 
says  Mr.  Prendergast,  "there  took  place  a  scene  not  witnessed  in  Europe  since 
the  conquest  of  Spain  by  the  Vandals."  "Indeed,"  he  continues,  "  it  is  in- 
justice to  the  Vandals  to  equal  them  with  the  English  of  1652  ;  for  the  Van- 
dals came  as  strangers  and  conquerors  in  an  age  of  force  and  barbarism ;  nor 
did  they  banish  the  people,  though  they  seized  and  divided  their  lands  by  lot ; 
but  the  English  of  1652  were  of  the  same  nation  as  half  of  the  chief  families 
in  Ireland,  and  had  at  that  time  had  the  island  under  their  sway  for  five  hun- 
dred years."  ' 

To  Spain  were  banished  40,000  of  the  stoutest  arms  and  bravest  hearts 
of  the  Irish  soldiery.  Orphan  girls,  as  we  have  .seen,  were  sent  in  shiploads 
to  the  West  Indies,  while  upon  the  inhospitable  shores  of  New  England  were 
landed  thousands  of  both  tender  and  mature  age,  who  were  destined  to  eke 
out  an  unhappy  existence  among  a  people  "alien  in  race,  in  language  and  in 
religion." 

The  American  poet,  Longfellow,  has,  in  the  poem  of  "Evangeline," 
immortalized  the  story  of  Acadia.  How  many  a  heart  has  melted  into  pity, 
how  many  an  eye  has  filled  with  tears,  perusing  his  metrical  relation  of  the 
transplanting  and  dispersion  of  that  one  little  community  "on  the  shore  of 
the  basin  of  Minas  !  "  But,  alas  !  how  few  recall  or  realize  the  fact,  if,  indeed, 
aware  of  it  at  all — that  not  one.^  but  hundreds  of  such  dispersions,  infinitely 
more  tragical  and  more  romantic,  were  witnessed  in  Ireland  in  the  year  1654, 
when  in  every  hamlet  throughout  three  provinces  "  the  sentence  of  expulsion 
was  sped  from  door  to  door."  ^ 

The  seventeenth  century  closed  without  witnessing  any  cessation  from 
persecution  and  transportation.  Expatriation,  with  all  its  horrors,  continued. 
It  seemed  an  impossible  task  to  glut  the  hatred  of  the  British  government  for 
the  people  of  Ireland.  What  with  the  destruction  of  the  Catholic  faith,  the 
Bristol  and  other  rapacious  merchants  reaped  a  rich  harvest  from  the  continu- 
ation of  the  nefarious  traffic  ;  so  that  underlying  all  ostensible  reasons  for 
dealing  so  barbarously  with  the  Irish  people  were  the  motives  of  pecuniary 
profit  and  religious  perversion.  For  a  century  longer  English  vessels  were 
crowded  with  wretched  human  freight  which  they  carried  with  all  possible 
speed  to  distant  shores.  The  history  of  Ireland  during  this  long  period  is 
written  in  brutal  penal  enactments  against  the  Church  and  in  the  banish- 
ment of  her  children. 

And  Connecticut  became  the  scene  of  the  labors  of  many  of  these  wdiite 

'  Cromwcllian  Settlement  in  Ireland. 
^Sullivan's  ''Story  of  Ireland"  pp.  3S9-90. 


40  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

slaves.  "  The  purest  native  Celtic  blood  of  Ireland  was  to  be  infused  into  the 
primal  stock  of  the  American  people,"  for,  though  many  were  placed  on  a 
footing  with  the  slaves  from  Africa,  others  became  the  wives  of  their  Puritan 
masters  ;  and  some  of  those  who  now  proudly  boast  of  their  Puritan  lineage 
might  be  averse  to  admit  that  through  their  veins  courses  the  blood  of  some 
fair,  virtuous  and  healthy  young  Irish  woman,  whom  British  shijxjwners 
transported  for  a  monetary  consideration. 

Irish  i)eople  were  sold  as  slaves  in  Connecticut,  as  in  other  colonies  of 
New  England.  In  testimony  whereof  the  following  is  submitted  :  On  Janu- 
ary 5,  1764,  this  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Connecticut  Gazelle: 

"Just  Imported  from  Dublin  in  the  Brig  Darby,  A  Parcel  of  Irish  Ser%'ants,  both 
men  and  women,  and  to  be  sold  cheap  by  Israel  Boardman,  at  Stamford." 

Not  only  were  the  humble,  religious  homes  of  Ireland  robbed  of  their 
inmates  to  satisfy  the  avarice  of  British  agents  ;  the  very  prisons  were  scoured 
for  victims  and  emptied.  These  also  were  scattered  along  the  Atlantic  coast, 
some  of  whom  were  disposed  of  in  Connecticut. 

"The  brig  'Nancy,'  Captain  Robert  Winthrop,  of  Xew  London,  Conn., 
sailed  from  Dublin  in  June,  1788,  having  the  convicts  indentured  in  New 
Prison,  and  took  out  201.  The  vessel  arrived  in  the  middle  of  the  month  at 
New  Loudon.  He  disposed  of  some  there  by  sale  as  indentured  serv'ants,  and 
sent  the  remainder  to  market  in  the  ports  to  the  southward."  Truly,  a  godly 
business  for  pious,  God-fearing  Puritans. 

Another  vessel,  the  "Despatch,"  sought  to  land  1S3  Irish  exiles  at  Shel- 
bourne.  Nova  Scotia,  but  the  loyalists  having  prevented  the  di.sem1)arkation,  the 
captain  headed  his  ship  for  a  remote  and  unsettled  part  of  the  Bay  of  Machias, 
where  he  cast  adrift  his  wretched  pa.ssengers.  Those  who  survived  the  hard- 
ships of  that  experience  begged  their  way  through  the  New  England  and 
Southern  States,  telling  a  woeful  story  of  starvation  and  unchristian  treatment. 

Among  the  unfortunate  people  sold  at  New  London  was  Matthew  Lyon, 
a  native  of  the  Green  Isle.  He  was  a  "  Redeinptioner,"  or  one  who  was  sold 
into  service  by  the  captain  of  tlie  vessel  in  order  to  obtain  compensation  for 
his  passage.  He  was  destined  to  rise  to  eminence  in  the  land  that  first  gave 
him  a  slave's  home.  His  native  genius,  his  indomitable  pluck  and  energy, 
so  characteristic  of  his  race,  soon  broke  the  fetters  of  slavery  and  he  became 
a  free  man  in  what  was  to  be  a  free  country.  On  his  arrival  at  Xew  London 
he  was  bound  out  to  service  to  Jabez  Bacon,  of  Woodbury,  Conn.  Having 
remained  here  for  some  time  he  was  transferred  to  Hugh  Hannah,  of  Litch- 
field, the  consideration  being  a  pair  of  bulls,  whose  value  was  estimated  at 
sixty  dollars.  This  was  the  origin  of  his  famous  expression  of  later  years: 
"By  the  bulls  that  redeemed  me!"  From  servitude  he  advanced  steadily 
over  the  rugged  pathway  of  trials  and  hardships  to  positions  of  renown  and 
influence.  He  became  the  first  member  of  Congress  from  Vermont,  and  sub- 
sequently represented  Kentucky  in  the  National  House  of  Representatives. 
He  was  arrested  under  the  "  Alien  and  Sedition  "'  law,  and  fined,  but  Congress 
remitted  the  fine. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  41 

Not  all  the  Irish  who  reached  our  shores  in  the  eighteenth  century  were 
hunted  down  by  man-catchers  and  sold  b)-  British  agents  as  indentured 
slaves.  At  various  periods  of  this  century  there  came  to  America  thousands 
of  Irish  men  and  women,  voluntary  exiles,  who  were  heartsick  with  the 
intolerable  existence  they  were  compelled  to  undergo  "at  home."  They 
were  driven  from  the  Green  Isle  not  by  the  lash  of  the  man-hunter,  but  by 
the  force  of  circumstances  which  flowed  naturally  from  the  iniquitous  laws 
and  barbarous  treatment  of  former  years.  Insensibly,  but  none  the  less 
steadily,  did  this  exodus  begin  and  continue.  The  first  faint  traces  of  it  are 
discernible  in  1728.  At  first  the  emigration  was  confined  to  the  Protestants 
of  the  North.  Not  willingly  and  with  cheerful  hearts  buoyed  up  with  the 
prospects  of  a  prosperous  future  did  they  turn  their  faces  towards  the  young 
land  in  the  West.  Reluctantly  they  bade  farewell  to  the  old  land.  They,  as 
well  as  their  Catholic  fellow-countrymen,  were  gathering  the  bitter  fruits  of  a 
century's  baleful  legislation.     Matthew  O'Connor,  in  "Irish  Catholics,"  says: 

"The  suninier  of  1728  was  fatal.  The  heart  of  the  politician  was  steeled  against 
the  miseries  of  the  Catholics  ;  their  number  excited  his  jealousy.  Their  decrease  h\  the 
silent  waste  of  famine  must  have  been  a  source  of  secret  joj-  ;  but  the  Protestant  interest 
was  declining  in  a  proportionate  degree  by  the  ravages  of  starvation.  .  .  .  Thousands  of 
Protestants  took  shipping  in  Belfast  for  the  West  Indies.  .  .  .  The  policy  that  would 
starve  the  Catholics  at  home  would  not  deny  them  the  privilege  of  flight.  Nine  years 
later  multitudes  of  laborers  and  husbandmen  in  Ireland,  unable  to  procure  a  comfortable 
subsistence  for  their  families  in  their  native  land,  embarked  for  America." 

The  emigration  of  Irish  Catholics  in  any  considerable  numbers  began  to 
set  in  in  1762.  "No  resource  remained  (at  this  time)  to  the  peasantry  but 
emigration.  The  few  who  had  means  sought  an  asylum  in  the  American 
plantations.'"  New  England  received  a  goodly  share  of  this  output.  The 
Protestant  Irish  poured  into  the  Southern  and  Middle  States  chiefly,  while 
the  Catholics  .settled  principally  in  New  England,  though  many  found  a 
refuge  in  Maryland.  As  the  dominant  religion  in  all  the  colonies,  save  Mary- 
land for  a  time,  was  Protestant,  the  strangers  from  the  North  of  Ireland 
received  a  cordial  welcome.  They  felt  as  much  at  home  in  the  cheerless 
meeting-houses  of  the  colonies  as  in  their  churches  beyond  the  sea.  Religion 
was  the  bond  that  united  the  British  colonists  and  the  Irish  Presbyterians. 

Not  the  same  fared  the  Catholic  Irish.  They,  too,  had  strong  hands 
and  clear  brains.  They  were  willing  to  labor  in  order  to  wrest  from  the  soil 
its  hidden  treasures.  They  were  honest  and  feared  God  as  well  as  their 
Puritan  neighbors  ;  but  a  brand  was  upon  them,  a  cloud  over-shadowed  them. 
The  antipathy  that  burned  in  the  hearts  of  the  Puritan  and  Covenanter  in 
the  old  world  against  Catholics,  had  preceded  them  to  their  new  homes, 
and  they  found  themselves  the  same  objects  of  contempt  and  derision  as 
when  on  their  native  hillsides.  Love  of  their  neighbors,  much  less  love 
of  their  enemies,  was  not  a  prominent  trait  in  the  Puritan  character,  and 
though  religion  was  ostensibly  the  greatest  force  in  his  life,  it  produced 
but  little  fruit  in  charity.      He  contemplated  the  Catholic  Irishman  as  a 

'O'Connor's  "Irish  Calliolics." 


42  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  FN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

creature  of  inferior  clay,  a  being  to  be  religiously  contemned.  He  lived 
in  an  atmosphere  of  intolerance  of  even  the  ordinary  natural  rights  of 
Catholics.  The  English  colonists  of  other  States  had  no  finer  regard  for 
personal  rights  and  liberty  than  their  brethren  of  New  England.  In  New 
Jersey  "liberty  of  conscience  was  granted  to  all  but  Papists,"  '  says  Bancroft. 
In  1708  the  mild-mannered  Penn  forbade  Mass  to  be  said  in  Pennsylvania. 
Rhode  Island  at  first  granted  full  freedom  of  conscience,  but  after  1688  "in- 
terpolated into  the  statute  books  the  exclusion  of  Papists  from  the  established 
equality."  Religious  Massachusetts  generously  permitted  "every  form  of 
Christianity  except  the  Roman  Catholic."  In  the  Southern  colonies  a  State 
religion,  the  Angelican,  prevailed.  Bancroft  says  of  Maryland:  "The  Ro- 
man Catholics  alone  were  left  without  an  ally,  exposed  to  English  bigotry 
and  colonial  inju.stice.  They  alone  were  disfranchised  on  the  soil  which, 
long  before  Locke  pleaded  for  toleration,  or  Penn  for  religious  freedom,  they 
had  chosen,  not  as  their  own  asylum  only,  but,  with  Catholic  liberality,  as  the 
asylum  for  every  persecuted  sect.  In  the  land  which  Catholics  had  opened 
for  Protestants,  tlie  Catholic  was  the  sole  victim  of  Anglican  intolerance. 
Mass  might  not  be  said  publicly.  No  Catholic  priest  or  bishop  might  utter 
his  faith  in  a  voice  of  persuasion.  No  Catholic  might  teach  the  young.  If 
the  wayward  child  of  a  Papist  would  but  become  an  apostate  the  law  wrested 
for  him  from  his  parents  a  share  of  their  property.  .  .  .  Such  were  the  methods 
adopted  to  jjrevent  the  growth  of  Popery." 

And  what  of  Connecticut?  Was  she  more  liberal  than  her  sister  colo- 
nies? Hardly.  When  William  of  Orange  ascended  the  throne  his  loyal 
subjects  in  Connecticut  forwarded  him  an  address,  a  part  of  which  read  as 
follows :  "  Great  was  the  day  when  the  Lord  who  sitteth  upon  the  floods  did. 
divide  his  and  your  adversaries  like  the  waters  of  Jordan,  and  did  begin  to 
magnify  you  like  Joshua,  by  the  deliverance  of  the  English  dominions  from 
Popery  and  slavery."  The  Puritan's  predilection  for  scriptural  allusions  did 
not  preclude  the  use  of  offensive  combinations.  Popery  and  slavery  !  Evils 
of  great  heinousness  in  the  eyes  of  the  godly  Puritan. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  that  confronted  the  Irish  Catholic 
emigrant  as  he  stepped  upon  the  soil  of  .\merica.  Whithersoever  he  turned 
he  was  met  by  adherents  of  a  hostile  creed,  and  refused  the  privileges  of 
citizenship  unless  he  renounced  his  faith  and  affiliated  with  the  church  by 
law  established.  But,  notwithstanding  this  isolation  of  the  Catholic  Irish  in 
the  Colonies,  the  stream  of  emigration  continued  to  flow  steadily  westward. 
In  1 77 1  and  1772,  17,350  landed  on  our  .shores  from  Ireland.  In  August, 
1773,  3,500  emigrants  arrived  at  Philadelphia.  How  many  of  the.se  20,850 
emigrants  found  homes  in  New  England,  but  especially  in  Connecticut,  it  is 
impossible  at  the  present  time  to  say.  It  is  probable  they  scattered  over  all  the 
Colonies.  That  a  large  percentage  of  them  were  Catholics  we  infer  from  the 
fact  that  notwithstanding  their  numbers,  their  arrival  "had  no  tendency  to 
diminish  or  counteract  the  hostile  .sentiments  towards  Britain  which  were 
daily  gathering  force  in  America." 

''•  History  of  the  U.S." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD. 


43 


CHAPTER   IX. 
NAMES   THAT   SPEAK. 

'ROM  what  has  been  adduced  it  must  be  patent  to  the  reader  that  the 
Irish  were  in  Connecticut  in  respectable  numbers  very  early  in  our 
history.  Additional  evidence  is  found  in  the  many  names  that  have 
come  down  to  us  in  the  colonial  records  that  are  distinctively  Irish  ;  and 
while  there  is  no  direct,  local  evidence,  save  in  some  cases,  that  their  owners 
ever  knelt  before  Catholic  altars,  the  time  of  their  advent  here  and  the  places 
whence  they  emigrated  are  sufficient  proof  that  they  yielded  allegiance  to 
Holy  Mother  Church.  The  Protestants  of  Ireland  were  not  subjected  to  the 
barbarous  treatment  inflicted  on  their  Catholic  countrymen. 

Mingled  with  the  Irish  names  herewith  presented  are  those  of  other 
nations,  whose  children,  it  is  conceded,  are,  for  the  most  part,  at  least,  adhe- 
rents of  the  ancient  faith. 

It  is  not  claimed  that  the  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Irish  and 
other  foreign  people  in  Connecticut  in  colonial  times.  These  names  are 
here  given  to  teach  those  not  of  the  household  of  Catholic  faith  that  the 
brains  and  brawn  and  the  virtue  of  the  children  of  Ireland  and  other  Catholic 
nations  contributed,  as  well  as  others,  to  the  laying  strong  and  deep  of  the 
foundations  of  this  our  beloved  commonwealth. 

From  a  "  List  of  the  Settlers  in  New  Haven  from  the  Year  1639  to 
1645 :"  ' 


John  GriiSn, 
William  Gibbons, 
Timothy  Forde, 
John  Dyer, 
William  Harding, 
Timothy  Nash, 
Peter  jMallor}-, 


Thomas  Nash, 
John  Nash, 
Joseph  Nash, 
Anthony  Thompson, 
jMathew  Pierce, 
William  Russell, 
James  Russell, 


Mathew  Rowe, 
Ambrose  Sutton, 
John  Thompson, 
John  Vincon, 
Andrew  Ward, 
George  Ward, 
Thomas  Welch. 


In  1639  Dr.  Brian  Rosseter,  "  a  man  of  fine  education,"  was  the  first  town 
clerk  of  Windsor.  He  appears  in  Guilford  in  1652.  His  name  needs  no 
elucidation. 


Thomas  Dunn New  Haven,  1647 

John  Rilej' 1649 

Dr.  Chayes,  a  French  physician 

New  Haven,  1653 

Mr.  Benzio New  Haven,  1654 

Thomas  Stanton Stamford,  1654 


Lawrence  Ward Branford,  1654 

Thomas  Welch Milford,  1654 

John  Reynolds Norwich,  1655 

John  Mead Stamford,  1656 

John  Norton Branford,  1656 

Henry  Nicholson Stamford,  1656 


'  The  dates  appended  to  the  names  in  this  list  are  those  in  connection  with  which 
the  names  appear  in  the  records  from  which  the}'  are  taken.  In  the  majority  of  instances, 
the  persons  were  in  the  localities  assigned  much  earlier  than  the  dates  given. 


44 


THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 


Stephen  I'eirson Stamford,  1657 

Lawrence  Turner New  Haven,  1657 

Tliomas  Mullen 1657 

John  Kelly 1658 

Richard  Hughes New  Haven,  1659 

Robert  Poynere Stamford,  1660 

John  Corey 1660 

Daniel  I.ane New  London,  1661 

William  Gibbons New  Haven,  1662 

Thomas  Ford Milford,  1662 

Edward  Fanning Mystic,  1662 

ISIarj'  Reynolds Norwich,  1664 

George  Hylend Guilford,  1664 

William  Keene3'... New  London  (about)  1664 

Franchway  Bolgway '  1667 

Christopher  Crow Windsor,  1669 


Thomas  Ford Windsor,  1669 

Richard  Butler Stratford,  1669 

Hugh  Griffin "  1669 

William   Meade New  I^)ndon,  1669 

Thomas  Sha  (Shea),  Sr Stonington,  1669 

Thomas  Tracy Norwich,  1669 

John  Reynolds "         1669 

Timothy  Ford New  Haven,  1669 

Thomas  Welsh Milford,  1669 

Michael  Taiutor Branford,  1669 

Henry  Crean Guilford,  1669 

Andrew  Ward Killingworth,  1669 

William  Venteras 

Necolas  (Nicholas)  AcU* 

John  Kirby Middletown  (about)  1675-6 


The  following  record  shows  the  presence  in  Connecticut  of  a  Catholic,  a 
Spaniard,  in  1670.  He  was  held  as  a  slave  by  a  IMr.  Hill,  and  was  probably 
here  previous  to  this  year.  Kidnapping  was  not  unknown  in  those  devout 
days,  and  this  poor  Spaniard  may  have  been  the  victim  of  the  greed  of 
some  imscrupulous  ship-master.  The  record  is:  "  This  Court  doth  hereby 
impower  the  Court  at  New  London  to  examine  the  matter  concerning  Mr. 
Hill's  Spanyard,  and  if  it  doth  appeare  that  the  sayd  Spaniard  was  legally  pur- 
chassed,  then  the  sayd  Court  of  New  London  are  to  order  him  his  freedome, 
and  to  empower  some  person  to  take  order  for  his  transportation  home,  pro- 
vided what  is  reasonable  for  his  time  out  of  the  public  treasury  be  ordered  to 
Mr.  n\\\:'—Pub.  Rcc.  of  Conn.,  1665-1677. 


Richard  Jennings  and  Elizabeth 

Reynolds '  1678 

Thomas  Gould Hartford,  1677 

James  Reynolds "  1677 

John  Purdy Rye,  1679 

John  Ryly  (Reilly) 1681 

Jeremiah  Blake New  London,  1681 

Ambrose  Thompson 16S2 

Captain  Ohc-ly  (O'Healy) '  1682 

James  Kelly New  London,  16S2 

Margaret  Crow Windsor,  16S3 


Chris.  Crow "  1683 

John  Crow Middletown,  1683 

John  Nash New  Haven,  1683 

William  Dyer New  London,  '  1685 

Peter  Bradley "  "  1687 

Thos.  and  John  Butler...  " 

(about),  1680 

Owen  McCarty New  London,  1693 

Thomas  Mighill  (McGill) ^1696 

Peter  Demil 1703 

George  LeFevre New  London,  1705 


' ' '  The  Court  granted  liberty  to  Edward  Turner  to  assigne  over  his  right  in  Franch- 
way Bolgway,  his  French  boy,  to  any  such  per.son  in  this  colony  as  two  assistants  shall 
approve  of,  for  twelve  years  from  June  next." — General  Assembly-  held  at  Hartford, 
October,  1667.— "  Pub  Rec.  of  Conn.  Col.,"  1665-1677.,  p.  76. 

'They  were  married  "the  beginning  of  June,  1678."  They  were  both  emigrants 
from  Barbadoes.  Their  children's  names  were  Samuel,  Richard,  and  Elinor.— Caulkins' 
"  History  of  New  London." 

'  Ohely  was  captain  of  a  privateer. 

*  Dyer  was  Surveyor  General  of  the  plantation,  and  was  made  Deputy  Collector  and 
Searcher  for  Conn.,  ^larcli  9,  1695. 

'  Shipwright ;  had  his  building  yard  in  i6y6  near  the  F^ort  Land.—"  History  0/  Aew 
London." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD. 


45 


Daniel  Collins 1706 

Fergus  McDowell '  1709 

James  Poisson 1710 

Capt.  Rene  Grignon Norwich,  1710 

Peter  Crary 1710 

James  Welch 1710 

John  Collins  1711 

Daniel  Carroll 1711 

Thomas  Short New  London,  '  1712 

Thomas  Ennis 1714 

Joseph  Keeney 1714 

Mary  Corbitt 1715 

Joseph  Kell}- Norwich,  1716 

Thomas  Care\' Stamford,  1720 

Stephen  Boutenet New  Haven,  1720 

Joseph  Purd}' Stamford,  1723 

George  Chartres 1726 

William  McNall 1 

John  Lawson •    Union,  ^  1727 

James   Sherrer J 

Robert  Kennedj' Norwich,  1730 

Patrick  Streen  and  family Glaston- 

burj' 1731 

John  Creesej' (Crec3' ?  1 Woodbury,  1731 

Anthony  Demil  (D'Emile  ?).. Stamford,  1734 

John  Farlej' Ellington,  1734 

Richard  Rating  (Keating) New 

London 1736 

John  Hamilton New  London,  1736 

Dennis  Dehortee  (Dohertj') New- 
London 1736 

Daniel   Collins New  London  1736 


John  Nevil Glastonbury-, 

Henry  Delamore New  London, 

Thomas  Nash Fairfield  Co., 

Samuel  and  Sarah  Dalej' KillingU', 

John  Neal Danbury, 

Timothy  Bonticou New  Haven, 

Thomas  Thompson " 

Daniel  Russell " 

John  Row(e) " 

John  Ford Milford, 

Richard  Flynn Woodstock, 

Benjamin  Frizzel " 

Jeremiah  Kinney Windham  Co., 

John  Lane,  Jr Killingw-orth, 

Patt  O'Conele,  a  soldier  in  the  Crown 

Point  expedition 

John  McMunnun,  the  same 

David  Lacy Fairfield, 

James  Tracy Windham, 

James  McGunigle,  ist  lieutenant 

Patrick  Walsh,  adjutant 

Patrick  Thompson  and  Son New 

London * 

Dennis  IMaraugh  and  wife.. Coventry, '" 

John  Tully Sas'brook, 

John  Cochran 

Mr.   Kelly Simsbur}', 

Patrick  Butler Goshen, 

Stephen  Tracy New  London, 

Michael  Ball Colchester, 

Patrick  Fleming Waterbury , 

William  Larrows Stratford,  * 


1737 
1738 
1739 
1740 

1743 
1748 
1748 
1748 
1748 
1748 

1749 
1750 

•751 
1752 

1755 

1755 
1755 
1760 
1760 

1 761 

1767 
1769 
1769 
1769 
1770 
1770 
1770 
1770 
1770 


'  Alexander  de  Resseguie,  formerlj-  of  Ridgefield,  settled  in  Norwalk  in  1709.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  Dominigue  de  Resseguier,  who  in  1579  resigned  his  position  as 
Secular  Abbot  of  the  Church  of  St.  Afrodise  de  Beziers,  Languedoc. 

'Year  of  his  death.  Short  was  the  first  printer  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut. — 
'■'■History  of  Neiti  Londo7i,"  page  351. 

'The  founders  of  the  town  of  Union  and  were  from  Ireland. 

Rev.  Timotln-  Collins  was  ordained  a  minister,  June  19,  1723,  and  w^as  located  at 
Litchfield.  Dismissed  October  14,  1752.  He  was  of  Irish,  and,  probably,  of  Catholic 
parentage. 

In  1743  there  was  one  "  Papist  "  in  Stratford  ;  so  wrote  the  Rev.  Samuel  Johnson  to 
the  London  secretary  in  his  Notitia  Parochialis,  April  6th. 

*  Sellers  of  merchandise. 

^The  former  died  in  December,  1767;  the  latter  in  October.  Both  were  buried  from 
the  "  First  Church."  Married  December  29,  1763.  The  records  of  births,  baptisms  and 
marriages  of  the  First  Church,  Coventry,  contain  many  Irish  names  that  are  suggestive 
of  Catholic  antecedents,  as  John  W.  Murph}-,  Daniel,  Cornelius  and  Cornelia  Looniis, 
Elizabeth  Murphy,  Timoth}-  Dunmick,  Mary  Boynton,  Dennis  Maraugh,  Abraham  Col- 
lins, etc. 

'  Described  in  the  public  records  as  a  French  transient,  probably  one  of  the  Acadian 
exiles. 


46  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Louis  Cooley  (CouUie) '1770      John  Farlej- Hartford,  1772 

Michael  Magee Hartford,  1770  Morte   (Murtagh  or   Mortimer)  SuUi- 

Two  Catholics  in Simsbury,  '  1771  van New  London,'  1773 

Timothy  Roes Coventry,  1771       William  McCauley New  Haven,  1773 

Timothy  Reynolds Greenwich,  John  Lamb New  London,  '  1774 

lieutenant 1771      Frederick  Barene Waterbury,  1776 

Thomas  Fanning Groton,  captain,  1771       Captain  Richard  McCarthy New 

John  McDonald Hartford,  1772  London '  1779 

Daniel  Burns New  London,  1772      John  Meramble Woodbury,  '  1780 

Anna  Maloney "  1772      Mr.  Phillips Litchfield,  17S0 

William  Orr Hartford,  1772       Barney  Kinnej- New  London,  '  1781 

Patrick  Robertson New  London,  1772      Patrick  Ward Groton,  '  1781 

Captain  Callaghan "  1772      Timothy  Coleman Coventry,  1785 

'  On  record  as  a  French  captive  and  either  an  Acadian  or  one  of  the  prisoners  in  the 
wars  against  Cape  Breton. 

'■■Rev.  Mr.  Viets,  of  Simsbury,  Connecticut,  on  December  26,  1771,  wrote  to  Lon- 
don :  "  I  know  of  but  two  professed  Papi.sts  and  one  Deist  in  Symsbury.  All  of  them 
come  often  to  church,  and  one  of  the  Romans  lately  procured  me  to  baptize  one  of  his 
children,  and  behaved  with  much  devotion  during  the  occasion."  Hist.  P.  E.  Ck.  Conn., 
page  172. 

'Described  in  the  records  as  a  "  foreigner."  He  died  some  time  previous  to  1767. 
His  name  appeared  in  connection  with  a  note  for  /368,  which  he  held  against  a  certain 
David  McCullum,  of  St.  Croix.  Before  his  death  he  placed  the  note  in  the  hands  of  Wil- 
liam Potter,  at  whose  house  he  died.  The  result  was  considerable  litigation,  and  the  case 
was  finally  brought  before  the  General  As.sembly  for  adjudication.  "  Puh.  Rtc.  of  Conn.,'' 
Vol.  IX.,  p.  114. 

*  He  was  subsequently  captain  of  a  brig  called  the  "  Irish  Gimblet." 

In  the  list  of  names  of  the  persons  killed  by  the  British  troops  at  New  Haven,  July 
5  and  6,  1779,  is  that  ol  Jolui  Kennedy.     "  Hist,  and  Aniiquilics  of  New  Haven,"  p.  125. 

Lawrence  Sullh'an,  from  Connecticut,  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  Tsattle  of  Bunker 
Hill  and  was  released  Februarj'  24,  1776. 

At  the  period  of  the  American  Revolution,  James  Mooklar,  an  Irishman,  was  en- 
gaged in  business  on  Main  street,  Hartford.  He  was  a  barber  b3'  occupation,  and,  prob- 
ably the  first  to  follow  that  vocation  in  this  State.  His  shop  was  located  between  Cur- 
rier's cabinet  shop  and  a  school  house.  Adjoining  the  school  was  the  fir.st  Society  Meet- 
ing House.  The  first  printing  office  in  Hartford  was  in  a  room  over  Mooklar's  shop.  In 
this  oflice,  owned  bj-  Mr.  Green,  Mr.  George  Goodwin,  for  manj-  j-ears  the  senior  editor 
of  the  Hartford  Courant,  served  his  apprenticeship,  which  he  began  at  the  age  of  eight  or 
nine  years.  Almost  directly  opposite  Mooklar's  .shop  was  the  residence  of  John  Chene- 
vard,  a  Frenchman,  b}'  occupation  a  sea  captain.     "  Conn.  Hist.  Coll." 

^Wrecked  in  a  storm  ofT  Plum  Island,  May  27,  1779,  when  himself  and  five  sailors 
perished. 

"  Described  as  "  an  Irishman." 

'  Both  were  killed  at  the  massacre  of  Fort  Griswold  b}-  the  British,  1781. 

Kinney  was  buried  in  the  "  First  Ground,"  at  New  London.  Ward  was  a  lieuten- 
ant. His  remains  were  interred  in  the  '  Old  Ground,"  at  Poquonoc.  On  a  stone  over 
his  grave  was  inscribed  these  words  ; 

"  In  memory  of  Mr. 

Patrick  Ward,  who 

fell  a  victim  to 

British  cruelty  in  Fort 

Griswold,  Sept.  6lh 

1781  in  the  25th 

year  of  his  age." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  47 

Joseph  Manly Coventry,  17S6       Daniel  O'Brien New  London,  1795 

Patrick  Butler Hartford,  1793      John  Callahan "  "  1796 

Richard  Kearney New  London,  1793      Henry  McCabe "  "  1796 

Patrick  Thomas' John  Sweeney Hartford,  1799 

Joanne  (Jeanne)  Duboin Hartford,  '  1791       Patrick  Munn "  1799 

Daniel  Vibert East  Hartford,  179 1       Pierce  Marshall "  1799 

Pierce  O'Neil Sinisbury,  1793       Hugh  McFadden New  London,  1801 

vSignor  Rosetti Haftford,  ^  1794      John  McGinley "  "  1801 

Patrick  Lucas New  London,  1794      Michael  Dawley "  "  iSoi 

James  Mageness "  "  1794      Hugh  Ward "  "  1801 

John  Fogarty "  "  1794      John  ]\IcGuire Pomfret,  iSoi 

The  son  of  a  Mrs.  Garvan 1794      John  Conley Glastonbur3',  1801 

Timoth}'  Gurley  and  Marj'  Mead  •    Terrance  O'Brien New  London,  *  1804 


Coventry,  '1794  Captain  O'Brien. 

Widow  O'Brien New  Haven,  1794  Captain  Hale}' ... 

Brian  Doughert}' West  Hartford,  1794      John  Quinn 

John  O'Brien New  London,  1795      John  Burke 

Nancy  O'Brien "  "  1795      John  Owen 


1S04 

1804 

'  1804 

'1804 

'1804 


'  In  the  li^t  of  expenses  paid  by  Connecticut  for  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga  and 
adjacent  posts  occurs  the  name  of  an  Irishman,  and,  no  doubt,  a  Catholic  :  "  To  Patrick 
Thomas,  for  boarding  prisoners,  £\.  5s."     "  Rev.  IVar.''  III.,  p.  663. 

On  July  2,  178S,  Captain  Chapman,  with  nine  emigrants  from  Ireland,  were  drowned 
a  short  distance  from  the  shore  of  Fisher's  Island.  He  had  just  arrived  with  about  twenty 
emigrants,  some  of  whom  were  ill.  In  attempting  to  land  them  at. a  spot  where  they 
were  to  be  placed  in  quarantine,  the}'  all  perished. 

The  Schooner  "  St.  Joseph,"  Captain  Thomas  Guion  of  Hartford,  left  Cape  Francois, 
1790.     This  captain  was  undoubtedly  .a  Catholic. 

Arrived  Mrs.  Hall  and  ]\Ir.  Keating  in  Brig  "  Patty  "  from  Dublin,  August,  1790,  at 
New  London.  The  Brig  "  Patt}'  "  was  advertised  as  sailing  from  New  Haven  bound  for 
"  Vear  Ireland." 

Died  at  Cork  in  Ireland,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1791,  Captain  Forbes,  in  the  58th  year 
of  his  age.  He  was  a  native  of  Hartford,  but  had  resided  in  Ireland  for  many  years 
previous  to  his  death. 

Major  John  Byrne,  Norwich,  1790 — was  a  printer.  About  this  time  he  went  to 
Windham,  where  he  began  the  publication  of  the  Phccnix,  or  Windliam  Herald.  In  1795 
he  was  the  postmaster  of  Woodstock,  and  in  1807  a  rnember  of  the  Aqueduct  Company 
of  Windham. 

^  Was  from  St.  Domingo,  and  was  buried  from  North  Church,  Hartford. 

'An  Italian  miniature  painter. 

< Married  March  6th,  in  "First  Church,"  Coventry. 

^From  the  Connecticut  Gazette. — Mr.  Terrance  O'Brien,  a  native  of  Ireland,  but  who 
had  been  a  resident  of  New  Haven  for  several  years  past,  was  set  upon  in  New  London 
harbor  by  a  Lewis  Willcox  and  severely  "  maimed  and  bruised."  Willcox  was  imprisoned 
at  Simsbury,  for  six  years,  in  October,  1804. 

"The  Gazette  of  Nov.  28,  1804,  has  this  advertisement:  "John  Quinn,  a  tailor,  offers 
to  make  a  coat  for  2  dollars,  a  great  coat  for  i  dollar  and  50  cents,  pantaloons  for  i  dollar, 
a  vest  for  75  cents.  He  will  cut  a  coat  for  42  cents,  a  pantaloons  for  17  cents  and  a  vest 
for  17  cents." 

'  Married  at  Hebron,  October  17,  1S04,  to  Sally  'Xlvctx^W.— Gazette. 

*"  Oct.  24,  1S04.  Married  at  Port  Principe,  Cuba,  Mr.  John  Owen,  of  New  London, 
to  Dona  Maria  del  Rosario  de  Quesuada." — Ibid. 


48  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Don  Joseph  Wiseman. ..New  London,  '1804  John  Mj-nean  (Moj'nihan) 

William  Kelly "  "  1805  New  Ix)ndon,  180^ 

William  Burke "  "  1805  Benjamin  Sullivan "  "  1805 

Joseph  Healy "  "  1805 

From  lists  of  advertised  letters  published  in  the  Connecticut  Gazette 
between  1793  and  1797,  I  have  copied  some  names  that  indicate  the  residence 
of  a  number  of  Catholics  in  New  London  in  those  years.  The  names  following 
with  those  given  elsewhere  show  that  a  respectable  congregation  of  Catholics 
could  have  been  assembled  in  that  town  during  the  closing  years  of  the 
eighteenth  century- : 

October  7,  1793: — Charles  Bassentene,  M.  Chevalier,  M.  Contage,  Mons.  Dechans, 
M.  Dupor,  MM.  DelpuU  and  Lilet,  Louis  Mamene,  ]SL  Ressaud,  M.  Raydessile.  Peter 
Doyle,  Richard  Kernej'. 

April  24,  1794: — Le  Comte  de  Bannay,  M.  Pierre,  M.  Saudrey.  iL  Peterin,  M.  Icara, 
July  14th. 

January  21,  1796: — M.  Dutue,  Madam  de  Leger,  ^L  K.  le  Vergeul,  John  Malouey. 

January  16,  1797: — NL  Godefrov,  M.  Bennoi  Ltcroi.x. 

July  1st : — M.  Mauconduit,  I\L  Dupony,  Richard  Brenuan,  Pardon  Ryon  (Rj-an). 

The  following  names  taken  from,  tombstone  inscriptions  indicate  probable 
Catholic  descent: 

From  New  Haven  :  — 

Peter  Perit,  died  April  8,  1791,     Aged  84. 
Thaddeus  Perit,  died  August  3,  1806.     Aged  51. 
Anthony  Perit,  died  Jul\-  15,  1816.     Aged  72. 

From   Guilford : — 

Mrs.  Dorothy  Breed,  died  Sept.  3,  1777.     Aged  48. 
Daughter  of  Patrick  McLaren,  of  Middletown. 
She  was  born  Sept.  25,  1728:  died  at  Branford. 

If  names  be  any  criterion  upon  which  to  base  a  judgment,  the  above 
list  may  be  summoned  as  evidence  that  Catholics  were  a  numerous,  though 
a  scattered  body,  in  Connecticut  upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
ago.  With  some  exceptions,  these  names  are  redolent  of  the  Green  Isle 
and  deeply  suggestive  of  the  faith  preached  by  Ireland's  glorious  apos- 
tle. Like  thousands  of  their  fellow-couutrjineu  since,  they  maj-  have 
voluntarily  fled  from  the  despots  that  were  spreading  desolation  broadcast 
over  their  beloved  native  land  ;  or,  what  is  more  probable,  they,  or  some 
of  them,  may  have  been  among  the  hapless  exiles  whom  the  cruelty  of  Crom- 
well, and  Ireton,  and  Ludlow,  deported  to  the  shores  of  the  New  World. 
Their  names  exhale  a  Catholic  fragrance.  They  have  nought  in  common 
with  Covenanter  or  Puritan.  Strangers  in  a  strange  land,  but  with  faith 
deeply  implanted  in  hearts  loyal  to  holy  church,  recognizing  the  existence  of 

'This  note  appears  in  the  Gazelle  of  June  24,  1804: 

Don  Jo.seph  Wiseman,  "  Vice  Consule  de  L.  M  C.  para  los  estados  de  Rhode  Island, 
Connecticut,  Massachusetts, New  Hampshire  et  Vermont,  "communicates certain  inform- 
ation to  the  public  from  Newport."  It  is  nol  imi)robable  that  this  Spanish  oflicial  was  a 
relative  of  Cardinal  Wiseman,  who  was  born  at  Seville  of  an  Irish  family  who  settled  in 
Spain. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  49 

a  life  beyond  the  grave  and  fully  conscious  of  the  responsibilities  of  the  pre- 
sent life,  we  may  fondly  cherish  the  belief  that  in  the  midst  of  trials  and 
sorrows  they  held  fast  to  the  faith  of  their  fathers,  though  deprived  of  the 
salutary  ministrations  of  its  anointed  teachers.  If  they  were  disciples  of  the 
ancient  faith,  and  I  believe  they  were,  they  lived,  moved  and  had  their 
spiritual  being  without  the  consoling  presence  of  their  spiritual  guides  and 
deprived  of  all  the  consolations  of  religion,  save  those  that  come  from  faith- 
ful adherence  to  the  teachings  of  childhood.  And  what  a  trial  this  must 
have  been  to  the  devoted,  loyal  Catholic  heart!  But,  all  circumstances  con- 
sidered, we  may,  and  not  without  reason,  fear  that  some  of  them  parted  com- 
pany with  their  spiritual  mother,  the  church,  and  formed  other  affiliations. 
Deprived  of  the  joy,  and  strength,  and  encouragement  which  the  presence  of 
a  priest  ever  inspires  in  the  faithful  Catholic,  living  in  the  midst  of  a  people 
deeply  hostile  to  the  old  faith,  environed  by  influences  that  tended  to  chill, 
if  not  to  utterly  destroy,  Catholic  fervor,  it  would  not  be  surprising,  humanly 
speaking,  if  some  unfortunates  wandered  from  the  fold  into  strange  pastures. 

But  I  am  not  of  the  number  who  believe  that  the  early  Irish  Catholic 
immigrants  went  over  in  large  numbers  to  Protestantism  or  lapsed  into  in- 
fidelity. Notwithstanding  the  influences  by  which  they  were  surrounded,  I 
am  convinced  that  the  vast  majority  of  our  immigrant  ancestors  sturdily 
maintained  intact  the  priceless  gift  of  faith.  They  had  suffered  too  severely 
on  account  of  their  religion  to  surrender  it  easily.  The  Puritans  of  New 
England,  whose  antipathy  to  Catholics  and  the  Catholic  church  was  deeply 
rooted  and  inexplicable,  were  not  more  successful  in  their  assaults  upon  the 
strongholds  of  faith  erected  in  their  hearts  than  were  Cromwell  and  his  suc- 
cessors. "  The  immigrants  themselves  never  lost  the  faith.  Although 
living  for  years  without  any  exterior  help,  without  receiving  a  word  of  in- 
struction or  advice,  without  the  celebration  of  any  religious  rite  whatever,  or 
the  reception  of  any  sacrament,  yet  faith  was  too  deeply  rooted  in  tlieir 
minds  and  hearts  to  be  ever  eradicated,  or  shaken  even. 

"  But  though  they  themselves  clung  fast  to  their  faith  in  the  midst  of  so 
many  adverse  circumstances,  what  of  their  children  ? 

"  There  is  no  doubt  that  many  of  them  did,  individually,  everything 
possible  to  transmit  that  faith  to  their  children ;  but  all  they  could  do  was  to 
speak  privately,  to  warn  them  against  dangers,  and  set  up  before  them  the 
example  of  a  blameless  life.  Not  only  was  there  no  priest  to  initiate  them 
into  the  mysteries  granted  by  Christ  to  the  redeemed  soul ;  there  was  not 
even  a  Catholic  schoolmaster  to  instruct  them.  Even  the  '  Hedge  School ' 
could  not  be  set  on  foot.  Books  were  unknown;  Catholic  literature,  in  the 
modern  sense,  had  not  yet  been  born;  there  was  no  vestige  of  such  a  thing 
beyond,  perhaps,  an  occasional  old,  worn,  and  torn,  yet  deeply  prized  and 
carefully  concealed  prayer-book,  dating  from  the  happy  days  of  the  Con- 
federation of  Kilkenny." ' 

These  pathetic  words  find  corroboration  in  the  Birth  and  Marriage  Records 

'  Thebauds  "  Irish  Race." 
11— 4 


50  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  the  Colonies.  They  bear  witness  to  the  not  unfrequent  union  of  Catholic  and 
Puritan  names ;  and  these  unions  were  contracted  not  in  the  presence  and 
with  the  blessing  of  the  priest,  but  in  accordance  with  the  formulas  of  the 
religion  by  law  established.  The  children  of  these  marriages  were  re- 
generated, if  at  all,  by  waters  poured  by  other  than  anointed  hands.  Xo 
bishop  was  here  to  sign  their  foreheads  with  the  chrism  of  salvation,  nor  was 
there  for  them  the  gladsome  day  of  first  communion.  They  saw  no  sacred 
enclosure  in  wliich  the  prodigal  might  with  .sorrow  kneel  and  humbly  peti- 
tion for  the  blessing  and  mercy  of  his  heavenly  Father.  The  sick  went  out 
from  life  unshriven  and  unanointed,  and  the  dead  were  consigned  to  the 
grave  with  no  solemn  chant  or  liturgy,  with  no  lights,  or  incense,  or  holy 
water,  and  with  no  lips — save  in  secret — to  breathe  forth  a  prayer  for  the 
eternal  repo.se  of  their  .souls.  "There  is  no  reason,  then,  for  surprise  in  the 
fact  that,  although  the  families  of  the.se  first  Irish  settlers  were  numerous  and 
scattered  over  all  the  district  which  afterward  became  the  Middle  and 
Southern  States,  only  a  faint  tradition  remained  among  many  of  them  that 
they  reallv  belonged  to  the  old  church  and  '  ought  to  be  Catholics.'  " 

The  religious  atmosphere  that  permeated  the  New  England  Colonies  was 
deleterious,  not  merely  to  the  growth,  but  even  to  the  preservation  of  the 
Catholic  .spirit ;  and  if  defections  are  to  be  recorded,  they  are  attributable  not 
to  any  desire  to  surrender  the  ancient  faith  and  yield  assent  to  strange  doc- 
trines, but  solely  to  the  ab.sence  of  all  those  spiritual  influences  so  dearly 
cherished  by  their  ancestors. 

CHAPTER   X. 

EVIDENCES   OF   EARLY   CATHOLICS. 

IX  the  following  pages  we  shall  submit  detailed  evidence  that  Catholics 
were  both  transient  and  permanent  residents  in  Connecticut  in  very 
early  times.  The  public  records  furnish  abundant  testimony  that  the 
Irish,  French,  Spanish  and  Portuguese  not  only  were  frequent  visitors 
to  our  harbors  as  traders  with  the  colonists,  but  that  many  of  them  found  here 
permanent  homes.  We  shall  witness  a  large  number  coming  within  our 
borders  under  compulsion  and  residing  in  homes  that  were  not  their  own. 
Brought  hither  by  the  cruel  fortunes  of  war,  they  were  compelled  to  employ 
their  God-given  faculties  of  mind  and  body  to  increase  the  worldly  possessions 
of  men  who  had  no  claim  whatever  upon  their  services;  and  the  sole  com- 
pensation for  their  toil  were  the  crumbs  that  fell  from  their  masters'  tables. 
The  unchristian  manner  in  which  they  were  disposed  of  is  a  melancholy  com- 
mentary on  the  animus  then  prevalent  against  Catholics  and  throws  a  flood 
of  light  on  the  anti-Catholic  legislation  of  that  period  of  our  history. 

Though  the  facts  which  we  shall  now  present  to  the  reader  have  no  con- 
nection with  one  another,  they  are  set  down  as  events  worthy  of  preservation. 
In  1662  a  French  family,  Modlin  by  name,  appears  in  the  town  records 
of   Stratford.     They  were  in  straitened   circumstances,  but   the   means  em- 
oloyed    to   mitigate  their  sad  condition   were   not    in   accordance  with   the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  51 

methods  that  now  prevail  iu  similar  circumstances.      The  following  entry, 
extracted  from  the  Stratford  Town  Records,  tells  a  plaintive  story  : 

"  This  indenture  made  the  24th  of  June,  1662,  vvitnesseth  that  we  the  townsmen  of 
Stratford  upon  good  and  serious  considerations  moving  us  thereunto,  doe  bind  out  one 
Modlin,  a  little  girl  about  six  3'earsof  age.that  formerly  did  belong  to  a  Frenchman  that 
was  in  necessity  upon  the  town  of  Stratford  ;  we  say,  to  John  Minor  of  Stratford,  to  him, 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  till  the  aforesaid  girl  shall  attayne  the  age  of  twenty-one  years ; 
we  say  we  bind  her  with  her  father's  consent  ;  also  a  lawful  apprentice  to  the  aforesaid 
John  Minor  till  the  aforesaid  term  of  tyme  shall  be  fully  and  completely  ended. 

"  The  aforesaid  John  Minor  engages  to  provide  her  with  apparel  and  diet  and  bed- 
ding as  may  be  suitable  for  such  an  apprentice. 

"That  this  is  our  act  and  deed,  and  witnessed  by  subscribing  the  day  and  date 
above  written. 

"  Richard  Booth,  John  Brinsmade,    ~1 

"  William  Curtis,  Caleb  Nicholas,     [-  Townsmen." 

"Jeremiah  Judson.  J 

In  the  same  records  we  find  evidence  of  the  presence  in  Stratford  in  1679 
of  an  Irishman  bearing  the  familiar  name  of  Daniel  Collins.  In  the  local 
legislation,  of  which  he  was  the  object,  he  was  the  victim,  probably,  of  a  law 
then  in  vogue,  forbidding  unmarried  young  men  to  keep  house  by  themselves, 
and  prohibiting  masters  of  families  giving  them  entertainment :' 

"  Memoranda,  that  upon  the  29th  day  of  September,  1679,  Sergt.  Jeremiah  Judson, 
constable,  b\-  order  of  the  Selectmen  was  sent  and  forewarned  Phillip  Denman  and  his 
mate  Collins  out  of  the  town  or  from  settling  or  abiding  in  any  part  of  our  bounds. 

"  And  upon  the  12th  of  November,  1679,  Pbillip  Denman  and  Daniel  Collins  b}'  the 
townsmen,  were  warned  as  above." 

In  1679  the  English  Committee  for  Trade  and  Foreign  Plantations  wrote 
to  Governor  lyCete  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  requesting  him  "to  trans- 
mit a  clear  and  full  account  of  the  present  state  of  said  Colony."  Among 
the  queries  propounded  was  this:  "What  number  of  Privateers  or  Pyratts 
do  frequent  your  coast?"  Governor  Leete  replied:  "It  is  rare  that  ever 
comes  any  here  on  these  dangerous  coasts,  only  about  two  years  agoe  there 
came  a  French  Captain  called  Lamoine'  with  3  ships,  one  of  which  wintered 
at  New  London,  and  in  ye  Spring  went  off  to  sea ;  {and  one  of  them  he 
carry ed  to  Yorke;  the  other  was  sunk  at  Yorkey)^ 

The  ship  that  "wintered  at  New  London  "  was  in  command  of  Captain 
Lamoine,  and  was  a  man-of-war.  As  it  was  customary  for  ships  of  war  of 
France  and  other  Catholic  countries  to  carry  chaplains,  we  may  infer  that  the 
captain  and  his  crew  during  their  winter's  sojourn  at  New  London  experienced 
the  consolations  of  assisting  at  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  and  of  receiving 
the  precious  graces  of  the  sacraments. 

'  See  p.  35. 

^"  About  fifteen  years  ago,"  wrote  Edw.  Randolph  to  the  Lords  of  Committee  in 
May,  1689,  "  Captain  I'Moin,  a  Frenchman,  brought  in  two  or  three  very  rich  Dutch 
prizes  worth  above  one  hundred  thousand  pounds."  "  Documents  rel.  to  Hist,  of  N.  Y.," 
III.,  582. 

'  "Colonial  Records  of  Conn.,"  1678-1689,  p.  296. 


52  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Tlie  most  prominent  Catholic  layman  to  visit  Connecticut  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  was  Colonel  Thomas  Dongan,  Governor  of  the  colony  of  New 
York.  He  came  to  ^Milford  in  1685  to  confer  with  Governor  Treat  concern- 
ing the  eastern  boundary  line  between  the  two  colonies.  Commissioners  had 
been  appointed  by  New  York  and  Connecticut  to  adjust  the  boundaries, 
and  their  report  had  been  submitted.  On  February  23d  their  agreement 
received  the  signatures  of  the  two  governors  in  ratification.  During  his 
brief  stay  in  Milford  Governor  Dongan,  whom  Governor  Treat  called  "a 
noble  gentleman,"  was  the  recipient  of  honors  befitting  his  high  station, 
as  appears  from  a  curious  item  in  the  Public  Records  of  Connecticut^  ^lay, 
1685  : 

"This  Court  grants  Sam"  Adkins  five  pounds,  as  their  charity  towards 
the  damage  he  received  in  shooting  of  a  great  gun  when  Gov.  Dcjugan  was 
last  at  Milford." 

In  1700  a  party  of  Frenchmen  traveled  through  the  State  from  Milford  to 
Albany.  This  was  probably  the  Canadian  embassy  which  arrived  at  the  Onon- 
daga Castle  July  24,  1700.  Its  object  was  to  adju.st  some  differences  that  had 
arisen  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians.  The  embassy  comprised  Mons. 
de  Maricourt,  Rev.  Father  Rrouyas,  a  Jesuit,  and  eight  others,  some  of  whom 
were  officers.  Maricourt  was  one  of  the  principal  men  of  Canada.  He  and 
Father  Brouyas  were  familiar  with  the  Indian  languages.'  While  in  Con- 
necticut the  embassy  were  the  guests  of  the  colony,  as  we  learn  from  the  fol- 
lowing enactment  of  May,  1700: 

"  Ordered  by  this  Assembly,  etc.,  That  the  charges  expended  about  the  French-meiis 
entertainm'  that  travailed  from  Milford  towards  Albanie  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury 
of  the  Colonic,  so  farre  as  the  bills  signd  correspond  with  the  law." 

On  August  3,  1704,  New  London  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  fear  by 
the  appearance  of  a  great  ship  and  two  sloops,  said  to  be  seen  at  Block 
Island,  and  supposed  to  be  French."  If  these  vessels  were  French  men- 
of-war,  they  were  officered  and  manned  by  Catholics  and  Catholic  devotions 
were  practiced. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governor  and  Council  at  New  London,  November 
II,  1710,  it  was  ordered  that  the  Commissary,  Richard  Christophers,  pay  to 
folui  Lane,  of  Middletown,  a  soldier  in  the  expedition  against  Port  Royal, 
for  his  extraordinary  care  and  service  in  tending  several  sick  soldiers,  the  sum 
of  twenty  shillings. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  .same  Council  on  November  iSth  the  Commi.ssary 
was  ordered  to  pa\-  to  Simon  Miirfe  twelve  shillings  as  part  of  his  wages  as  a 
sailor  on  board  the  "  Mary  Gaily,"  one  of  the  colony's  transports  in  the  same 
expedition.' 

Lane  and  Murfe  (Murphy)  are  familiar  names,  and  there  should  be  no 
difficulty  in  establishing  their  origin. 

^  Doc.  rcl.  to  Col.  Hist,  of  N.  }'.,  Vol.  IV. 

^  Caul  kins'  Hist,  of  Ne7v  London. 

'^  Council  Journal  of  Conn.,  1710,  pp.  191-192. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  53 

The  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  the  Council  in  New  London,  February 
17,  1710,  contain  this  interesting  item  ; 

"Two  Frenchmen,  with  six  attendants,  who  came  from  Canada,  in  company  with 
Major  Leviugstone,  with  a  message  from  the  Governour  of  Canada  to  the  Governour  of 
Massachusetts,  came  to  this  place  the  last  night  ;  for  whom  it  was  ordered  that  eight 
horses  be  provided  at  the  Colonj''s  charge,  to  carry  them  into  the  government  of  Rhoad 
Island,  and  that  their  necessary  charges  while  they  are  in  this  place  and  upon  the  road, 
until  they  get  into  the  government  of  Rhoad  Island  be  also  defra3-ed  by  the  Colony."  ' 

The  two  envoys,  Messrs.  Dnpius  and  Rouville,  one  of  whom  was  proba- 
bly a  priest, "  and  retinue,  were  Catholics.  Their  itinerary  included  also 
Hartford  and  Colchester.  The  expenses  incurred  by  their  sojourn  were  borne 
by  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  as  we  gather  from  the  records  : 

"  Ordert-d,  that  the  treasurer  paj'  out  of  Colonj''s  money  unto  Captain  John  Prentts 
the  sum  of  nine  pounds  thirteen  shillings,  which  is  granted  him  upon  the  account  of  the 
French  messengers  from  the  Governour  of  Canada,  their  entertainment  at  his  house.' 

The  visit  of  the  envoys  to  Hartford  entailed  expense  as  follows  : 

"March  19th,  1710-11. 

"  To  Thomas  Jiggels  of  New  London,  for  the  bearing  and  paj-ing  the  charge  of  him- 
self John  Plumb,  and  the  ten  horses  the3'  came  hither  with  on  the  nth  instant  to  bring 
the  French  gentlemen,  viz.,  their  charges  in  going  back  to  New  London,  £a.  12.  00."  * 

In  17 1 7,  Rene  Cossitt,'  or  Cossit,  or  Cossette,  a  Frenchman,  settled  at 
Granby,  Connecticut.  He  was  born  in  France,  about  the  year  1690,  in  the 
Place  Vendome,  it  is  said,  and  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Paris. 
After  a  visit  to  Three  Rivers,  in  Canada,  he  reached  New  Haven,  where  he 
met  Ruth  Porter,  whom  he  subsequently  married.  She  accepted  Cossitt  on 
the  condition  that  he  would  never  return  to  France.  He  was  educated  a 
Catholic,  but  after  his  marriage  united  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
Cossitt  purchased  land  in  Simsbury  in  1725.  His  death  occurred  August  11, 
1752.' 

At  this  distance  of  time  it  is  idle  to  speculate  as  to  the  causes  that  led  to 
Rene  Cossitt' s  defection  from  the  faith  of  his  ancestors.  The  absence  of 
priests,  the  dearth  of  Catholic  neighbors,  the  total  lack  of  Catholic  influ- 
ences and  the  spirit  of  hostility  to  Catholics  then  prevalent,  as  exemplified  in 
vicious  legislation,  were,  no  doubt,  among  the  causes  that  led  many,  at  least 
into  material  apostasy.  The  anti-Catholic  spirit  was  particularly  active  in 
Cossitt's  home.  In  December,  1741,  it  was  voted  at  Simsbury  "that  any 
orthodox  minister  who  has  a  right  to  preach  the  gospel,  may,  upon  the  desire 
of  any  considerable  ntimber  of  persons,  with  the  consent  of  two  of  the  Society's 

'  "Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  1706-1716,  p.  197. 

-  It  was  customary  with  the  government  of  Canada  to  appoint  a  priest  on  all  embas- 
sies of  importance. 

'  "  Pub.  Rcc.  of  Co7tn.,"  1706-1716,  p.  ig8. 

*  "  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn."   1706-1716,  p.  202. 

'"  "  The  Cossitt  Family,"  by  Pearl  S.  Cossitt,  pp.  6,  7. 

^Phelps'  "-History  of  Simsbury,  Granby  and  Canton,"  from  1642  to  1845,  makes  no 
allusion  whatever  to  Cossitt. 


54  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  XEW  ENGLAND. 

Committee,  have  liberty  to  preach  in  the  meeting-house  on  any  day,  not  dis- 
turbing any  other  religious  meeting  otherwise  orderly  established."  At  a 
subsequent  meeting  "'popish  priests"  were  excluded  from  this  license.' 

In  the  case  of  Rene  Cossitt  there  was  the  additional  cause  of  perversion 
in  his  marriage  with  a  member  of  a  hostile  church  conditional  upon  the 
complete  severance  of  the  ties  that  bound  him  to  the  tender  and  sacred  influ- 
ences and  scenes  of  his  youth,  where,  no  doubt,  like  other  French  children 
of  his  age,  he  had  received  his  first  Holy  Communion  and  had  been  enrolled 
among  the  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ  in  Confirmation  by  the  venerable  Cardinal 
de  Noailles,  Archbishop  of  Paris. 

An  interesting  entry  is  found  in  tlie  marriage  records  of  New  London  : 

"Allan  Mullins'  chinirgeou  (surgeon)  son  of  Doctor  Alexander  Mullins  of  Gahvay 
Ireland,  was  married  to  Abigail,  daughter  of  John    Butler,  of  New  I/^ndon,  April  8th, 

1725." 

There  are  reasons  to  believe  that  the  parties  to  this  marriage  were  Catho- 
lics, or,  at  least,  of  Catholic  descent. 

About  three  miles  from  New  London,  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  lies 
the  town  of  Waterford,  whose  first  settlers  were  Thomas  and  John  Butler, 
about  1 68 1.  The  name  of  Waterford  was,  no  doubt,  given  to  their  new  home 
in  honor  of  the  old,  the  beautiful  cit}'  on  the  banks  of  the  Suir.  As  the  pop- 
ulation of  the  Irish  city  was  then,  as  now,  overwhelmingly  Catholic,  it  is  not 
unreasonable  to  infer  that  the  founders  of  the  Connecticut  Waterford  were 
Irish  Catholics.  Thomas  Butler  died  December  20,  1701,  aged  59  years; 
John  Butler  died  March  26,  1733,  aged  80  years.  "Very  few  of  the  descend- 
ants of  Thomas  and  John  Butler  are  now  (1852)  found  in  the  vicinity  ;  but 
the  hills  and  crags  have  been  charged  to  keep  their  name,  and  they  have 
hitherto  been  faithful  to  their  trust.  In  the  western  part  of  Waterford  is  a 
sterile,  hard-favored  district,  with  abrupt  hills,  and  more  stone  and  rock  tlian 
soil,  which  is  locally  called  Butlcr-Toioi,  a  name  derived  from  this  ancient 
family  of  Butlers."-^ 

CHAPTER   XI. 
FRENCH   PRISONERS   IN    CONNECTICUT. 

fHK  wars  waged  by  the  English  against  the  P'rench  were  instrumental 
in  increasing  the  Catholic  population  of  Connecticut.  Tlie  victors 
returned  with  many  of  the  vanquished.  The  conquered  were  to  wit- 
ness no  generosity ;  experience  no  magnanimity  from  their  conquerors.  Their 
cup  of  humiliation  was  full ;  they  must  drain  its  very  dregs. 

When  Cape  Breton,  which  now  forms  part  of  Nova  Scotia,  was  taken  by 
the  English  in  1745,  a  number  of  French  prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Connecticut   troops,  and  were  subsequently  brought   into  the  State.     They 

'  Phelps'  "History  of  Simsbury,"  p.  167. 

^Mullins'  name   appears   afterwards  as  Master  in  the   "  Bartlett  School"  of  New 
London  for  the  year  1734.     "  Hist.  0/  New  London." 
'  "  J  list,  of  New  London." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  55 

were  domiciled  at  New  Haven  in  July,  174S,  in  the  custody  of  Samuel  Miles, 
captain  of  one  of  the  Colony's  transports.  As  no  provisions  had  been  made 
for  the  support  or  disposal  of  prisoners  of  war,  the  General  Assembly  in  July, 
1745,  directed  Miles  to  transfer  the  prisoners  to  the  custody  of  Joseph  Whit- 
ing, Esq.,  who  was  empowered  to  bind  out  to  service  such  of  the  prisoners  as 
were  willing  to  labor  at  such  places  and  with  such  persons  as  would  seem  to 
him  proper.  The  prisoners,  however,  who  were  unwilling  or  unable  to  go 
out  to  service  were  to  be  confined  in  the  common  jail  at  New  Haven  at  the 
expense  of  the  Colon)-. 

It  was  further  provided  that  when  any  prisoner  was  ordered  out  to  ser- 
vice by  Whiting,  the  person  taking  him  was  to  give  a  bond  to  the  Governor 
and  Company  of  the  Colony — the  amount  to  be  named  by  Whiting — to  the 
effect  that  as  long  as  the  prisoner  remained  at  service  the  government  was 
exempt  from  all  expense  in  maintaining  him,  and  that  such  prisoner  should 
be  returned  to  be  exchanged  or  otherwise  disposed  of  as  soon  as  an  order  to 
this  effect  was  received  from  the  Governor.  In  the  event  of  the  prisoner 
effecting  his  escape,  his  master  was  to  notify  the  Governor  immediately. 

In  anticipation  of  the  arrival  in  future  of  French  and  Spanish  prisoners 
from  Cape  Breton  and  other  places,  provision  was  made,  July,  174S,  for  their 
safe  keeping  and  disposal  as  follows  : 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  Represetitatives  in  General  Court  Assembled,  and 

by  the  authority  of  the  same, 

"  That  when  and  so  often  as  any  French  or  Spanish  prisoners  shall  be  brought  into 
any  port  or  harbor  in  this  colony,  the  master  of  the  ship  or  vessel  in  which  such  prisoners 
shall  be  brought  shall  forthwith  inform  the  Governor  of  the  colony,  for  the  time  being, 
thereof ;  and  his  Honor,  the  Governor,  is  hereby  desired  and  fully  impowered  to  make 
such  orders  as  he  shall  think  proper,  either  for  confining  such  prisoners  in  gaol  or  order- 
ing him  out  into  service  in  this  colon}'."  ' 

The  number  of  prisoners  brought  to  New  Haven  from  Cape  Breton  is  not 
known.  No  doubt,  it  was  a  numerous  band,  and  as  Whiting  had  authority 
to  bind  them  out  at  will  to  service,  they  were,  probably,  distributed  in  the 
various  sections  of  the  State.  In  1748  we  find  them  in  Hartford,  New  Haven, 
New  London,  Fairfield  and  Windham  counties  in  numbers  sufficiently  strong 
to  call  forth  a  proclamation  from  King  George  II.,  wherein  he  forbade  his 
subjects  in  the  Colonies  to  engage  in  trade  and  commerce  with  the  subjects 
of  the  King  of  France  "  during  the  time  of  open  war."  The  royal  proclama- 
tion was  forwarded  to  the  sheriffs  of  the  above-named  counties,  "so  his 
Majesty's  subjects  may  be  made  acquainted  therewith."  ^ 

In  1756  war  was  again  declared  between  France  and  England.  In  this 
struggle  Connecticut  furnished  5,000  men.  At  the  fall  of  Fort  Niagara  in 
1759,  a  number  of  French  prisoners  were  captured  by  our  forces,  brought  into 
Connecticut,  and  immured  in  his  Majesty's  gaols  at  Hartford  and  New  Haven. 
They  were  kept  in  confinement  until  early  in  1761.^  The  keeper  of  the 
Hartford  prison  bore  a  familiar  name,  John  Coleman. 

'  "  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  IX.,  p.  152.  ' 

'  "  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  IX.,  p.  360. 
^bid,  Vol.  XI.,  p.  558. 


56  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

About  this  time  another  contingent  of  French  prisoners  was  brought  into 
New  London  by  a  vessel  which  violated  the  laws  regulating  the  control 
and  disposal  of  prisoners  of  war.'  To  prevent  them  from  roaming  at  large 
they  were  incarcerated  in  the  common  gaol  of  New  London  county." 

Tlie  prisoners  captured  in  both  wars  with  the  French,  and  who  were 
imprisoned  or  bound  out  to  ser\'ice  at  Hartford,  New  Haven,  New  London 
and  elsewhere,  were  undoubtedly  Catholics,  and,  we  are  privileged  to  believe, 
loyal  to  the  church  of  whose  holy  ministrations  they  were  deprived.  Under 
other  and  more  favorable  circumstances  the  advent  at  that  time  of  so  many 
Catholics,  who,  no  doubt,  were  competent  to  give  a  reason  for  the  faith  that 
was  in  them,  would  have  exercised  a  mellowing  influence  upon  the  stern  and 
uncompromising  subjects  of  his  British  Majesty  ;  but  the  influence  tliat  envi- 
roned them  as  captives  were  not  favorable  to  tlie  dissemination  of  Catholic 
ideas.  What  became  of  them  is  not  known.  Some  of  them  were  probably 
exchanged,  while  others  served  long  terms  of  impri.sonment  or  remained 
bound  out  to  service,  until,  under  tlie  influence  of  time  and  environment 
they  became  resigned  to  their  lot,  intermarried  with  women  of  the  prevailing 
creed  and  gradually  drifted  away  from  the  faith  into  which  they  had  been 
baptized.  We  know  that  many  of  them  were  the  wards  of  the  government 
from  1759  to  1761.  During  that  period  were  they  faithful  to  the  salutary 
teachings  of  mother,  priest  and  church  ?  Deprived  of  the  consolations  and 
graces  of  the  Mass  and  sacraments  were  they  in  their  hours  of  trial  and 
humiliation  possessed  with  the  desire  to  be  nourished  and  strengthened  by 
these  channels  of  divine  grace?  God  alone  knows.  We  would  fain  hope 
that  tried  in  the  crucible  of  suflTeriug  they  were  purified  and  remained  in  inti- 
mate union  with  God ;  that,  faithful  in  adversity  they  received  after  death 
the  crown  of  a  blessed  immortalitj-. 

CHAPTER   XIL 
AN   UNHAPPY  EVENT— KIDNAPPING. 

(SjY'N  November,  1752,  "an  unhappy  event^  took  place,  dishonorable  to  the 
HI  Colony,  injurious  to  foreigners,  and  which  occasioned  a  great  and  general 
aLL  uneasiness  and  many  unfriendly  suspicions  and  imputations,  with  respect 
to  some  of  the  principal  characters  of  the  Colony. ' '  A  Spanish  vessel,  the 
"St.  Joseph  and  St.  Helena,"  of  which  Don  Joseph  Miguel  de  St.  Juan  was 
supercargo,  bound  from  Havana  to  Cadiz,  being  in  distress,  put  into  the  port 
of  New  London.  On  entering  the  harbor  the  ship  struck  upon  a  reef  of  rocks 
and  became  so  badly  damaged  that  it  became  necessary  to  unload  lier.  She 
carried  a  crew  of  forty  men.  Her  cargo  consisted  of  indigo  and  other  tropical 
products,  besides  a  large  quantity  of  gold  and  silver  in  coin  and  bullion ;  when 
the  vessel  was  relieved  of  her  cargo,  forty  chests  of  money  were  consigned  to 

^''Pub.  Rcc.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  IX.,  p.  152. 
»  "  Pub.  AV<-.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  XI.,  p.  504. 
'Trumbell's  "  Hist,  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  I.,  p.  250. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  57 

the  care  of  Colonel  Saltonstall  and  the  remainder  was  entrusted  to  Joseph 
Hull,  collector  of  the  port.  Wlien  ready  to  sail  in  the  following  spring  Don 
Miguel  discovered  that  nuich  of  his  cargo,  but  particularly  the  money  con- 
signed to  Saltonstall,  could  not  be  found.  After  months  of  vain  endeavor  to 
recover  his  missing  property  or  obtain  compensation  therefor,  he  addressed  a 
memorial  to  the  General  Assembly,  October  i6,  1753,  praying  "for  remedy 
and  relief."  '  Here  also  he  was  doomed  to  disappointment.  Failing  to  obtain 
redress  Don  Miguel  officiall)'  notified  the  King  of  Spain  of  his  grievances. 
The  Spanish  government  lodged  a  complaint  at  the  English  Court  against 
the  representatives  of  the  English  Crown  at  New  London.  A  British  man- 
of-war,  the  "Triton,"  carrying  forty  guns,  was  despatched  to  New  London  to 
be  ready  for  any  emergency.  Prior  to  the  arrival  of  this  vessel  the  General 
Assembly  enacted  the  following  : 

"Resolved  bv  this  Asseiublv,  That  his  Honour  the  Governor  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
desired  to  prepare  a  representation  of  the  case  relating  to  the  Spanish  ship  Si.  Joseph 
and  St.  Helena,  which  came  in  to  the  harbor  of  New  London  in  distress  in  November, 
1752,  with  the  necessary  evidences  relating  thereto.  And  in  case  a  ship  of  war  be  sent 
hither  on  that  occasion,  Jonathan  Trumble  and  Roger  Wolcott,  Jun'.,  Esq".,  are  appointed 
to  repair  to  New  London  with  such  instructions  from  his  Honour  the  Governor  as  shall 
appear  to  him  necessary  to  be  given  for  the  conduct  of  the  affair  ;  and  the  above  men- 
tioned representation  and  evidences  to  be  properly  delivered  to  the  captain  of  the  ship,  to 
be  transmitted  to  his  Majesty's  Secretary  of  State,  to  be  laid  before  his  Majesty,  with 
such  other  matters  and  things  as  shall  appear  needful  on  receipt  of  such  letters  as  may  be 
sent  on  the  occasion."  '' 

The  result  of  the  Commissioners'  labors  was  the  sailing  from  New  Lon- 
don in  a  vessel  secured  by  the  Spaniards  themselves  with  the  remainder  of 
their  cargo  in  January,  1755.^ 

"  It  was  generallv  known  that  the  Spaniards  had  been  robbed  ;  or,  at  least,  that  an 
important  part  of  a  rich  and  very  valuable  cargo  had  been  stolen,  embezzled,  or,  \>y  some 
means,  lost,  or  kept  back  from  the  owners  ;  and  it  occasioned  a  great  ferment  through 
the  colony."  * 

The  nationality  of  this  vessel,  and  especially  its  name,  are  direct  evidences 
that  its  officers  and  crew  were  Catholics.  Being  a  merchantman,  it  is  not 
probable  it  carried  a  chaplain  ;  nevertheless  we  are  satisfied  that  the  Sundays 
and  principal  feasts  of  the  year  were  duly  observed  with  religious  exercises 
during  their  two  years'  enforced  residence  at  New  London.  If  faithful  to  the 
customs  of  their  native  land,  we  feel  assured  that  the  "  St.  Joseph  and  St. 
Helena"  was  the  scene  of  fervent  Catholic  devotions  on  the  feast  of  St. 
James,  the  patron  of  Spain." 

It  occasional!}'  happened  that  ship  masters  with  an  eye  more  to  pecuniary 
profit  than  consideration  for  sentiment  or  common  honesty  indulged  in  the 
vicious  practice  of  kidnapping  youths  when  in  distant  ports  and  bringing  them 

'  "  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,'"  Vol.  X.,  p.  235. 

^  "  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  X.,  pp.  4S5-486. 

'  "  Hist,  of  New  London." 

*Trurabeirs  "Hist,  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  L,  p.  251. 

*July  25th. 


68  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

home  to  sell  as  slaves.  Sometimes  the  victims  brought  their  grievances 
before  the  colonial  authorities,  which  resulted  in  the  severe  but  just  punish- 
ment of  the  offender.  An  instance  occurred  in  1755,  which  well  illustrated 
the  avarice  of  the  shipowner  and  the  justice  of  the  General  Assembly.' 

In  this  memorial  to  the  A.ssembly  Joseph  D'Ming  (or  Demink)  declared 
that  he  was  a  native  and  free-born  subject  of  the  King  of  Portugal,  and  an 
inhabitant  of  the  island  of  Bravo,  one  of  the  Cape  de  Verde  Islands ;  that 
being  on  the  island  of  Bonavista,  another  of  the  Cape  de  Verde  Islands,  in 
March,  1755,  and  having  spent  some  time  there,  was  desirous  of  returning  to 
his  home  on  the  island  of  Bravo.  At  Bonavista  he  met  one  Phineas  Cook,  of 
Wallingford,  who  informed  him  that,  as  his  vessel  was  bound  for  the  Bar- 
badoes,  he  would  put  in  at  Bravo  and  land  D'Ming.  The  captain  offered 
him  a  free  passage  which  the  unsuspecting  Portuguese  accepted.  Cook, 
however,  refused  to  land  D'Ming  at  Bravo,  but  brought  him  to  Wallingford, 
where  he  was  sold  as  a  slave.  In  February,  1757,  D'Ming  petitioned  the 
Assembly  for  redress.  The  Assembly  pronii)tly  acceded  to  his  request  by 
appointing  one  Captain  Thomas  Seymour  of  Hartford,  to  take  D'Ming  into 
his  care  and  keeping,  and  to  secure  him  from  any  violence  or  ill-usage  at  the 
hands  of  Cook  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Assembly.  Cook  was  ordered 
to  appear  before  .said  Assembly  to  plead  to  the  charges  preferred  against  him. 

The  Assembly  convened  in  May  of  the  same  \  ear.  Having  fully  heard 
the  allegations  and  pleadings  of  both  parties,  the  Assembly  judged  that 
D'Ming  was  cruelly  deceived  and  treated  with  outrage.  It  was,  therefore, 
ordered  that  Cook  pay  over  to  D'Ming  twenty  pounds  for  damages,  a  fine  of 
fifteen  pounds  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Colony  for  his  misdemeanor,  as  well  as 
the  cost  of  the  prosecution,  amounting  to  £"].  13s.  4d,  lawful  money.  Cap- 
tain Seymour,  before  mentioned,  was  appointed  D' Ming's  guardian — as  he 
was  a  minor — to  take  care  of  his  person  and  possessions,  and  in  a  reasonable 
time  to  procure  for  him  a  passage  home. 

Let  us  hope  that  the  unfortunate  youth  who  put  his  trust  in  honeyed 
words  was  soon  again  in  the  fond  embrace  of  his  sorrow-stricken  parents,  and 
that,  consoled  by  their  presence  and  strengthened  by  the  practice  of  his  reli- 
gious duties,  the  memory  of  his  captivity  gradually  faded  or  gave  place  to 
fervent  prayers  for  the  conversion  of  his  captor. 

CHAPTER   XIII. 
EARLY   CATHOLICS   IN   NEW  LONDON. 

EING  a  port  of  entry  and  the  centre  of  considerable  maritime  activity. 

New  London  at  all  times  had  a  larger  proportion  of  foreign  residents 

within  its  borders  than  other  towns  in  Connecticut.     Many  sailors 

who  came  to  exchange  their  cargoes  for  what  New  Loudon  could 

give  in  return,  settled  there  permanently,  and  became  identified  with  the 

commercial  interests  of  the  town.     Ships  of  war  of  France  and   England 

frequently  put  into  port,  where  for  various  reasons  they  often  remained  for  a 

'  •'Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  \'ols.  X.  and  XI.,  Feb'y  and  May. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  59 

considerable  period  of  time.  There  is  strong  probability  that  the  major  part 
of  these  foreign  residents  were  Catholics.  The  Spaniards  certainly  were. 
Among  the  French  population  there  were  a  few  Huguenots,  but  the  greater 
number  were,  no  doubt,  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Ireland's  contribu- 
tions to  the  population  were,  with,  perhaps,  a  few  exceptions,  children  of  St. 
Patrick. 

In  1767-68,  the  British  war-ship  "Cygnet,"  wintering  at  New  London, 
lost  its  purser.  He  was  the  owner  of  the  unmistakably  Irish  name  of  John 
Sullivan.  Preferring  the  peaceful  pursuits,  of  civil  life  and  captivated  by  the 
gay  society  of  the  port,  he  married  Elizabeth  Chapman  and  made  New  Lon- 
don his  home' 

.  Among  the  notable  characters  of  New  London  in  the  last  quarter  of 
the  eighteenth  century  was  a  Thomas  Allen,  proprietor  of  a  public  inn 
known  as  the  '"City  Coffee  House,"  the  rendezvous  for  those  convivially 
inclined.  A  feature  of  his  business  that  secured  for  him  considerable 
patronage  was  his  "Marine  List,"  which  appeared  at  regular  intervals 
in  Green's  Gazette.  The  List  was  not  a  dry  recital  of  sailing  dates,  arrivals 
and  departures.  With  devotional  maxims  intended  for  the  spiritual  benefit 
of  seamen,  it  was  enlivened  with  bright  flashes  of  wit  and  humor,  inter- 
spersed with  other  matter  wholly  irrelevant  to  maritime  intelligence.  The 
List  first  appeared  in  1770.  It  is  probable  that  Allen  was  an  Irishman,  and 
some  of  the  reasons  for  this  belief  are  :  the  manner  in  which  he  advertises  in 
his  List  the  sailing  of  the  Brig,  "Patty,"  for  ^'' Dear  Ireland :^^  his  print- 
ing on  ]\Iarch  17th,  "St.  Patrick's  Day,"  in  capitals';  his  deep  hostility 
to  the  English.  On  one  occasion,  he,  with  others,  forcibly  took  a  minister 
of  the  Church  of  England  from  his  pulpit  and  expelled  him  from  the  church 
for  praying  for  King  George  ;  from  the  manner  in  which  he  printed  the 
name  of  Bishop  Carroll,  who  visited  New  London  in  1791: 

"  Sailed,  Monday,  June  20,  Packet  Hull  for  New  York,  with  whom  went 
passenger  the  Right  Rev.  FATHER  IN  GOD,  JOHN,  Bishop  of  the  United 
States  of  America."  - 

Furthermore,  there  was  a  tradition  current  at  New  London  for  many 
years  that  Allen  was  an  Irishman  from  the  Island  of  Antigua.  At  the  time 
of  which  we  write  he  was  a  communicant  of  the  Episcopal  faith  and  one  of 
the  wardens  of  St.  James'  church.  If  Thomas  Allen  was  always  a  Protest- 
ant, his  manner  of  speaking  of  Bishop  Carroll  is  the  more  surprising.  Such 
acts  of  courtesy  to  Catholic  clergymen  were  rarely  witnessed  in  that  period 
of  our  history.  Indeed,  it  would  be  a  source  of  surprise  even  in  these  days 
of  greater  liberality  of  religious  views  to  hear  a  non-catholic  speak  of  a 
Catholic  bishop  in  the  terms  used  by  Thomas  Allen. 

From  very  early  times  the  French  were  represented  at  New  London  by 
respectable  numbers.  With  the  probable  exception  of  the  Irish,  they  main- 
tained their  supremacy  in  numbers  over  other  foreign  elements.  They 
came  as  sailors  in  merchant  vessels  and  in  ships  of  war.      We  infer  they 

'  "  Hist,  of  New  London.^'  '  Connecticut  Gazette. 


60  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

were  numerous  from  Thomas  Allen's  standing  advertisement  of  his  inn, 
translated  into  P'rench,  inviting  them  to  partake  of  his  hospitality.  De- 
sertions from  the  vessels  in  the  harbor  were  frequent,  and  when  they 
occurred,  the  Connecticut  Gazette  was  employed  to  assist  in  the  capture 
of  the  culprits.  In  \Tji^2,  French  man-of-war,  the  "Lyon,"  commanded 
by  Captain  Michel,  entered  the  port  and  remained  about  three  month.s. 
Concerning  this  ship,  this  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Gazette^  May  28, 
1778: 

"  Deserted  from  the  French  Ship,  "  Lion  "  (or  Lyon),  in  the  Harbor  of  New  London, 
Labe  (L'Abbe)  Galand,  who  was  under  the  cliaracter  of  a  Priest  on  Board,  and  has  taken 
with  liini  a  quantity  of  silver  and  gold  and  paper  currency,  not  his  own.  lie  lias  been 
missing  about  three  weeks  ;  is  a  short,  thick,  well-built  man,  oflight  Complexion,  large 
black  Eyes,  short  strait  black  Hair,  looks  like  a  Jew.  Speaks  very  little  English.  Can 
speak  French,  German,  and  Latin,  has  a  good  notion  of  Slight  of  hand,  rode  a  small 
black  Horse,  had  on  when  he  went  away,  a  brown  Coat,  black  Jacket  and  Breeches,  and 
blue  Great  Coat ;  lias  a  sniall  gold  watch  with  a  small  bell  to  the  chain,  which  he  is  very 
fond  of  showing.  Whosoever  shall  apprehend  said  pretended  priest  and  return  him  on 
board  said  Ship  shall  have  a  reward  of  Two  Hundred  Dollars  paid  by  me. 

"J.  Michel, 

"New  London,  May  28,  1778.  "  "Commander  of  said  Ship." 

Was  Galand  a  priest,  or  a  pretended  priest,  as  the  advertisement  seems 
to  insinuate?  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  what  became  of  him.  To 
return  to  France  would  incur  the  danger  of  arrest  and  imprisonment.  If  a 
true  priest,  did  he  perform  any  sacerdotal  functions  in  the  colony  ?  Or,  if  a 
pretended  priest,  did  he  continue  the  deception  to  the  detriment  of  his  own 
and  the  souls  of  unsuspecting  victims  ?  There  is  no  record  that  he  was  ever 
apprehended  and  punished  for  his  crime.  The  ship  "Lyon"  sailed  from 
New  London,  June  14,  1778,  for  Virginia.  On  her  return  voyage  to  France 
she  was  captured  by  a  British  man-of-war." 

Previous  to  and  during  the  years  (1789- 1794)  when  France  experienced 
the  awful  horrors  of  the  Revolution  ;  when  she  suffered  the  bloody  atrocities 
of  men  frenzied  with  the  spirit  of  infidelity,  many  of  her  citizens  fled  and 
sought  an  asylum  in  the  new  world,  some  of  whom  settled  at  New  London. 
Here  they  built  up  new  homes,  and  accumulated  new  fortunes,  secure  from  the 
insensate  fury  of  their  kinsmen  across  the  sea.  As  the  priesthood  of  France 
was  the  special  object  of  the  Revolution's  hatred,  it  may  be  that  some  of  its 
members  found  a  refuge  in  Connecticut,  as  they  did  in  other  sections  of  New 
England.  John  de  Cheverus,  who  became  the  first  Bishop  of  Boston,  and 
his  saintly  co-laborer  in  the  same  field,  Francis  Matignon,  D.D. ;  Am- 
brose Marechal,  who  was  consecrated  Archbishop  of  Baltimore  in  1817; 
Gabriel  Richards,  of  western  fame ;  and  Francis  Ciquard,  missionary  to 
the  Indians  on  the  Penobscot,  are  but  a  few  of  the  victims  of  that  politi- 
cal cataclysm,  who  came  hither  to  spend  themselves  for  the  salvation  of 
souls. 

In  1786  the  number  of  French  residents  in  New  London  must  have  been 

'  Caulkins'  "  History  of  New  London." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  61 

considerable,  as  in  that  year  Phillip  de  Jean  was  appointed  by  the  French 
Government  naval  agent  at  that  port.  He  remained  for  about  eight  years, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  San  Domingo.  Other  names  that  appear  in  New 
London  about  th*'j  time  are  Badet,  Bocage,  Bourean,  Constant,  Dupignac, 
Durivage,  Girard,  La  Borde,  La  Roche,  Laurence,  Laboissiere,  Mallet, 
Montenot,  Berean,  Poulin,  Renouf,  Rigault  and  Rouget.' 

However,  not  all  the  French  residents  of  New  London  were  from 
France.  They  came  in  great  numbers  from  San  Domingo,  driven  thence 
by  an  internal  warfare  that  fiercely  raged  between  the  whites,  blacks  and 
mulattoes  from  1791  to  the  end  of  the  century — a  struggle  that  "may  well 
be  characterized  as  the  most  vindictive  on  record,  a  struggle  which,  before 
the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  led  to  the  extermination  of  the  once 
dominant  Europeans,  and  the  independence  of  the  colored  insurgents." 
During  these  years  of  riot,  insurrection,  and  bloodshed,  a  steady  stream 
of  exiles  flowed  into  New  London.  They  were  of  every  age,  class  and 
condition,  and  all  were  Catholics.  After  the  destruction  of  Cape  Fran- 
cois^ in  1793,  a  number  of  French  refugees  were  landed  at  New  London 
from  the  brig  "Sally,"  Captain  Tryon  commanding.  Later  in  the  same 
year  thirty-four  more  arrived  in  the  brig  "Prudence."^  Among  the  hap- 
less exiles  to  reach  New  London  was  an  abbess  of  a  Convent  in  Cape 
Francois. 

The  residents  of  New  London  received  these  homeless  wanderers  with 
unbounded  hospitality.  Their  sufferings  and  trials,  the  loss  of  their  worldly 
possessions  appealed  strongly  to  the  charity  of  their  hosts.  Public  inns  and 
private  dwellings  became  their  homes,  though  many  of  the  refugees  had 
nothing  wherewith  to  make  recompense.  This  generous  welcome  com- 
pensated in  a  measure  for  the  cruel  hardships  they  had  endured.  Captivated 
by  the  hospitality  lavished  upon  them,  many  settled  among  their  benefactors 
and  established  permanent  homes.  Others  wandered  here  and  there  through 
the  State,  weary,  heart-broken  and  penniless,  in  the  endeavor  to  stifle  the 
memory  of  their  misfortunes. 

The  unfortunate  exiles  from  San  Domingo  deserved  a  better  fate.  They 
were  a  virtuous  people,  peaceable,  industrious,  grateful  and  devotedly  attached 
to  their  faith.  Like  their  co-religionists,  the  Acadians,  who  also  suffered  the 
hardsliips  and  cruelties  attendant  upon  compulsory  exile,  their  hearts  ached 
for  home,  for  scenes  upon  which  their  eyes  would  never  more  rest.  They 
were  accompanied  by  devoted  priests,  who  shared  the  anguish  of  their  souls. 
One  of  these  faithful  shepherds  was  the  Rev.  Mons.  Cibot,  Superior-General* 
of  the  clergy  of  San  Domingo.     On  August  4,  1793,  he  preached  a  sermon 

'  "  Hist,  of  New  London." 

'Now  Cape  Haytien  ;  nearly  seven-eighths  of  the  town  was  de.stroyed. 

'^  Conn.  Gazette,  July  and  August,  1793.— In  1791  the  Marquis  Bragelogue  with  his 
wife  and  family  and  a  retinue  of  seventeen  servants  arrived  at  New  London.  Conn. 
Gazette. — It  is  estimated  that  in  1793,  40,000  whites  fied  from  San  Domingo  to  escape  the 
fury  of  the  blacks  ;  many  of  them  landed  at  the  various  ports  of  the  United  States. 

*  Conn.  Cour-a?it,  September  2,  1793.     More  likely,  Vicar-General. 


62  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

at  Baltimore,'  in  wliich  he  gave  fervent  and  eloquent  expression  to  the  feel- 
ings of  gratitude  that  welled  tip  in  his  heart.  After  saying  that  their  own 
sins  had  drawn  upon  them  their  sufferings,  lie  continued:  "It  is  painful  to 
you,  perhaps,  to  hear  me  speak  these  truths  in  a  foreign  land  and  in  the 
midst  of  a  people,  mild,  affable,  generous  and  beneficent,  who  compassionate 
your  sufferings  and  try  to  erase  the  memory  of  them  from  your  minds,  and 
have  succeeded,  at  least,  in  softening  their  rigor  by  their  generous  and 
unanimous  consent  in  affording  you  relief  Oh !  worthy  and  generous 
inhabitants  of  Baltimore  !  Oh  !  all  you  who  dwell  on  this  continent !  Oh  ! 
our  ])rotliers  and  benefactors !  may  this  heroical  act  of  benevolence  be  told 
and  proclaimed  amidst  all  nations  of  both  hemispheres." 

The  names  of  Don  Manuel  de  Valladores,  Don  Francisco  Xavier  de 
Arriola,  Don  Juan  de  Campderros  and  Don  Gabriel  Sistera  bear  witness  to 
their  owners'  nationality  and  religion.  They  were  residents  of  New  London 
in  1/73  ^"d  later."  Sistera  was  naturalized  in  1773,  and  became  a  subject  of 
the  King  of  Great  Britain.  To  do  so  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  renounce 
the  Pope  and  den)-  the  Real  Presence  of  Christ  in  the  Blessed  Eucharist.  He 
was  obliged  to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  Supremacy,  the  declaration 
against  "  Popery  "  and  the  oath  of  abjuration.     The  record  is  as  follows :' 

"An  Act  for  the  Naturalization  of  Don  Gabriel  Sistera.     May,  1773.' 
"Whereas  Don  Gabriel  Sistera,  a  native  of  Barcelona  in  the  Kingdom  of  Spain,  now 
resident  in  New  London,  hath  hy  his  petition  preferred  to  this  Assembly,  prayed  to  be 
admitted  to  the  privileges  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  within  this  colon}-  ;  therefore 

"  /><•  /■/  enacted  by  the  Gimernor,  Council  and  Representath'es  in  General  Court  assembled, 
and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  the  said  Gabriel  Sistera,  having  taken  the  oaths  of 
allegiance,  supremacy  and  abjuration  by  law  appointed,  be,  and  he  is  hereby  declared  to 
be  naturalized  and  entitled  to  all  the  privileges,  immunities  and  advantages  of  his 
Majesty's  English  subjects  born  within  this  colony,  as  fully  and  effcctuallj-,  to  all  intents, 
construction  and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  though  he,  said  Gabriel  Sistera,  had  been  born 
within  the  dominions  of  and  subject  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  ;  excepting  only  such 
privileges  and  immunities  as  by  law  are  not  competent  to  foreigners  who  have  been  or 
are  naturalized." 

Gabriel  Sistera  was  a  sea  captain,  and  carried  on  an  extensive  trade 
between  Spanish  ports,  New  London  and  the  West  Indies.  He  came  to  New 
London  from  Barcelona  in  1771  with  his  son  Gabriel.  One  of  his  descendants, 
Charles  Sistera,  was  graduated  from  Trinity  College,  Hartford,  in  1848,  while 
another,  Joseph  C  Sistera,  was  among  the  first  to  find  a  resting  place  in  Cedar 
Grove  cemetery,  New  London,  November  23,  185 1." 

'  On  the  9th  of  July,  1793,  iifty-three  vessels  arrived  at  the  port  of  Baltimore,  carry- 
ing about  1,000  whites  and  500  mulattoes  from  San  Domingo.  "  Beside  the  emigration 
from  France,  a  very  large  number  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  San  Domingo, 
flying  from  the  massacre  of  1793,  found  refuge  at  Haltimore.  Many  of  these  refugees 
were  endowed  with  eminent  piety."— DeCourcey-Shea's  "History." 

'"  Pub.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  Vol.  XIII.,  p.  655. 

'  See  page  22  for  these  oaths. 

*Ibid.,  Vol.  XIV.,  p.  94. 

'"  Hist,  of  New  London." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  63 


CHAPTER   XIV. 
THE   ACADIANS   IX   CONNECTICUT. 

E  come  now  to  the  saddest  page  in  the  history  of  early  Catholicity  in 
Connecticut.  We  are  to  follow  the  footsteps  of  the  exiled  Acadians 
in  their  sorrowful  wanderings  from  their  peaceful  and  happy  homes 
in  Nova  Scotia  to  the  shores  of  Connecticut,  where,  by  legislative  enactment, 
they  were  distributed  throughout  the  State.  The  sufferings  endured  by  this 
kindly,  industrious  and  religious  people  vividly  recall  the  persecution  of  their 
coreligionists  in  Ireland  by  the  same  despotic  power.  Seven  thousand  Aca- 
dians were  scattered  along  the  coast  from  New  Hampshire  to  Georgia.  Of 
this  number,  four  hundred  reached  Connecticut.  In  ruthlessly  expelling 
these  unfortunate  people  from  their  homes  and  forcibly  transporting  them 
into  exile,  the  British  Government  maintained  its  reputation  for  severity 
when  dealing  with  its  Catholic  subjects.  Its  hostility  to  the  Catholic  religion 
led  it  to  perpetrate  crimes  from  which  humanity  recoils,  not  the  least  of  which 
was  the  expulsion  of  the  French  Neutrals  and  the  barbarous  destruction  of 
their  churches,  harvests  and  homes. 

What  wrong  had  these  people  done,  what  crime  had  they  committed,  that 
they  should  be  visited  with  such  appalling  chastisements  ?  Were  they  rebel- 
lious, dislo\al  ?  Had  the  odious  charge  of  treason  to  the  crown  been  proved 
against  them  ?  No  ;  the  impartial,  justice-loving  historian,  will  bring  no  such 
accusation  against  the  inhabitants  of  Acadia.  In  British  hate  and  avarice 
Avill  be  found  the  reasons  for  the  inception  and  execution  of  a  scheme,  which 
unbiased  witnesses  declare  to  have  no  parallel  in  the  annals  of  the  world.  It 
is  true,  that  those  who  were  directly  interested  in  bringing  about  the  expul- 
sion of  the  Acadians  accused  them  of  refusing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  George  II.,  but  we  shall  see  that  their  refusal  was  justifiable.  "  Nothing," 
says  Garneau,  "  could  tempt  the  honorable  minds  of  Acadians  to  take  an  oath 
of  fealty  to  aliens,  repugnant  to  their  consciences;  an  oath  which  it  was  and 
is  the  opinion  of  many  Britain  had  no  right  to  exact.  The  Acadians  were  not 
British  subjects,  for  they  had  not  sworn  fidelity  ;  therefore  they  were  not  liable 
to  be  treated  as  rebels  ;  neither  ought  they  to  be  considered  prisoners  of  war, 
or  rightly  be  transportable  to  France,  since,  during  half  a  century,  they  had 
been  left  in  possession  of  their  lands  on  the  simple  condition  of  remaining 
neutral.  But  numerous  adventurers,  greedy  incomers,  looked  upon  their  fair 
farms  with  covetous  eyes.  Smoldering  cupidity  soon  burst  into  flame.  Rea- 
sons of  state  polity  were  soon  called  in  to  justify  the  total  expulsion  of  the 
Acadians  from  Nova  Scotia.  Although  the  far  greater  number  of  them  had 
done  no  act  which  could  be  construed  into  a  breach  of  neutrality,  )et,  in  the 
horrible  catastrophe  preparing  for  them,  the  innocent  and  the  guilty  were  to 
be  involved  in  a  common  perdition." 

The  charge  of  disloyalty  brought  against  the  Acadians  has  not  been  sus- 


64  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

tained.  They  were  Neutrals  in  fact  as  well  as  in  name.  It  is  true,  that  when 
Verger,  who  was  in  conimand  of  Fort  Beausejour,  was  hard  pressed  b\'  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Winslow,  he  called  upon  the  Acadiaus  for  reinforcements,  and 
that  three  hundred  went  to  his  assistance  under  penalty  of  death  if  they 
refused.  But  when  the  fort  surrendered  to  the  British  these  were  pardoned. 
They  had  fought  the  British  under  compulsion ;  in  fact,  some  of  them  had 
deserted,  while  others  had  pleaded  in  vain  fur  permission  to  lay  down  their 
arms.  At  the  surrender  it  was  "stipulated,"  says  Minot,  "that  they  should 
be  left  in  the  same  situation  that  they  were  in  when  the  army  arrived,  and 
not  be  punished  for  what  they  had  done  afterwards."  The  most  violent 
enemy  of  the  Acadians  cannot  adduce  another  instance  of  their  taking  up 
arms  against  the  British.  Why,  then,  were  15,000  people  made  to  suffer  the 
most  barbarous  treatment  because  three  hundred  of  them  were  compelled  to 
engage  in  conduct  disloyal  to  the  government?  Was  it  a  reason  sufficient  to 
justify  the  wholesale  banishment  of  thousands?  Why  punish  an  entire  nation 
for  an  offence  committed  by  some,  and  which,  committed  under  duress,  had 
been  condoned?  The  reason  must  be  sought  elsewhere  than  in  the  disloyalty 
of  the  Acadians.  They  were  not  conspirators.  They  had  no  grievance 
against  the  British  crown.  In  1742,  nearly  thirty  years  after  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht,  which  ceded  Acadia  to  England,  Governor  I\Iascarene  wrote  to  the 
Duke  of  Newca.stle  that,  "The  frequent  rumors  we  have  had  of  war  being 
declared  against  France  have  not  as  yet  made  any  alteration  in  the  temper  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Province,  who  appear  in  a  good  disposition  of  keeping 
to  their  oath  of  Fidelity."  In  a  letter  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  Governor  Law- 
rence wrote  :  "  I  believe  that  a  very  large  part  of  the  inhabitants  would  sub- 
mit to  any  terms  rather  than  take  up  arms  on  either  side." 

When  the  English  government  determined  upon  the  deportation  of  the 
Acadians,  it  resolved  to  make  their  expulsion  as  thorough  as  possible.  To 
deport  them  to  Canada  was  to  transfer  them  among  a  people  of  kindred  lan- 
guage, religion  and  sympathies;  moreover,  the  addition  of  7,000  persons  to 
the  population  would  have  added  to  its  military  strength.  Furthermore,  the 
English  professed  to  believe  that  as  Canada  had  no  cleared  lands  to  distribute 
among  them  the)-  might  take  up  arms  against  Nova  Scotia  and  other  English 
colonies.  "After  mature  consideration  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  to 
prevent  as  much  as  j^ossible  their  attempting  to  return  and  molest  the  settlers 
that  may  be  set  down  on  their  lands,  it  would  be  most  proper  to  send  them  to 
be  distributed  among  the  smaller  colonies  on  the  Continent,  and  that  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  vessels  should  be  hired  with  all  possible  expedition  for  that 
purpose." 

The  transports  were  quicKly  obtained  and  orders  were  given  them  to 
assemble  in  the  Basin  of  ;\Iinas  and  in  .\nnapolis  Basin.  The  vessels  whose 
rendezvous  was  in  the  Basin  of  Minas  were  to  transport  to  North  Carolina 
500  persons,  to  Virginia  looo,  and  to  Maryland  500,  "or  in  proportion,  if  the 
number  to  be  shipped  off  should  exceed  two  thousand  persons."  The  trans- 
ports in  Annapolis  Basin  were  ordered  to  carry  300  persons  to  Philadelphia, 
200  to  New  York,  to  Connecticut  300,  and  to  Boston  200,  "or  rather  more  in 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  65 

proportion  to  Connecticut,  should  the  number  to  be  shipped  off  exceed  one 
thousand  persons."  ' 

The  masters  of  the  vessels  were  strictly  enjoined  to  be  "careful  and 
watchful  "  during  the  whole  voyage,  lest  the  exiles  attempt  to  seize  the  ships. 
To  prevent  this  they  were  to  permit  only  a  small  number  on  deck  at  a  time. 
Moreover,  they  were  to  be  "particularly  careful"  that  the  prisoners  carried 
on  board  with  them  "no  arms  nor  other  offensive  weapons."  "You  will 
use,"  continues  Governor  Lawrence  in  his  Instructions,  "all  the  means  proper 
and  necessary  for  collecting  the  people  together  so  as  to  get  them  on  board. 
If  you  find  that  fair  means  will  not  do  with  them,  yoii  must  proceed  by  the 
most  vigorous  measures  possible^  uot  only  in  compelling  them  to  embark^  but 
in  depriving  those  who  shall  escape  op  all  means  of  shelter  and  support,  by 
bur)iing  their  houses  and  destroying  everything  that  may  afford  them  a  means 
of  subsistence  in  the  country  ^'^ 

The  Governor's  instructions  were  literally  obeyed.  The  unsuspecting 
Acadians  were  lured  to  the  parish  church  at  Grand  Pre  to  the  number  of 
1,293  souls.  "  The  church,"  says  Smith,'  "was  a  large  edifice,  sufficient  for 
the  needs  of  that  extensive  parish.  It  was  sacred  to  the  hearts  of  this  simple 
people ;  it  was  the  place  where,  at  the  stated  gatherings  of  the  populace,  the 
venerable  Father  La  Blanc  was  wont  to  break  to  them  the  bread  of  life :  it 
was  the  scene  of  their  christenings,  the  solemnization  of  their  marriages,  and 
above  all,  hallowed  by  the  recollections  of  the  last  rites  in  memory  of  deceased 
loved  ones." 

Gathered  within  the  sacred  precincts  they  listened  to  no  discourse  from 
the  lips  of  their  venerable  father  and  pastor,  but  heard  instead  from  Colonel 
Winslow  the  astounding  declaration  that  they  were  the  King's  prisoners. 
What  a  cruel  sentence  to  pronounce  in  the  house  of  the  God'of  Mercy  !  What 
a  mockery  of  justice  it  all  was  !  Some,  more  courageous  than  others,  made 
a  bold  dash  for  liberty,  but  from  their  hiding  places  soon  saw  the  flames 
devouring  their  homes.  At  Cumberland  the  terrified  people,  overcome  with 
despair,  took  refuge  in  flight.  Two  hundred  and  fifty-three  homes  there  were 
reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  entire  harvest,  the  fruit  of  months  of  patient  indus- 
try, was  ruthlessly  destroyed.  "  In  the  district  of  Minas  alone,"  says  Hali- 
burton,  "there  were  255  houses,  276  barns,  155  out-houses,  11  mills  and  one 
church  destroyed.  The  people  were  so  paralyzed  at  such  wholesale  destruc- 
tion that  they  appeared  quite  resigned Their  resignation,  however,  was 

the  resignation  of  despair;  and  when,  on  the  loth  of  September,  they  were 
driven  on  board  the  transports,  nature  found  relief  in  loud  lamentations  at 
their  fate."  "  I  know  not,"  says  Bancroft,  "  if  the  annals  of  the  human  race 
keep  the  record  of  sorrow  so  wantonly  inflicted,  so  bitter  and  so  perennial  as 
fell  upon  the  French  inhabitants  of  Acadia."  "  We  have  been  true,"  said 
the  broken-hearted  exiles,  "to  our  religion,  and  true  to  ourselves;  yet  nature 
appears  to  consider  us  only  as  the  objects  of  public  vengeance." 

'  "Nona  Scotia  Archives,"  p.  274. 
^  "  Nova  Scotia  Archives,"  p.  276. 
'"  //ist.  of  Acadia." 

II— 5 


66  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

We  shall  now  trace,  as  far  as  existing  records  will  permit,  the  wanderings 
of  the  unfortunate  exiles  who  were  consigned  to  Connecticut. 

Five  months  before  their  arrival  at  the  port  of  New  London,  intimation 
of  their  contemplated  expulsion  reached  the  Colony.  Remote  preparations 
were  begun  for  their  reception  and  distribution.  In  October,  1755,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  at  New  Haven  enacted  the  following: 

"  Whereas,  public  measures  appear  to  be  taking  for  evacuating  the  Province  of 
Nova  Scotia  of  its  French  inhabitants,  and  removing  or  dispersing  them  to  other  places 
lucre  consistent  with  the  safety  of  his  Majesty's  American  dominions, 

"  Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  if,  in  pursuance  of  such  design,  anj-  of  them  hap- 
pen to  be  brought  into  any  place  in  this  colony  with  expectation  of  being  received  and 
cared  for,  his  Honour  the  Governor  is  desired  on  such  their  arrival,  to  issue  forth  such 
orders  for  their  being  received,  taken  care  of  and  disposed  of,  in  such  place  or  places  in 
this  government  and  under  such  circumstances,  as  may  be  judged  most  expedient,  or 
otherwise  for  their  removal  elsewhere  having  regard  to  such  order  or  authority  as  may 
attend  their  conveyance  hither."  ' 

On  January  21,  1756,  three  hundred  Acadians  were  landed  at  New  Lon- 
don. On  May  22,  another  transport  arrfved  at  the  same  port,  after  a  long 
and  tempestuous  experience,  with  many  hapless  e.xiles  sick  and  d)-ing  of 
the  smallpox.  What  was  now  to  be  done  for  these  four  hundred  luckless 
victims  of  British  avarice  and  bigotry  ?  What  measures  were  to  be  taken  for 
their  maintenance  and  distribution,  for  it  was  felt  that  so  large  a  number 
would  become  a  burden  upon  the  Colony  ?  Stripped  of  their  worldly  pos- 
sessions, they  were  now  paupers  among  strangers,  the  wards  of  a  people  for- 
eign in  race,  religion,  language  and  customs,  a  people  who  had  little  sym- 
pathy with  their  devotion  and  loyalty  to  the  ancient  faith.  "Tlie  exiles  were 
anything  but  welcome  in  New  England,"  says  Palfrey.  "Their  support  was 
an  uninvited  burden,  and  their  presence,  by  reason  of  national  and  religious 
animosity,  was  a  vexation  and  offence." 

Though  unwelcome  guests,  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  gave 
evidence  of  its  desire  to  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  its  hapless  charges. 
The  conduct  of  Connecticut  in  dealing  with  the  exiles  was  in  marked  con- 
trast with  the  cold,  cheerless  and  unchristian  methods  adopted  by  Massachu- 
setts. 

At  its  session  in  January,  1756,  the  General  Assembly  at  New  Haven 
passed : 

"^«  Act  for  distributing  and  'well  ordering  the  French  People  sent  into 
this  Colojiy  from  Nova  Scotia,  as  follows  : " 

"  Whereas,  there  is  a  number  of  French  people  sent  by  Governour  Lawrence  into  this 
Colony,  and  more  daily  expected,  to  be  disposed  of  here,  supposed  to  be  about  four  hun- 
dred in  the  whole, 

"  //  is  therefore  resolved  and  enacted  by  this  Assembly,  That  a  connnittee  be  ap- 
pointed, and  Hezekiah  Huntington,  Gourdon  Saltonstall,  Christopher  Averj-  and  Py- 
gan  Adams,  Esqrs.,  or  any  three  of  them,  are  herebj-  appointed  a  committee  to  receive 

'  "  Col.  Rec.  of  Conn.,"  \'ol.  X.,  p.  425. 

'  "  Col.  Rec.  of  Conn."    Vol  X.,  pp.  452-453. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD. 


67 


said  people  and  distribute  them  in  the  towns  hereafter  mentioned,   in  the  following 
manner,  viz.  : 


In  New  London.. 1 2 

Groton 8 

Saybrook 7 

Lebanon 12 

Pomfret 6 

Plainfield 4 

Hartford 13 

Middleton 16 

Tolland 3 

Colchester 7 

Symsbiiry 6 

Ashford 3 

Branford 8 


In  Wallingford....i2 

Woodbury 9 

Norvvalk 12 

Danbury 6 

Norwich 19 

Preston 6 

Killingsworth    4 

Coventry 5 

Killinglj' 8 

Canterbury 5 

Windsor 13 

Glassenbury...  4 
Haddam 3 


In  Hebron 5 

Suffield 5 

New  Haven....  19 

Milford 9 

Durham 4 

Fairfield 17 

Stanford 9 

Newton 4 

Stonington 11 

Lyme 8 

Windham 8 

Mansfield 5 

Woodstock 6 


In  Voluntown 3 

Weathersfield..  9 

Famiington 14 

East  Haddam..  6 

Bolton 3 

Enfield 3 

Guilford 11 

Derby 4 

Waterbury 6 

Stratford 14 

Greenwich 6 


"  And  the  selectmen  of  each  of  said  towns  are  hereby  directed  and  required  to  re- 
ceive of  said  committee  the  number  set  to  such  town  as  above,  or  as  near  as  may  be  a  like 
proportion  of  the  whole  number,  whether  greater  or  less,  and  with  the  advice  of  the  civil 
authorit}'  in  such  town  to  take  care  of,  manage  and  support  them  as  tho'  they  were 
inhabitants  of  such  town,  according  to  the  laws  of  this  Colony.  And  if  said  committee 
shall  judge  that  any  of  said  French  people  by  reason  of  age,  sickness,  etc.,  shall  be  unable 
to  travel,  or  cannot  be  conveyed  from  the  town  where  they  are  or  may  be  landed,  that  in 
such  case  said  committee  shall  provide  for  and  support  such  aged,  sick  or  otherwise  in- 
firm persons,  at  the  charge  of  the  Colon}-. 

"  And,  to  prevent  such  French  people  making  their  escape  out  of  this  Colony, 
"  It  is  resolved  and  t-nacted.  That  noneof  them  be  allowed  to  depart  out  of  the  respec- 
tive towns  where  they  belong  without  a  writing  under  the  hand  of  some  of  the  civil 
authority  of  such  town  allowing  of  such  departure.  And  if  any  of  said  French  shall  be 
found  in  anj*  other  town  than  that  in  which  they  were  ordered  to  dwell,  without  liberty 
in  writing  as  aforesaid,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  civil  authority  where  such  persons 
shall  be  found,  to  confine  such  persons  until  upon  examination  it  can  be  known  from 
what  town  thej*  departed,  and  when  known,  to  convey  them  back  from  constable  to  con- 
stable to  the  towns  where  they  belong,  there  to  be  confin'd  and  not  suffered  any  more  to 
depart  without  liberty  as  aforesaid.  And  said  committee  are  hereby  directed  to  take  care 
in  distributing  said  people,  that  no  one  family  of  them  be  separated  and  sent  into  two  or 
more  towns." 

The  expenses  incidental  to  the  support  of  the  French  exiles,  from  their 
arrival  at  New  London  till  they  had  reached  their  respective  destinations, 
were  borne  by  the  Colony,  as  provided  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly 
February,  1756,  viz.: 

"Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  such  accounts  of  expence  and  charge  as  have 
been  occasioned  b}-  the  distributing  the  Neutral  French  and  providing  for  their  support 
till  they  were  conveyed  to  the  respective  towns  to  which  they  were  assigned,  be  laid 
before  the  Committee  of  the  Pay-Table,  who  are  hereby  directed  to  adjust  the  same  and 
give  orders  on  the  Treasurer  accordinglj-.''  ' 


Colo?iial  Records  of  Coin.,"  vol.  X.,  p.  461. 


68  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Colony  of  Connecticutt  for  sundry  Charges  on  the  French  People  brot.  from  Nova  Scotia 
pr  Capt.  Rockwell,  &  distributed  in  this  Colony  by  order  of  General  Assemblye 

To  G.  Saltoiistall      Dr ' 
'756  /.  S.   D. 

Jany.  28lh.     To  56  lb  Rice  9/ 4—1  Cordwood  out  of  yard  8/4 £      178 

paid  Shaw  for  i  bb.  fresh  beef  unsalted i   13  4 

Mutou8/ii  1/4— ditto  6/7— Cabages  4/2 19  i% 


3  10  8>^ 
To  2  Tierces  bread  deld  Capt.  Rockwell    1 

I  ditto         "        "     Peter  Haris  r    9    o  i  @  18/6...      8    6  8 

3  ditto         "         "     Tinker  &  Lester  j 

the  6  Tierces («  2/6 15 

3  barels  Beef  dd.  Tinker  &  Lester  bound  up  Connecticut 

River @3/  pr S    5 

4  bushels  Beans  deld.  Tinker  &  Lester  («  4/ 16 

Feby.  12.    To  Cash  paid  Tailor  &  Daniels,  transporting  7  P'rench 

persons,  &    their   bagage  to  Colchester  in  2  Carts, 

some  being  Sick,  &  travel  Charges,  per  accot 252 

March  6.    To  Cash  pd.  Tinker,  hire  of  Sloop  Hanah  from  Feby.  i, 

to   25th.      Inclusive,  26  days    (o     8/4    pr    Ton   pr 

month,  being  30  Ton,  the  owner  victualg&maning...  12  10 

paid  Ditto  for  Sloop  Dove  (Capt.  Lester)  from  3d  Feb}-. 

to  2oth  Inclusive  18  days  (<<  8/4  pr  Ton  pr  month 

being  20  ton 

1,300  bread  he  bout,  of  Wylys  &  Co.  at  Middletown  @  20/ 
gi}i  lb  Porke  he  bout.  @  3>^d  26/8X  Vz  bus.  beans  (a,  2/1 


To  days  time  2d,  3,  4,  5,  Feb}',  in  distributg.  the  French,  & 

makg.  out  the  Rule 

a  Journey  to  Norwich  on  rect.  of  Govt.  Fitch's  orders  to 

Confer  with  the  Comte , 

postage  Gov  Lette  6d 


To  my  Commissions. 


New  London  March  nth,  1756. 

G.   S.\LTONSTALL 
Errors  Excepted. 


5 

I 
I 

15 
8  9>< 

41 

>2  3W 

I 

8  0 

0 

76 

43 
0 

79H 
10 

.^43  17  9'-+ 


Colony  of  Connecticutt  for  Sundry  Charges  on  the  French  People  Brot  into  this  Colony 
per  Capt  Rockwell  &  Distributed  pr  order  order  of  the  General  Assemblj' 
To  Hez.  Huntington  Dtr 

To  4  Days  Spent  at  New  London  («  7/ £  i     8  o 

To  Capt.  Peter  Harrisses  Bill  Transporting i     8 

107  of  them  to  Norwich S  10  o 

To  man  and  Horse  at  Norwich  to  provide  teem  to  Transport  the  people..  050 
To  Thomas  &  Saml  LefRugwell  their  Bills  Transporting  to  Canterbury 

Plainfield  &c 222 

To  Transporting  these  to  preston  as  pr  Bill o    8 

'  Stale  Archives,  War.  Vol.  V. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD. 


(J9 


To  Dito  to  Volluntown  and  Killingly  b}-  Selectmen  of  Plainfield  as  pr 

Bill £  I     I  2 

To  Ditto  those  to  Windham  &  mansfield  as  pr  Bill  of  Saml  Gifford  ....  i   15  8 

To  Abell  Griswold  these  to  Lebanon  Mansfield  &c.  as  pr  his  Bill 3     53 

To  Ditto  James  Flint  to  Ashford i     5  o 

To  my  Vittiling  the  People  at  Norwich  as  per  bills 0113 

3     7 
04s 
6 

To  by  Expence  on  the  Rhoad  to  Canterbury i     7  6 

To  Capt.  Skiner  Bill  transporting  from  Rocky  Hill 2  15  o 

To  Selectmens  Bill  Transporting  to  Stonington o  15  o 

To  Expence  at  Capt  Kingsburj- Norwich o  15  6 

Entertaining  teems  to  Windham 

To  Mansfield  Selectmen  Bill o  16  0 

To  Mr  Stores  Transporting  to  Coventry i     8  2 

To  Dec  Williams  Transporting  to  Woodstock 060 

To  Capt  Konts  Bill  Transporting  from  Winsor  to  Sufiield  &  Enfield...  0100 
To  Woodbury  Selectmen  Bill  Transporting  their  people  from  Infield — 

38  miles 420 


Amt  Brofover  ^{^36    3  2>i 
To  my  time  &  Trouble  in  Contracting  With  the  People  and  Collecting 

the  amt  and  to  paj-  them  oflT. i 

To  Norwalk  Selectmens  Bill  Transporting  french  people  from  Fairfield  i 

To  Waterbury  Selectmen  Do  for  Do 3 

To  Danburj-  Selectmen  Do  for  Do 2 

To  Simsbury  Do o 


To  Canterbury  Selectmen 

To  Gilford  Selectmen 

Windsor  Bill 

Collo.  Avery  &  Pygan  Adams  Esqrs. 

Collo.  Saltonstall  pr  Bill 


IdA  13  2>4 

1  II  9 

2  II    8 


I 
6 

3  « 
6 

56 
43 

63 
17  9)i 

Thus  were  these  unhappy  people  scattered  throughout  Connecticut. 
Family  ties  were  shattered,  wives  were  separated  from  husbands  and  tender 
children  were  deprived  of  their  natural  and  God-given  protectors.  Strange 
faces  met  them  wherever  they  wandered.  Depressed  in  spirit,  broken  in 
body,  their  thoughts  ever  reverted  to  distant  Acadia,  the  scene  of  so  much 
peace  and  happiness  and  contentment,  and,  alas  !  of  so  much  sorrow.  There 
they  were  surrounded  with  abundance ;  here  they  had  become  the  objects  of 
public  charity.  A  less  virtuous  and  religious  people  would  have  broken  into 
open  rebellion  at  the  sight  of  their  chains,  even  though  against  overwhelm- 
ing odds  ;  but  their  religion,  to  which  they  were  fervently  attached,  supported 
them  amid  their  trials,  gave  them  strength  to  bear  their  exile  and  taught 
them  holy  submission  to  the  will  of  Him  who,  for  His  own  all-wise  purposes, 
permits  His  children  to  be  burdened  with  heavy  crosses. 


70  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

In  Connecticut  the  Acadians  were  not  only  frequently  treated  as  paupers, 
they  were  bound  out  to  the  most  menial  service. 

The  legislation  of  the  General  Assembly,  January,  1756,  directed  and 
required  each  town  to  take  care  of  and  support  them  as  though  they  were 
inhabitants.  The  aged  and  infirm  were  to  receive  ample  provision  from  the 
treasury  of  the  Colony.  But  some  of  the  towns  were  not  faithful  to  the 
humane  spirit  embodied  in  these  enactments.  The  town  of  Wallingford 
received  twelve  exiles,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  discharged  its  trust  is 
exemplified  by  an  entr)'  in  the  records  of  the  town  under  date  of  December 
21,  1756.  It  was  voted,  "That  the  Selectmen  be  impowered  to  proceed  with 
the  French  people  in  this  town  as  with  other  toiuii's  poor,  respecting  binding 
them  oitt^  etc.,  etc." 

The  town  of  Plainfield  recognized  its  duty  to  the  strangers  within  its 
borders.  It  listened  to  the  voice  of  humanity  pleading  for  these  impover- 
ished people,  and  it  has  the  honored  distinction  of  being  the  only  town  in 
Windham  county  to  make  official  and  public  provision  for  them.  They  were 
furnished  with  wood  and  meat,  and  medical  attendance  was  provided. 

In  Hartford  the  French  were  comfortably  housed.  The  vSelectmen  were 
directed  by  a  vote  of  the  town  to  erect  a  building  suitable  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  thirteen  people  sent  there,  as  no  house  with  the  necessary  room 
could  be  rented.  Two  years  after  this  vote  was  jjassed  the  records  show  that 
a  Robert  Nevins  was  allowed  20s.,  partly  for  rent  and  partly  for  damages 
his  house  sustained  during  its  occupancy  by  the  French.'  Of  the  nine 
allotted  to  Woodbury  the  names  of  four  have  come  down  to  us.  Petre  Beau- 
mont, Henrie  Sci.sceau,  Alexander  Pettigree  and  Philemon  Cherevoy.  The 
descendants  of  Cherevoy  were,  until  recently,  residents  of  the  town.^  The 
name  of  Sibyl  Sharway,  or  Shearaway,  has  been  preserved  as  that  of  one  of 
the  Acadians  assigned  to  Litchfield.  She  had  come  to  Connecticut  from 
Maryland,  and  was  one  of  the  persons  forming  the  "two  families"  referred 
to  in  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  February,  1757.  The  enact- 
ment vividly  recalls  the  wanderings,  the  unsettled  and  dependent  condition 
of  the  F'rench  exiles.  With  no  spot  they  could  claim  as  home,  subsisting 
on  charity — too  often  reluctantly  bestowed — and  depending  upon  severe  mas- 
ters, they  excite  our  profound  commiseration  and  arouse  feelings  of  indigna- 
tion against  their  oppressors.     The  Act  of  1757  is  as  follows  : 

"  Upon  the  memorial  of  Elisha  Stoddard  and  others,'  .selectmen  for  the  town  of 
Woodbury,  representing  to  this  Assembly  that  there  has  lately  come  to  said  town  of 
Woodbury  two  families  of  the  French  neutrals  from  Maryland,  three  persons  in  each 
family  ;  and  also  shewing  to  said  A.ssembly  that  said  town  of  Woodbury  liad  their  pro- 
portionable ])art  of  the  French  neutrals  to  support,  sent  to  this  government  by  Governor 
L;iwrence  ;  praying  lo  said  .Vssembly  to  order  concerning  said  neutral  families  :  Where- 
upon it  is  resolved  by  this  Assembly,  that  one  of  said  families  be  immediatelj"  trans- 

'  "  Memorial  llist.  of  Hartford  Co.."  Vol.  I.,  p.  302. 

'A  child  of  Philemon  Cherevoy,  name  unknown,  died  at  Woodburj',  August  22,  1790. 
Philemon  Cherevoy  died  Blarch  i,  1801,  aged  52  j-ears  ;  Nathaniel  Cherevoy  died  April 
29,  1813,  aged  28. 

»"Col.  Rec,"  Vol.  X.,  p.  615. 


DIOCESE  OE  HARTEORD.  71 

ported  to  the  town  of  Litchfield,  and  the  other  of  said  families  to  the  town  of  New  Mil- 
ford,  by  the  direction  of  the  selectmen  of  Woodbury,  and  that  the  selectmen  of  said  towns 
of  Litchfield  and  New  Milford  are  hereby  ordered  and  directed  to  receive  said  French 
families  and  provide  for  their  support  and  deal  with  them  from  time  to  time  according  to 
the  directions  of  an  act  of  Assembly  of  this  Colony  made  respecting  the  French  sent  to 
this  government  by  Governor  Lawrence,  and  that  the  expence  of  transporting  said 
French  families  from  said  Woodbury  to  said  towns  be  at  the  expence  of  this  Colony." 

Litchfield  provided  for  its  Acadian  charges  in  a  manner  consonant  with 
the  spirit  of  Christianity.  In  the  records  of  the  town  we  find  these  entries : 
In  January,  1759,  it  was  "voted  that  the  Selectmen  may  provide  a  house  or 
some  suitable  place  in  the  town  for  the  inaintenauce  of  the  French.''''  In  the 
County  Treasurer's  record  is  the  following:  "To  paid  John  Newbree  for 
keeping  William  Dunlap  and  the  French  persons.^  54J.  6^/,  which  the  County 
allowed,  and  R.  Sherman,  Justice  of  the  Quorum,  drew  an  order  dated  April 
25,  1760,  as  per  order  on  file." 

We  have  seen  that  fourteen  Acadians  were  assigned  to  Stratford.  Among 
them  was  William  Rose,  a  gardener.'  Rose  married  Jeannette  Mann.  His 
children  were  Peter,  Mabel,  Charity  and  Polly.  He  died  April  21.  18 12,  aged 
90  years. 

The  Stratford  Acadians  remained  steadfast  to  the  Catholic  faith,  though 
strenuous  efforts  were  put  forth  to  proselytize  them.  The  Church  of  Eng- 
land minister  at  Stratford  bears  witness  to  their  unconquerable  fidelity  in  the 
midst  of  the  spiritual  dangers  that  environed  them.  Writing  to  the  Home 
Secretary,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Winslow  said  :  "  Besides  these  (Dissenters),  there  are 
no  other  sectaries  among  us,  except  a  few  families  of  French  neutrals,  of 
inconsiderable  notice,  who  were  in  the  beginning  of  the  war  dispersed  from 
Nova  Scotia,  and  remain  inflexibly  tenacious  of  their  superstitions  (?).  But 
there  is  not  the  least  danger  of  any  influence  from  them.  //  is  rather  hopeful 
that  if  they  are  not  themselves,  their  posterity  may  in  time  be  brought  off  from  their 
errors  (/),  though  hitherto  they  will  not  suffer  any  efforts  of  this  kind.''''  ^ 

These  lines  throw  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  anti-Catholic  sentiment  then 
prevalent.  The  unfortunate  Acadians  became  the  objects  of  unpardonable 
ridicule,  were  branded  as  superstitious  and  as  the  disciples  of  error.  Socially 
they  were  outcasts,  destitute  of  influence  among  their  fellows,  and  solely 
because  they  worshiped  God  according  to  the  manner  of  the  church 
founded  by  Jesus  Christ.  If  they  had  abandoned  their  religion  ;  had  they  set 
their  faces  against  all  they  had  previously  held  sacred  at  the  "efforts"  of 
proselytizing  clergymen,  they  would  not  have  been  superstitious,  but  children 

'  This  anecdote  is  told  of  Rose.  It  was  his  custom  to  fish  in  the  harbor  of  Bridge- 
port in  a  boat,  accompanied  only  by  his  faithful  dog  Lj'on.  One  day  he  lost  his  balance 
and  fell  overboard,  and  was  on  the  point  of  being  drowned  vphen  his  dog  swam  to  him. 
He  grasped  the  dog's  tail  and  directed  him  to  swim  for  the  shore.  When  the  faithful 
animal  had  brought  his  master  almost  to  the  shore,  he  turned  about  and  began  to  swim 
out  again,  when  Rose,  in  his  broken  French,  called  out :  "  Tudder  way,  Lyon."'  The  dog 
obeying  the  command,  towed  his  master  to  the  shore. — Orcutt's  "  Hist,  of  Stratford  and 
Bridgeport." 

^  Church  Documents  of  the  Prot.  Ep.  Ch.  in  Connecticut,  Vol.  II.,  p.  31. 


72  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEIV  ENGLAND. 

of  light,  nor  would  they  have  been  "of  inconsiderable  notice."  The  last 
few  lines  of  the  al)ove  are  a  melancholy  commentary  on  the  spirit  that  ani- 
mated some  of  the  Protestant  clergy  of  colonial  times.  As  it  was  then,  so  is 
it  now.  If  perversions  cannot  be  made  among  the  parents,  strike  the  church 
in  her  children.  But  as  the  elder  .\cadians  of  Stratford  manfully  resisted  all 
"efforts"  to  seduce  them  from  the  path  of  duty,  we  would  fain  believe  that 
"  their  posterity  were  not  in  time  brought  off  from  their  errors,"  but,  stimu-  ' 
lated  by  the  noble  teacliings  and  lieroic  e.Kample  of  their  parents,  they  refused 
to  bow  assent  to  a  creed  that  held  them  in  abhorrence. 

In  1759  we  find  traces  of  a  small  band  of  these  helpless  people  at  Xew- 
ington,  though  they  were  not  originally  assigned  there.  They  were  provided 
for  by  the  selectmen,  who,  in  1762,  built  a  house  for  them  near  Howard's 
Pond.     It  is  probable,  they  were  a  part  of  the  Hartford  contingent. 

As  we  have  seen,  Waterbury's  allotment  was  six,  all  members  of  one 
family.  In  1763  the  town  "Voted,  to  give  the  French  family  in  this  Town, 
in  order  to  Transport  sd.  French  Family  into  the  Northward  Country,  not 
exceeding  Ten  pounds,  including  Charitable  Contributions." 

The  paucity  of  authentic  records  makes  it  no  easy  task  to  follow  the 
wanderings  of  the  Acadian  exiles  in  Connecticut.  In  1767,  however,  some 
persons,  evidently  of  influence  and  authority,  gathered  the  scattered  rem- 
nants of  their  people  at  Norwicii,  whence  240  of  them  were  carried  to 
Quebec  by  Captain  Leffingwell  in  the  brig  "Pitt."  The  historian  of  Nor- 
wich, Miss  Caulkins,  asserts  that  ^^  /heir  priesi"  returned  with  them.  If 
priests  were  with  the  expatriated  French,  they  were  not  numerous.  It  is 
traditional,  that  two  Acadian  priests  resided  near  Hartford.  The  Neutrals 
at  Baltimore  were  consoled  by  the  ministrations  of  a  fellow-exile.  Father 
Le  Clerc,  and  we  know  that  the  priests  of  Mines,  Piziquid  and  Annapolis 
were  put  on  board  of  transports  bound  for  New  England.  But,  notwith- 
standing, it  was  not  the  intention  of  the  English  oppressors  that  the  Acadians 
should  remain  loyal  to  the  Catholic  faith.  Every  means  was  employed  to 
deprive  them  of  this  precious  treasure.  Every  obstacle  that  might  cause 
them  to  forget  their  religion  was  thrown  in  their  way.  When  some  of  the 
broken-hearted  people  craved  the  privilege  of  being  allowed  the  presence 
of  priests  in  their  exile,  they  were  heartlessly  refused  the  boon,  as  we 
gather  from  a  paragraph  in  a  letter  written  by  the  arch-conspirator,  Governor 
Lawrence,  to  the  Board  of  Trade:  "As  the  three  French  priests,  Chevereuil, 
Daudin  and  Le  Maire,  were  of  no  further  use  in  this  province  after  the  re- 
moval of  the  French  inhabitants,  Admiral  Boscowan  has  been  so  good  as  to 
take  them  on  board  of  his  fleet  and  is  to  give  them  a  passage  to  England." 

Presuming,  however,  upon  the  presence  of  Acadian  priests  in  Connecti- 
cut at  this  period,  it  is  probable  they  did  not  extend  the  sphere  of  their  minis- 
terial labors  beyond  the  limits  of  their  immediate  domicile,  owing  to  the  law 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly,  January  21,  1756,  which  forbade  any  Acadian 
to  depart  from  the  town  to  which  he  had  been  as.signed  without  written  permis- 
sion from  the  civil  authorities  of  such  town.  The  law  comprehended  both  clergy 
and  laity,  and  the  enforcement  of  it  would  preclude  the  exercise  of  sacerdotal 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  73 

functions  beyond  the  towns  in  which  tlie  priests  resided.  Moreover,  ignorance 
of  tlie  English  language  would  make  traveling  from  town  to  town  botli  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous.  Laws  of  similar  purport  prevailed  also  in  Massachusetts, 
where  opposition  to  Catholic  priests  was  more  violent  and  more  openly  pro- 
nounced than  in  Connecticut.  It  may  be  stated  without  reserve,  that  no 
Acadian  priest  in  Massachusetts,  if  any  such  there  were,  ever  officiated  pub- 
licly at  divine  worship.  "  No  exception  was  taken  to  their  prayers  in  their 
families,  in  their  own  way,  which  I  believe  they  practiced  in  general,  and 
sometimes  they  assembled  several  families  together ;  but  the  people  would 
upon  no  terms  have  consented  to  the  public  exercise  of  religious  worship  by 
Roman  Catholic  priests.'" 

The  existence  of  these  prohibitory  laws,  the  sentiment  of  hostility  enter- 
tained against  Catholic  priests  and  the  entire  absence  of  priests  in  many 
places,  were,  no  doubt,  among  the  reasons  for  the  appointment  and  authoriz- 
ation of  Acadian  laymen  in  New  England  and  elsewhere  to  join  their  fellow- 
e.xiles  in  marriage  rather  than  have  the  ceremony  performed  by  clergymen  of 
alien  creeds.  The  parties  to  the  marriage  expressed  their  consent  in  the 
presence  of  their  assembled  families  and  the  old  Acadian  people,  with  the 
understanding  and  promise,  however,  of  renewing  their  consent  and  having 
their  union  blessed  by  a  priest,  should  they  ever  have  the  happiness  to  meet 
one.  The  Abbe  Cyprian  Tanguay,  the  Canadian  genealogist,  in  his  work,  A 
Traves  les  Registn's,  Montreal,  1886,  publishes  an  entry  taken  from  the  regis- 
ter of  the  parish  of  Deschambault  anent  the  renewal  of  consent  of  marriage 
by  Michel  Robichau  and  Marguerite  Landry  before  the  cure  of  the  parish, 
Rev.  Jean  Menage,  on  October  27,  1766: 

"...  Who  (Michel  Robichau  and  Blarguerite  Landry)  presented  a  writing  bj- which 
it  is  said  that,  having  been  taken  prisoners  bj'  the  English  and  expelled  from  their  coun- 
try, for  want  of  receiving  the  teachings  and  the  doctrines  of  the  English  ministers,  they 
married  themselves  in  the  presence  of  their  assembled  families  and  of  the  old  Acadian 
people,  in  New  England,  in  the  hope  of  renewing  their  marriage,  if  ever,  after  their  cap- 
tivity ended,  they  fell  into  the  hands  of  French  priests." 

Among  those  mentioned  by  the  Abbe  Tanguay  who  were  authorized  to 
receive  the  consent  of  persons  wishing  to  be  married  was  "  Louis  Robichaud, 
husband  of  Jeanne  Bourgeois,  Acadian  refugee  in  Quebec,  who  was  at  Salem, 
New  England,  in  1774.  He  was  then  aged  71  years.  This  respectable  old 
man  had  received  the  extraordinary  power  of  dispensing  the  publications  of 
the  banns  and  the  impediments  to  marriage,  etc.,  (meaning  those  purely 
ecclesiastical)  for  Catholics  who  could  not  have  recourse  to  the  ministry  of 
priests  in  New  England." 

"The  form  of  acts  of  marriage  given  b)-  Louis  Robichaud  was  as  follows: 

S-\LEM,  .  .  .   1774. 

"  B}^  virtue  of  the  powers  given  me,  Louis  Robichaud,  by  Mons.  Charles  Francois 

Bailly,  priest,  Vicar  General  of  the  Diocese  of  Quebec,  at  present  at  Halifax,  missionary 

to  the  Indians  and  to  the  French,  to  receive  the  mutual  consent  of  Catholics  desiring  to 

unite  themselves  in  marriage,  in  this  Province,  as  also  to  grant  dispensations  to  those 

'  Hutchinson's  "  His/,  of  Mass.  Bay." 


74  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

who  would  be  married  within  certain  degrees  of  affinity  or  of  consanguinity,  and  who  are 

in  need  of  such,  I  confess  to  having  received  the  mutual  consent  of  marriage  of 

of  the  3d  to  the  4th  degree  of  consanguinity the  said  parties  have  promised  and 

do  promise,  on  the  first  occasion  that  they  shall  find  a  priest  approved  by  the  Holy  Cath- 
olic, Apostolic  and  Roman  Church,  to  receive  the  nuptial  benediction. 

"The  said  act  made  in  the  presence "  ' 

We  shall  bring  this  chapter  to  a  close  with  the  testimony  of  historians 
who  cannot  be  charged  with  pro-Catholic  sympathies.  Their  words  are  the 
eloquent  expression  of  hearts  .stirred  to  their  depths  with  sorrow  fur  the  un- 
paralleled sufferings  of  the  French  Neutrals,  as  well  as  a  severe  but  righteous 
indictment  of  their  oppressors;  and  their  sentiments,  so  honestly  and  fearlessly 
recorded,  will  serve  to  dispel,  in  some  degree,  at  least,  the  mists  of  prejudice 
raised  against  the  hapless  Acadians  by  apologists  of  English  cruelty  and  vin- 
dictiveness. 

vSays  Haliburton  :  Tradition  is  fresh  and  positive  in  the  various  jjarts  of 
the  United  States  where  they  were  afterwards  located,  respecting  their  guile- 
less, peaceable  and  scrupulous  character  ;  and  the  descendants  of  those  whose 
long-cherished  and  endearing  local  attachments  induced  them  to  return  to 
the  laud  of  their  nativity,  still  deserve  the  name  of  a  mild,  frugal  and  pious 
people. 

....  Upon  an  impartial  review  of  the  tran.sactious  of  the  period,  it  must 
be  admitted  that  the  transportation  of  the  Acadians  to  distant  colonies  with  all 
the  marks  of  ignominy  and  guilt  peculiar  to  convicts,  was  cruel;  and  although 
such  a  conclusion  could  not  then  be  drawn,  yet  subsequent  events  have  dis- 
closed that  their  exptilsion  was  unnecessary.  It  seems  totally  irreconcilable 
with  the  idea  of  justice  entertained  at  this  day,  that  tho.se  who  are  not  involved 
in  the  guilt  shall  participate  in  the  punishment;  a  whole  community  shall 
suffer  for  the  misconduct  of  a  part.  It  is,  doubtless,  a  stain  on  the  Provincial 
Councils,  and  we  shall  not  attempt  to  justify  that  which  all  good  men  have 
agreed  to  condemn. 

From  Smith's  Acadia:  History  is  replete  with  instances  of  the  readiness 
of  man,  in  every  degree  of  enlightenment,  to  lay  dovi^n  his  life  in  defense  of 
his  right  to  worship  God  as  he  chooses  :  the  Neutrals  were  denied  the  set-vices 
of  their  priests,  when  such  deprivation  meant,  according  to  the  light  of  their 

faith,  the  loss  of  their  hope  of  happiness  in  the  world  to  come The 

banishment  from  one's  country  has  ever  been  adjudged  one  of  the  most  severe 
penalties  known  in  jurisprudence;  this,  and  the  other  extremes  of  human 
mi.sery,  the  poor,  exiled  Acadians  suffered,  b\-  the  \'oluntary  acts  of  men  differ- 
ing only  in  language  and  religion. 

From  liossmg's  I/istory  0/  the  United  States:  The  cruel  sequel  (of  the 
war)  deserves  universal  reprobation.  The  total  destruction  of  the  French 
settlements  was  decided  upon  under  the  plea  that  the  Acadians  would  aid  their 

'  Quoted  by  U.  S.  Calh.  Hist.  Mag.,  Jan'j',  1S87.  Similar  faculties  were  granted  to 
and  exercised  by  a  Canadian  laj'uian,  Pierre  Mallett,  at  N'inctnnes,  Ind.,  between  the 
departure  of  Rev.  P.  Gibault  in  October,  1789,  and  the  arrival  of  Rev.  Benedict  Flaget  in 
1792.^"  Hist,  oj  llif  Diocese  of  Vincennes."     Alerding. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  75 

.  French  brethren  in  Canada.  The  innocent  and  happy  people  were  seized  in 
their  homes,  fields  and  churches  and  conveyed  aboard  the  English  vessels. 
Families  were  broken,  never  to  be  united ;  and  to  compel  the  surrender  of 
those  who  fled  to  the  woods,  their  starvation  was  insured  by  a  total  destruction 
of  their  growing  crops.  The  Acadians  were  stripped  of  everything,  and  those 
who  were  carried  away  were  scattered  among  the  English  colonies,  helpless 
beggars,  to  die  heart-broken  in  a  strange  land.  In  one  short  month  their 
paradise  had  become  a  desolation  and  a  happy  people  were  crushed  into  the  dust. 

The  words  of  Smith  form  an  appropriate  comment  on  this  passage  of  the 
American  historian  :  This  incursion,  aided  and  abetted  and  paid  for  by  Eng- 
land, consummated  by  New  England  troops,  under  a  Massachusetts  com- 
mander bred  in  a  Puritan  atmosphere,  in  the  name  of  religion,  was  conducted 
in  so  heartless  a  manner,  that  as  though  by  common  consent,  the  reports  of 
details  have  been  purposely  destroyed,  and  historians  have  passed  over  it  with 
only  an  allusion,  as  if  unable  to  record  the  shame  of  the  transaction. 

We  shall  supplement  this  testimony  with  the  words  of  Most  Rev.  William 
Walsh,  Archbishop  of  Halifax,  who,  on  the  centennial  of  the  expulsion,  issued 
a  pastoral  letter  in  which  he  reviewed  the  sad  history  of  the  Acadians.  Tlie 
letter,  dated  September  8,  1855,  is  addressed  "To  Our  Dearly-Beloved  Breth- 
ren, the  Acadians  of  the  Archdiocese  of  Halifax."     We  submit  an  extract: 

"Dearly  Beloved  Brethren. — On  the  loth  of  September,  1755,  nearly  two  thous- 
and Acadian  Catholics  were  barbarously  driven  from  their  happy  homes  by  the  ruthless 
hand  of  persecution.  For  their  attachment  to  the  faith  of  their  fathers  were  they  thus 
pursued  ;  and  the  voice  of  posterity  has  proclaimed  the  foul  injustice  of  the  act,  and  the 
cold-blooded  hypocrisy  and  cruelty  with  which  it  was  accomplished.  The  annals  of 
historj'  scarcely  record  a  more  heart-rending  scene  than  that  which  was  witnessed  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Gaspereau,  and  on  the  shores  of  the  Basin  of  Minas,  on  the  memorable 
day  alluded  to.  No  doubt  it  was  fondly  hoped  that  the  wholesale  deportation  of  this 
innocent  people,  and  the  confiscation  of  their  property  would  efifectuallj'  extinguish  the 
Catholic  religion  in  Nova  Scotia.  Here,  howeVer,  the  impious  calculations  of  the  perse- 
cutor have  been  defeated  hy  the  mercy  of  heaven,  thank  God.  After  a  long  and  gloomy 
interval  of  suffering,  proscription  and  exclusion  the  Acadian  Catholic  still  survives  in 
the  cherished  land  of  his  fathers,  and  the  glorious  faith  for  which  the  exiles  and  victims 
of  1755  endured  the  loss  of  property  and  life,  still  flourishes  in  the  heart  of  nearly  one- 
third  of  the  people  of  Nova  Scotia It  is  now  a  matter  of  history  that  the  children 

of  these  Confessors  of  the  Faith  who  were  driven  forth  from  Nova  Scotia  in  1755,  and 
most  cruelly  dispersed  over  the  American  Continent,  made  frequent  attempts  to  return 
to  their  native  land,  that  their  bones  might  rest  in  the  bosom  of  their  beloved  Acadia. 
A  few,  at  length,  happily  succeeded,'  and  established  themselves  in  the  midst  of  the 
u'ntrodden  forest,  and  along  the  virgin  shores  of  that  beautiful  bay  which  their  piety 
delighted  to  honor  with  the  endearing  name  of  the  Immaculate  Mother  of  God.  Here, 
whilst  the  spacious  and  fertile  lands  of  their  fathers  in  the  most  luxuriant  spots  of 
Acadia  were  possessed  by  strangers,  who  had  never  toiled  to  reclaim  them  from  the 
dominion  of  the  wilderness,  those  new  settlers  made  secret  progress.  Fostered  by  the 
protecting  hand  of  Him  who  will  not  suffer  '  the  just  man  to  be  abandoned,  nor  his  seed 
to  want  bread,'  they  throve  apace,  and  with  the  patient  spirit  of  their  ancestors,  they 
made  the  wilderness  blossom  as  the  ro.se.  The  children  of  confessors  and  martyrs,  they 
were  sure  to  merit  the  protection  of  Heaven.  The  '  little  flock  '  soon  increased  to  hun- 
dreds, and  from  hundreds  to  thousands,  and  their  children  and  children's  children  are 

'See  page  72. 


7G  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

now  to  be  found  in  various  parts  of  Nova  Scotia  and  the  neighboring  provinces,  speaking 
the  language  of  the  country  from  which  they  boast  of  being  descended,  and  glorying  in 
the  profession  of  that  Catholic  faith  which  their  forefathers  prized  beyond  life  itself 

"In  these  few  words,  cherished  portion  of  our  beloved  flock,  we  have  traced  your 
melancholj'  but  glorious  history.  You  are  tlie  descendants  of  those  who  passed  through 
the  Red  Sea  of  persecution,  and  were  marked  with  the  sign  of  suffering,  because  they 
were  the  faithful  disciples  of  Christ  crucified  ;  of  those  who  in  '  the  former  days  being 
illuminated'  with  peace  from  the  Father  of  lights,  endured  a  great  fight  of  affliction.'' 


THE  FRENCH  ARMY  IN  CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

PRELIMINARY  CONFERENCES. 

HE  services  rendered  by  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Catholic  France  to 
the  Colonies  in  their  struggle  for  independence  form  a  brilliant  chapter 
in  American  history  with  which  every  student  is  familiar.  Washing- 
ton gratefully  acknowledged  their  a.ssistance  in  his  Reply  to  an  Address  from 
the  Roman  Catholics  of  the  United  States.  The  address  was  signed  by  Right 
Rev.  John  Carroll,  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  on  behalf  of  the  clergy,  and  by  Charles 
Carroll,  of  Carrollton  ;  Dominick  Lynch,  Thomas  Fitzsimmons  and  Daniel 
Carroll,  on  behalf  of  the  laity.  Washington  said  :  "I  presume  your  fellow- 
citizens  will  not  forget  the  patriotic  part  which  you  took  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  their  revolution  and  the  establishment  of  their  government — or  the 
important  assistance  xvhicli  they  received  from  a  nation  in  zuhich  the  Roman  Catholic 
faith  is  professed." 

The  names  of  Lafayette  and  De  Grasse,  of  Rochambeau  and  De  Choisey 
— names  "  that  were  not  born  to  die,"  and  which  are  synonymous  with  chivalry, 
dauntless  courage  and  nobility  of  character — are  wreathed  with  undying  lustre 
and  are  held  in  benediction  b}'  a  grateful  nation.  It  is  no  part  of  our  purpo.se 
to  relate  the  story  of  their  heroic  achievements  on  laud  and  on  sea;  ours  it  is 
to  follow  them  in  their  march  through  Connecticut,  to  place  on  record  here 
the  impressions  their  magnificent  appearance  and  superb  discipline  made  upon 
this  portion  of  the  American  people,  and  to  recall  the  fact  that  it  was  within 
the  present  limits  of  our  diocese,  a  few  miles  only  from  the  episcopal  residence, 
and  by  the  aid  of  the  experienced  counsels  of  the  French  generals,  that  the 
plans  were  arranged  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown, 
and  the  termination  of  British  power  in  the  Colonies.  Brave  and  generous 
sous  of  a  Catholic  nation  and  devoted  children  of  the  Catholic  church,  they 
are  a  part  of  the  history  of  early  Catholicity  in  Connecticut.  They  fought 
no  battles  on  our  soil,  nor  performed  licre  great  deeds  of  valor.  Their  meet- 
ings were  with  friends,  not  with  foes.  Their  passage  across  the  State  was  as 
rapid  as  the  circumstances  would  permit,  for  theirs  was  a  mission  of  tremen- 
dous importance  to  the  American  cause.     Nevertheless,  they  left  upon  the 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  77 

State  au  impress  that  is  yet  undimined  and  have  bequeathed  to  us,  tlieir  co- 
religionists, a  record  of  which  we  are  justly  proud.  Their  route  from  New- 
port to  the  Hudson  abound  in  memories  that  are  ineffaceable.  Wherever 
they  passed  they  became  the  idols  of  the  populace  and  were  everywhere 
acclaimed  the  noble  champions  of  American  liberty. 

The  first  Frenchman  to  offer  his  services  to  the  Continental  Congress  was 
the  youthful,  generous  and  chivalrous  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  then  nineteen 
years  of  age.  Congress  at  first  refused  his  tender,  but  finally  bestowed  upon 
Lafayette  the  rank  and  commission  of  a  Major-General  in  the  army  of  the 
United  States.  Having  served  with  distinction  in  the  Virginia  and  Rhode 
Island  campaigns,  he  returned  to  France  impressed  with  the  purpose  of  secur- 
ing aid  from  his  sovereign,  Louis  XVL  His  plea  for  reinforcements  was 
successful.  In  consequence  of  his  intervention  a  French  fleet  carrying  6,000 
soldiers  under  the  command  of  Admiral  de  Ternay'  and  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau  arrived  at  Newport  on  July  10,  1780.  They  came  at  a  time 
when  the  ami}-  and  finances  of  the  Colonies  were  in  a  deplorable  condition, 
and  were  received  with  unbounded  enthusiasm.  By  order  of  the  French 
government  the  new  reinforcements  were  placed  under  the  command  of 
General  Washington,  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American  forces. 

After  his  arrival.  Count  de  Rochambeau,  as  the  commander  of  the  French 
land  forces,  sought  an  interview  with  General  Washington,  but  military 
duties  prevented  a  meeting  until  September  20th.  The  allied  commanders 
met  at  Hartford. 

Rochambeau  set  out  for  the  rendezvous  on  the  17th,  with  Admiral  De 
Ternay  as  traveling  companion.  As  the  admiral  was  afflicted  with  the  gout, 
they  made  the  journey  in  a  carriage.  On  the  evening  of  the  17th,  when  near 
Windham,  the  conveyance  broke  down,  and  they  were  unable  to  proceed. 
Rochambeau  sent  one  of  his  aides,  de  Fersen,  in  search  of  a  blacksmith  to 
make  the  necessary  repairs.  The  aide  found  one  about  a  mile  from  the  scene 
of  the  accident,  but  so  ill  that  he  declared  he  would  not  work  at  night  if  he 
received  a  hat  full  of  guineas.  Undaunted  by  the  refusal,  both  Rochambeau 
and  De  Ternay — the  latter  with  difficulty — went  to  the  smith,  and  importuned 
him  to  repair  their  carriage.  They  informed  him  that  Washington  was  about 
to  arrive  at  Hartford  to  confer  with  them,  but  that  the  conference  would  not 
take  place  if  the  carriage  were  not  repaired.  It  was  a  pressing  argument  and 
prevailed.  "You  are  not  deceivers,"  said  the  smith.  "I  have  read  in  the 
Connecticut  Journal  that  Washington  is  expected  to  confer  with  you,  and  I 
recognize  that  this  is  in  the  public  service.  Your  carriage  will  be  ready  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  morning." 

'  Charles  Louis  D'Arsac  de  Ternay  was  born  in  1722.  He  died  in  December,  1781,  at 
Newport.     The  Conn.  Courant  o{  December  22,  1781,  contained  the  following  notice  : 

Newport.  Buried  in  Trinity  Cliurchyard,  His  Excellency  Charles  Louis  de  Terna}', 
Knight  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  late  Governor  of  the  Islands  of  France  and  Bourbon, 
and  Chief  Commander  of  the  French  Squadron  in  the  American  Seas.  His  talents,  zeal, 
and  distinguished  services  have  merited  him  the  confidence  and  favor  of  his  gov-arnmen*' 
and  country. 


78  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

On  their  return  journey  another  accident  befell  their  carriage  almost  at 
the  same  place.  Appealed  to  again  for  aid,  the  smith  said  :  "Well,  you  wish 
me  to  work  at  night  again?"  Rochambeau  informed  him  that  the  English 
Admiral  Rodney  had  arrived  with  a  naval  force  three  times  as  large  as 
their  own,  and  therefore,  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  press  on  in  order  to 
oppose  his  operations.  "  But,"  interposed  the  loquacious  disciple  of  Vulcan, 
"  what  will  your  six  vessels  do  against  the  tweut}-  ships  of  the  English?  At 
any  rate,  you  are  a  brave  people.  You  shall  have  your  carriage  at  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  But,  without  wisliiug  to  know  your  secrets,  tell  me,  were 
you  pleased  with  Washington  and  he  with  )-ou?"  ' 

At  this  conference  Washington  was  accompanied  by  General  Lafayette 
and  General  Kno.x,  while  with  Rochambeau  were  Admiral  de  Ternav,  Gen- 
eral Chastellux  and  the  aides-de-camp.  Count  de  Fer.sen,  Marquis  de  Danias 
and  M.  Dumas,^  and  his  son,  the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau. 

The  execution  of  tlie  plans  then  agreed  upon  depended  upon  the  arrival 
of  a  second  division  of  French  troops  or  in  an  increase  of  the  naval  forces.  It 
■was  also  decided  to  despatch  an  envoy  to  France  to  solicit  new  reinforcements 
from  the  ministry  ;  and  for  this  mission  the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau,  son  of 
the  commander,  was  chosen. 

The  meeting-place  of  the  Frencli  and  American  generals  is  thus  de- 
scribed. Speaking  of  Lafayette's  departure  from  Bennet's  hotel,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  visit  to  Hartford,  in  1 824,  a  writer  says  :  "  ^ 

"On  this  verj' .spot  where  stood  his  carriage,  General  Washington  first  met  General 
Rochambeau,  after  his  arrival  from  France  to  aid  in  the  cause  of  the  Revolution.  Here 
Washington  and  several  other  American  officers  first  shook  hands,  in  the  presence  of 
Lafayette,  with  the  officers  of  the  French  army.  This  place,  too,  was  in  front  of  the 
mansion  (Col.  Wadsworth's,  now  the  Athenaeum  "). 

'  "  LfS  Francois  En  Amerique.  1777-1783."     Balch. 

'  Count  tie  Fer.sen's  account  of  this  conference  is  thus  detailed  in  a  letter  to  his 
father,  dated  October  16,  1780 :  "I  was  about  fifteen  days  ago  at  Hartford,  forty  leagues 
distant  from  here  (Newport)  with  M.  de  Rochambeau.  We  were  onlj'  six,  the  Admiral, 
his  Chief  of  Engineers,  his  son,  the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau,  and  three  aids-decamp,  of 
whom  I  was  one.  He  had  an  interview  there  with  Washington.  M.  de  Rochambeau  sent 
me  in  advance  to  announce  his  arrival,  and  I  had  time  to  see  this  man,  illustrions,  if  not 
unique  in  our  century.  His  handsome  and  majestic,  while,  at  the  same  time,  mild  and 
open  countenance  perfectly  reflects  his  moral  qualities  ;  he  looks  the  hero ;  he  is  very 
cold  ;  speaks  little,  but  is  courteous  and  frank.  A  shade  of  sadness  overshadows  his 
countenance,  which  is  not  unbecoming,  and  gives  him  an  interesting  air.  His  suite  was 
more  numerous  than  ours.  The  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  General  Knox,  Chief  of  Artillery, 
M.  de  Gouvion,  a  Frenchman,  Chief  of  Engineers  and  si.x  aids-de  camp  accompanied  him. 
...  As  there  is  no  traveling  bj' posting  in  this  country,  every  one  nuist  journey  with 
his  own  horses,  and  nearly  always  on  hor.seback,  because  of  the  bad  roads.  However, 
every  body  was  in  carriages,  except  our  two  aids-de  camp.  We  were  three  da3's  making 
the  journey.  General  Washington  as  many.  .  .  .  The  two  Generals  and  the  Admiral 
were  closeted  together  the  whole  of  the  day  we  passed  at  Hartford.  The  Marquis  de 
Lafayette  was  called  in  as  an  interpreter,  as  Washington  does  not  either  spe.ik  F'rench  or 
understand  it.     They  scparatej  nuitually  pleased  with  each  other — at  least  they  say  .so." 

■■'  "  An  Account  of  the  Toiif  of  General  Lafayette  through  tlie  United  Stales  in  1824-2^" 
(Hartford:  Silas  Andrus  &  Son,  1855.) 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  79 

The  plans  arranged  at  this  conference  were  frustrated  by  the  treason  of 
Arnold.  At  the  very  hour  in  which  Washington  and  Rochanibeau  were 
engaged  in  council  to  promote  the  cause  of  the  Revolution,  an  American 
officer,  born  of  the  soil,  was  conspiring  with  the  enemy  to  betray  his  country. 

Rochambeau's  main  army,  numbering  about  4000  men,  remained  at 
Newport.  To  determine  upon  a  plan  of  campaign  a  second  conference  was 
arranged  between  Washington  and  his  French  ally.  This  meeting  was  held 
on  May  21,  1781,  at  the  "Webb  house,"  in  Wethersfield.'  Rochambeau  was 
accompanied  by  General  Chastellux,  and  Washington  by  General  Knox  and 
General  Du  Portail."  We  quote  a  few  entries  from  Washington's  diary,  con- 
taining this  conference.  His  headquarters  were  at  New  Windsor,  on  the 
Hudson : 

"  May  i8th.  Set  out  this  day  for  the  interview  at  Wethersfield,  with  the  Count  de 
Rochanibeau  and  Admiral  Barras.  Reached  Morgan's  Tavern,  forty-three  miles  from 
Fishkill  Landing,  after  dining  at  Colonel  Vanderberg's. 

"  19th.  Breakfasted  at  Litchfield,  dined  at  Farmington,  and  lodged  at  Wethersfield, 
at  the  house  of  Joseph  Webb. 

"  20th.  Had  a  good  deal  of  private  conversation  with  Governor  Trumbull,  who  gave 
it  to  me  as  his  opinion  that  if  any  important  offensive  operations  should  be  undertaken, 
he  had  little  doubt  of  our  obtaining  men  and  provisions  adequate  to  our  wants.  In  this 
Colonel  Wadsworth  and  others  concurred. 

"  May  2ist.  Count  de  Rochambeau,  with  the  Chevalier  Chastellux,  arrived  about 
noon.  The  appearance  of  the  British  fleet  under  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  off  Block  Island, 
prevented  attendance  of  Count  de  Barras. 

"  22d.     Fixed,  with  Count  de  Rochambeau,  the  plan  of  the  campaign. 

'  23d.  Count  de  Rochambeau  set  out  on  his  return  to  Newport,  while  I  prepared  and 
forwarded  dispatches  to  the  Governors  of  the  four  New  England  States,  calling  on  them, 
in  earnest  and  pointed  terms,  to  complete  their  Continental  battalions  for  the  campaign, 
at  least,  if  not  for  three  years  or  the  war,"  etc' 

At  the  May  session,  1781,  the  General  Assembly  appropriated  .^500  to  defray  the 
expense  "to  be  incurred  in  quartering  General  Washington,  General  Knox,  General 
Duportail,  Count  de  Rochambeau,  Count  de  Barras,  and  the  Chevalier  de  Chastellux,  and 
their  suites,  in  Wethersfield." 

On  his  arrival  at  Hartford  on  the  21st,  Rochambeau  was  met  by  Wash- 
ington and  his  retinue  and  escorted  to  Wethersfield.  According  to  tradition, 
the  meeting  occurred  near  what  was  the  east  end  of  the  State  House,  now 
the  site  of  the  Post  Office  building.     Rochambeau  came  from  the  ferry  up 


'  The  Webb  house  at  Wethersfield  is  still  standing.  It  was  the  common  resting- 
place  for  American  oflicers  and  gentlemen  of  distinction  in  their  passage  through  Con- 
necticut, and  was  known  among  them,  from  the  generous  courtesy  of  its  occupants,  as 
"  Hospitality  Hall."  Its  chief  interest  to  the  historical  student  is  derived  from  its  hav- 
ing been  the  spot  elected  for  the  conference  held  between  Washington  and  Rocham- 
beau."    "Mag.  of  American  Hist.,  June,  iSSo." 

-  Du  Portail  was  a  French  officer  holding  a  commission  in  the  American  army. 
Other  French  officers  serving  with  the  Continental  forces  were  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gimat 
and  Major  Galvan.     Gimat  was  wounded  at  Yorktown. 

■'  In  Washington's  private  account  appears  this  item : 

"  May.  To  the  Expence  of  a  journey  to  Wethersfield,  for  the  purpose  of  an  inter- 
view with  the  French  Genrl  &  Adml,  specie  expended  in  this  trip,  ^35.  185.'' 


80  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Market  street,  while  Washington  rode  up  Main  street  from  his  headquarters 
at  Colonel  Wadsworth's. ' 

It  was  ajjreed  at  the  Conference  that  the  French  forces  should  effect  a 
junction  with  the  American  army  on  the  Hudson  as  soon  as  circumstances 
would  permit. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 
THE   MARCH   THROUGH   CONNECTICUT. 

^OCHAMBEAU  left  Hartford  for  Newport  on  the  23d.  On  the  9th  of 
June,  the  army  began  its  march  westward.  Arrived  at  Providence 
L^\_^  on  the  I  ith,  they  rested  there  until  the  18th,  when  they  started  on 
their  march  across  what  the  Abbe  Robin  calls  "  The  Province  of 
Connecticut."  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  principal  officers  with 
the  regiments  that  passed  through  the  State  : " 

Lieutenant-general,  Count  De  Rochambeau. 

Aides-de-Camp— Count  de  Fersen,  Marquis  de  Vauban,  Marquis  de  Danias,  Cheva- 
lier de  Lameth,  M.  Dumas,  De  Lauberdiere,  Baron  de  Clozen.  Marechaux  de-Camp— 
Major-general  Baron  de  Viomenil,  Major-general  Marquis  de  St.  Simon,  Major-general 
Viscount  de  Viomenil,  Major-general  Chevalier  de  Chastellux. 

M.  DE  Choisy,  Brigadier-general. 

Intendant — M.  de  Tarle.  Quartermaster-general — M.  de  B(5ville.  Commissarj'-gen- 
eral— Claude  Blanchard.  Medical  Department — M.  de  Coste,  Physician-in-chief:  M. 
Robillard,  Surgeon-inchief ;  M.  de  Mars,  Superintendent  of  Hospitals.  Engineers — 
Colonel  Desandrouins,  Lieutenant-colonel  de  Querenet,  Major  de  Palys  and  nine  line 
officers. 

.\rtillery. 

Colonel  Commandant  d'Aboville,  .\djutant  Manduil.  Director  of  the  Park,  M. 
Nadal.    Rank  and  file,  600. 

Cavalry. 

Lauzun's  Legion  (or  Volunteers) — Duke  de  Lauzun,  Count  Arthur  Dillon.'  Rank 
and  file,  600. 

Infantry. 

Brigade  Bourbonnois. — Regiment  Bourbonno!s—Qo\one\  Marquis  de  Laval,  Second- 
colonel  Viscount  de  Rochambeau,  Lieutenant- colonel  de  Bressolles,  Major  de  Gambs. 
Rank  and  file,  900. 

Regiment  Royal  Deitx/>o/i/s—Co\one\  Count  de  Deuxponts,  Second-colonel  Count 
Guillaume  de  Deuxponts,  Lieutenant  colonel  Baron  d'Hzbeck,  >L'jjor  Desprtz.  Rank  and 
file,  900. 

Brigade  Soissonois. — Regiment  Soissonois — Colonel  Marquis  de  St.  Maime,  Second 
colonel  Vicomte  de  Noailles,  Lieutenant-colonel  d'Anselme,  Major  d'Espeyron.  Rank  and 
file,  900. 

'  Memorial  Hist,  of  Hartford  Co.,  Vol.  /.,  p.  298. 

'  This  roster  of  French  officers  is  taken  from  the  lists  printed  in  the  Mag.  of  Am. 
Hist.,  Vol.  III.,  No.  7,  and  by  Blanchard  in  his  "Journal." 

'  Count  Dillon  was  the  second  in  command  at  the  siege  of  Savannah,  October  4-9, 
1779.     He  brought  with  him  from  France  his  own  Irish  regiment. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  81 

Regiment  Saintogne — Colonel  Marquis  de  Custine,  Second-colonel  Count  deCharlus, 
Lieutenant-colonel  de  la  Vatelle,  Major  i\I.  Fleury.     Rank  and  file,  900.' 

The  army  left  Providence  iu  the  following  order,  which  was  observed 
until  their  departure  from  Newtown,  when,  instead  of  marching  in  regiments, 
the  army  marched  in  brigades  :  On  the  i8th  (June)  the  Bourbonnois  (Count 
de  Rochambeau  and  General  Chastellux) ;  the  19th,  the  Royal  Deux-Ponts 
(Baron  de  Viomenil);  the  20th,  the' Soissonois  (Count  de  Viomenil);  the  21st, 
the  Saintonge  (M.  de  Custine).  The  regiments  followed  one  another  at  inter- 
vals of  a  day's  march,  or  at  a  distance  of  about  fifteen  miles. 

The  first  camp  after  leaving  Providence  was  at  Waterman'' s  Tavern., 
which  was  reached  on  the  evening  of  the  i8th.  The  second  encampment, 
and  the  first  in  Connecticut,  was  at  Plaiiificld  o\\  the  19th  ;  the  third  at  Wind- 
ham on  the  20th  ;  the  fourth  at  Bolton  on  the  21st ;  the  fifth  at  Harl/ord,  the 
Bourbonnois  on  the  22d,  the  Deux-Ponts  on  the  23d,  the  Soissonois  on  the 
24th,  and  the  Saintonge  on  the  25th.  The  regiments  rested  two  days  each, 
leaving  Hartford  in  the  same  order  on  the  25th,  26th,  27th,  and  2Sth, 
respectively.  The  advance  regiment  made  its  sixth  camp  at  Farmington  on 
the  25th.  June  26th  saw  them  at  Baron' s  Tazu-rn  near  Southington,  since 
known  as  French  Hill.  On  the  27th,  they  camped  at  Breakneck  in  Middle- 
bury.,  and  on  the  28th  at  Ne-vtown.^  where  the  army  rested  until  July  1st.  It 
was  Rochambeau's  intention  to  remain  here  till  the  2d,  but  urgent  orders 
from  Washington  caused  him  to  hasten  towards  the  Hudson.  At  Newtown 
the  Bourbonnois  and  the  Royal  Deux-Ponts  united,  as  did  also  the  Soisson- 
ois and  the  Saintonge.  In  this  order  both  brigades  set  out  on  July  ist  for 
Bridgebury  (Ridgebury),  which  they  reached  that  evening.  This  was  the 
last  camp  in  Connecticut  of  Rochambeau's  divisions  on  this  march.  At  this 
point  the  army  was  diverted  from  the  route  originally  planned  on  account  of 
information  received  from  General  Washington.  It  was  the  intention  to 
continue  westward  to  Crompond  and  thence  to  King's  Ferry  on  the  Hudson, 
but  instead,  Rochambeau  turned  southward  from  Ridgebury  and  reached  his 
eleventh  camp  at  Bedford.,  New  York,  on  July  2d,  where  he  was  joined  by 
the  legion  of  the  Duke  de  lyauzun.  The  march  was  continued  until  Jul}'  7th, 
when  a  junction  with  the  American  forces  was  effected  at  Phillipsburg. 

An  eye-witness  described  Rochambeau's  army  as  it  marched  across  the 
State  as  "magnificent  in  appearance,  superb  in  discipline."  They  conducted 
themselves  as  became  brave  soldiers  of  His  Christian  Majesty,  the  King  of 
France.     They  committed  no  acts  of  forage,  but  paid  liberally  for  the  sup- 

'  The  following  regiments  were  not  in  Connecticut,  but  were  engaged  at  Yorktown 
under  Rochambeau.  They  were  brought  from  the  West  Indies  b}-  St.  Simon  in  De 
Grasse's  fleet  : 

Brig.\de  Agexois. 

Regiment  Agenois — Colonel  Marquis  d'Audechamp,  Lieutenant-colonel  Chevalier  de 
Cadignau,  Major  Pandin  de  Beauregard.     Rank  and  file,  1000. 

Regiment  Gatenois — Colonel  Marquis  de  Rostaing,  Lieutenant- colonel  de  L'Estrade, 
Major  de  Tourville.     Rank  and  file,  1000. 

Regiment  Toiiraine  (not  brigaded) — Colonel  Vicomte  de  Pondeux,  Lieutenant-colo- 
-nel  de  IMontlezuu,  Major  Miinonville.     Rank  and  file,  1000. 
II— 6 


82  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

plies  furnished  them;  indeed,  their  liberality  became  a  household  word.  They 
carried  2,5CX),ooo  livres  for  Washington's  poorly  paid  troops,  besides  an 
abundance  of  silver  money  for  their  own  requirements.  Wherever  they 
halted  for  the  day,  they  were  cordially  received  by  officials  appointed  by  the 
governor  and  escorted  to  suitable  sites  for  encampment.  During  the  march 
fifteen  soldiers  deserted — ten  at  Windham  '  and  five  at  Newtown" — not  a  large 
number,  when  we  consider  that  they  were  marching  in  the  hottest  season  of  the 
year  in  a  foreign  land  and  under  great  difficulties.  There  was  no  rest  save  what 
was  imperatively  necessary,  and  the  army,  as  a  body,  responded  nobly  to  the 
demands  made  upon  them.  A  contemporary  chronicler  who  accompanied 
Rochambeau  says:  "  It  is  impossible  (for  the  army)  to  mcirch  better  than  it 
has  done  the  entire  distance,  or  to  show  greater  willingness;  it  is  true  that 
Messieurs  de  Custine  and  the  Viscount  de  Noailles  set  the  e.vample  by  march- 
ing the  entire  distance  on  foot  at  the  head  of  their  regiments."  ^ 

At  Bolton  an  incident  occurred  which  furnislied  a  subject  of  conversation 
for  some  time.  Count  de  Rochambeau  was  the  guest  of  the  Congregational 
minister,  the  Rev.  George  Colton,  "six  feet  three  inches,"  but  according  to 
another  authority,  "six  feet  seven  inches  in  height."  He  had  been  married 
twice,  but  had  no  children.  To  secure  an  heir  to  his  fortune  he  offered  to 
adopt  the  child  of  a  grenadier,  whose  wife  accompanied  him,  and  to  bestow 
upon  the  mother  for  herself  thirty  Louis  in  money;  but  she  resolutely  refused. 

The  camp  at  Hartford  was  pitched  on  a  field  north  of  the  house  of  the 
late  Nathaniel  Warren,  on  Silver  Lane.*  Rochambeau's  headquarters  was  at 
the  residence  of  Elisha  Pitkins,  E.sq.  The  other  officers  were  domiciled  at 
Joseph  Goodwin's,  Sr.,  at  the  Warren  house,  south  of  the  Hockanum  l)ridge, 
and  at  other  public  and  private  houses.  The  old  meeting-hou.se  near  Elisha 
Pitkin's  residence  was  used  as  an  ho.spital.  The  officials  of  the  town  were 
lavish  in  their  attentions  to  their  French  guests.  To  facilitate  their  trans- 
portation across  the  Connecticut  river  a  number  of  scows,  which  .served  as 
bridges,  were  pressed  into  service.  Silver  Lane  takes  its  name  from  the  large 
number  of  kegs  that  were  opened  here  to  pay  the  troops.  Tlie  soldiers  spent 
their  money  freely,  among  tlie  boys  for  errands  and  among  the  women  for 
sewing  and  mending  uniforms,  and  for  cakes,  pies  and  other  delicacies. 

Tradition  has  been  very  busy  with  stories  of  this  encampment ;  of  their 
cattle-roasts  in  tlie  meadows  and  the  barrels  of  soup  made  in  Elisha  Pitkin's 
yard  ;  of  the  frolicsome  dancing  parties  in  Ashael  Robert's  orchard  near  Silver 
Lane  ;  of  the  "  Belle-Bonne  "  (Beautiful  and  Good)  apples — a  name  given  by 
the  French  to  the  fruit  of  a  tree  in  this  orchard.  Tradition  tells  us  also  that 
the  French  officers  paid  a  visit  of  courtesy  to  some  English  prisoners  confined 
at  South  Windsor,  and  were  served  by  Governor  Franklin  with  sour  punches, 

'  Nine  from  the  Soissoiiois  and  one  from  the  Koyal  Deux-Tonts. 

■^  Krom  the  Bourbonnois. 

'  The  Soissonois  and  Saintonge. 

*Man}-  of  the  details  given  here  of  the  Hartford  encami)ment  are  drawn  from  Trum- 
bull's Memorial  History  of  Hartford  Co.,  and  from  East  Hartford:  Its  History  and  Traditions, 
both  admirable  works. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  83 

whose  sweet  and  sour  ingredients  were  so  pleasantly  blended  as  to  draw  from 
the  French  the  name  "one  grand  contradiction." 

The  stay  of  the  army  in  Hartford,  though  of  brief  duration,'  was  charac- 
terized by  cordiality  and  generosity,  by  culture  and  good-breeding.  Prejudice 
against  Catholics  was  in  a  measure  dispelled,  and  otherwise  the  beneficial 
effects  of  their  visit  were  visible  for  many  years  after.  That  this  friendly 
feeling  did  not  pass  away  with  the  objects  of  it,  but  became  more  firmly 
cemented,  is  evident  from  the  felicitations  forwarded  by  the  State  of  Connec- 
ticut to  the  King  of  France  on  the  birth  of  his  son,  the  Dauphin.  His 
Majesty's  thanks  were  conveyed  to  the  people  of  the  State  through  the  Min- 
ister of  France  to  the  United  States,  the  Chevalier  De  La  L,uzerne. 

Philadelphia,  January  lo,  1783. 
To  his  Exccllt-ncy  the  Governor  of  the  Stale  of  Connecticut : 

Sir  : — His  Majesty  has  been  informed  of  the  marks  of  joy  which  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut has  shewn  on  the  occasion  of  the  birth  of  the  Monsigneur  the  Dauphin.  He 
views  with  a  great  deal  of  satisfaction  the  part  that  the  citizens  of  your  State  have  taken 
in  this  happy  event.  The  King  orders  me  to  testify  his  sensibility  on  this  subject,  and 
at  the  same  time  charges  me  to  assvire  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut of  his  attention,  and  of  the  particular  interest  which  he  shall  alwa}'s  take  in 
their  prosperit}'. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  respectful  attachment,  your  Excellency's  very  obedient 
humble  servant,  Le  Chevalier  De  La  Luzerne. 

Leaving  Hartford  the  army  passed  through  Farmington,  Southington 
(Baron's  Tavern)  and  Waterbury  to  their  eighth  encampment  at  Breakneck 
Hill.  They  were  delayed  in  Southington  on  account  of  freshets,  which  neces- 
sitated the  repairing  of  a  bridge  which  had  become  dangerotis  for  travel.  At 
Waterbury  they  made  a  fine  impression.  "It  was  on  or  about  June  21st  (it 
was  June  27th)  that  the  French  army  under  General  Rochambeati  marched 
through  Waterbury  on  its  way  to  meet  Washington's  army  near  King's  Bridge. 
What  welcome  travelers  the  bonny  Frenchmen  must  have  proved  themselves 
as  they  jotirneyed  on,  for  they  paid  all  their  expenses  in  hard  money,  commit- 
ting no  depredations,  and  treating  the  inhabitants  with  great  civility  and  pro- 
priety. The  officers  wore  coats  of  white  broadcloth  trimmed  with  green, 
white  under-dress,  and  hats  with  two  corners  instead  of  three  (like  the  cocked 
hats  worn  by  American  officers).""  They  marched  two  and  two,  and  when  the 
head  of  the  column  had  disappeared  beyond  the  hill  at  Captain  George  Nichols' 
residence,  the  other  extremity  had  not  come  in  sight  on  West  Side  Hill.^ 

The  army  experienced  great  difficulty  in  reaching  Breakneck  in  Middle- 
bury.     The  roads  were  steep  and  very  rough,  so  that  the  artillery  was  consid- 

'  On  the  day  preceding  the  regiment's  departure  from  Hartford,  an  oiBcer  wrote :  "I 
went  to  see  a  charming  spot  called  Weathersfield,  four  miles  from  East  Hartford.  It 
would  be  impossible  to  find  prettier  houses  and  a  more  beautiful  view.  I  went  up  into 
the  steeple  of  the  church  and  saw  the  richest  country  I  liad  yet  seen  in  America.  From 
this  spot  you  can  see  for  fifty  miles  around." — Baron  dit  Bourg. 

■  Hist,  of  Waterbury,  Price  &  Lee  Company — 1896.     Vol.  I  ,  p.  453. 

'Bronson's  Hist,  of  Waterbury,  1858. 


84  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

erably  delayed.  The  diarist,  before  quoted,  says  :  "  Breakneck  is  the  English 
for  Casse-coii;^  it  well  deserves  the  name  from  its  difficult  approach.  Tlie 
village  is  frightful  and  without  resources."  Rochanibeau  and  his  suite  lodged 
at  Israel  Bronson's  tavern,  while  the  troops  pitched  their  camp  about  a  mile 
north  of  the  cluirch.  While  here  the  troops  baked  and  washed  to  such  an 
e.xteut  that  all  the  wells  of  the  neighborhood  were  drawn  dry.  To  supply 
the  deficiency  all  the  men  in  the  vicinity  with  their  conveyances  were  em- 
ployed to  bring  water  from  Hop  Brook." 

Marching  to  Newtown  the  army  pa.ssed  through  Woodbury.  Their  halt 
there  is  thus  described  by  the  distinguished  historian  of  the  town  :  "  During 
this  year  (1781),  the  French  army,  under  General  Lafayette,^  passed  through 
this  town  on  their  journey  south  to  join  General  Washington  in  his  operations 
against  Cornwallis.  They  came  through  White  Deer  Rocks,  where  they  were 
obliged  to  cut  away  trees  and  remove  stones  in  order  to  transport  their  heavy 
baggage  tlirough  the  defile.  The  army  encamped  for  the  night  in  town  in 
sucli  companies  as  suited  their  convenience,  and  when  they  pitched  their 
tents  they  extended  all  the  way  from  Middle  Quarter  to  White  Oak,  a  distance 
of  three  miles.  That  part  which  encamped  near  tlie  house  then  occupied  by 
David  Sherman,  and  since  by  the  late  Gideon  Sherman,  ate  for  him,  with  his 
consent,  twelve  bushels  of  apples,  as  is  related,  and  drank  seven  or  eight  bar- 
rels of  new  cider  at  his  mill.  During  the  evening  they  had  a  dance  in  which 
some  of  the  Woodbury  damsels  joined  with  the  polite  French  officers  in  their 
gay  uniforms,  while  others  looked  on.  Multitudes  of  the  inhabitants  pressed 
about  the  tents  of  those  patriotic  foreigners,  who  had  come  so  far  to  fight  the 
battle  of  freedom  for  a  suffering  people,  and  destined  to  act  so  distinguished  a 
part  in  bringing  the  long  and  bloody  contest  to  a  close.  Lafayette,*  with  his 
chief  officers,  lodged  at  the  house  of  Hon.  Daniel  Sherman,  and  was  waited 
on  by  all  the  principal  men  of  the  town."' 

The  following  are  the  route  and  camps  of  the  army  of  Count  de  Rochambeau 
in  the  campaign  of  178 1  from  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  to  Bedford,  New  York:  ^ 


DATES   OP  CAMPS.  UISTANCES.  DATES   OP  CAMPS.  DISTANCES. 

AKRIVAL.  Mi  Us  AKKIVAL.  AHUs. 

June  18.  Waterman's  Tavern,  R.  I.  .  .  15  June  26.  Baron's  Tavern.  Conn.  .    .    .  13 

"     19.  Plainfield,  Conn 15  "27.  Breakneck,                '       ...  13 

"     20.  Windham,      •'      15  "28.  Newtown,                   •       ...  15 

'•     21.  Bolton,             •'      16  July      i.  Ridgebury.                "       ...  19 

"     22.  Hartford,         "      12  "       2.  Bedford,  X.  Y 13 

"     25.  Farmington,  "      13 

'Breakneck  "derives  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  one  of  the  cattle  falling 
and  breaking  its  neck  in  descending  the  hill  while  employed  in  transporting  the  baggage 
of  the  troops."— Colhren's  "  History  of  WoOiihtiryr 

■'Bronson's  "Hist,  of  Waterbiiry." 

'Mr.  Cothren  is  in  error  here  ;  Lafayette  was  not  with  this  army. 

'  Rochambeau. 

'The  Abbe  Robin,  General  Chastellux  and  the  Haron  du  Kourg,  who  accompanied 
Rochambeau,  say  nothing  of  this  encampment. 

« The  distances  are  taken  from  journals  written  during  the  march,  and  in  some 
instances  may  not  be  strictly  accurate. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  85 

Seven  months  before  Rochambeau's  troops  started  on  their  march  across 
Connecticut,  the  Legion  of  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  consisting  of  i,ooo  infantry 
and  500  mounted  Hussars,  went  into  camp  at  Lebanon,  the  home  of  Governor 
Trumbull.'  They  were  here  from  December  i,  1780,  to  June  23,  1781.  Their 
camp  was  situated  a  short  distance  west  of  the  governor's  residence,  and  near 
the  Congregational  church.  "A  gay  June  for  Lebanon  was  that,"  says  a  local 
historian,  "  when  these  six  brilliant  French  regiments,  with  their  martial 
bands  and  gorgeous  banners,  were  daily  displayed  on  this  spacious  and  lovely 
village  green."  "  While  encamped  here  the  Legion  was  reviewed  by  General 
Washington,  who  highly  commended  the  efficiency  of  the  commander  and 
the  discijjline  of  the  troops.  During  the  encampment  here  a  soldier  was  shot 
for  desertion.  The  unfortunate  man  was  tried  by  court-martial  at  9  p.m.  and 
executed  before  daybreak. 

While  in  camp  at  Lebanon,  De  Lauzun  and  his  officers  made  a  visit  to 
Norwich.  The  historian  of  Norwich  ''  thus  describes  the  event :  "  Colonel 
Jedidiah  Himtington  invited  the  officers  to  visit  him,  and  prepared  a  hand- 
some entertainment  for  them.  They  made  a  superb  appearance  as  they  came 
into  town,  being  young,  tall,  vivacious  men,  with  handsome  faces  and  a 
noble  air,  mounted  upon  horses  bravely  caparisoned.  The  two  Dillons, 
brothers,  one  a  major  and  the  other  a  captain  in  the  regiment,  were  particu- 
larly distinguished  for  their  fine  forms  and  expressive  features." 

A  local  historian  *  has  reflected  severely  upon  the  private  character  of  the 
Duke  de  Lauzan.  Perhaps,  he  was  not  a  model  for  imitation,  but  I  do  not 
believe  he  was  the  profligate  he  has  been  painted.  I  prefer  to  form  my  judg- 
ment of  him  from  the  testimony  of  those  who  shared  the  hardships  of  the 
camp  with  him  and  who  knew  him  best.  Such  a  one  was  the  Count  de  Fer- 
sen,  aid-de-camp  to  Count  Rochambeau.  In  a  letter  to  his  father  from  New- 
port, October  16,  1780,  he  wrote: 

"I  have  already-  informed  you,  tny  dear  father,  that  I  ain  extremely  intimate 
with  the  Due  de  Lauzun.  Opinions  are  very  much  divided  concerning  him.  You  will 
hear  good  and  bad  reports  of  him.  The  first  are  right,  the  second  are  wrong.  If,those 
who  say  them  knew  him,  the}'  would  change  their  minds  and  do  justice  to  his  heart." 

The  history  of  the  operations  of  the  French  army  sustains  the  assertion 
that  its  assistance  was  indispensable  to  the  success  of  the  American  arms. 
With  the  single  exception  of  D'Estaing's  withdrawal  from  Newport,  in  which, 
however,  he  felt  justified,  the  French  allies  caused  no  friction  with  the  Amer- 
ican forces ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  co-operated  intelligently,  bravely  and  con- 
stantly with  the  plans  of  the  Commander-in-chief  They  were  exponents  of 
liberty  in  its  highest  sense,  and  their  sole  aim  was  to  aid  in  securing  the 
precious  boon  for  tlieir  fellow-men  across  the  sea.  For  this  they  abandoned 
the  ease  and  comforts  of  aristocratic  life,  sacrificed  position  and  fortune  and 

'Gov.  Trumbull  was  the  original  "  Brother  Jonathan." 
' "  Early  Lebanon." 
'F.  M.  Caulkins. 
'■"Hist,  of  Norwich."' 


86  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

sundered  tlie  hoi)-  and  tender  relations  of  home  and  friendship.  Washington 
recognized  their  splendid  services,  and  in  his  congratulatory  order  to  the  allied 
army  tendered  this  graceful  acknowledgment : 

Washington's  Congratulatory  Oroer  to  the  Allied  Army.' 

•'  Aflt-r  Orders.  20th  Oct.,  1781. 

"The  General  congratulates  the  army  upon  the  glorious  event  of  yesterday.  The 
generous  proofs  which  His  Most  Christian  Majesty  has  given  of  his  attachment  to  the 
cause  of  America  must  force  conviction  on  the  minds  of  the  most  deceived  among  the 
enemy  relative  to  the  good  consequences  of  the  alliance,  and  inspire  every  citizen  of  these 
states  with  sentiments  of  the  most  unalterable  gratitude.  His  fleet,  the  most  numerous 
and  powerful  that  ever  appeared  in  these  seas,  commanded  by  an  admiral  whose  fortune 
and  talents  insure  great  events,  an  army  of  the  most  admirable  composition,  both  in 
oflBcers  and  men,  are  the  pledges  of  his  friendship  to  the  United  States,  and  their  co-ope- 
ration has  .secured  us  the  present  signal  success. 

"The  General  on  this  occasion  entreats  his  Excellency,  Count  de  Rochambeau,  to 
accept  his  most  grateful  acknowledgements  for  his  council  at  all  times  :  he  presents  his 
warmest  thanks  to  the  Generals  Baron  de  Vionienil,  Chevalier  Chastellux,  Marquis  de 
Saint  Simon,  and  Count  de  Vionienil,  and  to  Brigadier- General  de  Choi.sj' (who  had  a 
separate  command),  for  the  illustrious  manner  in  which  they  have  advanced  the  common 
cause.  He  requests  that  Count  de  Rochambeau  will  be  pleased  to  communicate  to  the 
army  under  his  immediate  command  the  high  sen.se  he  entertains  of  the  distinguished 
merits  of  the  officers  and  soldicis  of  every  corps,  and  that  he  will  present  in  his  name  to 
the  regiments  of  Agenois  and  Deuxponts  the  two  pieces  of  brass  ordnance  captured  bj' 
them  (as  a  testimony  of  their  gallantry)  in  storming  the  enemy's  redoubt  on  the  night  of 
the  14th  inst.,  when  officers  and  men  so  universallj'  vied  with  each  other  in  the  exercise 
of  every  .soldierly  virtue.' 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
MASS    IX   THE   FRENCH    ARMY. 

Lochambeau's  army  were  Catholics,  witli,  probably,  a  few  exceptions, 
and  as  it  is  the  custom  of  Catholic  nations  to  provide  chaplains  for 
their  armies  and  navies,  we  are  certain  that  the  French  forces,  who 
aided  us  in  the  Revolution,  were  sufficiently  provided  with  priests. 
Indeed,  the  names  of  some  of  them  are  known,  viz. :  the  Abbes  Robin, 
Glesnon,  Lacy,  St.  Pierre  and  Claude  h'lorent  Bouchard  de  la  Portiere.  A 
Capuchin  friar  was  also  in  the  service.  After  the  war  the  Abbe  Portiere  re- 
mained at  Boston  until  1790,  when  he  sailed  for  the  West  Indies.  Tlie  Abbe 
Lacy,  as  his  name  indicates,  was  an  Irish  priest ;  and  as  he  was  an  hospital 
chaplain,  it  is  probable  that  he  accompanied  the  army  on  its  entire  march." 
If  so,  he  performed  service  in  Hartford,  as  the  old  meeting-house  was  trans- 
formed into  a  temporary  hospital  for  the  soldiers  who  had  fallen  ill  on  the 
route.  The  Abb6  Glesnon  was  at  Newport  and  Providence  for  .some  time, 
and,  no  doubt,  .said  Mass  in  those  places  regularly,  and,  in  all  probability, 
accompanied  Rochambeau's,  or  some  other  regiment,  across  Connecticut. 

The  army  spent  two  Sunda\s  in  the  State,  at  Hartford  (June  24th)  and 
Newtown  (Julv  ist\  and  it  ma)-  be  averred  that  on  those  days — if  on  no  others 

'  Lieutenant  Sanderson's  MS.  Diary.     Vorktown  Orderly  Book. 

^  He  is  spoken  of  as  "  an  Irish  priest,  the  Abbe  Lacy,  the  Chaplain  of  our  hospital." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  87 

—the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  offered  up  by  one  or  more  of  the  chap- 
lains. We  cannot,  however,  speak  with  the  same  degree  of  certaint)'  of  the 
celebrants  of  the  holy  services.  Tlie  Abbe  Robin,  General  Chastellux  and 
others,  who  wrote  about  their  campaign  experiences,  are  exasperating  in 
their  silence  on  religious  matters.  They,  probably,  regarded  the  saying  of 
Mass  as  a  function  of  ordinary  occurrence  and  as  having  no  special  bearing 
on  present  or  future  history.  This  would  account  for  the  dearth  of  informa- 
tion on  a  subject  that  is  of  vital  importance  to  us. 

However,  so  firmly  is  the  belief  grounded  that  Mass  was  said  in  Hartford 
during  the  encampment  of  Rochambeau's  divisions,  that  its  Centennial  was 
celebrated  with  imposing  ceremonies  in  St.  Peter's  church,  Hartford,  on  Sun- 
day, June  26,  1881.  In  speaking  of  the  historic  event,  the  historian  of  the 
occasion  says:'  "The  great  thoroughfare  of  travel  between  New  York  and 
Providence  or  Boston  was  across  the  Ferry  from  East  Hartford  through  Ferry 
and  Front  streets,  crossing  Little  River  by  a  ford,  where  the  Front  street  stone 
bridge  now  stands,  to  the  Meadow  ;  thence  up  to  and  across  Main  street  to  the 
south  roads  leading  in  different  directions  to  Middletown,  to  New  Haven  and 
to  Farmington.  It  was  on  these  beautiful  meadows,  now  within  the  limits  of 
St.  Peter's  parish,  near  where  the  Memorial  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd 
now  stands,  that  the  Abbe  Robin,  chaplain  of  the  French  troops,  offered  up 
the  first  Mass  said  in  Connecticut,  just  one  hundred  years  ago.  Since  that 
event  two  entire  generations  have  not  passed  away.  There  are  people  still 
living  in  Hartford  whose  fathers  were  present  at  the  Mass  said  by  Abbe  Robin 
for  the  soldiers  alone." 

The  historical  basis  upon  which  these  statements  rest  is  that  in  1830, 
almost  a  half  century  after  the  event  is  said  to  have  taken  place,  the  spot  was 
pointed  out  to  the  missionary.  Rev.  James  Fitton,  then  stationed  at  Hartford, 
by  one  who  had  attended  the  Mass,  and  remembered  all  the  circumstances. 

It  may  be  accepted  as  a  fact  that  Mass  was  said  at  that  encampment ; 
and,  as  it  is  certain  that  the  Abbe  Robin  accompanied  the  arm)-  through  the 
State,  in  the  absence  of  direct  proof  to  the  contrary,  we  may  assent  to  the 
traditions  of  a  century,  and  yield  to  him  the  honor  of  being  the  celebrant  on 
that  memorable  occasion. 

I  believe,  furthermore,  that  ]\Iass  was  said  at  Newtown  also,  and,  per- 
haps frequently  on  the  march,  inasmuch  as  army  chaplains  always  carry  the 
articles  necessary  for  the  saying  of  Mass,  even  under  unfavorable  circum- 
stances." 

Another  question  of  interest  here  arises  :  Was  the  Legion  of  De  Lauzun 
provided  with  a  chaplain  during  his  sojourn  of  seven  months  at  Lebanon? 
The  probability  is  very  strong  that  a  priest  was  there,  at  least  at  intervals, 

^  "Centennial  Celebration  of  the  First  Mass  in  Connecticut." 

'"The  march  of  Rochambeau's  arni)-  through  several  States  where  Mass  had  never 
before  been  said,  brought  to  light  Catholics  in  manj-  places  where  they  were  not  known 
to  exist ;  and  the  arm}-  chaplains  were  often  surrounded  by  the  descendants  of  Irishmen 
or  .^.cadians,  who  now  saw  a  priest  for  the  first  time,  and  implored  them  to  staj'." — 
De  Courcy  and  Shea's  "  Hist,  of  the  Cat/i.  Church." 


88  run   CATHOLIC   church   in  new  ENGLAND. 

duly  commissioned  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  troops.  The 
French  army  was  provided  with  five  or  six  chaplains.  The  commander 
could,  without  impairing  the  efficiency  of  the  ecclesiastical  force,  assign  a 
chaplain  to  De  Lauzun's  Legion.  The  French  soldiers  were  Catholics,  and 
like  the  Catholic  soldiers  of  our  own  nation,  desired  the  frequent  niini.stra- 
tioiis  of  their  spiritual  guides;  and  those  in  authority  were  then,  as  they 
should  be  now,  alive  to  the  necessity  of  the  presence  of  chaplains  in  camp. 
To  me  it  is  incredible  that  the  Legion  of  the  Duke  de  Lauzun  spent 
seven  months  at  Lebanon  deprived  of  religious  services.  And  the  proba- 
bility of  the  presence  of  a  chaplain  is  made  all  the  stronger  from  the  fact  that 
the  great  feast  of  the  Nativity  of  our  Lord  occurred  during  tlie  encamp- 
ment. I  am  convinced,  therefore,  that  on  that  festival,  so  precious  to  the 
hearts  of  Catholics  the  world  over,  and  particularly  to  Catholic  soldiers  in  a 
strange  land,  far  from  home  and  kindred,  but  with  memories  of  the  mid-night 
Mass  fresh  and  dear,  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  celebrated — a  military 
Ma.ss  it  was,  perhaps — with  becoming  ceremony,  and  that  the  hardy  soldiers 
enjoyed  the  unspeakable  happiness  of  receiving  Holy  Comnumiun. 

And  still  further,  it  is  improbable  that  the  commander  would  permit 
the  unfortunate  deserter  to  be  sent  before  the  Judgment  Seat  uushrived,  or 
deprived  of  the  opportunity  of  making  his  peace  with  God. 

We  have  seen  that  the  Legion  of  the  Duke  de  Lauzun  remained  in  camp 
at  Lebanon  during  the  winter  of  1780-81.  On  June  23  he  began  his  march 
to  the  Hudson,  but  took  a  more  southerly  route.  His  first  camp  was  between 
Colchester  and  Middleliaddain,  the  second  at  Middletoivn^  the  third  at  Wal- 
liiig/ord,  the  fourth  at  Oxford^  the  fifth  at  A\w  Stratford,  the  sixth  at  Ridge- 
field,  and  the  seventh  at  Bedford,  New  York,  where  he  united  with  Rocham- 
beau's  divisions. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
LAFAYETTE   IN   CONNECTICUT. 

(*)  I  HE  most  distinguished  French  Catholic  of  the  Revolution  to  honor  Con- 
*  I  necticut  with  his  presence  was  the  Marquis  de  Lafa\ette.  During  the 
war  he  passed  frequently  through  the  State  on  missions  of  vast  im- 
portance. In  the  summer  of  1778,  Washington  dispatched  him  to  Rhode 
Island  to  assist  General  Sullivan  in  repelling  the  British  forces  at  Newport. 
The  campaign  resulted  in  failure,  and  Lafayette  returned  to  Fishkill  on  the 
Hudson.  On  these  marches  he  followed  the  main  highway  from  New  York, 
running  through  Newtown  and  Waterburj-  to  Hartford  and  Middletown,  and 
thence  to  Providence  and  Newport.  At  Breakneck,  in  Middlebury,  he  was 
the  guest  of  Captain  Isaac  Bronsou.  The  host  honored  his  illustrious  N'isitor 
by  placing  at  his  disposal  his  finest  room  and  his  best  bed.  Lafayette,  however, 
remo\'ed  the  upper  feather  bed,  saying  :  "  Straw  for  the  soldier, "  and  slept  ujion 
the  straw  under-bed.'  He  is  described  at  this  period  as  "a  slender,  handsome 
youth,  who  sat  a  horse  beautifully,  and  altogether  made  a  fine  appearance.'"' 

'  Bronsoii'.s  "  History  of  Waterbuiy."  '  Ibui. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  89 

Lafayette  was  in  Hartford  with  Washington  when  the  latter  conferred 
with  Rochambean  the  first  time,  and  returned  to  the  Hudson  with  him  to 
learn  of  the  treason  of  Benedict  Arnold. 

His  visit  to  Norwich  is  tlius  described  : '  "There  were  some  who  long 
remembered  the  appearance  of  the  noble  Lafayette,  as  he  passed  through 
the  place  on  his  way  to  Newport.  He  had  been  there  before,  and  needed 
no  guide ;  his  aides  and  a  small  body-guard  were  with  him,  and  he  rode  up 
to  the  door  of  his  friend,  Colonel  Jedidiah  Huntington,  in  a  quick  gallop. 
He  wore  a  blue  military  coat,  but  no  vest  and  no  stockings;  his  boots 
being  short,  his  leg  was  consequently  left  bare  for  a  considerable  space  below 
the  knee.  The  speed  with  which  he  was  traveling,  and  the  great  heat  of  the 
weather,  were  sufficient  excuses  for  this  negligence.  He  took  some  refresh- 
ment and  hastened  forward.  At  another  period,  he  passed  through  with  a 
detachment  of  2000  men  under  his  command  and  encamped  them  for  one 
night  upon  the  plain." 

In  17S4  Lafa\ette  paid  a  visit  to  this  country,  whose  liberties  he  had 
helped  to  achieve.  Though  his  sojourn  was  brief — he  arrived  during  the  sum- 
mer and  departed  in  December, — he  visited  Hartford  on  October  5th.  An 
elaborate  dinner  and  an  address  of  welcome  by  the  Mayor  were  among  the 
features  of  his  reception. 

In  1824  Lafayette  again  crossed  the  waters  to  mingle  once  more  with  the 
people  who  held  him  in  veneration.  After  his  reception  by  the  citizens  of 
New  York,  he  set  out  for  Boston.  When  he  reached  the  Connecticut  line  he 
was  formally  welcomed  by  State  officials  and  escorted  through  the  State  with 
every  demonstration  of  affection  and  joy.  Bridgeport,  New  Haven,  New  Lon- 
don and  Norwich  paid  distinguished  honors  to  their  guest.  On  his  return  he 
stopped  at  Hartford  and  proceeded  thence  by  boat  to  Middletown.  Resuming 
his  trip  by  water,  he  reached  New  York  on  Sunday,  September  5th.  Lafayette 
was  accompanied  on  this  visit  by  his  son  George  and  his  secretary,  M. 
Levasseur.^ 

"  History  of  Norwicli." 
'  In  1855  Prof.  Morse  ascribed  to  Lafayette  the  utterance  that  "if  the  liberty  of  the 
United  States  is  ever  destro3-ed,  it  will  be  b}-  Romish  priests."  He  also  contended 
that  Lafaj'ette  was  a  convert  to  Protestantism.  Right  Rev.  Martin  J.  Spalding,  Bishop  of 
Louisville,  Ky.,  disposed  of  Prof.  Morse  in  a  public  letter  Aug.  14,  1855,  which  will  be 
found  subjoined. 

LAFAYETTE'S  PRETENDED  WARNING  AGAINST  THE   CATHOLIC 

PRIESTHOOD. 

I  am  in  no  way  committed  to  the  opinion  that  he  (Lafayette)  was  always  a  good 
Catholic  and  a  regular  communicant  during  his  long  and  tempest-tossed  life.  Reared  up 
piously  in  the  Catholic  faith,  he  received  before  his  death  the  last  rites  of  the  church  from 
the  hands  of  the  curate  of  the  Assumption,  and  he  was  interred  with  the  full  Catholic  cere- 
monial, as  Cloquet  testifies.  Having  passed  the  most  of  his  life  as  a  soldier,  a  politician 
and  a  professed  revolutionist — though  not  a  Radical  or  a  Red  Republican — he  was  not  a 
religious  man,  and  was  probably  for  a  time  tincttired  with  the  religious  indifferentism, 
or  infidelitj',  so  prevalent  in  France.     He  admits  as  much  in  the  affecting  letter  in  which 


90  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  LV  NEW  EXGLAND. 

he  speaks  of  the  last  illness  and  pious  death  of  his  wife  ;  but  that  he  had  not  whoUj-  lost 
the  Catholic  faith  may  be  inferred  from  his  promise  to  that  devoted  Catholic  wifethat  he 
would  read  with  recollection  certain  works  which  she  had  recommended,  and  the  perusal 
of  which  she  had  hoped  would  lead  to  his  conversion.  During  his  last  visit  to  this 
countrj-  he  attended  Catholic  worship  in  the  churches  of  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia, 
and,  probably,  elsewhere  ;  and  I  have  been  informed  at  Baltimore  that  he  excused  himself 
to  the  sexton  for  not  kneeling  during  the  service,  on  the  ground  that  he  had  a  stiff  knee. 
No  one  had  ever  dreamed  that  he  was  a  Protestant  except  Professor  Morse  and  poor  Dr. 
Vanpelt,  who  so  distinctly  and  vividl5-  recollected  his  conversion.  All  that  my  present 
purpose  strains  me  to  mention  is  that  he  was  not  a  hypocrite  ;  that  he  had  not  the  mean- 
ness to  pass  as  a  Catholic  in  France — so  far  as  he  was  a  Christian  at  all — and  then  at  the 
same  lime  to  speak  and  act  in  this  country  as  a  Protestant,  and  as  a  hater  of  that  Catholic 
priesthood  whom  he  respected,  and  whose  ministrj'  he  cheerfully  employed  in  his  family 
at  home.  This  is  my  position,  and  neither  Professor  Morse  nor  his  witnesses  have  shaken 
it  in  the  least.  From  his  Memoirs  we  learn  that  he  espoused  the  cause  of  the  faithful 
French  clergy,  who  had  refused  to  take  the  iniquitous  constitutional  oath.  Notwith- 
standing "the  great  unpopularity"  which  was  for  a  time  attached  to  these  devoted 
priests,  the  worship  performed  by  them  "never  cea.sed  to  be  publicly  practised  by  the 
family  of  Lafajetle."  ("Memoirs,"  Vol.  III.,  p.  80,  Paris  edition.;  This  proves  that  he 
had  no  sympathy  with  any  but  duly  recognized  priests 

Professor  Morse  insists  upon  the  successful  exertions  of  Lafaj-ette  in  favor  of  reli- 
gious liberty,  as  an  evidence  of  his  hostility  to  the  Catholic  priesthood.  Did  he  ever 
chance  to  read  in  the  Memoirs  of  the  French  patriot  his  important  declaration  on  this 
subject,  that  his  motion  for  full  religious  liberty  to  the  small  Protestant  minority  in 
France  "would  have  probably  failed  had  it  not  been  supported  by  the  Bishop  of  Lan. 
gres?  ■'  (Vol.  II.,  p.  178.)  Did  he  ever  happen  to  read  the  bill  itself,  drawn  b_v  the  hand 
of  Lafayette  ?  If  he  did,  he  would  have  perceived  that  the  French  General  therein  makes 
a  distinct  profession  of  faith  in  the  Catholic  as  the  true  religion,  and  speaks  of  Protest- 
ants as  persons  "  who  have  not  the  happiness  to  profess  the  Catholic  religion.''  Can  it 
be  that  the  Professor  failed  to  notice  this  important  act  when  he  referred  for  another  and 
sinister  purpose,  to  this  identical  passage  in  Lafa3'ette's  life?  Probably  he  did  not  con- 
descend to  notice  all  this,  but  "  waived  it  as  impertinent." 

The  passage  of  the  bill  of  1787  to  which  I  refer  is  the  following  :  "A  portion  of  our 
fellow-citizens  who  have  not  the  happiness  to  profess  the  Catholic  religion,  finds  them- 
selves stricken  with  a  sort  of  civil  death.  The  bureau  knows  too  well  the  heart  of  the 
king  not  to  be  persuaded  that  he  desires  the  true  religion  to  be  loved  by  all  his  subjects, 
of  whom  he  is  the  common  father;  he  knows  that  truth  sustains  itself  by  its  own  force  ; 
that  error  alone  has  need  of  employing  constraint,  and  that  his  Majesty  unites  the  dispo- 
sition of  a  benevolent  toleration  with  all  the  virtues  which  have  merited  for  him  the  love 
pf  the  nation."     (Memoirs,  II.,  179-180.) 

If  Lafayette  urged  him  so  repeatedly  and  so  earnestly  to  give  the  warning  contained 
in  the  motto  to  the  American  people  as  early  as  1831,  why  did  he  delay  giving  it  until 
1S36  or  '37  (he  gives  both  dates),  five  or  six  years  afterwards,  and  about  three  years  after 
the  death  of  the  French  patriot  ?     He  alone  can  answer  this  question. 

If  this  was  really  the  sentiment  of  Lafayette,  why  is  not  the  famous  motto  found  in 
those  twelve  volumes,  consisting  in  great  part  of  his  own  writings  ?  And  why  is  no 
trace  of  it  to  be  discovered  in  any  of  the  published  lives  of  the  French  patriot?  Why, 
especially,  does  his  physician,  Cloquet,  who  was  so  intimately  acquainted  with  his 
inmost  thoughts,  say  nothing  whatever  on  this  subject  in  the  elaborate  work  in  which 
he  treats  of  the  private  life  and  conversion  of  the  patriot  ? 

How  does  the  Professor  reconcile  the  two  manifestly  inconsistent  facts  of  Lafay- 
ette's using  the  motto  to  American  Protestants  and  at  the  time  passing  for  a  Catholic 
in  France,  praising  the  tender  piety  of  his  devoted  Catholic  wife,  and  wishing  to  be 
buried  bv  her  side?  How  explain  the  solemn  Catholic  funefal  service,  so  beautifully 
described  by  Cloquet,  and  the  interment  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  of  Picpus,  with  a  large 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  91 

Catholic  cross  near  his  grave  ?  Think  \-ou  the  priests  wonld  have  assisted  in  such  num- 
bers at  tlie  funeral  if  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  abusing  them  ?  Or  did  Lafa3-ette  have 
one  language  for  American  Protestants  and  another  for  French  Catholics? 

In  his  chateau  or  castle  at  Lagrange,  Lafayette,  like  other  French  Catholics  of 
rank,  had  a  chapel.  Now,  what  was  the  use  of  this  chapel  if  his  enemies,  the  "  Roman 
priests,"  were  not  to  officiate  therein?  Was  this,  too,  a  mockery,  or  was  it  sheer 
h3'pocrisy  ? 

I  again  ask  an  explicit  answer  to  the  dilemma  I  before  proposed,  which  I  repeat 
here,  as  the  Professor  seems  to  have  forgotten  it.  Either  Lafa3-ette  was  a  Catholic  or  he 
was  an  infidel :  he  certainly  was  not  a  Protestant.  If  a  Catholic,  he  could  not  have 
originated  the  motto  ascribed  to  him  by  Morse,  without  being  a  hypocrite,  which  no  one 
will  venture  to  assert.  If  an  infidel,  then  his  testimony  against  Catholics  has  no  more 
weight  than  Voltaire  and  Tom  Paine,  and,  like  them,  he  may  have  meant,  and  probably 
did  mean  by  priests,  the  ministers  of  all  Christian  denominations.  Whichever  horn  of 
the  dilemma  our  adversaries  may  choose  to  select,  the  Catholic  church  still  remains 
unscathed. 

I  conclude  this  letter — already  longer  than  I  had  intended — by  the  testimony  of  a 
distinguished  Protestant  gentleman,  who  ranks  among  the  first  of  our  historians,  and 
whose  testimony  on  a  historical  subject  possesses  at  least  as  much  weight  as  that  of  any 
man  in  the  country.  Though  a  Protestant,  he  does  not  allow  religious  prejudice  to  swaj-, 
much  less  run  away  with  his  judgment,  and  he  was  never  yet  known  to  put  men's  names 
to  sentences  they  never  wrote,  and  the  "  identical  words  "  of  which  he  could  not  remem 
ber.  Need  I  name  Jared  Sparks?  I  publish  this  letter  to  me  in  answer  to  certain 
inquiries  which  I  had  made  ;  and  it  will  be  perceived  that  in  the  first  part  he  disposes  of 
Dr.  Vanpelt,  who  was,  however,  sufficiently  settled  before  ;  and  in  the  last  part  he  fur- 
nishes an  opinion  which  will  go  far  towards  refuting  Professor  Morse.  Though  Mr. 
Sparks  did  not  request  it,  it  is  delicate  and  proper  for  me  to  state  that  he  merely 
answered  my  questions,  and  that  I  do  not  seek  to  involve  him  in  this  discussion  : 

"  CAMBRIDGE,  July  27,  '55. 
"  Dear  Sir  :  On  my  return  home,  after  a  long  absence,  I  find  jour  letter  of  June 
30  from  Niagara  Falls. 

"  As  to  the  first  of  your  questions,  I  believe  no  historical  fact  can  be  more  better 
established  than  that  Washington  was  not  in  Boston  between  the  years  1776  and  1789, 
and  that  he  was  never  there  with  Lafayette. 

"  That  Lafayette  said,  '  If  the  liberty  of  the  United  States  is  ever  destroj-ed  it  will  be 
by  Romish  priests,'  is  so  improbable  that  I  could  not  believe  it  except  on  the  affirmation 
of  some  person  that  heard  him  say  so,  and  even  then  I  should  suspect  misapprehension. 
Anj-  reflecting  man  may  conjecture  man}-  causes  much  more  likelj',  to  sa}-  the  least,  to 
destroy  our  liberties  than  the  Romish  priesthood. 

"  I  often  saw  Lafayette  in  Paris  in  the  year  1829.  On  one  occasion  I  attended  by 
invitation  the  wedding  of  a  granddaughter  in  one  of  the  principal  churches  of  the  city. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Catholic  priests,  and  Lafayette  appeared  to  attend  to 
it  throughout  with  as  much  solemnity  as  any  person  present.  At  Legrange,  where  I 
passed  two  or  three  weeks  with  him,  he  conversed  about  the  schools  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, in  which  he  seemed  to  take  a  strong  personal  interest.  I  remember  hearing  him 
say  that  he  thought  scholars  too  exclusively  under  the  direction  of  ecclesiastics,  and 
that  laymen  ought  to  take  more  active  part  in  them  ;  but  I  never  heard  him  speak  disre- 
spectfully of  the  Catholic  church  or  clerg}-. 

"  I  am,  dear  sir,  verj'  respectfullj-  yours, 

"Jared  Sparks.'' 
Louisville,  August  14,  1835.  M.  T.  SPALDING. 


92  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 
THE   MARQUIS   DE   CHASTELLUX   IX   CONNECTICUT. 

IX  1780,  1781  and  1782  tlie  Marquis  de  Chastellux,  a  major-general  in 
the  French  army  under  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  made  a  number  of 
tours  through  tlie  New  England  and  Middle  Atlantic  States,  going  as 
far  as  Wilmington,  Delaware.  He  recorded  in  a  familiar  style  his  im- 
pressions of  persons  and  places.'  His  first  tour  tlirough  Connecticut  occurred 
in  November,  1780. 

De  Chastellux  disembarked  at  Newport  on  July  i  ith,  and  was  detained 
there  by  military  duties  until  November  ist.  "This  was  the  moment,"  he 
writes,  "  vvlien  I  found  myself  able  to  withdraw  from  the  army,  but  I  did  not 
wish  to  show  too  much  eagerness,  and  I  wished  to  see  established  the  disci- 
pline and  tlie  arrangements  relative  to  the  cantonments  ;  therefore  I  delayed 
starting  on  my  long  journey  on  the  continent  until  the  nth."  He  was 
accompanied  by  his  aides,  M.  Montesquieu  and  M.  Lynch,  whose  name  indi- 
cates his  Celtic  origin.  The  Marquis  had  three  ser\'ants,  the  aides  one  each. 
Their  first  stop  in  Connecticut  was  at  Voluntown,  which  they  reached  on  the 
13th.  Here  he  was  the  guest  of  a  Mr.  Dorrance,  whose  household  he  thus 
describes:  "He  is  an  old  gentleman  of  seventy-three  years  of  age,  tall  and 
still  vigorous  ;  he  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  first  settled  in  Massachusetts  and 
afterwards  in  Connecticut.  His  wife,  who  is  younger  than  him,  is  active, 
handy  and  obliging.  But  tlie  family  is  charming.  It  consists  of  two  young 
men,  one  twenty-eight  and  the  other  twenty-one  years  old,  a  child  of  twelve, 
and  two  girls  from  eighteen  to  twenty."  The  eldest  son  was  a  Greek  and 
Latin  scholar,  and  well  versed  in  general  literature.  The  travelers  left 
Voluntown  on  the  15th  at  8  a.m.,  stopping  at  Plainfield,  "a  small  town,  but 
a  big  place,  for  it  has  nearly  thirty  houses  to  .support  the  meeting-house." 
The  Marquis  was  deeply  impressed  with  Plainfield  as  a  military  stronghold. 
"The  situation  of  it  is  agreeable,  but  it  offers  also  the  very  best  possible  mili- 
tary position,  the  first  I  have  observed.  One  could  camp  here  on  the  lesser 
heights,  behind  which  the  mountains  rise  like  an  amphitheatre,  and  thus 
present  successive  positions  almost  to  the  great  woods,  which  would  serve  for 
tlie  last  retreat.  The  foot  of  the  heights  of  Plainfield  is  fortified  by  pools  of 
water,  which  can  only  be  crossed  by  one  causeway,  and  would  force  the  enemy 
to  defile  in  order  to  attack.  .  .  .  Tlie  left  and  the  right  are  supported  by 
escarpments.  .  .  .  This  camp  would  be  good  for  six,  eight,  or  even  ten 
thousand  men  ;  it  would  serve  to  defend  Providence  and  tlie  whole  State  of 
Massachusetts  against  troops  which  had  passed  the  Connecticut  River." 

Leaving  Plainfield,  our  tourists  passed  through  Canterbury  to  Windham, 
which  is  described  as  "a  pretty  little  town,  or,  rather,  the  germ  of  a  pretty 

'  "  Voyages  de  M.  Le  Marquis  de  Chastellux  dans  L Amerique,  Septentrionale  les  annees. 
1780,  1781  and  lyiz." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  93 

town."  At  Windham  De  Chastellnx  dined  with  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  who 
was  encamped  there  witli  his  Legion,  awaiting  the  construction  of  his  winter 
quarters  at  Lebanon.  At  "  a  little  lonely  tavern"  six  miles  from  Windham, 
the  generous  Marquis  acted  the  part  of  the  good  Samaritan  by  defraying  the 
expenses  of  a  penniless  Continental  soldier,  who  was  ill  there,  besides  giving 
him  a  sum  of  money  to  continue  his  journey. 

De  Cha.stellux  and  his  companions  arrived  at  Hartford  on  the  i6th,  and, 
with  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  who  had  passed  him  on  the  road,  lodged  at  the 
hospitable  mansion  of  Colonel  Wadsworth.  M.  Dumas,  Lauzun's  aide, 
Messrs.  L)'nch  and  Montesquieu  secured  lodgings  in  the  neighborhood. 
Early  on  the  17th  De  Chastellux  left  Hartford  and  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  "but 
it  was  after  breakfast,  for  if  there  is  one  thing  absolutely  unheard  of  in  Amer- 
ica, it  is  to  depart  without  one's  breakfast."  The  next  stop  was  at  Farming- 
ton,  "a  pretty  little  town,  where  they  have  a  fine  meeting-house  and  fifty 
houses  standing  close  together,  all  neat  and  well  built."  Leaving  Farming- 
ton  at  8  A.M.  on  the  18th,  the  Marquis  continued  his  journey  through  Har- 
winton  until  he  reached  Litchfield.  His  host  here  was  a  Mr.  Philips,  "an 
Irishman  transplanted  to  America,  where  he  has  already  made  a  fortune  ;  he 
appears  to  be  a  man  skillful  and  adroit ;  he  speaks  with  caution  to  strangers, 
and  fears  to  compromise  himself:  for  the  rest  he  is  of  a  gayer  mood  than  the 
Americans,  even  a  little  of  a  joker,  a  kind  but  little  known  in  America." 

Washington  and  New  Milford  are  the  last  towns  in  Connecticut  of  which 
De  Chastellux  makes  mention  in  this  journey.  Of  this  former  he  writes : 
"  They  gave  it  this  respectable  name,  of  which  the  memory,  no  doubt,  will  last 
much  longer  than  the  town  intended  to  perpetuate  it." 

On  his  return  journey  De  Chastellux  passed  through  Canaan,  Norfolk, 
New  Hartford  to  Hartford,  thence  to  Lebanon,  to  which  place  he  returned 
after  an  absence  of  two  months.  During  this  visit  at  Lebanon  he  dined  again 
at  the  quarters  of  the  Duke  de  Lauzun,  and  on  this  occasion  witnessed  a  scene 
familiar  to  Catholics  the  world  over,  and  in  which  Governor  Trumbull  was 
the  chief  actor.  "You  have  only  to  represent  to  yourself  this  little  old  man," 
writes  De  Chastellux,  "in  the  antique  dress  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  colony, 
approaching  a  table  surrounded  by  twenty  Hussar  officers,  and  without  dis- 
concerting himself,  or  losing  anything  of  his  formal  stiffness,  pronouncing  in 
a  loud  voice,  a  long  prayer  in  the  form  of  a  bcncdicitc}  Let  it  not  be  imag- 
ined that  he  excites  the  laughter  of  his  auditors  ;  they  are  too  well  trained  ; 
you  must,  on  the  contrary,  figure  to  yourself  twenty  Alliens  issuing  at  once 
from  the  midst  of  forty  mustaches. ' ' 

In  October,  1782,  a  year  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktowu, 
De  Chastellux,  commanding  the  first  division  of  Rochambeau's  army,  marched 
through  Connecticut  to  Hartford.  Wishing  to  visit  northern  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire,  the  Marquis  relinquished  his  coumiand  at  Hartford, 
and  on  November  4th  set  out  in  company  with  Messieurs  Lynch,  Montes- 
quieu, Baron  de  Talleyrand,  and   M.  Vaudreuil.     On  this  tour  they  passed 

'/.  ('.,  grace  before  meals. 


94  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

through  Coventry,  Asliford  and  Woodstock  into  Massachusetts.  At  Coventry 
the  tourists  fell  in  with  a  French  Canadian  laborer,  "who  had  frequently 
changed  habitations,  and  liad  seven  children." 

His  third  tour  took  place  in  December,  1782,  when  he  followed  the 
route  taken  two  years  before,  that  is,  to  Voluntown,  through  Hartford  and 
Farmington,  to  Litchfield  and  Washington. 


"(SThe 

4L  ^'J 


CHAPTER   XX. 
CONNECTICUT  IRISHMEN  IN  THE   REVOLUTION. 

French  armies  which  co-operated  with  the  American  forces  con- 
tained many  thousands  of  Irishmen;  and  the  second  in  command 
of  the  besieging  force  defeated  at  vSavannah  was  no  other  than  Count 
Arthur  Dillon,  who  had  brought  with  him  his  own  Irish  regiment  which  he 
had  commanded  in  France."  ' 

We  have  seen  that  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  king  of  France 
assisted  the  American  Colonies  to  break  the  chains  that  bound  them  to  Great 
Britain  ;  we  are  now  to  show  that  the  brave  and  generous  sons  of  Ireland 
contributed  no  less  to  the  humiliation  of  their  traditional  enemy,  the  English 
government.  What  the  English  king  said  of  Irish  valor  at  Fontenoy,  George 
III.  might  well  have  said  of  every  battlefield  from  Lexington  to  Yorktov/n  : 
"  Cursed  be  the  laws  that  deprive  me  of  such  subjects."  The  Irish  emi- 
o-rants  could  not  forget  the  accumulated  wrongs  of  centuries.  The  memories 
of  penal  laws  rankled  within  them,  and  the  hideous  spectre  of  insensate 
cruelties  was  ever  before  them.  They  remembered  the  barbarities,  by  gov- 
ernment ordered,  of  which  they  were  victims,  and  when  the  opportunity  was 
offered  to  strike  their  relentless  foe  they  eagerly  embraced  it,  and  marched  to 
battle  with  hearts  throbbing  with  joy  and  pulses  beating  high,  animated  with 
the  single  purpose  of  driving  a  hated  flag  from  the  American  Colonies.  Urged 
on  by  the  same  invincible  ardor  that  brought  low  in  the  dust  the  English 
standard  at  Fontenoy,  and  which  makes  the  Irish  soldier  a  splendid  acquisi- 
tion to  any  army,  they  fought  the  battles  of  American  Independence  with  a 
gallantrv  unsurpassed  and  with  such  intense  devotion  to  the  cause  of  liberty 
as  to  evoke  the  admiration  of  their  commanders.  The  Irish  emigrant  knew 
not  the  blessings  of  liberty  at  home;  he  would  fight  for  it  in  the  young  land 
of  the  West. 

The  achievements  of  Ireland's  sons  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  have 
received  but  scant  recognition  from  the  pens  of  American  historians. 
Where  recognition  has  been  made  at  all,  it  has  been  bestowed  upon  a 
myth,  a  figment  and  nothing  more.  Fulsome  adulation  has  been  given 
to  what  in  fact  has  no  concrete  existence.  Much  eloquence  has  been  ex- 
pended to  exploit  the  deeds  of  the  "Scotch-Irish"  in  the  Revolution, 
and  a  maximum  of  energy  has  been  dissipated  in  the  endeavor  to  minimize 
the  part  taken  by  the  genuine  Irish — the  Irish  that  need  no  prefix  to  attract 

'    '  Till"  American  Irish,"  p.  21. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  95 

attention;  and  this  concerted  attempt  to  defrand  the  true  sons  of  Erin  of  the 
glor>'  that  is  justly  their  meed,  is  all  the  more  absurd  from  the  fact  that  the 
individual,  yclept  "Scotch-Irishman,"  can  trace  no  ancestry,  has  no  local 
habitat,  and  exists  only  in  the  imaginations  of  a  certain  school  of  foreign  and 
domestic  apologists. 

When  Ivord  Monntjoy  made  his  famous  declaration  that  America  was 
lost  by  the  Irish  emigrants,  he  had  no  thought  of  the  being  subsequently  de- 
veloped, the  "  Scotch  Irishman."  He  had  in  mind  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  the  Irish-Irish,  who  streamed  into  this  country  from  1629  to  1774.  In 
retrospect  he  saw  the  crowds  who  fled  from  Cromwell's  assassins  and  man- 
hunters  in  1653,  and  he  witnessed  again  the  exodus  to  the  colonies  from 
1700  to  1774.  All  these  sturdy  emigrants,  compulsory  and  voluntary, 
regarded  the  British  crown  as  a  symbol  of  tyranny,  and  their  sympathies  went 
out  freely  to  the  colonists  who  were  manfully,  and  patriotically,  but  against 
fearful  odds,  resisting  the  burdensome  laws  of  the  mother  country. 

The  historian  Marmion  pronounces  the  emigration  from  Ireland  to  this 
country  during  1771,  1772,  1773,  to  have  been  without  a  parallel.  "During 
these  three  years  eighty-eight  vessels  carried  25,000  Irishmen  from  three  Irish 
ports  to  the  United  States."  "They  arrived,"  he  continues,  "at  a  critical 
moment,  joined  Washington's  armies,  and  contributed  by  their  numbers, 
courage  and  conduct,  to  separate  that  country  from  the  British  crown.''  To 
the  same  effect  writes  the  historian  Gordon.  "Many  thousands  left  Ireland 
and  settled  in  America,"  he  says,  "  and  contributed  powerfully  by  their  zeal 
and  valor  to  the  separation  of  the  American  Colonies  from  England."  "The 
services  rendered  by  the  Irish  in  America  during  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion," says  Bagenal,  "were  of  almost  equal  importance  in  the  history  of  that 
prolonged  and  bitter  struggle  as  at  Fontenoy,  at  Cremona,  in  the  Peninsular 
War,  or  in  the  Crimea."  ' 

Indeed,  testimony  confirmatory  of  the  predominance  of  the  Irish  element 
in  the  American  Revolutionary  forces  is  abundant  and  unimpeachable,  as 
much  of  it  is  the  evidence  of  men  high  in  station  and  who  could  not  be 
charged  with  pro-Irish  proclivities.  In  a  speech  in  the  Irish  House  of  Com- 
mons on  the  2d  of  April,  1784,  Colonel  Luke  Gardiner^  paid  generous  tribute 
to  the  assistance  rendered  by  the  Irish  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom ;  and 
his  testimony  is  the  more  valuable  from  the  fact  that  he  was  a  Loyalist  and  an 
Anglo-Irishman.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Irish  peerage  and  died  at  far- 
famed  Vinegar  Hill,  fighting  his  patriotic  countrymen  under  an  English 
banner. 

"  America,"  said  Colonel  Gardiner,  "was  lost  by  Irish  emigrants.  These 
emigrations  are  fresh  in  the  recollection  of  every  gentleman  in  this  House, 
and  when  the  unhappy  differences  took  place,  I  am  assured  from  the  best 
authority  that  the  major  part  of  the  American  army  was  composed  of  Irish, 
and  that  the  Irish  language  was  as  commonly  spoken  in  the  American  ranks 
as  English.     I  am  also  informed  //  was  their  valor  determined  the  contest,  so 

'  "Tilt-  American  Irish." 
^"Iris/i  Debates,"  III.,  p.   130. 


90  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

that  England  not  only  lost  a  principal  protection  of  her  woolen  trade,  but  also 
had  America  detached  from  her  by  the  force  of  Irish  emigrants."  It  is  no 
purpose  of  mine  to  depreciate  the  aid  given  to  the  colonies  by  the  men  from 
the  Presbyterian  Xorth,  but  it  is  simple  justice  to  state  here  that  they  spoke 
uot  the  Irish,  but  the  PvUglish  language. 

Major-general  Robertson,  who  served  in  the  British  army  in  America, 
bore  still  more  striking  testimony  to  the  numerous  body  of  Irishmen  who 
joined  their  fortunes  with  the  Continental  army.  In  an  official  inquir)-,  he 
was  asked  by  Edmund  Burke:  "How  are  the  Provincial  (/.  e.  American) 
Corps  composed  ?  Are  they  mostly  Americans,  or  emigrants  from  various 
nations  of  Europe?"     He  replied:    "Some  corps  are  mostly   natives;  the 

greater  number  such  as  can  be  got General   Lee  informed  me  that 

one-half  of  the  rebel  army  were  from  Ireland."  ' 

Robertson's  testimony  was  corroborated  b\-  Galloway  before  the  same 
committee.  "  What  were  the  troops  in  the  service  chiefly  composed  of?  "-he 
was  asked.  "  I  can  answer  with  precision.  There  were  scarcely  one-fourth 
native  Americans,  about  one-half  were  Irish  and  the  other  fourth  English  and 
Dutch."  What  says  Plowden,  the  English  historian?  'It  is  a  fact  beyond 
question  that  most  of  the  early  successes  of  the  patriots  of  America  were 
owing  to  the  vigorous  exertions  and  power  of  the  Irish  emigrants  who  bore 
arms  in  that  cause."  And  Lecky  ?  "  Few  classes  were  so  largeh'  represented 
in  the  American  army  as  Irish  emigrants."  The  words  of  Viscount  Town- 
shend  are  a  touching  plea  for  the  sufTering  Irish  people :  ^  "  IVIy  Lords,  con- 

'The 

Dktail  and  Conduct 

of  the 

AMERICAN  WAR, 

under  generals 

Gage,  Howe,  Burgovne, 

and 

Vice-Admiral  Lord  Howe  : 

with 

A  ver^-  full  and  correct  state 

of  the  whole  of  the 

Evidence, 

as  given  before  a 

Committee  of  the  Hoi-se  of  Commons  : 

and  the 

Celebrated  Fugitive  Pieces, 

Which  are  said  to  have  given  rise  to  that 

Important  Enouirv. 

The  whole  exhibiting  a 

Circumstantial,  Connected  and  Complete  Histor\ 

of  the 

Real  Causes,  Rise,  Progress  and  Present  State 

of  the 

AMERICAN  REBELLION. 


MDCCLXXX. 
'Hansard's  Parluwit-ntary  Debates:'    Vol.   XIX.,  p.  860. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  97 

sider,  in  God's  name  ;  in  time,  consider  what  you  owe  to  gallant  and  suffer- 
ing Ireland.  Suffer  not  your  humiliating  proposal  and  offerings  to  be  laid  at 
the  feet  of  the  Congress  in  whose  front  of  battle  these  poor  Irish  emigrants 
perform  the  hardest  service. ' ' 

We  shall  supplement  this  testimony  with  evidence  from  American 
sources.  The  Father  of  his  Country  realized  the  nation's  debt  of  gratitude  to 
Ireland's  sons  and  generously  gave  it  public  acknowledgment.  When  the 
British  evacuated  Boston  on  March  17,  1776 — a  day  of  sacred  memories  to 
Washington's  Celtic  soldiers — the  countersign  for  the  day  was  a  graceful 
tribute  to  the  race  and  creed  of  Ireland's  glorious  Apostle: 

"SPECIAL   ORDER   OF  THE  DAY. 

"Headquarters,  March  17,  1776. 
"  Parole — '  Boston.' 

"Countersign — 'St.  Patrick.' 
"  The  regiments  under  marching  orders  to  march  to-morrow  morning. 

"  Brigadier  of  the  Day, 

"  General  Sullivan." 

In  his  letter  accepting  the  honor  of  an  election  to  membership  in  the 
"Society  of  the  Friendly  Sons  of  St.  Patrick,"  December  17,  1781,  he  re- 
ferred to  the  organization  as  "a  society  distinguished  for  the  firm  adherence 
of  its  members  to  the  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are  embarked."  And 
when  in  March,  1790,  he  replied  to  an  address  from  the  Roman  Catholics  of 
the  United  States,  which  bore  the  Celtic  names  of  Carroll,  L,ynch  and  Fitz- 
simmons,  he  wrote  thus  :  "And  I  jjresume  your  fellow-citizens  will  not  for- 
get the  patriotic  part  which  you  took  in  the  accomplishment  of  their  revo- 
lution and  the  establishment  of  their  government." 

We  shall  close  this  testimony  with  the  eloquent  words  of  Washington's 
adopted  son,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis :  "Of  the  operations  of  the 
war — I  mean  the  soldiers — up  to  the  coming  of  the  French,  Ireland  has  fur- 
nished in  the  ratio  of  one  hundred  for  one  of  any  other  nation  whatever. 
Then  honored  be  the  good  services  of  the  sons  of  Erin  in  the  War  of  Inde- 
pendence. Let  the  shamrock  be  entwined  with  the  laurels  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  the  truth  and  justice  guiding  the  pen  of  history  inscribe  on  the 
tablets  of  America's  remembrance  eternal  gratitude  to  Irishmen." 

The  Irish  people  at  home  and  in  the  Colonies  were  staunch  friends  of 
America  in  the  darkest  hour  of  her  history.  When  valiantly  struggling  to 
throw  off  the  heavy  yoke  her  oppressors  sought  to  fasten  upon  her,  they 
brought  to  her  feet  their  money,  their  brains,  and  their  good,  loyal,  stout 
arms.  "-Ireland  was  with  America  to  a  man,"  said  William  Pitt,  Earl  of 
Chatham.'  An  observant  traveler  felicitously  wrote  in  1787:  "An  Irish- 
man, the  instant  he  sets  foot  on  American  ground,  becomes  iJ>so  facto.^  an 
American ;  this  was  uniformly  the  case  during  the  whole  of  the  late  war. 
Whilst  Englishmen  and  Scotchmen  were  regarded  with  jealousy  and  dis- 
trust, even  with  the  best  recommendations  of  zeal  and  attachment  to  their 

'  "  Life  of  Pitt." — Thackeray. 
11— 7 


98  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

cause,  a  native  of  Ireland  stood  in  need  of  no  other  certificate  than  his 
dialect;  his  sincerity  was  never  called  in  question  ;  he  was  supposed  to  have 
a  sympathy  of  suffering,  and  everj'  voice  decided,  as  it  were  intuitively,  in 
his  favor.  Indeed  their  conduct  in  the  late  revolution  amply  justified  this 
favorable  opinion ;  for  whilst  the  Irish  emigrant  was  fighting  the  battles  of 
America  by  sea  and  land,  the  Irish  merchants,  particularly  at  Charlestown, 
Baltimore  and  Philadelphia,  labored  with  indefatigable  zeal,  and,  at  all 
hazards,  to  promote  the  spirit  of  enterprise,  to  increase  the  wealth  and  main- 
tain the  credit  of  the  country;  their  purses  were  always  open  and  their 
persons  devoted  to  the  common  cause.  On  more  than  one  imminent  occa- 
sion Congress  owed  their  existence,  and  America  probably  her  preservation, 
to  the  fidelity  and  firmness  of  the  Irish."  ' 

A  .search  through  the  war  records  of  Connecticut  will  di.sclose  a  pro- 
fusion of  names  of  distinctively  Irish  origin,  names  that  indicate  beyond 
doubt,  that  their  owners  fir.st  saw  the  light  in  Ireland  or  were  the  descendants 
of  tho.se  who  were  born  there.  The  State  has  preser\^ed  in  her  archives  the 
names  of  more  than  one  thousand  men  through  whose  veins  coursed  the  warm, 
generous  blood  of  the  Emerald  Isle.  The  statement  may  appear  startling, 
but  in  substantiation  thereof  we  submit  herewith  a  list  of  800  names  whose 
origin  seems  to  be  beyond  cavil.  Two  hundred  and  more  names  were  not 
copied,  as  their  claims  to  Celtic  origin  might  po.ssibly  be  challenged,  though 
they  are  still  borne  b\-  many  who  are  proud  to  claim  the  green  isle  beyond 
the  sea  as  the  land  of  their  birth  or  of  their  ancestors.  But  do  I  claim 
for  them  menibershiiD  in  the  Catholic  church  ?  There  are  no  records  to 
enable  one  to  speak  with  certainty;  nevertheless,  inferentially,  I  believe 
a  large  majority  of  these  names  originally  represented  adherents  of  the 
ancient  faith,  and  this  inference  is  not  unreasonable  in  view  of  the  facts, 
that  it  was  against  the  Catholics  of  Ireland  the  most  stringent  enactments 
were  directed ;  that  they  in  far  greater  numbers  than  others  were  the 
victims  of  England's  policy  of  expatriation,  and  that,  when  arrived  on  our 
shores  they  scattered  throughout  the  New  England  Colonies,  where  they 
settled  in  large  numbers.  However,  .should  the  temptation  arise  in  the  mind 
of  any  reader  to  call  in  question  the  Catholicity  of  the  names  here  given,  let 
hiui,  without  denominational  bias,  consult  the  baptismal,  marriage,  burial, 
pew  rent  or  collection  records  of  an)-  thickly  populated  Catholic  parish,  or 
make  a  personal  canvass  of  names,  and  he  will  recognize  that  the  inference 
here  drawn  rests  upon  a  solid  foundation. 

Many  of  their  descendants,  and  possibly  some  of  themselves,  may  have 
lost  the  precious  gift  of  faith,  as  the  prevailing  conditions  made  it  well  nigh 
impossible  to  keep  alive  the  sacred  flame.  Occasionally  a  solitary  priest 
passed  through  the  State  in  quest  of  the  lost  sheep ;  but  after  all,  what  was 
one  laborer  in  so  vast  a  field  ?  He  could  accomplish  but  little.  The  seed  of 
the  divine  Word  could  be  but  sparsely  sowed ;  the  ground  became  fallow. 
Writing  in    1834,  Bishop  Purcell,  of  Cincinnati,  said:  "There  are  places  in 

'  The  translator  of  Dr.  Chastellux's  "  Travels  in  Morth  America,"  an  English  gentle- 
man residing  in  America  at  that  period,  1780-1782. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  99 

which  there  are  Catholics  of  twenty  years  of  age  who  have  not  yet  had  an 
opportunity  of  performing  one  single  public  act  of  their  religion.  How  many 
fall  sick  and  die  without  the  sacraments!  How  many  children  are  brought 
up  in  ignorance  and  vice  !  How  many  persons  marry  out  of  the  church,  and 
thus  weaken  the  bonds  that  hold  them  to  it."  ' 

Similar  conditions  existed  here.  What  with  the  passing  years  with  no 
sight  of  priest,  the  intermarriages  with  Protestants,  and  the  social  disabilities 
under  which  Catholics  labored,  they  ceased  to  practice  the  duties  of  their 
religion.  And  this  may  account  for  the  fact  that  in  1835  Bishop  Fenwick 
found  Qnly  720  Catholics  in  Connecticut,  notwithstanding  the  influx  of  pre- 
sumably Catholic  emigrants  during  the  preceding  century. 

The  names  that  constitute  this  Roll  of  Honor  are  drawn  from  the 
"Record  of  Service  of  Connecticut  men  in  the  War  of  the  Revolutions^  com- 
piled by  order  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  Revolutionary  record  of  Connecticut  opens  with  her  response  to  the 
historic  Le.xington  alarm  of  April  19,  1775,  and  closes  eight  and  a  half  years 
later  with  the  disbandment  of  her  last  regiment  after  peace,  November,  1783. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  many,  who  have  hitherto  given  little  or  no  atten- 
tion to  the  subject,  will  be  astonished  to  know  that  over  1000  men  from  Con- 
necticut, bearing  distinctively  Irish  names,  patriotically  contributed  their 
services,  and  many  of  them  their  lives,  to  the  cause  of  independence.  And 
with  so  many  of  unequivocally  Irish  distinction,  there  were  undoubtedly  many 
hundreds  of  Irish  soldiers  whose  names  do  not  as  clearh-  indicate  their  Irish 
origin. 

During  the  famous  skirmishes  of  Lexington  and  Concord,  Wednesday, 
April  19,  1775,  which  precipitated  the  Revolutionary  War,  an  "alarm','  was 
immediately  spread  in  every  direction,  and  reached  Windham  county  by 
Thursday  noon,  the  20th,  and  through  Connecticut  to  Stamford  by  Friday 
night,  the  21st.  About  4000  men  started  from  Connecticut  to  Boston  in 
response  to  the  alarm,  and  among  them  we  readily  distinguish  the  following 
Irish  names,  and  yet  several  of  the  lists  are  not  complete: 

Irishmen  in  the  "Lexington  Alarm  List"  from  Connecticut,  April  19,  1775. 
Joseph  Gleason,  East  Haddam  ;  Jas.  McKenney,  East  Windsor;  Andrew  Kennedy, 
East  Windsor  ;  James  Green,  Enfield  ;  Daniel  Prior,  Enfield ;  Thomas  Murphy,  East 
Haddam  ;  Wm.  McKenney,  East  Windsor ;  Daniel  Green,  East  Windsor ;  Peter  Reynolds, 
Enfield  ;  Daniel  Terry,  Enfield  ;  James  Maden,  Glastonbury  ;  Wm.  Griffin,  Hartford  ; 
Robert  McKee,  Hartford  ;  Stephen  Killborn,  Hartford ;  Thomas  McCartee,  Hartford  ; 
Stephen  Cummins,  Mansfield  ;  Ross.  Griflin,  New  Haven  ;  John  McKall,  captain,  Nor- 
wich ;  Joseph  Griffin,  Norwich  ;  John  Carey,  sergeant,  Preston  ;  John  Gordon,  Volun- 
town  ;  Thos.  Gordon,  Voluntown  ;  David  Kennedy,  Voluntown  ;  George  Gordon,  Jr., 
Voluritown  ;  Daniel  McIMullen,  fifer,  Wallingford  ;  Daniel  Bailey,  Wallingford;  Thos. 
Russell.  Wethersfield;  Timothj'  Killborn,  Wethersfield;  Thos.  Fitzgerald,  Windham; 
Levi  Carey,''  Windham;  John  Carey,  3d,  Windham;  Nath'l  Carey, ^  Windham;  Wm. 
Martin,  Windham  ;   John   Flyn ;   John   Reynolds,   Hartford ;   Joseph   McKee,  sergeant, 

'  "  Annals  of  the  Propagation  of  Faith !'  Vol.  \TII. 

^Baptismal  names  like  these  indicate,  probably,  the  issue  of  mi.Ked  marriages,  as 
such  names  are  verj'  rare  when  both  parents  are  Irish  or  Catholics. 


100  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND.    ' 

Hartford  ;  Joseph  Keeny,  Jr.,  Hartford  ;  Peter  Philips,  Hartford;  Benj.  Collins,  Mansfield; 
Nath'l  Collins,  New  Hartford;  Jefl'rey  Murray,  Norfolk;  John  Martin,  Norwich  ;  John 
Welch,  Plainfield  ;  Jas.  Gordon,  Voluntown  ;  Joseph  Kennedy,  Voluntown  ;  John  Gordon, 
3d,  Voluntown  ;  Samuel  Collins,  Wallingford  ;  Siuion  Griffin,  Wethersfield  •.  John  Jack- 
son, Welhersfield  ;  Ackley  Riley,  Wethersfield;  Dan  Manning,  Windham  ;  James  Carey, 
corporal,  Windham;  Wni.  Carey,  Windham  ;  Stephen  Cummings,  Windham;  Michael 
Jackson,  Woodstock  ;  John  Green,  Thomas  Barret. 

First  Regiment.    General  Wooster's.     1775. 

Second  Company. — Augustus  Collins,  ensign;  James  M.  Griffin,  private;  Wm. 
Murray,  private. 

Third  Company. — James  Ganer  (Gaynor),  private ;  Martin  Clark,  private ;  Amos 
Collins,  private. 

Fourth  Company. — ^John  Welch,  private. 

Tenth  Company. — Angus  McFee,  John  Grimes. 

Second  Regi.ment.    General  Spencer's. 

First  Company. — Wm.  Co.x,  drum  major;  Joseph  Gleason,  drummer. 

Second  Company. — Wm.  McCorney,  fifer;  James  Carey,  Patrick  Colbert,  James  Lord, 
Daniel  Clark,  Herman  Higgins,  Patrick  Leonard. 

Third  Company.— Q.oxn.eWviS  Russell. 

Fourth  Company. — Timothy  Powers,  Cleorge  Carej-,  John  Dodd. 

Fifth  Company. — Samuel  Cileason. 

Si.xth  Company. — Wm.  McBride,  Michael  Eggins  (Higgins). 

Seventh  Company, — Edmund  Murfy  (;Murph\'),  Jos.  Grimes,  Jr. 

Eighth  Company. ~i&ri\cs  ;\IcCartey,  Jesse  Higgins,  John  Fox,  Thos.  Martin. 

Ninth  Company — Michael  Barce,  Roger  Fox,  Jas.  Murphy,  Jas.  McLean,  John  Jack- 
son, Lawrence  Sullivan. 

Tenth  Company. — John  Conly,  fifer  ;  James  McCae. 

Third  Regiment.    Gener.^i.  Putn.vm's. 

Second  G);«/<JW)'.— Stephen  Cummins  (Cummings),  David  Kel ley,  Joseph  Martin. 

Third  Company. — James  Carr,  sergeant;  John  Huges  (Hughes I,  Joseph  Griffin,  Jas. 
McDonald,  Daniel  Preston. 

Fourth  Company. — Daniel  Carryl  (Carroll),  John  Carey.  John  McCartey. 

Fifth  Company. — Alexander  McNeal  (McNiel),  Daniel  Owen,  Wm.  Moor  (Moore). 
Wm.  Waters. 

Sixth  Company. — Benj.  Kinn}-,  Benj.  Ford,  John  Terry,  Benj.  Gary. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  Lexington  ncw.s,  Governor  Triiinbull  .snnimoned 
the  General  Assembly  to  a  special  session  at  Hartford  to  convene  on  April  26th. 
The  Massachusetts  authorities  sent  urgent  appeals  to  Governor  Trumbull  for 
aid  and  support  from  Connecticut.  On  April  20th,  the  Committee  of  Safety 
at  Cambridge  wrote : — "As  the  troops  have  now  commenced  hostilities,  we 
think  it  our  duty  to  exert  our  utmost  strength  to  save  our  country  from  ab.^^o- 
lute  .slavery.  We  pray  your  honors  would  afford  us  all  the  assistance  in  your 
power,  and  shall  be  glad  that  our  brethren  who  come  to  our  aid  may  be  sup- 
plied with  military  stores  and  provisions,  as  we  have  none  of  either  more  than 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  ourselves."  Again,  on  Ajrnl  26th,  they  wrote: — 
"  The  distressed  condition  in  which  we  are,  and  the  danger  to  which  the  liber- 
ties of  all  America,  and  especially  the  New  England  Colonies  are  exposed, 
will  be  the  best  apology  for  the  imijortunate  application  to  you  for  immediate 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  101 

assistance.  We  pray  you  as  regards  the  safety  of  your  country,  that 
as  large  a  number  of  troops  as  you  can  spare  may  immediately  march 
forward." 

The  Assembly  met  on  the  date  indicated,  and  during  the  ten  days'  session 
refrained  from  aggressive  declarations,  but  made  preparations  for  a  determined 
resistance.  The  leading  measure  of  the  session  was  "  An  Act  for  assembling, 
equipping,  etc.,  a  number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Colony  for  the  Special 
Defence  and  Safety  thereof."  It  provided  that  one-fourth  part  of  the  Colony 
militia  should  be  forthwith  enlisted,  accoutred  and  assembled,  to  be  led  and 
conducted  as  the  General  Assembly  should  order.  About  six  thousand  men 
who  were  to  be  distributed  in  six  regiments  of  ten  companies  each,  with  a 
full  complement  of  officers,  were  represented  in  this  apportionment.  At  a 
third  special  session,  convened  July  i,  1775,  the  Assembly  provided  for  two 
more  regiments,  making  eight  in  all,  consisting  of  about  seven  thousand,  four 
hundred  men.  In  October  of  the  same  year  an  act  of  the  Assembly  trans- 
ferred those  regiments  from  Colony  regiments,  who  were  subject  only  to  Con- 
necticut, to  Continental  regiments  under  the  authority  of  the  Continental 
commanders.  The  following  names,  notable  for  their  Celtic  flavor  have 
been  selected  from  the  list  of  staff  officers  and  rosters  of  the  regiments 
for  1775,  and  other  sources.  They  were  represented  in  every  prominent  action 
from  the  siege  of  Boston  to  the  surrender  of  Yorktown,  including  Ticonderoga, 
Quebec,  Long  Island,  Trenton,  Princeton,  Brandywine,  Germantown,  Stony 
Point,  Saratoga  and  the  massacre  at  Fort  Griswold. 

Third  Regiment. 

Seventh  Company. — Thos.  Barret,  Michael  Flynn,  Oliver  Barret,  John  Fox,  John 
Green,  John  Lyon,  Abbron  Reynolds,  C\'rus  Powers,  Michael  Jackson,  Jas.  Murray, 
Nathan  Powers. 

Eighth  Company. — Michael  Richmond,  James  Reynolds,  Jacob  Reynolds. 

Fourth  Regiment.     Colonel  Hinman's. 

First  Company. — ^John  Garret,  Luke  Welch. 

Second  Company. — Alexander  Keney,  sergeant ;  Stephen  Fox,  Thos.  Byrne,  corporal ; 
Ruben  Kenny,  Theodore  Kenny. 

Tenth  Company. — ^John  Carr,  Michael  Beach,  Jere.  McCartee. 

Fifth  Regiment.    Colonel  Waterbury's. 

First  Company. — Andrew  Powers,  sergeant ;  Chas.  Stewart,  Peter  Mead. 

Second  Company. — James  Huges,  sergeant  (Hughes);  Bryan  Killkelly,  John  Down- 
ing, James  Lenniham  (Lennihan),  lieutenant. 

Third  Company. — Patrick  Kennej'. 

Fourth  Company. — ^Joseph  Hays. 

Fifth  Company. — Mathew  INIead,  captain  ;  Wm.  INIcKee,  Michael  Bourn,  James  Reed, 
Michael  Wells. 

Sixth  Company. — Miles  Cauty,  Wm.  Griffin,  Francis  Jackson. 

Seventh  Company. — Chas.  Powers,  Michael  Morehouse,  jMathew  Mead. 

Eighth  Company. — Geo.  Murray,  Robert  Welch. 

Ninth  Company. — John  F.  Lac}',  Thos.  Preston,  Jeremiah  Calahar. 

Tenth  Company. — Morris  Griffin,  Jerry  Riand  (Rj'an),  Joseph  Jackson. 


102  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Sixth  Regiment.    Colonel  Parson's. 

Firsl  Company. — ^John  Hackell. 

Second  Company. — Peter  Burn,  Mathew  Coy. 

Third  Company. — Daniel  Cartliy,  corporal  ;  Jas.  Griffin,  Cornelius  Griffin. 

Fifth  G'w/a/y.—Thos.  Carney,  Anthony  Wolf,  Benj.  Kelley,  David  Quinley,  Michatl 
Ryen  (Ryan),  Jas.  Butler,  Thos.  L}"on. 

Sixth  Company. — Benedict  Carey,  Joseph  Gordon,  Joseph  Kenedy,  Asa  Phillips, 
Josiah  Carey,  vSarauel  Carey,  Wni.  Knight,  Michael  Pliillips,  Tiniothj-  Shea. 

Seventh  Company. — ^John  O'Brian,  Michael  Torrey,  Daniel  Thomas. 

Eighth  Company. — Daniel  McLean,  Jas.  Casey. 

Ninth  Cow/a/y.— Joseph  Corbitt,  James  More  (Moore),  John  Malary.  Phillip  Dorus. 

Seventh  Regiment.    Colonel  Chas.  Webb. 

First  Company.— \i\\\\Am  Dunn,  John  Macannathy,  Archibald  McLean. 
Second  Company. — Wni.  McQueen. 

Third  Company. — ^Jaines  Dennis,  David  McDowell,  John  Dennis,  Lawrence  Martin. 

Fourth  Company. — ^John  Ketincy. 

Fifth  Company. — Michael  Hunn. 

Sixth  Compajiy. — John  Cockran. 

Se-venth  Company. — Joseph  Murry. 

Eighth  Company. — Beriah  Kelle\-,  Roger  Crow. 

Ninth  Company. — Neal  McNeal,  Isaac  Collins. 

Tenth  Company. — Wm.  Barrett,  Cyrenus  Collins. 

Eighth  Reciment.     Huntington's.    Thomas  Hayden,  Sergeant-Major. 
Second  Company. — ^John  Bartlett,  Richard  Price. 
Third  Company. — James  Burn,  Jeremiah  Connel. 
Fourth  Company. — Wm.  Hayes,  corporal  ;  Luke  Hayes. 
Fifth  Company.— ]as.  Green,  Tinio.  JIalloy  (Timothy),  Thos.  McKnight. 
Si.vth  Cotnpany. — John  Conley,  Lsaac  Ford. 

Seventh  Company. — Joseph  Cummins,  John  Moors,  John  Murray. 
Eighth  Company. — Thos.  Dennis,  fifer  ;  Thos   Ryan,  drummer. 
Ninth  Company. — Cornelius  Higgins,  sergeant  ;  Wm.  Bevins,  Silvanus  Higgins. 
Tenth  Company. — Thos.  Reed,  sergeant;  Michael  Barre  (Barry),  Thos.  Cushin. 
Patrick  Nugent  and  Peter  Headj'  were  taken  prisoners  at  the  defeat  of  Quebec, 
December  31,  1775. 

Colonel  Burrall's  Regiment.    Before  Quebec  December,  1775. 

John  Riellj',  lieutenant;  Thomas  Fleming,  drummer;  James  Clarej-,'  John  Mc- 
Goon.'John  Green,'  Michael  McGee,' John  Wreu,' James  Laughliu.' 

In  Colonel  Elmore's  Regiment.    At  Fort  Schuyler,  Winter  of  1775-76. 
Robert  Cochran,  major  ;  John  Moody,  John  Redmonds,  John  Oneal  (O'Neil),  Thos. 
Powell,  David  Brady,  Thomas  Owen,  John  Cain  (Kane),  Jeremiah   R\an,  Michael   Kirk- 
land,  Michael  Cacrn,  Cornelius  Lynch,  ensign;  Daniel  Owen,  John  Shield. 

"  Knowlton  Rangers." 
Daniel  Conner,  Chas.  Kelley. 

BiGELOw's  Artillery  Company.    First  in  Connecticut  During  Revolution. 
John  Reynolds,  corporal  ;  George  McCarty. 

The  failure  of  the  Canadian  e.xpeditious  and  the  campaign  around  New 
York  demonstrated  the  need  of  a  permanent  disciplined  army  to  cope  with 

'Taken  prisoners  at  the  Cedars,  Canada,  May  19,  1776. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  103 

the  veteran  British  regulars.  All  enlistments  on  the  American  side  were  for 
short  terms,  and  the  continual  discharging  and  recruiting  of  new  men  played 
sad  havoc  with  army  discipline.  To  remedy  this  state  of  affairs  Congress 
provided  that  the  entire  American  army  be  re-organized  January  i,  1777. 
This  re-organization  provided  that  eighty-eight  regiments  be  raised  for  con- 
tinuous service  to  the  end  of  the  war,  unless  otherwise  ordered,  proportioned 
among  the  States  according  to  population.  Connecticut's  portion  was  eight 
regiments,  and  its  quota  was  designated  as  the  "  Connecticut  Line,"  which 
with  the  other  State  "Lines"  formed  one  grand  "Continental  Line."  It 
was  these  State  "Lines,"  inspired  in  a  common  cause,  under  the  leadership 
of  the  immortal  Washington  that  bore  the  burden  of  the  war  for  the  succeed- 
ing six  years  to  the  grand  close.  In  these  regiments  we  find  additional  evi- 
dence of  Irish  participation. 

First  Regiment  Connecticut  Line. 

Daniel  Collins,  lieutenant  ;  Patrick  Donally,  sergeant  ;  Wm.  Collins,  corporal  ; 
Geo.  McKenzy,  corpopal ;  John  Connolly,  Wm.  GriflBn,  Patrick  Hynes,  Thos.  Jackson, 
Alexander  McCoy,  Mathew  Connor,  Joseph  Fox,  James  Griffin,  John  Joy,  John  Martin, 
John  Ryan,  John  Roach,  John  Whealy,  Pell  Collins,  Michael  Stochy,  Walter  Carey, 
Thos.  Roach. 

Second  Regiment.    Connecticut  Line. 

Patrick  Hynes.  John  Kelle3^  John  McNulty,  Thos.  Mitchell,  Jas.  Gleeson,  Thomas 
McKnight,  Ab.  Mooney,  James  Powers,  John  Ryley,  Mathew  Reynolds,  Wm.  Kennedy, 
John  McGarry,  John  McKinny,  Mathew  Reynolds,  Thomas  Kelley,  John  Mooney,  Wm. 
McFall,  Benj.  Reynolds,  Sim.  Reynolds,  Reubin  Reynolds,  Daniel  Stewart. 

Third  Regiment.  Connecticut  Line. 
Wm.  Higgins,  quartermaster ;  Thomas  Hayden,  lieutenant ;  James  Reynolds, 
sergeant;  John  Laflin,  corporal ;  Jas.  Gordon,  musician;  Daniel  Powell,  musician; 
Ashbel  Riley,  musician  ;  James  Slater,  musician  ;  Wm.  Bryan,  Jas.  Burn,  Chas. 
Bryan,  Jas.  Bayley,  Abel  Collins,  Martin  Canary,  John  Conner,  Asher  Carty,  Wm.  Cum- 
mins, Darby  Council,  Richard  Crary,  Richard  Carj^,  Wm.  Duncan,  John  Delaney,  Thos. 
Durfy,  John  Fay,  William  Fay,  Timothy  Fay,  John  Griffin,  John  Grogan,  David  Hay- 
don,  Jesse  Higgins,  Richard  Jackson,  James  Kenney,  Benj.  Kenney,  Jas.  Laffin,  Patrick 
Lyons,  Jas.  Linden,  Andrew  Morrison,  Wm.  Moor,  Andrew  McKee,  Abel  McEntire, 
Wm.  Mathews,  Patrick  Murphy,  Joseph  McHook,  Michael  McNiel,  James  McElvajr, 
Daniel  Miles,  James  Mahar  (Maher),  Patrick  Marr,  James  McKeys,  Edmond  Murph}^, 
John  McMullen,  Thomas  Owen,  Stephen  Owen,  Oliver  O'Kean,  David  Reynolds,  Jacob 
Reynolds,  Owen  Reurk  (Rourke),  Michael  Ribley,  Daniel  Rivers,  Timothy  Stevens, 
Patrick  Thomas,  Peter  Thomas,  Thadeus  Barre  (Barry),  George  Farrell,  Thos.  Fox, 
Samuel  Fox. 

Fourth  Regiment.  Connecticut  Line. 
Thos.  McLure,  sergeant ;  John  Reynolds,  musician  ;  Simion  Reynolds,  musician  ; 
Chris.  Brady,  Roswell  Croker,  Roger  Cary,  Benj.  Cary,  Dennis  Dins,  Chris.  Downing, 
Thos.  Fitzgearal,  Mathew  Golden,  Wm.  Glenny,  Cornelius  Griffin,  Joseph  Griffin,  John 
Gary,  Jas.  McDonald,  Jno.  McLaughlin,  Alex.  McCoy,  Jas.  Mallony,  James  McCarty, 
Wm  McFall,  Geo.  ]\Iartin,  Manuel  O'Daniel,  Thos.  Powers,  Jeremiah  Reed,  James 
Shields,  Patrick  Thomas,  Daniel  Thomas,  Daniel  Ward,  Phillip  Martin. 


104  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Fifth  Regiment.  Connecticut  Line. 
Cornelius  Higgins, lieutenant ;  Cornelius  Russell,  lieutenant ;  Daniel  Cone,  corporal ; 
Timothy  Cone,  corporal ;  Wm.  Cuinmings, corporal ;  John  Branigan,  Thomas  Burns,  John 
Uragan,  jas.  Burns,  Patrick  Brown,  Luke  Drown,  Samuel  Barret,  Moses  Barret,  Jeremiah 
Barret,  Cornelius  Cahale  (Cahili.  John  Carrel  (Carroll),  Dennis  Clark,  Dennis  Collins 
John  Downing,  Joseph  Green,  Thomas  Green,  James  Green,  Jack  Green,  Thos.  Hughes, 
John-Hayes,  John  Kelley,  Henry  Keeler,  Thomas  Keeler,  Jeremiah  Keeler,  Jas.  Laughlin, 
Kit  Moore,  Michael  McKee,  Wm.  McLane,  Edw.  McClaning,  Wm.  McCIuster.  Jeremiah 
Mead,  John  Mathews,  Wm.  Murphy,  Jas.  I^atrick.  Joseph  Reed,  Thomas  Reed,  John 
Ryan,  Chris.  Welch,  Andrew  Gleason,  Wm.  Cumraings,  Abel  Collins,  Thos.  Green. 

Sixth  Regiment.    Connecticut  Line. 

John  McLean,  Sam.  Collins,  John  Clary,  Wm.  Collins,  Henry  Fitzgerald,  Daniel 
Fourd,  James  Gainer  (Gaynor),  John  Griffing,  Jas.  Keley  (Kelley),  Joshua  Keley  (Kelley), 
John  Lines,  Angus  McFee,  Dourson  Melone,  .Anthony  McDaniel,  John  O'Briant,  Jas.  Power, 
Jonathan  Riley,  Wm.  Rennals,  Joseph  Stark,  Jas.  Clary,  Jeremiah  Kelley. 

.  Seventh  Regiment.    Connecticut  Line. 

John  F.  Lacy,  Chas.  McDonald,  Patrick  Downs,  Thos.  Finn,  Boston  Ford,  Edward 
Griffin,  John  Green,  .Andrew  Hays,  James  Higgins,  Benj.  Kelly,  Oliver  Kelly,  Joseph 
Lynes,  Morris  Maloney,  Henrj'  Mclntire,  Andrew  McClarj',  Edward  Jlurphy,  George 
Murry,  John  Moor,  Anton j'  Moor,  Chas.  Riley,  Miles  Ryon,  Darby  Sullivan,  Robert 
Welch.  Daniel  Collins. 

Eighth  Regiment.  Connecticut  Line. 
Thomas  Dyer,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Thos.  O'Brian,  lieutenant ;  John  Green,  corporal; 
James  Bailey,  corporal  ;  Peter  McFarlane,  corporal  ;  Jas.  Carr,  .\bel  Cuff,  ^L^rtin  Ford, 
Amos  Ford,  Patrick  Fling,  Samuel  Kelley,  Joseph  Martin,  John  McKinzy,  John  Mc.Man- 
ners,  Jas.  McDonald,  David  McLane,  Jas.  Russell,  David  Reynolds,  Justice  Reynolds, 
Stephen  Ranj',  James  Ryon,  Michael  Robins,  Daniel  Vaughn,  John  Vaughn.  Morris 
Welch,  Luke  Welch,  Moses  Rilley,  George  Griffin,  Joseph  Lyon. 

Colonel  S.  B.  Webb's  Regiment.  Known  as  the  Ninth. 
John  Riley,  captain  ;  Thos.  Quigley,  John  Burns,  Thos.  Doyle,  Stephen  Fox,  John 
Fay,  Wm.  Fay,  Timothy  Fay,  Gershon  Fay,  John  McLean,  John  jMcKensie,  Matthew 
Melonee  (Maloneyj,  Patrick  McDonald,  Wm.  Martin,  Geo.  O'Bryan,  Daniel  Ward,  Moses 
Ward,  Daniel  Gilmore,  Daniel  Lane,  David  Welch,  Nehimiah  Higgins,  John  Welch,  James 
Brown,  John  Bailey,  David  Ward,  Timothy  Higgins,  Jos.  Goldsmith,  Francis  King, 
Malachi  Cornning,  Niel  McLean,  Jas.  Kirkland. 

Connecticut  Men  with  Colonel  Sherburn's  Regiment.    Light  Infantry. 
Ebenezer  Blake,  ,<;crgeant ;  Stephen   Bartlett,  corporal  ;  Thos.    Fanning,  corporal  ; 
Ro"-er  Welsh,   private ;    David   Fanning,   private  ;  Elesha  Fanning,   iMichael  Freeman, 
Edward  Freeman,  Peter  F'reenian,  Joseph  Freeman,  Ilezekiah  Carey. 

Connecticut  Men  in  Colonel  Seth  Waknivr's  Regiment  Stationed  at 
Bennington  and  Saratoga. 

Alexander  McLowry,  ensign  ;  Joseph  Bcnnet,  sergeant ;  Wm.  Collins,  corporal ;  John 
Campbell,  Benj.  Gleason,  Robert  McKnight,  George  McCarthy,  Allen  Reynolds,  Daniel 
Welch. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  105 

Colonel  Moses  Hazen's  Regiment.    Brandywine,  Germantown,  Monmouth  and 

yorktown. 

Samuel  Cochran,  sergeant  ;  James  Ward,  sergeant  ;  John  Burk,  James  Dawah 
(Dowagh),  David  Kelle}-,  Michael  Kirkland,  Peter  Lines,  Michael  Welch,  John  McCoy. 

Colonel  Durkee's  Wyoming  Valley  Company. 
Thomas  McClure,  Stephen  Preston,  John  Car\-,  Wm.  Dunn,  James   Bagley,  Chas. 
Bennet. 

Captain  Ransom's  Wyoming  Valley  Company. 
Timothy  Pierce,  lieutenant ;  Lawrence  Kinney,   Wm.   McClure,  Thos.   Neal,  John 
O'Neal,  Thos.  Pickett,  Michael  Foster. 

First  Troop.     Light  Dragoons. 

Richard  Dowde  (Dowd),  John  Butler,  James  McDavid,  Edward  Hayes,  Michael 
Hannon,  Eph'ron  Kirby. 

Second  Troop. 

Michael  Couney,  John  Conly,  Dan'l  Buckley,  John  Carroll,  Geo.  Couney,  Thos.  Neal, 
Stephen  Taylor,  Wm.  Bennet,  Jno.  McMullen,  Jno.  McKinsey. 

Fourth  Troop. 
Wm.  McBride,  Daniel  Cashman,  Daniel  Clarj',  Thos.  Cushraan,  Peter  Hare. 

Fifth  Troop. 

Joseph    Conner,    Robert   McColIoch,    Henry  Martin,    David    Ross,    David    Martin, 

Jas.  Connolly. 

Sixth  Troop. 

Wm.  Lane,  Jos.  McClanon,  John  Bennet,  John  HenrJ^  Wm.  Denivan  (Donovan), 
Thos.  Dongall,  Jas.  Reed,  Jas.  Murphy,  Aron  Fox. 

Recruits. 
John  Kilborn,  John  Welch,  Martin  Stiles,  John  White,  Jos.  King. 

Colonel  Lamb's  Artillery. 
Henry  Cunningham,  lieutenant;  Jas.  Hughes,  lieutenant;  Daniel  Meloney  (Ma- 
loney),  Edmond  Sweaney  (Sweeney),  gunners  ;  Jeremiah  Ryon  (Ryan),  bombardier ;  John 
Welch,  John  McCloud,  Samuel  Gibson,  Andrew  Dowling,  Cornelius  Gordon,  Daniel 
Melone  (Malone),  David  Slater,  Patrick  Snow,  James  Newall,  Peter  Rose,  Michael  Barley, 
John  Powers,  matrosses. 

Colonel  Crane's  Artillery. 

Daniel  Pierce,  John  Reynold,  sergeants  ;  Niel  IMcNiel,  corporal ;  John  Brown,  Jos. 
Murphy,  matrosses ;  Joseph  GriflSn,  Stephen  Murry,  Chas.  Reynold,  Geo.  Cary,  Moses 
Collins,  Joseph  Green,  John  Matthews,  James  Dougherty,  Daniel  Tracey,  Oliver  Care}-. 

Captain  Pendleton's  Company  of  Artificers.    Only  Company  Served  South 
OF  Virginia  during  Revolution. 

Phillip  Barrett,  John  Martin,  Dennis  Knox,  Oliver  Grafton,  Wm.  Glisson  (Gleeson), 
Maurice  Cummins   Patrick  Rodney,  Thomas  Clark. 

Invalid  Corps. 
John  Finnegan,  Patrick  Mahar.  John  Kelle}',  Owen  Rewick  (Rourke). 
John   Burnett,  Daniel  Durfee,  Thos.  McClure,  Thos.  Fanning,  Benj.  Hayes,  John 


106  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Fox,  John   Casey,  druninier  ;  Jas.   Mabar,  Jas.   Shields,  John    Briant,   Stephen   Bennet, 
Joseph  McHood,  Martin  McNary. 

Connecticut  Pensioners  of  the  Revolution. 

Jeremiah  Bennett,  private  ;  Daniel  Bucklej-,  private  ;  Daniel  Collins,  lieutenant ; 
James  Downs,  corporal  ;  Richard  Flood,  private  ;  Martin  Ford,  private  ;  John  Fanning, 
sergeant-mate;  Thos.  Fanning,  private;  Daniel  firiffin,  private;  John  Griffin,  private; 
Cornelius  Higgins,  lieutenant ;  Timothy  Higgins,  private  ;  Wm.  Hughes,  private  ;  John 
Laflin,  private;  Daniel  Murray-,  private;  Peter  McGuir  (e),  Joseph  Martin,  private; 
Thos.  Powers,  private;  Daniel  Preston,  private;  Joseph  Preston,  private;  Michael 
Phillips,  private;  Thos.  Quinlej-,  private;  Owen  Ruick,  private;  Thos.  Ruig,  private; 
Timothy  vScranton,  private;  Jas.  Slater,  musician;  Wm.  Tracy,  private;  Thos.  Ward, 
private;  John  Welch,  private;  Joseph  P.  Martin,  private,  residing  in  Maine;  Chris. 
Blake,  private,  residing  in  New  Hampshire;  William  Cummings.  Joseph  Cushman, 
William  Prior,  George  Martin,  privates,  residing  in  Vermont ;  Jas.  Phillips,  John  Rus- 
sell, privates,  residing  in  Massachusetts ;  James  Bennet,  John  Butler,  Patrick  Bugbee, 
privates,  residing  in  New  York  ;  William  Collins,  private ;  James  Dailey,  first  private  ; 
David  Dorrance,  captain  ;  Wm.  Faj-,  private  ;  John  Faj-,  private  ;  Jack  Green,  private  ; 
John  Green,  private ;  Wm.  Kennedy,  private  ;  John  Kilborne,  private  ;  Paul  McCoy, 
private;  Martin  McNeary,  private ;  Andrew  McKee,  private  ;  John  Martin,  private; 
John  Phillips,  private  ;  John  Reed,  musician  ;  Richard  Reed,  private ;  John  Reynolds, 
sergeant ;  Stephen  Reed,  private  ;  Robert  Welch,  private  ;  Lawrence  White,  private  ; 
James  Connolly,  private,  residing  in  New  Jersey ;  John  Ryon,  sergeant,  residing  in 
Pennsylvania  ;  Stephen  Fox,  private,  Wm.  Manning,  sergeant,  Robert  McCuUough, 
private,  Justus  Reynolds,  musician,  John  Halfpenny,  private,  residing  in  Kentuckj-  ; 
Wm.  Carr,  James  Grant,  privates,  residing  in  East  Tennessee  ;  Daniel  Welch,  private,  re- 
siding in  Indiana. 

Invalid  Pensioners. 

James  Slater,  James  Waj'land,  privates,  Andrew  Mead,  ensign,  Fairfield  County  ; 
Michael  Deming,  Jr.,  Matthew  Cadvvell,  privates,  Hartford  County  ;  Daniel  Preston,  pri- 
vate. New  Haven  County;  John  Bailey,  Jr.;  Wm.  Bailey,  Jr.,  Daniel  Cushman,  John 
Chilson,  John  Downs,  Isaac  Higgins,  Fred.  Moore,  Thos.  Pickett,  Thos.  Phillips. 


EARLY  PRIESTS  IN   CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 
REV.  GABRIEL  DRUILLETTES,  S.  J. 

(5  I  HE  first  representative  of  the  priesthood  to  enter  Connectictit  was  the 
*  I  Rev.  Gabriel  Druillettes,  a  priest  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Father 
Druillettes  was  the  spiritual  guide  and  father  of  the  Abenaki  of 
Maine,  whose  mission  he  founded  in  1646.  He  remained  with  them,  how- 
ever, for  a  brief  period  only,  his  object  being  to  lay  the  foundation  for  a 
subsequent  periuanent  mission.  During  his  residence  among  the  Abenaki 
the  New  England  Colonies  manifested  a  desire  to  enter  into  a  commercial 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  107 

alliance  with  New  France.  Having  in  the  meantime  returned  to  Quebec 
to  report  to  his  ecclesiastical  superiors  concerning  the  prospects  of  the  Abe- 
naki mission,  Father  Druillettes  was  appointed  ambassador  by  the  Gov- 
ernor of  New  France,  and  invested  with  authority  to  treat  with  the  Grand 
Court  of  Massachusetts,  whose  sessions  were  held  at  Boston. 

On  September  i,  1650,  the  reverend  ambassador  set  out  from  Quebec  in 
company  with  John  Guerin  and  Noel,  an  Indian  chief,  as  guide.  After  a 
voyage  in  which  hardships  and  sufferings  formed  the  chief  features,  the  little 
band  arrived  at  Augusta,  Maine,  where  Father  Druillettes  met  Commandant 
John  Winslow.  Between  these  two  men  a  bond  of  friendship  was  formed 
that  was  severed  only  by  death.  So  strong  was  their  attachment  for  each 
other  that  Winslow  could  pay  the  priest  no  higher  compliment  than  to  call 
him  his  Xavier,  while  Father  Druillettes  affectionately  designated  the  Com- 
mandant as  his  Pereira,  in  allusion  to  the  friend  of  the  great  apostle  to  the 
Indies. 

In  the  prosecution  of  his  mission  Father  Druillettes  had  conferences  with 
the  Commissioners  of  Boston  and  Plymouth  Colonies.  He  sought  to  perfect 
a  league  offensive  and  defensive.  He  was  informed,  however,  that  the  four 
English  Colonies  were  confederates,  and  that  all  treaties  and  leagues  concern- 
ing war  and  peace  with  neighboring  nations  or  colonies  were  referred  to  the 
"consideration  and  conclusion  "  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies 
of  New  England,  who  met  annually  in  September,  and  that  the  ne.xt  annual 
session  would  be  held  at  New  Haven. 

Plymouth  Colony,  recognizing  the  commercial  benefits  that  would  accrue 
to  it  from  a  league  with  the  French,  were  from  the  beginning  well  disposed 
towards  Father  Druillettes  and  his  mission,'  and  its  acquiescence  in  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  reverend  ambassador  operated  as  a  spur  to  the  Colony  of 
Massachusetts  to  enter  into  the  compact. 

Father  Druillettes'  reflections  on  the  probable  result  of  his  mission  are 
here  set  forth  in  his  own  words : 

1st.  "  I  presume,"  he  says,  "  as  something  quite  certain  that  the  Eng- 
lish of  the  four  colonies,  Boston,  Plymouth,  Connecticut  and  Kwinopeia 
(Quinnipiac  or  New  Haven)  have  power  to  exterminate  the  savage  nations. 
They  have  exterminated  two  tribes.^  They  are  so  powerful  and  numerous 
that  4,000  men  could  be  gotten  ready  in  the  Colony  of  Boston  alone.  There 
are  at  least  40,000  souls  in  these  four  Colonies,  and,  moreover,  the  road  to  the 
Iroquois  grounds  is  very  short  and  easy  of  travel. 

2nd.  "  I  presume,  according  to  the  articles  of  agreement,  no  Colon)-  can 
commence  an  offensive  war  without  the  consent  of  the  four  Colonies.  Fur- 
thermore, the  deputies  must  assemble  to  deliberate  on  the  matter,  and  three 
colonies  must  consent  to  extend  aid  ;  so  that  the  decision  shall  be  given  by  a 
majority.     This  gives  reason  to  hope  for  assistance  through  the  intervention 

'  .\s  an  instance  of  kindly  feeling,  it  is  related  that  Father  Druillettes  was  invited 
to  dine  by  Governor  Bradford  of  Plymouth,  who  paid  his  guest  the  delicate  compliment 
of  serving  a  fish  dinner,  as  it  was  Friday. — Fitton's  Sketches. 

-The  Pequots  and  Narragansetts. 


108  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  the  English,  and  sufficient  certainty  that  three  of  the  four  Colonies  will 
consent.  The  Governor  of  Plymouth,  with  his  magistrates,  is  not  only  favor- 
able, but  urges  the  matter;  and  all  are  in  favor  of  the  Abenaki,  who  are  under 
the  protection  of  this  Colony.'  The  Colony  has  a  considerable  interest  in  this 
matter  on  account  of  the  seignorial  rights  by  which  it  will  receive  the  sixth 
part  of  all  that  will  be  received  from  this  treaty  along  the  Kennebec  river. 
The  Governor  him.self,  and  the  four  other  principal  men  would  lose  much 
in  forfeiting  all  hope  of  commerce  with  Kennebec  and  Quebec,  because  of 
the  Abenaki;  and  this  would  inevitably  occur  if  the  Iroquois  continue  to  kill 
and  hunt  to  death  the  said  Al)enaki,  as  they  have  been  doing  for  several 
years.  The  Governor  has  a  strong  reason  for  extending  this  aid,  as  all  the 
colonies  waged  war  in  favor  of  a  sa\'age  nation,  named  'Morchigander,'  which 
is  on  the  river  Pecot,  and  that  on  the  demand  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut, 
which  had  that  nation  under  its  protection." 

Father  Druillettes  returned  to  Quebec  on  June  4,  165 1.  On  the  22nd  he 
set  out  again,  having  received  increased  powers  to  confer  with  the  Commi^ 
sioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  who  were  to  meet  at  New  Haven  in  September. 
His  departure  is  thus  noted  in  Lallemant  and  Ragueneau's/owrwrt/.- 

"June  22,  i6si.  Father  Druillettes,  Mr.  Godefroy  and  John  Guerin  set  out  with  the 
Abenaki  and  one  Sokoquinois  (Saco  Indians)  for  New  England  in  seven  or  eight  canoes. 
Noel  Tekwerimat  was  of  the  party." 

In  the  Registers  of  the  Ancient  Council  of  Quebec  there  is  this  entry, 
June  20,  165  I : 

"The  Council  assembled  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  ir.orning.     Present:  the  Governor; 

V 

the  reverend  Father  Superior  ;  Messieurs  de  Mau/.e,  de  Godefroy  and  Jlenoit.  On  the 
proposition  made  to  the  Council  touching  a  certain  rescription  made  b}'  the  Council  in 
the  3'ear  1648,  to  the  end  that  a  union  be  made  between  the  Colonies  of  New  France  and 
New  England  to  carry  on  commerce  with  each  other,  the  Council,  desiring  to  meet  their 
wishes,  has  nominated  and  nominates  Sieur  Godefroy,  one  of  the  Councillors  of  the 
Council  established  by  his  Majesty  in  this  country,  to  proceed  with  the  Reverend  Father 
Druillettes  to  the  said  New  England,  to  the  said  Commissioners,  to  treat  and  act  with 
them  according  to  the  power  given  to  them  by  the  Council." 

The  Governor  of  New  France  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Commissioners  of 
the  United  Colonies,  as  follows: 

"  Louis  d'Ailleboust,  Lieutenant-General  for  the  King  and  Governor  of  all  New 
France,  etc.,  Greeting: 

"  Having  been  solicited  and  entreated,  both  by  the  Christian  Indians  depending  on 
our  government  and  by  the  Abenaquinois,  living  on  the  River  Kinibeqiue,  and  others, 
their  allies,  to  protect  them  against  the  incursion  of  the  Iroquois,  their  common  enemies, 
as  it  has  been  heretofore  practiced  by  Sieur  de  Montinagny,  our  predecessor  in  this  gov. 
ernment  ;  and  having  anew  shown  us  that  all  their  nations  were  on  the  point  of  being 
totally  destroyed  unless  he  speedily  brought  a  remedj' — We,  for  these  causes  and  the 
good  of  the  colony,  and  following  the  express  orders  given  us  in  the  name  of  the  Queen 
Regent,  mother  of  the  King,  to  protect  the  Indians  against  their  said  enemies,  liave 
deputed  and  depute,  with  the  advice  of  the  Council  established  in  this  country  and  some 
of  the  most  notable  inhabitants,  the  .Sieurs  G.ibriel  Druillettes,  preacher  of  the  gospel 

'The  Abenaki  were  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Plymouth  Colony. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  109 

to  the  Indian  Nations,  and  John  Godefroy,  one  of  the  Councilors  of  said  Council,  ambas- 
sadors for  them  to  the  gentlemen  of  New  England,  to  treat  either  with  the  Governors  and 
Magistrates  of  New  England  or  with  the  General  Court  of  Commissioners  and  Deputies 
of  the  United  Colonies,  for  assistance  in  men  and  munitions  of  war  and  supplies  to  attack 
the  said  Iroquois  in  the  most  proper  and  convenient  places  ;  and  also  to  agree  upon  articles 
which  shall  be  deemed  necessary  to  assure  this  treaty,  and  to  grant  to  the  said  people  of 
New  England  the  trade  which  they  have  desired  from  us  by  their  letters  in  the  year  1647, 
with  the  articles,  clauses  and  conditions  which  they  shall  therein  see  necessary  ;  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  Ambassadors  whom  we  shall  send  on  our  behalf  to  satisfy  and  establish 
finally  what  they  have  agreed  upon. 

"  We  accordingl}-  pray  all  governors,  lieutenant-generals,  captains  and  others  to  let 
them  pass  freel}',"  etc. 

The  letter  of  the  Council  of  Quebec  to  the  Commissioners  breathes  the 
same  spirit,  expresses  an  earnest  desire  for  closer  commercial  relations,  calls 
attention  to  the  insolent  hostility  of  the  Iroquois,  and  solicits  aid  in  crush-. 
ing  their  common  enemy. 

"  Gentlemen  :  It  is  now  several  years  since  certain  gentlemen  of  Boston  proposed 
to  begin  commerce  between  New  France  and  New  England.  The  Council  established  by 
His  JIajesty  in  this  country  sent  answers  as  well  as  letters  written  by  our  Governor  to 
those  gentlemen.  The  tenor  of  these  messages  was  that  we  are  desirous  of  this  com- 
merce ;  also  of  a  sincere  union  between  your  colonies  and  ours,  and  at  the  same  time  we 
wish  to  form  an  offensive  and  defensive  league  against  our  enemies,  the  Iroquois,  who 
are  ruining  our  commerce,  or,  at  least,  retarding  it.  It  seems  to  us  that  your  obligation 
is  to  crush  the  insolence  of  these  savage  Iroquois,  who  are  killing  the  Sokoinois  (Saco 
Indians)  and  the  Abenaki,  your  allies  ;  and,  moreover,  the  facilities  you  have  to  begin 
this  war  are  two  reasons  which  induce  us  to  carry  on  these  negotiations  with  3'ou  in  your 
Court  of  Commissioners.  We  have  requested  ^onr  Governor  to  write  us  on  the  subject. 
We  join  our  efforts  with  his  to  assure  you  of  our  desire,  and  that  of  all  New  France  for 
this  commerce  with  New  England  and  this  war  with  the  Iroquois,  who  should  be  our 
common  enemy.  With  the  Rev.  Pere  Druillettes,  who  began  last  winter  to  negotiate  in 
this  matter,  we  are  pleased  to  associate  ]\Ions.  Godefroy,  as  Councillor  of  our  Commission 
The  merits  of  these  two  deputies  lead  us  to  hope  for  success.  They  are  clothed  with  all  the 
necessary'  powers,  that  is  to  say,  to  efficaciously  arrange  matters  relative  to  commerce, 
and  tcS  divide  the  expenses  necessarj'  for  the  war  with  the  Iroquois.  We  earnestly  solicit 
you  to  listen  to  them,  and  to  act  with  them  as  you  would  with  us,  and  with  that  frank- 
ness that  is  as  natural  to  the  English  as  to  the  French.  We  cannot  doubt  that  God  will 
bless  your  arms  and  ours,  since  they  will  be  employed  in  the  defence  of  Chri.stian  savages 
who  are  your  allies  as  well  as  ours,  against  infidel  barbarians  who  have  neither  God  nor 
faith.  They  do  not  evince  the  slightest  justice  in  their  proceedings,  as  you  will  learu 
from  our  deputies,  who  will  assure  you  of  our  sincere  desire  that  Heaven  will  always  bless 
your  provinces  and  bestow  on  you  its  favors. 

"  Drawn  up  in  the  Chamber  of  the  Council  established  by  the  King  at  Quebec,  in 
New  France,  June  20,  1651." 

.  Arrived  at  Boston,  Father  Druillettes  forwarded  a  letter  to  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Connecticut  and  New  Haven,  requesting  a  conference  at  Boston. 
In  this  letter  he  advanced  several  arguments  to  persuade  the  English  Colonies 
to  join  with  the  French  in  a  war  against  the  Iroquois,  alleging  that  it  was  a 
just  war,  inasmuch  as  the  Mohawks  had  broken  solemn  covenants  made  for 
the  continuance  of  peace  ;  that  they  conduct  their  wars  with  great  cruelty  ; 
that  it  was  a  holy  war  waged  in  behalf  of  Christianized  Indians,  who  were 


110  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

persecuted  and  cruelly  treated  on  account  of  their  religion  when  captured  by 
the  Mohawks  ;  that  the  war  was  a  matter  of  common  concern,  as  the  inroads  of 
the  M(jhawks  tended  to  the  destruction,  or,  at  least,  to  the  great  disturbance 
of  trade  in  which  the  French  and  the  Englisli  of  Massachusetts  and  Plymouth 
Colonies  were  mutually  interested.  It  was  further  represented  that  the  French 
had  no  convenient  passages  either  by  land  or  by  sea  to  carry  on  war  against 
the  hostile  Indians.  Therefore  in  the  name  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
New  France  and  of  the  Christian  Indians,  he  petitioned  the  English  colonies 
to  join  in  the  war,  and  promised  a  "  due  consideration  or  allowance  for 
charges"  (expenses).  In  the  event,  however,  of  the  English  refusing  to 
actively  j)articipate  in  the  war,  Father  Druillettes  besought  for  the  French  the 
privilege  of  enlisting  volunteers  among  the  English  colonists ;  that  they  be 
furnished  with  food  supplies  for  the  service,  and  that  they  might  pass  through 
the  English  jurisdiction  by  land  and  water,  as  occasion  would  require. 

Father  Druillettes'  request  for  a  conference  at  Boston  was  refused  on  the 
plea  of  inconvenience.  To  his  arguments  and  petitions  he  recei\ed  unfavor- 
able replies  from  the  Commissioners  for  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  Colonies. 
Nothing  daunted,  Father  Druillettes,  Mons.  Godefroy  and  suite,  in  the  com- 
pany of  the  Commissioners  of  Ma.ssachusetts,  visited  New  Haven  in  Septem- 
ber, 165  I,  only  thirty-seven  years  after  Adriaen  Block  sailed  upon  the  waters 
and  gazed  upon  the  beautiful  shores  of  Connecticut.  The  reverend  ambassa- 
dor presented  his  credentials  to  the  Commissioners  with  a  commission 
addressed  to  himself,  whereby  he  was  empowered  to  preach  the  Christian 
religion  to  the  Indians. 

Father  Druillettes  immediately  opened  negotiations.  He  was  an  orator 
of  very  graceful  and  persuasive  address 'and  improved  his  abilities  to  tlie 
utmost  to  persuade  the  Commissioners  that  the  English  Colonies  should  give 
aid  in  the  war  against  the  Mohawks.  If,  however,  the  Commissioners  did 
not  wish  to  engage  actively  in  war  against  the  Indians,  he  solicited  the 
privilege  of  recruiting  volunteers  and  asked  for  the  grant  of  a  passage 
by  land  and  water  through  their  jurisdiction.  He  requested  also,  that  the 
baptized  Indians  and  catechumens  be  taken  under  the  protection  of  the 
United  Colonies.  These  favors  granted.  Father  Druillettes  promised  in 
return  a  treaty  establishing  free  trade  between  the  French  and  the  English.^ 

The  efforts  of  the  eloquent  Jesuit  availed  nothing.  Sincere  in  his  n/o- 
tives,  calm  in  the  e.^pressiou  of  his  views,  manly  and  straightforward  in  the 
presentation  of  his  petition  for  aid,  pleading  onh'  for  the  welfare  of  his  Indian 
charges,  with  no  thought  of  personal  gain,  we  can  imagine  his  disappoint- 
ment when  he  realized  the  futility  of  liis  efforts.  Standing  before  the  venerable 
Commissioners  in  his  "black  gown,"  his  rough  belt  encircling  his  body,  his 
rosary  hanging  b\-  his  side ;  tlie  first  of  the  sacerdotal  order  to  tread  the  soil 
of  Connecticut;  a  member  of  a  society  whom  every  Puritan  was  taught  to 
regard  as  the  advance  guard  of  Anti-Christ;   an  honored  fellow  of  a  body  of 

'  TrumbuU's  Hist,  of  Conn.;  Hollister's  Hist.  0/  Conn. 
'  Acts  0/  the  Com.  of  the  U.  Col. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  Ill 

men  whom  an  insensate  legislation  threatened  with  fines,  imprisonment  and 
death  for  the  sole  crime  of  being  priests  of  the  Catholic  church;  this  humble, 
saintly  priest,  the  cultured  ambassador,  presented  a  striking  picture  as  he 
stood  before  the  Commissioners,  whose  co-religionists  held  his  creed  in  abom- 
ination; indeed,  says  a  historian,  "  he  must  have  been  the  fruitful  theme  of 
conversation  at  New  Haven  for  many  days." '  Father  Druillettes'  Indian 
converts  and  neophytes  were  refused  the  protection  he  sought  for  them,  and 
were  left  a  prey  to  the  marauding,  bloodthirsty  Iroquois.  "In  vain  did  the 
governor  of  Canada  call  on  New  England  for  aid.  The  Puritan  felt  unable 
to  help  the  Papist;  and  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  alleging 
that  the  Mohawks  were  neither  in  subjection  to,  nor  in  any  confederation 
with  themselves,  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  appeal.""  The  Commissioners  dis- 
played a  more  liberal  spirit  towards  the  Dutch  four  years  later.  When  they 
heard  that  the  Indians  had  taken  many  Dutch  prisoners,  they  agreed  to  send 
"two  or  three  meet  messengers  to  endeavor  their  redemption;"  but  their 
intercession  was  not  required. 

As  we  have  seen,  Father  Druillettes  had  confidently  relied  upon  the 
co-operation  of  three  of  the  English  Colonies,  Massachusetts,  Plymouth  and 
Connecticut,  and  had  hoped  also  to  be  successful  with  the  colony  of  New 
Haven.  "  The  principal  Magistrate  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  Mr.  Win- 
throp,"  wrote  Father  Druillettes,  "was  the  first  to  write  to  Quebec  in  regard 
to  this  commerce.  He  is  much  in  favor  of  the  French  and  will,  probably, 
do  all  in  his  power  to  help  this  expedition,  particularly  after  having  received 
the  letter,  which  I  wrote  to  him,  requesting  him  to  complete  what  his 
father  had  begun.  As  for  the  Governor^  of  Kwenopeia  (Quinnipiac),  every- 
body says  that  he  is  very  reasonable.  It  is  quite  probable  that  if  he  does  not  ac- 
tively interest  himself  in  this  matter,  at  least,  he  will  not  oppose  it,  knowing 
especially  that  Boston  and  Plymouth,  which  are  influential  colonies,  or,  as  it 
were,  the  guide  of  the  others,  are  strongly  in  favor  of  it." 

Letter  of  Father  Gabriel  Druillettes  to  John  Winthrop, 

Esquire. 

To  THE  Most  Illustrious  Seigneur,  John  Winthrop,  Esquire,  .\t  Pequott  River. 
Distinguished  and  Most  Honorable  Sir — As  in  consequence  of  the  deep  snows  of 
winter  I  was  debarred  from  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  and  from  communicating  to  you 
orally  and  at  length  the  great  hopes  reposed  in  your  singular  kindness  by  the  most  illus- 
trious Governor  of  New  France  in  Canada,  at  Kebec — who  appointed  me  his  Envoy  to  all 
the  magistrates  of  your  New  England — I  now  approach  you  by  letter  in  order  to  beseech 
and  implore  you,  bj'  that  spirit  of  exceeding  benevolence  toward  all,  but  especially 
toward  our  New  France,  which  Sieur  Winthrop,  whose  memory  is  both  happy  and  grate- 
ful to  all,  bequeathed  to  you,  the  heir  to  all  that  he  possessed,  not  to  refuse  3'our  protec- 
tion to  the  cause  that  has  brought  me  to  these  shores.  That  cause  is  the  same  as  that 
which  your  Father,  of  most  grateful  memory,  by  the  letters  which  he  sent,  in  the  name  of 
your  commonwealth  to  jMonsieur  our  Governor  in  New  France,  at  Kebec,  took  iip  as  far 
back  as  the  year  1647,  and  which  he  would  have  long  since  brought  to  a  happy  conclusion 

1  Hollister. 

'  Broadhead's  Hist,  of  New  York.  .j 

^  Theophilus  Eton.     Edward  Hopkins  was  Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut. 


112  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

had  not  death  prevented  him,  as  I  have  learned  from  many  responsible  persons.  This. 
I  believe,  was  wrought  by  God,  most  good  and  great  with  the  design  of  making  us 
indebted  to  you  for  the  happy  issue  of  the  cause,  the  beginning  and  origin  whereof  we 
owed  to  your  mo.st  honorable  Father.  After  having  orally  explained  the  whole  mat- 
ter to  the  Governor  of  Boston  and  Pleyniouth,  I  desired  with  all  my  heart  to  travel  to  the 
country  wherein  you  now  reside ;  and  it  was  not  so  much  the  trouble.sonie  snows  that 
prevented  me  as  the  authority  of  several  persons  of  importance,  to  whom  I  owe  deference 
and  who  dissuaded  me  therefrom,  which  recalled  me  from  I'leymouth  to  Boston.  So 
great  was  the  hope  held  forth  to  me  by  your  kindness  toward  Strangers,  however  Barba- 
rian thej'  may  be,  that  to  me — who  have  lived  for  the  past  nine  years  among  Barbarians, 
whom  it  has  been  my  duty  to  instruct  in  their  forests,  far  from  the  sight  of  Europeans — 
it  seemed  that  you  would  have  nothing  to  dread  from  my  barbarism.  Nay,  more,  I  saw 
nothing  that  I  might  not  hope  for  from  your  well-known  kindness  and  your  unusuallv 
Compassionate  and  Conscientious  feelings  toward  the  Savages  who  are  Catechumens  of 
the  Christian  Faith  and  Profession.  These  are,  in  truth,  beyond  all  other  mortals,  that 
Hundredth  Sheep  straying  and  forsaken  in  the  Desert,  which  alone  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
(Luke  isth),  after  having  left  the  ninety  and  nine  others,  anxiously  seeks,  and,  having 
found  it,  joyfully  places  on  his  shoulders  ;  that  is  to  say,  he  who  burns  with  the  most 
ardent  zeal  toward  the  same  I,ord  Jesus  Christ  must  likewise  embrace,  with  the  most 
tender  affection  of  his  heart,  that  hundredth  sheep  in  which  alone  that  best  of  Shepherds, 
the  Lord  Jesus,  seems  to  place  his  whole  delight.  Xow,  this  most  tfender  affection  of 
your  heart  toward  your  delight,  because  it  is  that  of  Christ  our  Lord  — I  mean  toward 
the  Barbarian  Catechumens — easily  leads  me  to  believe  that  the  testimonj'  shown  by  this 
letter  of  my  gratitude  and  of  my  confidence  in  you,  however  small  it  may  be,  will  not  be 
displeasing  in  your  sight.  Wherefore  suffer  that  I  implore  by  letter  your  protection,  in 
■which,  after  God,  I  consider  that  nearly  all  mj'  hopes  rest,  in  favor  of  the  cause  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ — in  other  words,  of  the  defense  of  the  Christian  against  the  Moaghs. 
These  not  only  have  long  harassed  the  Christian  Canadians  near  Kebec,  and  most  cruelly 
tortured  them  by  slow  fire,  out  of  hatred  of  the  Christian  faith,  but  they  even  intend  bj'  a 
general  massacre  to  destroj^  mj-  Catechumens  dwelling  on  the  banks  of  the  Kenebec  River, 
because  they  have  been  for  many  years  allied  to  the  Canadian  Christians.  It  is  chiefly 
for  this  reason  that  our  most  illustrious  Governor  of  Kebec  commanded  nie  to  offer  jou 
in  his  name  the  most  ample  Commercial  advantages  and  considerable  compensation  for 
the  expenses  of  the  war,  in  order  to  obtain  from  New  England  some  Auxiliary  troops  for 
the  defense  of  the  Christian  Canadians  (which  he  has  already  begun  against  the  Moaghs), 
and  which,  through  his  affection  for  the  Christian  savages,  he  wishes  to  promote  at 
the  same  time  and  by  the  same  undertaking  in  favor  of  the  Akenebek  Catechumens, 
their  allies,  who  are  inhabitants  of  New  England,  and  the  special  clients  of  Plej'mouth 
Colony. 

He  therefore  hopes  that,  in  the  same  manner  as  your  Colonj'  of  Kenetigouk  subdued 
the  ferocity  of  the  Naraganses,  in  favor  of  its  dependents  who  live  on  the  Pecot  River — 
that  is  to  say,  the  Mohighens — so  likewise  the  colony  of  Pleyniouth  will  undertake  to 
wage  w-ar,  with  the  consent  of  the  Assembly  called  that  of  the  Commissioners,  against 
the  Moaghs,  the  most  cruel  enemies  of  their  Akenebek  dependents,  as  well  as  of  their 
allies,  namely,  the  Canadian  Christians  near  Kebec. 

This  twofold  commission  of  mine,  to  wit:  in  the  name  of  Monsieur  the  Governor  of 
New  France,  at  Kebec,  and  separately  in  the  name  of  the  Savages,  both  the  Christians 
and  the  Akenebek  Catechumens,  after  having  been  summarized  and  translated  into  the 
English  tongue  from  my  barbarous  Lalinity,  will  be  joined  to  my  present  letter,  I  think_ 
by  a  man  who  is  an  excellent  friend  of  mine,  and  to  whom,  with  that  object,  I  gave  a 
copy  to  be  sent  to  you.  For  this  reason  I  add  nothing  further;  but  I  implore  you  to 
display  your  kindness  toward  the  Barbarians  and  your  signal  compassion  toward  the 
poor  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  not  to  disdain  in  your  General  Assembly— which,  I  hear,  is 
usually  held  in  the  month  of  June  in  Hartford— to  expose  the  whole  matter  at  length  ;  to 
urge  it  upon  your  magistrates,  and,  finally,  to  recommend  a  favorable  settlement  of  the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  113 

whole  affair  to  the  two  personages  who  are  called  the  Commissioners  of  your  Colony, 
when  they  go  to  the  place  where  the  Assembly  of  the  Commissioners  is  to  be  held. 
Meanwhile,  wheresoever  on  earth  I  may  be  detained  by  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  has  called 
me  to  devote  my  life  and  death  to  labors  among  the  Barbarians,  who  need  instruction,  I 
shall  live  and  die  the  most  devoted  servant,  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  of  your  entire  Faniil}-,  and 
above  all.  Distinguished  Sir,  of  yourself  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  for  wliom,  because  it  is  for 
his  brethren,  the  Christian  Barbarians,  I  execute  this  Commission. 

Gabriel  Druillettes,  S.  J., 

Priest  and  Instructor  at  Kenebek. 

The  visit  of  Father  Drttillettes  to  New  Haven  suggests  a  qtiery  which  is 
of  capital  interest  to  the  Catholic  historian,  as  well  as  to  the  entire  Catholic 
body  of  Connecticut  :  Did  he,  during  his  sojourn  there,  offer  the  Holy  Sacri- 
fice of  the  Mass?  If  he  did,  he  was  the  first  to  celebrate  the  divine  mysteries 
in  the  State.  The  records,  however,  give  no  answer.  But  the  silence  of 
Father  Druillettes  should  not  be  construed  as  favoring  a  negative  answer.  As 
the  saying  of  Mass  was  of  daily  occurrence  when  favorably  situated,  it  is 
probable  that  the  ambassador  would  not  regard  a  Mass  celebrated  even  in  a 
strange  locality  as  an  unusual  event.  But  few  actors  in  daily  events  ever 
realize  that  they  may  be  making  history,  and,  therefore,  freqtiently  fail  to 
place  the  facts  on  record ;  so  that  Father  Druillettes  might  have  ofiered  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  and  make  no  mention  of  the  fact  in  his  Narrative. 

When  at  Boston  the  year  previous  Father  Druillettes  was  the  guest  of 
Major-General  Gibbon,  who,  says  the  priest,  "gave  me  the  key  of  an  apart- 
ment in  his  hotise  where  I  could  easily  perform  my  devotional  exercises.'" 
There  is  strong  probability  that  he  said  Mass  on  this  occasion.  Whether  he 
celebrated  the  divine  mysteries  in  New  Haven  would  depend,  in  a  measure, 
upon  the  lodgings  placed  at  his  disposal.  An  ambassador,  it  is  consistent  to 
believe  that  the  authorities  of  the  colony  assigned  him  to  apartments  befitting 
his  dignity.  Such  being  the  case,  it  is  within  the  range  of  probability  to  say 
that  Father  Druillettes  said  Mass,  not  once  only,  but  daily  during  his  sojourn 
in  New  Haven.  An  eminent  Jesuit  authority  -  says  :  "  As  the  Jesuit  mission- 
aries of  those  days  were  accustomed  to  travel  with  all  the  requisites  for  private 
celebration  and  under  difficult  circumstances,  I  should  incline  to  the  opinion 
that  he  (Father  Druillettes)  did  celebrate  in  Connecticut."  Father  Druillettes 
was  a  holy  and  zealous  priest,  a  true  missionary.  The  all-absorbing  desire 
of  his  heart  was  the  conversion  to  Christianity  of  the  Indians  committed  to 
his  care.  Consumed  by  this  desire  he  would  employ  every  legitimate  means 
to  bring  the  red  children  of  the  forest  under  the  benign  and  salutary  influences 
of  the  Gospel.  But  the  most  precious  means  at  his  disposal  to  effect  the  con- 
version of  the  Indians  was  the  Mass.  Nowhere  else  could  he  plead  so  effectu- 
ally, pray  so  devoutly,  and  exercise  his  zeal  so  fervently  as  at  the  altar  where 
the  Blood  of  Christ  is  offered  to  the  Eternal  Father  for  the  souls  of  men.  A 
holy  priest,  fully  conscious  of  human  frailty,  Father  Druillettes  would  ascend 
the  altar  daily,  and  would  regard  that  day  as  lost  wherein  was  not  offered  up 

'  "  Narrative  of  Father  Druillettes." 

'Rev.  E.  I  Devitt,  Gonzaga  College,  Washington,  D.  C,  a  letter  to  the  author. 
II— 8 


114  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

the  august  Victim.  To  prevent  such  spiritual  loss  and  to  enjoy  the  sweet 
consolations  of  the  Mass,  he  would  carry  from  place  to  place  the  vestments, 
sacred  vessels,  linens,  and  the  matter  for  the  Sacrifice.  The  faithful  Guerin 
was  with  him  to  fill  the  role  of  acolyte.  In  a  word,  all  the  circumstances 
point  to  tlic  conclusion  that  the  reverend  ambassador  stood  before  an  humble 
altar  in  Now  Haven  and  petitioned  the  Most  High  in  behalf  of  His  beloved 
children. 

CHAPTER   XXn. 
F.\THER  DRUILLETTES'  SUCCESSORS. 

tFTER  the  departure  of  Fatlier  Druillettes  from  New  Haven,  over 
twenty  years  elapse  ere  we  discover  trace  of  any  other  priest  in 
Connecticut.  About  1674  the  Rev.  Jean  Pierron,  a  priest  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  made  a  missionary  tour  throughout  New  England, 
expouirding  the  tenets  of  the  Catholic  faith  to  the  Indians.  There  is  a 
well-grounded  tradition  that  he  traversed  Connecticut,  and  it  is  certain  that 
he  went  as  far  south  as  Maryland  and  Virginia  in  the  arduous  but  glorious 
quest  for  souls.' 

Father  Pierron  arrived  in  Canada  from  France  on  June  24,  1667.  Eager 
to  begin  immediately  his  missionary  labors,  he  set  out  from  Quebec  on  July 
14th  following  with  two  Jesuit  companions  for  the  Mohawk  missions  in  the 
State  of  New  York.  The  scene  of  his  labors  was  "  Tionnontoguen,"  the 
capital  of  the  Mohawk  nation.  By  dint  of  industry  and  perseverance  he 
soon  became  sufficiently  conversant  with  the  Mohawk  language  to  address 
his  savage  hearers  intelligent! \\  To  impress  more  deeply  his  teachings  upon 
the  minds  of  the  Indians,  he  made  use  of  small  paintings,  the  work  of  his 
own  hands. 

"  His  represcnt.itions  of  a  good  and  a  bad  death  had  marv'ellous  success.  While  he 
was  one  da3'  explaining  the  mysteries  of  the  faith,  he  saw  some  old  men  and  women 
close  their  ears  with  their  fingers.  When  he  questioned  tlieni,  thej-  replied  that  thej- 
had  heard  nothing.  He  profited  adroitly  by  this  incident  to  represent  the  death  of  an 
old  woman,  who  would  not  listen  to  the  Missionary,  nor  look  at  Paradise.  A  demon  was 
by  her  side,  who  had  taken  her  fingers  and  forced  them  into  her  ears.  As  soon  as  the 
missionary  had  exhibited  and  explained  this  picture,  no  one  dared  again  to  reply :  "  I 
did  not  hear.'" 

Father  Pierron  also  translated  the  Ten  Commandments  and  several 
prayers  into  Iroquois  ver.se,  tliat  the  Indians  might  be  more  readily  im- 
pressed by  singing  them. 

As  the  Indians  were  greatly  addicted  to  the  vice  of  gambling.  Father 
Pierron  introduced  a  game  in  which  they  were  instructed  in  the  principal 
doctrines  of  the  church.  The  game  was  "From  point  to  point,"  meaning 
from  birth  to  death  and  eternity. 

The  greatest  evil  p-ather  Pierron  had  to  contend  with  was,  as  the  Indians 

'  Broadhead's  "  History  of  New  Yorh\"  Vol.  II. 

»  "The  Pilgrim  of  Our  Lady  of  Martyrs."     Sept.,  1898. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  115 

expressed  it,  "a  foreign  demon."  This  demon  was  liquor,  which  the  English 
supplied  in  the  form  of  rum  from  the  West  Indies,  and  the  French  in  the 
form  of  brandy  from  Rochelle.  To  eradicate  the  evil  several  sachems  pre- 
sented a  petition  and  a  letter  from  Father  Pierron  to  Governor  Lovelace 
requesting  his  aid  in  stopping  the  vicious  traffic.  Lovelace  at  once  honored 
the  petition  and  wrote  to  Father  Pierron  :  "  I  have  taken  all  the  care  possible, 
and  will  continue  it  under  the  most  severe  penalties,  to  restrain  and  hinder 
the  furnishing  of  any  excess  to  the  Indians.  And  I  am  very  glad  to  learn 
that  such  virtuous  thoughts  proceed  from  infidels,  to  the  shame  of  many 
Christians.  But  this  must  be  attributed  to  your  pious  instructions  ;  you,  who, 
being  well  versed  in  a  strict  discipline,  have  shown  them  the  way  of  mortifi- 
cation, as  well  by  your  precepts  as  your  practice." 

Father  Pierron  left  the  Mohawk  missions  in  1671  and  returned  to  Quebec. 
The  winter  months  of  1673  were  spent  in  Acadia.  It  was  after  this  he  trav- 
eled through  the  New  England  Colonies,  and  going,  as  has  been  said,  as  far 
as  Virginia.  Of  this  e.xperience  he  wrote  that  he  saw  nothing  "but  desola- 
tion and  abomination  among  those  heretics."  At  Boston  "the  uncommon 
knowledge  he  exhibited  "  caused  him  to  be  suspected  of  being  a  Jesuit, 
though  he  was  "  much  esteemed."  He  was  desirous  of  founding  a  mission 
among  the  Indians  of  Maryland,  but  his  superior.  Father  Dablon,  not  wish- 
ing to  encroach  upon  the  jurisdiction  of  the  English  Jesuit?,  transferred  him 
to  the  Seneca  missions  in  New  York.  Here  ended  Father  Pierron's  mission- 
ary labors  in  the  Colonies,  as  hostilities  having  broken  out  between  the 
Senecas  and  the  Frencli,  he  retired  to  Canada.  He  returned  to  Europe  in 
1678. 

In  1683,  nine  years  after  Father  Pierron  visited  Connecticut,  we  catch  a 
glimpse  of  two  priests,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Harvey,  S.  J.,  and  the  Rev.  John 
Gordon,  D.D.,  who  traveled  overland  from  Nantasket  to  New  York.  In  their 
journey  they  passed  through  Connecticut  to  the  Sound,  which  they  crossed 
to  Long  Island,  and  thence  proceeded  to  their  destination.  They  probably 
entered  the  State  at  Windham  county  and  took  shipping  for  Long  Island  at 
New  Loudon.  Father  Harvey  and  Father  Gordon  had  been  commissioned  as 
chaplains  to  the  troops  stationed  in  New  York,  and  accompanied  Colonel 
Thomas  Dougan,  a  Catholic,  who  had  been  appointed  Governor  of  that 
Colony.  They  arrived  at  Nantasket  on  August  10,  1683,  and  reached  New 
York  on  the  25th.  There  is  no  record  that  they  performed  any  sacerdotal 
functions  during  their  passage  through  the  State. 

On  the  1 8th  of  July,  1788,  a  priest  arrived  at  New  London  under  par- 
ticularly sad  circumstances.  He  was  from  the  Island  of  Guadeloupe,  the 
Rev.  Arnoux  Duprd,  Chaplain  of  a  Convent  of  Charity.  He  left  his 
tropical  home  in  search  of  health,  and  was  attracted  to  New  London,  no 
doubt,  by  the  representations  of  the  French,  Spaniards  and  Portuguese,  who 
flitted  in  and  out  of  that  harbor.  He  was  far  in  decline  when  he  reached 
New  London.  Whatever  the  nature  of  his  illness,  he  did  not  long  survive 
the  voyage.  He  died  on  Friday,  August  31,  1788.  The  day  following  his 
remains  were  attended  to  the  place  of  burial  by  a  respectable  number  of  the 


116  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

residents  of  the  city  and  decently  interred.'  There  was  at  this  time  in  New 
London  a  considerable  number  of  Catholics,  both  transient  and  permanent 
residents,  who,  no  doubt,  manifested  their  devotion  to  the  priesthood  by 
following  the  remains  of  Father  Dupr^  to  the  grave,  and  by  offering  fervent 

prayers  for  the  repose  of  his  soul.  Poor,  lonely  priest !  He  came  a  stranger 
burdened  with  affliction,  but  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  he  experienced 
the  generous  hospitality  of  the  people  of  New  London.  His  stay  among 
tliem  was  of  short  duration,  but  they  had  learned  to  know  his  sorrows  and 
to  .sympathize  with  his  infirm  condition.  The  notice  of  his  death  printed 
at  the  time  breathes  an  air  of  gentleness  and  sorrow  for  the  sad  fate  of 
tliis  servant  of  God,  d>ing  among  strangers  and  far  from  the  presence 
of  his  sacerdotal  bretliren,  who  could  administer  to  him  tlie  salutary  rites 
of  the  church,  for  which,  no  doubt,  he  ardently  yearned.  Did  he  say 
Mass  during  his  .six  weeks'  illness  at  New  London?  It  is  improbable 
that  he  did,  though  his  heart  must  have  craved  the  privilege  both  for 
his  own  and  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  co-religionists.  Nothing  more 
is  known  of  him.  Diligent  inquiries  have  failed  to  reveal  the  secrets  that 
went  with  him  into  the  grave,  and  his  final  resting-place  is  beyond  identi- 
fication. 

The  most  illustrious  ecclesiastic  to  visit  Connecticut  during  the  colo- 
nial period  was  the  Right  Rev.  John  Carroll,  D.D.,  bishop  of  Baltimore. 
The  apostolic  zeal  of  this  great  pioneer  bi.shoj)  carried  him  into  every  part 
of  his  vast  diocese,  saying  Mass,  administering  the  sacraments,  preaching 
the  Gospel,  expostulating  witli  the  weak,  encouraging  all.  In  June,  1791, 
the  Bishop  visited  Boston  to  investigate  the  conduct  of  the  Rev.  Father 
Rousselet,  then  pastor  of  the  church  of  that  city.  The  investigation  resulted 
in  the  suspension  of  Father  Rousselet  from  his  ministerial  functions  and  the 
appointment  of  the  Rev.  John  Thayer  as  his  successor. "  Bishop  Carroll  left 
Boston  on  Thursday,  June  i6th,  no  doubt  timing  his  departure  so  as  to 
arrive  at  New  London  on  or  before  Sunday,  as  he  had  probably  heard  that  a 
respectable  number  of  Catholics  had  there  congregated.  As  it  is  improb- 
able the  Bishop  would  undertake  so  long  a  journey  unprepared  to  say 
Mass,  at  least  on  Sundays,  we  may  infer  that  the  Catholics  of  New  Lon- 
don then  enjoyed  the  rare  privilege  of  assisting  at  the  Holy  Sacrifice  and 
of  partaking  of  the  Bread  of  Angels  from  the  anointed  hands  of  their  chief 
pastor. 

Of  his  experience  in  Boston,  Bishop  Carroll  thus  wrote  :  "  It  is  wonderful 
to  tell  what  great  civilities  have  been  done  to  me  in  this  town,  where,  a  few 
years  ago,  a  Popish  priest  was  thought  to  be  the  greatest  monster  in  creation. 
Many  here,  even  of  their  principal  people,  have  acknowledged  to  me  that 
they  would  have  crossed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  rather  than  meet  a 
Roman  Catholic  some  time  ago.  The  horror  which  was  associated  with  the 
idea  of  a  papist  is  incredible  ;  and  the  scandalous  misrepresentations  by  their 

'^  Cotniectintt  Courant,  Sept.  3,  1778. 

'  "  Conn.  Courant"  and  "  Conn.  Gazette,"  1791. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  117 

ministers  increased  the  horror  every  Sunday.     If  all  the  Catholics  here  were 
united,  their  number  would  be  about  one  hundred  and  twenty."  ' 

Bishop  Carroll  sailed  from  New  London  Monday,  June  20,  to  New  York, 
bound  homeward. 

Norwich  was  the  next  city  of  Connecticut  to  receive  a  visit  from  a  Cath- 
olic priest.  He  was  the  Rev.  John  Thayer,  a  name  synonymous  with  sacer- 
dotal energy  and  zeal  for  souls."  Father  Thayer  was  a  native  of  Boston,  and 
a  convert  from  Congregationalism.  He  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  in  the 
world-famed  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  Paris,  in  1789.  After  his  ordination 
he  labored  in  Boston,  and  was  the  first  priest  born  on  the  soil  to  labor  in 
New  England.  In  the  beginning  he  had  a  co-worker  in  the  Rev.  Father 
Rousselet,  but  from  June,  1791,  he  was  alone  until  the  Rev.  Dr.  Matignon 
began  his  ministry  in  Boston,  August  20,  1792.  At  this  juncture.  Father 
Thayer,  anxious  for  a  larger  field,  began  a  missionary  tour  through  New 
England.  He  visited  all  the  principal  towns  in  Massachusetts,  preaching 
and  strengthening  the  few  Catholics  he  met.  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island 
and  Connecticut  also  were  the  scenes  of  his  zealous  labors.  It  was  durin? 
this  tour,  in  November,  1793,  that  he  appeared  in  Norwich.  At  the  invita- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Strong,  rector  of  the  First  Congregational  church  of 
that  town,  Father  Thayer  preached  a  sermon  to  a  large  audience  in  which  he 
essaved  to  establish  the  divine  institution  of  the  church.  On  the  followino- 
Tuesday  evening  he  delivered  a  discourse  in  the  same  place  on  the  invoca- 
tion of  the  saints  and  the  efficacy  of  pra)'ers  to  them.  In  granting  to  Father 
Thayer  the  use  of  his  pulpit  Mr.  Strong  evinced  a  spirit  of  fraternal  charity 
rare  in  those  days.  It  was  an  exceptional  act,  a  bright  light  amid  the  dark- 
ness of  intolerance  then  so  prevalent. 

It  is  probable  that  during  this  missionary  tour  Father  Thayer  visited  also 
New  London,  Hartford,  New  Haven  and  other  towns  in  which  it  would  be 
reported  that  Catholics  resided. 

There  is  an  ancient  tradition  '  in  Hartford  that  two  French  priests  resided 
there  between  1756  and  the  Revolution,  one  on  the  Bloomfield,  the  other  on 
the  Windsor  road.  Tradition  further  savs  that  the  Rev.  Francis  Mationon. 
D.D.,  of  Boston,  visited  a  French  priest,  who  was  residing  on  the  latter  road, 

^Apropos  of  Bishop  Carroll's  visit  to  Boston,  the  following  items  taken  from  the 
"  Gazette  of  the  United  States  "  will  be  of  interest :  "  Boston,  June  4. — The  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Carroll,  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  arrived  in  town  a  few  days  since,  and 
he  confirmed  the  baptism  of  a  number  of  Catholics.  This  gentleman,  justl3-  esteemed  for 
his  piety,  learning  and  benevolence,  will  preach  to-morrow  at  the  Roman  Catholic 
church." — ^June  15,  1791. 

"  Boston,  June  7. — On  Sundaj-  morning  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Carroll  preached  an 
eloquent  and  candid  sermon  at  the  Catholic  chapel  in  School  street.  His  Excellency  the 
Governor,  and  Lady,  and  the  Hon.  Edward  Cutts  were  among  a  crowded  and  very  respect- 
able audience,  who  appeared  highly  gratified  by  the  charity,  the  benevolence,  the  piety 
which  graced  the  discourse  of  the  Right  Rev.  preacher." — ^June  18,  1791. 

^''  TJu-  Norwich  Packt-t"  Nov.  14,  1793. 

^This  tradition  is  well  grounded.  It  was  told  to  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Shahan  by  Mr. 
Henry  Barnard,  who  had  received  it  from  Admiral  Ward.  The  .\dmiral  heard  it  from  his 
father,  whose  knowledge  covered  the  period  before  the  Revolution. 


118  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

when  he  passed  through  Hartford  in  1S13.  In  1796,  a  French  piiest  paid  a 
visit  to  New  Haven,  prol>ably  to  gather  around  him  tlie  French  refugees,  who 
at  the  end  of  tlie  eighteentli  century  were  in  great  numbers  in  Connecticut. 
To  make  his  presence  known  he  inserted  tliis  advertisement  in  the  Connecti- 
cut 7*^/;// ^7/,  a  newspaper  published  at  Xew  Haven: 

New  IIavkn,  January  28,  1796. 
The  Roman  Catholics  of  Connecticut  are  informed  tliat  a  priest  is  now  in  New 

Haven,  where  he  will  reside  for  some  time.   Those  who  wish  to  make  usef  of  his  ministry 

will  find  him  by  inquiring  at  Mr.  Azel  Kimberly's,  Chapel  street. 

The  ])rinler.s  of  this  state  are  desired  to  insert  this  advertisement: 

"  Les  Francois  sont  advertis  qu'  il  y  a  uii  Pretre  Catlioliqueen  ville.     On  le  deman- 

dera  chez  Monsieur  Kimberly,  Rue  de  la  Chapelle,  New  Haven.' 

Probably  tliis  was  the  priest  who  resided  on  the  Windsor  road,  and  who 
published  the  following  advertisement  in  llie  Connecticut  Courant.,  March  i 
and  8,  1796: 

"A'Vendre. 

"  Une  maison  situe  en  Windsor  vis  a  vis  I'Eglise  nouvelle,  remote  de  la  quatre 
vingt  vergis,  et  de  la  riviere  ea  meme,  accomode  avec  uue  grange  et  une  maison  de 
cabriolet  avec  un  fort  beau  Jardin,  il  n'  a  tous  sorts  de  commodities,  les  batiments  sont 
tous  nouveau.x  aud  entierement  fini.  II  y'  est  pas  que  .sept  milles  ile  Hartford  situe 
dans  un  voisinage  fort  agreable.  Pour  les  conditions  appliquez  a  Richard  L.  Sell  demeu- 
rant  sur  les  premises. 

"  Fevrier  20,  1796." 

( Translalion. ) 

For  S.\i,e. 

A  hou.se  located  in  Windsor  opposite  the  new  church,  distant  from  there  eighty 
yards,  and  the  same  from  the  river.  The  place  is  provided  with  a  barn  and  a  carriage 
house,  and  has  a  verj-  fine  garden.  There  is  every  accommodation  ;  the  buildings  are 
all  new  and  entirely  finished.  It  is  only  seven  miles  from  Hartford,  and  situated  in  a  very 
pleasant  locality.     For  terms  apply  to  Richard  I^.  Sell,  living  on  the  premises. 

February  20,  1796. 

The  Rev.  Jean  Ambrose  Soug^  appears  next  upon  tlie  scene.  A  lifelong 
friend  of  the  proto-Bishop  of  Boston,  John  de  Cheverus,  he  shared  with  him 
the  hardsliips  of  exile.  Victims  of  the  French  Revolution,  tliey  sought  an 
as\lum  in  England  in  1792,  where  the\'  labored  iu  tlie  jurisdiction  of  the 
Bishop  of  London.  With  characteristic  zeal  and  energy  tiie  Abbe  Sougd 
discharged  the  various  duties  imposed  ttpon  him,  but  his  thoughts  ever 
reverted  to  the  rising  young  nation  of  the  west,  where  the  harvest  was  great, 
but  the  laborers  few.  After  five  fruitful  years  on  the  English  mission,  he 
sailed  for  America  in  February,  1797,  bearing  the  following  letter  to  Bishop 
Carroll,  of  Baltimore,  from  the  Bishop  of  Loudon.' 

"  Mv  Lord:  Monsieur  L'abbe  Souge,  Canon  and  Theologian  at  the  Cathedral  of 
Dol,  who  will  hand  or  send  you  these  lines,  is  on  the  point  of  setting  olT  for  .America  to 
be  Chaplain  in  the  family  of  the  Vicomte  De  Sibert  Cornillon,  which  family  is  settled 

near  Hartford  in  Connecticut He  is  a  gentleman  strongly  recomniLndcd  to  me  for 

his  learning,  pietv  and  zeal,  and  he  is  intimately  connected  with  Monsieur  Cheverus, 
whom  I  recommended  to  your  Lordship   last  .-Vutuuin.     INIr.  Souge  has  been  emploj-ed 

^  "  A»ie>.  Hist.  Researches,"  Oct.,  1890. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  119 

here,  viz.,  at  Dorchester,  an  antient  Bishop's  See,  though  now  a  village  in  Oxfordshire, 

and  has  testimonial  letters  for  your  Lordship  from  Mr.  Charles  Leslie,  Missionary  at 
Oxford. 

As  he  setts  sail  from  London,  I  have  given  him  all  the  necessary  faculties  for  the 
Sacred  Ministr3-,  till  he  can  apply  for  the  same  at  Your  Lord,ship's. 

Presuming  on  Your  Coudescention  to  Your  Lordship's  Friend  and  Brother  in  Jesus 
Christ,  tJoHN  Douglass. 

Castle  Street  and  Holborn,  London,  February,  1797." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Matignon  of  Boston  added  the  weight  of  his  testimony  to 
the  commendation  of  Bishop  Douglass.  He  informed  Bishop  Carroll  that 
Sotige  was  conversant  with  the  English  language,  and  had  done  much  good 
by  his  preaching  and  in  the  direction  of  souls. 

Immediately  upon  his  arrival  at  New  York  he  applied  to  Bishop  Carroll 
for  the  faculties  necessarj'  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  sacred  ministry  in 
Connecticut.  The  Abbe  Soug6  was  associated  for  a  brief  period  at  Hartford 
with  the  Abbe  J.  S.  Tisserant,  who  became  the  spiritual  director  of  the  saintly 
Mother  Seton,  the  foundress  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  in  the  United  States. 
Father  Cheverus  wrote  to  Mrs.  Seton  of  the  Abbe  Tisserant  that  he  was  "a 
most  amiable  and  respectable  man,  equally  conspicuous  for  his  learning  and 
piety." 

There  is  no  record  of  the  duration  of  the  Abbe  Souge's  labors  in  Hart- 
ford. It  is  presumed  that  he  remained  with  the  Coruillon  famil}'  until  1801, 
for  in  April  of  that  year  we  find  him  at  St.  Joseph's,  Talbot  Co.,  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Maryland.  In  Bishop  England's  Diurnal,,  mention  is  made 
of  a  Rev.  Mr.  Sujet.  Of  Locust  Grove,  in  Georgia,  the  bishop  writes : 
"  First  Catholic  Congregation  in  Georgia.  It  was  fixed  in  1794  or  '5  by  the 
settlement  of  Mrs.  Thompson's  family  and  others  from  Maryland.  Bishop 
Carroll  sent  Rev.  Mr.  L,e  Mercier  to  attend  them.  After  18  months  he  went  to 
Savannah.     Mr.  Sujet  remained  17  months,  and  returned  to  France." 

This  Mr.  Siijct,,  probably,  was  our  Souge,  as  there  was  no  other  priest  at 
that  period  in  the  United  States  with  a  name  resembling  his.  Sujet  was  the 
euphonic  spelling  from  hearing  the  name  pronoimced. 

After  his  return  to  his  native  land,  the  Abbe  Soug6  became  the  Cure  of 
Notre  Dame,  Mayenne,  where  he  died,  October  31,  1823.  Bishop  Cheverus, 
who  had  returned  to  France  but  a  short  time  before  to  assume  charge  of  the 
Diocese  of  Montauban,  and  was  on  a  visit  to  his  native  city,  Mayenne,  preached 
the  funeral  sermon.  The  biographer  of  Bishop  Cheverus  thus  speaks  of  his 
last  tribute  to  his  friend:  "The  Curd  of  this  parish  (Notre  Dame,  Mayenne) 
had  died  the  preceding  Friday.  This  Cure  was  Mr.  Souge,  the  friend  of  his 
childhood,  and  his  companion  in  exile  when  he  left  Mayenne,  and  for  some 
time  in  England.  He  wished  to  honor  his  memory  b)'  pronouncing  his  funeral 
oration.  The  subject  of  his  eulogy  was  a  Priest,  distinguished  alike  for  virtue 
and  talent,  and  he  spoke  his  praises  with  all  the  interest  that  such  a  subject 
was  calculated  to  inspire,  and  all  the  sensibility  of  the  most  affectionate 
heart — expecting  to  embrace  his  friend,  but  finding  only  his  cold  remains." 

The  departure  of  the  Abbe  Souge  for  the  Maryland  mission  synchronizes 
with  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century.     In  1813  Rev.  Francis  Matignon, 


120  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

DD.,  of  Boston,  on  his  way  to  New  York,  arrived  at  Hartford  on  a  Saturday, 
and,  as  a  law'  then  in  vogue  prohibited  traveling  on  Sunday,  he  remained 
perforce  till  Monday.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Strung,  the  rector  of  the  Congregational 
church,  upon  learning  of  Father  Matignon's  presence  in  town,  cordially 
invited  him  to  occupy  his  pulpit  on  the  morrow.  Dr.  Matignon  accepted  the 
proffered  hospitality.  But  the  liberal-minded  minister  either  did  not  count 
the  cost,  or,  knowing  it,  dared  to  be  courteous.  On  Monday  his  worthy,  but 
wrothy  deacons,  in  solemn  delegation,  stoutly  protested  against  the  presence 
in  their  pulpit  of  a  "  popish  priest,"  and  formally  censured  their  pastor  for 
his  act  of  courtesy  to  a  Christian  gentleman  of  another  creed.  But  Dr.  Strong 
felt  that  his  course  would  receive  the  sanction  of  a  strong  element  in  his  con- 
gregation, and  to  the  remonstrants  made  answer  :  "  Well,  gentlemen,  do  your 
best,  and  do  your  worst ;  make  the  most  of  it.     I  have  the  ladies  on  my  side." 

At  this  time  Connecticut  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  diocese  of 
Boston,  whose  bishop  was  John  de  Cheverus,  D.D.  This  apostolic  man  was 
tireless  in  bringing  the  graces  of  the  Mass  and  the  sacraments  to  his  widely- 
scattered  children.  In  1823  he  visited  Hartford  and  preached  in  the  old  State 
Hou.se.  Besides  Hartford  he  paid  visits  to  East  Hartford,  Vernon,  New 
London,  .saving  Mass,  preaching,  catechizing,  encouraging  his  flock,  and 
administering  the  sacraments.  Records  of  baptisms  administered  in  this 
visitation  will  be  found  in  liie  history  of  these  places. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  the  famous  convert,  Rev.  Virgil  Barl^er,  S.  J., 
made  a  missionary  visit  to  Hartford  some  time  between  1823  and  182S.  The 
tradition  furthermore' says,  that  he  remained  there  for  several  days  and  said 
Mass  in  private  houses. 

The  construction  of  the  Enfield  canal  brought  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Windsor  Locks  a  respectable  number  of  Irishmen,  who  proved  loyal  to  the 
faith,  though  they  had  no  opportunity  of  performing  public  acts  of  worship. 
In  illness  the  thought  that  overrules  all  others  is  the  earnest,  heartfelt  desire 
for  the  priest.  A  Catholic,  either  from  perverted  choice  or  from  necessity, 
ma)-  live  without  the  ministrations  of  the  priest ;  but  at  the  approach  of  death, 
or  even  in  serious  illness,  the  recollections  of  other  and  holier  days  crowd  in 
upon  him  ;  his  faith  is  re-animated  and  rises  grandly  supreme  over  all 
other  forces,  and  he  calls  upon  God's  anointed  for  the  sweet  consolations  of 

^  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Coiincil  and  Representatives,  in  General  Court 
assem/'ied,  <md  by  the  authority  0/ the  same,  That  every  assistant  in  this  Colony,  and  every 
justice  of  the  peace,  within  the  limits  of  their  authority,  are  hereby  inipowered  and 
directed  when  they  .shall  have  plain  view  or  personal  knowledge  thereof,  either  with  or 
without  a  written  warrant,  to  cause  all  persons  unnecessarily  travelling  on  the  Sabbath 
or  Lord's  day  to  be  apprehended,  and  to  examine  Ihem,  and  if  need  be  to  command  any 
person  or  persons  to  seize,  arrest  and  secure  any  such  person  unnecessarily  travelling  oh 
the  Lord's  day  as  aforesaid,  and  them  to  hold  till  judgment  may  be  had  thereon.  And 
every  sheriff,  constable,  grand  juryman  and  tytliing  man,  are  hereby  inipowered  and 
directed  without  warrant  to  apprehend  and  carry  before  the  next  assistant  or  justice  of 
the  peace  all  persons  trespassing  said  law  as  aforesaid,  provided  they  be  taken  upon 
sight  or  present  information  of  others  and  to  command  all  necessary  assistance."  "Act of 
October,  1751.     Public  Records  of  Conn.,"  vol.  X.,  p.  45. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  121 

religion.  And  the  sturdy  laborers  of  Windsor  well  illustrated  this  truth. 
They  were,  by  the  fault  of  no  one,  deprived  of  the  presence  of  a  priest,  but 
when  one  of  their  number  was  stricken  with  illness  in  x^ugust,  1827,  they 
despatched  a  messenger  to  New  York  for  one  to  hasten  to  their  suffering 
comrade.  And  a  priest  then,  as  now  and  always,  promptly  responded  to 
tlie  summons.  He  was  the  Very  Rev.  John  Power,'  Vicar-General  of  New 
York.  Learning  in  this  manner  of  the  presence  there  of  a  goodly  number  of 
Catholics,  the  zealous  priest  returned  in  October  of  the  same  year,  said 
Mass  and  preached  for  them,  thus  stimulating  their  faith  and  infusing  into 
them  new  courage  to  overcome  their  spiritual  difficulties  and  new  determina- 
tion to  persevere.  It  was  on  one  of  these  occasions,  probably  the  latter,  that 
Father  Power  said  Mass  for  the  Catholics  of  New  Haven.  He  had  arrived 
there  from  Windsor  Locks  after  the  boat  had  sailed  for  New  York,  and,  as  it 
was  Saturday,  he  remained  over  Sunday,  greatly  to  the  joy  of  the  faithful 
little  band.  The  building  in  which  Father  Power  officiated  on  this  occasion 
is  said  to  have  been  No.  5,  Long  Wiiarf. 

The  Rev.  R.  D.  Woodley,  a  young  priest,  now  enters  the  field.  In  1828 
Bishop  Fenwick  assigned  to  him  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  as  the  theatre 
of  his  labors  with  his  residence  at  Providence.  In  November  of  this  year  he 
visited  Hartford,  and  no  doubt  exercised  his  ministry  in  other  places  where 
Catholics  were  known  to  be  located.  In  the  following  year,  July  9,  we  find 
him  again  at  Hartford,  whence  he  carried  the  divine  message  to  the  laborers 
on  the  Enfield  canal.  He  visited  also  New  Haven  and  New  London,  the 
former  on  July  13  and   14,  1829. 

We  have  thus  traced  the  presence  of  every  priest  who  entered  Connecti- 
cut from  the  historic  occasion  when  the  saintly  Druillettes  pleaded  in  vain  for 
his  red  children  before  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New 
England  in  165  i.  If  others  came,  there  is  no  accessible  record  of  the  fact, 
nor  even  a  vague  tradition  of  their  presence.  The  ministrations  of  those 
who  came,  brief  and  widely  separated  though  they  were,  were  not  unproduc- 
tive of  good.  Some  of  the  seed  sown  fell  upon  good  soil,  as  is  evidenced  by 
the  stately  tree  that  has  grown  up,  beneath  whose  peaceful  shades  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  faithful  souls  find  shelter.  They  planted,  Apollo 
watered  ;  it  was  God  who  gave  the  increase. 

With  the  departure  of  Father  Woodley  we  enter  upon  a  new  era,  an  epoch 

'Very  Rev.  John  Power,  D.D.,  was  born  in  the  County  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1792.  He 
was  educated  at  INIaynooth,  where  he  was  a  classmate  of  .Archbishop  McHale  of  Tuam, 
and  Father  Mathew,  the  apostle  of  temperance.  He  arrived  in  New  York  in  1816,  and 
was  made  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  parish.  On  the  death  of  Bishop  Connelly  he  was  ap- 
pointed Administrator  of  the  diocese,  which  position  he  occupied  until  the  installation  of 
Bishop  Dubois.  He  was  then  appointed  Vicar- General,  which  office  he  retained  until  his 
death.  A  contemporary  said  of  him  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  great  learning,  pietj'  and 
talent;  as  a  scholar  he  was  pre-eminent,  being  intimately  acquainted  with  the  Greek 
Latin,  French,  Spanish  and  Italian  languages;  as  the  zealous  defender  of  his  faith,  as  a 
writer  he  had  but  few  equals  and  no  superior.  Great  benevolence  and  sweetness  of  dis- 
position won  for  him  the  affection  of  all."  He  possessed  great  controversial  powers,  and 
as  an  orator  he  excelled  in  extempore  discourses.    His  death  occurred  on  April  14th,  1849. 


122  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

destined  to  become  glorious  by  reason  of  the  splendid  achievements  it  was  to 
accomplish  in  music  and  painting,  in  sculpture  and  architecture,  as  well  as  by 
the  beneficent  works  of  mercy  and  charity,  of  education  and  religion  that  are 
its  joy  and  its  crown  ;  this  era  is  ushered  in  with  the  advent  of  the  Rev. 
Bernard  O'Cavanagh,  wlio,  under  the  guidance  of  the  indefatigable  Bishop 
Fenwick,  laid  strong  and  deep  the  foundation  of  the  first  parish  in  Connec- 
ticut. 


THE    BISHOPS    OF   THE    DIOCESE, 


"  The  Holy  Ghost  haih  placed  you  bishops,  lo  rule  the  Church  of  God,  which  He  hath  purchased 

with  His  own  blood." — ^Acts  xx.  28. 


W'^ 


RIGHT  REV.  WILLIAM  TYLER,  D.D., 

First  ISishop  of  Hartford. 

iHT  REV.  WILLIAM  TYLER,  the  first  incumbent  of  tlie  See  of 
[artford,  was  descended  from  a  family  distinguished  alike  for  the 
heroic  sacrifices  it  made  for  religion  and  for  its  subsequent  splendid 
services  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Converts  all  to  our  lioly  faith,  they 
brought  into  their  new  life  renewed  spiritual  vigor,  increased  love  for  God 
and  His  church,  and  an  intense  desire,  which  nothing  could  overcome,  to 
devote  themselves  unreservedly  to  the  service  of  the  Master.  Reared  amid.st 
the  chilling  influences  prevalent  in  the  early  days  of  this  century,  their  hearts 
yearned  for  something  better,  higher  and  nobler  ;  for  that  which  would  unite 
them  in  love  with  tlieir  blessed  Saviour  ;  for  something  more  substantial, 
more  supernatural,  than  that  which  cold,  formal,  rigorous  and  barren  Puri- 
tanism afforded.  Their  .souls  craved  the  full  light  of  Christ's  teachings,  their 
hearts  hungered  for  the  Real  Presence  of  their  Redeemer.  "I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth,"  perhaps  could  each  one  say  ;  but  for  him  He  was  a  far-off 
Being,  ever  enveloped  in  ineffable  majesty  and  dwelling  in  light  inaccessible, 
an  inexorable  Judge  clothed  always  in  the  prerogatives  of  His  justice.  He 
reigned  amid  the  thunders  and  lightnings  of  Sinai  or  amid  the  devastation 
that  will  attend  the  world's  destruction.  Of  the  meek  and  lowly  Christ,  but 
still  infinite  God,  how  limited  was  their  knowledge!  Apparently  unfamiliar 
with  the  sad  yet  ever-consoling  story  of  Calvary;  as  though  oblivious  of  the 
transcendent  words:  "  Many  sins  are  forgiven  her  because  she  hath  loved 
nnich,"  or  "Son,  thy  sins  are  forj^iveii  thee,"  or  "  This  day  thou  shalt  he 
with  me  in  Paradise;"  unmindful  that  Christ  came  to  call  a  poor,  sin-stricken 
race,  not  the  just,  to  repentance,  they  longed  to  know  the  Christ  as  He  is,  and 
not  as  a  narrow,  distorted  theology  portrayed  Him,  and  to  live  in  intiinate 
union  with  Him;  therefore,  casting  away  the  trammels  of  rigorism  tliat  held 
them  captive  to  earth,  they  soared  into  the  clear  atmosphere  of  Christ's  love. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  123 

The  Rev.  Virgil  Barber,  a  minister  of  the  Congregational,  and  later  of 
the  Episcopal  church,  was  the  first  to  enter  the  Catholic  church.  His  wife 
and  five  children,  one  son  and  four  daughters,  shared  with  him  the  hardships 
of  the  sacrifice,  for  their  conversion  meant  not  only  the  deprivation  of  emolu- 
ments, but  the  loss  also  of  social  recognition.  His  father,  also  a  clergyman  in 
the  Congregational  and  Episcopal  denominations,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Barber, 
followed  him  in  proclaiming  allegiance  to  the  ancient  faith.  His  devoted 
aunt,  also,  Mrs.  Tyler,  with  her  husband,  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
illumined  by  the  light  that  shone  round  about  them,  yielded  cheerful  obe- 
dience to  the  divine  call.  Nor  did  the  sacrifices  which  these  families  made 
for  conscience  sake  go  unrewarded.  In  His  mercy  God  bestowed  upon  all  the 
members  of  Virgil  Barber's  family  the  exceptional  grace  of  religious  \oca- 
tions.  By  special  dispensation  the  husband  and  father  became  a  priest  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus.  The  wife  and  mother  Entered  the  Visitation  convent  at 
Georgetown,  District  of  Columbia,  and  died  a  holy  religious  after  forty-tliree 
years  in  the  service  of  her  divine  Master.  Their  only  son,  Samuel,  followed 
in  his  father's  footsteps  and  became  also  a  Jesuit  priest.  Of  their  four  daugh- 
"ters,  three  became  Ursuline  nuns,  one  at  Boston,  another  at  Quebec  and  the 
third  at  Three  Rivers,  Canada,  while  the  fourth  became  a  Visitandine  nun  at 
Georgetown.  Of  Mrs.  Tyler's  family,  one  son  received  a  vocation  to  the 
priesthood  and  was  subsequently  elevated  to  the  episcopal  dignity,  while  the 
four  daughters  retired  from  the  world  and  within  the  peaceful  cloisters  of  a 
convent  at  Emmittsburg  served  God  as  gentle,  patient  and  faithful  Sisters  of 
Charity. ' 

William  T}-ler  was  born  in  Derby,  Vermont,  on  June  Jth,  1806.  In  his 
childhood  his  parents  removed  to  Claremont,  New  Hampshire.  His  early 
life  was  spent  amid  the  various  occupations  incidental  to  farm  life,  and  while 
engaged  in  these  humble  labors  he  gave  evidence  of  possessing  in  a  marked 

'  Bishop  T3-ler's  family  consisted  of  Noah,  his  father,  and  Abigail,  his  mother;  his 
brothers  were  Ignatius,  George  and  Israel.  His  sisters  were  Rosette  Tyler — Sister  Gene- 
vieve— who  entered  the  Emmittsburg  community  in  1820.  She  led  a  holy  and  edifying 
life  and  died  at  St.  John's  Institution,  Frederick,  Md.,  July  2,  1839.  In  his  letter  to  Father 
Tyler  announcing  her_ death,  the  Rev.  John  McElroy,  S.J.,  said  :  "She  was  one  of  those 
of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy,  and  the  Holy  Virgin  to  whom  she  was  tenderly  de- 
voted would,  on  this  festival  (the  feast  of  the  Visitation  of  the  B.  V.  M.)  present  her  pure 
soul  to  her  divine  Son."  Catherine  Tyler — Sister  Mary  James — entered  the  same 
communitj'  in  1827,  was  sent  on  the  mission  to  St.  Vincent's  Orphan  Asylum,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  died  there,  November  24,  1830.  Martha  Tyler— Sister  Beatrice^also 
entered  in  1S27,  and  after  a  few  years  withdrew  to  embrace  a  cloistered  life.  Sarah  Maria 
Tyler— Sister  Mary  de  Sales— entered  also  in  1S27.  She  still  survives  at  St.  Joseph's 
Academj',  Emmittsburg,  Md.  On  the  i6th  of  the  present  month  (April,  1899)  she  com- 
pleted her  ninety-fifth  year,  in  the  full  possession  of  her  faculties. 

The  Bishop's  father  died  April  23,  1845,  at  Elgin,  Kane  county.  111.  After  her  hus- 
band's death,  Mrs.  Tyler  resided  for  a  time  with  her  daughter.  Sister  Mary  Beatrice,  at 
the  Visitation  convent,  St.  Louis.  She  died  at  her  home,  which  at  the  time  was  in  a 
small  place  bearing  an  Indian  name,  in  the  neighborhood  of  South  Bend,  Indiana. 

The  writer  is  indebted  for  the  facts  in  this  note  to  Mother  Mariana  Flynn,  Superior 
and  Visitatrix  of  the  Sisters  in  the  U.  S.,  who  received  them  from  Sister  Mary  de  Sales. 


124  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

degree  the  sterling  qualities  that  distinguished  his  career  as  priest  and  bishop 
— zeal  and  iiidustr>-,  tireless  energy  and  profound  s>mpathy  with  suffering, 
fidelity  to  purpose  and  conscientiousness  in  tiie  discharge  of  duty,  how  onerous 
so  ever.  Master  Tyler  was  sixteen  j'ears  old  when  he  embraced  the  Catholic 
faith.  Of  studious  disposition  and  ambitious  of  acquiring  an  education  that 
would  enable  him  to  carve  out  success  in  later  years,  he  entered  the  classical 
school  which  the  Rev.  Virgil  Barber  had  established  at  Claremont.  He 
was  the  first  student  to  become  enrolled.  Entering  upon  his  .studies  with 
enthusiasm  and  bringing  to  his  work  systematic  application  he  soon  became 
as  proficient  in  his  classes  as  he  was  regular  in  his  conduct.  His  reward  came 
in  a  .short  time  in  his  appointment  as  Prefect  of  Studies,  a  position  which  his 
native  energy  enabled  him  to  fill  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  Superior  and  fel- 
low-students. He  was  fond  of  athletic  sports  and  joined  freely  in  the  amuse- 
ments which  the  school  afforded.  Music  was  a  favorite  pastime  in  leisure 
moments,  and  he  hot  infrequently  played  the  cornet  at  divine  service.  But 
the  trait  that  appears  the  most  prominent  at  this  period  of  his  life  was  his 
devotion  to  prayer,  his  intense  love  for  the  sacraments,  which  he  received  at 
frequent  intervals.  "  From  the  moment  of  his  conversion  to  the  true  faith," 
said  a  contemporary,  "the  late  bishop  was  distinguished  by  his  mode.st  vir- 
tues, and  by  the  eminent  sanctity  of  his  life."  '  He  was  a  profoundly  reli- 
gious young  man,  and  the  sentiments  that  ruled  his  heart  and  regulated  his 
mind  are  disclosed  in  a  letter  wliich  he  wrote  to  a  brother  in  Georgia: 

"  Now,  my  dear  brother,  let  me  warn  you  not  to  place  too  much  afTcclion  and  depend- 
ence on  the  things  of  this  life.  Although  you  now  are  prosperous,  still  you  maj-  meet 
with  a  reverse  of  fortune ;  and  even  if  you  could  be  sure  of  prosperity  and  all  the  blessings 
this  world  could  afford,  what  comparison  could  they  bear  to  the  happiness  or  misery  of 
eternity  ?  Our  time  here  at  the  longest  is  but  short,  and  we  are  daih-  liable  to  the  strokes 
of  death.  At  the  longest  our  life  here  is  but  short ;  a  striking  proof  of  this  lately  oc- 
curred in  Cornish  :  A  j-oung  man,  who  had  lived  in  a  Catholic  family,  and  had  obtained 
a  knowledge  of  the  Catholic  religion,  but  for  reasons  knt)wn  to  himself  deferred  his  con- 
version. Hut  the  tj-iant  Death  did  not  wait  for  him,  and  he  was  ushered  into  the  other 
world,  unprepared  as  he  was.  I  hope  that  you  find  some  leisure  from  your  business  for 
serious  meditation  ;  and  there  is  one  time  which,  of  all  others,  is,  perhaps,  the  most  pro- 
ductive of  meditation  ;  I  mean  the  silent  hours  of  night,  after  we  retire  to  rest.  Of  this 
3'ou  cantiot  be  deprived,  and  I  hope  you  employ  it  for  the  benefit  of  j'our  soul.  How  do 
you  pass  the  season  of  Lent  ?  As  a  Catholic,  or  as  a  Protestant  ?  I  know  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult for  one  in  the  situation  you  are  in  to  live  a  regular  life,  but  I  hojie  that  God  will  give 
you  grace  to  walk  in  the  path  of  duty." 

Master  Tyler  remained  tinder  the  fostering  care  of  the  Rev.  Virgil  Barber 
for  four  years.  With  him  at  Claremont  were  two  young  men  who  were  dis- 
tined  to  be  also  crowned  with  the  honors  of  the  priesthood,  and  who  in  after 
years  saluted  him  as  their  bishop,  William  Wiley  and  James  Fitton.  While 
at  school  here  young  Tyler  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  Greek,  Latin  and 
French,  besides  becoming  well  grounded  in  the  common  branches.  As  JLatin 
was  the  ordinary  language  of  tlie  school  and  spoken  by  the  students  at  all 
times  it  is  not  surprising  tliat  the  future  bishop  became  proficient  in  its  use. 

^  "Catholic  Observer,"  June,  1S49. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  12& 

The  religions  atmosphere  in  which  he  moved  exercised  a  controlling  influence 
over  him  and  directed  his  mind  and  heart  to  the  Lord's  sanctuary.  He 
felt  an  irresistible  attraction  to  the  service  of  God  in  the  sacred  ministry. 
He  longed  for  the  opportunity  to  present  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  priest- 
hood wherein  he  could  employ  his  God-given  talents  for  the  salvation  of  his 
fellow-men.  But  his  worldly  possessions  were  few,  his  financial  resources 
limited.  The  grim  figure  of  Poverty  stood  between  him  and  the  realization 
of  his  desires.  To  his  mother  he  revealed  the  anxiety  that  pressed  tipon  his 
heart  in  a  letter  from  which  we  give  an  extract : 

"How  often  do  we  meet  with  disappointments,  when  our  hopes  and  expectations 
are  at  their  highest  point  !  You  have  seen  how  various  and  changeable  tlie  course  of  life 
is,  how  vague  and  fluctuating  fortune,  and  how  great  inconstancy  among  friends.  You 
have  been  made  acquainted  with  my  intention  of  becoming  a  priest,  and  that  the  means 
by  which  I  expected  to  attain  this  was  by  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Superior,  Mr.  Barber, 
in  retaining  and  promoting  me  as  his  assistant  in  the  school.  I  have  already  informed 
you  of  the  loss  of  expectation.  Now,  what  course  shall  I  pursue?  For  myself,  I  know 
not  where  another  year  will  find  me.  Pa  thinks  that  I  had  better  agree  with  Uncle  Daniel 
to  procure  nie  a  situation  in  a  store  at  Boston,  where  he  is  soon  going.  This  is  far  from 
my  wishes,  since  I  have  so  seriously  engaged  my  mind  in  the  pursuit  which  appeared  to 
me  to  be  the  one  pointed  out  for  me  by  Divine  Providence.  I  do  not  like  to  give  out  ; 
but  if  it  is  the  Divine  will  that  I  should  become  a  priest,  there  will  be  some  wa}'  for  my 
attaining  it." 

His  confidence  in  Divine  Providence  was  not  misplaced.  God,  who  had 
called  him  to  the  ecclesiastical  state,  and  whose  voice  he  sought  to  obey,  pro- 
vided the  young  student  with  the  ways  and  means  of  accomplishing  his  high 
and  holy  purpose. ,  Difficulties  vanished,  obstacles  were  surmounted,  and 
hope  and  joy  supplanted  anxiety  and  gloom.  In  Bishop  Fenwick's  Mem- 
07-andn  under  date  of  September  13,  1826,  we  read  this  precious  entry  : 

"  Mr.  Daniel  Barber,  the  father  of  Virgil  Barber,  arrived  from  Claremont  on  a  visit 
to  the  Bisliop,  bringing  with  him  Mr.  Wm.  Tyler,  whom  he  introduces  and  recommends 
to  him  as  a  candidate  for  the  ecclesiastical  state.  The  Bishop  is  pleased  with  the  progress 
made  by  him  in  his  studies,  and  having  received  a  good  account  of  him  on  other  points, 
admits  him.  Young  Mr.  T5-ler  is.  a  relative  of  Mr.  Barber,  and  has  received  the  principal 
part  of  his  education  from  Rev.  Virgil  H.  Barber  in  his  academy  at  Claremont." 

Master  Tyler  thus  became  a  member  of  Bishop  Fenwick's  household 
imder  whose  tuition  he  comijleted  his  classical  education  in  Jtiue,  1827.  With 
a  respite  of  only  two  days,  as  he  informs  us  in  his  diary,  he  began  his  theo- 
logical studies  with  the  bishop  as  his  instructor.  He  received  Minor  Orders 
on  December  24,  1826;  Subdeaconship,  December  21,  1827,  and  Deaconship 
the  day  following.  He  was  ordained  to  the  Priesthood  by  Bishop  Fenwick 
on  June  3,  1829. 

Father  Tyler  had  now  attained  the  goal  of  his  ambition ;  he  was  a  priest 
of  the  Most  High.  He  entered  upon  his  new  and  arduous  duties  with  an 
enthusiasm  that  brooked  no  failure.  "  From  that  moment  forward,"  said  a 
writer  in  the  Catholic  Observer,^  "  it  may  be  said  in  truth,  that  'he  had  been 
delivered  through  the  grace  of  God,  unto  the  work,  which  he  accomplished.' 

'June,  1849. 


126  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

All  who  knew  him  felt  at  once,  and  may  testify  that,  unmindful  of  himself, 
and  of  all  human  applause  and  of  all  worldly  advantages,  he  had  constantly 
but  one  object  in  view — the  salvation  of  souls  and  the  greater  glory  of  his 
Divine  Master  ;  and  the  Catholics  of  Boston  may  well  remember  how,  during 
many  years,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  by  nigiit  and  by  day,  he  was  ever  ready 
to  serve  their  souls  in  a  never-changing  spirit  of  meekness  and  of  zeal  ;  and 
how  he  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  to  them,  but  preached  it  to 
them  and  taught  them  publicly,  and  from  Iiouse  to  house,  testifying  to  all 
penance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

After  Father  Tyler's  ordination  he  served  the  Cathedral  parish  until 
August  23,  1829,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  mission  of  Canton.  In  1830 
he  was  sent  to  Sandwicli.  He  also  served  a  year  on  the  Aroostook  mission, 
Alaine.  With  the  exception  of  these  brief  appointments  the  theatre  of  Father 
Tyler's  labors  was  chiefly  in  Boston  as  an  attache  of  the  Cathedral  of  Holy 
Cross.  From  here  he  attended  otlier  missions,  among  tlieni  being  Benedicta, 
Maine,  in  1843.  He  was  appointed  vicar-general,  which  position  he  occu- 
pied until  his  elevation  to  the  See  of  Hartford. 

The  multiplication  of  duties,  the  weight  of  years  and  increasing  infirmi- 
ties induced  Bishop  Fenwick  to  request  tlie  Fifth  Provincial  Council,  assem- 
bled at  Baltimore,  May,  1843,  to  petition  tlie  Holy  See  for  a  division  of  his 
diocese.  Pope  Gregory  acceded  to  the  request,  and  on  September  18,  1843, 
erected  the  States  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  into  a  diocese  with  the 
Episcopal  seat  at  Hartford.  The  clioice  of  Bishop  Fenwick  was  confirmed  at 
Rome,  and  Very  Re\-.  William  Tyler  was  appointed  the  first  bishop  of  the 
new  See.  The  ofTicial  Bulls  notifying  him  of  his  election  were  received  on 
February  13,  i<S44,  and  on  February  21st  he  proceeded  to  Frederick,  Marv- 
land,  to  make  a  retreat  preliminary  to  his  consecration.  It  was  with  the 
greatest  reluctance  tliat  he  accepted  the  episcopal  dignity.  He  bowed  to  the 
wishes  of  Bishop  Fenwick,  whom  he  revered  as  a  father,  and  submitted  to  the 
decision  of  his  spiritual  director.  Very  Rev.  Francis  Dzierozinski,  S.  J. ,  Pro- 
vincial of  the  Maryland  Province.  He  was  consecrated  on  Sunday,  March 
17,  1844,  in  the  cathedral  at  Baltimore,  amid  the  impressive  ceremonies  pre- 
scribed by  tlie  Roman  Pontifical.  The  officers  of  the  consecration  service 
were  as  follows : 

Consecrator — Right  Rev.  Benedict  Fenwick,  D.D.,  Boston. 
Assisting  Bishops — Right  Rev.   Richard  V.  Whalen,  D.D.,  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  Right  Rev.  Andrew  Byrne,  D.D.,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Preacher — Rev.  Henry  B.  Coskery,  Cathedral,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Master  of  CercTuonies — Rev.  Francis  L' Homme. 
Assistants — Messrs.  Thomas  F'oley'  and  R.  J.  Lawrence. 

On  Sunday,  March  21,  Bishop  Tyler  was  one  of  the  assistant  bishops  at 
the  consecration  of  Right  Rev.  John  B.  Fitzpatrick,  D.D.,  at  Georgetown. 

The  personal  appearance  of  Bishop  Tyler  at  tliat  time  is  thus  described 
by  his  physician.  Dr.  Kdward  Le  Prohon,  A.M.:   "At  my  first  view  of  the 

'  Afterwards  Bishop  of  Chicago. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  127 

worthy  prelate  I  recognized  in  him  the  lymphatic  temperament  which  domi- 
nated in  him,  a  delicate  wliite  skin,  narrow  shoulders,  high  stature,  about  six 
feet,  the  body  long  and  thin,  a  well-featured  countenance,  sweet  and  calm,  the 
cheeks  slightly  roseate,  and  constantly  wearing  spectacles,  though  he  has  not 
yet  reached  his  forty-fifth  year.  The  entire  external  appearance  of  Mgr. 
Tyler  showed  symptoms  of  latent  consumption  ;  Mgr.  Tyler  himself  felt  the 
necessity  of  taking  care  of  his  feeble  health  tlie  better  to  exercise  the  labor- 
ious functions  of  tlie  foundation  of  a  new  diocese.  .  .  .  Mgr.  Tyler's  appear- 
ance took  everybody's  attention.  He  bore  the  expression  of  sanctity  on  his 
countenance,  the  seal  of  the  man  of  God  was  to  be  seen  on  it." 

Accompanied  by  Bishop  Fenwick,  Bishop  Tyler  arrived  at  Hartford  on 
April  12,  1844.  The  church  of  the  Holy  Trinity  became  his  cathedral,  as 
in  that  historic  edifice  he  was  installed  Bishop  of  Hartford  on  Sunday,  April 
14th — Dominica  in  Albis.  Extensive  preparations  had  been  made  for  the 
worthy  and  dignified  reception  of  the  new  prelate.  Rev.  John  Brady,  the 
rector,  was  the  celebrant  of  the  Mass,  and  Bishop  Fenwick  preached  the 
sermon  of  installation,  in  the  course  of  which  he  eulogized  his  colleague 
and  congratulated  the  people  upon  the  erection  of  the  new  diocese.  At  the 
Vesper  service  Bishop  Tyler  preached  his  first  sermon  as  Bishop  of  Hartford. 

Bishop  Tyler's  first  visit  was  made  to  Middletown,  Conn.,  on  April  isth. 
He  inspected  the  new  church  then  approaching  completion.  His  next  visit 
was  to  New  Haven. 

When  Bishop  Tyler  was  consecrated  the  population  of  his  diocese  was 
estimated  from  a  census  taken  at  the  time  at  9,997  souls,  of  whom  4,817  were 
in  Connecticut,  and  5, 180  in  Rhode  Island.  In  the  two  States  there  were  six 
priests  and  eight  churches  ;  tliree  priests  and  four  churches  in  Connecticut, 
and  as  many  in  Rhode  Island.  Writing  on  March  i,  1845,  to  Monsieur 
Choiselat  Gallien,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Propagation  of  the  Faith, 
residing  in  Paris,  Bishop  Tyler  said  : 

"There  are  ten  or  twelve  other  places  where  there  are  small  congrega- 
tions of  Catholics,  whom  we  occasionally  visit  to  afford  them  the  benefits  of 
religion.  I  have  with  me  in  the  whole  diocese  only  six  priests  to  assist  me 
in  administering  to  the  wants  of  all  these.  So  you  will  easily  perceive  that  we 
are  in  great  want  of  zealous  clergymen ;  and  we  have  little  prospect  of  any 
addition  to  our  numbers  soon."  Bishop  Tyler's  spiritual  children  were 
mostly  emigrants,  poor,  despised,  with  nothing  but  faith  and  health,  unpro- 
vided with  churches  and  priests,  scattered  up  and  down  an  extensive  territory 
from  Providence  to  Norfolk.  Some  may  yet  be  spared  who  remember  the 
Old  Guard  of  Catholicit}'  in  these  parts,  the  venerable,  laborious  and  self- 
sacrificing  pioneers  who  sowed  the  seed  by  the  water  courses  and  on  the  hill- 
sides and  along  the  coast  line,  which  has  fructified  and  multiplied  until  at  the 
present  writing  there  are  435  priests  and  265  churches,  where  fifty-five  years 
ago  there  were  six  priests  and  eight  churches. 

After  his  consecration  Bishop  Tyler  took  up  his  residence  in  Hartford, 
the  place  named  in  his  Bulls  as  the  episcopal  seat.  At  that  time  Hartford 
contained  about   13,000  inhabitants,  from    500  to  600  of  whom  were  adult 


128  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Catholics.  The  only  church,  a  wooden  structure,  which  had  been  purchased 
from  the  Protestants,  was  about  75  feet  long  by  40  feet  wide;  moreover, 
there  were  only  a  few  feet  of  land  on  each  side  of  the  cliurch  belonging  to 
it.  In  the  villages  within  eighteen  miles  of  Hartford  there  were  three  or 
four  small  congregations  of  Irish  Catliolics,  who  were  occasionally  attended 
by  the  resident  pastor.  Providence,  on  the  other  hand,  had  23,000  inhabi- 
tants of  whom  2,000  were  Catholics.  It  had  two  churches,  and  either  of  them 
was  larger  than  the  one  in  Hartford.  In  the  neighboring  villages  the  Cath- 
olics were  more  numerous  tlian  in  the  towns  near  Hartford.  "  In  considera- 
tion of  these  things,"  wrote  Bishop  Tyler  to  Mgr.  Vincent  Edward,  Prince 
and  Archbishop  of  Vienna,  March  i,  1845,  "and  after  having  consulted  with 
Dr.  Fenwick,  Bishop  of  Boston,  and  others  upon  whose  judgment  I  could 
rely,  I  resolved  to  make  my  residence  in  Providence,  and  at  the  Council  of 
the  Bishops  of  the  United  States  to  petition  Rome  to  remove  the  See  from 
Hartford  to  Providence."  Bishop  Tyler  took  up  his  residence  in  Providence 
in  June,  1844. 

He  selected  as  his  Cathedral  the  elder  of  the  two  churches  in  Providence, 
SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  of  which  the  Rev.  James  F'itton  was  pastor.  Of  this 
church  the  bishop  wrote  to  the  Archbishop  of  Vienna  on  the  date  above  men- 
tioned :  "It  is  a  stone  building  80  feet  long  by  40  feet  wide.  It  is  very  un- 
pleasantly situated  on  account  of  the  narrowness  of  the  land  on  each  side  of 
it.  It  has  only  four  feet  on  one  side  and  not  two  on  the  other.  Thus  we  are 
liable  to  have  our  windows  darkened  by  buildings  that  may  at  any  time  be 
put  up  by  the  owners  of  the  land  near  the  church;  and  the  buildings  that  now 
are  near  the  church  are  very  offensive,  being  stables  in  which  are  kept  cows 
and  horses.  We  desire  very  much  to  buy  out  these  grounds  that  we  nia\'  be 
secure  of  enjoying  the  light  of  heaven  and  be  freed  from  these  nuisances." 

The  zeal  of  the  new  bishop  was  hampered,  but  not  overcome  by  the 
poverty  of  his  diocese.  His  people  were  loyal  to  every  request  and  faithful 
to  the  discharge  of  every  religious  duty.  They  were  day  laborers,  devoted  and 
God-fearing;  and  their  willingness  to  contribute  to  the  advancement  of  reli- 
gion was  a  striking  characteristic.  But  the)-  were  comparatively  few  in 
number  and  manifold  were  the  needs  of  the  new  diocese.  "  My  best  chalice," 
wrote  Bishop  Tyler  to  Mons.  Gallion,  Paris,  "is  bras.s,  and  I  have  but  one 
other  at  the  Cathedral,  and  only  four  or  five  more  ///  the  ivhole  diocese  which 
belong  to  it.  On  last  Christmas  (December  25,  1846)  I  said  my  first  Pon- 
tifical Mass,  though  with  but  one  priest  to  assist,  and  very  destitute  of  suit- 
able ornaments.  But  these  are  small  matters.  The  great  ones  are  what  give 
me  concern."  In  a  letter  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  a  generous  allocation 
from  the  Leopold  Society  of  Vienna,  Bishop  Tyler  opened  his  heart  in  grati- 
tude to  the  illustrious  Archbishop  of  that  ancient  See : 

"  Most  Reverend  and  Venerable  Sir: 

"I  have  not  words  to  express  my  feelings  ofgratitiuie  towards  you  and  the  Leopold 
Society.  Your  donations  have  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  me.  When  I  was  appointed 
to  this  diocese  I  was  poor,  and  the  church  here  was  destitute  of  everything.  I  was  over- 
whelmed with  the  sad  prospect  before  me,  and  I  knew  not  where  to  look  for  assistance." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  129 

Indeed,  so  widespread  was  the  knowledge  of  the  poverty  of  the  Diocese 
of  Hartford  tliat  the  Bishop  of  Philadelphia,  Right  Rev.  Francis  Patrick 
Kenrick,  wrote  to  Rev.  Dr.  Cullen  on  June  5,  1846,  then  rector  of  the  Irish 
College  at  Rome,  that  "the  unfortunate  haste  with  which  Little  Rock  and 
Hartford  were  made  Sees  in  a  former  Council,  should  cause  us  to  pause  when 
a  new  See  is  to  be  erected."  ' 

But  God  had  willed  through  His  Vicegerent,  and  obstacles  apparently 
insurmountable  gave  way  before  the  faith  and  energy  of  Bishop  Tyler.  It 
was  his  mission — and  a  glorious  one  it  was^to  delve  and  lay  the  foundations 
deep  and  solid,  and  faithful  was  he  to  the  trust  confided  to  him.  He  had  no 
sooner  taken  up  the  reins  of  government  than  he  bent  all  his  energies  to 
advance  the  spiritual  condition  of  his  diocese.  He  sought  for  priests  at  the 
world-famed  missionary  college  of  All  Hallows,  Drumcondra,  Dublin.  He 
solicited  and  received  financial  assistance  from  the  Society  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Faith  at  Paris  and  the  Leopold  Society  at  Vienna  to  erect  churches 
and  to  provide  teachers  for  the  youth  of  his  diocese.  The  condition  of  the 
children  appealed  strongl)'  to  his  afTectionate  and  sympathetic  nature.  The 
love  for  them  that  consumed  him  and  the  anxiety  that  weighed  upon  him  are 
exhibited  in  a  letter  he  wrote  to  Paris  in  January,  1847: 

"  We  are  in  a  lamentable  want  of  schools  for  our  children.  There  are,  I  suppose,  In 
this  city  alone  (Providence)  1000  children  of  Catholic  parents  between  six  and  fourteen 
j'ears  of  age,  and  I  am  grieved  to  know  that  in  spite  of  what  I  can  do,  they  are  growing 
up  in  deplorable  ignorance  of  religion,  and  this  through  want  of  suitable  means  of  being 
instructed.  As  a  beginning  in  this  matter,  I  wish  very  much  to  put  a  small  colon}'  of 
Sisters  of  Charity  from  Emmittsburg,  Maryland.  For  more  than  ten  years  I  witnessed 
in  Boston  the  good  they  did  in  rearing  the  girls  in  that  cit}'.  This  is  one  object  that  I 
shall  strive  for.  Then,  alas  !  our  boys  are  equally  destitute.  And  then,  all  the  children 
of  Catholic  parents  in  the  other  towns  and  villages  !     What  shall  I  do  for  them  ?  " 

His  love  for  the  children  of  his  diocese  took  tangible  form  in  the  organi- 
zation of  the  "  Confraternity  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  to  Befriend  Chil- 
dren." It  was  established  in  Providence,  1847,  and  its  object  was  two-fold, 
to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  its  members,  and  to  assist  in  providing  for 
the  spiritual  and  corporeal  wants  of  children.  Its  members  were  required  to 
say  once  every  day  this  short  prayer:  "  0  !  Holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  be  a 
mother  to  me,  and  to  the  children  of  this  Congregation  ;  take  them  under  thy  special 
protection." 

In  the  same  letter  the  zealous  bishop  speaks  of  another  matter  that  was 
dear  to  his  heart ;  but  with  the  hope  expressed  there  was  a  vein  of  sadness, 
born  of  his  poverty : 

■■  Next  summer,"  he  says,  "  I  expect  three  priests  from  the  College  of  Drumcondra, 
Dublin,  Ireland.  I  have  not  vestments,  chalices,  etc.,  for  them.  I  wish  to  send  these 
newl}-  ordained  priests  to  several  places  where  there  are  bodies  of  poor  Catholic  laborers, 
and  in  some  of  these  places  there  is  not  the  semblance  of  a  church.  How  happy  would 
I  be  to  be  able  to  assist  each  of  these  with  a  few  hundred  dollars  to  begin  small  churches 
and  abodes  for  themselves  ;  and  what  encouragement  would  it  not  give  the  poor  people 
among  whom  they  go  and  upon  whom  they  must  depend  for  everything!  " 

'  "Records  of  the  Cath.  Hist.  Soc.  of  Phila  ,"  Vol.  VII.,  p.  329. 
II— 9 


130  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  XEW  ENGLAXD. 

Bishop  Tyler  cared  little  for  the  creature  comforts  of  life.  His  ambition 
was  to  provide  for  the  welfare  of  his  priests  and  people.  Self  gave  wav  to 
the  nei}J:libor.  He  petitioned  for  assistance  for  the  poor  congregations  over 
whom  he  was  placed  and  for  the  heroic  priests  who  came  and  went  at  his 
call;  but  for  himself  he  asked  nothing.  He  was  content  with  the  humblest 
accommodations.     Let  his  devoted  physician  speak  again  : 

"The  little  house  inhabited  formerly  by  the  venerable  Father  Fitton  became  the 
episcopal  palace  of  Mgr.  Tyler,  a  residence  in  which  many  of  his  parishioners  would 
have  refused  to  lodge ;  but  Mgr.  Tyler,  whose  mind  was  occupied  onlj'  with  the  desire  of 
serving  God,  considered  this  miserable  residence  as  suitable  and  established  himself  ir. 
it.  Being  just  beside  the  sacristy,  and  onlj-  a  few  steps  from  his  Cathedral,  he  chose  this 
miserable  abode  because  his  dominant  thought  was  never  fixed  on  the  comforts  of  human 
life.  The  episcopal  residence  could  easily  haz'e  been  drawn  by  oxen  from  one  end  of  Provi- 
dence to  the  other ;  the  stables  of  a  hundred  citizens  in  easy  circumstances  were  better  pro- 
tected against  the  seasons  ;  but  Mgr.  Tyler  gave  only  a  secondary  consideration  to  what- 
ever related  only  to  the  comforts  of  the  man  of  the  world Wishing  to  avoid  care- 
fully the  sentiments  of  human  respect,  he  dispensed  with  a  carriage  and  made  his  journevs 
afoot  in  the  city  ;  only  the  most  necessary  articles  of  furniture  were  to  lie  seen  in  his 
house,  which  was  not  carpeted  ;  his  table  was  common  and  his  meals  plain  ;  he  would 
have  been  satisfied  with  the  commonest  metal  had  not  Madame  Carnej'  of  Boston  gener- 
ousl5'  provided  the  silver  which  she  wished  to  have  on  Mgr.  Tyler's  table  " 

Bishop  Tyler  attended  the  Sixth  Provincial  Coimcil  which  assembled  at 
Baltimore  on  May  lo,  1846,  a  Council  redolent  of  honors  bestowed  upon  the 
Immaculate  Mother  of  God.  The  late  Very  Rev.  Edward  McColgan,  Vicar- 
General,  and  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church,  Baltimore,  was  assigned  as  his  theo- 
logian. It  was  this  Council  that  added  to  the  Litany  of  our  Lady  of  Loretto, 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Holy  See,  the  invocation,  "  Queen,  Conceived  with- 
out Sin,  Pray  for  us."  To  this  Council  also  belongs  the  honor  of  having  Mtuy 
the  Mother  of  God,  Conceived  idthout  Sin,  made  the  patroness  of  the  Church  in 
the  United  States  ;  thus  anticipating  by  eight  years  the  solemn  and  infallible 
definition  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

The  Seventh  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore,  which  convened  on  May 
5,  1849,  also  saw  Bishop  Tyler  in  attendance  ;  but  on  tliis  occasion  he  brotight 
with  him  a  certificate  from  his  attending  physician  that  his  health  was  in  a 
precarious  condition.  He  was  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  James  Fitton  as  his 
theologian.  Bishop  Tyler,  realizing  tlie  deadly  encroachments  of  his  disease, 
wished  to  resign  the  episcopal  dignity  into  hands  stronger  than  his  to  bear  the 
burden.  With  that  detachment  from  earth  that  ever  characterized  him,  he 
fully  realized  that  his  days  were  few.  But  the  Fathers  of  the  Council,  instead 
of  accepting  his  resignation,  declared  in  favor  of  the  appointment  of  a  coad- 
jutor, who  would  lighten  his  burden.  Wlierefore,  on  the  motion  of  the  Bishop 
of  New  York,'  Right  Rev.  John  Hughes,  D.  D.,  the  Council  petitioned  the 
Holv  See  to  appoint  a  coadjutor  to  the  Bishop  of  Hartford,  and  the  name  of 
Very  Rev.  Bernard  O'Reilly,  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese  of  Buffalo,  who  was 

'  The  minutes  of  the  Council,  May  8th,  read :  "  Postulante  Revmo  D.  Episcopo  Neo- 
Eboracensi,  censuerunt  Patres  supplicandura  S.  Sedi  ut  Coadjutor  detur  Revmo  D.  GuH- 
elmo  Tyler,  Episcopo  Harlfordiensi,  ob  ejusdem  valetudinem  minus  firmam." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  131 

present  at  the  Council  as  the  theologian  of  Bishop  Tinion,  was  sent  to  Rome 
for  the  office.  The  Fathers  also  recommended  the  erection  of  New  York  into 
an  archbishopric,  or  province,  with  Boston,  Hartford,  Albany  and  Buffalo  as 
suffragan  sees. 

On  the  adjournment  of  the  Council,  May  13th,  Bishop  Tyler  set  out  for 
his  beloved  diocese.  On  the  steamer  from  New  York  to  Stonington,  he  con- 
tracted acute  articular  rheumatism  owing  to  a  cold  and  damp  state-room 
which  he  occupied.  "  The  gravity  of  this  terrible  malady  was  depicted  on 
the  countenance  of  the  Bishop,"  says  his  physician.  "  Notwithstanding  his 
sufferings,  not  a  word  of  complaint  escaped  his  lips ;  his  patience  and  resigna- 
tion were  superior  to  the  sufferings  of  the  flesh."  As  the  condition  of 
the  illustrious  patient  continued  to  grow  worse,  the  Rev.  William  Wiley, 
rector  of  St.  Patrick's  parish.  Providence,  requested  the  immediate  presence 
at  his  bedside  of  the  Bishop  of  Boston,  Dr.  Fitzpatrick.  In  the  meantime 
a  condition  of  delirium  had  ensued  in  which  the  sufferer  failed  to  recognize 
any  of  his  attendants.  When  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  arrived  the  patient  gave  no 
sign  of  recognition.  Kneeling  in  prayer  he  fervently  invoked  the  divine  assist- 
ance for  his  dying  colleague  ;  he  petitioned  that  reason  might  be  restored ; 
that  the  bishop  might  not  only  be  enabled  to  receive  the  last  sacraments  with 
full  consciousness,  but  also  that  he  might  give  instructions  about  the  affairs 
of  his  diocese.  No  sooner  had  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  concluded  his  prayer  than 
the  delirium  vanished,  consciousness  fully  returned,  and  with  a  smile  of 
recognition,,  the  d)'ing  prelate  greeted  his  colleague.  We  quote  again  from 
his  physician  :  "The  sudden  change  that  had  taken  place  in  my  presence, 
from  the  state  of  confusion  of  his  intellectual  faculties  to  a  return  to  a  clear 
mind  capable  of  distinguishing  the  true  from  the  false  ;  this  sudden  transi- 
tion struck  me  with  astouishihent  when  I  saw  the  two  bishops  conversing 
freely  on  the  affairs  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford."  Bishop  Tyler  received  the 
last  sacraments  with  every  manifestation  of  love  and  faith  and  resignation. 
He  made  his  profession  of  faith  and  blessed  his  diocese,  "at  the  end  of 
wdiich,"  wrote  the  Rev.  James  Fitton,  who  was  present,  "  he  closed  his  eyes 
and  never  spoke  audibly  more,  save  at  times  those  pious  aspirations  and 
holy  ejaculations  of  a  departing  saint." 

Bishop  Tyler  died  on  June  18,  1849,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  "The 
first  bishop  of  Hartford  died  poor,"  says  Dr.  Le  Prohon,  "but  he  left  no 
debts,  or  if  there  were  any,  they  were  exceedingly  small." 

Two  days  later  his  remains  were  laid  at  rest  in  the  basement  of  the 
cathedral  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paul  uiider  the  high  altar,  but  are  now  side  by 
side  of  those  of  Bishop  Hendricken  in  the  vault  of  the  new  cathedral. 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  officiated  at  the  obsequies  in  the  presence  of 
a  numerous  concourse  of  priests  and  people.  The  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  William  Wiley,  and  was  a  splendid  tribute  from  a  devoted 
son  and  subordinate  to  an  affectionate  father  and  superior. 

Mgr.  Tyler  was  an  apostolic  bishop,  who  brought  to  his  high  office  the 
virtues  that  have  ever  characterized  the  converters  of  nations.  He  heard 
the  confessions  of  his  people  and  baptized  the  little  ones  of  his  flock.     The 


132  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

sick  were  the  special  objects  of  his  pastoral  solicitude,  and  though  there 
were  priests  al)out  him  to  attend  to  such  calls,  his  sympathetic  nature  brought 
him  to  tlieir  bedside,  no  matter  what  tiie  condition  of  tiie  weather,  to  admin- 
ister the  consolations  of  religion.  He  visited  officially  all  parts  of  his 
diocese,  preaching,  confirming,  strengthening  the  faith  of  the  people  and  con- 
soling his  priests  amidst  the  arduous  labors  of  their  extensive  missions. 
Truly,  was  he  a  good  and  faithful  shepherd  and  his  flock  entertained  for 
him  a  personal  love  that  followed  him  beyond  the  grave.  The  poor  found 
in  him  a  father  and  friend  and  benefactor.  Every  week  he  distributed 
food  and  money  to  his  indigent  charges,  and  in  so  doing,  he  felt  that, 
besides  ameliorating  their  condition,  he  was  rendering  a  service  to  God. 
With  St.  Paul  could  he  say  in  very  truth  :  "  /  ivas  free  as  to  all.  I  viade 
viyself  the  servant  of  all,  that  I  might  gain  the  more  .  .  .  To  the  weak  I  became 
weak,  that  I  might  gain  the  weak.  I  became  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might 
save  all.  And  I  do  all  things  for  the  gospel's  sake  :  that  I  may  be  made  partaker 
thereof^  In  his  preaching  Bishop  Tyler  was  plain,  practical,  jiersuasive, 
convincing.  He  cared  little  for  the  ornaments  of  oratory,  and  lie  embellished 
his  discourses  with  few  flights  of  rhetoric.  His  sermons  that  are  e.xtant 
show  careful  preparation,  as  well  as  a  full  realization  of  the  dignity  of  the 
preacher's  office.  His  was  an  age  when  clear  and  solid  instruction,  more 
than  mere  eloquence,  was  imperatively  required  ;  and  this  need  he  seemed  to 
have  kept  ever  before  him.  On  the  more  important  occasions  he  read  his 
sermons,  no  doubt  from  the  belief  that  this  method  of  teaching  was  more 
impressive  and  convincing. 

Bishop  Tyler,  as  we  have  seen,  was  hampered  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
designs  by  the  poverty  of  his  diocese.  Thougli  without  the  means  of  accom- 
plishing great  works — works  that  would  attract  the  attention  and  evoke  the 
admiration  of  the  world — he,  nevertheless,  wrought  well  and  solidly  with  the 
slender  contributions  wliich  his  faithful  people  placed  at  his  disposal,  and 
with  the  pecuniary  assistance  he  received  from  European  societies.  At  his 
consecration  the  whole  diocese  contained  eight  priests,  seven  churches  and 
four  stations.  At  his  death,  five  years  later,  the  churches  had  increased  to 
twelve  and  the  priests  to  fourteen.  There  were  seven  ecclesiastical  students 
and  a  Catholic  population  of  about  20,000. 

We  shall  close  this  sketch  with  words  of  tribute  from  a  few  of  his  con- 
temporaries. In  an  editorial,  the  'Ronton  Pilot,  June  23,  1S49,  said  :  "  Bishop 
Tj'ler,  by  general  consent,  was  allowed  to  be  one  of  the  most  devout  and 

saintly  of  the  episcopal  order The  saintly  bishop  is  lamented  by 

the  church  and  by  all  the  faithful  who  ever  came  in  contact  with  him  in 
the  course  of  his  ministrations."  The  Catholic  Observer,  June  30,  1849, 
said  :  ''  In  the  episcopacy,  he  was  distinguished  by  the  same  unassuming 
worth,  the  same  deep  wisdom,  the  same  untiring  zeal  which  marked  his 
career  in  the  priesthood.  Under  his  prudent  care,  and  by  his  assiduous  labor, 
religion  grew  up  with  silent,  but  rapid  growth  in  every  part  of  his  extensive 
diocese,  and  his  piety,  his  union  with  God,  drew  from  Heaven  those  graces 
which  "ave  increase  to  that  which  he  had  planted  and  matured  with  apostolic 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  133 

toils."  "  The  life  of  the  late  Bishop  Tyler,"  wrote  a  contributor  to  theP//o/, 
March  i,  185 1,  "is  one  of  the  brightest  examples  which  our  holy  religion  can 
lay  before  us,  and  he  will  long  remain  in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  those  over 
whom  he  has  unceasingly  watched  and  prayed." 

Bishop  Fitzpatrick  paid  this  tribute  to  his  friend  and  colleague.^  "  His 
talents  were  not  brilliant  nor  was  his  learning  extensive,  thougli  quite 
sufficient.  But  he  possessed  great  moderation  of  character,  sound  judgment, 
uncommon  prudence  and  much  firmness.  His  life  as  a  priest  was  truly  a 
model  for  ecclesiastics.  Not  one  hour  was  given  to  idleness  nor  vain  amuse- 
ments or  visits.  He  was  methodical  in  the  distribution  of  his  time,  and  every 
portion  of  it  was  well  spent.  Zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of 
souls,  true  humility,  total  indifference  to  popular  favor  or  applause,  and  a 
perfect  spirit  of  poverty,  were  his  peculiar  virtues,  and  his  whole  life  was 
spent  in  the  practice  of  them.  His  aversion  to  honors  and  distinctions  of  any 
kind  was  so  great  that  he  could  hardly  be  induced  to  accept  the  episcopacy 

to  which  he  was  appointed  in  1843 His  career  as  bishop,  like  his 

priesthood,  was  humble  and  unassuming,  but  laborious  and  fruitful.  His 
natural  constitution  was  not  strong,  and  for  five  3'ears  before  his  death  his 
medical  adviser  endeavored  to  dissuade  him  from  taking  part  in  the  active 
labors  of  the  ministry.  But  he  persevered  to  the  end,  taking  always  upon 
himself  the  larger  portion  of  the  work  in  the  confessional  and  the  pulpit, 
sparing  the  young  men  who  were  his  assistants.  He  even  continued  to  attend 
the  sick  to  within  the  last  year  of  his  life.  When  the  period  of  the  last  Coun- 
cil of  Baltimore  approached,  he  felt  that  he  had  not  long  to  live,  consumption 
having  already  made  deep  inroads  into  his  lungs.  He  nevertheless  attended 
the  Council  and  applied  for  a  coadjutor.  On  the  return  from  the  Council  he 
contracted  inflammatory  rheumatism.  He  tried  to  say  Mass  on  Pentecost 
Sunday,  the  day  after  his  arrival,  but  was  obliged  by  pain  and  debility  to  stop 
at  the  foot  of  the  altar.  He  remained,  however,  to  hear  Mass,  as  he  could 
not  celebrate,  and  afterwards  took  to  his  bed  from  which  he  never  rose." 

"  The  divine  Master  was  satisfied  with  the  labors  already  performed. 
Twenty  years,  of  which  every  day  and  every  hour  had  been  devoted  to  the 
great  and  only  work  of  the  bishop  and  the  priest,  the  sanctification  of  souls, 
gave  sufficient  evidence  of  the  purity  of  his  faith,  the  fervor  of  his  love.  For 
him  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day  were  over.  The  good  Ma.ster  for  whom 
he  had  labored  called  him  to  his  rest  ;  and,  already,  we  trust  he  has  heard 
from  the  lips  of  Jesus  the  words  that  beatify  eternally  the  wearied  soul: 
Well  done  thou  good  and  faithful  servant ;  enter  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

'  From  his  Diary. 


134  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

RirjIT  RRV.  BERNARD  O'REIIJ.V,   D.D., 

Second  Bjshop  (jk  Hartford. 

ROUND  the  name  of  the  second  Bishop  of  Hartford  lingers  the  sad 
memory  of  a  mysterious  tragedy  of  tlie  sea.  With  soul  intent  upon 
the  spiritual  blessings  tliat  were  to  accrue  to  his  diocese  from  his 
sojourn  abroad ;  with  heart  eager  to  embrace  again  the  precious 
children  of  his  flock  ;  buoyant  with  hope  for  the  briglit  future  he  had  conjured 
up  for  his  diocese, — Bishop  O'Reilly  in  an  ill-slarred  moment  sailed  out  into 
tlie  unknown  to  his  death.  Without  a  moment's  warning,  perhaps,  and 
deprived  of  the  sacred  rites  which  impart  strength  and  hope  and  consolation 
to  the  soul  during  its  final  moments  on  earth,  the  one  hundred  and  eighty-six 
voyagers  of  the  doomed  Pacific  sank  beneath  the  devouring  waves  of  the 
Atlantic.  No  survivor  ever  returned  to  tell  how  the  ship  met  its  cruel  fate. 
Au  iceberg,  it  may  be,  raised  its  massive  form  suddenly  from  the  deep  to 
sullenly  dispute  the  passage  of  the  throbbing  steamer  as  it  sped  onward  with 
its  precious  burden.  Sudden  the  summons  may  have  been,  but  we  can 
imagine  with  what  calmness  and  resignation  and  constancy  the  prelate  went 
down  to  death.  He  who  had  braved  the  terrors  of  death  a  hundred  times 
during  the  great  cholera  scourge  that  decimated  the  city  of  New  York, 
was  not  now  to  quail  before  this  nnsterious  visitation.  The  same  unal- 
terable confidence  in  God  and  His  Blessed  Mother  that  upheld  the  priest 
in  those  days  of  trial  was  not  to  desert  tlie  bishop  in  this  hour  of  hope- 
less peril. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  Townlaud  of  Cunnareen, 
Parish  of  Columbkille,  County  of  Longford,  Ireland,  in  1803.  He  inherited 
the  piety  and  patriotism  that  in  after  years  were  prominent  traits  of  his 
character.  The  naturally  good  qualities  which  adorned  his  early  years  were 
carefully  nurtured  and  developed  amid  the  truly  Catholic  influences  which 
environed  him.  Having  completed  his  classical  studies  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years,  he  felt  within  him  the  divine  call  to  devote  his  life  to  God's  hol\- 
service  in  the  sacred  ministry.  Disclosing  to  his  devoted  parents  the  cherished 
desire  of  his  heart,  he  declared  his  willingness  to  remain  at  home  and  labor 
for  souls  amid  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and  youth;  but  his  thoughts  ever 
reverted  to  the  youiig  nation  of  the  West  where  freedom  of  worsliip  reigned, 
a  glorious  provision  of  our  Constitution.  Securing  the  consent  of  his  parents 
and  receiving  their  fervent  "God  bless  you  !  "  he  sailed  for  America  on  Jan- 
uary 17,  1825.  Intent  upon  the  accomplishment  of  his  mission  he  entered 
almost  immediately  the  seminary  at  Montreal.  He  completed  his  theological 
studies  at  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  Baltimore,  that  nursery  of  bishops,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  priesthood  at  New  York  City  on  October  13,  1831,  by  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Kenrick,  of  Philadelphia. 

The  young  priest  began  his  labors  in  New  York  City,  visiting  Brooklyn 
once  a  month.  In  1832  the  Asiatic  plague  broke  over  New  York  and  carried 
hundreds  to  sudden  death.      "  It  was  an  awful  time,"  wrote  his  brother.  Very 


/^^^i^U  a3^^f^^y9^^i4^^ 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  135 

Rev.  William  O'Reilly.  "The  eyes  that  sparkled  with  all  the  vivacity  of 
youth  in  the  morning,  were  often  sealed  in  the  darkness  of  the  grave  in  tlie 
evening,  or  dimmed  by  tears  for  the  loss  of  some  dear  one."  But  appalling 
as  were  the  scenes  Father  O'Reilly  witnessed,  awful  as  was  the  carnage  of 
death,  fearful  as  was  the  desolation  spread  everywhere,  he  remained  at  his 
post,  bringing  temporal  and  spiritual  blessings  to  his  cholera-stricken  fellows. 
So  devoted  was  he  during  the  epidemic,  that  his  name  has  come  down 
through  the  years  in  affectionate  remembrance.  For  many  years  the  sur- 
vivors told  "  how,  like  a  true  soldier  of  the  cross,  he  rushed  into  the  face  of 
danger  at  all  times,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  by  day  and  by  night,  wholly 
reckless  of  self,  provided  he  could  assist  the  dying,  console  the  afflicted,  take 
in  the  orphan,  or  dry  up  the  widow's  tears. "  Twice  a  victim  to  the  scourge 
he,  nevertheless,  was  spared,  perhaps,  as  a  reward  for  his  Christian  charity. 
'■'■Greater  love  than  this  no  man  hat  It,  that  a  man  lay  dozvn  his  life  for  his 
friends.''''  He  had  freely,  generously,  offered  himself  upon  the  altar  of 
charity;  but  God  had  other  designs  upon  him,  other  fields  were  to  witness 
his  labors  among  the  poor,  the  sick  and  the  suffering,  and  the  sacrifice  was 
not  demanded. 

Unwilling  to  seek  rest  after  the  cholera  had  subsided  in  order  to  recu- 
perate his  impaired  health,  he  was  transferred  in  December,  1842,  to  St. 
Patrick's  parish,  Rochester,  on  which  mission  he  labored  for  fifteen  years. 
His  jurisdiction  extended  from  Auburn  west  to  Niagara  Falls.  Of  this  iden- 
tical region  in  the  early  days  of  the  century,  Thomas  D'Arcy  McGee  thus 
speaks : '  "  The  merchants  of  New  York  desired  to  unite  Lake  Erie  to  the 
Hudson  for  their  own  profit.  An  army  of  Catholic  laborers  is  marslialled 
along  the  line.  They  penetrate  from  end  to  end  of  this  great  State.  Their 
shanties  spring  up  like  mushrooms  in  the  night,  and  often  vanish  like  mists 
in  the  morning.  To  all  human  appearances  they  are  only  digging  a  canal. ^ 
Stump  orators  praise  them  as  usual  spades  and  shovels,  who  help  on  the  great 
work  of  making  money.  But  looking  back  to-day,  with  the  results  of  a  third 
of  a  century  before  us,  it  is  plain  enough  those  poor,  rude  men  were  working 
on  the  foundations  of  three  episcopal  sees,  were  choosing  sites  for  five  hun- 
dred churches,  were  opening  the  interior  of  the  State  to  the  empire  of  religion, 
as  well  as  of  commerce." 

Father  O'Reilly  was  confronted  in  this  field  with  many  diflficulties,  but 
his  zeal  overcame  every  obstacle,  while  his  gentleness  of  character  and  con- 
ciliatory spirit  overthrew  the  barriers  which  unreasonable  prejudice  had 
erected.  A  large  portion  of  his  territory  was  an  unbroken  wilderness,  and 
the  few  who  there  resided  were  scattered  and  separated  by  great  distances; 
but  they  were  sought  out,  restored  to  the  fold  and  their  faith  rekindled  with 
a  patience  and  energy  worthy  of  an  apostle.  "To  the  untiring  energy  of 
Father  Bernard   O'Reilly,  next   to   God,  we  must  attribute  the  wonderful 

'  "  Catholic  History  of  America." 

^Tlie  Erie  Canal  was  begun  in  1817  and  completed  in  1825.  It  connects  the  Hudson 
river  at  Albany  and  Troy  -with  Lake  Erie  at  Buffalo.  It  is  363  miles  in  length,  and  cost 
$7,602, 000. 


j;j(j  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

change  wrought  in  favor  of  Catholicism  and  tlie  triumphant  victory  which 
our  holy  faith  acliieved  in  Rochester  and  the  surrounding  country.  The 
grateful  citizens  of  that  place,  seeing  his  stainless,  steady  career,  admired 
the  man,  and  honored  the  priesthood  in  his  name."  ' 

Some  of  the  difficulties  experienced  by  Father  O'Reilly  are  disclosed  by 
a  letter  written  by  the  Bishop  of  New  York  concerning  the  cliurch  at  Saug- 
erties,  Ulster  County.*  "The  Rev.  Mr.  O'Reilly  has  been  authorized  by  the 
Bishop  of  this  diocese  to  offer  himself  a  second  time  to  the  benevolent  con- 
sideration of  the  public  in  the  State  of  New  York  in  behalf  of  the  above 
named  church.  After  exhausting,  in  a  measure,  the  liberality  of  his  Protes- 
tant neighbors  and  the  proverbial  generosity  of  the  poor  and  widely  scattered 
congregation  of  Irishmen  for  whose  use  its  erection  was  undertaken,  this 
cluiich,  though  roofed,  is  as  yet  destitute  of  doors,  windows,  and  even  a 
floor.  The  Rev.  Pastor  is,  therefore,  again  compelled  to  solicit  from  his 
coinitrymen." 

When  the  diocese  of  Buffalo  was  erected,  April  23,  1847,  Rochester  fell 
within  its  jurisdiction,  and  Father  O'Reilly  became  a  subject  of  its  newly- 
consecrated  prelate,  Right  Rev.  John  Timon,  D  D.,  CM.  The  new  bishop, 
recognizing  tlie  .superior  work  of  Father  O'Reilly,  elevated  him  to  the  office  of 
Vicar-General  on  October  19,  1847,  and  appointed  him  also  Superior  of  his  sem- 
inary. His  brother,  the  Rev.  William  O'Reilly,  became  his  successor  in  St. 
Patrick's  parish,  Rocliester.  In  these  sj^heres  Father  O'Reilly  won  new 
laurels  as  a  reliable  counsellor  and  energetic  priest,  to  whom  hard  work  was 
a  tonic,  and  as  a  wise  guide  for  the  young  clerics  committed  to  his  care. 
And  as  though  his  duties  as  superior  of  the  seminary,  with  his  manifold 
parochial  labors,  were  not  enough  to  absorb  his  time  and  attention,  he  was 
assiduous  in  his  attendance  at  the  hospital  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  of  St. 
Josepli.  F^ather  O'Reilly  had  supervising  care  of  this  institution,  and  sy.s- 
tematically  and  sympathetically  did  he  discharge  the  duties  of  this  exacting 
position.  A  physician,  who  resided  in  Buffalo  in  1849-'  5o-'s  i  and  occasionally 
attended  the  hospital,  in  a  recent  letter  to  the  writer,  says  of  Father  O'Reilly  : 
"  His  words  were  few,  but  his  presence  seemed  to  be  pleasing,  and  to  act  as 
an  inspiration  to  the  sick.  .  .  .  He  was  thoroughly  posted  in  medical  lore, 
and  if  everything  was  not  right  the  physician  would  be  called  to  account.  .  .  . 
He  was  a  gentlemaii  of  a  very  dignified,  but  approachable  presence,  and  par- 
ticularly pleasing  in  his  speech.  His  reputation  in  Buffalo  was,  as  expressed 
by  all,  'an  admirable  man,  of  few  words.'  The  Know-Nothing  element  was 
then  very  strong  in  Buffalo,  and  the  )oung  p]i)sician  was  ostracized  by  it  on 
account  of  a  favor  he  had  received  from  Father  O'Reilly.  These  exponents 
of  the  gospel  of  hate  and  disturbers  of  public  peace,  directed  their  cowardly 
assaults  against  the  hospital  and  the  saintly  women  who,  as  ministering 
angels,  brought  health  to  the  sick  and  consolation  to  the  dying.  But  the 
chief  offender,  Rev.  John  C.  Lord,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman,  found  in  F'ather 

'  Very  Rev.  William  O'Reilly  in  "  Catholic  Almanac  "  for  1857. 
"'A',  y.  Catholic  Diary,"  Oct.  10,  1835. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  ]?,7 

O'Reilly  a  redoubtable  antagonist,  a  valiant  champion  of  charity.  He  was 
driven  from  tlie  arena  of  discussion  and  his  conqueror  was  hailed  with  glad 
acclaim  by  the  justice-loving  element  of  the  city.  "No  clergyman  was  ever 
more  beloved  by  people  than  he  was  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  diocese  of 
Buffalo.  The  Bishop  of  Buffalo  has  oftentimes  done  justice,  through  the 
press,  to  the  talents  and  merits  of  the  deceased.' ' 

Father  O'Reilly's  star  was  in  the  ascendant.  Honors  greater  still  were  to 
be  his;  still  greater  burdens  were  to  be  placed  upon  his  shoulders.  He  was 
soon  to  hear  from  the  highest  authority  on  earth  :  "  Amice,  ascende  superius" 
Friend,  go  up  higher.  The  reward  of  well  nigh  twenty  }'ears  of  dangerous, 
unceasing  toil  in  the  Master's  vineyard  was  at  hand. 

At  the  request  of  Bishop  Tyler,  the  Seventh  Provincial  Council  of  Balti- 
more, which  convened  May  5,  1849,  nominated  Father  O'Reilly  as  his  coad- 
jutor. Pius  IX.  was  then  in  exile  at  Gaeta.  On  the  return  to  Rome  of  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff  the  nominations  of  the  council  were  acted  upon.  Father 
O'Reilly  was  appointed  coadjutor,  with  the  right  of  succession  to  Bisho^J 
Tyler,  by  brief  of  July  23,  1850.  By  another  brief  of  the  same  date  he  was 
created  bishop  of  Pompeiopolis  in  partibus  infideliunt.  Finally,  by  a  brief  of 
August  9,  1850,  he  was  appointed  Bishop  of  Hartford.  ^  On  October  14th  he 
received,  through  Right  Rev.  John  B.  Fitzpatrick,  bishop  of  Boston,  the 
Bulls  of  his  apppointment.  The  Bishop's  Journal  discloses  the  anxiety  that 
weighed  upon  him  at  this  period  : 

"  Oct.  15.  Spent  this  day  in  great  anxiety  as  to  accepting  the  appoint- 
ment or  refusing." 

"  16.  After  offering  the  Hoh-  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  to  obtain  light  and  aid 
in  the  matter  from  God,  I  concluded  to  accept,  and  felt  relieved  of  much 
anxiety." 

"18.  I  will,  God  helping,  labor  faithfully  in  this  awful  office.  I  have 
nothing  at  heart  but  God's  glory  in  it." 

Bishop  O'Reilly  was  consecrated  in  St.  Patrick's  church,  Rochester,  on 
Sunday,  November  10,  1850,  by  Bishop  Timon  of  Buffalo,  assisted  by  Bishojj 
Fitzpatrick,  of  Boston,  and  Bishop  McCloskey,  of  Albany.  Right  Rev.  Peter 
L,efevre,  D.D.,  bishop  of  Zela,  Administrator  of  the  diocese  of  Detroit,  was 
present.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  John  McElroy,  S.J.  The 
new  bishop  celebrated  pontifical  vespers,  during  which  Bishop  McCloskey 
preached  the  sermon.  He  was  installed  bishop  of  Hartford  in  the  cathedral 
at  Providence  on  Sunday,  November  17th,  by  Bishop  Fitzpatrick,  who 
preached  the  installation  sermon.  On  this  occasion  Bishop  O'Reilly  sang 
his  first  pontifical  Mass.  The  preacher  at  the  vesper  service  was  Bishop 
Timon  of  Buffalo. 

Bishop  O'Reilly  brought  to  the  episcopate  a  varied  experience — a  niis- 

'  It  is  noteworth}'  that  seven  priests  who  labored  in  the  diocese  of  New  York  in 
1843  became  bishops,  namely,  Andrew  B3'rne,  Bishop  of  Little  Rock  ;  David  Bacon, 
Bishop  of  Portland  ;  John  J.  Conroy,  Bishop  of  Albany  ;  John  Loughlin,  Bishop  of  Brook- 
lyn ;  John  McCloskey,  Bishop  of  Albany,  and  later  Cardinal-Archbishop  of  New  York  ; 
William  Quarter,  Bishop  of  Chicago  ;  Bernard  O'Reillj-,  Bishop  of  Hartford. 


138  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

sionary  priest  alone  in  an  extensive  territory — nothing  singular,  the  reader 
may  say;  vicar-general  and  rector  of  a  cathedral  in  a  new  diocese;  superior 
of  a  new  seminary  and  supervisor  of  an  hospital  ever  increasing  in  size  and 
influence;  were  not  these  positions,  with  their  exacting  and  manifold  duties, 
an  admirable  training-school  for  the  dignity  as  well  as  for  the  burdens  of  the 
mitre?  He  had  studied  human  nature  in  all  its  phases.  In  the  various  posi- 
tions of  trust  to  which  he  had  been  called,  he  had  known  how  to  obey  ;  and 
those  only  who  know  how  to  obey  know  how  to  command.  Trials  were 
before  him  in  his  new  office  ;  he  met  them  witli  unflinching  courage. 

"If  we  have  to  lament,"  said  a  contemporary,  "over  the  death  of  one 
who  is  reaping  the  reward  due  to  his  exalted  virtues  (Bishop  Tyler),  we  have 
also  to  rejoice  at  the  appointment  of  his  successor,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bernard 
O'Reilly,  who  has  already  won  our  admiration  for  his  zeal,  piety  and  watchful- 
ness. We  liail  his  presence  amongst  us  as  the  true  messenger  from  God;  we 
congratulate  him  as  the  harbinger  of  many  blessings  already  commenced." ' 

Among  the  great  works  that  engrossed  the  attention  of  Bishop  O'Reilly 
immediately  upon  his  acce.ssion  to  the  episcopal  throne  was  tlie  adoption  of 
means  to  increase  the  number  of  priests  in  his  diocese.  "  A  short  time  since," 
he  wrote  in  1852,  "our  affliction  was  very  great,  when  from  almost  everv 
.section  of  the  diocese  the  faithful  asked  for  priests,  and  we  had  none  to  give 
them."  To  provide  for  future  needs  he  established  a  theological  seminary 
in  September,  1S51.  The  epi.scopal  residence  was  the  seminary,  and  it 
ojjened  with  eight  students  of  theology  and  two  of  philosophy.  The  bisliop 
himselftaught  his  students  the  first  week.  The  Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  D.D.,  was 
the  first  Superior  of  St.  Mary's  Theological  Seminary.  Tlie  institution  pro- 
gressed apace,  as  we  gather  from  a  Pastoral  Letter  addressed  to  the  clergy 
and  laity  on  the, feast  of  the  Annunciation,  1852:  "Tliis  good  work  is  now  in 
a  most  prosperous  condition,  and  promises  the  most  happy  results  to  religion 
in  the  diocese."  An  accession  of  eighteen  priests  during  the  previous  year, 
carried  consolation  into  many  a  desolate  section  of  the  diocese.  "  But  a  little 
time,"  said  the  Pastoral,  "with  the  divine  aid,  and  the  instrumentality  of 
the  .seminary,  and  every  section  of  tliis  diocese  will  be  supplied  with  its  pas- 
tor to  offer  the  most  Holy  Sacrifice,  and  administer  the  Sacraments,  preach 
the  truths  of  God,  and  extend  His  empire  on  earth." 

"  The  bishop  is  burdened  with  the  solicitude  of  Jiis  diocese;  he  must  pro- 
vide j)astors  for  the  faithful,  and  ever  be  prepared  to  nieet  every  contingencj' 
tliat  may  possibly  diminish  the  number  of  his  priests.  He  conceives  it  to  be 
his  duty,  not  only  to  provide  the  larger  congregations  with  pastors,  but  to 
have  seasonably  afforded  the  consolations  of  religion  to  the  smaller  sections, 
and  even,  where  it  is  possible,  to  i.solated  families.  All  his  an.xieties  are 
about  his  priests  and  people  ;  for  God  and  for  them  he  lives  and  labors,  and 
is  i^repared  to  exhaust  himself  in  promoting  their  spiritual  interests  and  hap- 
piness." 

With   these  thoughts  uppermost  in  his   mind,  Bishop  O'Reilly  visited 

'  Pilot,  March  i,  1851. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  \m 

Europe  in  1S52,  sailing  on  October  i6th  on  the  steamer  Atlantic.  To 
secure  priests  he  visited  that  nursery  of  Irish  missionaries,  All  Hallows  Col- 
lege, Dublin,  on  November  7th,  where  he  received  several  priests  and  in 
which  he  had  students  preparing  for  the  sacred  ministry.  Among  the 
students  whom  Bishop  O'Reilly  met  during  his  visit  to  All  Hallows  was  a 
young  man,  Thomas  Hendricken  by  name,  who  was  his  guide  about  the  col- 
lege. The  young  student  declared  his  intention  of  joining  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  and  after  his  ordination  of  entering  the  Japan  missions.  The  bishop, 
however,  prevailed  upon  the  future  bishop  to  enter  the  American  field. 
Thomas  Hendricken  with  others  destined  for  his  diocese  was  ordained  by 
Bishop  O'Reilly  at  All  Hallows  on  April  26,  1853,  after  his  return  from  a 
tour  of  the  continent. 

The  energy  of  Bishop  O'Reilly  was  restless.  It  was  bent  not  only  upon 
multiplying  the  priesthood  of  his  diocese;  he  sought  auxiliaries  who  would 
provide  the  children  of  his  flock  with  a  religious  education ;  who  would  ten- 
derly care  for  the  precious  orphans;  who  would  visit  and  nurse  the  sick  and 
console  the  poor.  To  this  end  he  introduced  into  the  diocese  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy  in  May,  185  i_.  The  mother-house  was  at  Providence,  and  the  first  Su- 
perioress was  Mother  Xavier.  At  this  period,  bigotrj*  was  rampant  through- 
out New  England  ;  in  Rhode  Island  it  was  particularly  virulent — bigotry 
in  its  reckless,  anti-Christian  and  hateful  form.  Governor  Anthony  was 
the  leader  of  this  un-American  crowd.  Lies  the  most  cruel,  slanders  the 
most  foul,  were  directed  against  the  church,  the  priests — but,  characteristic 
of  Know-Nothiug  warfare,  especially  against  the  devoted  sisters.  Calumny 
was  the  chief  weapon  employed  by  these  moral  assassins,  and  to  such  an  ex- 
tent did  the  leaders  inflame  the  passions  of  their  ignorant  dupes  that  a  fren- 
zied mob  in  1855 — the  year  of  the  Know-Nothing  triumj^hs — surrounded  the 
Convent  of  Mercy  and  threatened  destruction  to  the  building  and  death  to 
the  sisters.  All  eyes  turned  to  the  bishop  to  protect  his  charges.  He  rose 
equal  to  the  occasion.  Undismayed  by  the  ferocity  of  .the  mob  the  intrepid 
prelate  stood  before  the  convent  and  fearlessl)'  addressed  the  angry  crowd: 
"The  sisters  are  in  their  home;  they  shall  not  leave  it  for  an  hour.  I 
shall  protect  them  while  I  have  life,  and  if  needs  be,  register  their  safety 
with  my  blood."  The  mob  was  cowed  by  the  presence  and  words  of  the 
bishop,  who,  single-handed,  stood  before  a  brutal  mob  bent  upon  murder 
and  plunder. 

Bishop  O'Reilly  attended  the  First  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore,  which 
convened  on  May  8,  1852.  He  had  as  theological  adviser  the  Rev.  John 
McElroy,  S.  J.  After  the  adjournment  of  the  Council  he  visited  Washing- 
ton and  had  an  interview  with  President  Fillmore. 

Bishop  O'Reilly's  attitude  on  the  religious  education  of  children  was 
consonant  with  the  teachings  of  the  church  in  all  ages.  He  believed  in  the 
necessity  of  a  thoroughly  Catholic  education,  if  the  children  were  to  be  saved 
to  the  church  and  to  society.  He  held,  as  his  colleagues  in  the  American 
episcopate  have  ever  held,  that  the  better  Catholic  a  man  is  the  better  citizen 
he  will  be.     In  a  pastoral  letter  addressed  to  his  diocese  on  January  4,  185 1, 


140  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

he  thus  admonishes  the  laity:  "Watch,  witii  sleepless  vigilance,  over  the 
education  of  your  children,  those  precious  deposits  which  God  has  confided  to 
you,  and  which  He  will  require  at  your  hands.  The  enemy,  aware  that  the 
matured  in  faith  and  practical  in  religion  are,  generally,  beyond  the  reach  of 
his  seduction,  endeavors,  amidst  us,  to  sap  the  germ  of  faith  in  tlie  rising 
generation,  through  the  instrumentality  of  an  uncatholic  education.  As 
effect  succeeds  to  cause,  so  will  it  be,  in  too  many  instances,  with  those 
precious  deposits  trained  in  nncatliolic  schools;  they  will  lose  the  faith,  the 
faith  of  God,  for  which  their  fathers  perilled  everything.  Ordinary  care, 
under  influences  more  favorable,  might,  and  doubtless  would,  save  them 
to  religion ;  but  where  all  influences  bear  adversely  on  their  faith,  it 
is  clear  tliat  great  care  and  constant  attention  to  their  proper  educational 
and  religious  training  will  alone  save  them  to  the  faith.  '  A  young  man, 
according  to  liis  way,  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it.'  Thus 
the  Divine  Spirit  calls  your  attention  to  the  early  and  proper  training  of 
your  children.  Be  guided  in  a  matter  of  such  infinite  importance  by  His 
counsel,  that  you  may  not  have  to  answer  before  God  for  the  loss  of  your 
children.  I  wish  you  to  remember,  tliat,  as  vitiated  food  would  endanger  their 
physical  life,  so  uncatholic  education  perils  what  is  more  important,  their 
moral  and  eternal  life.  Watch  then  over  them,  with  the  solicitude  of  Christian 
parents,  fully  impressed  with  the  greatness  of  your  responsibility  in  their 
regard,  that  they  may  grow  up  edifying  members  of  the  church  of  God,  and 
transmit  to  others,  as  your  fathers  did,  the  blessed  inheritance  of  faith.  Your 
faith,  so  firm  and  abiding,  your  zeal  in  the  cause  of  God,  induce  to  the  belief 
that  you  will  be  generous  and  active  in  accomplishing  this  great  purpose. 
You  will  not  qualify,  as  a  sacrifice  too  onerous,  when  considered  in  connection 
with  your  other  obligations,  the  procuring  your  offspring  an  education  pro- 
motive of  their  best  interests,  but  rather  consider  it  a  pleasing  and  indispen- 
sable duty.  You  are  willing  to  subject  yourselves  to  much  privation,  and 
refuse  no  toil  that  may  provide  them  with  food  and  raiment;  and  you  will  not 
be  less  zealous,  I  trust,  in  providing  them,  under  tlie  guidance  of  your  pastors, 
an  education  free  from  error  in  faith  and  morals,  and  promotive  of  their  future 
well-being.  Were  they,  by  the  mysterious  providence  of  God,  deprived  of 
your  parental  protection,  and  thrown,  parentless,  on  this  world,  they  would 
still  be  amply  provided,  by  legal  provision,  with  all  things  essential  to  phvsi- 
cal  subsistence  and  comfort,  whilst  no  effort  would  be  spared  to  deprive  them 
of  the  faith  inherited  from  you,  evidence  at  once  of  the  surpassing  importance 
of  their  Christian  education,  and  your  obligation  to  provide  for  tliem.  Edu- 
cate them  fully  in  a  knowledge  of  their  divine  religion,  train  them  early  in 
the  practice  of  all  it  enjoins,  that  they  may  comprehend  its  majesty  and 
strength,  and  taste  the  consolation  and  sweetness  consequent  on  this  practical 
profession." 

The  love  of  Bishop  O'Reilly's  heart  went  out  in  its  fullness  to  the 
orphans,  those  helpless  yet  precious  charges  of  holy  church.  Deprived  of 
their  natural  protectors  they  become  the  wards  of  religion  ;  and  as  tlie  chief 
pastor  of  the  diocese  he  accepted   the  responsibility.     Furthermore,  as  the 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  141 

contributions  for  the  orplians  conclusively  proved,  his  faithful  diocesans 
absorbed  liis  ideas  and  generously  seconded  his  efforts.  We  quote  from  the 
pastoral  letter  above  mentioned  : 

'  Venerable  brethren  and  dearly  beloved  children,  I  most  earnestly'  invoke  your 
protection  for  the  orphans  that  may  be  found  in  your  midst.  There  is  no  work  more 
worthy  of  a  people  devoted  to  the  service  of  God  than  the  care-taking  of  the  poor  and 
the  orphan.  If  any  of  those  parentless  little  ones  should  be  lost  through  our  parsimony 
or  neglect,  we  cannot  consider  ourselves  guiltless  before  God  ;  he  will  hold  us  to  a  rigid 
accountability  for  the  loss  of  the  soul  that  nught  have  been  saved  to  Him  by  our  charit- 
able interposition.  Our  divine  Saviour  has  imposed  this  as  a  duty  on  his  people.  He 
will  exact  its  fulfillment  and  severely  punish  its  omission.  It  is  not  a  less  great  work 
to  save  to  God  those  who  are  of  us  than  to  convert  to  Him  those  who  are  not ;  it  is  rather 
a  prior  duty,  enforced  by  well-ordered  charitj'.  Let,  then,  the  united  action  of  pastors 
and  people  save  to  religion  the  helpless  orphan.  God  will  not  fail  to  aid  in  the  perform- 
ance of  the  duty  He  imposes  ;  He  invariably  crowns  with  success  the  labors  of  the  willing 
instruments  of  His  mercy." 

While  Bishop  O'Reilly  was  providing  priests  and  sisters  for  his  diocese, 
erecting  schools  and  asylums  for  his  childreti  and  visiting  his  scattered 
parishes,  he  was  not  oblivious  of  the  attacks  made  by  United  States 
army  officers  on  the  rights  of  conscience.  He  fought  successfully  for  the 
rights  of  Catholic  soldiers  who  had  been  imprisoned  by  officers  for  non- 
attendance  at  Protestant  services.  On  Stinday,  May  28,  185 1,  twenty-one 
Catholic  soldiers  were  imprisoned  at  Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.,  by  Lieutenatit 
Winder  for  refusal  to  attend  Protestant  worship.  One  of  the  "offenders," 
Private  James  Duggan,  of  Co.  A,  4th  Artillery,  was  placed  on  trial.  The 
charge  was:  disobedience  of  orders  ;  his  plea  was  :  not  guilty.  The  finding 
and  sentence  of  the  court  were :  "  The  Court  finds  the  prisoner  guilty  as 
charged,  and  does  sentence  him,  James  Duggan,  to  forfeit  to  the  United 
States  $5  of  his  pay  per  month  for  six  months ;  two  months  in  solitary  con- 
finement on  bread  and  water ;  the  other  four  at  hard  labor,  with  ball  and 
chain  at  his  leg."  This  sentence,  in  part,  was  confirmed  by  Major-General 
Wool.  The  case  was  appealed  to  the  War  Department  with  the  result  that 
the  then  Secretary  of  War,  the  Hon.  C.  M.  Conrad,  rebuked  the  bigotry  dis- 
played at  Fort  Columbus,  and  declared  the  soldier's  right  to  full  liberty  of 
conscience.  In  the  following  correspondence  Bishop  O'  Reilly  wrote  over  the 
pseudonym  of  "Roger  Williams,"  a  name  to  conjure  with,  believing,  no  doubt, 
that  the  time  was  not  rii^e  for  a  "  Popish  "  bishop  to  "  interfere  "  officially  in 
a  grave  matter  in  which   officers  of  the  United  States  Army  were  involved  : 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  Boston  Pilot  : 

Sir  :  As  there  are  just  now  complaints  from  many  quarters,  of  Catholic  soldiers 
being  punished  for  non-attendance  at  Protestant  worship,  I  wish  to  say  that  there  is  no 
law  known  to  the  military  department  by  which  soldiers  can  be  punished  for  non-com- 
pliance with  an  order  to  attend  a  worship  at  variance  with  their  conscientious  convictions. 
There  being  no  law  in  this  matter,  a  commanding  officer  has  no  right  to  issue  such 
an  order ;  and  there  being  no  right  on  the  part  of  the  commandant  to  issue  such  an  order, 
there  is  neither  a  moral  or  legal  fault  in  the  non-compliance  with  it  on  the  part  of  the 
soldier.     I  am  satisfied  that  imprisonment  or  punishment  in  any  form  for  non-compli- 


142  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ance  with  such  an  unmilitary  and  illegal  order  would  be  found  a  misdemeanor,  punish- 
■able  by  the  civil  law.  Were  a  court-martial  convened,  and  I  think  the  authorities  at 
Washington  should  order  one  in  this  case,  for  the  trial  of  the  twenty-one  soldiers 
imprisoned  at  Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.,  on  vSunday,  28th  ult.,  by  Lieutenant  Winder,  for 
refusal  to  attend  Protestant  worship,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  court  would  decide  that  the 
soldiers  were  guilty  of  no  fault. 

During  the  war  in  Florida,  the  commandant  issued  a  general  order  for  all  to  attend 
Protestant  service  :  this  order  was  disobej-ed  by  some  Catholic  soldiers,  who  were  inime- 
diatelj-  placed  under  arrest ;  they  were  tried  by  court-martial,  and  the  court  decided  that 
the  soldiers  had  committed  uo  fault.  This  decision  settled  that  matter  during  the  entire 
period  of  that  campaign,  and  saved  the  CaUiolic  soldiers  from  painful  annoyance  on  the 
part  of  some  narrow-minded  and  bigoted  officers. 

Captain  O'Brien,  lately  deceased  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  was  put  under  arre.st  whilst 
Lieutenant  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  by  orders  of  General  Kalbach,  because  he  refused  to 
attend  Protestant  worship,  and  the  court-martial  decided  that  he  was  guilty  of  no  fault. 

It  is  now  time  that  this  vexed  and  annoying  question  should  be  settled  by  an  order 
from  the  department,  recognizing  the  soldier's  right,  as  that  of  other  citizens,  to  w'orship 
God  in  accordance  with  the  dictates  of  conscience. 

This  order  from  the  proper  department  is,  in  this  case,  necessary,  as  the  precedents 
of  courts  martial  acknowledging  the  soldier's  riglit  to  liberty  of  conscience,  are  set  at 
naught  by  the  petty  despots  of  the  service,  who  would  be  more  in  their  place  as  tract 
peddlers  than  officers  of  our  army. 

In  all  these  cases  where  our  rights  are  invaded,  we  have  but  to  apply  for  redress,  in 
proper  form,  to  the  proper  authority,  and  I  am  confident  that  these  rights  will  be  respected 
and  guaranteed.  • 

As  soldiers  cannot  well  move  in  their  own  defence  in  this  matter,  without  exposing 
themselves  to  many  other  annoyances,  I  would  ask  some  citizen  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
Columbus,  N.  Y.,  where  the  facts  in  this  case  are  at  hand,  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
Executive  to  the  tyranny  exercised  over  the  consciences  of  the  Catholic  soldiers  in  the 
service,  and  take  time  to  agitate  the  matter,  until  all  officers  are  directed  to  recognize  the 
fact  that  soldiers  have  a  conscience,  and  that  in  matters  religious,  they  are  free  as  the 
civilian  to  worship  Ood  as  conscience  directs. 

I  would  say  to  the  soldier,  pending  the  continuance  of  this  tyranny  and  oppression 
of  conscience  in  military  service,  be  faithful  to  your  God  and  religion,  resist  by  non- 
compliance all  orders  invading  the  rights  and  liberty  of  conscience,  and,  if  punished  for 
non-observance  of  these  arbitrary,  illegal  and  unmilitary  orders,  spread  the  fact  before 
the  world,  and  appeal  for  justice,  in  matters  religious,  to  your  fellow-citizens 

Roger  WilliAiMS,  Providence,  K.  I. 

June  14,  1851. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  Boston  Pilot: 

Sir  : — The  late  action  of  the  militarj'  authorities  at  Fort  Columbus,  New  York  har- 
bor, invites  to  every  legitimate  effort  to  put  an  end  to  the  cruel,  heartless  oppression  of 
conscience  practised  at  this  fort. 

Our  militarj'  service,  so  honorable  and  efficient  up  to  the  present,  is  on  the  eve  of 
being  seriously  injured  and  dishonored,  if  such  monstrous  wrong  as  that  I  now  protest 
against  be  sanctioned,  or  permitted  to  escape  with  impunity. 

That  I  may  not  be  suspected  of  exaggeration,  or  "  setting  aught  down  in  malice,'" 
I  will  give  the  finding  of  the  court  in  the  case  now  complained  of  with  the  confirmation, 
in  part,  of  the  sentence  of  the  court,  by  Major-General  Wool  :  "  Before  the  general  court 
martial,  which  assembled  at  Fort  Columbus,  New  York  harbor,  on  22d  ult.,  agreeable  to 
3d  department  order.  No.  8,  current  series,  and  at  which  Brevet  Colonel  J.  L.  Gardiner, 
Major  4th  Artillery,  is  president,  was  tried  Private  James  Duggan,  of  Company  A,  4th 
Artillery.  Charge:  disobedience  of  orders.  Plea:  not  guilty."  Finding  of  the  court 
and  sentence  :  "  The  court  finds  the  prisoner  guilty  as  charged,  and  does  sentence  him, 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  143 

Private  James  Diiggan,  to  forfeit  to  the  United  States  $5  of  his  pay  per  month  for  six 
months  ;  two  months  in  solitary  confinement  on  bread  and  water;  the  other  four  at  hard 
labor,  with  ball  and  chain  at  his  leg." 

This,  you  will  admit,  is  a  dishonoring  and  severe  sentence,  as  also  that  the  alleged 
"  disobedience  "  must  have  been  prominent  and  injurious  to  the  service,  to  warrant  it. 

The  disobedience  charged  against  Duggan,  deserving,  in  the  opinion  of  Colonel 
Gardiner  and  the  court  over  which  he  presided,  the  severe  sentence  pronounced  against 
him,  is  simply  his  refusal  to  attend  Protestant  service.  This,  sir,  is  the  front  of  his 
offending.  This  is  the  offence,  if  any  man  dare  before  the  country  to  call  it  an  offence, 
which  we  find  transformed  into  "  positive,  wilful  disobedience  of  orders."  Colonel  Gar- 
diner has  no  right — the  articles  of  war  give  him  no  right — to  compel  attendance  at 
Protestant  or  any  other  worship  ;  refusal  to  comply  with  it  cannot  be  tortured  into  "posi- 
tive, wilful  disobedience  of  orders." 

Where  the  articles  of  war  speak  of  religious  service,  thej'  simply  "  recommend  "  or 
counsel  both  ofiicers  and  men  to  attend  religious  worship  ;  "it  is  recommended  "  are  the 
words  used  in  that  militar\-  code,  when  treating  on  the  subject  of  religion,  "that  both 
officers  and  men  attend  religious  worship." 

The  veriest  bigots  onh'  could  torture  a  right  to  recommend,  or  counsel,  to  the  right 
to  coerce  and  punish,  as  in  this  instance. 

The  sentence  of  the  court,  sir,  is  illegal ;  being  without  any  authority  in  military  law, 
and  with  a  view  to  coerce  Catholic  soldiers  into  apostacj',  b}'  leaving  them  no  alternative 
but  Protestant  worship  or  the  luxury  of  bread  and  water,  with  a  ball  and  chain  at  the  leg 

Colonel  Gardiner  and  his  court  at  Fort  Columbus  have  established  there  a  monstrous 
precedent,  intended  to  justify  every  oppression  of  conscience,  but  a  precedent  which  will 
never  be  copied  by  another  court  martial,  unless,  as  the  veriest  slaves,  we  tamely  submit 
to  the  unmitigated  despotism  of  these  military  bigots. 

The  will  to  be  terriblj'  severe  is  here  clearly  evidenced  ;  the  will  of  the  scowling, 
hateful,  heartless  bigot,  prepared,  did  it  but  dare,  to  write  its  edict  of  intolerance  with 
Catholic  blood,  and  persecute  to  the  death. 

The  court  is  silent  as  to  the  alleged  offence  of  James  Duggan,  qualifying  it  as  dis- 
obedience of  a  grave  kind ;  and  we  and  the  world  would  have  remained  ignorant  of  the 
nature  of  his  offence,  were  it  not  for  the  review  of  the  sentence  by  General  Wool.  If  the 
court  were  not  aware  of  the  illegality  of  its  proceedings,  and  fearful  to  place  its  intoler- 
ance before  the  country,  it  would  have  frankly  and  honestly  stated  that  his  refusal  to 
attend  Protestant  worship  was  the  cause  of  his  being  court-martialed,  and  severely  pun- 
ished ;  and  not,  as  they  have  had  the  hardihood  to  state,  "positive  and  wilful  disobedi- 
ence to  orders." 

Colonel  Gardiner  ma}'  be,  as  he  is  known  to  be,  most  anxious  to  revive  the  waning 
glory  of  Protestantism,  and  his  chaplain  not  unwilling  to  preach  to  men  forced  to  listen 
to  him  under  the  severest  penalties  ;  but  both  will,  I  trust,  soon  learn  that  the  soldiers  of 
our  country  have  consciences,  and  consciences,  too,  which  both  ofiicers  and  chaplains 
must  respect. 

The  severe  sentence  in  the  case  of  Duggan  was  submitted  on  the  12th  inst.,  to  Gen- 
eral Wool,  and,  I  regret  to  saj',  was  in  part  approved  by  him.  The  following  is  his  order 
in  the  matter,  taken  from  the  record : 

"  It  appears  in  the  testimony  that  the  prisoner  had  been  previously  notified  that,  if 
he  desired  to  be  excused  from  going  to  church,  on  account  of  religious  scruples,  he  should 
make  application  to  that  effect  to  the  commanding  officer  at  the  Fort.  In  refusing  to  do 
so,  and  in  leaving  the  Company  without  permission,  he  not  only  disobe5'ed  orders,  but 
showed  an  insubordinate  spirit,  which  deserves  punishment  ;  therefore,  so  much  of  the 
sentence  as  subjects  the  prisoner  to  forfeit  §5  a  month  for  six  months,  is  approved  ;  the 
remainder  of  the  sentence  is  remitted." 

Painful  it  is  to  me  to  know  that  General  Wool  has  so  far  approved  of  the  finding  of 
the  court  in  the  case  of  Duggan  ;  he  should  have  at  once  annulled  the  whole  proceedings; 
it  deserved  severe  reprobation  from  the  commanding  officer,  and  should  have  received  it. 


144  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEWENGLAXD. 

The  ground  assumed  by  General  Wool  for  approving  the  sentence,  in  part,  is  the 
refusal  of  Duggan  to  acquaint  the  commander  of  his  "religious  scruples"  This,  most 
assuredly,  does  not  justify  the  General's  confirmation  of  the  sentence,  in  part.  ist.  The 
articles  of  war  gave  no  right  to  command  religious  attendance ;  consequently,  the  com- 
mandant had  no  right  to  look  for  explanation  for  non-attendance,  whether  the  absence 
proceeded  from  religious  scruples  or  other  causes  ;  and,  consequentlj',  the  confirmation  of 
the  sentence  is  not  justifiable  on  this  ground. 

2d.  It  is  asserted  that  "in  leaving  the  Company  without  permission,  he  not  only 
disobeyed  orders,  but  showed  an  insubordinate  spirit,  and,  on  this  ground,  the  sentence 
of  the  court  against  him  is,  in  part,  confirmed."  This  allegation  is,  I  think,  unfair,  and 
calculated  to  deceive;  affording  no  justifiable  ground  for  the  confirmation  of  the  sentence. 

It  is  not  alleged  that  Duggan  deserted,  but  "  that  he  left  the  Conipanj-  without  per- 
mission." Now,  Duggan  did  not,  I  apprehend,  leave  the  Companj-,  but  siniplv  refused 
to  march  into  the  Protestant  church,  where  his  conscience  forbid  him  to  go,  and  where 
his  country  gave  no  authoritj'  to  any  person  to  order  him  to  march  ;  consequently,  the 
charge  of  disobedience  and  insubordination  cannot  be  su.stained,  and  General  Wool  gives 
no  reason  in  justification  of  his  confirmation  of  the  bigotod  sentence  passed  on  Duggan 
for  non-attendance  at  Protestant  worship. 

If  the  actors  in  this  dishonorable  affair  were  satisfied  that  they  were  right,  whj'  not 
speak  out  as  men,  and  at  once  say  that  Duggan  would  not  attend  Protestant  worship, 
and,  consequently,  "  must  forfeit  his  pay  for  six  months,  live  on  bread  and  water  for  two 
months  and  in  solitary  confinement ;  the  other  four  at  hard  labor,  with  ball  and  chain  at 
his  leg,"  and  all  would  understand  at  once  the  severity  of  the  puni.shment,  and  the 
object  in  inflicting  it,  which  is  this:  that  the  Catholic  soldiers  might  know  that  either 
they  must  attend  Protestant  worship  at  Fort  Columbus,  or  be  prepared  to  yield  up  their  pay, 
and  bear  severe  physical  punishment.  Were  a  Catholic  oSicer  to  thus  punish  Protestant 
soldiers  for  non-attendance  at  Catholic  worship,  would  the  counlrj'  tolerate  it  for  a  mo- 
ment ?    Would  not  a  shout  of  reprobation  ring  out  from  one  end  of  the  land  to  the  other  ? 

Is  not  persecution,  whether  Catholic  or  Protestant,  still  persecution.-'  and  should 
not,  in  this  instance,  the  public  voice  denounce  the  intolerant  actors  in  this  disgraceful 
affair  at  Fort  Columbus?  In  pleading  the  cause  of  the  persecuted  Catholic,  I  am  but 
pleading  the  cau.se  of  the  oppressed,  and  expressing,  in  the  indignant  terms  of  a  free- 
man, the  guilt  which  the  country  will  soon  place  to  the  account  of  the  oppres.sors  of 
conscience  at  this  military  Fort.  When  Lieutenant  O'Brien  was  court-martialed  by 
General  Kalbach  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  for  refusal  to  attend  Protestant  service,  the  De- 
partment ordered  the  proceedings  to  be  quashed.  The  Executive  did  not  then  consider 
that  refusal  to  attend  Protestant  service  constituted  disobedience,  but  considered  that  there 
was  neither  disobedience  nor  ground  for  action,  and  ordered  the  case  to  be  quashed.  This 
is  the  highest  authority  in  matters  military,  and  maintains  the  view  I  have  taken  in  this 
case — that  there  is  no  authoritj'  to  command  the  attendance  of  the  soldiers  at  religious  wor- 
ship, and  no  disobedience  when  the  soldier  refuses  compliance  with  such  illegal  orders. 

During  the  Florida  campaign  a  case  in  point  occurred,  and  was  decided  favorably 
to  the  rights  of  conscience.  An  order  was  i.ssued  for  all  soldiers  to  attend  religious  worship 
on  a  certain  occasion  ;  two  soldiers  refused  to  march  to  the  place  appointed  for  the  service ; 
they  are  court-martialed,  and  the  court  finds  them  guilty  of  no  offence,  no  disobedience. 

I  had  supposed  that  our  oQicers  were  men  of  this  stamp— generous  lovers  of  human 
freedom,  and  as  ready  to  fight  for  the  rights  of  conscience  guaranteed  us  by  the  constitu- 
tion, as  for  civil  liberty.  Am  I  mistaken?  Are  we  retrograding ?  Or  are  the  Gardiners 
and  other  ofEcers  at  Fort  Columbus  an  exception  to  the  officers  in  the  service  generallj-? 

I  ask  the  Executive  to  interpose  its  authority  at  once,  and  save  our  gallant  little 
army  from  dishonor  ;  to  rebuke  so  sternly  this  ill-advised  and  cruel  oppression  of  con- 
science, that  the  bigots  of  the  service  may  know  that  they  will  not  be  permitted  to  per- 
secute Catholic  soldiers  in"lhe  United  States  service. 

This,  believe  me,  is  an  opening  wedge,  intended  to  cleave  to  the  very  heart,  the 
sacred  right  of  liberty  of  conscience,  and  should  be  met  sternly  and  firmly  by  every 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  145 

friend  of  human  freedom,  until  bigotry  will  have  disappeared  from  our  army,  and  the 
soldier's  right  to  serve  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience  will  be  as  fully  recog- 
nized as  that  of  other  citizens. 

Bigotry  now  assails  its  hateful  work  on  the  poor  soldier,  who  cannot,  it  appears, 
even  serve  God,  if  his  commander  should  order  the  contrary,  without  exposing  himself 
to  severe  punishment.  Will  we  tamely  submit  to  this  whilst  a  remedy  is  at  hand? 
Will  we  submit  the  sacred  liberty  of  conscience  to  be  annulled  whilst  it  is  in  our  power 
to  strengthen  and  preserve  this  invaluable  right  ?  In  Fort  Columbus,  New  York  Harbor, 
within  a  few  hundred  feet  of  the  great  city  of  New  York,  there  is  a  sufferer  for  conscience. 
Have  the  rights  of  conscience,  human  liberty  and  unjust  oppression  no  friend  in  New 
York  ?  Yours, 

Roger  Williams. 

Providence,  R.  I.,  June  23,  185 1. 

War  Department, 
Washington,  Jul}-  15,  1851. 
Sir  :  Complaints  have  been  made  to  this  department  that  a  soldier  at  Fort  Columbus, 
who  is,  or  was,  a  Roman  Catholic,  was  ordered  to  attend  a  Protestant  church,  and  on  his 
refusal  to  obej-  the  order,  he  was  punished  for  disobedience  of  orders.  It  is  doubtful  how 
far  an  officer  has  the  right  to  compel  officers  and  men  under  his  command  to  attend 
divine  service.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  no  one  ought  to  be  compelled  to  attend  a 
church  of  any  other  persuasion  than  that  to  which  he  belongs.  Every  means  of  persua- 
sion should  be  emplo3-ed  to  induce  soldiers  to  attend  some  church,  but  they  should  be 
permitted  to  select  the  one  they  prefer  ;  and  when  they  profess  to  have  conscientious 
scruples  about  attending  any  particular  church,  all  compulsory  measures  violate  the 
rights  of  conscience,  and  should  be  avoided. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

C.  M.  Conrad,  Sec.  of  War. 
Brevet  Major-General  John  E.  Wool. 

Editor  of  the  Pilot : 

Sir  :  The  above  is  a  cop}-,  which  I  have  been  privileged  to  take,  of  the  instructions 
of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Major-General  Wool,  in  the  matter  of  the  right  of  soldiers  in 
the  military  service  to  liberty  of  conscience.  These  instructions  are  consequent  on  com- 
plaints made  to  the  department  of  war  against  the  commandant  at  Fort  Columbus,  New 
York  Harbor,  Brevet  Col.  J.  1,.  Gardiner,  for  the  severe  punishment  of  a  Catholic  soldier, 
through  a  court-martial  over  which  he  presided,  for  non-attendance  at  Protestant  wor- 
ship, in  obedience  to  his  order.  The  sentence  pronounced  in  this  case  \>y  this  court- 
martial,  is  marked  with  a  severity  which  would  not  have  been  prompted  but  by  the  nar- 
rowest bigotry  on  the  part  of  all  concerned.  Private  James  Duggan  was  sentenced  to 
forfeit  to  the  United  States  $5  a  month  of  his  pay,  for  six  months  ;  to  spend  two  months 
in  solitar}-  confinement  and  on  bread  and  water  ;  the  other  months  at  hard  labor,  with 
ball  and  chain  at  his  leg.  The  alleged  offence  of  Duggan  was  his  refusal  to  attend  Pro- 
testant worship,  at  the  bidding  of  Brevet  Col.  J.  L-  Gardiner.  The  formal  charge  against 
him  at  the  court  was  a  pure  fiction,  well  calculated  to  dishonor  those  who  presented  it. 
It  was  this  :  "  Positive,  wilful  disobedience  of  orders." 

The  court  knew  well  that  there  was  not,  and  could  not  be,  disobedience  in  this  case, 
the  order  being  contrary  to  law,  and  must,  consequentl}',  have  used  the  allegation  "  dis- 
obedience" as  a  mask  to  their  intolerance,  and  with  a  view  to  deceive  all  unacquainted 
with  the  facts  in  the  case. 

Brevet  Major-General  Wool  has  disappointed  expectation  in  his  appfoval,  in  part, 
of  the  severe  and  illegal  sentence  of  this  court.  There  are  other  facts  connected  with  his 
action  in  this  case,  which  must  go  far  to  change  the  opinion  of  manj-  enlightened  men 
relative  to  the  motives  that  could  have  induced  his  action  in  this  case. 

The  court-martial  to  try  Duggan  was  ordered  by  Brevet  Brigadier-General  Walbach, 
II — 10 


146  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

and  the  proceedings  of  the  court  were,  in  season,  placed  before  him  for  approval.  The 
General  declined  acting  in  this  case,  and  sent  them  to  General  Wool  for  his  decision. 
General  Wool  returned  them  with  instructions  to  General  Walbach,  "suggesting  that 
the  sentence  be  remitted,  with  the  e.xception  of  the  fine  of  S5  for  si.x  months."  General 
Walbach  again  returned  tliem  to  General  Wool,  with  a  request  that  tlie  proceedings  be 
submitted  to  higher  authority. 

It  is  clear  that  General  Walbach  considered  the  finding  of  the  court  illegal,  and  not 
to  be  approved  of,  from  the  fact  of  his  refusal  to  act  on  the  proceedings  even  under 
instructions  to  remit  the  sentence,  "with  the  exception  of  the  fine  of  S5."  The  request 
of  General  Walbach  should  have  been  acceded  to  by  General  Wool  ;  it  was  proper  and 
reasonable  that,  as  they  differed  in  opinion,  on  a  matter  which  was  seriously  to  affect 
liberty  of  conscience,  the  department  should  be  consulted.  Moreover,  fieneral  Walbach 
had  ordered  the  court-martial,  and,  as  it  appears  from  his  action  in  the  matter,  must  have 
been  of  opinion  that  the  finding  of  the  court  was  illegal,  that  Duggan  committed  no 
fault,  and  consequently  was  entitled,  at  least  of  courtesy,  to  have  the  question  submitted 
to  the  department.  Independent  of  the  liberal  and  enlightened  views  in  religious  matters 
entertained  by  General  Walbach,  he  knew  that  the  department  would  have  at  once 
annulled  the  proceedings  of  the  court,  and  wished  them  referred  there,  that  all  pretense 
of  right  to  oppose  conscience  in  our  military  service  might  be  removed. 

General  Wool  will  not  accede  to  this  reasonable  request  ;  he  will  not  trust  the  liber- 
ality of  the  department;  the  intolerance  long  festering  at  Fort  Columbus  must  have  the 
authority  of  a  precedent,  and  General  Wool  grants  it.  Walbach  does  all  that  is  possible 
on  his  portion,  as  inferior  officer,  to  protect  the  soldier  in  his  dearest  rights,  the  liberty  of 
conscience ;  he  spurns  the  demand  maik-  by  the  court  to  have  their  illegal  and  bigoted 
sentence  approved,  and  when  General  Wool,  his  superior  officer,  returns  him  the  finding 
of  the  court  with  instructions,  diminishing  the  punishment,  but  sustaining  the  right  to 
oppress  conscience,  then  he  properly  requests  the  controverted  point  be  submitted  to  the 
department. 

Great  praise  is  due  to  General  Walbach  for  the  generous  stand  he  took  in  favor  of 
the  soldier's  rights  of  conscience,  whilst  a  great  dishonor  will  ever  be  attached  to  General 
Wool  for  his  ungenerous  aid  to  tlie  bigots  of  Fort  Columbus,  to  strip  the  soldier  of  his 
sacred  and  inestimable  rights.  General  Wool  committed  a  fault  which  will  not  fail  to 
lower  him,  in  the  estimation  of  the  high-minded  and  generous,  when  he  took  under  his 
protection  the  bigotry  rampant  and  long  festering  at  this  military-  post.  He  should  have 
been  found  on  the  side  of  military  law  and  the  constitutional  right  of  the  subject,  but  in 
this  instance  he  is  found  leagued  with  bigots,  to  strip  the  soldier  of  his  dearest  and  most 
valued  right,  liberty  of  conscience. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  Hon.  C.  M.  Conrad,  Secretary  of  War,  for  his  vindication,  in 
his  instructions  to  General  Wool,  of  the  soldier's  right  to  full  liberty  of  conscience.  The 
honorable  secretary  has  not  disappointed  expectation  ;  he  met  the  complaint  presented  in 
the  case  in  generous  spirit,  and  without  hesitation  decided  in  favor  of  the  oppressed  sol- 
dier. Soldiers  will  appreciate  his  generous  interposition  in  favor  of  their  rights,  and 
citizens  generally  will  applaud  a  decision  in  favor  of  justice  and  the  rights  of  conscience. 

I  am  this  moment  privileged  to  copy  the  following  order  of  General  Wool,  trans- 
mitted by  the  Secretar}'  of  War,  remitting  the  sentence  of  Duggan,  for  his  refusal  to 
attend  Protestant  service. 

Headquarters  Eastern  Division, 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  July  12,  1851. 

Special  Order,  No.  30. 
Upon  therecommendation  of  the  commander  of  the  3d  department,  the  unexecuted 
portion  of  the  sentence  of  private  Duggan,  of  Co.  A,  4th  Artillery,  promulgated  in  the 
Eastern  Division,  orders  No.  11,  current  series,  is  remitted. 

By  command  of  Major-Gexeral  Wool, 

O.  J.  WINSHIP,  Ct.  A.  G. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  147 

The  soldier's  rights  to  liberty  of  conscience  being  fully  vindicated  by  the  proper 
officer,  and  the  sentence  of  Duggan  being  remitted,  my  correspondence  on  this  subject 
terminates  with  this  letter.  As  I  have  contended  but  for  the  common  rights  of  all  sol- 
diers in  the  matter  of  the  worship  of  God,  I  would  ask  all  our  Catholic  editors,  and  the 
editors  of  papers  generally,  to  spread  the  Secretary's  letter  before  the  country. 

Roger  Williams. 

August  2,  1851. 

In  1854  Pius  IX.  proclaimed  a  universal  Jubilee.  In  a  pastoral  letter 
announcing  the  holy  season  Bishop  O'Reilly,  alluding  to  the  hostility  openly 
manifested  towards  Catholicity  in  this  country,  said: 

"The  Church  of  the  living  God,  as  is  usual  where  prejudice  gets  the  better  of  reason, 
and  passion  alone  is  priviliged  to  rule,  is  now  visited  with  the  most  gross  misrepresenta- 
tion ;  doctrines  which  it  abhors,  and  practices  which  it  is  occupied  in  repressing,  are 
unblushingly  attributed  to  it ;  its  priests,  occupied  in  the  duties  of  their  sacred  calling 
and  oflFering  offense  to  none,  are  assailed  with  the  lowest  and  grossest  reviling,  whilst  its 
best  and  most  devoted  members  are  ungenerousl}'  pursued  with  calumny  and  hatred  that 
know  no  bounds. 

"  Divine  Charity,  so  essential  to  the  peace  and  happiness  of  men,  and  so  strongly 
and  frequently  enforced  of  God,  is,  to  a  great  extent,  ignored  and  apparently  eradicated 
from  the  hearts  of  great  numbers.  This  amiable  virtue  will,  doubtless,  survive  the  shock 
it  is  receiving,  and  yet  comfort  those  who  are  systematically  opposed  to  it." 

We  have  adverted  to  the  zeal  of  Bishop  O'Reilly  in  providing  for  the 
educational  interests  of  his  diocese.  To  increase  existing  advantages  he 
sailed  for  Europe  on  December  5,  1S55,  to  secure  a  Colony  of  Christian 
Brothers.     The  last  entr)-  in  his  Journal  is  under  date  oi  Deceinbcr  ^th: 

"  Leave  at  4  p.m.  for  Boston  <■/;  ivi/h-  for  Europe  under  God's  protecting  Providence." 

Though  the  season  of  the  year  made  ocean  travel  a  hazardous  under- 
taking. Bishop  O'Reilly  was  too  resolute  when  necessities  pressed  upon  him 
to  postpone  action.  He  had  partially  succeeded  in  his  purpose  ;  and  after  an 
affectionate  visit  and  farewell  to  his  aged  parents,  he  sailed  for  home  an  Jan- 
uary 23,  1856,  on  the  steamer  Pacific.  Knowing  that  his  visit  to  Europe 
was.  made  solely  in  their  interests,  his  faithful  diocesans  awaited  anxiously 
his  return.  Days,  weeks,  months  passed  with  no  tidings  of  the  Pacific.  In 
Europe  and  America  the  delay  to  reach  port  caused  the  gravest  alarm.  Hope, 
fear  and  doubt  alternated  in  the  breasts  of  the  prelate's  friends.  His  brother  in 
Ireland  was  communicated  with,  and  the  result  confirmed  the  fears  of  many 
that  Bernard  O'Reilly  had  gone  down  with  the  ill-fated  steamer.  It  was  only 
in  April,  however,  that  the  loss  of  the  Pacific  with  all  on  board  was 
regarded  as  certain.  "Finally,''  said  his  reverend  biographer,  "the  silence 
of  any  hopeful  circumstance  became  so  deep  that  all  pronounced  it  the  silence 
of  death,  and  the  death-knell  of  Bishop  O'Reilly  rang  from  Georgia  to  Maine 
and  echoed  through  the  world." 

When  all  hope  was  abandoned  funeral  services  were  held  in  all  the 
churches  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut;  but  the  principal  service  took  place 
in  the  Cathedral  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  at  Providence,  on  June  17,  1856. 
The  clergy  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  with  but  very  few  exceptions,  were 


148  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  XEW  ENGLAND. 

present  at  the  solemn  rite,  as  were  also  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Hughes  of 
New  York,  and  the  Right  Rev.  Bishops  of  Boston,  Brooklvn,  Newark  and 
Portland.  The  dioceses  of  New  York,  Boston  and  Albany  were  represented 
by  a  large  number  of  their  clergy-.  Among  the  distinguished  laymen  present 
was  the  French  Consul  at  Newport,  Mons.  Gouraud  Fauvel  de  la  Martinique. 
Pontifical  Mass  for  the  dead  was  sung  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  of 
Boston,  assisted  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes  of  Hartford,  as  Deacon,  the 
Rev.  Matthew  Hart  of  New  Haven,  as  Subdeacon,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Delaney 
and  the  Rev.  Patrick  Lamb,  as  assistant  deacons,  and  the  Rev.  John  McElroy, 
S.  J.,  Archdeacon.  The  Rev.  John  Quinn,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  Patrick  Gaynor 
officiated  as  Masters  of  Ceremonies.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Mass  the  Most 
Rev.  Archbishop,  of  New  York,  preached  the  funeral  discourse,  taking  his 
text  from  the  Apocalypse  xiv.  13  :  "  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  lieaven  saying  to 
me :  Write  :  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.  From  henceforth  now,  saith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  for  their  zvorks  folloiu  them." 

The  eloquent  prelate  began  his  discourse  with  a  few  observations  upon 
the  Christian  religion  as  an  alleviator  of  human  sorrow  and  suffering,  and 
remarked  upon  the  beautiful  symbolism  of  the  church  as  it  was  then  pre- 
sented to  him  in  the  church  and  altar  and  episcopal  throne  shrouded 
in  black,  while  immediately  around  those  emblems  which  spoke  most  forci- 
bly of  the  frailty  of  humanity,  all  was  brilliant  with  the  blaze  of  many 
tapers.  Thus  does  holy  church  in  her  wisdom  keep  the  glories  of  eternity 
before  our  eyes  even  while  she  accommodates  herself  to  our  weakness  by  per- 
mitting us  to  indulge  in  natural  grief  Continuing,  the  preacher  gave  a  brief 
sketch  of  the  deceased  bishop.  He  spoke  of  the  virtues,  the  humble  piety 
and  the  energy  of  the  deceased,  who  left  -an  enduring  monument  in  the 
numerous  religions  and  charitable  institutions  which  he  founded  or  projected 
during  his  short  episcopate.  He  enlarged  upon  the  inscrutableness  of  the 
event  which  had  deprived  the  church  of  this  diocese  of  its  head  and  upon 
the  mystery  which  must  ever  surround  the  fate  of  those  who  perished  on  that 
ill-fated  ship.  Of  one  thing,  however,  he  thought  all  might  be  certain — that 
the  last  few  minutes,  or  hours  it  may  have  been,  when  death  was  seen  to  be  in- 
evitable, were  spent  in  the  service  of  that  divine  Master  to  whom  the  holy  bishop 
had  so  repeatedly  offered  his  life  in  labors  and  perils  and  pestilences,  during 
an  unblemished  career  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  of  active  service. 

"Now  that  all  hope  has  ceased,"  said  a  contemporar>%  "for  the  safety 
of  the  ill-fated  Pacific^  a  Solemn  Requiem  Mass  was  all  that  could  be  offered 
in  memory  of  him  who  sank  with  her  to  rise  no  more  in  time.  There  is  a 
melancholy  in  death,— nature  loves  itself,  and  the  horror  of  death  never 
becomes  intense  till  ashes  return  to  ashes,  and  dust  is  consigned  to  dust. 
But  this  becomes  more  bitter  when  the  wail  of  sorrow  is  raised  only  above 
the  empty  bier  or  the  decorated  catafalque ;  when  the  burning  tapers  that 
surround  it  seem  only  to  show  that  nothing  but  a  symbol  is  there.  How 
happy  was  the  widow  of  Nain,  that  she  had  even  the  body  of  her  only 
child — for  then  she  became  certain  of  a  miracle  from  the  instant  our  blessed 
Saviour  touched  the  bier.     Poor  widow  !  blessed  was  your  sorrow 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  149 

"But  to-day  widows  and  orphans  crowd  around  an  empty  bier  and  a 
splendid  catafalque.  All  the  gorgeous  pomp  that  love  could  give  was  be- 
stowed, but  it  was  empty.  The  mind  could  not  rest  on  that  splendid  pageant 
of  hollo wness,  but  bounded  from  the  glitter  and  the  glance  of  that  mourn- 
fully bright  solemnity  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean — to  the  steamer  Pacific  and  her 
unfortunate  passengers,  and  asking  itself  a  thousand  questions  as  to  how 
they  went  down  ;  till  back  to  the  catafalque,  with  its  questions  unanswered, 
it  had  to  come  ;  that  steamer  sank,  and  the  waters  closed  over  her ;  the 
treacherous  waves  came  smoothly  together,  no  mark  remained  on  their 
bosom  to  tell  where  she  wounded  them,  and  no  mark  can  point  to  the  spot 
or  awake  a  prayer  or  a  sigh  from  the  passing  traveler."  ' 

When  Bishop  O'Reilly  was  installed  bishop  of  Hartford  his  diocese  con- 
tained— 

Churches 12 

Clergymen 14 

Ecclesiastical  students 7 

Catholic  population,  about 20,000 

Of  these,  five  churches  and  seven  priests  were  in  Connecticut.  At  the 
time  of  the  bishop's  death,  five  years  later,  the  diocese  had 

Churches 46 

Stations 37 

Clergymen 42 

Clerical  students 22 

Male  academies 2 

Female  academies 3 

Parochial  schools 9 

Orphan  asylums 3 

Catholic  population,  about 60,000 

Of  the  churches,  Connecticut  had  twenty-seven  ;  of  the  priests,  twenty-six ; 
of  the  female  academies,  two,  at  New  Haven  and  Hartford ;  of  the  orphan 
asylums,  two,  at  New  Haven  and  Hartford  ;  of  the  parochial  schools,  three, 
one  at  Hartford  and  two  at  New  Haven,  St.  Patrick's  and  St.  Mary's.  Besides 
these  there  were  male  and  female  schools  at  Norwich,  New  London,  Bridge- 
port  and  Birmingham. 


RIGHT  REV.  FRANCIS  PATRICK  McFARLAND,  D.D., 
Third  Bishop  of  Hartford. 


(blFHE 


HE  third  bishop  of  Hartford,  Right  Rev.  Francis  Patrick  McFarland, 

'  I       was  born  in  Franklin,  Pa.,  April  16,  1819.      His  parents  were  from 

Armagh,  Ireland,  and  were  John  McFarland  and  Nancy  McKeever. 

In  his  youth  his  father  had  intended  to  enter  the  priesthood,  and  to  this  end 

had  made  considerable  advancement  in  his  studies  when  the  political  troubles 

of   1798  compelled  him,   as  it   compelled  many  another  aspirant  for  Holy 

'  The  American  G7/,  June,  1856,  quoted  b}-  Richard  H.  Clark  in  his  Lives  of /he  Deceased 
Bishops. 


150  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Orders,  to  abandon  the  great  desire  of  his  heart.  In  iSo6,  the  parents  of 
Francis  bought  a  home  in  the  young  republic  of  the  West  and  settled  in 
Waynesboro,  Pa.,  where  they  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1S40. 

Reared  auiid  the  holy  influences  of  a  thoroughly  Catholic  home,  a  daily 
witness  of  the  Christian  conduct  of  parents  who  recognized  their  obligations 
to  religion  and  knew  their  duties  to  the  children  with  whom  God  had  blessed 
them,  young  Francis  in  early  youth  gave  manifold  indications  that  God  had 
designed  him  exclusively  for  his  holy  service.  During  all  his  early  career  he 
appeared  to  have  had  but  one  object  in  view,  the  holy  priesthood.  His 
contemporaries  speak  of  him  as  a  manly  young  man.  He  was  devout,  but  his 
piety  was  unobtrusive.  He  was  digilent  in  study  and  anxious  to  excel,  but  it 
was  not  ambition  to  become  merely  conspicuous,  and  among  his  class-mates 
he  occupied  the  position  conceded  only  to  students  of  conspicuous  merit. 
Faithful  in  his  reception  of  the  sacraments,  he  was  a  devout  client  of  the 
Mother  of  God,  a  trait  that  distinguished  his  priestly  and  episcopal  life.  His 
religious  impulses  were  developed,  and  his  desires  for  the  ecclesiastical  state 
encouraged  b)'  his  parents,  who  deemed  it  a  surpassing  grace  to  give  a  son  to  the 
church.  Having  acquired  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools  at  home, 
with  comiuendable  spirit  and  energy  he  began  the  career  of  teaching  in  the 
humble  village  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  While  thus  engaged,  he  reaped 
the  benefits  of  the  ripe  scholarship  of  Mr.  James  Clark,  an  alumnus  of  West 
Point  Militar\-  Academy,  but  after  his  conversion  a  Jesuit  priest  and  professor 
in  the  University  of  Georgetown,  D.  C.  Still  attracted  to  the  priesthood, 
Mr.  McFarland  entered  Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmittsburg,  an  institu- 
tion which  has  given  to  the  American  church  many  illustrious  prelates. 
One  of  his  professors  at  Mount  St.  Mary's  was  the  venerable  Father  Joubert, 
the  founder  of  the  Oblate  (Colored)  Sisters,  of  Baltimore,  whose  parents  had 
been  massacred  by  the  blacks  in  the  revolution  at  Hayti,  at  the  close  of  the 
last  century.  He  completed  his  theological  studies  at  the  "  Mount,"  and  for 
a  brief  period  occupied  a  jirofessor's  chair.  Leaving  the  seminary  he  was 
ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  May  i8,  1845,  in  old  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  by 
Archl)ishop  Hughes,  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  Immediatel}-  after  his 
ordination  he  was  assigned  to  vSt.  John's  College,  Fordham,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  as  professor  nearly  a  year.  One  of  his  pupils  at  St.  John's  was  the 
late  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Vicar-General.  During  his  residence  at  Ford- 
ham,  Father  McFarland  frequently  attended  sick  calls  at  Stamford,  Con- 
necticut. As  his  inclinations  were  for  practical  work  he  retired  from  St. 
John's  College  and  was  assigned  as  assistant  to  St.  Joseph's  Church,  New 
York  City,  where  he  remained  until  May  6,  1846,  when  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  by  Bishop  Hughes.  Attached  to  Watertown 
were  .several  mi.ssions  to  which  the  zealous  young  priest  gave  unremitting 
care  and  attention.  It  was  a  field  of  duty  full  of  difficulties  and  hardships, 
and  when  we  reflect  that  the  means  of  travel  had  not  reached  the  degree  of 
perfection  enjoyed  by  the  missionary  of  to-day,  we  can  realize  somewhat  the 
arduous  tasks  performed  by  Father  McFarland.  During  Father  McFarland's 
pastorate  at  Watertown  the  diocese  of  Albany  was  erected.     He  thus  became 


DIOCHSE   OF  HARTFORD.  151 

a  subject  of  the  Bishop  of  Albany,  Right  Rev.  John  McCloskey,  D.  D.,  who 
transferred  Iiim  to  St.  John's  parish,  Utica,  N.  Y.,  on  March  i,  1851.  Of  his 
labors  in  this  field,  one  of  his  successors.  Very  Rev.  T.  S.  M.  Lynch,  D.D., 
LL. D. ,  says:  "His  work  was  la.sting.  He  made  an  impression  in  the 
parish  which  remained  long  after  the  hallowed  walls  of  that  church  which 
he  loved  so  well,  had  been  razed  to  the  ground.  His  memory  is  still  green  in 
Utica,  the  blessing  which  he  left  upon  our  church  is  still  with  us,  and  long, 
long,  will  his  name  be  revered  in  the  parish  which  had  the  happiness  of  being 
the  witness  of  his  saintly  labors."  ' 

While  pastor  of  St  John's  Church,  Utica,  the  Holy  See,  recognizing  his 
superior  executive  ability,  honored  him  with  the  appointment  of  Vicar  Apos- 
lic  of  Florida,  January  9,  1857.-  This  honor  he  declined.  In  March,  1858, 
two  }ears  after  the  death  of  Bishop  O'Reilly,  he  was  elected  bishop  of  Hart- 
ford in  tlie  thirty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  "Bishop  McFarland  is  an  Ameri- 
can," said  the  Providence  Journal,  March  14,  1858,  "a  native  of  Franklin, 
Pa.,  and  quite  a  young  man,  not  much  beyond  the  canonical  years.  He  is  a 
gentleman  of  good  presence  and  bears  the  impress  of  that  intelligence  and 
cultivation  for  which  lie  is  distinguished  in  the  church  that  has  now  conferred 
upon  him  its  selectest  houors.  We  are  assured  by  a  Catholic  gentleman — than 
whom  none  is  more  competent  to  judge — that  his  scholarship  is  of  a  high 
order,  surpassed  only  by  his  zeal  and  devotion  for  the  church  to  which  he  has 
now  renewedly  and  solemnly  consecrated  his  life." 

The  first  official  act  of  the  bishop-elect  was  the  re-appointment  of  Very 
Rev.  William  O'Reilly  as  Vicar-General.  Bishop  McFarland  left  Utica  for 
Providence,  March  6,  1858.  The  hearts  of  his  devoted  parishioners  were 
oppressed  with  sorrow  at  his  departure,  and  on  March  14th,  the  congregation 
assembled  and  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  in  which  they  expressed  their 
regret  at  the  loss  of  their  beloved  pastor,  who  had  ever  been  to  them  a  judic- 
ious counsellor,  a  kind  and  sympathizing  friend,  and  a  watchful  and  zealous 
shepherd.  These  resolutions  were  transmitted  to  him  with  a  substantial  purse. 
To  these  expressions  of  good  will,  Bishop  McFarland  returned  the  following 
felicitous  response: 

"  Providence,  24th  March,  1858. 
"Gentlemen:  I  have  received  j'our  letter  and  the  accompanying  check.  You 
are  aware  that  I  did  not  wish  to  accept  anj-  present  on  this  occa.sion.  Yet,  the  man- 
ner in  which  this  comes,  and  the  feelings  which  have  prompted  it,  leave  me  no  choice. 
I  accept  your  offering  with  many  thanks.  It  was  not  needed  as  a  proof  of  the  kind  feel- 
ings of  St.  John's  congregation  towards  me  ;  but  it  places  me  under  a  new  obligation  to 
them,  which  I  can  repay  onl}'  by  offering  for  them  my  best  wishes  and  mj'  poor  prayers. 
Accept  mj'  thanks  for  the  kind  manner  in  which  you  are  pleased  to  speak  of  nn'  labors 
whilst  amongst  j-ou.  Your  partiality  has,  however,  betrayed  3'ou  into  attributing  to  me 
many  qualities  which  I  am  not  conscious  of  possessing.  The  onl}-  merit  which  I  can  at 
all  lay  claim  to  is  that  while  w'ith  you  I  had  a  sincere  desire  to  see  you  and  your  families 
advance  in  virtue,  and  that,  from  day  to  day,  as  the  occasion  arose,  I  was  willing  to  labor 
with  you,  in  my  ov/n  poor  way,  for  the  advancement  of  your  congregation  in  religion,  in 
knowledge,  and  in  the  doing  of  works  of  charity.      I  will  endeavor  to  visit  you  at  no 

'  The  Rosary,  September,  1895. 

'  A  division  of  tlie  diocese  of  Savannah. 


152  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

distant  day.  My  duties  here  will  he  numerous,  and  such  as  entail  great  responsibility' ■ 
j-et  I  hope  soon  to  escape  from  them  long  enough  to  enable  me  to  meet  you  for  a  daj',  and 
to  express,  orallj',  what  I  do  not  find  time  to  write. 

Begging  you  to  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  have  strength  to  do  the  work  which  God 
has  given  me  to  do,  I  remain,  with  the  best  wishes, 

Your  much  obliged  and  devoted  friend, 

F.   P.    McF.ARLAXD, 

t  Bishop  of  Hartford. 

To   Messrs    MicH.'inL  McQu.\DE,  U.   Rvrke.  M.D.  ;    K.   Kerxan,   O.   O'Neill,  WM- 
Clarke,  John  Carton,  Timothy  Cronin,  Francis  X.  Manahan,  committee. 

The  consecration  of  Bishop  McFarland  took  place  on  Sunday,  March  14, 
1858,  at  St.  Patrick's  chtirch,  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  was  an  imposing  cere- 
mony. The  consecrator  and  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  the  Most  Rev.  Arch- 
bishop Hughes,  of  New  York. 

Assistant  Bishops — Right  Rev.  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  of  Boston  ;  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Timon  of  liufTalo 

Assistant  Priest — Very  Rev.  William  O'Reilly,  V.  G.  of  the  diocese. 

Assistant  Deacon — Rev.  M.  Hart,  New  Haven. 

Second  Assistant  Deacon — Rev.  P.  Delanej',  Pawtucket. 

Deacon — Very  Rev.  J.  Hughes,  Hartford. 

Sub  Deacon — Rev.  P.  Lamb,  Providence. 

Archbishop's  Cross-Bearer — Rev.  John  Smith,  New  Haven. 

Processional  Cross-Bearer — Rev.  Peter  Kelly,  Danbury,  Conn. 

Chanters— Rev.  Dr.  Mulligan,  Flails  Village,  Conn.;  Rev.  A.  'Wallace,  LL.D.',  East 
Greenwich. 

Thurifer— Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  Norfolk,  Conn. 
•    Acolytes— Rev.  M.  McCallion,  Warren,  R.  I. ;  Rev.  P.  O'Dwyer,  Collinsville,  Conn. 

Mitre-Bearer — Rev.  ^I.  McCabe,  Woonsocket. 

Crosier  Bearer — Rev.  Thomas  Drea,  Stonington,  Conn. 

Book-Bearer — Rev.  James  Gibson,  Croniptcm. 

Chaplain  to  the  Archbishop — Rev.  Fr.  Brennan,  St.  Joseph's  Seminarj-,  New  York. 

Chaplain  to  the  Bishop-elect — Rev.  George  McCloskej',  New  York. 

Chaplain  to  Bishop  Fitzpatrick — Rev.  E.  J.  O'Brien,  New  Haven. 

Chaplain  to  Bishop  Timon — Rev.  Fr.  Lynch,  of  the  Seminary  of  BuflFalo. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Very  Rev.  J.  Conroy,  V.  G.,  Albany. 

The  following  prelates  assisted  at  the  ceremony  : 
The  Right  Rev.  John  McCloskey,  D.  D.,  Bi.shop  of  Albany. 
"         "         '•     Louis  de  Goesbriand,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Burlington. 

"    James  R.  Bayley,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Newark. 
"         "         "    John  Loughlin,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Brooklyn. 
"     D.  W.  Bacon,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Portland. 

The  following  clergjmen  were  aLso  present  : 

Rev.  Wm.  Quinii,  Rev.  Richard  Brennan  of  the  archdiocese  of  New  York. 

Rev.  A.  McGough,  Rev.  B.  F.  McLaughlin,  Rev.  Patrick  Caragher,  Rev.  M.  Powers, 
Rev.  J.  IJ.  Herbst  of  the  diocese  of  Albany. 

Rev.  James  A.  Healey,  Rev.  J.  Sheridan,  of  the  diocese  of  Boston. 

Rev.  D.  Kelly,  Rev.  E.  J.  Cooney,  Rev.  J.  Quinn,  D.D.  ;  Rev.  P.  Brown,  Rev.  P. 
Gillick,  Rev.  T.  Quinu,  Rev.  Thomas  Synnott,  Rev.  J.  Sheridan,  Rev.  Patrick  Gaynor, 
Rev.  T.  F.  Hendricken,  Rev.  J.  Gibson,  Rev.  Wm.  Duffy,  Rev.  J.  F.  O'Neill  of  the  dio- 
cese of  Hartford. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  153 

The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McCloskey,  of 
Albany.  The  text  was  from  the  Gospel  of  St.  John  i:  14,  "And  the  Word 
was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  ns,  and  we  saw  his  glory,  the  glory,  as  it 
were,  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth."  It  was 
brief,  but  eloquent  and  appropriate.  He  sketched  rapidly  the  birth,  life,  and 
ascension  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  apostles  whom  he  commissioned,  and  with 
whom  he  promised  to  be  until  the  end  of  the  world,  were  now  represented  on 
earth  only  by  the  Catholic  church.  She  alone  is  the  mother  of  the  saints  and 
the  martyrs,  whose  lives  were  blessed,  and  whose  deaths  have  sanctified  the 
world.  Bishop  McCloskey  closed  his  sermon  by  an  address  to  the  new 
bishop,  which  was  finely  conceived  and  impressively  delivered. 

Among  the  prominent  lait}-  present  were  Dr.  Brownson,  Mayor  Rod- 
man of  Providence,  and  Monsieur  Gouraud  Fauvel  de  la  Martinique,  vice- 
consul  of  France. 

In  the  evening  Bishop  McFarland  sang  pontifical  vespers,  and  Archbishop 
Hughes  preached  the  sermon  from  the  parable  of  the  grain  of  mustard  seed. 

As  the  bishops  of  Hartford  had  resided  in  Providence  since  1844,  Bishop 
McFarland  continued  the  residence  in  that  city  until  1872.  He  introduced 
into  Connecticut  the  Franciscan  Friars  and  the  Sisters  of  the  Third  Order  of 
St.  Francis,  who  located  at  Winsted  ;  the  Christian  Brothers,  the  Sisters  of 
Charity,  and  the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation  De  Notre  Dame.  He  was 
instrumental  in  having  the  following 

"  Act  Concerning  Communities  and  Corporations,"  made  part  of  the  statute  law  of 
Connecticut  June  30,  1866  : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Assembly  convened  : 

Sec.  I.  That  the  Bishop  and  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  together  with 
the  pastor  and  two  laymen  of  any  Roman  Catholic  church  or  congregation  in  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  upon  complying  with  the  requirements  of  this  law,  shall  be,  and  are  hereby 
constituted,  a  body  corporate,  with  power  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  purchase,  hold  and  con- 
vey real  and  personal  property,  and  to  enjoy  all  other  rights  and  franchises  incident  to 
bodies  corporate  in  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

Sec.  2.  The  Bishop,  Vicar-General  and  pastor  of  such  congregation  shall  be  members, 
ex  officio,  of  such  bodj'  corporate,  and  upon  their  death,  resignation,  removal  or  prefer- 
ment, their  successors  in  office  shall  become  such  members  in  their  stead.  The  two  lay 
members  shall  be  appointed  annually,  b\'  the  committee  of  the  congregation,  to  hold  office 
for  one  j'ear,  or  until  their  successors  be  chosen. 

Sec.  3.  Such  body  corporate  shall  have  power  to  receive  and  hold,  by  gift,  grant  or 
purchase,  all  property,  real  or  personal,  that  may  be  conveyed  thereto,  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  religious  worship  according  to  the  doctrine,  discipline  and  ritual  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church,  and  for  the  support  of  the  educational  or  charitable  institutions 
of  that  church  ;  provided,  that  no  one  corporated  congregation  shall  at  any  time  possess 
an  amount  of  property,  excepting  church  buildings,  parsonages,  school-houses,  asylums 
and  cemeteries,  the  aimual  income  from  which  shall  exceed  three  thousand  dollars. 

Sec.  4.  Such  body  corporate  shall  at  all  times  be  subject  to  the  general  laws  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  shall  receive  and  enjoy  its  franchises  as  a  body 
politic,  solely  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  third  section  of  this  act ;  and  upon  the 
violation  or  surrender  of  its  charter,  its  property,  real  and  personal,  shall  vest  in  the 
Bishop  of  the  diocese  and  his  successors,  in  trust  for  such  congregation,  and  for  the  uses 
and  purposes  above  named. 

Sec.  5.  Such  body  corporate  shall  organize  by  the  appointment  of  the  lay  members 


154  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

before  mentioned,  and  upon  filing  in  the  oflice  of  the  Secretar}-  of  vState  a  certificate  signed 
by  the  several  corporators,  stating  that  they  have  so  organized,  and  have  adopted  this 
law  as  their  charter,  and  will  be  concluded  and  bound  hereby,  shall  have  and  enjoy  all 
rights  by  tliis  law  conferred. 

Sec.  6.  Three  members  of  this  corporation,  of  which  one  shall  be  a  layman,  shall 
constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Bishop  McFarland  attended  the  Vatican  Council,  which  convened  in  the 
Basilica  of  the  Vatican  on  the  feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  De- 
cember 8th,  1869.  He  was  then  in  declining  health.  While  in  Rome  he 
sought  permi.ssion  either  to  resign  or  to  secure  a  coadjutor.  His  American 
colleagues  opposed  both  measures,  but  proposed  as  a  Rolution  of  the  mailer  a 
division  of  his  diocese.  Accordingly,  Rhode  Island  was  erected  into  a  dioce.se 
with  Providence  as  the  episcopal  seat,  while  Bishop  McFarland  retained  his 
original  title  as  Bishop  of  Hartford. 

Bishop  McFarland  preached  his  farewell  discourse  in  Providence  on 
Februar)'  25,  1872.  He  was  deeply  affected  by  the  aimouncement,  as  were 
his  auditors.  When  speaking  of  the  division  of  the  diocese  he  said  in  part : 
"I  thought  then  and  still  think,  that  this  is  for  your  interest,  as  you  will  have 
a  younger  and  more  zealous  bishop  to  labor  among  you.  The  new  diocese 
will  be  an  ample  one — indeed,  more  so  than  the  present  one  when  first  erected. 
Many  of  you  remember  well  when  Bishop  Tyler  came,  and  know  the  rapid 
progress  Catholicity  has  made  liere  since ;  the  eight  thousand  Catholics  have 
become  two  hundred  thousand,  with  a  hundred  churches  and  one  hundred  and 
eleven  priests."' 

On  his  departure  from  Providence  Bishop  McFarland  received  many  testi- 
monials of  esteem  from  his  devoted  clergy  and  the  faithful  laity  ;  but  the  gift 
that  touched  him  the  most  deeply  was  the  presentation  of  a  beautiful  edi- 
tion of  Haydock's  Illustrated  Bible,  bound  in  a  sumptuous  manner,  with 
a  stand  of  the  most  exquisite  pattern.  It  was  the  gift  of  the  boys  of  the 
Christian  Brothers'  school.  It  was  an  acceptable  offering  and  was  kindly 
received,  the  bishop  being  profoundly  moved  by  the  expressions  of  his  faithful 
charges  on  the  occasion. 

On  his  arrival  in  Hartford  Bishop  McFarland  took  up  his  residence  in  a 
spacious  house  on  the  corner  of  Woodland  and  Collins  streets.  His  dignified 
bearing,  urbane  manner  and  tactful  methods  soon  gained  for  him  many  friends, 
"who  were  by  no  means  restricted  to  his  own  flock,  but  included  every  citizen 
who  had  the  good  fortune  to  enjoy  his  acquaintance." 

Though  Hartford  had  been  the  title  of  an  Episcopal  See  since  1843, 
Bishop  McFarland  found  there  no  cathedral  nor  episcopal  residence,  nor 
school  nor  convent  which  he  could  call  his.  Not  a  foot  of  ground  in  his 
episcopal  city  did  he  own  upon  which  he  could  lay  a  stone.  After  twenty- 
seven  years  in  the  priesthood  and  fourteen  in  the  episcopate,  he  must  now 
begin  again  and  build  up  from  the  foundation.  Nevertheless,  he  entered  upon 
his  new  work  with  courage  and  zeal  born  of  faith  in  God. 

The  works  which  Bishop  McFarland  contemplated  were  the  erection  of  a 
cathedral,  a  mother-house  for  the  Sisters  and  an  episcopal  residence.     Where 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  155 

would  he  secure  a  suitable  site?  We  quote  from  the  Hon.  Thomas  McManus' 
admirable  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Hartford:  "The  Bishop  saw  at  a 
glance  the  growth  of  the  city  westward,  and  the  future  necessities  of  his  people. 
When  St.  Patrick's  church  was  built  in  185 1,  it  was  substantially  at  the  west 
line  of  the  city.  Asylum  Hill  and  the  territory  west  of  its  summit  were  then 
sparsely  dotted  with  occasional  residences.  Twenty-one  years  of  unusual 
prosperity  had  gathered  a  large  population  here,  and  St.  Patrick's  church  had 
been  left  far  to  the  east  of  the  geographical  centre.  St.  Peter's  church  was 
still  farther  east.  The  new  territory  had  a  very  large  proportion  of  Catholics 
in  its  population,  comprising  very  many  servant  girls,  the  best  of  Catholics 

and  most  liberal  of  supporters  to  the  church Carefully  and  quietly 

the  bishop  examined  the  various  eligible  locations  for  a  cathedral,  and  finally 
selected  the  old  Morgan  homestead,  a  lot  of  between  three  and  four  acres  on 
Farmington  avenue,  belonging  to  Major  James  Goodwin,  and  purchased  the 
same  at  a  price  of  $70,000."  The  erection  of  the  convent  was  the  work 
first  commenced,  as  its  chapel  was  to  serve  as  a  pro-cathedral.  When  the 
Sisters  importuned  the  bishop  to  begin  his  cathedral  and  defer  the  building 
of  the  convent,  the  fatherly  prelate  prophetically  replied  :  "The  church  will 
be  built  without  the  least  fear,  but  I  must  and  will  build  a  home  for  my  poor, 
scattered  Sisters,  who  have  been  left  homeless  since  the  division  of  the  diocese. 
I  have  ever  found  them  faithful,  hard-working,  and  devoted,  heart  and  soul, 
to  the  elevation  of  our  children  in  every  part  of  the  diocese  blessed  with  their 
presence."  '  The  corner-stone  of  the  convent  was  laid  on  Sunday,  May  11, 
1873,  and  on  November  29th  following  the  chapel  was  dedicated  to  God  under 
the  benign  patronage  of  St.  Joseph.  The  celebrant  of  the  Pontifical  Mass  on 
this  occasion  was  Right  Rev.  Bishop  de  Goesbriand  of  Burlington  and  Bishop 
O'Reilly  of  Springfield,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon.  To  draw  upon  his 
diocese  the  divine  blessing,  Bishop  McFarland  announced  that  all  the  parishes 
within  his  jurisdiction  would  be  dedicated  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  on  the 
feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  following,  December  8th. 

The  date  of  the  dedication  of  St.  Josephs'  chapel  marks  the  origin  of  the 
cathedral  parish. 

Tiie  constant  supervision  of  the  work  on  this  convent  anci  chapel  soon 
reduced  Bishop  McFarland  to  the  condition  of  an  invalid.  Complete  rest  and 
change  of  scene  became  an  imperative  necessity.  He  sought  the  healing  air 
of  Aiken,  S.  C,  but  his  sojourn  there  was  too  brief  to  produce, any  permanent 
relief  He  visited  also  Richland  Springs,  Va.,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
a  physician  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  and  his  niece;  but  home,  the  convent  and  the 
chapel  were  ever  in  his  thoughts.  They  possessed  for  him,  even  in  his  en- 
feebled condition,  an  irresistible  attraction.  Realizing,  no  doubt,  that  the 
'end  was  nigh,  and  wishing  to  breathe  his  last  surrounded  by  his  beloved  asso- 
ciates, he  soon  returned  home.  During  his  final  illness  he  experienced  great 
suffering.  In  early  manhood  he  had  made  an  offering  of  himself  to  God. 
His  life  as  a  priest  and  as  a  bishop  were  but  a  constant  renewal  of  this  obla- 

'  Ln>es  of  the  Deceased  Bishops. 


156  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

tion.  And  now  as  he  lay  with  the  shadows  of  death  falling  about  him,  he 
repeated  the  offering  which  he  made  on  the  day  he  entered  the  sanctuary: 
"  The  Lord  is  the  portion  of  my  inheritance  and  of  my  cupy  He  expired  on  the 
evening  of  October  2nd,  retaining  consciousness  to  the  last,  in  the  fifty-fifth 
year  of  his  age,  the  twenty-ninth  of  his  priesthood  and  the  sixteenth  of  his 
episcopate.  Bishop  lIcFarland  left  no  personal  property  nor  real  estate, 
having  some  time  before  his  death  deeded  the  house  given  liim  when  he 
arrived  in  Hartford  to  the  corporation  of  the  diocese.  His  remains  were  laid 
in  state  in  the  pro-cathedral.  Tlie  funeral  services  were  held  on  the  15th, 
witli  Right  Rev.  John  Loughlin,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Brooklyn,  as  celebrant  of 
the  Mass;  Very  Rev.  James  Huglies,  V.  G. ,  assistant  priest;  Rev.  James 
Lynch,  deacon  ;  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  sul>deacon ;  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  and 
Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly,  masters  of  ceremonies.     The  bishops  present  were 

The  Rt.  Rev.  John  Loughlin,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

"       "  Bernard  J.  McQuaid,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

■'      "       "  Stephen  V.  Ryan,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

••      "       "  P.  T.  O'Reilly,  Springfield,  Mass. 

"      "       "  Francis  McNierney,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

E.  P.  Wadhams ,  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 

"       "  M.  A.  Corrigan,  Newark,  N.J. 

"      "       "  James  F.  Wood,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

"      "       "  P.  N.  Lynch,  Charleston.  S.  C. 

'  John  J.  Coiiroy,  Albany,  N.  X. 

"      "       ■'  T.  F.  Ilendricken,  Providence,  R.  I. 

John  J.  Williams,  Boston,  Mass. 

"      "       '■  William  O'Hara,  Scranton,  Pa. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-two  priests  assisted  at  the  obsequies. 

The  funeral  panegyric  was  pronounced  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hen- 
dricken  of  Providence.  He  announced  his  text  from  Daniel  ii.  2j:  "  To  Thee, 
0  God  of  our  fathers,  I  give  thanks,  and  I  praise  Thee;  because  Thou  hast  given 
me  wisdom  and  strength. ' ' 

The  Bishop  said  in  part:  "Right  Rev.  Bishops  and  Reverend  Members 
of  the  Clergy  :  When  I  look  around  me  and  see  so  many  eminent  bishops 
present  in  this  temple,  so  many  venerable  priests  from  all  parts  of  the  country-, 
see  this  immense  congregation,  and  these  emblems  of  mourning,  it  is  evident 
that  death  has  taken  from  us  a  distinguished  victim.  The  mourning  is  not 
confined  to  this  temple;  but  wherever  true  worth  is  acknowledged  and  men 
have  sympathy  for  deep  learning  and  piety,  there  are  those  who  mourn  the 
death  of  Bishop  McFarland."  The  Right  Reverend  preacher  then  briefly 
related  the  chief  incidents  of  the  deceased  bisliop's  life,  from  his  birth  to 
his  elevation  to  the  episcopate.  He  then  said  :  "  Every  good  gift  that  comes 
to  us  is  from  God.  The  gifts  of  wisdom  and  fortitude  were  the  gifts  that 
shone  resplendent  in  Bishop  McFarland.  He  was  born  in  evil  days,  when  to 
be  pious  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  it  was  only  necessary  to  be  decently  vicious. 
He  was  early  marked  out  for  the  episcopate.  Seventeen  years  ago — and  it 
looks  like  yesterday  only — he  was  consecrated  as  Bishop  of  Hartford.  The 
inconveniences  and  burdens  which  he  bore  for  the  scattered  flock  over  whicii 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  157 

he  ruled  showed  his  great  and  wise  zeal.  In  this  large  diocese  his  success 
and  the  dnrabie  works  which  survive  him,  proved  he  had  wise  zeal  in  per- 
fection. Under  his  fostering  care  churches  hav&  sprung  up,  convents  and 
schools  have  multiplied. 

"We  ask  for  the  cause  of  his  success,  and  we  find  it  in  the  method  of  his 
labor.  The  sublime  virtues  of  your  lamented  bishop  will  be  remembered 
when  the  most  ancient  lineages  will  be  forgotten.  In  his  relations  with  men 
he  was  kind,  affable  and  condescending.  To  his  own  merits  he  was  appa- 
rently unconscious.  He  was  no  dumb  pastor,  but  hastened  everywhere  to 
preach  the  gospel.  His  hearers  were  chiefly  the  poor,  but  now  and  then  the 
learned  came  to  hear  him  and  were  charmed  by  the  plainness,  but  force  of 
his  arguments.  He  was  consulted  by  both  the  priests  of  his  own  diocese, 
and  by  priests  and  bishops  of  other  dioceses.  He  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
piety.  I  have  known  him  from  the  morning  of  his  consecration,  and  could 
not  detect  in  him  a  venial  fault;  and  here,  I  said,  is  a  bishop  on  whom  rests, 
in  fullest  amplitude,  the  seven-fold  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  poorest 
member  of  his  flock  or  diocese  could  approach  him  without  hesitation  and 
would  receive  the  kindest  treatment.  He  was  a  learned  scholar  in  the 
best  sense  of  that  term  ;  he  was  a  most  profound  theologian.  The  doctrine 
of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  when  decreed  by  the  Holy  PontiS"  as  the  belief 
of  the  church,  he  found  no  diflliculty  in  receiving ;  nor  would  he  have  hesi- 
tated to  receive  this  doctrine,  so  declared,  had  he  before  been  inclined  to 
doubt  it.  As  readily  did  he  give  his  adhesion  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Infalli- 
bility of  the  Holy  Father  when  speaking  ex-cathedra  as  the  Head  of  the 
Church.  As  a  citizen,  he  was  a  valuable  one  to  both  this  city  and  State,  and 
also  to  Rhode  Island  when  he  resided  there.  During  the  late  war,  he  was 
not  wanting  in  patriotism  and  in  a  proper  method  of  showing  it.  In  regard 
to  the  school  question,  his  position  was  unequivocally  declared  and  well 
understood.  He  was  no  lover  of  the  modern  common-school  system,  for  he 
regarded  the  system  of  teaching  that  lacked  in  denominational  character  as 
wanting  in  the  Christian  element. 

"His  simplicity  of  life  and  character  are  known  and  remembered  by 
you.  I  could  tell  you  of  numberless  instances  of  his  generosity.  When  the 
claim  without  a  proper  title  to  a  certain  church  was  made  by  a  congregation 
in  the  city  of  Providence,  harsh  words  were  spoken  against  him.  When  he 
had  satisfied  the  people  that  they  were  in  error,  and  apologies  had  been  made 
to  him,  he  took  no  revenge,  for  he  forgave  the  congregation  a  debt  of  $5,000 
they  owed  to  him,  and  then  sold  them  the  church  in  question  for  one-half 
what  it  had  cost  to  erect  it.  He  was  unwearied  in  labor,  and  submissive  to 
the  will  of  God.  I  asked  him  only  a  few  days  before  his  death  if  he  was 
willing  to  die.  He  replied  in  Latin,  '  Non  recusco  laborem,  sed  quid-quid  vult 
Dtus  ego  volo;''  to  the  effect  that  he  had  never  refused  to  labor,  but  if  it  was  the 
will  of  God  he  would  be  resigned — he  wished  whatever  God  wished  ;  literally, 
'  I  refuse  no  labor,  but  whatever  God  wills  I  will.'  " 


158  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  funeral  procession  was  formed  in  the  following  order: 

Platoon  of  police. 

Carriages  containing  the  Bishops. 

Tw6  carriages  wiih  bearers. 

H 

E 

A 

Sisters  of  Charity        j.        Sisters  of  Mercy 

S 

E 

Children  of  Mary  from  St.  Peter's  church. 

Relatives  in  carriages. 

Clergy  in  carriages  wearing  cassocks  and  surplices. 

St.  Peter's  Band. 

St.  Patrick's  Societ}'. 

St.  John's  Societj'. 

St.  Peter's  Society. 

Citizens. 

The  bishop  was  interred  in  the  habit  of  the  Franciscan  Order,  and  his 
grave  was  made  in  the  groimd.s  in  front  of  the  convent  and  pro-cathedral. 
In  jMay,  1S92,  his  remains  were  transferred  to  the  crypt  in  the  cathedral. 

In  its  issue  of  October  22,  1874,  the  Pi/ot  paid  this  tribute  to  the  deceased 
bishop:  "The  episcopate  and  clergy  mourn  the  loss  of  a  distinguished 
co-worker,  the  Order  of  St.  Francis  a  devoted  member,  and  the  Catholic 
church,  in  New  England  especially,  the  rich  zeal  which  for  sixteen  years 
directed  a  diocese  comprising,  at  one  time,  two  States.  Even  those  outside 
the  church,  from  whom  he  received  the  highest  regard  and  cooperation  con- 
sistent with  his  position  as  an  uncompromising  Catholic  prelate,  have  mani- 
fested their  feeling  for  his  loss.  The  deceased  bishop  was  deserving  of  all 
these  manifestations;  for  he  was  one  of  uncommon  ability  and  self-sacrificing 
zeal,  the  initiring  projector  of  churches  and  charities,  and  a  father  at  once  to 
the  clergy  of  Iris  diocese,  whom  he  stimulated  by  faithful  attention,  and  the 
little  ones  whom  he  gathered  under  his  religious  care.  It  is  known  that  much 
of  his  episcopal  duty  was  done  at  some  personal  sacrifice,  and  he  did  not  spare 
himself  even  during  ill  health." 

"The  bishop  was  a  learned  scholar.  His  private  library  was  remarkably 
fine — especially  in  the  completeness  of  its  theological  collections.  As  an 
orator,  he  was  singularly  plain,  yet  precise  in  his  expression,  and  possessed  the 
rare  faculty  of  never  speaking  for  effect.  His  sermons  were  easily  understood 
and  (rare  quality)  easily  remembered.  He  is  said  by  those  whose  opinions  are 
entitled  to  weiglit,  to  have  had  no  .superior  as  a  theological  student  in  the 
country.  His  intellectual  gifts  were  many  and  brilliant ;  but  the  kindness, 
humilit\-,  and  child-like  docility  of  his  character,  his  resignation  during  the 
long  and  painful  illness  that  afflicted  him,  and  his  calm  submission  to  the 
decrees  of  death  will  be  remembered  with  reverent  affection  long  after  his 
other  qualities  are  consigned  to  oblivion." ' 

'  Connecticul  Catholic  Year  Book,  1877. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  159 

RIGHT   REV.  THOMAS   GALBERRY,  O.S.A.,   D.D., 
FcuRTH  Bishop  of  Hartford. 

fHOMAS,  the  son  of  Thomas  Galberry  and  Margaret  White,  was  born  at 
Naas,  County  Kildare,  Ireland,  in  1S33.  When  three  years  of  age  his 
parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  established  their  home 
ill  Philadelphia.  Young  Galberry  was  a  witness  of  the  outrages  perpe- 
trated by  the  Native  American  party  between  1842  and  1844,  and  the  acts  of 
sacrilege  committed  during  these  turbulent  years  must  have  made  an  indeli- 
ble impression  upon  the  mind  of  one  so  observant  as  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
His  parents  early  perceived  in  him  striking  marks  of  a  vocation  to  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  with  self-sacrifice,  characteristic  of  Catholic  parents,  sent  him  to 
Villauova  College,  near  Philadelphia,  in  1847.  This  institution  was,  as  it  is 
now,  conducted  by  the  Augustinian  Fathers,  an  order  upon  which  the  young 
student  was  to  reflect  so  much  honor,  and  of  which  he  was  to  become  its  most 
conspicuous  ornament.  Of  serious,  but  not  morose  disposition,  of  placid  tem- 
perament, a  painstaking,  conscientious  student,  his  mind  and  heart  now  fixed 
upon  his  one  great  desire,  Thomas  Galberry  pursued  his  studies  with  success 
and  achieved  the  honor,  dear  to  the  heart  of  every  student,  of  being  selected 
by  the  faculty  to  deliver  the  commencement  oration  at  the  completion  of  his 
cla.ssical  course  in  185  i.  "  While  at  college,"  says  one  who  knew  him  well, 
"  he  was  given  to  retirement  and  solitude,  which  was  evinced  in  his  love  for 
long  walks  in  the  beautiful  neighborhood  of  Vilianova.  Some  of  his  earliest 
friends,  those  with  whom  he  had  contracted  that  most  lasting  of  friendships 
-—the  privilege  of  college  life — often  recall  him  to  mind  as  a  gentle  and  mod- 
est lad,  who  avoided  anything  like  harshness  or  anger — -always  cheerful, 
collected  and  studious." ' 

His  classical  course  completed,  he  bestowed  months  of  serious  considera- 
tion upon  the  all-important  question — old,  yet  ever  recurring — What  must  I 
do  to  possess  eternal  life ?  His  inclinations,  all  the  yearnings  of  his  soul,  were 
for  the  ecclesiastical  state.  He  would  take  up  the  cross  and  follow  whither- 
soever the  Master  led.  Accordingly,  he  entered  the  novitiate  of  the  Augus- 
tinian Order  at  Vilianova,  January  i,  1852.  Under  the  experienced  and 
efficient  direction  of  the  Rev.  William  Hartnett,  O.  S.  A.,  the  young  novice 
made  rapid  advancement  in  all  that  goes  to  make  a  hoh-  religious.  Sub- 
missive to  severe  trials,  patient  under  difficulties,  prompt  in  obedience  to 
every  order,  docile  under  reproof,  it  was  his  sole  aim  to  please  his  divine 
Master  and  to  become  a  good  priest.  Voluntarily  had  he  chosen  a  life 
secluded  from  the  world.  He  knew  that  self  must  be  submerged,  and  it  is 
the  testimon)-  of  his  contemporaries  that  well  and  faithfully  did  he  fulfill  his 
obligations.  On  January  4,  1853,  he  made  his  solemn  profession,  taking  the 
vows  of  poverty,  chastity,  and  obedience.  After  his  j^rofession  he  began  the 
usual  course  of  dogmatic  and  moral  theology,  sacred  Scripture,  canon  law, 
church  history,  sacred  eloquence,  etc.,  which  comprised  a  period  of  three  years. 

'  The  Connecticitl  Catholie  Year  Book,  1877. 


ICO  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

An  Augustinian  priest,  who  has  achieved  merited  distinction  as  a  historian, 
wrote  of  our  subject  at  this  time  :'  "  As  I  remember  him  (he  was  over  me,  my 
prefect,  and  in  some  brandies  my  teacher),  we  boys  respected  Mr.  Galberrw 
He  was  very  attentive  to  his  tasks,  prompt  at  rising  early,  as  we  well  knew, 
and  exact  in  discipline.  He  was  rather  strict,  yet  that  was  his  business,  and 
a  model  of  propriety,  cool-tempered,  self-possessed,  and  at  a  pinch,  rather 
inclined  '  to  let  a  fellow,'  as  we  used  to  say,  '  out  of  a  scrape.'  At  the  same 
time,  we  lads  didn't  tn*-  often  to  impose  on  him,  as  boys  often  will.  Though 
I  can't  say  that  we  exactly  loved  him,  as  he  didn't  enter  quite  as  merrily  into 
our  games  and  sports  as  some  others,  we  all,  I  believe,  revered  him  in  his 
quiet,  unassuming  demeanor.  I  believe  none  hated  him ;  the  roughly-disposed, 
perhaps,  feared  him ;  a  good  number  liked  him,  and  all  respected  him.  In 
class  he  was  well  prepared  for  his  tasks,  and  we  knew  before  entering  the 
room  we  had  better  know  our  lessons." 

The  same  okservant  writer  continues:  "  Young  Galberry  was  pious,  kind 
of  heart,  attentive  to  his  work,  and  noted  for  his  thorough  performance  of 
the  same,  and  his  general  steadiness.  Intellectually,  he  was  not  what  might 
be  called  brilliant  or  erudite.  He  knew  his  business;  was  sound  on  princi- 
ples; open  to  conviction;  not  given  to  prejudices;  loving  that  which  was  best 
and  most  equitable;  was  rather  slow  in  forming  his  judgments;  studied  the 
matter,  took  counsel,  and  viewed  whatever  he  had  on  hand  from  all  points 
of  view;  and  when  his  mind  was  '  made  up,'  stuck  to  it  like  a  limpet  to  the 
rock.  Was  very  firm,  .some  might  say,  obstinate,  but  I  think  not.  Firmness 
is  the  word,  or  strong  determination.  This  characteristic  was  marked  during 
his  whole  life-time."^ 

On  the  completion  of  his  theological  studies,  Thomas  Galberry  was  ele- 
vated to  the  dignity  of  the  holy  priesthood  by  Bishop  Neumann  on  December 
20tli,  1S56,  in  St.  Augustine's  church,  Philadelphia.  After  his  ordination, 
Father  Galberry  was  assigned  to  a  professor's  chair  in  Villanova  College,  a 
position  he  filled  with  eminent  success  for  two  years.  From  the  college  he 
entered  into  the  practical  work  of  the  sacred  ministry,  having  been  appointed 
rector  of  St.  Denis'  church.  West  Haverford,  Pennsylvania,  a  short  distance  from 
Villanova.  This  little  church  has  acquired  a  unique  prominence  from  the  num- 
ber of  illustrious  priests  who  have  been  its  rectors,  or  who  have  served  it,  no 
less  than  seven  of  them  having  been  elevated  to  the  episcopal  dignity:  Most 
Rev.  Arclibisliop  Hughes  of  New  York,  Most  Rev.  Peter  Kenrick,  Archbishop 
of  St.  Louis,  Right  Rev.  Michael  O'Connor,  Bishop  of  Pittsburg,  Right  Rev. 
Thaddeus  .Vmat,  Bishop  of  Monterey  and  Los  Angelos,  Right  Rev.  William 
O'Hara,  Bishop  of  Scranton,  Right  Rev.  Michael  Domenec,  Bishop  of  Pitts- 
burg, and  Bishop  Galberry. 

In  this  peaceful  and  congenial  field,  Father  Galberry  labored  until  Janu- 
ary 27th,  i860,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Lansiugburg,  New  York.  Here 
the  metal  of  the  young  priest  was  to  be  tested.  The  chuTch  which  he  found 
there,  old   St.  John  the  Baptist's,  was  a  time-battered  structure  and  falling 

'  Lhies  0/  Deceased  Bishops. 
»  Ibid. 


Cy/^^'^'La--^ 


tf-^c^ 


.      ^Icyy^r/cf^^^^  ^»-n-/Xf 


DTOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  lol 

into  ruin.  It  was  not  an  edifice  suitable  for  the  celebration  of  the  divine 
mysteries.  He  determined  to  erect  a  temple  that  would  be  a  fitting  abode  for 
Him  who  dwells  amid  the  silence  of  the  tabernacle,  a  prisoner  of  love.  His 
financial  prospects  were  poor,  but  confiding  in  the  unfailing  assistance  of 
heaven,  he  appealed  to  the  generosity  not  only  of  his  own  little  flock,  but  of 
Catholics  elsewhere.  His  confidence  and  zeal  were  rewarded;  the  corner- 
stone of  the  new  church,  which  he  placed  under  the  patronage  of  the  founder 
of  his  beloved  order,  St.  Augustine,  was  laid  on  June  I'/th,  1869,  by  Bishop 
McCloskey  of  Albany,  afterwards  Cardinal  Archbishop  of  New  York.  In 
December,  1865,  the  magnificent  edifice  was  completed,  aud  the  first  service 
within  its  walls — a  service  of  joy  and  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all  gifts — -was 
a  midnight  Mass  on  the  feast  of  the  Nativity.  To  crown  the  success  of  the 
indefatigable  pastor  all  the  indebtedness  incurred  had  been  liquidated  when 
the  first  service  was  held.  "This  church,  I  think,"  wriles  the  distinguished 
historian  before  quoted,  "  is  the  most  beautiful  of  its  kind,  Gothic,  so  greatly 
does  it  excel  others  I  have  seen  in  its  perfect  proportions,  its  delicate  though 
simple  decorations,  and  the  almost  uncontrollable  spirit  of  devotion  it  breathes, 
as  it  were,  into  the  worshipers  at  its  altars.  This  may  be  an  inappropriate 
eulogy.  However,  take  it  as  the  sincere  conviction  of  your  humble  servant, 
who  has  seen  many  wonders  in  architecture,  but  was  never  really  in  love  with 
any  so  much  as  with  St.  Augustine's  at  Lansingburg."  ' 

But  the  erection  of  this  beautiful  temple  was  not  the  only  work  that 
redounds  to  the  honor  of  Father  Galberry  during  his  pastorate  at  Lansing- 
burg.  He  introduced  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  from  Carondolet,  Missouri 
for  whose  use  he  purchased  a  spacious  dwelling.  He  enlarged  his  school  and 
purchased  a  cemetery  known  as  "  St.  John's-on-the  Hill."  In  the  midst  of 
these  exacting  labors  he  received  notification  of  his  appointment  to  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  Superior  of  the  Augustinians  in  the  United  States,  No- 
vember 30th,  1866.  His  official  title  was  "  Superior  of  the  Commissariat  of 
our  Lady  of  Good  Counsel."  Of  Father  Galberry  as  Superior,  a  confrere 
said:  "His  old-time,  business-like  traits  seemed  to  improve.  He  was  very 
watchful  as  Superior,  very  self-sacrificing  aud  industrious.  He  aimed  some- 
what high,  in  fact,  higher  than  was  expedient  in  his  requirements  from  can- 
didates for  the  Order,  and  from  us  all  he  expected  prompt,  thorough  and 
unwavering  obedience.  While  his  hand  was  pretty  heavy,  no  one  called  into 
question  the  rectitude  of  his  views;  he  was  too  hard  a  worker  himself,  and 
never  asked  one  to  do  what  he  would  not  do  himself;  he  was  very  correct  in 
his  own  conduct,  very  punctual  in  his  hours  of  appointment  of  duty,  and 
very  mortified.     I  really  think  he  wore  himself  away  to  death.  "^ 

Though  Superior  of  the  Augustinians,  Father  Galberry  retained  his 
position  as  rector  at  Lansingburg  until  February  24th,  1870,  when  he  suc- 
ceeded the  Rev.  L.  M.  Edge,  O.  S.  A.,  as  rector  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Lawrence, 
Massachusetts.  In  1872,  Father  Galberry  became  PresidentofVillanova  Col- 
lege, succeeding  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stanton,  O.  S.  A.     As  President  he  infused  new 

'  Clark's  Lives  of  Deceased  Bishops.  '  Ibid. 

II — I  I 


l'J2  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

life  into  the  college.  The  growing  importance  of  tlie  institntion  demanded 
better  and  more  modern  accommodations.  To  provide  these  he  began  the 
erection  of  suitable  buildings  on  April  ist,  1872,  and  which  he  had  the  hap- 
piness to  see  ready  for  occupancy  early  in  1874.  He  restored  the  strict  yet 
paternal  discipline  of  the  Augustinians,  and  by  his  systematic  methods,  his  well- 
directed  energy  and  his  intelligent  counsel,  brought  the  course  of  studies  to  a 
high  educational  standard.  "This  was  his  greatest  work,  and  tliough  perhaps 
better  enabled  to  prosecute  his  designs,  still  the  anxiety  and  toil  entailed  on  him, 
soon  began  to  imprint  their  seal  on  his  years.  Oue  would  believe  that  after  so 
man)-  years  of  constant  labor — of  almost  ceaseless  vigilance  over  the  affairs  of 
his  several  positions,  that  even  now  a  respite  from  work  would  have  been  grate- 
ful to  him.  But  Providence  had  not  so  ordained.  He  had  scarcely  begun  a  life 
of  comparative  quiet — hardly  had  he  confiued  him.self  to  the  enjoyment  of  his 
college  home,  than  a  demand  upon  his  services  came  from  elsewhere."  ' 

On  September  14,  1874,  a  letter  was  received  from  Rome  from  the 
General  of  tlie  Order  notifying  the  Fathers  at  Villanova  of  a  change  in  the 
form  of  government  of  the  Augustinians  in  the  United  States.  The  Com- 
missariat of  Our  Lady  of  Good  Coun.sel,  founded  in  1796,  was  by  a  resolution 
of  the  General  Council,  transformed  into  a  province.  Accordingly,  the  first 
chapter  of  the  newly-created  province  convened  at  Villanova  December  15, 
1874.  For  the  first  time  in  their  history,  the  Augustinians  in  the  United 
States  could  select  their  own  Superior.  The  unanimous  choice  of  the  electors 
was  Fatlier  Galberry  ;  and  thi.s  free  selection  was  a  graceful  and  spontaneous 
tribute  to  the  manner  in  which  he  had  hitherto  governed  the  Order. 

But  other  and  still  greater  honors  were  to  fall  upon  the  devoted  religious. 
His  work  for  Christ  and  souls  was  to  be  crowned  with  the  dignity  of  the 
episcopate.  As  a  reward  for  his  fidelity  to  his  sacred  calling,  for  his  zeal  and 
uninterrupted  successes  in  the  Master's  cause,  he  was  to  receive  the  plenitude 
of  priestly  power.  He  was  to  leave  the  ranks  in  which  he  had  served  with 
so  much  distinction  to  be  numbered  among  those  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
appointed  to  rule  the  church  of  God.  Professor,  parish  priest,  superior,  and 
provincial,  he  was  to  become  an  honored  member  of  that  distinguished  body 
that  traces  its  origin  in  an  unbroken  line  back  to  the  apostles. 

In  February,  1875,  he  received,  unofficially,  the  intelligence  that  he  had 
been  nominated  by  the  Holy  Father  to  the  See  of  Hartford.  The  official  noti- 
fication of  his  election  soon  followed.  "And  now  in  his  own  estimation  was 
the  cup  of  his  sorrow  filled.  Too  retired  and  unassuming,  he  desired  not  the 
jjurple.  He  was  a  religious,  and  as  a  religious  sought  not  dignity  nor  honor. 
His  wish  was  to  remain  with  his  confreres  enjoying  the  sweets  and  peace 
which  monastic  life  alone  can  bestow.  Notwithstanding  his  reluctance  to 
accept  the  honors  and  responsibilities  of  the  epi.scopal  dignity,  .still  he  judged 
not  hastily,  he  acted  not  alone.  He  gave  this  important  subject  mature 
deliberation ;  he  counselled  with  those  in  whom  he  could  confide,  hearkened 
to  tlieir  words  and  besought  their  sympathy." 

'  Coniucticut  Catholic  Year  Book,  1877. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  163 

The  appointment  of  Father  Galberry  to  the  See  of  Hartford  was  hailed 
with  delight  by  all,  and  by  none  more  than  by  the  clergy  of  the  diocese. 
Those  who  knew  him  regarded  the  Bishop-elect  as  a  worthy  successor  of  the 
apostolic  men  who  had  gone  before.  Among  the  first  to  extend. a  cordial 
welcome  to  the  diocese  was  the  Very  Rev.  Administrator  ad  interim,  the 
Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G. : 

"  Very  Reverend  and  Dear  Sir  :  From  telegraphic  news  to  the  Freeman,  we  are 
informed  of  your  appointment  to  the  See  of  Hartford,  and,  being  personally  acquainted, 
I  hasten  to  offer  3'ou  nn-  personal  congratulations  and  tender  you  a  most  cordial  wel- 
come. I  believe  the  priests  of  the  diocese  are  almost  strangers  to  ^-ou  ;  but,  nevertheless, 
I  am  sure  you  will  find  them  earnest  and  zealous  workers  and  obedient  co-operators  in  all 
your  desires. 

"  We  shall  look  everj'  day  for  the  arrival  of  your  Bulls,  and  hope  either  to  see  or 
hear  from  you  soon  after. 

"Wishing  you  everj'  blessing  of  j^our  office,  and  a  long  and  happy  life  in  the  epis- 
copate, believe  me,  dear  Father  Galberry, 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

J.\MEs  Hughes, 
Administrator,  Diocese  of  Hartford. 
Hartford.  Conn.,  Feb'y  22d,  1875. 

Very  Rev.  Thomas  Galberry,  O.S.A." 

Rumors  of  his  contemplated  intention  to  decline  the  honor  conferred 
upon  him  began  to  spread  abroad,  and,  in  consequencce,  no  little  anxiety 
was  created  among  the  priests  of  the  diocese.  His  brethren  appealed  to  him 
to  bow  to  the  will  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  and  accept  the  burden  he  had 
placed  upon  him.  Unwilling  to  sever  the  holy  ties  of  brotherhood,  humanly 
speaking,  they,  nevertheless,  recognized  in  his  election  the  call  of  God.  The 
finger  of  God  icuis  titer e.  From  the  diocese  was  despatched  a  letter  from  two 
of  the  senior  clergy  urging  his  acceptance  of  the  episcopal  office  : 

"  Very  Reverend  and  Dear  Sir: — Hearing  it  reported  and  seeing  it  extensively 
circulated  in  the  newspapers  that  you  contemplate  resigning  the  charge  of  the  Diocese 
of  Hartford,  we,  the  undersigned,  being  among  the  oldest  priests  of  the  diocese,  take  the 
liberty  of  addressing  you  a  few  words  in  reference  to  the  subject. 

' '  In  the  first  place,  we  assure  you  that  your  appointment  gave  universal  satisfaction 
to  the  priests  of  the  diocese.  They  lived  in  peace  and  harmon}'  with  our  late  revered 
and  saintly  bishop.  They  sincerely  loved  him  and  gave  him  a  heartv  co-operation  in 
everything  he  undertook  for  the  good  of  religion.  From  the  accounts  received  from 
various  sources  they  hoped  to  find  in  you  a  worthy  successor  of  Bishop  McFarland,  and 
were  anxiously  looking  forward  to  the  day  of  your  consecration  in  Hartford.  These,  we 
assure  you,  are  the  sentiments  of  the  priests  of  the  diocese  towards  you. 

"  W"e  hope,  therefore,  you  will  not  be  discouraged  nor  deterred  from  assuming  the 
charge  of  this  diocese,  where  you  will  receive  the  hearty  welcome  and  faithful  co-opera- 
tion of  a  united  and  devoted  priesthood. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

James  Lynch, 
Pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  Waterbur}',  Conn. 

Thomas  J.  Synnott, 
Pastor  of  St.  Augustine's  Church,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 
Bridgeport,  Conn.,  April  30,  1S75, 

Very  Rev.  Thomas  Galberry,  O.S.A." 


164  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Tlic  liuiiiility  of  the  monk,  the  tlisinclination  to  leave  the  classical 
shades  of  his  alma  inatcr^  and  witli  which  he  had  now  become  so  intimately 
associated,  and,  above  all,  the  fear  of  his  unworthiness  to  enter  the  episcopal 
ranks  overcame  all  solicitations,  and  Father  Galberr>-  forwarded  his  resigna- 
tion to  Rome  with  the  reasons  that  impelled  him  thereto.  Rome  gave 
due  consideration  to  the  reasons  advanced  for  his  resignation,  and  on 
February  17,  1876'  a  tnnndanius  —  a  Papal  mandate  —  was  forwarded  by 
Cardinal  Franchi,  Prefect  of  the  Propaganda,  to  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop 
Williams,  of  Boston,  the  ^letropolitan,  enjoining  the  accejitauce  of  the  See  of 
Hartford  by  F'ather  Galberry.  The  contest  with  self  was  at  an  end.  He 
who  had  commanded  obedience  from  others,  now  bowed  to  the  command  of 
the  Supreme  Pastor.  The  clergy  and  laity  of  the  diocese  breathed  a  sigh  of 
relief  and  sent  up  fervent  prayers  of  thanksgiving  that  God,  through  His 
Vicegerent,  had  bestowed  upon  them  so  worthy  a  ruler. 

Right  Rev.  Thomas  Galberry  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Hartford,  the 
fourth  in  succession,  in  St.  Peter's  church,  Hartford,  on  March  19,  1876. 
The  officers  of  the  Solemn  Mass  of  Consecration  were  as  follows  : 

Consecratpr — Most  Rev.  John  J.  WillL-iiiis   D.I).,  Archbishop  of  Boston. 
Assistant   Bisliops— Right   Rev.  P.  T.  O  Reilly,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Springfield,  and 
Right  Rev.  E.  P.  Wadhams,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Ogdensburg. 
Archprie.st— Verj-  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Administrator. 
Notary— Very  Rev.  P.  A.  Stanton,  O.S.A. 
Deacons  of  Honor — Rev.  M.  Hart  and  Rev.  L.  Daly. 
Deacon  of  the  Mass — Rev.  James  Lynch. 
Sub-Deacon— Rev.  Thomas  Walsh. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  and  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly. 
Assistant  Chaplain— Rev.  T.  J.  Synnott. 
Cross  Bearer— Rev.  P.  F.  Goodwin. 
Chanters— Rev.  J.  F.  Campbell  and  Rev.  E.  Gaffney. 
Censer  Bearer — Rev.  J.  F.  Campbell. 

The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  Right  Rev.  P.  N.  Lynch,  D.D.,  Bishop 
of  Charleston,  S.  C,  who  selected  his  text  from  \.\\^  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  xx.  28: 
"  Take  heed  to  yourselves  and  to  the  whole  flock  -wherein  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  placed 
yon  bishops,  to  ride  the  church  of  God  ivhich  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood. ''^ 

The  Bishops  in  attendance  were  the  Right  Rev.  Bishops  Lynch,  of 
Charleston  ;  De  Goe.sbriand,  of  Burlington  ;  Loughlin,  of  Brooklyn  ;  Conroy 
and  McNierney,  of  Albany;  O'Reilly,  of  Springfield;  Wadhams,  of  Ogdens- 
burg;  Corrigan,  of  Newark;  Hendricken,  of  Providence,  and  Healy,  of 
Portland.  In  addition  there  were  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  priests 
from  this  and  other  dioceses,  besides  large  delegations  of  sisters  of  various 
communities.  The  newly  consecrated  bishop  sang  Pontifical  Vespers,  during 
which  Bishop  Healy  of  Portland  preached  the  sermon. 

Bishop  Galberry  .selected  St.  Peter's  church,  Hartford,  as  his  pro-cathedral. 
The  erection  of  a  cathedral  .suitable  to  the  dignity  of  the  diocese  over  which 
he  had  been  placed,  now  became  the  object  of  his  thoughts.  To  stimulate 
the  zeal  of  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  diocese,  he  issued  a  Pastoral  Letter  in 
which  he  set  forth  the  urgent  need  of  a  Mother  Church,  and  recounted  the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  165 

work  accomplished  in  this  direction  by  his  lamented  predecessor.  The  new 
cathedral  would  be  placed  under  the  patronage  of  the  Spouse  of  Mary  Im- 
maculate, the  Patron  of  the  Church  Universal,  St.  Joseph. 

On  May  5,  1876,  Bishop  Galberry  sailed  from  New  York  en  route  for 
Rome  to  make  his  visit  ad  limiiia  Apostoloruni.  While  abroad  he  visited  the 
Grotto  of  Lourdes,  wliither  he  journeyed  as  a  devout  pilgrim  of  our  Blessed 
Lady.  His  return  to  the  diocese  in  the  autumn  was  accompanied  by  many 
demonstrations  of  joy,  affection  and  thanksgiving  on  the  part  of  his  devoted 
priests  and  people. 

Bishop  Galberry's  unceasing  labors  and  responsibilities  as  an  Augustinian 
monk  with  the  additional  burdens  of  the  episcopal  office  soon  began  to  under- 
mine his  health.  To  obtain  much-needed  rest,  he  set  out  on  October  10,  1878, 
for  his  beloved  home  of  many  years,  Villanova  College.  On  the  train  to  New 
York  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill  with  hemorrhages  of  the  bowels.  Arrived  at 
New  York  he  was  tenderly  carried  to  the  Grand  Union  Hotel  and  surgical 
and  spiritual  assistance  dispatched  for.  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Neno,  O.S.A.,  Provin- 
cial of  the  Augustinians,  was  soon  at  the  bedside  of  his  stricken  colleague. 
The  last  sacraments  were  administered  by  priests  who  had  been  summoned 
from  neighboring  parishes.  With  perfect  resignation  to  the  holy  will  of  God, 
and  realizing  that  death  was  nigh,  he  imparted  his  episcopal  benediction  to 
his  diocese  and  to  those  who  knelt  sorrowfully  about  him.  He  sank  rapidly, 
and  died  in  the  evening  of  October  lOth. 

A  Sister  of  Mercy  thus  wrote  of  him  :  "Bishop  Galberry  was  a  saintly 
prelate.  He  seemed  to  resemble  Bishop  McFarland  in  his  untiring  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  religion  and  in  the  education  of  children.  I  often  heard  it  said, 
'  Bishop  Galberry  acts  so  like  Bishop  McFarland  ;'  you  would  think  he  lived 
with  him,  studied  his  life,  copied  his  virtues,  particularly  his  gentleness  of 
heart,  his  zeal  for  souls,  his  love  for  the  poor,  and  untiring  kindness  and 
anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  our  dear  Parent  House  and  Boarding  School  on 
Farmington  avenue.'" 

During  his  brief  episcopate  of  twenty  months.  Bishop  Galberry  accom- 
plished much  for  his  diocese.  He  founded  the  Connecticut  Catholic^  the  first 
number  of  which  was  issued  on  April  29,  1876,  and  which  recently  became 
the  Catholic  Transcript.  He  made  one  visitation  of  the  diocese,  during  which 
he  confirmed  10,235  persons,  besides  administering  confirmation  in  St.  Denis' 
church,  Haverford,  Pa.  (July  30,  1876).  The  number  of  priests  in  the  diocese 
was  increased  by  seventeen. 

Bishop  Galberry's  vicars-general  were  Rev.  James  L}'nch,  rector  of  St. 
Patrick's  church.  New  Haven,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  rector  of  St.  Rose's 
church,  Meriden. 

A  contemporary  drew  this  pen  picture  of  Bishop  Galberry:  "His  digni- 
fied appearance,  his  very  look  and  bearing  call  to  mind  the  old  prelates  of  the 
early  church.  .  .  .  The  expression  of  his  countenance  is  that  of  cheerfulness 
and  buoyancy  of  spirit,  still  having  something  about  it  denoting  a  love  of 

'  Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops. 


166  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

retirement.  He  is  of  a  practical  turn  of  mind,  his  long  experience  on  the 
mission  considerably  inclining  him  to  business  pursuits.  He  has  displayed 
great  taste  in  l^uilding.  Oftentimes  witli  a  low  treasury  at  the  out.set,  he  has 
by  wondrous  exertion  filled  it  before  completing  his  designs.  The  strong  and 
noticeable  trait  of  his  character  is  his  deep  reflective  turn  of  mind;  it  is  this 
which  gains  him  success  in  whatever  he  undertakes.  As  a  pulpit  orator  he  is 
plain  and  impressive,  never  seeking  ornament  nor  figure  to  express  his  ideas. 
In  conversation  he  is  cheerful  and  frank,  nay  almost  familiar  in  his  converse 
with  his  friends,  and  his  company  never  leave  his  presence  without  a  new  love, 
a  new  sympathy  towards  him.  With  all  under  his  care  he  is  gentle,  >  et  firm 
when  necessary;  forgiving,  yet  inflexible  if  called  for,  and  fatherly  and  lenient 
to  all  who  strive  to  do  good.  It  is  to  this  combination  of  manly  virtues  that 
prosperity  and  success  ha\e  attended  all  his  enterprises.  And  were  it  not  for 
the  influence  of  a  deep,  unshaken  faitli  in  the  Omnipresence  of  God,  he  would 
never  have  ascended,  step  by  step,  the  royal  road  of  holiness  and  perfection." 
The  obsequies  of  Bishop  Galberry  took  place  on  October  15th.  The 
celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams,  of  Boston; 
assistant  priest,  tlie  Rev.  Hugh  Carmody  ;  deacon,  the  Rev.  P.  A.  Murphy  ; 
sub-deacon,  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Lawlor.  The  deacons  of  honor  were  Very  Rev. 
P.  A.  Stanton,  O.S.A.,  and  Rev.  T.  J.  Synnott.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  De  Goes- 
briand  of  Burlington,  preached  the  funeral  .sermon.  Present  in  the  sanctuary 
were : 

Right  Rev.  John  Loiighlin   D.I).     ISrooklyn. 

Right  Rev.  L.  De  Goesbriand,  D.D.     Buriington. 

Right  Rev.  P.  N.  Lynch,  D  D.     Charleston. 

Riglit  Rev.  W.  O'Hara,  D.D.     Scranton. 

Right  Rev.  P.  T.  O'Reilly,  D  D.     Springfield. 

Right  Rev.  Francis  McNeirny,  D  D.     Albany. 

Right  Rev.  M.  A.  Corrigan.  D.D.     Newark. 

Very  Rev.  John  E.  Barry,  V.G  ,  of  Portland,  representing  Bishop  Heal}', 
•    who  was  in  Europe. 

Priests  were  present  from  the  arch-dioceses  of  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
and  Boston,  and  from  the  dioceses  of  Hartford,  .Albany,  Buffalo,  Scranton, 
Providence,  and  Springfield. 

RIGHT   REV.   LAWRENCE   STEPHEN    McMAHON,   D.  D., 
Fifth  Bishoi>  ok  Hartford. 

JSHOI'    McMAHON    was    the    second    cliild    of   Owen    and    Sarah 
McMahon,  and  was  born  in  St.  John,  N.  B. ,  on  St.  Stephen's  Day, 
December  26,  1835.     He  was  brought  a  child  in  arms  the  following 
May  to  Charlestown,  now  part  of  Boston,  where  he  resided  until  he 
entered  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester. 

After  completing  the  granmiar-school  course,  he  entered  the  Charlestown 
High  School  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  and  was  one  of  two  boys  who  com- 
prised the  first  graduating  class.     United  States  Senator,  the  Hon.  Samuel 


<^ 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  167 

Pasco,  of  Florida,  was  a  pupil  of  the  school  at  the  same  time,  but  was 
graduated  later.  lu  1898  the  school  celebrated  its  golden  jubilee  ;  just  before 
that  there  was  much  discussion  about  closing  the  school  and  transferring  the 
pupils  to  the  Boston  High  and  Latin  schools.  Mayor  Quincy,  the  present 
Cliief  Executive  of  Boston,  in  a  speech  opposing  this  transfer,  said  that  a 
school  which  could  graduate  two  such  scholars  as  Bishop  McMahon  and 
Senator  Pasco  had  justified  its  erection  and  existence  by  the  useful  and 
splendid  careers  of  these  early  graduates,  and  it  would  be  a  great  wrong  to 
close  it. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  young  McMahon  entered  Holy  Cross  College,  Wor- 
cester, but  was  forced  after  a  brief  stay  to  leave  there  on  account  of  a  fire, 
which  destroyed  tlie  main  building  of  the  college.  He  then  entered  Mon- 
treal College,  where  he  won  the  first  prize  in  all  his  classes,  taking  even  the 
honors  in  French  from  his  Canadian  classmates.  He  was  then  sent  to  St. 
Mary's  Seminar}-,  Baltimore,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time.  In  that 
year  Bishop  Fitzpatrick,  of  Boston,  who  was  making  his  ad  limina  visit  to 
Rome,  arrranged  that  Mr.  McMahon  should  enter  the  College  of  the  Propa- 
ganda Fide,  there  to  continue  his  studies  ;  but  at  that  time  political  troubles 
were  so  rife  and  revolution  and  political  feeling  so  hostile  to  the  Pope-King, 
that  the  young  student  changed  his  destination  to  Aix,  in  the  south  of  France, 
near  Marseilles,  where  he  studied  theology  for  three  years.  While  at  the 
Seminary  of  Aix  he,  with  many  of  his  fellow-seminarians,  paid  a  visit  to  the 
Rev.  Jean  Baptiste  Vianney,  known  the  world  over  as  the  Curd  d'Ars,  and 
since  pronounced  blessed  by  the  church.  The  Cure  singled  him  out  from  the 
others,  and  told  him  that  he  had  a  true  vocation  to  the  priesthood,  and  would 
be  of  great  service  to  the  church  of  God  in  America,  a  prediction  which  was 
amply  and  fully  verified  by  the  after  life  of  the  young  ecclesiastic. 

As  he  was  too  )'oung  to  be  ordained  to  the  priesthood,  he  asked  and 
obtained  permission  to  make  an  additional  year  of  study  at  Rome.  While 
here  he  lived  at  the  French  Seminary  of  St.  Clara,  as  the  American  College 
was  not  yet  open,  and  attended  the  lectures  at  the  Apollinare,  the  diocesan 
seminary  of  Rome,  and  also  at  the  Gregorian  University,  better  known,  per- 
haps, as  the  Roman  College,  the  highest  teaching  institution  in  the  world, 
taught  by  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

While  preparing  for  the  doctorate  examination  he  was  peremptorily  sum- 
moned home  by  Bishop  Fitzpatrick,  who  was  in  great  need  of  priests  for  the 
mission.  He  was  ordained  in  the  cathedral  of  Rome,  St.  John  Lateran,  by 
Cardinal  Constantine  Patrizi,  the  Vicar-General  of  His  Holiness,  Pope  Pius 
IX.,  on  March  24,  i860. 

On  his  return  to  Boston,  Father  McMahon  was  appointed  an  assistant  at 
the  Cathedral,  to  which  was  attached  the  Succursal  Church  of  St.  Vincent  on 
Purchase  street,  which  was  attended  by  nearly  5,000  Catholics.  In  one  or  the 
other  of  these  churches  he  preached  every  Sunday,  and  in  one  or  the  other 
heard  confessions  three  days  in  the  week  ;  also  in  either  one  or  the  other  he 
conducted  a  first  communion  class  of  children  and  adults  twice  a  week.  The 
sick  calls  were  numerous,  and  as  many  of  the  parishioners  lived  at  a  great 


168  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

distance  from  the  church,  this  was  a  laborious  and  trying  duty,  as  there  were 
no  means  of  conveyance,  and  all  journeys  had  to  be  made  on  foot,  and  not  a 
niglit  passed  without  some,  and  often  urgent  cases.  The  number  of  priests 
in  the  diocese  was  small,  and  few  of  tlie  churches  had  assistants.  In  case  of 
a  sudden  illness,  one  of  the  cathedral  priests  was  despatched  to  assist  on  Sun- 
day the  sick  pastor,  and  he  was  expected  to  keep  up  at  the  same  time,  as  far 
as  possible,  his  own  work  at  the  cathedral.  Father  McMalion  attended  also 
the  penal  and  pauper  institutions  in  Boston  harbor. 

Shortly  after  his  return  to  Boston  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  and  he  under- 
took, as  a  voluntary  duty,  the  work  of  visiting  the  Catholics  of  each  regiment 
in  the  camps  around  Boston,  hearing  their  confessions,  speaking  words  of 
cheer  and  comfort,  and  administering  holy  communion  before  they  went  to 
the  front. 

Early  in  the  war  ther^came  to  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  an  urgent  letter  from 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  Twenty-eighth  IMassachusetts,  lying  in  the  swamps 
of  South  Carolina,  saying  that  they  were  dying  in  large  numbers  and  more  sick 
who  were  soon  to  die,  and  begging  for  a  chaplain.  Tiie  administrator  of  the 
diocese,  in  the  absence  of  the  bishop,  read  the  letter  at  table,  and  said  that 
as  it  was  beyond  the  limits  of  the  diocese  and  out  of  his  jurisdiction,  he  could 
not  order  any  one  to  go.  Father  McMahon,  the  \oungest  of  the  clergy  present, 
waited  modestly  for  the  others  to  speak,  but  hearing  no  response  to  the 
administrator's  appeal,  placed  him.--elf  at  the  disposal  of  his  superior.  This 
was  Friday  night.  The  next  da)'  he  received  his  commission  from  Governor 
Andrews  at  the  State  Hon.se.  The  following  day,  .Sunday,  he  preached  at  the 
High  Mass,  and  that  same  night  went  to  New  York  to  embark  on  the  gov- 
ernment transport,  and  within  the  week  was  landed  at  Hilton  Head,  South 
Carolina.  Almost  immediately  on  his  arrival  was  fought  the  battle  of  James' 
Island.  Before  the  forward  movement  began,  the  tent  of  Father  McMahon, 
the  only  Catholic  priest  present,  was  filled  with  soldiers  who  had  been  pre- 
vented fcT  a  long  time,  through  no  fault  of  their  own,  from  attending  to  their 
spiritual  duties.  All  that  night  and  early  next  morning  he  heard  confessions 
until  the  drum  beat  had  called  the  men  to  move  forward;  and  he  went  with 
them.  After  the  battle  of  James'  Island,  as  the  only  Catholic  chaplain  in  the 
command,  he  ministered  to  all  the  Catholics. 

Father  McMahon  was  with  Foster  at  Newbern,  with  Burnside  at  Fred- 
ericksburg; with  Pope  at  the  Second  Bull  Run,  and  with  McClellan  at  Antie- 
tam.  He  met  the  broken  and  defeated  army  after  the  seven  da\s'  fight  at 
Richmond,  and  his  regiment  was  one  of  the  covering  regiments  of  the  rear 
guard  just  come  up  from  the  South,  through  which  the  beaten  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  just  after  the  fight  at  Malvern  Hill  and  the  seven  days'  fight  at 
Richmond,  dashed  to  safety.  At  the  Second  Battle  of  Bull  Riin,  Father 
McMahon's  regiment,  with  a  few  others,  held  the  pass  through  which  the 
defeated  army  retreated,  and  here  the  General  of  the  Division,  the  Brigadier- 
General,  and  two  of  the  field  officers  were  killed. 

Feather  IMcMahon  thus  campaigned  in  four  States,  when  and  where  the 
war  was  fiercest  and  most  blood\-.     Owing  to  the  small  number  of  Catholic 


DIOCESE  OF  Hartford.  i69 

chaplains,  he  was  often  the  only  chaplain  in  a  division,  and  often  in  an  army 
corps,  and  had  to  travel  a  distance  of  over  fifteen  miles,  compelled  to  take 
long  rides  on  horseback,  often  through  a  dangerous  and  hostile  country,  to 
minister  to  the  scattered  Catliolic  soldiers.  The  frequent  change  of  camp,  the 
continual  forward  and  rearward  movements,  the  strain  of  hard  and  continuous 
and  saddening  work  (he  was  once,  after  one  of  the  great  battles,  three  days 
with  hardly  any  food  or  sleep,  attending  the  wounded),  brought  on  an  attack 
of  intermittent  fever,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  army  hospital  at  Washington, 
where  for  a  long  time  he  hovered  between  life  and  death.  One  day  when  he 
was  a  little  better  than  usual  and  fully  conscious,  he  playfully  asked  the  at- 
tending physician  if  he  could  go  to  Boston.  The  physician  replied  :  "If  you 
go  to  Boston  the  journey  will  most  likely  kill  you,  and  if  you  remain  here 
you  will  surely  die."  He  came  north  with  some  soldiers,  and  what  little 
he  could  do  for  them  he  did  willingly  and  cheerfully,  rousing  them  from 
their  despondency  and  giving  them  fresh  courage.  When  he  arrived  at  the 
bishop's  house,  which  was  only  a  short  distance  from  the  depot,  he  had  just 
strength  enough  to  pull  the  bell,  and  when  the  servant  opened  the  door  he 
fell  on  his  face  in  the  vestibule.  He  was  carried  to  bed,  from  which  he  did 
not  arise  for  eleven  months.  On  his  recovery,  as  his  regiment  was  without  a 
chaplain,  he  rejoined  his  old  comrades,  and  marched  with  them  in  the  great 
review  before  the  President  which  closed  the  war.  For  all  this  service  in  the 
army  Father  McMaiion  never  received  a  cent  of  pay. 

The  war  ended.  Father  McMahon  was  named  the  first  pastor  of  Bridge- 
water,  at  that  time  a  small  country  village  twenty-eight  miles  from  Boston. 
He  had  also  two  missions  to  attend.  East  Bridgewater  and  Middleboro,  the 
one  distant  seven,  the  other  ten  miles  from  his  residence.  He  had  no  assistant, 
and  each  Sunday  he  said  two  Masses  ;  he  also  attended  the  almshouse  at 
Middleboro,  and  gave  the  same  faithful  service  to  those  hapless  ones  as  he 
had  given  to  the  parishioners  and  to  the  army.  Partly  from  his  work,  which 
was  highly  prized  by  the  officials  of  the  almshouse,  and  partly  by  his  subse- 
quent efforts,  the  State  of  Massachusetts  gave  open  welcome  by  statute  law 
to  Catholic  priests  to  officiate  in  all  state  and  county  institutions  ;  thus  he 
served  to  secure  not  only  civil,  but  religious  liberty. 

From  Bridgewater  he  was  sent  to  New  Bedford.  He  found  here  a  small, 
old  church,  which  had  been  bought  some  years  before  from  the  Protestants. 
Of  this  congregation  from  one-third  to  one-half  were  Portuguese,  the  men 
mostly  following  the  sea  for  a  livelihood  in  the  whaling  fleet.  To  discharge 
his  duty  to  them,  busy  as  he  was,  he  took  up  the  study  of  Portuguese  without 
a  teacher,  and  learned  it  well  enough  to  hear  their  confessions  and  their 
piteous  tales  of  distress.  For  two  years  he  wrote  letter  after  letter  to  the 
bishops  of  Portugal,  and  to  priestly  acquaintances  of  some  Portuguese  parish- 
ioners in  the  hope  of  securing  a  priest  for  his  parishioners  of  that  nationality. 
One  came,  only  to  die  in  his  house  a  short  time  after. 

In  the  meantime  Father  McMahon  set  apart  their  small  contributions, 
and  when  a  priest  came  at  last,  he  built  and  turned  over  to  them  a  large 
handsome  church,  well  furnished  and  almost  without  debt. 


170  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Later  came  the  French  emigration  from  Canada ;  he  attended  them  until 
he  was  able  to  procure  a  Canadian  priest. 

Meanwhile  he  began  the  erection  of  the  French  church,  which  was  after- 
wards opened  by  the  French  pastor.  For  two  years  he  was  the  only  priest  in 
that  part  of  the  diocese,  his  jurisdiction  covering  the  territory  which  .stretched 
from  New  Bedford  to  Fall  River,  including  the  small  town  of  Dartmouth, 
where  there  was  a  small  sprinkling  of  Catholics,  and  on  the  ocean  side  to 
Nantucket,  including  the  island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  sixty  miles  distant. 
On  one  occasion  when  the  steamer  was  not  running  he  was  summoned  on  a 
sick  call  to  Nantucket,  and  so  stormy  became  the  weather  that  the  boat  was 
capsized  when  about  half  way  to  the  destination,  and  if  lie  had  not  been  a 
good  swimmer,  he  would  never  have  reached  land. 

Father  McMahon  celebrated  the  first  Mass  said  on  Martha's  Vineyard, 
which  he  did  in  a  private  house. 

A  short  time  after  a  French  gentleman  of  New  York  City,  living  on 
Lexington  avenue,  gave  him  a  plot  of  land  for  a  new  church,  which  was  after- 
wards built. 

The  old  frame  church  purchased  from  the  Protestants,  bare,  cheap  and 
small,  and  not  conveniently  located,  he  found  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  the 
people  of  New  Bedford.  A  small  piece  of  laud  on  County  street  had  been 
bought  by  one  of  his  predecessors  for  a  new  church;  to  this  he  added  by  pur- 
chase three  times  as  much  land,  sufficient  for  cluircli,  house  and  school.  On 
a  portion  of  this  land  he  erected  a  magnificent  granite  church,  and  which 
was  at  that  time  the  finest  church  in  the  diocese  of  Boston.  This  splendid 
edifice  cost  $150,000.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  November  i,  1866, 
and  the  church  was  dedicated  in  honor  of  St.  Lawrence  on  August  10, 
1871. 

Father  McMahon  also  purchased  a  large  piece  of  land,  on  which  .stood 
a  conunodious  mansion  of  stone,  which  he  opened  as  a  hospital — the  first 
institution  of  the  kind  in  the  city — under  the  charge  of  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy  whom  he  brought  to  New  Bedford,  and  who  acted  as  nurses, 
while  he  furnished  the  funds  for  its  maintenance  and  was  responsible  for 
its  debts. 

He  was  the  first  Vicar  General  of  the  Diocese  of  Providence,  and  in  that 
capacity  prepared  the  ground  and  had  the  basement  ready  when  Bishop  Hen- 
dricken  returned  from  Rome  to  lay  the  corner-stone  of  the  Cathedral. 

In  1873  Father  McMahon  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Rome  in  recognition  of  his  .services  to  religion. 

Owing  to  the  feeble  health  and  frequent  indisposition  of  the  Bishop  of 
Proviaence,  a  large  share  of  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  diocese 
fell  upon  Dr.  McMahon.  Between  him  and  Bishop  Heudricken  there  existed 
always  the  fullest  confidence  and  respect,  which  continued  until  the  death  of 
Bishop  Hendricken. 

Dr.  McMahon  labored  in  New  Bedford  for  fourteen  years,  and  the  many 
works  accomplished  were  evidence  at  once  of  his  zeal  and  of  the  strong  faith 
of  his  people.     The  success  that  attended  his  labors  was  not  unnoticed  by  his 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  171 

ecclesiastical  superiors,  and  when  the  See  of  Hartford  became  vacant  by  the 
death  of  Bishop  Galberry,  tlie  prelates  of  the  province  recognized  in  Dr.  Mc- 
Mahon  a  priest  worthy  to  be  his  successor.  Accordingly,  he  was  appointed 
Bishop  of  Hartford  on  May  8,  1879.  On  Sunday,  July  20,  1879,  he  delivered 
his  farewell  address  to  his  congregation  of  New  Bedford.  The  scene  was 
unusually  affecting,  and  the  concourse  present  manifested  the  great  grief  they 
experienced  in  the  separation.  Seldom,  if  ever  before,  was  a  parting  between 
pastor  and  people  so  tmanimously  regretted.  Dr.  McMahon  said  in  part: 
"The  relations  existing  between  us  have  been  pleasant — pleasant  to  me  and 
I  hope  pleasant  to  you.  That  they  were  pleasant  to  me  is  sufficiently  proved 
by  my  long  stay  with  you.  Fourteen  years  ago  last  Januar)',  I  came  to  New 
Bedford,  and  have  been  here  constantly  ever  since,  not  having  taken  even  a 
month's  vacation.  I  found  on  coming  here  a  great  deal  to  do.  I  was  told  by 
my  ecclesiastical  superiors  that  I  should  have  a  church  to  build  and  much 
work  to  do.  But  I  found  little  difficulty  in  accomplishing  what  I  undertook, 
because  I  had  the  people  behind  me  ;  I  had  something  to  lean  upon.  My 
work  has  been  successful,  thanks  to  your  cooperation.  Every  man  is  satisfied 
to  remain  where  his  work  succeeds;  therefore  I  was  satisfied  to  remain  here, 
and  looked  forward  to  closing  my  life  among  you  and  mingling  my  dust  with 
that  of  )our  people  and  of  my  predecessors.  But  Providence  has  ordered 
otherwise.  The  great  head  of  the  church  has  seen  fit  to  summon  me  to  more 
laborious  duties,  and  after  careful  consideration  and  taking  counsel  of  those 
to  whom  I  should  look  for  advice,  I  can  only  believe  that  the  voice  of  Peter 
is  the  voice  of  God. 

"In  leaving  you  I  am  happy  to  say  that  the  affairs  of  the  church  were 
never  so  prosperous  in  any  previous  time.  I  need  not  specify  details,  but  I 
think  there  is  scarcely  a  place  of  the  same  size  in  the  United  States  where  so 
many  visible  works,  evidencing  the  progress  of  faith,  have  been  accomplished 
during  the  same  time  as  has  been  the  case  in  this  city.  And  this  has  not  been 
attained  at  tlie  expense  of  the  spiritual  progress.   .  .    . 

"And  now,  there  remains  but  a  parting  word  to  be  said.  I  thank  you 
again  most  sincerely,  most  feelingly,  for  all  your  acts  of  kindness.  I  shall 
always  retain  pleasant  memories  of  New  Bedford,  and  whatever  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  my  life  may  be,  I  shall  always  look  back  to  the  years  spent  here  with 
feelings  of  gratitude  and  pleasure.  I  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied  if  I  find 
as  good  people  as  I  leave  behind  me.  May  God  grant  you  individually 
and  collectively  every  possible  blessing ;  may  He  give  you  all  the  happiness 
and  prosperity  you  desire,  and  I  wish  you  from  my  heart  an  affectionate 
farewell." 

Bishop  McMahon  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Hartford  on  Sunday,  August 
10,  1879,  ii^  St.  Joseph's  cathedral,  Hartford,  in  the  presence  of  a  vast  con- 
course of  priests  and  people.  Special  trains  were  run  on  all  the  roads 
leading  into  the  city.  Seventy  car-loads  were  brought  from  Waterbury, 
New  Haven,  Springfield,  Willimantic  and  other  cities.  The  celebrant  of 
the  Mass  and  consecrating  prelate  was  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams, 
of  Boston. 


172  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Assistant  Coiisecrators,  Right  Rev.  Risiiop  Louchmn-,  of  Brooklyn,  and  Right  Rev.  Bishop 

O'Reillv,  of  Springfield. 

Deacon  of  the  Mass,  Rev.  M.  Moran,  Boston. 

Sub-deacon,  Rr:v.  Wm.  Dalv,  Boston. 

Deacons  of  Honor,  Rev.  M.  McCabe,  Woonsocket,  and  Rev.  Philip  Grace,  D.D.,  Newport. 

Assistant  Priest,  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  Meriden. 

Notary,  VERY  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Hartford. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  M.  A.  Tiernev,  Hanford,and  Rev.  M.  I".  Kelly,  Windsor  Locks, 

Chanters,  the  Rev.  Fathers  Campbell,  Kennedy,  Joynt,  Brodekick,  O'Keefe,  Facan. 

McCabe,  Sheffrey,  W.  Rogers,  B.  O'R.  Sheridan  and  E.  Gaffney. 

Mitre  Bearer,  Rev.  J.  Cooney. 

Crozier  Bearer,  Rev.  L.  J.  O'Toole. 

Censer  Bearer,  Rev.  J.  Rogers. 

Candle  Bearer,  Rev.  T.  T.  McMahon. 

Acolytes,  Rev.  P.  I<a\vlor  and  Rev.  P.  Shahan. 

Book  Bearer,  Rev.  J.  A.  SIulcahy'. 

Assistants  at  the  Faldstool,  Re\\  E.  Vvgen  and  Rev.  M.  Lawlor. 

The  preaclier  on  the  occasion  was  Ri<;;ht  Rev.  Bishop  Heah-,  of  Portland, 
Me.  His  text  was  drawn  from  tlie  fifth  chapter  of  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews: 
*'  Called  by  God  a  High  Priest,  according  to  the  order  of  Melchizedcc,  of  whom  we 
have  much  to  say  and  hard  to  be  intelligently  uttered."     Tlie  Bishop  said  in  part : 

"The  priest  exerts  an  authority  compared  to  which  that  of  the  early  dis- 
ciples seems  to  be  almost  nothing.  Who  can  estimate  the  dignity  of  the 
priesthood  ?  Kings  and  princes  must  bow  to  his  authority.  Recently,  over 
the  seas,  there  has  been  a  bloodless  but  cruel  persecution  against  the  priest- 
hood because  they  claim  an  authority  beyond  this  world  and  reaching  even 
to  heaven.  They  rule  the  souls,  others  the  bodies.  The  priest  is  an  ambas- 
sador, occupying  a  middle  place  between  God  and  man.  Consider  lest  you 
judge  us  too  severely.  There  must  be  an  angelic  life.  We  bear  the  mysteries 
of  God.  The  priest  represents  none  other  than  Christ  Himself.  What  can 
be  beyond  that  ?  Yet  there  is  another  glory  and  dignity  conferred  upon  man, 
the  collation  of  which  you  ha\-e  just  seen.  You  have  seen  how  the  church 
surrounds  this  dignity  with  elaborate  ceremonial;  the  .solemn  examination  of 
the  candidate  ;  the  building  up  in  vestments  of  wonderful  variet)- ;  the  giving 
of  a  staff  to  represent  that  he  is  a  shepherd;  the  ring,  signifying  that  he  is 
the  spouse  of  the  church  ;  the  book  of  the  Gospels,  laid  like  a  burden  upon 
his  neck;  his  head  anointed,  .signifying  that  he  is  a  king  among  men;  his 
hands  anointed,  because  from  them  are  to  flow  the  most  wonderful  blessings 
of  God.  But  the  supreme  moment  was  the  placing  of  consecrated  hands  upon 
his  head  and  the  words,  'Receive  the  Holy  Ghost.'  The  Christian  is  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  Christian  can  bring  his  fellow-men  to  the  por- 
tals of  the  church,  but  no  further;  the  priest  can  confer  miraculous  favors 
upon  his  inferiors;  both  the  simple  Christian  and  the  priest  have  limited 
authority.  For  the  perpetuation  of  the  people  of  God  there  is  a  necessity  for 
another  one  who  can  go  further.  '  The  Father  is  greater  than  I,'  said  Christ. 
I  want  to  make  it  plain  that  if  the  priest  be  another  Christ,  the  bishop  is  the 
representative  of  God  himself,  and  can  produce  others  like  unto  himself.  Then 
is  it  wonderful  that  the  church,  by  her  ceremonies,  endeavors  to  make  this 
truth  more  evident?     This  father  must  possess  a  dignity  of  grace  higher  than 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  173 

the  tongue  can  describe.  When  our  Saviour  came  up  out  of  Jordan,  the  Holy 
Ghost  descended  like  a  dove,  and  the  voice  came  from  heaven  :  '  Hear  ye 
Him  ! '  When  this  candidate  arose  from  his  prostrate  condition,  and  the 
consecrated  hands  were  placed  on  his  head,  may  it  not  have  been  that  the 
heavens  were  indeed  opened,  and  that  a  voice  came,  '  This  is  my  beloved  Son, 
hear  ye  Him  ? '  Now,  this  one  having  risen  and  possessing  the  divine  pre- 
rogative, every  blessing  and  peace  flow  from  his  hands  :  the  ruler  among 
those  who  have  rule  and  authority.  Let  me  stop  here,  leaving  the  impression 
that  the  pontiiT  represents  to  you  none  other  than  the  Fatlier  in  his  original 
and  divine  fecundity.  Remember  what  responsibility  he  bears,  and  endeavor 
by  obedience  and  prayer  to  hold  up  the  fainting  heart  that  bears  so  great  a 
burden." 

Bishop  Healy  concluded  his  sermon  with  an  address  to  the  newly  conse- 
crated prelate  :  "  To-day  you  have  the  Te  Deum  chanted  in  this  church  of 
Hartford,  which  lias  been  so  often  widowed.  I  thank  God  that  you  have  wit- 
nessed the  apostolic  lives  of  those  who  have  ruled  you.  And  you,  venerable 
brother,  just  now  inducted  into  tlie  office  of  the  episcopacy,  bear  your  author- 
ity tempered  with  mercy.  May  you  rule  many  years,  and  bear  this  authority 
and  sway  as  one  who  represents  God  the  Father.  Let  us  all  unite  in  prayer 
that  this  power  may  continue  for  many  years  {multos  attnos)  and  for  a  crown 
and  everlasting  glory  in  heaven." 

The  prelates  present  were  :  Most  Rev.  John  J.  Williams,  D.  D.,  Boston, 
Mass.;  Right  Rev.  John  Loughlin,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Right  Rev. 
Patrick  T.  O'Reilly,  D.  D.,  Springfield,  Mas.s.  ;  Right  Rev.' J.  F.  Shannahan, 
D.  D.,  Harrisburg,  Penna.  ;  Right  Rev.  S.  Chatard,  D.  D.,  Vincennes,  Ind. ; 
Right  Rev.  T.  Hendricken,  D.  D.,  Providence,  R.  J. 

Immediately  after  his  consecration  Bishop  McMahon  undertook  the 
legacy  bequeathed  to  him  of  continuing  the  building  of  the  cathedral. 
In  this  stupendous  work  he  was  not  only  wonderfully  successful,  but  he 
lived  to  witness  the  consecration  of  the  magnificent  temple.  He  found  it 
burdened  with  an  indebtedness  of  $60,000,  and  his  first  labor  was  to  liquidate 
this  and  then  to  bring  to  completion  the  plans  of  his  predecessors.  After 
thirteen  years  of  unremitting  attention  and  labor  and  anxiety,  he  had  the 
happiness  to  witness  the  full  realization  of  his  hopes.  The  cathedral  was 
erected  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own  income,  and  by  the  voluntary  contributions 
of  his  diocesans,  as  no  tax  or  assessment  was  placed  upon  any  parish.  Within 
ten  years  he  expended  over  5Soo,ooo  in  its  construction  and  embellishment. 
In  accomplishing  this  work  Bishop  McMahon  not  only  sacrificed  his  means, 
but  also  his  health.  In  the  hope  of  restoring  the  latter  he  visited  Europe  in 
April,  1 89 1,  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Broderick,  rector  of  St.  Peter's 
church,  Hartford.  He  returned  on  Thursday,  November  19,  1891,  and  never 
in  the  history  of  New  England  had  a  bishop  been  so  enthusiastically  wel- 
comed. The  people  requested  that  the  cathedral  be  opened  and  illuminated 
for  the  first  time  in  honor  of  the  man  whose  untiring  energy  and  business 
capacity  had  completed  it.  Although  the  seating  capacity  of  the  edifice  is 
about  2200,  there  were  nearly  4000  persons  in  the  interior,  and  as  many  more 


174  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

on  the  outside.  As  the  bishop  looked  from  his  throne  in  the  sanctuary  out 
into  the  vast  enclosure  and  witnessed  what  had  been  accomplished  during  his 
seven  months'  absence,  he  could  not  fail  to  realize  that  he  stood  within  one  of 
the  most  gorgeous  temples  on  the  American  continent.  The  organ  was  used 
for  the  first  time  to  assi.st  the  chorus  of  150  voices  to  chant  the  inspiring  Te 
Dmm  in  honor  of  the  bishop's  safe  return  to  his  diocese.  Rev.  William  A. 
Harty,  rector  of  the  cathedral,  delivered  an  address  of  welcome  in  behalf  of 
the  clergy  and  people,  to  which  the  bishop  made  a  felicitous  and  feeling 
response. 

But  other  works  than  the  erection  of  the  cathedral  absorbed  the  time  and 
engaged  the  attention  of  Bishop  McMahon.  Between  the  years  of  his  conse- 
cration and  the  completion  of  the  cathedral,  he  organized  forty-eight  new 
parishes,  dedicated  .seventy  churches,  and  established  si.vteen  convents  and 
sixteen  parochial  schools.  He  attended  the  Third  Plenary  Council  of  Balti- 
more, whose  sessions  were  held  in  November  and  December,  1883.  In  1880, 
when  wide-spread  destitution  prevailed  in  many  jiarts  of  Ireland,  Bishop  Mc- 
Mahon was  among  the  first  to  raise  his  voice  in  an  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  suf- 
fering poor  of  that  unhappy  country.  His  was  a  practical  sympathy  as  evinced 
by  the  following  circular  which  he  addressed  to  the  pastors  of  his  diocese  : 

"  Hartford  January  19,  18S0. 
"Rev.  Dear  Sir :  You  are  doubtless  not  unacquainted  with  the  reports  which  have  come 
to  us  through  the  public  press  in  reference  to  the  alleged  distress  in  the  unhappy  land  whence 
most  of  us  have  sprung. 

"  The  accounts  which  we  have  received  from  responsible  parties  would  indicate  that  these 
reports  have  by  no  means  been  exaggerated,  but,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  feared  that  all  that  our 
charity  may  be  able  to  do  will  prove  inadequate  to  the  terrible  necessities  of  the  case. 

"The  sufferings  of  our  fellow-men  in  any  quarter  of  the  globe  should  excite  our  warmest 
sympathies  ;  but  when  we  are  called  upon  to  rescue  from  hunger,  sickness  and  death  the  unfor- 
tunate people  of  our  own  native  land,  or  the  land  of  our  fathers  and  mothers,  every  considera- 
tion of  religion  and  patriotism  combine  to  render  the  call  doubly  imperative. 

"  In  order,  therefore,  that  our  flocks  may  have  an  opportunity  of  contributing  to  so 
worthy  an  object,  you  will  please  to  announce  to  your  congregation  that  a  collection  will  be 
taken  up  in  all  the  churches  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford  on  Sunday,  Februarj-  ist,  for  the  above 
mentioned  purpose. 

"  As  the  necessity  is  a  pressing  one,  you  are  requested  to  transmit  as  quickly  as  possible  the 
sum  collected  to  the  chancellor  of  the  diocese,  in  order  that  the  money  contributed  may  be  sent 
to  the  Irish  bishops  of  the  distressed  districts  without  any  unnecessary  delay. 

"  Yours  truly  in  Christ, 

"t  Lawrence  S.  McMahon, 

"Bishop  of  Hartford."' 

The  result  of  this  appeal  was  a  generous  contribution  for  the  relief  of 
Ireland's  distress,  the  amount  forwarded  to  the  Irish  bishops  being  $23, 764.81. 

Bishop  McMahon's  exacting  and  unceasing  labors  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  his  diocese,  in  the  construction  of  the  cathedral,  in  making  frequent  visi- 
tations of  the  parishes  within  his  jurisdiction,  preaching  and  confirming,  and 
in  personally  attending  to  the  innumerable  and  perplexing  duties  of  a  great 
and  growing  diocese,  soon  began  to  make  serious  inroads  upon  his  health. 
He  was  not  in  robust  health  during  the  la.st  few  years  of  his  life  ;  nevertheless 
he  complained  not,  and  attended  to  the  manifold  affairs  of  the  diocese  with 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  175 

scrupulous  punctuality.  No  work  was  too  arduous  for  him  to  undertake, 
though  the  body,  a  prey  to  disease,  might  rebel.  He  was  a  sufferer  from 
urtemia,  and  with  patience  and  holy  submission  to  the  divine  will  he  bore  his 
affliction.  He  may  have  had  premonitions  that  his  tenure  of  life  was  short; 
at  any  rate,  the  summons  found  liim  prepared  to  pass  hence  into  the  life  be- 
vond.  When  the  angel  of  death  came  it  was  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  but  the 
bishop  resigned  his  dignities  and  his  burdens  in  the  same  spirit  in  which  he 
assumed  them — a  spirit  of  unalterable  desire  to  comply  with  God's  will. 

The  news  of  Bishop  McMahon's  death  fell  like  a  shock  that  affected  all 
classes  irrespective  of  creed.  Wliile  for'a  few  years  previous  it  was  known 
that  he  was  not  immune  from  disease,  it  was  not  thought  that  death  would 
withdraw  him  from  the  scene  of  his  activity  so  suddenly.  But  a  few  weeks 
before  he  had  celebrated  the  fourteenth  anniversary  of  his  consecration  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  people  and  in  the  midst  of  his  devoted  clergy, 
who  had  assembled  to  do  him  honor  from  every  part  of  his  diocese  ;  so  that 
when  the  information  was  received  that  the  diocese  was  again  bereft  of  its 
chief  pastor,  it  was  received  with  sentiments  of  incredulity.  With  the  hope 
of  securing  relief  from  the  sufferings  incident  to  his  ailment,  the  bishop  set 
out  for  Saratoga  Springs  to  take  a  course  of  the  waters.  But  death  overtook 
him  on  the  way.  Desiring  to  break  his  journey  and  thus  diminish  the  dangers 
attendant  upon  fatigue,  he  stopped  at  lyakeville,  Connecticut,  where  he  in- 
tended to  sojourn  for  a  few  days  only.  On  August  17th,  his  illness  had 
assumed  a  form  serious  enough  to  confine  him  to  the  house.  The  best  med- 
ical skill  obtainable  proved  futile  to  prolong  the  life  so  precious  to  the  dio- 
cese. He  expired  on  the  night  of  Monday,  August  21,  1S93,  in  the  fifty- 
eighth  year  of  his  age.  At  the  dying  prelate's  bedside  were  his  devoted 
sister.  Miss  Rose  McMahon,  and  the  Rev.  Fathers  Leo,  O.  S.  F.,  Shanley, 
Bannon  and  O'Connor. 

The  remains  of  the  deceased  prelate  were  brought  to  his  episcopal  city  on 
the  23rd.  As  all  that  was  mortal  of  Bishop  McMahon  was  solemnly  borne  to 
the  residence  which  he  had  left  only  a  few  days  previously,  many  eyes  were 
moistened,  and  many  fervent,  heartfelt  prayers  ascended  to  the  Mercy  Seat  in 
behalf  of  him  who  had  ever  been  to  priests  and  people  a  father,  guide  and 
friend.  Clothed  in  his  pontifical  robes,  the  body  of  the  bishop  was  carried  by 
anointed  hands  to  the  Cathedral  where  it  was  placed  upon  a  catafalque  before 
tlie  main  altar.  His  genius  and  executive  abilitj'  had  carried  to  completion 
the  majestic  pile  which  had  become  his  mausoleum.  Before  the  magnificent 
altar  which  he  had  solemnly  consecrated  to  the  living  God  fifteen  months 
before,  lay  the  lifeless  body  of  as  just,  devout,  unselfish  and  pure-minded  a 
prelate  as  ever  wielded  a  crozier.  The  splendid  temple,  the  superb  orna- 
mentation everywhere  visible,  the  beauties  of  brush  and  pencil  and  chisel,  all 
combined  to  make  St.  Joseph's  a  fitting  resting  place  for  the  great  heart  that 
throbbed  only  with  a  father's  love,  but  which  was  now  silent  with  the  still- 
ness of  death. 

The  obsequies  of  the  deceased  bishop  took  place  on  August  26th,  with 
the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams  of  Boston  as  celebrant  of  the  Mass. 


176  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Assistant  /'rust,  \'ery  Rkv.  Fr.  I,KO  DA  Sarracena,  O.  S.  K. 

Deacons  of  Honor,  Rev.  Flor.  De  Brvckyer  and  Rev.  M.  A.  Tiernev. 

Deacon  of  the  Mass,  Rev.  T.  Broderick. 

Sub-deacon,  Rev.  T.J.  Shahan,  D.  D. 

Censer  Bearer,  REV.  E.  Brouerick. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  REV.  A.  H.\RTV  ANU  Ruv.  T.  Crowi.f.v. 

The  panegyrist  was  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Beaven  of  Springfield.  He  selected 
his  te.xt  from  St.  Paul's  First  Epistle  to  the  The.ssalonians  iv.  13:  '■^  And  ive 
zvill  )iot  have  you  ignorant.,  brel/ireit,  comernmg  tlievi  thai  are  asleep,,  that  \ou 
be  not  sorroivful  even  as  others  who  have  no  hope." 

"To-day  we  feel  ourselves  in  the  presence  of  an  occasion  when  neither 
voice  nor  expression  attunes  itself  to  the  deep  sympathy  of  the  sorrowing 
heart.  We  find  that  .some  vibrations  of  the  heart  chords  cannot  be  evidenced 
by  word  or  sob.  The  trappings  of  death  meet  our  gaze  on  every  side,  for  he 
whom  we  loved  is  gone.  The  reward  of  his  virtues  awaits  him.  O  I  Lord, 
give  rest  to  his  soul. 

"  When  the  terrible  form  of  death  stalks  unbidden  across  our  threshold 
and  takes  such  a  one,  as  it  has  in  this  case,  you  cannot  but  reel  and  stagger 
at  the  blow.  Not  only  does  the  chapel  bell  ring  out  its  sorrow,  but  the  bells 
of  the  city  toll  for  the  honor  of  its  noble  dead.  He  is  dead,  but  his  spirit 
still  lives.  He  still  lives  in  every  home  in  this  diocese,  vivifying  by  his  spirit, 
his  prudence,  and  his  zeal,  every  influence  of  religion.  At  his  tomb  we  render 
thanks  for  his  work,  especially  of  the  last  fifteen  years.  At  the  foot  of  his 
bier  maj'  we  not  say  he  has  consummated  his  work,  he  has  run  his  course 
and  a  crown  awaits  him  ? 

"  His  labors  and  works  have  become  a  sacred  inheritance  for  us.  He  has 
built  us  a  monument  that  will  evoke  a  prayer  from  every  Christian  heart  that 
he  will  enter  into  the  joy  he  has  won  from  his  Master.  Each  may  select  from 
his  character  some  trait  applicable  to  himself  I  might  select  hisundeviating 
tenacity  of  purpose.  You  might  envy  his  prudence.  I  would  rather  con- 
template his  generosity  and  his  unassmning  religious  devotion  to  duty. 

"  The  dominant  emphasis  of  all  Bishop  McMahon's  relations  with  his 
clergy  and  people  was  an  adamant  will,  determined  to  do  what  was  right  in 
his  opinion  on  all  occasions.  Look  for  a  criterion  over  this  rich  and  pros- 
perous diocese.  Look  at  the  unity  that  prevails  and  all  the  other  indications 
of  good  government  due  to  the  bishop's  great  executive  ability.  As  we  con- 
template the  results  of  his  work  we  can  indeed  say  that  God  placed  in  his 
soul  a  determination  to  do  according  to  his  conscience  and  to  leave  the  rest 
to  Almighty  God.  In  our  last  episcopal  gathering,  he,  speaking  of  the  ad- 
ministration of  his  diocese,  remarked  :  '  I  have  difficulties,  I  presume  you 
have,  I  try  to  keep  a  clear  conscience,  do  what  I  can  and  leave  everything 
else  to  God.' 

'"We  can  only  express  our  desire  that  the  excellent  condition  of  the  dio- 
cese may  bring  to  him  in  his  heavenly  abode  a  completion  of  all  those  bless- 
ings he  brought  to  his  fellow-men.  The  past  in  his  life  brings  to  us  many 
treasures.     Shall  we  guard  them,  so   that  what  he  has  done   will  be  an  en. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  177 

couragement  to  us  ?  Labor  without  stint,  labor  with  generosity,  then  we  may 
enjoy  all  that  God  has  for  us  in  life  and  in  the  future.  Let  us  quietly  and 
silently  waft  to  the  throne  of  God  a  silent  prayer  that  God  be  merciful  to  one 
who  so  loved  and  so  worked." 

The  final  absolution  over  the  remains  was  pronounced,  first  b)'  Mgr. 
Griffin,  of  Worcester,  Mass.;  the  second,  by  Bishop  Beaven ;  the  third,  by 
Bishop  Michaud ;  the  fourth,  by  Bishop  Bradley  ;  the  fifth,  by  Archbishop 
Williams. 

The  remains  of  Bishop  McMahon  rest  in  the  crypt  in  the  rear  of  the  ca- 
thedral near  the  dust  of  his  predecessors,  Bishops  McFarland  and  Galberry, 
where  they  await  the  glorious  dawn  of  the  resurrection  morn. 

The  memorial  tributes  paid  to  Bishop  McMahon  testified  to  the  universal 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held.  All  who  knew  him  loved  the  man  as  they 
revered  the  bishop.  Reserved  in  manner,  his  was  withal  a  gentle,  kindly 
and  affectionate  nature.  A  lover  of  all  that  was  good  he  was  an  assiduous 
promoter  of  whatever  tended  to  the  welfare  of  religion.  No  one  who  repre. 
sented  a  good  cause  ever  made  a  vain  appeal  to  Bishop  McMahon.  From 
among  the  many  tributes  tendered  to  his  memory  we  append  tlie  following : 
At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Catholic  Summer  School 
of  America  held  on  August  22d,  at  the  Catholic  Club,  New  York  City,  the 
following  resolution  was  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the  minutes: 

"Resolved,  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Catholic  Summer  School  of  .\merica  have 
learned  with  heartfelt  regret  of  the  unexpected  demise  of  Right  Rev.  Lawrence  S.  McMahon, 
D.D.,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  deem  it  a  duty  of  gratitude  to  give  expression  to  their  recognition 
of  the  emineut  character  of  the  deceased  and  the  invaluable  services  rendered  by  him  to  the 
Catholic  Summer  School  at  its  first  session  in  New  Loudon,  1S92." 

"  The  Catholic  Total  Abstinence  Union,  in  convention  assembled  (August  29,  1893),  embraces 
this  first  public  opportunity  of  formally  expressing  its  heartfelt  regrets  for  a  death  that  removes 
a  wise  counsellor,  a  tender  friend,  an  understanding  and  sympathetic  advocate  of  its  material 
and  spiritual  good,  and  one  from  whose  guidance  the  union  derived  sincere  comfort  and  benefit 
and  to  whom  it  was  indebted  for  a  watchful  and  assiduous  care  that  faltered  not  nor  wearied. 

"  Light,  comfort,  strength  and  peace  flowed  from  the  full  fountain  of  his  enlightened 
mind,  a  soul  to  thousands  whose  faces  he  never  saw,  yet  to  whom  he  was  a  kind,  a  generous  and 
all-seeing  father. 

"  Brief  was  his  life,  but  vast  his  achievements.  Strong  and  clear,  his  voice  called  on  each 
and  all  to  prepare  in  time  to  tread  the  way  of  the  Lord.  Deeplj-  consecrated  as  the  human 
agency  of  divine  energy,  he  was  a  conspicuously  worthy  channel  of  divine  will  and  blessings 
ever  receptive.  His  care,  ever  alert  to  obey  and  carry  out  the  mandate,  ever  eager  by  sympathy 
and  service  to  fulfill  the  useful  and  the  holy.  His  was  a  practical  and  pious  nature.  He  recog- 
nized that  he  serves  God  best  who  serves  Him  by  prayer,  b)'  precept  and  by  work.'' 

"Bishop  McMahon  was  essentially  a  successful  financier  and  organizer.  He  was  a  scholar, 
too,  deeply  versed  in  the  problems  of  theology  and  philosophy  and  widely  read  in  the  works 
of  the  best  literary,  scientific  and  scriptural  writers.  It  was  a  rare  treat  for  one  who  was  him- 
self somewhat  acquainted  with  classic  writings  to  spend  a  social  hour  with  Bishop  McMahon, 
and  to  drink  in  the  wonderful  streams  of  knowledge  that  flowed  from  his  mind.  He  was  not 
an  extensive  writer,  nor  yet  a  frequent  preacher,  and  many  thought  because  of  that  he  was  not 
a  profound  scholar;  but  he  was.  His  principal  application,  owing  to  the  peculiar  conditions 
with  which  he  found  himself  surrounded  on  assuming  the  administration  of  the  diocese,  was 
in  the  direction  of  its  material  development ;  and  in  this  direction  his  work  will  live  after  him. 
The  magnificent  cathedral  of  St.  Joseph,  which  he  found  an  irregular  and  shapeless  pile  on  his 
arrival  in  Hartford,  was  finished  and  consecrated  under  his  administration,  and  stands  to-day  a 
II — 12 


178  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

monument  to  his  wonderful  executive  powers  and  financial  resources.  It  was  a  stupendous 
work,  this  bringing  to  completion  such  a  magnificent  edifice  within  a  dozen  years,  paying  every- 
thing as  the  debt  was  contracted,  and  consecrating  it  to  its  divine  use  wiUi  no  hand  of  mammon 
free  to  call  it  back  from  its  worshipful  objects. 

"  In  another  way,  however.  Bishop  McMahon  will  be  most  sincerely  mourned  by  all.  He 
was  the  father  of  his  flock,  and  his  kindly  heart  brought  him  into  the  closest  and  tenderest  rela- 
tions with  tliem  all.  He  was  the  friend  of  llie  priest,  and  no  man  who  ever  wore  the  cloth  found 
in  him  otlicr  than  a  tender  counsellor,  a  .sincere  adviser  and  a  kindly  father.  There  is  manv  a 
priest  who  can  testify  to  his  spontaneous  generosity,  his  tender  sympathy  and  his  unswerving 
kindness,  and  who  owes  much  of  his  success  in  a  material  and  spiritual  way  to  the  guidance  and 
advice  of  the  departed  prelate.  To  the  laymen  of  his  charge  he  was  ever  kindly  and  consider- 
ate, watchful  of  their  interests,  solicitous  of  their  wants  and  prodigal  of  his  service.  He  watched 
over  them  as  tenderly  as  ever  shepherd  in  Israel  guarded  his  flocks,  and  he  was  perhaps  nearer 
to  them  in  a  personal  sense  than  any  of  the  prel^ites  who  had  preceded  him  in  the  administration 
of  the  diocese." 

Wisdom,  kindness,  and  justice  marked  the  administration  of  Bishop  Mc- 
Mahon. Under  his  prudent,  paternal  rule  the  diocese  flourished  and  reached 
a  degree  of  prosperity  that  placed  it  among  the  first  dioceses  of  the  United 
States.  Humble,  modest  and  una.ssuming,  he  quieth'  advanced  the  interests 
of  religion  and  made  many  and  generous  sacrifices  for  tlie  spread  of  the  truth. 
He  was  courageous  and  patient  in  the  face  of  great  obstacles  awl  unshaken 
in  his  confidence  iu  divine  Providence.  He  endeared  himself  to  the  clergy 
and  lait}-,  who  regarded  him  as  an  able,  upright  ruler,  a  wise  counsellor  and  a 
kind  father. 

RIGHT   REV.    M.   A.   TIERNEY,  D.D., 

The  I'kksknt  Rishop  ok  Hartford. 

(5  I  HE  sixth  and  present  Bishop  of  Hartford  was  born  at  Ballylooby,  County 
*|  Tipperary,  Ireland,  on  September  29,  1839.  At  the  age  of  eight  years 
he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents,  who  settled  at  Norwalk, 
Connecticut.  At  an  early  age  he  entered  St.  Thomas'  College,  Bardstown, 
Kv.  He  completed  his  theological  studies  at  St.  Jo.seph's  Provincial  seminary, 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  holy  priesthood  by  Bishoj)  Conroy, 
of  Albany,  on  May  26,  1866.  After  his  ordination  he  was  stationed  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  where  he  discharged  the  duties  of  rector  of  the  cathedral.  He 
occupied  also  the  position  of  Chancellor  to  Right  Rev.  Bi.shop  McFarland. 
While  at  Providence  he  erected  the  .school  of  the  Christian  Brothers.  From 
Providence  he  was  transferred  to  New  London  to  succeed  the  Rev.  Father 
O'Connor  as  rector  of  St.  Mary's,  Star  of  the  Sea.  While  here  Father 
Tierney  continued  the  work  of  building  the  church,  but  before  the  edifice 
was  completed  he  was  removed  to  Stamford,  where  he  labored  with  great  suc- 
cess for  three  years.  St.  Peter's  parish,  Hartford,  now  became  the  theatre 
of  his  labors,  and  his  zeal  was  manifested  in  the  erection  of  the  convent  and 
in  building  an  addition  to  the  parochial  .school.  After  a  residence  in  Hart- 
ford of  more  than  si.\  years.  Father  Tierney  was  appointed  pastor  of  St. 
Mary's  parish,  New  Britain,  in  1883,  in  succession  to  the  Rev.  Hugh  Car- 
mody,  D.D.  Here  he  built  a  magnificent  stone  church  and  purchased  ground 
for  a  new  cemetery. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  179 

Father  Tierney  received  from  the  Apostolic  Delegate,  Mgr.  Satolli,  the 
formal  notification  of  his  appointment  as  Bishop  of  Hartford  on  Thursday, 
January  i8,  1S94.  The  solemn  ceremony  of  consecration  took  place  in  St. 
Joseph's  cathedral  on  February  22,  1894,  in  the  presence  of  an  assemblage  of 
thousands  who  had  gathered  to  do  honor  to  the  new  prelate.  The  officers  of 
the  consecration  services  were  : 

Consecrator. — Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams,  Boston. 

Assistant  Bishops. — Bishop  Beaven,  of  Springfield,  and  Bishop  Harkins,  of  Provi- 
dence. 
Assistant  Priest. — Rev.  John  Edwards,  New  York. 
Deacon. — Rev.  John  Duggan,  Waterbury. 
Subdeacon. — Rev.  William  Slocum,  Norwalk. 
Notary. — Rev.  Florimond  De  Bruckyer. 
Chaplains  to  the  Bishop-elect. — Rev.  J.  A.  Mulcahy,  Waterbury,  and  Rev.  T.  Bro- 

derick,  Hartford. 
Master  of  Ceremonies. — Rev.  J.  B.  Doughertj',  Mystic 

Assistants. — Rev.  M.  Maj',  New  Britain,  and  Rev.  M.  Sullivan,  New  Haven. 
Crozier  Bearer. — Rev.  R.  Carroll,  Bridgeport. 
IMitre  Bearer. — Rev.  C.  McCann,  Bridgeport. 
Candle  Bearer. — Rev.  T.  Shanley,  New  Haven. 
Book  Bearer.^Rev.  E.  O'Connell,  New  Haven. 
Gremiale  Bearer. — Rev.  J.  Curtin,  New  Haven. 
Censer  Bearer. — Rev.  T.  Keena.  Stamford. 
Acolytes. — Rev.  J.  Broderick,  Meriden,  and  Rev.  M.  McGivney,  Middletown. 

The  preacher  of  the  consecration  sermon  was  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Bradley, 
of  Manchester,  N.  H.  In  concluding  his  eloquent  discourse,  he  thus  addressed 
the  new  bishop: 

"And,  Right  Rev.  Father  and  co-laborer  in  this  cherished  ecclesiastical  province, 
having  elected,  as  you  have,  to  be  consecrated  to  the  episcopate  on  the  da\-  on  which  the 
church  commemorates  the  founding  b)'  St.  Peter  of  the  ancient  See  of  Antioch,  let  us  pray 
that  in  taking  '  heed  of  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  placed  you  bishop,' 
you  may  be  found  a  faithful  imitator  of  the  Prince  of  the  apostles,  so  that  when  the  time 
will  have  come  when  in  God's  providence  j-ou  will  lay  down  the  pastoral  staff",  3'ou  may 
receive  from  the  Prince  of  pastors,  '  a  never-fading  crown  of  glory.'  " 

In  June,  1895,  Bishop  Tierney  made  his  ad  limina  visit  to  Rome,  leaving 
the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  diocese  in  charge  of  Very  Rev.  John 
A.  Mulcahy,  whom  he  had  appointed  his  Vicar  General  on  September  11, 
1894.  Since  his  return  from  Rome  he  has  made  a  canonical  visitation  of  the 
parishes  of  the  diocese.  Among  the  institutions  founded  by  Bishop  Tierney, 
and  which  are  evidence  of  his  zeal,  are  St.  Thomas'  Little  Seminary  and  St. 
Francis'  Hospital,  both  of  Hartford. 

At  the  convention  ot  the  National  Total  Abstinence  Union  held  at  Boston 
in  August,  1898,  Bishop  Tierney  was  unanimously  elected  National  President. 


180  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 


PARISH   AND   MISSION   CHURCHES. 


^\(^V)/E  enter  now  upon  a  most  important  section  of  our  work.  Much  of 
^S\/  tlie  information  given  in  the  following  pages  came  to  tlie  writer 
through  the  kindness  of  local  rectors  to  whom  his  sincere  thanks 
are  cordially  tendered.  In  man)'  instances  there  is  a  woeful  absence  of  records 
■  bearing  on  early  Catholic  history  ;  where  such  is  the  case  the  writer  has  been 
obliged  to  rely  upon  the  testimon}-  of  those  who  were  a  part  of  the  stirring 
and  epoch-making  events  of  half  a  century  ago.  "  Every  year  the  means  of 
remedying  the  deficiency  in  historical  records  of  the  early  days  of  Catholicity 
grows  more  difficult,"  said  the  Frtetnaii's  Journal^  March  31,  18S3.  "Old  men 
decay  like  old  landmarks;  and  important  facts  never  reduced  to  writing  are 
forgotten  with  the  remembrance  of  the  men  who  knew  them.  Most  of  us  are 
too  busy  now  to  realize  the  preciousness  of  these  perishing  records.  But  in 
time  to  come,  when  a  complete  history  of  the  Catholic  church  in  the  United 
States  will  be  demanded,  it  will  be  too  late  to  make  anything  but  a  patch- 
work out  of  half-reuiembered  traditions. 

"A  knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  church  in  tliis  country  would  be  most 
useful  to  the  rising  generation,  whose  reverence  and  love  would  be  quickened 
by  the  knowledge  of  past  sufferings  and  triumphs.  To  know  of  the  sacrifices 
which  each  stone  in  the  old  churches  co.st  would  make  them  sacred  in  many 
thoughtless  eyes  that  now  regard  their  existence  as  "  matters  of  course."  It 
is  not  a  smattering  of  history — a  record  of  impossible  battles,  in  which  the 
British  always  lost  thousands  to  ten  Americans,  or  when  in  later  years,  the 
Federal  troops  always  conquered,  even  when  defeated,  or  vice  versa — that  we 
need  in  our  Catholic  schools,  but  the  teaching  of  facts  relating  to  the  growth 
of  the  church.  Of  course,  tlie  history  of  battles  and  political  clianges  must 
have  its  place  ;  but  what  would  we  say  of  the  Christian  schoolmaster,  in  the 
reign  of  Constantine,  who  would  tell  only  of  the  eagles,  not  of  the  victories 
of  the  catacombs? 

"  The  teachers  of  our  children  tell  them  at  times  of  the  saints  and  mar- 
tyrs who  lived  and  died  long  ago,  of  the  great  men  who  reflected  the  spirit  of 
the  church,  but  of  the  great  men  who  are  nearer  to  them,  and  whose  presence 
left  its  marks  on  the  life  around  them,  there  is  little  said. 

"  But  we  are  told  we  must  build  up  ;  then  we  can  proceed  to  ornament 
and  embellish.  The  process  of  building  is  ever  going  on  ;  the  time  of  bricks 
and  mortar  is  not  yet  past.  But  shall  we  bury  them  under  all  this  brick  and 
mortar?  Siiall  the  progress  of  the  church  be  only  a  material  progress — a 
progress  over  which  the  statistician  shall  rejoice  when  lie  writes  of  so  many 
churches,  so  many  institutions?  If  no  heed  is  given  to  the  encouragement 
of  learning  and  of  research,  there  will  be  no  ornament  when  tlie  time  for 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  181 

embellishment  comes,  for  there  will  be  no  artists ;  nor  can  we  consider  the 
work  of  the  Catholic  historian  or  publicist  as  merely  ornamental.  It  is  vital; 
for  the  purpose  of  defence,  of  keeping  zeal  warm,  of  exciting  imitation,  it  is 
most  important." 

The  Rev.  A.  A.  Lambing,  the  historian  of  the  diocese  of  Pittsburg  and 
Allegheny,  has  given  expression  to  the  common  experience  of  all  searchers 
after  early  Catholic  historical  information. 

"  Materials  (for  a  diocesan  history)  are  meagre,  are  scattered  in  many 
places  and  collected  with  difficulty  ;  for  the  first  priests  on  the  mission  were 
content  to  labor  and  to  leave  the  record  of  their  deeds  to  God,  and  there  was 
yet  no  local  Catholic  periodical  by  which  they  might  have  been  permanently 
recorded  and  transmitted  to  future  generations.  Hence  we  have  to  depend 
upon  tradition  for  many  things,  and  while  there  are  few  persons  left  to  trans- 
mit it  from  the  beginning,  even  their  accounts  do  not  always  agree,  and  tra- 
dition is  found  at  variance  with  tradition.  In  our  own  day  the  history  of  the 
church  in  our  midst  is  being  made,  events  are  transpiring  before  our  e)'es, 
and  it  is  difficult  to  estimate  them  at  their  proper  value.  The  actors  are  yet 
on  the  stage,  and  it  is  a  delicate  matter  to  speak  of  them  alwaj'S  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  give  entire  satisfaction  and  generally  impossible  not  to  speak  of 
them  at  all. 

"Another  difficulty  is  the  impossibility  of  avoiding  a  certain  degree  of 
sameness  in  the  description  of  the  churches  and  the  sketches  of  the  congre- 
gations, which  must  of  necessity  resemble  each  other  in  many  respects." 

In  the  presentation  of  the  following  sketches  we  deem  it  conducive  to 
clear  arrangement  to  divide  the  diocese  into  eight  districts,  corresponding  to 
the  number  of  counties  in  the  State,  namely,  Hartford,  Fairfield,  Litchfield, 
Middlesex,  New  Haven,  New  London,  Tolland  and  Windham  districts.  In 
each  district  we  shall  present  first  the  church  or  churches  located  in  the  county 
seat,  and  then  take  the  remaining  parishes  in  alphabetical  order. 

I.  Hartford  District. 

Hartford.  Plainville.  Hazardville.  Thompsonville. 

Bristol.  Poquonock.  Kensington.  Unionville. 

Broadbrook.  Southington.  Manchester.  Wethersfield. 

Collinsville.  Soiitli  IManchester.  New  Britain.  Windsor  Locks. 

East  Hartford.  Tariffville. 


The  first  Catholics  to  reside  in  Hartford  of  whom  there  is  any  record, 
were  thirteen  Acadian  refugees  or  French  Neutrals,  who  w^e  allotted  to  the 
town  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly,  January,  1756.  ^'^  The  selectmen  of 
the  towns  in  which  these  hapless  exiles  were  billeted  were  directed  to  care 
for  them  and  not  to  permit  them  to  leave  the  towns  to  which  they  had  been 
assigned  without  written  permission.  By  a  vote  of  the  town,  December  6, 
1757,  the  selectmen  of  Hartford  were  directed  to  build  a  house  for  the 
French  strangers  and  to  furnish  them  with  employment,  if  possible.  The  local 
records  are  otherwise  silent  concerning  these  poor  people,  with  the  exception 
of  an  entry  of  date  December  26th,  1759,  which  informs  us,  that  Mr.  Robert 


182  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Neviiis  was  awarded  twenty  shillings  for  rent  and  damages  which  his  bnilding 
sustained  during  its  occupancy  by  the  French.  What  became  of  them?  History 
furnishes  no  information.  We  can  only  hope  that  they  were  among  the  two 
hundred  and  forty  Acadians,  who  found  their  way  back  to  Nova  Scotia. 
There  is  an  interesting  tradition  that  two  Acadian  priests  lived  near  Hart- 
ford, one  on  the  Bloomfield,  the  other  on  the  Windsor  road. 

It  is  al.so  a  matter  of  historical  record  that  a  number  of  I*'rench  prisoners 
captured  in  the  wars  against  Canada  were  immured  in  prison  at  Hartford  for 
some  time. 

We  have  also  el.sewhere  adverted  to  the  presence  in  Hartford  at  the 
close  of  the  last  century  of  a  priest,  the  Rev.  Ambrose  Jean  Soug^,  who 
was  the  chaplain  of  the  family  of  the  Viscounte  De  Sibert  Cornillon,  an 
exile  of  the  French  Revolution.  The  Rev.  John  Thayer  also  visited  Hart- 
ford, as  did  the  Rev.  Francis  Matignon,  D.  D.,  and  the  Rev.  Virgil  Barber. 

In  1823,  the  Catholics  of  Hartford  were  sufficiently  numerous  to  forward 
a  petition  to  Bishop  Cheverus  of  Boston  with  the  request  that  he  honor  them 
with  a  visit.  They  were  evidently  attached  to  their  faith,  and  eagerly  de- 
sirous of  receiving  the  consolations  of  religion.  To  their  petition  the  bishop 
sent  the  following  reply: 

Boston,  Februarj'  7th,  1823. 
To  the  Roman  Catholics  residing  at  and  near  Hartford.     My  beloved  friends  and  children 

in  Jesus  Christ  : 

Your  letter  of  the  3d  inst.  has  been  dul}-  received,  and  has  affordeil  me  great  gratifi- 
cation. I  wish  I  could  go  immediately  and  pay  you  a  visit,  but  it  is  out  of  my  power  to 
go  till  after  Easter.  I  shall  give  5'ou  notice  a  fortnight  before  my  going.  In  the  mean- 
time, you  will  do  well  to  procure  a  room  and  meet  every  Sunday  to  perform  together 
your  devotions.  Let  one  who  reads  well  and  has  a  clear  voice,  read  the  praj-ers  of 
Mass,  a  sermon,  or  .some  instruction  out  of  a  Catholic  book.  If  you  are  destitute  of 
books,  let  me  know,  and  I  shall  send  some  at  the  first  opportunity. 

During  the  ensuing  Lent,  which  is  to  begin  next  Wednesday,  flesh  meat  is  allowed 
Sundays,  Mondays,  Tuesdays  and  Thursdays,  except  the  last,  or  Holy  Week,  but  onh- 
once  a  day  except  on  Sundays. 

I  am  happy  to  liear  that  you  openly  profess  your  religion.  Never  be  ashamed  of  it, 
nor  of  its  practices  ;  and  above  all,  do  honor  to  it  by  irreproacliable  conduct.  Be 
sober,  honest  and  industrious  ;  .ser\'e  faithfully  those  who  employ  you,  and  show  that  a 
good  Catholic  is  a  good  member  of  society,  that  he  feels  grateful  to  those  who  are  kind 
to  strangers,  and  sincerely  loves  his  brethren  of  all  persuasions,  though  he  strictly  ad- 
heres to  the  doctrines  of  his  own  church.  It  is  thus,  my  beloved  friends,  that  you  will 
silence  prejudice  and  win  the  esteem  and  favor  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  hospitable 
country.  Be  assured  that  nothing  I  can  do  will  be  wanting  on  mj-  part  to  promote  your 
spiritual  welfare.  At  my  first  visit  we  may  fix  upon  regular  periods  when  one  of  my 
reverend  brethren,  or  myself,  will  go  to  administer  to  you  the  sacred  rites  of  our  holy  re- 
ligion. With  affectionate  and  paternal  regard,  and  fervently  imploring  upon  you  all  the 
blessings  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  C.host, 

I  remain  your  friend  and  pastor, 

t  John  Cheverus,  Bishop  of  Boston. 

Bishop  Cheverus  was  soon  able  to  redeem  his  promise  to  the  unbounded 
joy  of  his  petitioners.  In  May,  1823,  he  imid  a  vi.sit  to  Hartford,  and  offered 
the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  the  Hall  of  Representatives,  now  the  Com- 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  183 

mon  Council  Chamber.  For  this  courtesy,  the  bishop  was  indebted  to  the 
kindness  and  liberality  of  Col.  James  Ward  and  Mr.  Samuel  Tudor.  God, 
indeed,  works  in  wondrous  ways.  Each  of  these  gentlemen  gave  a  descend- 
ant to  the  religion  whose  consecrated  representative  they  befriended  on  that 
occasion.  From  the  baptismal  register  of  Bishop  Cheverus  we  learn  that  at 
this  time  he  conferred  the  sacrament  of  baptism  in  Hartford,  Vernon,  and 
East  Hartford.     The  records  are  as  follows  : 


A 


Hartford,  May  25,  1823.     I  baptized  Francis  Joseph  Clerc,  born    April  i8th,  son 
Laurent  and  Elizabeth  Clerc.     Sponsors — Francois  Clerc.  an  nncle,  for  Calvin  White,  by 
proxy,  and  .  t  John  Cheverus.       J 

Vernon,  May  25,  1823.  I  baptized  Mary,  born  20th,  daughter  of  John  and  Bridget 
Mulligan.     Sponsors— Patrick  McManus  and  Mary  Mulligan.        fJoHN  Cheverus. 

East  Hartford,  May  25,  1823.  I  baptized  Robert,  born  February  26th,  son  of  Isaiah 
and  Phoebe  Webb.     Sponsors — Patrick  McMan\is  and .         tJOHN  Cheverus. 

Laurent  Clerc  was  born  in  La  Balme,  near  Lyons,  France,  December  26, 
1785.  He  was  the  son  of  the  mayor  of  the  commune,  and  when  a  year  old, 
was  badly  injured  by  falling  into  the  fire.  By  the  accident  he  lost  the 
sense  of  smell  and  hearing.  When  twelve  )ears  old  he  was  placed  under  the 
tuition  of  the  Abbe  Sicard  in  Paris,  under  whose  instruction  he  made  rapid 
progress.  In  1805  he  was  appointed  a  tutor,  and  in  1806  received  the  appoint- 
ment as  professor.  In  18 15  he  visited  England,  where  he  met  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Gallaudet,  who  induced  him  to  come  to  the  United  States  and  establish  a 
deaf-mute  institution.  He  arrived  in  New  York  in  August,  1816,  and  on  April 
15,  18 17,  opened  his  institute  at  Hartford.  He  retired  from  the  control  of 
the  asylum  in  1858.  In  18 19  he  married  Elizabeth  Boardman,  a  deaf  mute, 
by  whom  he  had  several  children,  none  of  whom  was  afflicted.  The  eldest 
son  became  an  Episcopalian  clergyman.' 

Besides  those  mentioned  above,  the  Catholics  who  resided  in  Hartford 
and  vicinity  at  the  time  of  Bishop  Cheverus'  visit  were  James  Chaswell,  John 
Martin  and  wife,  Thomas,  Mary,  Ann  and  Bridget  McKiernan  (or  McCarron). 
Among  the  Catholics  who  came  to  Hartford  soon  after  were  Mrs.  Alice  Mulli- 
gan and  her  sister,  Catharine  Preston,  who  came  to  Glastonbury  in  1824,  Betsy 
and  Thomas  Crosby,  Hugh  McNamara,  Arthur,  Elizabeth  and  John  McAstee, 
James  and  William  Cody,  Mary  Twomey,  Denis  Callahan  and  wife,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Willey,  ]\Irs.  Margaret  Moore,  Edward  Monahan,  Thomas  Cranny,  Michael 
Kelly,  Owen-'Shields,  Edward  McNally,  James  McManus,  his  wife  and  his 
brother  Thomas  and  wife.^ 

Mrs.  Alice  Mulligan,  mentioned  above,  had  the  honor  of  giving  the  first 
Hartford  young  man  to  the  holy  priesthood,  the  Rev.  John  Mulligan,  D.  D. 
Graduating  from  Holy  Cross  College  in  1850,  he  began  his  studies  at  St. 
Mary's  Seminary,  Baltimore.  In  1852  he  was  sent  to  the  College  of  the  Pro- 
paganda at  Rome,  where,  having  received  the  Doctorate  in  Divinity,  he  was 

'  Appleton  s  Cyclopo'dia  of  American  Biography. 

^Some  of  these  names  are  taken  from  the  Hon.  Thomas  McManus'  Historical  Sketch 
of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Hartford,  1880. 


I 


184  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ordained  in  1856.     He  served  successively  in  Providence,  Falls  Village  and 
Norwalk,  where  he  died  in  1862. 

The  Catholics  of  Hartford  were  again  consoled  and  strengthened  by  the 
nnnistrations  of  their  holy  religion  in  1827,  when  the  Very  Rev.  John  Power, 
D  D.,  of  New  York,  who  stopped  at  Hartford  on  his  way  to  and  from  the 
canal  at  Enfield,  whither  he  had  been  called  to  attend  a  sick  laborer.  "He 
said  Mass  in  a  house  that  stood  opposite  the  head  of  Grove  street,"  says  the 
Hon.  Mr.  McManus,  "in  the  rear  from  Main  street  and  overlooking  the  old 
Centre  church  burying-gronnd.  He  baptized  some  children  and  visited 
several  Catholics  living  at  Wapping,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river." 

The  year  following  the  visit  of  Rev.  Dr.  Power,  1828,  the  Rev.  R.  D. 
Woodley  was  disi)atched  to  Hartford  by  Bishop  Fen  wick,  of  Boston.  He 
offered  trie  Holy  Sacrifice  in  the  house  of  John  Mulligan,  which  still  stands, 
No.  34v'illage  street.  Father  Woodley  informed  Bishop  Fenwick  by  letter  that 
the  gentleman  who  sold  the  church  lot  to  Mr.  Taylor,  and  which  was  afterwards 
conveyed  to  tlie  Bishop  in  trust,  could  not  give  a  good  deed  of  the  same  ;  con- 
sequently, it  was  relinquished  and  another  purcha.sed  in  a  more  eligible  loca- 
tion— a  better  lot  in  every  respect.  A  satisfactory  deed  of  this  lot  was  made 
out  and  forwarded  to  Bishop  Fenwick. 

The  close  of  1828  saw  Connecticut  without  a  priest;  Father  Fitton  was 
at  Pleasant  Point,  Maine  ;  Father  Woodley  was  at  Providence,  and  Father 
Wiley  at  Boston. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  1829,  F'ather  Woodley  paid  another  visit  to  Hartford, 
and  proceeded  to  the  Enfield  canal.  Notice  of  his  arrival  amongst  them 
having  become  widely  circulated,  a  large  concourse  of  all  denominations 
attended  Mass  on  Sunday.  He  baptized  several  children,  admitted  a  consid- 
erable nuinber  to  the  Holy  Communion,  and  the  greater  number  received 
the  sacrament  of  penance.  He  returned  to  Hartford  on  Monday,  12th, 
where  lie  baptized  several  children.  He  set  out  on  the  .same  day  for  New 
Haven  and  New  London.  From  his  report  to  Bishop  Fenwick  we  glean 
that  during  these  missionary  visits  F'ather  Woodley  baptized  at  Hartford, 
adults  and  children,  twenty-five  ;  at  New  Haven,  two  ;  and  at  New  Lon- 
don, two. 

Synchronous  with  the  last  visit  of  Father  Woodley  to  Hartford,  was  that 
of  Bishop  Fenwick,  who  arrived  on  July  10,  1829,  and  took  lodgings  at  the 
City  Hotel.  The  chief  object  of  his  visit  was  to  e.vamine  the  old  church  of 
the  Episcopalians,  of  which  they  were  desirous  of  disposing,  as  their  new 
church  was  nearly  completed.  The  trustees  asked  $500  for  the  church  and 
$400  for  the  organ.  Having  examined  the  church  the  bishop  was  pleased  with 
it.'  He  held  conferences  with  Mr.  Deodat  Taylor,  a  convert,  and  with  Mr 
Samuel  Tudor,  a  vestryman  of  the  church.  Bishop  Fenwick  urged  the  latter 
to  donate  the  old  church  to  the  Catholics,  but  his  overtures  met  with  failure, 

'  Bishop  Brownell,  the  Protestant  Episcopal  bishop,  was  present  when  )5ishop  Fenwick  was 
examining  tlie  clmrch.  lu  tlie  course  of  the  conversation,  Bishop  Brownell  remarked  :  "  Well, 
Bishop  Fenwick,  as  we  have  a  fine  new  church  building  we  will  let  you  have  the  old  one. '" 
Bishop  Fenwick  retorted,  "Yes.aud  you  have  a  fine  new  religion,  and  we  will  keep  the  old  one." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  185 

as  Mr.  Tudor,  while  well  disposed  to  make  the  gift,  respectfuU)'  informed  the 
bishop  that  he  was  only  one  of  many  concerned. 

On  July  I  ith.  Bishop  Fenwick  approved  of  the  Catholic  Press,  the  first 
number  of  which  appeared  on  that  date.  He  wrote  two  articles  for  this  issue, 
one  in  reply  to  an  article  in  a  Protestant  journal  of  the  same  date,  entitled 
Romanism  in  Connecticut.  On  Sunday,  I2th,  Bishop  Fenwick  offered  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  the  office  of  the  Catholic  Press,  No.  204  Main 
Street,  corner  of  Pearl,  at  which  nearly  all  of  the  Catholics  assisted,  and 
preached  on  the  gospel  of  the  day.  In  the  evening,  at  6  o'clock,  he  repaired 
to  the  State  House,  which  he  rented  for  two  dollars,  and  preached  an  elo- 
quent discourse  on  the  forgetfulness  of  God  as  being  the  cause  of  man  trans- 
gressing the  law.  The  discourse  produced  a  happy  effect.  It  was  delivered 
in  the  very  apartment  in  which  the  celebrated  Hartford  convention  was  held. 

Under  date  of  July  13th,  the  bishop  wrote  in  his  Journal:  "  The  sj^irit 
of  inquir}'  increases ;  people  enter  warmly  into  the  subject  of  religion.  They 
come  to  the  printing  office  every  night  to  confer  with  the  bishop.  Splendid 
prospect  for  religion  in  Hartford." 

During  this  sojourn  in  Hartford  Bishop  Fenwick  was  not  altogether  occu- 
pied in  spiritual  duties,  and  in  completing  arrangements  for  the  purchase  of 
the  church.  He  found  time  to  defend  the  church  in  the  Catholic  Press  from 
sectarian  attacks.  Froin  a  editorial  in  the  second  number  of  that  journal, 
July  18,  1S29,  we  quote  a  paragraph  which  discloses  the  conciliatory  attitude 
of  the  bishop  : 

"The  editor  of  the  Episcopal  JVatchman,  in  last  Saturday's  pajjer,  seems 
to  be  greatly  disposed  to  pick  a  quarrel  with  us;  but  on  our  part  we  do  assure 
him,  that  we  are  not  inclined  to  any  such  business.  Our  views  are  altogether 
pacific.  We  wish,  if  possible,  to  live  on  good  terms  with  all  our  neighbors, 
and  especially  with  those  of  his  communion.  They  have  generally  treated 
us  kindly,  and  we  shall  endeavor  to  prove  to  them  that  their  kindness  has 
not  been  thrown  away,  and  that  we,  too,  can  be  kind." 

On  July  14th,  the  bishop  was  visited  by  the  principal  men  in  town.  He 
requested  a  town  meeting,  as  he  understood  that  no  building  could  be  moved 
without  the  consent  of  the  selectmen.  They  granted  the  desired  permission. 
This  matter  arranged,  he  authorized  the  Messrs.  Taylor,  Francis  and  Deodat, 
to  purchase  the  church  and  the  organ  and  whatever  it  contained,  the  bell  only 
excepted,  for  $900.  They  were  also  to  purchase  a  lot  nearly  opposite  as  a  site 
for  it,  paying  the  price  demanded,  $1200.  He  also  empowered  them  to  engage 
a  man  to  move  the  church  to  the  lot  designed.  The  bishop  was  informed  that 
the  Episcopalians  would  surrender  the  church  in  November,  1829. 

The  following  letter,  written  forty-seven  years  after,  throws  additional 
light  upon  this  historic  event: 

Chancellor  Square,  Utica,  N.    Y.,  Decbr.  3,  '76. 

Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Galberry,  O.  S.  A. 

Venerated  Bishop  : — I  do  not  kuowhow  to  apologize  for  intruding  upon  you  except 
013-  letter  will  plead  my  excuse.  I  read  in  the  last  Freeman  s  Journal  an  account  of  the  dedica- 
tion of  St.  Patrick's  magnificent  church  ;  this  recalled  to  my  mind  a  circumstance  that  occurred 
in  the  fall  of  1825  or  '26 — I  do  not  exactly  remember  which  year — (it  was  1829)  when  my  late 


186  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

husband,  Mr.  Nicholas  Devereux,  and  ni)'self  spent  a  Sunday  in  Hartford.  After  breakfast 
a  slip  of  paper  was  pushed  under  our  door  with  "  Mass  at  such  a  number  and  street."  I  was 
then  an  Episcopalian  and  attended  luy  own  church.  In  the  evening  Mr.  Inilay,  a  banker, 
called,  bringing  with  him  a  Mr,  Ward  (Col.  James  Ward),  a  Protestant  gentleman  of  verj-  liberal 
principles.  After  a  while  the  conversation  turned  upon  religion,  and  Mr.  Devereux,  whose  first 
thought  was  always  the  church,  declared  how  much  he  regretted  the  Catholics  were  not  able  to 
purchase  a  small  I'rotestanl  church  then  for  sale ;  but  the  Catholic  priest,  whose  name,  I  think, 
was  Fitton  (Father  O'Cavanagh),  said  it  was  impossible  on  account  of  the  bigotry'  and  also 
of  want  of  funds.  The  conversation  ended  by  Mr.  Ward  offering  to  buy  the  church  in  his 
own  name  and  convey  it  to  the  Catholics  if  Mr.  Devereux  would  furnish  the  money.     This  was 

done,  and  afterwards  the  money  was  repaid I  thought  it  might  be  pleasant  for  you  to 

hear  from  one  now  living  of  the  beginning  of  the  church  in  Hartford. 

With  great  respect,  I  remain,  obediently  yours, 

Mrs.  N.  Devereux. 

While  in  Hartford  the  bishop  baptized  several  children,  visited  the  Deaf 
and  Dumb  Asylum,  the  Insane  Hospital  and  the  Episcopalian  College.  He 
departed  on  July  15th,  for  Boston,  having  spent  five  days  in  the  city  la)'ing 
the  foundations  of  what  fifteen  years  later  was  destined  to  be  an  Episco- 
pal See. 

It  was  during  this  epoch-making  visit  that  the  impetus  was  given  for 
the  organization  of  the  first  Catholic  Sunday-school  in  Hartford,  and  the 
first  also  in  Connecticut.  The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  first  issue 
of  the  Catliolic  Press,  July  11,  1829. 

"Catholic  Slndav-Schgoi.. 

"  The  Catholics  of  Hartford  are  informed  that  a  Sunday-school  will  be  opened  next 
Sunday  week  (July  loth)  in  the  room  of  the  Oi//w/ic  Press,  at  9  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  i 
o'clock,  P.M.  It  is  hoped  parents  will  be  careful  in  sending  their  children  at  the  ap- 
pointed time  as  every  care  will  be  taken  of  their  instruction." 

As  the  Catholics  of  Hartford  were  soon  to  rejoice  in  the  possession  of  a 
church,  Bishop  Fenwick  gave  them  the  additional  happiness  of  a  resident 
priest,  the  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh,  who  arrived  in  Hartford  on  August 
26th,  1829,  having  been  appointed  pastor  of  the  Catholic  congregation  of  that 
city  and  missionary  for  the  State  of  Connecticut  in  general.  He  was  the  first 
priest  ever  stationed  within  the  limits  of  the  present  diocese  of  Hartford. 
Within  the  same  territory  in  which  Father  O'Cavanagh  exercised  the  sacred 
ministry  alone  seventy  years  ago,  two  hundred  and  si.xty  priests  now  minister 
to  250,000  souls.  Father  O'Cavanagh  completed  his  theological  studies  at 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmitsburg,  and  was  elevated  to  the  priesthood 
in  the  cathedral  of  the  Holy  Cross,  Boston,  by  Bishop  Fenwick,  on  Sunday, 
July  19th,  1829.  The  young  priest  began  almost  immediately  the  visitation 
of  his  extensive  pari.sh.  His  first  visit  was  to  the  Catholics  on  the  Enfield 
Canal,  where  he  baptized  several  children,  and  administered  other  sacraments, 
and  received  some  generous  contributions  towards  the  liquidation  of  the  debt 
contracted  by  the  Catholics  of  Hartford  for  their  church  and  lot.  During  his 
visit,  Father  O'Cavanagh  was  the  guest  of  a  Protestant  gentleman  of  marked 

'  The  religious  papers  were  very  hostile  to  the  Catholic  religion. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  187 

liberality  of  views,  Colonel   Norris,   in  whose  hospitable   mansion   he   also 
preached  and  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 

On  September  5,  1829,  the  following  notice  appeared  in  The  Catholic 
Press  of  Hartford  : 

"  8®°"  The  Catholics  of  this  city  are  informed  that  Mass  will  be  celebrated  on  Sun- 
da3-s  in  future,  at  10  o'clock  a.m.,  in  the  room  on  the  third  story  of  Mr.  Ellsworth's 
building.  Entrance,  3d  door,  corner  of  INIain  and  .A.sylum  streets.  Confessions  will  be 
heard  on  Saturday  afternoons  in  said  room." 

The  work  which  chiefly  engrossed  the  attention  of  Father  O'Cavanagh 
was  the  transforming  of  the  old  Episcopal  church  into  a  house  of  Catholic 
worship.  While  this  transformation  was  being  accomplished,  Mr.  Daniel 
Barber  of  Claremont,  N.  H.,  an  uncle  of  Bishop  Tyler,  thus  wrote  to  the 
Catholic  Press  : 

"  It  is  singular  to  reflect  on  the  difference  between  the  spirit  of  former  and  the  pre- 
sent time — the  Episcopal  church  (church  of  England)  in  Hartford,  was  once  destroyed 
by  a  mob  at  the  head  of  which  was  a  Col.  T — t.  Now  a  Catholic  church  is  shooting 
upwards,  with  but  little  noise  or  opposition.  I  have  lived  seventy-three  years,  in  the 
course  of  which  many  changes  have  taken  place.  Everything,  indeed,  bCit  the  Catholic 
faith  is  liable  to  change.  The  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  of  which  I  was  a  minister 
thirtj'-two  years,  has  in  that  time  so  changed,  that  what  was  truth  thirty  5-ears  ago,  ac- 
cording to  their  doctrine,  is  now  false  !  !  !  In  ray  ordination,  the  bishop  with  his  hands 
on  my  head,  used  these  words,  '  Whose  sins  you  forgive,  they  are  forgiven  ;'  this  was 
Protestant  doctrine  at  that  period  ;  but  I  find  none  among  them  who  believe  it  at  this  day. 

"That  your  pious  exertions  together  with  those  of  j'our  Catholic  brethren  in  Hart- 
ford, may  prove  successful  in  chasing  away  that  spijitual  darkness,  which  has  so  long 
held  its  complete  empire  over  the  souls  of  men,  is  the  most  sincere  wish  of  your  very  de- 
voted servant.  D.\niel  B.\rber.'' 

Sept.  jit,  i82g. 

From  the  time  of  Father  O'Cavanagh's  arrival  till  the  dedication  of  the 
renovated  church,  the  Catholics  attended  divine  services  in  Masonic  Hall 
near  the  corner  of  Main  and  Asylum  streets. 

In  June,  1830,  the  church  was  completed  and  ready  for  dedication.  It 
was  spacious,  really  beautiful,  and  situated  on  a  fine  lot  in  the  centre  of  the 
town,  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Talcott  streets.  It  was  68  feet  in  lenetli 
and  48  feet  in  width  ;  had  a  fine  organ,  two  sacristies,  a  spacious  basement 
for  a  Sunday  school  and  a  variety  of  apartments.  Moreover,  it  had  ample 
accommodations  for  two  clergy n: en,  if  necessary.  The  church  was  named 
"  The  Church  of  the  Holy  and  Undivided  Trinity,"  '  and  was  solemnly  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  one  God  in  Three  Divine  Persons,  on  Thursday,  June 
17th,  1830,  by  Bishop  Fenwick.  The  pastor,  Rev.  Father  O'Cavanagh,  was 
the  celebrant  of  the  Mass.  The  congregation  filled  the  edifice  and  was  com- 
posed principally  of  Protestants.  The  newly  organized  choir  sang  Dementis' 
Grand  Mass.  A  remarkable  fact  and  one  worthy  of  remembrance  is  that  the 
organist  on  that  occasion  was  a  young  girl  of  thirteen  years  of  age.  She  not 
only  played  the  organ,  but  sang  the  leading  soprano  parts  during  the  entire 
service.  She  was  assisted  by  her  teacher  and  her  sister,  who  was  onl)'  one 
'  It  had  formerly  been  "  Christ's  Church.'' 


188  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

year  older.  She  was  engaged  as  organist  by  Father  O'Cavanagli  for  one  year 
at  a  salary  of  ninety  dollars. 

Bishop  Fenwick  preached  the  dedication  sermon,  selecting  his  text  from 
the  Book  of  Paralipomenon,  seventh  chapter  and  sixteenth  verse  :  "/  have 
chosen  and  sanctified  this  flace.,  that  my  name  may  he  there  forever.^  and  my  eyes 
and  my  heart  remain  there  perpetually. " 

The  contributions  amounted  to  thirty  dollars.  The  dedication  of  this, 
the  first  Catholic  church  in  Connecticut  was  a  bright  and  happy  event  for  the 
devoted  children  of  the  faith  in  Hartford.  It  was  a  harbinger  of  future  bless- 
ings, a  presage  of  other  and  still  more  precious  favors  from  heaven.  With 
mingled  emotions  of  pleasure  and  delight  did  that  heroic  little  band  hail  the 
event,  and  to  us  and  to  those  who  will  take  up  our  burdens,  this  day,  June 
17th,  1830,  should  ever  remain  a  day  of  cherished  and  sacred  memory.  Com- 
menting on  the  dedication  of  the  church.  The  Jesuit.,  in  its  issue  of  June  26, 
1830,  said:  "From  what  we  can  learn,  we  have  ever}'  reason  to  feel  grateful 
to  Providence  for  the  rapid  diffusion  and  unequivocal  demonstration  of  liber- 
ality and  truly  Christian  sentiments  in  that  part  of  the  diocese.  The  day, 
we  trust,  is  fast  approaching  when  even  the  local  prejudices  of  .sectarian 
bigotry  will  be  dissolved  by  the  glorious  sun  of  civil  and  religious  freedom." 

The  first  marriage  ceremonies  performed  by  Father  O'Cavanagli  at  Hart- 
ford are  the  following,  copied  from  the  marriage  Record : 

Hugh  Woods  1   "  iSzg,  December  ijtii.     Married  Hugh  Woods  to  Clarinda  F. 

and  -  Taylor.     Witnesses,  Deodat  Ta3lor  and  A.  M.  Tall}'.' 

Clarinda  F.  Taylor.  B.  O'Cav.xnagh." 


Rob't  O'Hara       1   "  /&(?,   Bee.   13th.      Married  Rob't  O'Hara  to   Xancy  McLane. 
and  [  Witnesses,  Ddt  Taylor  and  A.  M.  Tally. 

Nancy  McLane.        )  B.  O'Cavanagh." 

On  Saturday,  July  31,  1830,  the  Rev.  James  Fitton  arrived  at  Hartford 
as  assistant  to  Father  O'Cavanagh. 

Becoming  di.ssatisfied  with  his  situation  at  Hartford,  Father  O'Cavanagh 
frequently  solicited  his  exeat  from  Bishop  Fenwick.  After  giving  the  matter 
due  consideration  his  request  was  granted,  and  permission  to  enter  another 
diocese  was  forwarded  to  him  on  October  27,  1831.  On  November  5,  1831, 
Bishop  Fenwick  received  a  letter,  signed  by  fifty-four  Catholics  of  Hartford, 
petitioning  him  to  recall  Father  O'Cavauagh's  exeat,  and  threatening,  in 
case  of  a  refusal,  to  re-establish  him  as  pastor  and  withdraw  all  support  from 
Father  Fitton,  his  successor.  The  bishoj)  returned  a  pacific  answer,  exhorting 
the  petitioners  to  peace,  union  and  charity,  but  refused  to  accede  to  their 
request. 

Leaving  Hartford,  Father  O'Cavanagh  affiliated  with  the  Diocese  of 
Detroit,  where,  about  1832,  he  was  attached  to  St.  Anne's  cathedral,  his 
labors  being  chiefly  among  the  English-speaking  Catholics.  He  was  after- 
wards received  into  the  diocese  of  Cincinnati.  On  November  11,  1845,  he 
was  re-admitted   into  the  diocese  of  Boston,  having  a  short  time  previously 

'  The  editor  of  77/f  Catholic  Press. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD. 


189 


returned  from  Rome.  He  was  assigned  as  an  assistant  to  Rev.  John  D.  Brady 
at  Cabottville,  Mass. 

The  writings  of  Father  O'Cavanagh,  some  of  which  are  extant,  are 
evidence  of  broad  scholarship.  As  a  controversialist  he  probably  had  few 
superiors  among  the  junior  clergy  of  his  time.  By  his  published  explanations 
of  Catholic  teachings  no  less  than  by  his  sermons  did  he  dispel  ignorance  and 
remove  prejudice.  He  was  well  versed  in  patristic  lore,  and  his  theological 
knowledge  was  an  honor  to  the  priesthood. 

The  successor  of  Father  O'Cavanagh  was  the  Rev.  James  Fitton  (October 
27,  1 831),  a  classmate  of  the  first  bi.shop  of  Hartford,  Right  Rev.  William 
Tyler,  D.D.  The- three  friends,  Tyler,  Fitton  and  Wiley,  received  minor 
orders  on  December  24,  1826;  were  ordained  subdeacons  on  December  21, 
1827,  and  deacons  the  day  following.  Messrs.  Fitton  and  Wiley  were  ordained 
to  the  priesthood  on  December  23,  1827.' 

When  Father  Fitton  began  his  pastorate  the  number  of  Catholics  in 
Hartford  was  still  small.  On  June  19,  1832,  he  reported  to  Bishop  Fenwick 
that  he  had  in  that  year  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  communicants.  On 
July  29,  1832,  Bishop  Fenwick  confirmed  twenty-four  persons,  and,  as  far  as 
the  records  show,  this  was  the  first  time  that  confirmation  was  administered 
in  Connecticut.  It  will  not  be  without  interest  to  place  on  record  the  names 
of  the  recipients. 

MALES. 

Deodat  Augustine  Taylor, 
David  B.  Flower, 


Ebenezer  Griffin, 
Thomas  Kelly, 

jNIary  Buckle}', 

Mary  Jlonica  Lesseur, 

Arathusa  Rose  McGuire, 

Sarah  Griffin, 

Martha  Agnes  Johnson, 

Mary  Sarah  Griffin, 

Mary  Ann  Cleary, 

Elizabeth  Delia  Kelly, 


Jaraes  W.  Sutton, 

James  Henry  Moore, 
John  Thomas  Rodden, 
Peter  Andrew  Walsh. 


FEMALES. 


Elizabeth  A.  Kelly, 
Juliana  Carter, 
Sarah  Johnson, 
Catharine  Elizabeth  Parsons. 
Sarah  Ann  McBride, 
Ellen  Traynor, 
Susan  Cecilia  Suttou, 
Juliana  Kelly. 


The  malcontents  were  still  fomenting  discord.  Bishop  Fenwick  remained 
in  Hartford  at  this  time  ten  days,  during  which  he  made  an  exhaustive  exam- 
ination of  the  status  of  the  parish  and  drew  up  a  series  of  regulations  which 
would  govern  the  future  relations  of  pastors  and  people.  He  promulgated 
these  new  regulations  at  a  meeting  of  the  entire  congregation,  Sunday  even- 
ing, August  5,  1832,  and  caused  a  new  committee  to  be  appointed  for  the 
administration  of  temporal  affairs.  Discontent  still  continued,  however,  but 
the  bishop,  by  the  exercise  of  patience,  and  a  conciliatory  spirit,  by  firmness 
mingled  with  kindness  and  charity,  overpowered  all  opposition ;  so  that  on 
October  nth  Father  Fitton  wrote,  "All  well  at  Hartford." 

During  his  pastorate  at  Hartford,  Father  Fitton  became  involved  in  the 


'  This  was  the  first  ordination  by  Bishop  Fenwick  in  Boston. 


190  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

famous  Hughes  and  Breckenridge  religious  controversy  which  at  tlie  time 
agitated  the  whole  country.  It  had  been  alleged  that  "a  young  priest  from 
some  part  of  the  Connecticut  valley"  had  warned  the  peoi)le  from  the  pulpit 
of  St.  John's  church,  Philadelphia,  against  reading  the  controversy.  This 
statement  brought  forth  the  following  letter : 

To  THE  Rev.  John  Hughes — 

Ret',  and  Dear  Sir .-  As  I  am  the  only  "  young  priest  of  the  Connecticut  Valley'"  who 
has  visited  Philadelphia  during  the  current  year,  I  consider  myself  justified  in  calling  upon  Mr. 
Burtt  for  an  explanation  of  the  very  mysterious  statement  relating  to  me,  which  appeared  over 
his  signature  in  the  Catholic  Herald  of  the  23d  inst. 

Referring  to  the  iith  No.  of  the  Herald,  I  find  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Breckenridge  holds  the 
following  language:  "  I  have  been  informed  that  Bishop  Kenrick  did,  on  the  17th  of  February 
last,  in  St.  Mary's  church  f  Philadelphia)  publicly  warn  the  people  against  reading  the  contro- 
versy." This  misstatement  having  been  corrected  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Kenrick,  was  acknowl- 
edged by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Breckenridge  in  the  ijth  No.  of  the  Herald,  though  he  insisted,  upon 
the  authority  of  a  respectable  gentleman,  that  the  hearing  was  given  on  "  the  day  named  "  by 
a  Roman  Catholic  priest.     The  very  respectable  informant  of   this  mysterious  affair  is  now 

reduced  to  a  Miss  M ,  who,  though  educated  among  Catholics,  mistook  the  "  youn^  priest  of 

the  Connecticut  Valley  "  for  a  bishop,  being  informed  he  was  such  by  "the  audience  of  whom 
she  made  inquiry."     So  says  the  article  of  the  23d  inst.     Let  me  now,  for  the  edification  of  the 

Rev.  M.  B.,  and  for  the  information  of  Mr.  Burtt  and  Lad}'  M ,  observe  that  there  was  NO 

"Connecticut  Valley  Priest  "  in  Philadelphia  on  the  17th  February.  L  on  that  day,  was  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  and  offered  up  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  St.  Patrick's  church  at  half 
past  eight  o'clock  K  M-,  and  preached  to  a  highly  respectable  audience  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Very  Rev.  Mr.  Matthews,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  .same  day.  If  this  proves  not  the  entire 
tale  to  be  a  forgery,  it  certainly  reduces  it  to  a  paradox. 

I  remain  respectfully  yours,  jAMES  FiTTON. 

Hartford,  Conn.,  May  27,  1S33. 

During  his  tour  through  various  dioceses  at  this  peiiod  Father  Fitton 
collected  $507.40  to  liquidate  part  of  the  indebtedness  of  the  church.  Father 
Fitton  had  for  assistants,  first,  the  Rev.  James  McDerniott,  who  teceived  his 
appointment  on  September  15,  1832.  He  remained  at  Hartford  until  his 
transfer  to  New  Haven  in  1832.  He  was  accepted  by  Bishop  Fenwick 
on  September  2,  183 1.  He  received  Minor  Orders  on  February-  24,  1832, 
and  was  ordained  sub-deacon,  deacon,  and  priest  on  August  16th,  17th  and 
19th,  respectively,  of  the  same  year.  The  second  was  the  Rev.  Edward 
McCool,  who  had  been  received  into  the  diocese  on  February  20,  1S34,  from 
Charleston,  S.  C.  He  was  sent  to  Hartford  on  February  28th,  but  returned 
to  Boston  on  May  31st  of  the  same  year,  and  received  his  c.vtat.  The  third 
was  the  Rev.  Francis  Kiernan,  a  native  of  the  diocese  of  Ardagh,  Ireland.  He 
was  received  by  Bishop  Fenwick  on  October  3,  1832,  and  sent  to  Cliamblay, 
France,  to  prosecute  his  studies.  He  received  Minor  Orders  on  December 
21,  1833;  sub-deaconship.  May  21,  1834;  deaconship.  May  23d;  on  May 
24th  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood.  He  was  sent  to  Hartford  on 
July  3,  1834,  and  returned  to  Boston  on  December  8th  of  the  same  year. 
Father  Kiernan  expired  suddenly  in  Wa.shington,  D.  C,  on  July  30,  1S38. 

The  first  marriage  ceremony  performed  by  Father  Fitton  at  Hartford  was 

the  following: 

"  Kdw.  Casev  and  1  1830,  Sept.  26.     Married,  Edward  Casey  to  .\un  Phalen.     Witnesses,  • 
Ann  Phalen".     >      Corn'l  O'Brien  and  JIargery  O'Brien.  James  Fitton." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  191 

The  Rev.  Peter  W.  Walsh,  who  had  previously  been  attached  to  the 
cathedral  of  New  York  cit)-,  and  whom  Bishop  Fenwick  received  on  April 
1 8,  1836,  was  appointed  to  Hartford  on  April  a/tli  of  this  year,  as  successor 
to  Father  Fitton.  Father  Walsh  reported  the  number  of  souls  in  Hartford 
as  350  in  summer  and  250  in  winter;  in  New  Britain  and  Farmington, 
12;  Tariffville,  24,  and  in  Thompsouville,  20.  On  June  11,  1837,  Bishop 
Fenwick  administered  confirmation  to  twenty-five  persons.  Father  Walsh 
remained  in  Hartford  until  the  appointment  of  his  successor,  the  Rev.  John 
Brady,  August  5,  1837.  Father  Brady  was  ordained  sub-deacon  on  July  25, 
1833,  deacon  on  the  26th,  and  priest  on  the  27th.  On  November  28,  1837, 
Bishop  Fenwick  defined  the  limits  of  Father  Brady's  mission  to  be  the 
counties  of  Hartford,  Middlesex,  Litchfield  in  Connecticut,  and  the  counties 
of  Hampden  and  Berkshire  in  Massachusetts.  His  jurisdiction  extended 
to  Middletown  and  Portland  on  the  south  ;  on  the  west  to  the  boundary  line 
of  New  York;  on  the  north  into  Massachusetts  and  Vermont.  At  intervals 
for  many  years  Father  Brady  attended  Springfield,  Cabottville,  Northampton, 
Middletown,  Norfolk  and  other  stations.  In  1840  he  purchased  a  lot  on  the 
east  side  of  the  church,  upon  which  he  erected  a  parochial  residence.  Father 
Brady  displayed  great  activity  in  providing  for  the  religious  and  secular  edu- 
cation of  the  children  of  his  charge.  Among  the  tutors  of  his  school  was  a 
Mr.  Edward  Gillen,  whose  proficiency  as  a  musician  had  secured  for  him  more 
than  local  fame.  Leaving  Hartford  he  went  through  the  West  as  agent  for 
Catholic  publications.  Reaching  Notre  Dame,  Indiana,  he  entered  the  con- 
gregation of  the  Holy  Cross,  and  in  due  time  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood. 
During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  he  served  as  chaplain  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.     He  died  at  an  advanced  age  on  October  20,  1882. 

During  his  triumphant  tour  through  the  States  the  illustrious  apostle  of 
temperance,  Rev.  Theobald  Matthew,  visited  Hartford,  and  for  a  week  was  the 
guest  of  Father  Brady.  The  Hartford  Catholic  Temperance  Society  was 
organized,  and  it  had  the  meritorious  distinctionof  having  on  its  roll  of  mem- 
bership the  name  of  every  male  Catholic  in  Hartford.  To  promote  the  social, 
intellectual  and  religious  condition  of  the  young  men  of  his  charge,  Father 
Brady  organized  the  Hibernian  Institute,  which  flourished  under  his  super- 
vision. 

During  Father  Brady's  absence  in  Europe  from  October,  1S45,  to  April, 
1846,  the  parish  of  the  Holy  Trinity  was  administered  by  the  Rev.  T.  G. 
Riordan,  a  young  priest  from  the  diocese  of  Boston.  Father  Riordan  was 
an  accomplished  clergyman,  brilliant,  eloquent,  cultured,  a  man  of  great 
dignity.  Prompt  in  the  discharge  of  duty  in  every  field  of  sacerdotal  labor, 
he  was  particularly  zealous  in  the  important  work  of  Catholic  education. 
For  many  years  the  name  of  Father  Riordan  was  held  in  benediction  by  the 
Catholics  of  Hartford;  not  until  the  passing  of  the  last  contemporary  of  the 
young  priest  did  his  name  cease  to  be  mentioned. 

The  rapid  increase  of  Catholics  in  Hartford  made  a  new  church  edifice 
an  imperative  necessity.  Immigration  had  brought  hither  large  numbers  of 
devoted  disciples  of  St.  Patrick,  a  desirable  class  for  church  and  for  state. 


I 


192  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  I.\'  NEW  ENGLAND. 

"Irishmen  were  called  in  to  dig  the  deep  foundations  of  huge  factories,  to 
blast  the  rocks,  to  build  the  dams ;  and  when  the  great  structures  arose,  the 
children  of  Irishmen  were  called  in  to  tend  the  spindles  of  the  furnace.  The 
Irish  are  absolutely  necessary  to  the  manufacturing  success  of  the  new  world. 
Without  tliem  the  railroads  would  be  uncut,  the  canals  undug,  the  factories 
uul)ui]t. 

"  Poor,  poor  unhappy  Ireland  !  the  flower  of  your  population,  the  bone 
and  sinew  of  your  national  strength  are  exiled,  and  applied  to  develop 
strange  lands  and  mix  in  dust  with  stranger  earth.  And  yet,  perhaps,  Ire- 
land is  fulfilling  her  mission  appointed  in  the  great  system  of  the  Almighty 
by  .sending  forth  to  distant  lands  the  agents  of  a  mild  and  charitable  Christi- 
anity, as  slie  did  in  the  days  of  national  influence,  when  her  zealous  mission- 
aries and  polished  scholars  won  for  her  from  Europe,  by  their  great  labors 
and  their  great  talents,  the  distinctive  appellation  of  Insula  Sanctorum  et 
Dodorum;  Island  of  Saints  and  Doctors.  Yes,  unhappy  nation,  your  very 
sufferings  now  conduce,  as  your  aflluence  and  zeal  conduced  in  former  ages, 
to  spread  the  glory  of  God. 

"Wherever  the  Irish  penetrate,  they  carry  in  their  bosoms  the  living 
fire  of  the  faith  ;  they  are  the  votaries  and  the  missionaries  of  the  Cross. 
They  are  the  same  wherever  they  go — whether  to  the  manufacturing  districts 
of  the  East,  or  the  imtracked  wilderness  of  the  West.  Their  ever-pressing 
want  in  a  new  place  is  a  priest,  and  when  they  have  enjoyed  this  comfort  for 
.some  time  in  a  series  of  visits,  few,  perhaps,  and  far  between,  their  next 
aspiration  is  a  church,  and  then  a  home  for  the  priest.  All  this  they  at  last 
accomplish  by  the  force  of  their  warm  faith  and  untiring  perseverance,  and  it 
is  not  until  they  have  established  their  faith,  their  church  and  their  priest, 
in  the  midst  of  a  prejudiced  community — not  until  the  priest  is  located  among 
them,  ready  and  able  to  deal,  when  necessary,  with  the  .surrounding  stupiditv, 
ignorance  and  prejudice,  that  they  may  say  to  themselves  :  '  We  are  now  at 
last  free  ;  we  are  now  at  last  independent ; '  for  then  the  people  around  begin  to 
open  their  eyes,  come  into  their  cliurches,  hear,  and  see,  and  think,  and  treat 
their  Catholic  neighbors  almost  as  '  fellow-citizens.'  "  ' 

In  1849,  Father  Brady  purchased  a  lot  from  J.  M.  Niles,  situated  on 
the  corner  of  Church  and  Ann  streets.  The  dimensions  of  the  site  were 
305  feet  in  length  on  the  Churcli  street  side,  and  150  feet  on  Ann  street. 
The  amount  paid  was  $3,660.  The  erection  of  the  new  church  was  begun 
immediately,  and  the  work  progressed  so  rapidly,  that  it  was  dedicated  under 
the  patronage  of  St.  Patrick  on  December  14,  185 1.  The  Church  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  our  fir.st  cathedral,  was  little  used  thereafter,  save  for  an  occa- 
sional marriage  and  baptism.  On  May  12,  1S53,  the  historic  old  structure 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  As  the  conflagration  occurred  during  the  period  when 
the  Know-Xothing  element  was  dominant  in  the  State,  it  was  attributed  to  an 
incendiary.  The  baptismal  register  was  lost  in  the  flames,  but  the  marriage 
record  was  saved  and  is  extant.  The  lot  on  which  the  church  stood  was  sold 
in  June,  1866,  to  John  Poindexter. 

'  "  T/ie  Pilot,"  Nov.  25,  1848. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  193 

The  assistant  priest  who  served  with  Father  Brady  was  the  Rev.  James 
Strain,  who  was  received  into  the  diocese  on  April  4,  1840.  He  was  sent  to 
Hartford  on  April  21st,  where  he  remained  until  Februarj'  25,  1841.  His  suc- 
cessor was  the  Rev.  John  D.  Brady,  who  attended  also  Cabottville,  of  wliicli  mis- 
sion he  was  appointed  pastor  in  1844.  The  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly  assisted  Father 
Brady  from  April  until  July,  1848.  The  Rev.  James  Smyth,  the  Rev.  Luke 
Daly,  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Mangan  and  the  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  were  also  assistants. 

The  strained  relations  that  existed  between  Bishop  O'Reilly  and  Father 
Brady  during  the  two  last  years  of  the  latter's  life  resulted  in  his  removal 
from  the  pastorate  of  St.  Patrick's  pari.sh  in  November,  1854.     He  died  on 
November  16,  1854,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  days.     His  remains  rest  in  front - 
of  St.  Patrick's  church,  Hartford. 

"  In  person,  Father  Brady  was  of  medium  height,  squarely  built,  with  a  clear,  light  olive 
complexion,  raven  black  hair,  a  remarkably  sonorous  voice,  a  firm  step  ;  and  his  appearance 
and  demeanor  quite  attractive.  He  was  precise  about  his  dress,  scrupulously  neat,  not  over 
social  in  his  associations  with  his  parishioners  or  fellow-citizens,  yet  by  no  means  haughty  or 
arrogant.  All  loved  and  reverenced  him  with  a  genuine  affection  that  had  no  trace  of  flattery. 
He  hated  a  flatterer.  As  a  preacher  he  was  plain,  persuasive  and  effectual ;  always  preaching 
on  Sundays,  both  at  Mass  and  Vespers,  precise  as  to  his  hours  of  duty,  unremitting  in  the  dis- 
charge of  all  obligations  ;  he  never  complained  of  being  over-worked.'" 


PARISH    HISTORIES. 


ST.  JOSEPH'S   CATHEDRAL. 

(5  I  HE  history  of  the  Cathedral  parisli  embraces  a  period  of  twenty-six 
^  I  years.  Its  certificate  of  incorporation  was  filed  on  September  2,  1872. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Reid  was  the  first  rector  of  the  Cathedral  parish, 
and  John  Franej'  and  Edward  Lancaster  were  the  first  lay  members  of  the  cor- 
poration. When  Bishop  McFarland  arrived  in  Hartford  after  the  erection  of 
the  See  of  Providence  in  February,  1872,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  a  house 
sitirated  on  the  corner  of  Woodland  and  Collins  streets.  The  necessity  of  a 
new  parish  in  the  city  was  at  once  obvious  to  the  Bishop ;  but  where  to  secure 
a  suitable  location  for  the  future  cathedral  became  an  absorbing  question. 
St.  Patrick's  and  St.  Peter's  parishes  were  in  the  eastern  and  southern  sec- 
tions of  the  city,  and  afforded  the  Catholics  of  their  respective  localities  ample 
opportunities  for  attending  divine  worship.  Like  the  course  of  empire,  the 
population  of  Hartford  was  advancing  westward.  The  Catholics  of  this  sec- 
tion were  already  numerous,  were  steadily  increasing,  and  consisted  chiefly  of 
servants  and  others  who  had  sundered  sectarian  ties  to  enter  the  Catholic  fold. 
An  examination  of  various  sites  resulted  in  the  selection  of  the  property 
on  which  stand  the  cathedral,  convent,  and  episcopal  residence.  It  belonged 
to  James  Goodwin,  and  on  July  16,  1872,  he  conveyed  it  to  George  Affleck 

^  "  Coniieclicul  Catholic  Year  Book,"  1S77. 
II— 13 


]94  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

by  warranty  deed  for  §70,000  ;  $10,000  in  casli  was  paid  down,  and  Mr. 
Affleck  gave  a  mortgage  bond  for  $60,000  ;  six  notes  of  $10,000  each,  pay- 
able one  every  six  months  witli  interest.  On  the  same  day  Mr.  Affleck 
conveyed  the  property  to  Bishop  McFarland.  On  September  1 1,  1S72,  Bishop 
McFarland  conveyed  tlie  same  site,  togetlier  with  his  residence  on  the  corner 
of  Woodland  and  Collins  streets,  to  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral  corporation.  On 
April  12,  1873,  Messrs.  X.  B.  Stevens,  Charles  W.  Cook,  and  Chester  G. 
Munyan  conveyed  to  .St.  Joseph's  Cathedral  corporation  a  strip  of  land  ten 
feet  wide  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  deep,  lying  next  west  of  and  ad- 
joining the  cathedral  property.  The  original  piece  of  land  purchased  from 
James  Goodwin  on  July  16,  1872,  is  about  433J/J  feet  deep  on  the  west  line, 
about  416  feet  long  on  the  rear  (north)  line,  about  279  feet  on  the  east  side, 
and  401  feet  on  Farmingtou  avenue.  The  mortgage  of  $60,000  was  entirely 
paid  and  quit-claimed  by  James  Goodwin  to  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral  corpora- 
tion on  May  10,  1873. 

The  first  work  to  which  Bishop  McFarland  bent  his  energies  was  the 
erection  o(  a  convent  whose  chapel  would  serve  as  a  pro-cathedral.  The  cor- 
nerstone  was  laid  on  Sunday,  May  11,  1873,  and  the  chapel  was  dedicated  on 
November  26th  following.  Although  Bishop  McFarland  planned  the  cathe- 
dral, he  did  not  live  to  see  the  beginning  of  this  stupendous  work.  He  died 
October  2,  1874.  The  rectors  of  the  cathedral  who  served  under  Bishop 
McF'arland  were  the  Rev.  E.  M.  Hicky,  who  had  charge  from  December, 
1873,  to  February,  1874,  and  the  Rev.  Michael  Kelly,  from  March,  1874,  to 
March,  1878. 

The  honor  of  beginning  llie  erection  of  the  cathedral  fell  to  Bishop 
McFarlaud's  .successor,  Right  Rev.  Thomas  Galberry,  O.  S.  A.,  who  broke 
ground  on  August  30,  1876,  on  his  return  from  Rome.  On  September 
13th,  the  same  year,  he  laid  the  first  stone,  and  the  work  progressed  so 
rapidly  that  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  tlie  following  spring.  This  event 
occurred  on  Saturday,  April  29,  1877,  in  the  presence  of  a  va.st  concourse  of 
people,  who  had  assembled  from  every  section  of  the  State.  It  was  estimated 
to  be  the  largest  gathering  of  Catholics  that  had  ever  assembled  within  the 
limits  of  Hartford,  the  number  being  placed  at  15,000.  When  the  proces- 
sion, which  had  formed  at  the  depot,  had  reached  the  convent,  the  clergy 
proceeded  from  the  pro-cathedral  to  the  corner-stone  with  the  following 
officers  of  the  ceremony : 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Rev.  M.  !■'.  Kelly. 

Cross- Bearer—^ev.  J.  Mulcahy. 

Acofy/es—Rev.  P.  McCabe  and  Rev.  M.  fialligan. 

C//a«A7-.c— Rev.  Father  Leo  da  Saracena.  O.S  F.  ;  Rev.  J.  Campbell,  Rev.  Father 
Collins,  Rev.  Father  Gilniore,  O.S.X. ;  Rev.  J.  Fajran.  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick,  Rev.  J.  13. 
Dougherty. 

Ofuiating  Pre/ate— Islost  Rev.  John  J.  Williams,  Boston,  attended  by  Very  Rev. 
Thomas  Walsh  and  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Hughes  as  deacons.  The  bishops  present  were: 
Riglit  Rev.  Bishop  Conioy,  Albany  ;  Right  Rev.  Bi.shop  O'Reilly,  Springfield  ;  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Shanahan,  Hani.sburg;  Riglit  Rev.  Bishop  Galberry,  Hartford,  and  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Loughlin,  Brooklyn,  who  preached  the  sermon,  taking  his  text  from  St.  Paul's 
Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  ii.  19,  20. 


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DIOCESE  OE  HARTFORD.  195 

Oh  a  platform  near  the  stone  were  seated  many  prominent  citizens,  civic 
dignitaries,  State  and  city  officials,  together  with  a  large  assemblage  of  priests 
from  this  and  neighboring  dioceses.    The  following  is  a  diagram  of  the  stone  : 


St.  Joseph's     /^  \    Cathedral, 

Sept.  13,       /         *         \  1S76. 


Dedication  of  the  Basement. — The  basement  of  the  cathedral  was 
dedicated  on  Sunday,  February  10,  1878.  Bishop  Galberry  officiated  at  this 
impressive  ceremony,  attended  by  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  V.  G. ;  the 
Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly,  master  of  ceremonies;  the  Rev.  S.  P.  Sheffrey  and  the 
Rev.  J.  F.  Campbell,  chanters.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  Right  Rev. 
E.  P.  Wadhams,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Ogdensburg ;  assistant  priest.  Very  Rev. 
Thomas  Walsh,  V.  G. ;  deacon,  Rev.  J.  Campbell ;  sub-deacon.  Rev.  M.  A. 
Tierney ;  masters  of  ceremonies.  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly  and  Rev.  J.  B  A. 
Dougherty.  Present  in  the  sanctuary  were  Right  Rev.  L,.  De  Goesbriand, 
D.D.,  Burlington,  and  Right  Rev.  P.  O'Reilly,  D.D.,  Springfield.  The 
former  delivered  the  oration  from  the  following  text :  "  I  have  glorified  thee 
on  earth  ;  I  have  finished  the  work  which  Thou  gavest  me  to  do ;  and  now, 
O  Father,  glorify  Thou  me  with  Thine  own  self,  with  the  glory  which  I  had 
with  Thee  before  the  world  was." 

Pontifical  vespers  were  celebrated  in  the  evening  by  Bishop  Galberry. 
Rev.  Thomas  Broderick  preached  the  sermon  from  Psalm  xlvii.  9,  "  As 
we  have  heard,  so  we  have  seen  in  the  cit)'  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  in  the  city 
of  our  God.     God  hath  founded  it  forever.'' 

The  venerable  Father  Fitton  also  delivered  an  address  replete  with  inter- 
esting reminiscences  of  religion  in  early  Hartford. 

We  append  a  description  of  the  basement  of  the  cathedral : 

The  height  of  the  basement  is  23  feet  above  the  foundations,  16  feet 
clear.  Like  the  cathedral  proper,  it  has  a  seating  capacity  for  2000  persons. 
The  sanctuary,  immediately  under  the  upper  sanctuary,  contains  four  altars, 
the  high  altar  in  the  centre,  St.  Joseph's  on  one  side  and  the  Blessed  Virgin 
on  the  other.  The  sanctuary  is  88  feet  wide  and  39)^  feet  in  depth.  There 
is  also  a  marriage  altar  and  baptistery.  In  the  rear  is  a  crypt  containing  16 
vaults  for  the  burial  of  deceased  bishops. 

The  basement  contains  18  heavy  granite  pillars  and  34  iron  ones,  to  sup- 
port the  floor  of  the  cathedral.  There  are  16  feet  3  inches  of  space  between 
each  of  the  pillars  north  and  south,  and  17  feet  3  inches  east  and  west.  There 
are  54  windows,  41  in  the  body,  8  in  the  vestry,  and  5  others. 

The  Grotto  of  Lourdes  has  been  made  to  represent  the  celebra'ted  shrine 
in  France  as  far  as  possible.  The  statues  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  Joseph 
were  imported  specially  from  Paris  by  Bishop  Galberry. 

The  altars  are  finished  in  imitation  of  Sienna  marble,  and  are  very  beau- 
tiful. The  panels  of  the  reredos  are  beautifully  ornamented  in  diapered  work 
of  gold,  upon  blue  and  purple  grounds.  The  altar  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  has 
a  very  beautiful  statue  of  our  Blessed  Lady  robed  in  blue,  and  figured  in  gilt. 


196  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

which  falls  in  graceful  drapery  to  her  feet.  She  stands  upon  a  sea  of  silver, 
her  right  foot  restint^  upon  and  cnisliing  the  liead  of  llie  infernal  serpent.  The 
Virgin  holds  her  right  liand  against  tlie  Sacred  Heart,  and  the  Infant  Saviour 
with  His  left  hand  points  to  His  Sacred  Heart,  and  with  His  right  gives  a 
benediction  to  tlie  world.  In  a  recess  to  the  west  of  this  altar  is  the  statue 
of  Christ  revealing  His  Sacred  Heart  to  the  blessed  IMargaret  Mary  Ala- 
cocque,  who  kneels  before  Him  in  her  religious  habit.  Upon  St.  Joseph's 
altar,  the  patron  of  the  church  is  represented  as  holding  the  Infant  Jesus  on 
his  left  arm,  and  in  his  right  a  lily.  At  the  feet  of  St.  Joseph  is  a  repre- 
sentation of  the  Papal  Tiara,  symbolical  of  his  protection  of  the  Pope  and 
the  Church. 

The  interior  finishing  of  the  basement  is  plain,  the  walls  pure  white, 
relieved  only  at  intervals  b\'  terra  cotta  figures  representing  the  stations  of 
the  cross.  The  seats  are  of  heavy  oak  handsomely  panelled.  The  sanctuary 
is  ninetv-three  feet  in  length  by  fort)-  feet  in  width.  The  ceiling  is  sixteen 
feet  high.  The  cost  of  the  building  when  the  basement  was  dedicated  was 
$100,000. 

The  Consecration  of  the  Cathedral. — Fourteen  years  after  the 
basement  was  dedicated,  the  magnificent  cathedral  pile  was  consecrated  to  God 
to  be  His  holy  temple  forever.  The  occasion  was  one  of  joy  and  thanksgiving. 
Through  many  years  the  construction  of  St.  Joseph's  cathedral  had  progressed, 
and  the  Catholic  population  of  Connecticut  had  looked  forward  eagerh-  to  the 
day,  when,  the  work  completed,  it  might  be  consecrated  to  the  holy  uses  for 
which  it  was  designed,  absolutely  free  from  au\  indebtedness.  Sunday,  May 
8,  1892,  marked  the  culmination  of  the  project  of  the  splendid  mother  church 
that  was  first  conceived  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McFarland  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ago.  It  fell  to  the  fortune  of  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  to  complete 
the  great  undertaking  and  to  consecrate  to  the  worship  of  the  Most  High  a 
beautiful  temple,  which  for  solidity  of  construction,  splendor  of  decoration 
and  grandeur  of  effect  is  surpassed  by  few  similar  edifices  on  the  American 
continent.  St.  Joseph's  cathedral  is  in  very  truth  a  magnificent  structure, 
worthv  of  the  importance  and  fast-expanding  proportions  of  the  diocese  of 
which  it  is  the  mother  church.  A  notable  fact  in  connection  with  the  occasion 
deserves  to  be  treasured  as  a  unique  incident  of  the  da)-.  It  was  the  simul- 
taneous consecration  of  six  altars  in  one  church.  So  far  as  known  and  ascer- 
tained from  the  most  careful  investigations  such  an  occurrence  was  unprece- 
dented in  the  history  of  the  church  in  America.  It  is  something,  therefore, 
to  be  treasured  by  the  Catholics  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  and  to  be  impressed 
on  their  children,  that  in  their  day  and  generation  a  ceremonial  occurrence 
probably 'never  before  known  to  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States 
marked  the  consecration  of  St.  Joseph's  cathedral. 

The  order  of  services  on  that  historic  occasion  was  the  following  : 

6  A.  M.,  Consecration-  ok  Cathrdrai,  and  Altars.  • 
10.30  a.m.,  Solkmn  1'ontificau  High  Mass. 
4  p.  M.,  Organ  Rixitai,. 
7.30  P.M.,  Solemn  I'ontieical  Vesper.s. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  197 

The  prelates  and  priests  who  officiated  at  the  consecration  of  the  church 
and  the  various  altars  were  as  follows: 

CONSECRATION  OF  THE  CATHEDRAL  AND  OF  ST.  JOSEPH'S  ALTAR. 

Consecrator,  RIGHT  REV.  L.A.WRENCE  S.  McM.^HON,  D.D.,  Hartford. 

Deacon,  REV.  HENRY  J.  LVNCH,  Daubury. 

Sub-Deacon,  Rev.  DeniS  Cremin,  Bridgeport. 

Deacon  of  the  Door,  REV.  Patrick  Duggan,  Torrington. 

Cross  Bearer,  REV.  THOMAS  KeENA,  Stamford. 

Censer  Bearer,  REV.  ThomaS  Preston,  Danielson. 

Ctistodian  of  the  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  Joseph  GlEESON,  Thompsonville. 

Custodians  of  the  Holr  Relics,  Rev.  William  Rogers,  Stamford;  Rev.  Pkter  Kennedy,  Nor- 

wif^h  ;  Rev.  Michael  D.aly,  Tliomaston  ;  Rev.  John  Cooney,  Colcliesier. 

Director  of  Chant,  Rev.  Walter  J.  ShanlEY',  Hartford. 

Chanters,  Rev.  John  Lvnch,  Hartford;  Rev.  Jeremiah  Curtin,  New  Milford;  Rev.  Henry 

Walsh,  Plainville  ;  Rev.  William  Lynch,  Windsor  Locks. 

Acolytes,  MiCHAEL  OwfeNS,  WILLIAM  MaGUIRE.  ' 

Holy  Water  Bearer,  GEORGE  DuNN. 

Crozier  Bearer,   John  DalY'- 

Mitre  Bearer,  John  BoylE. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  Waterbury  ;  Rev.  John  D.  CoylE,  Stafford 

Springs;  Rev.  Thomas  A.  R.  Nealox,  Hartford. 

ALTAR  OF  THE  BLESSED  SACRAMENT. 

Consecrator,  MoST  Rev.  Edward  Charles  Fabre,  D.  D.,  Archbishop  of  Montreal. 

Deacon,  Rev.  M.  Rodden,  Bristol. 

Sub-Deacon,  Rev.  J.  E.  BoURETT,  Waterbury. 

Censer  Bearer,  Rev.  Timothy  Sweeney,  Portland. 

Custodian  of  Holy  Relics  and  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  John  Van  Den  Noort,  Putnam. 

Chanter,  Rev.  TerrENCE  Smith,  Bridgeport. 

Cross  Bearer,  John  McDonouGH. 

Acolytes,  THOMAS  MULCAHEY,  MATTHEW  CoUGHLIN. 

Holy  Water  Bearer,  Edward  WHITE. 

Mitre  Bearer,  John  McKone.   • 

Master  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  CharleS  McElROY,  Birmingham. 

ST.    PATRICK'S  ALTAR. 

Consecrator,  Right  Rev.  P.\trick  Ludden,  D.  D.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Deacon,  REV.  PATRICK  Mulholland,  New  Haven. 

Siib-Deaion,  Rev.  Michael  McKeon,  New  Haven. 

Crozier  Bearer,  Rev.  James  O'Brien,  Bridgeport. 

Custodian  of  Holy  Relics  and  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  John  SynnoTT,  Baltic. 

Chanter,  Rev.  R.  ShorTELL,  Banbury. 

Cross  Bearer,  WILLIAM  FarrelL. 

Acolytes,  William  Moran,  James  Lyons. 

Holy  Water  Beater,  ROBERT  ShHA. 

Mitre  Bearer,  JOSEPH  KENNEDY. 

Master  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  John  Broderick,  Meriden. 

ST.  BRIDGET'S  ALTAR. 

Consecrator,  Right  Rev.  L.  F.  LaflECHe,  D.  D.,  Three  Rivers,  Canada, 

Deacon,  Rev.  MICHAEL  TiERNEY,  New  Britain. 

Sub-Deacon,  Rev.  JOHN  A.  MULCAHY",  Waterbury. 

Censer  Bearer,  Rev.  James  THOMPSON,  Taftville. 

Custodian  of  Holy  Relics  and  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  Patrick  Fox,  Newtown. 


198  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  .YEW  ENGLAND. 

Chattier,  Rrv.  F.J.  Laluy,  East  Hartford. 

Crois  Btaier,  JoHS  MULCAHEY. 

Acolytes,  HENRY  KELI.V,  Owen  McCaBE. 

Holy  Water  J3earer,FRAt:ClS  ChrI.STHOLM. 

Mitre  Bearer,  JOSIvI'H  Lacv. 

Master  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  MichaEL  SulLIVAN,  New  HaTen. 

ST.  FRANCIS'  ALTAR. 

Consecrator,  Right  Rev.  Matthkw  Harkins,  D.  D.,  Providence. 

Deacon,  Rev.  John  Russell,  New  Haven. 

Sub  Deaton,  Rev.  A.  V.  Hicunxs,  O.  P.,  New  Haven. 

Censer  Bearer,  Rev.  Thomas  Kellv,  Ansonia. 

custodian  of  the  Holy  Relics  and  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  Thomas  CoonEV,  Grosvenoraale. 

Chanter,  Rev.  ROBERT  Earlv,  New  Haven. 

Cross  Bearer,  DavID  MulCAHEV. 

Acolytes,  PATRICK  CoscROVE,  Edward  Silk. 

Holy  Water  Bearer,  Kearon  Finn. 

Mitre  Bearer,  ThomaS  MoriariTY. 

Master  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  Anthony  McCarthy,  O.  S.  F.,  Winsted. 

ST.  BERNARD'S  ALTAR. 

Consecrator,  RIGHT  Rev.  Charles  E.  McDonnell,  D.D.,  Brooklyn. 

Deacon,  Rev.  Bern.ard  O'R.  Sheridan,  Middletown. 

Sub-Deacon,  Rev.  James  O'R.  Sheridan,  Windsor  Locks. 

Censer  Bearer,  REV.  THOMAS  SMITH,  Greenwicb. 

Custodian  of  the  Holy  Relics  and  Holy  Oils,  Rev.  William  Dullard,  Hartford. 

Chanter,  REV.  WILLIAM  GiBBONS,  New  Britain. 

Cross  Bearer,  JoHN  Man  NIX. 

Acolytes,  John  Owens,  Edward  Shka. 

Holy  Water  Bearer,  Patrick  J.  O  Meara. 

Mitre  Bearer,  EdwarD  Howlkv. 

Master  of  Ceremonies,  REV.  James  Facan,  Naugatuck. 

SOLEMN  PONTIFICAL  HIGH  MASS. 

Cf/ir(iran/,  Most  Rev.  John  J.  Williams,  D.D.,  Boston. 

Assistant  Priest,  VERY  REV.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  LL.D.,  Hartford. 

Deacon,  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Broderick,  Hartford. 

Sub-Deacon,  REV.  Thomas  J.  Shahan,  D.D.,  Catholic  University,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Acolytes,  REV.  James  W.\lsh,  Tariffville  ;  Rev.  John  Corcora.n,  New  Haven. 

Censer  Bearer,  REV.  WALTER  J.  ShanlEV,  Hartford. 

Pontifical  Cross  Bearer,  Rev.  Frank  Mukrav,  Bristol. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  James  H.  O'DonnELL,  Watcrbury  ;   Rev.  John  D.  Covle,  Stafford 

Springs  ;  Rev.  Thomas  A.  R.  Nealon,  Hartford  ;  Rev.  William  Maher,  D.D.,  Hartford 

Preacher,  MOST  REV.  John  J.  Hennessy,  D.I).,  Dubiuiue,  Iowa. 

SOLEMN   PONTIFICAL  VESPERS. 

Celebrant,  MOST  Rev.  M.  A.  CORRIGAN,  D.D  ,  New  York. 

Assistant  Priest,  RIGHT  REV.  MGR.  JOHN  Farlev,  New  York. 

Deacon,  Rev.  JOHN  Edwards,  New  York. 

Sub-Deacon,  Rev.  JamES  J.  DOUGHERTY,  New  York. 

Atolytes,  REV.  N.  Schneider,  New  Britain;  Rev.  C.  Lkddy,  Hartford. 

Censer  Bearer,  REV.  FREDERIC  MURPHY,  Watcrbury. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies ,  REV.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  Rev.  John  I>.  Coyle,  Rev.  Thomas 

A.  R.  Nealon. 
Preacher,  REV.  WALTER  ELLIOTT,  C.  S.  1'.,  New  York. 


INTERIOR  ST.  JOSEPH'S   CATHEDRAL, 
Hartford,  Conn. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  199 

PRELATES  PRESENT. 

Archbishops.^  MOST  REV.  John  J.  WILLIAMS,  D.D.,  Boston  ;  MosT  REV.  Edward  C.  FabrE, 
D.D.,  Montreal ;  MosT  REV.  Michael  A.  Corrigan,  D.D.,  New  York  ;  Most  Rev.  James  Vin- 
cent Clearv,  D.D.,  Kingston,  Canada;  Most  Rev.  John  J.  Hennessv,  D.D.,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Bishops,  Right  Rev.  John  Sweeney,  D.D.,  St.  John's,  New  Brunswick;  Right  Rev. 
Louis  F.  F.\fleche,  D.D.,  Three  Rivers,  Cauada ;  Right  Rev.  William  O'Hara,  D.D., 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania;  Right  Rev.  Bernard  J.  McQuade,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Right  Rev. 
Francis  McNeirney,  D.D.,  Albany,  N.  Y.  ;  Right  Rev.  James  A.  Healy,  D.D.,  Portland, 
Me.  ;  Right  Rev.  Michael  J.  O'F.arrell,  D.D.,  Trenton,  N.  J.  ;  Right  Rev.  Denis  M. 
Bradley,  D.D.,  Manchester,  N.  H.;  Right  Rev.  Richard  Phelan,  D.D.,  Pittsburg,  Pa.; 
Right  Rev.  P.  A.  Ludden,  D.D.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  ;  Right  Rev.  Matthew  Harkins,  D.D., 
Providence,  R.  I.;  Right  Rev.  John  Brady,  D.D.,  Boston,  Mass.;  Right  Rev.  Charles 
McDonald,  D.D.,  Brooklyn,  L.  I. ;  Right  Rev.  Henry  Gabriels,  D.D.,  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. ; 
Right  Rev.  John  J.  Conroy,  D.D.,  Curium;  Right  Rev.  J.  Michaud,  D.D.,  Burlington,  Vt. 

Moiisignors,  RIGHT  Rev.  Mgr.  John  M.  Farley,  P.  A.,  New  York  ;  RIGHT  Rev.  Mgr. 
Peter  Hevey,  p.  a.,  Manchester,  N.  H.  ;  RIGHT  Rev.  Mgr.  G.  Ely  Brochu,  P.  A.,  South 
bridge,  Mass.;  Right  Rev.  Mgr.  Thomas  Griffin,  D.D,  Worcester,  Mass.;  Right  Rev. 
Mgr.  D.  J.  QuiGLEY,  V.  G.,  Charleston,  S.  C. ;  Very  Rev.  Mgr.  DeRegge,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

BENEFACTORS  OF  THE  CATHEDRAL- 

Deceasfii,  VERY  REV.  THOMAS  Walsh,  V.  G.,  Meriden ;  Rev.  Philip  J.  McCabe,  Hart- 
ford; Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  D.D.,  New  Britain;  Rev.  Patrick  Donahue,  Lakeville;  Rev. 
Maurice  Crowley,  CoUinsville ;  Owen  and  Sarah  McMahon. 

Living,  Right  Rev.  Patrick  Manogue,  D.D.,  Sacramento,  Cal.  ;  Rev.  Dominican 
Fathers,  St.  Mary's,  New  Haven ;  Rev.  Franciscan  Fathers,  St.  Joseph's,  Winsted. 

Societies,  HoLY  NAME  SOCIETY,  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral ;  Ancient  Order  OF  Hibernians, 
Connecticut ;  SiSTERS  OF  Mercy,  Hartford  Diocese. 

Parishes,  ST.  PETER'S,  Danbury,  for  window. 

Sunday  School  Children,  ST.  JOSEPH'S,  Winsted;  !3t.  Thomas's,  Southington ;  ST.  Brid- 
get's, Manchester. 

Individuals,  VERY  REV.  James  HUGHES,  V.  G.,  LLD.,  Hartford;  REV  HUGH  P.  SmyTH, 
Boston;  Rev.  W.  A.  HarTy,  Hartford;  Rev.  H.  J.  Lynch,  Danbury;  Rev.  D.  J.  Cremin, 
Bridgeport ;  Rev.  P.  P.  Shahan,  Norwich;  Rev.  J.  C.  O'Brien,  Bridgeport ;  Rev.  Flor  De 
BRUYCKER,Willimantic  ;  Rev.  John  Synnott,  Hazardville  ;  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick,  Hartford ; 
Rev.  John  Russell,  New  Haven  ;  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  Waterbury  ;  Rev.  B.  O.  R. 
Sheridan,  Middletown  ;  Rev.  T.  P.  Joynt,  New  London  ;  Rev  Joseph  M.  GlEESOn,  Thomp- 
sonville  ;  Rev.  P.  F.  Mc.\lenney,  Meriden ;  Rev.  M.  M.  Keown,  New  Haven  ;  Rev.  Thomas 
A.  R.  Nealon,  Hartford;  James  .^hern,  Hartford;  A.  H.  Chapell,  New  London;  John 
HiGGiNS,  Hartford ;  Edward  Lancaster,  Hartford  ;  Catherine  McCarthy. 

Description  of  the  Cathedral.— The  cathedral  i.s  cruciform  in 
.shape  and  early  Gothic  in  design.  The  building  occupies  a  beautiful  site  on 
Farmington  avenue,  removed  from  the  street,  and  approached  by  well-laid 
walks  to  its  three  entrances.  Its  entire  length  is  268  feet ;  width  178  feet 
in  the  transept,  and  93  feet  in  the  nave.  It  has  a  frontage  of  123  feet.  The 
magnificent  square  towers  are  now  150  feet  high,  but  the  spires  will  add  100 
feet  to  this  height.  The  height  of  the  church  from  the  center  of  the  ceiling 
to  the  floor  is  90  feet.  The  exterior  is  of  Portland  rough  brown  stone,  with 
cut  stone  ornamentation,  and  is  not  strikingly  attractive,  the  beauty  of  the 
edifice  being  confined  to  the  interior  furnishings.  Three  large  double  door- 
ways enable  one  to  enter  the  building,  and  disclose  the  tiled  vestibule.  The 
square  towers,  surrounded  by  their  low  battlements,  recall  those  of  the  church 
of  Notre  Dame,  Montreal. 


200  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  UppKR  Catiikdral. — Description  of  the  Ctiling. — The  most  promi- 
nent feature  of  the  interior  is  the  magnificent  ceiling,  striking  and  effective 
when  viewed  from  tlie  floor,  and  rich  and  stately  in  its  beauty  when  more 
closely  inspected  from  the  galleries. 

The  ceilings  of  the  nave,  transepts,  chancel,  and  o\'er  the  galleries  are  con- 
structed from  different  colored  woods  divided  into  sections  of  oblong  panels. 
The  sections  are  separated  from  each  other  by  a  continuous  beam  running 
lengthwise  from  the  center  of  the  nave,  and  by  ribs  and  arches  at  the  transepts. 

The  sheeting  of  the  panels  is  filled  and  stained,  shaded  and  varnished  in 
light  olive,  and  the  planes  of  the  sides  and  soffits  of  tiie  arches  are  of  dark 
olive.  The  quarter  rounds  in  the  angles  of  the  arches  are  beautifully  de- 
corated in  mosaic  patterns,  stained,  and  shaded  with  ebony,  African  wood, 
and  gold.  The  same  materials,  with  mahogany,  are  used  in  the  flower 
decorations  at  the  intersection  of  the  ribs  and  arches,  the  case  mouldings  and 
the  soffits. 

The  sheeting  in  the  panels  between  the  four  great  arches  at  the  transept 
is  handsome  diaper  work,  richly  decorated  with  mosaic.  The  soffits  of  the 
great  arches  are  treated  in  a  similar  manner.  The  frames  around  the  picture 
painted  on  the  ceiling  are  decorated  with  ebony,  African  wood,  and'  gold, 
while  some  of  the  quarter  rounds  are  gilt  in  full. 

The  sheeting  on  the  grounds  of  all  the  center  pieces  on  the  ceiling  under 
the  galleries  are  of  African  wood  neatly  diapered  in  gold.  The  flowers  and 
center  pieces  at  the  intersection  of  the  vaults  are  decorated  with  ebony,  oak, 
mahogany  and  gold. 

The  wood-work  of  the  ceiling  under  the  organ  gallery  and  front  vesti- 
bule and  in  small  chapels  at  the  sides  of  the  chancel,  are  of  light  English  oak 
finished  in  diaper  work.  The  sides,  soffits,  and  rib  mouldings  are  of  dark 
oak.  The  colors  are  in  beautiful  harmony  in  all  the  door  decorations,  and 
add  to  the  individual  effects  of  their  treatment. 

Decoration  of  the  Walls. — Looking  from  the  chancel  to  the  walls  of  the 
church,  the  plain  plastering  in  the  nave,  transept,  under  the  galleries,  as 
well  as  in  the  vestibule,  towers,  and  chancel  chapels,  is  found  to  be  finished 
in  a  light  olive,  while  the  stucco  mouldings  are  green  and  gold.  The  promi- 
nent members  of  the  mouldings  are  finished  in  ashes  of  roses,  and  the  orna- 
mental work  in  the  same  tint  with  the  prominent  parts  nearly  white.  The 
spandrels  of  the  tracery  on  the  walls  around  the  large  rose  windows  in  the 
transepts,  and  the  one  in  the  chancel,  are  filled  with  foliage,  painted  in  light 
and  shade.  The  walls  themselves  are  painted  in  olive  green  and  banded  with 
gold.  The  stucco  mouldings  and  ornaments  on  the  walls  and  ceilings  are 
painted  in  light  shades,  so  that  the  members  are  bold  and  effective  when 
viewed  from  any  portion  of  the  floor  of  the  church.  The  back  wall  of  the 
sanctuary  immediately  attracts  the  admiration  of  the  beholders.  It  is  exe- 
cuted in  stucco  work. 

The  wainscoting  of  the  wall  is  four  feet  in  height.  The  lower  .section 
is  of  Tennessee  marble,  matching  the  pillars.  The  neck  moulding  is  of 
twenty-two  karat  nugget  gold,  with  rough  finish. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  201 

The  Stained  Glass  Windozvs. — The  stained  glass  windows  were  imported 
from  Innspruck  in  a  perfect  condition,  and  were  presented  by  societies, 
churclies,  and  pri\-ate  individuals  throughout  the  diocese.  The  outlines  of 
the  figures  are  discerned  through  the  outer  windows  from  either  side,  but  it 
gives  but  little  idea  of  their  beauty  as  viewed  from  the  interior.  The  features 
are  so  perfect  and  true  to  nature  that  the  figures  appear  like  statues  in  mid- 
air. Every  window  is  symbolic  of  Scriptural  ideas,  and  the  arrangements 
and  designs  are  a  study,  pleasing,  instructive,  and  intensely  interesting. 

There  are  thirty-two  windows  in  all,  representing  eighty-two  figures  life 
size,  and  thirty-two  angels.  It  has  been  said  that  St.  'Mungo's  cathedral  in 
Glasgow  has  a  similar  but  larger  collection,  but  the  windows  in  Hartford 
when  the  sun  is  gradually  sinking  in  the  west  is  a  sight  never  to  be  forgotten. 
Those  who  are  interested  in  excellent  glass  work  will  be  well  repaid  for  the 
journey  to  the  city  to  view  them. 

The  seven  lancet  windows  in  the  chancel  are  filled  with  large  figures 
which  appear  life-size  from  the  floor,  and  represent  the  saintly  associates  of 
Jesus  Christ.  The  central  figure  is  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  and  on  the 
right,  in  the  order  named,  is  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  vSt.  John  the  Evangelist, 
St.  James  the  Less,  on  the  left,  St.  Joseph,  St.  Peter,  and  St.  Paul.  There 
are  two  large  rose  windows  in  each  transept,  and  a  similar  one  in  the  facade. 

The  large  rose  window  in  the  eastern  transept  rej^resents  scenes  taken 
from  the  life  of  our  Lord.  The  arcade  openings,  eight  in  number,  present 
the  history  of  the  Crucifixion,  and  include — The  Apostles  asleep ;  Jesus  ap- 
prehended;  Jesus  thrice  denied  by  Peter ;  Herod  and  Pilate  made  friends; 
Barabbas  released  and  Jesus  delivered  to  be  crucified  ;  Jesus  scourged  ;  "Ecce 
Homo ;  "  Jesus  bearing  His  cross. 

The  rose  window  in  the  western  transept  is  devoted  to  St.  Joseph.  The 
eight  arcade  openings  present  scenes  from  the  life  of  the  patriarch  Joseph  in 
the  Old  Law,  and  include — The  Dream  of  Joseph ;  Joseph  sold  to  the  Ishma- 
elites  ;  Joseph  in  prison;  the  dream  of  Pharaoh  ;  Joseph  established  by  Pha- 
raoh over  the  land  of  Egypt ;  Joseph  enthroned  ;  Joseph  embracing  his  brothers. 
The  life  of  St.  Joseph  in  the  New  Law,  and  the  Virgin  Mary,  form  the  themes 
of  the  sixteen  pentafoil  openings  in  this  rose  window — The  Presentation  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  in  the  Temple;  the  Marriage  of  St.  Joseph  and  the  Blessed 
Virgin  ;  the  dream  of  St.  Joseph  ;  the  Visitation  ;  Presentation  of  the  Child 
Jesus  in  the  Temple;  the  Flight  into  Egypt ;  the  Child  Jesus  in  the  workshop 
of  St.  Joseph  ;  the  death  of  St.  Joseph.  An  angel  freeing  St.  Peter  from  pri- 
son is  the  subject  of  the  central  opening.  In  the  central  opening  of  the  rose 
window  in  the  facade  King  David  is  pictured  playing  the  harp,  and  surround- 
ing him  are  sixteen  angels  playing  upon  musical  instruments. 

The  Chapel  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  has  two  lancet  windows  presenting  in 
the  four  sections  the  birth  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  ;  St.  Ann  teaching  her ;  St. 
Dominic  advocating  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

The  chapel  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  has  likewise  two  lancet  windows. 
The  blessed  Julianna  of  Liege,  the  last  communion  of  St.  Jerome,  the  mira- 
cle of  Bolsena,  St.  Thomas  writing  the  Mass  of  Corpus  Christi,  are  the  themes. 


202  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

St.  Francis's  chapel  has  two  smaller  lancet  windows,  one  for  each  side 
of  the  altar, — St.  Francis  of  Assisi  and  St.  Thomas  of  Villanova. 

St.  Bernard's  chapel  has  two  also  of  the  same  size  representing  the  mar- 
tyrs, St.  Stephen  and  St.  Laurence. 

The  Paintings. — The  vaulted  ceiling  springs  from  four  tri-clusters  of  mar- 
ble pillars.  At  the  intersection  of  the  arches,  in  the  center  of  the  ceiling,  is 
a  massive  frame  of  oak,  decorated  with  gilt,  containing  a  circle  twenty-one 
feet  in  diameter,  on  which  is  painted,  by  the  celebrated  German  painter, 
Laniprecht,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  works  of  art  in  the  cathedral,  "  The 
Sermon  upon  the  Mount."  Thirty  figures  are  represented,  life  size,  and  were 
painted  by  Lamprecht  reclining  on  his  back  on  a  peculiarly  constructed 
scaffolding.  The  best  view  of  the  painting  is  obtained  from  one  of  the  tri- 
forium  galleries.  Standing  directly  underneath  this  painting  in  the  main 
aisle  of  the  church  you  may  gaze  upon  tlie  chapels,  chancels,  galleries,  and 
all  the  interior  beauties. 

The  entire  rear  wall  iu  the  shrine  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  has  the  largest 
painting  in  the  building,  representing  the  coronation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  The  painting  represents  IVIary,  life  size,  surrounded  by  God  the  Fa- 
ther, God  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  form  of  a  dove.  On  the 
eastern  wall  of  the  shrine  is  yet  another  handsome  painting,  and  one  that 
Lamprecht  considers  his  best  work  in  the  building.  It  represents  St.  Domi- 
nic giving  the  Rosary  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  The  original  of  the  pic- 
ture is  in  Rome.  The  A.ssumption  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  forms  the  subject 
of  the  painting  over  the  entrance  to  the  .shrine. 

The  rear  wall  of  the  chapel  of  the  Bles.sed  Sacrament  has  two  paintings. 
The  lower,  showing  distinctly  behind  the  altar,  represents  Chri.st  breaking 
bread  before  His  disciples,  while  the  upper  section  represents  the  Day  of 
Judgment.  On  the  western  wall  of  the  chapel  is  another  painting  represent- 
ing Christ  api)earing  to  J\Iar\'  Magdalen.  0\er  the  entrance  to  the  chapel  our 
Lord  is  pictured  as  appearing  to  the  blessed  Margaret  Mary.  There  is  a  paint- 
ing over  each  of  the  four  confessionals.  The  two  iu  the  corners  of  the  eastern 
transept  show  our  Lord  performing  the  miracle  of  restoring  the  man  sick  of 
the  palsy,  and  the  Prodigal  Son;  the  two  in  the  western  transept,  St.  Peter 
receiving  the  coumiand  of  our  Lord  to  feed  His  lambs,  and  the  woman  taken 
iu  adultery.  Over  the  entrances  at  the  two  side  aisles  from  the  vestibule  to 
the  nave  are  two  paintings  plainly  discerned  as  you  are  leaving  the  sacred 
edifice — .St.  Elizabeth,  of  Hungary,  distributing  gifts  to  the  poor,  and  St. 
Vincent  de  Paul  administering  to  the  wants  of  poor  children.  Both  pictures 
are  intended  to  inculcate  the  lesson  of  charity  and  generositv  to  the  poor. 

Marlile  Pillars  and  their  Statuary. — Twenty-si.K  pillars,  no  two  exactly 
alike,  including  four  clusters  of  three,  support  the  galleries  and  arches.  They 
are  of  rich  Tennessee  marble. 

The  subjects  for  the  capitals  in  the  chapels  are :  The  Baptism  of  our 
Lord,  the  Christian  Baptism,  Preparation  for  Confirmation,  the  Bishop 
Confirming,  the  Bishop  Blessing,  the  Bishop  Ordaining,  the  Marriage  of 
St.  Joseph  and   the    Blessed  Virgin,  the  Christian   Marriage,   the   P'orgive- 


REV.  WILLIAM    H.   ROGERS. 


REV.  PAUL  F.  McALENNEY 


REV.  WALTER  J    SHANLEY. 


REV.  THOMAS  J,   KEENA. 


REV.  JOHN  T.  WINTERS. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  203 

ness  of  Sin,  Receiving  Holy  Communion,   Renewing  the   Baptismal  Vows, 
Receiving  Extreme  Unction. 

The  twelve  pillars  that  are  clustered  at  the  transepts  have  forty-eight 
groups  in  them.  At  the  east  side  they  represent  scenes  taken  from  the 
lives  of  the  prophets  Daniel  and  Jeremiah.  The  western  side  is  filled 
with  scenes  from  the  life  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  and  Melchizedec.  The 
groups  are  constructed  according  to  Scripture.  Over  the  capitals  on  the 
eastern  side  are  emblems  of  the  old  sacrifice  entwined  in  the  foliage,  flowers, 
and  fruit,  and  on  the  western  side  the  emblems  of  the  new  sacrifice  are 
shown.  Each  corner  presents  one  construction  from  the  top  of  the  pillar 
capitals  to  the  base  of  the  statue  in  the  niche. 

Choir  Gallery. — The  choir  gallery  projects  in  the  form  of  a  semi-circle 
between  the  triforium  galleries. 

The  gallery  front  is  divided  into  sections,  the  middle  consisting  of  a 
series  of  twelve-inch  panels  and  the  ends  of  a  series  of  eighteen.  The  sheet- 
ing of  the  panels,  like  those  in  the  magnificent  ceiling,  is  light  olive  oak, 
stained,  shaded,  and  varnished,  while  the  sides  are  of  polished  dark  oak. 

Handsome  Mosaic  patterns  in  ebony,  African  wood,  and  gold  decorate 
the  panels,  and  bright  gold  the  ribs  and  arches.  The  treatment  is  finished  by 
a  wide  band  of  olive,  which  separates  the  panels  from  the  railing,  and  rosettes 
deeply  lined  with  gold. 

The  Triforium  Galleries. — The  triforium  galleries,  which  may  be  used 
as  chapels  for  the  celebration  of  the  Mass  at  the  same  time  that  service  is 
being  held  in  the  lower  part  of  the  church,  add  very  much  to  the  beauty  and 
design  of  the  edifice.  The  ceiling  is  made  of  different  colored  woods,  match- 
ing in  design  and  arrangement  the  main  ceiling.  There  are  seven  arches, 
supported  by  a  cluster  of  pillars  with  capitals  of  foliage  work.  Opposite  each 
arch  is  a  double  window  of  stained  glass,  with  designs  corresponding  to  those 
in  the  smaller  windows  in  the  other  part  of  the  church,  and  in  the  center  of 
each  arcade  is  a  large  candelabra  fitted  with  gas  and  electric  lights,  which 
adds  a  great  brilliancy  to  the  galleries  and  displays  the  ceiling  when  the 
church  is  illuminated. 

The  Organ. — The  magnificent  organ  of  the  cathedral  was  made  by 
Hook  &  Hastings,  at  Boston.  It  is  of  unusual  size,  and  ranks  among  the 
largest  American  organs.  It  occupies  a  commanding  position  in  the  front 
gallery,  and  presents  an  imposing  front  40  feet  wide  and  nearly  40  feet  high, 
comprising  groups  of  many  pipes  of  largest  size,  richly  decorated,  and  casing 
of  oak  of  elaborate  and  interesting  design.  No  effort  has  been  spared  to  make 
the  instrument  as  perfect  and  complete  as  possible,  and  in  material,  workman- 
ship and  tone  it  has  no  superior. 

The  Episcopal  Throne. — This  is  situated  on  the  left  side  of  the  sanctuary. 
It  is  carved  out  of  quartered  oak.  The  front  elevation  from  the  floor  is  fifteen 
feet  nine  inches,  and  it  has  an  outside  width  of  eight  by  sixteen  inches.  The 
center  of  the  throne  is  a  canopy  recess,  divided  into  sections  of  panels.  The 
tracery  of  the  panels  is  filled  in  with  suitable  patterns,  and  bands  finish  the 
arches.     The  recess  is  supported  by  a  cluster  of  three  columns  and  a  part  of  a 


204  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

fourth  added  on,  making  a  three-quarter  column  with  partly  open  and  partly 
closed  panels.  Each  column  ends  in  a  pinnacle  decorated  with  Ijauds  and 
finials.  The  columns  are  partly  connected.  The  canopied  hood  of  the  throne 
was  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  entire  throne  to  execute,  as  it  required  more 
than  ordinary  skill  to  curve  its  lines  and  bands  and  do  it  artistically.  The 
oak  was  modelled  out  to  procure  the  serpentine  lines  which  ornament  it  on 
the  face,  while  a  series  of  ascending  buttresses  decorate  the  sides.  The  hood 
terminates  in  a  finely  car\-ed  cross,  which  surmounts  the  throne.  It  is  of 
Gothic  architecture  and  cost  $i,8oo. 

The  episcopal  chair,  which  stands  on  the  floor  of  the  throne,  is  three  and 
one-half  feet  high  and  two  feet  wide  on  the  outside.  It  is  an  excellent  speci- 
men of  the  carver's  artistic  skill.  The  arched  back  is  divided  into  two  parts  ; 
the  upper  section  consists  of  two  tracery  panels,  and  the  lower  part  is  divided 
into  four  sections,  each  being  filled  by  quatrefoil  panels.     The  cost  was  $200. 

The  Stations  of  the  Cross. — The  stations  of  the  cross  are  placed  between  the 
windows  in  the  nave  and  on  the  side-walls  of  the  transepts  and  chancel.  They 
are  all  in  alto  relievo.,  and  shaded  in  ivory  and  bone.  The  consecration-crosses 
are  of  dark  fancy  marble,  and  are  inserted  in  the  wall  below  the  stations  of 
the  cross.  A  candle  bracket  is  attached  to  each  to  hold  the  candles,  which 
were  lighted  at  the  consecration  ceremonies,  and  will  be  lighted  upon  each 
recurring  annivevsar}-. 

The  Pulpit. — The  pulpit  is  placed  at  the  tri-cluster  of  pillars  at  the  inter- 
section of  the  transepts  and  arches,  and  is  an  excellent  specimen  of  the  car- 
ver's skill,  in  antique  oak.  The  side-panels  are  of  mosaic  and  diaper  effects, 
surrounding  rosette  centers.  The  pulpit  is  approached  by  a  broad  flight  of 
steps,  with  a  highly  ornate  balustrade.  The  canopy,  which  also  serves  as  a 
sounding  board,  supports  six  statues.  It  ends  in  a  pinnacle  surmounted  by  a 
statue,  which,  like  the  others,  is  of  carved  oak. 

The  Sanctuary. — The  set  of  oak  .stalls,  six  in  lunuber,  extend  between  the 
tri-cluster  of  pillars  and  the  chancel  walls,  thus  separating  the  chancel  from 
the  side-chapels.  They  occupy  eleven  feet  eight  inches  of  space,  and  are 
about  four  feet  high-  They  have  low  backs,  consisting  of  two  quatrefoil 
panels.  The  kneelers  in  frout  of  these  stalls  are  very  elaborate  in  design. 
Looking  upon  them  from  the  front,  they  are  three  and  one-half  feet  in  height. 
Each  section  is  built  up  of  four  arches  supported  by  columns  and  filled  in 
with  open  tracery,  which  has  such  unique  and  varied  designs  that  the  general 
effect  is  unusually  pleasing.  The  treatment  is  finished  by  a  wide  band  which 
caps  the  railing. 

The  entire  sanctuary  and  all  the  chapels  are  carpeted  with  a  rich  green 
carpet. 

St.  JosepWs  Altar. — The  high  altar  of  St.  Joseph's  cathedral  is  a  mag- 
nificent piece  of  work,  constructed  in  harmony  with  the  splendid  fittings  of 
the  cathedral.  It  was  built  by  Charles  E.  Hall  &  Co.,  of  Boston,  from  plans 
furnished  by  P.  C  Keeley,  at  a  total  cost  of  $12,000. 

As  one  enters  the  cathedral  and  the  eye  drinks  in  the  dazzling  effects  of 
the  interior,  wandering  from  the  marvellous  work  of  the  sculptor's  chisel  and 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  205 

artist's  brush  to  the  decorated  ceiling  and  stained  windows,  the  altar  stands 
in  attractive  silhouette,  and  fills  the  beholder  with  wonder  at  its  beauty.  The 
cold,  chaste  marble,  carved  in  harmonious  designs,  and  relieved  with  graceful 
touches  of  gold,  from  which  the  subdued  lights  are  reflected  in  a  mass  of 
brilliant  splendor,  rises  in  majestic  grandeur  to  fill  out  the  harmony  of  detail 
that  characterizes  the  whole  interior.  St.  Joseph's  altar  is  one  of  the  bright- 
est gems  in  the  coronet  that  crowns  the  interior  of  the  beautiful  edifice. 

The  altar  is  three  stories  in  height.  The  first  story  is  taken  from  the 
floor  to  the  top  of  the  altar-table,  the  first  being  enriched  by  detached  pillars 
with  moulded  bases  and  handsome  caps.  Between  these  are  deep  medallions 
with  pillared  jams  and  enriched  hoods,  all  finished  with  a  moulded  cornice. 
The  ends  and  rear  of  the  altar-table  have  Gothic  panels,  base,  and  cornice  to 
harmonize  with  the  front.  The  second  story  has  a  tabernacle,  with  the  safe 
and  metal  door,  the  steps  for  the  candlesticks,  flower-vases,  and  sculptural 
works.  The  ends  of  this  story  form  bases  for  the  niches  and  pedestals  for  the 
sculptural  work.  Both  ends  of  each  niche  are  moulded  in  exact  imitation  of 
the  front  elevation.  The  entire  rear  of  this  story  has  moulded  Gothic  panels 
between  the  buttresses,  all  being  finished  on  top  with  a  plinth  to  receive  the 
moulded  base  of  the  screen.  The  third  story  is  constructed  with  a  tower  for 
the  exposition,  open  tracery,  screens,  and  niches  on  the  ends.  These  niches 
have  vaulted  ceilings.  The  spire  over  the  canopy  of  the  exposition  tower  is 
open  work,  and  is  the  same  in  design  on  the  four  elevations.  The  entire  altar 
is  built  on  a  solid  foundation,  and  the  work  was  done  in  the  most  careful 
manner. 

The  entire  altar  front  is  of  the  finest  white  American  statuary  marble, 
except  the  shafts  of  the  detached  pillars,  which  are  of  the  most  perfect  onyx. 
The  ornaments  of  the  pillar-caps  are  taken  from  the  foliage  of  the  cedar,  oak, 
and  pine.  The  carving  is  done  with  excellent  taste  and  effect,  the  centre 
being  enriched  with  the  Alpha,  Cross,  and  Omega.  These  are  a  full  half 
inch  in  the  face  and  panels,  and  exquisitely  polished.  The  background  of  all 
these  panels  is  well  diapered  with  pressed  vine-leaf  grapes,  wheat  and  water- 
lily,  all  sunk  about  half  an  inch  deep,  and  the  face  of  all  being  carved  with 
nature.  The  monograms  are  half  an  inch  over  the  face  of  this  diaper  work. 
The  faces  of  the  two  large  round  panels  at  the  ends  of  the  altar  have  Gothic 
tracery.  The  panel  around  this  tracery  is  diapered  with  foliated  tooth  flow- 
ers, all  beautifully  carved.  The  enrichments  in  hoods  over  the  panels  are  the 
foliated  tooth  flower  neatly  carved,  the  ornaments  in  the  spandrels  of  the  cir- 
cle being  carved  also.  All  the  plinths,  pillars,  bases,  small  pillar-shafts, 
mouldings,  cornice,  and  plains  are  hand-polished.  The  end  of  the  altar- 
table  is  one  solid  piece  of  American  white  marble  one  inch  and  a  half  thick, 
with  five  crosses  sunk  in  the  top  and  a  sepulchre  for  the  sacred  relics  cut  in  the 
slab. 

The  second  story  of  the  altar,  containing  the  Tabernacle,  is  made  of  liglit 
Sienna  marble  beautifully  polished.  The  main  body  of  the  Tabernacle  is  of 
white  American  statuary  marble,  with  tracery  panels  of  light  Sienna  marble. 
The  Tabernacle  door  and  safe  are  in  keeping  with  their  surroundings.     The 


206  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  XEW  ENGLAND. 

door  is  gold  plated  and  has  the  letters  I.  H.  S.  in  the  centre  panel.  The  risers 
of  the  three  steps  at  each  side  of  the  Tabernacle  are  of  white  statuary  marble. 
All  the  tracery  and  ornaments  are  neatly  carved.  The  mouldings,  carvings 
and  diaper  work  on  this  story  add  to  the  general  beauty  and  harmony  of  the 
■whole.  The  entire  work  of  the  second  story  is  of  white  American  statuary 
marble. 

The  pedestal  and  inside  of  the  bower  for  the  exposition  is  of  Italian 
marble.  All  the  mouldings  and  plain  parts  are  highly  polished,  and  the 
carvings  and  ornaments  are  flat  from  the  tool.  Tlie  enrichments  are  taken 
from  nature,  the  diaper  work  in  the  bower  of  the  exposition  being  the  passion 
flower  done  in  one  inch  deep  of  relief.  The  virgin  rose  is  carved  on  all  the 
pillar  caps  and  baud  at  the  springing  of  the  bower  arch.  The  crochets  and 
finials  of  the  canopy  over  the  bower  are  lilies  carved  in  exquisite  harmony 
with  nature. 

The  effect  of  tliis  wondrous  creation  is  beautiful  in  the  extreme,  and  the 
exquisite  harmony  and  splendor  of  the  whole  is  enhanced  by  the  myriads  of 
lights  twinkling  from  its  different  stories  when  the  altar  is  in  use.  One  stands 
entranced,  bewildered,  in  contemplating  the  marvelous  magnificence  of  the 
throne  on  which  the  Living  God  gives  His  .sacred  body  and  blood  into  the 
hands  of  His  creatures  to  be  worshiped  in  the  adorable  sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 
St.  Joseph's  altar  is  the  most  sacred  portion  of  the  edifice;  it  is  also  the  most 
beautiful.  It  is  the  brightest  setting  in  all  the  glittering  picture  that  St. 
Joseph's  Cathedral  presents. 

Seating  Capacity. — The  large,  heavy  doors  of  oak  are  stained  and  deeply 
polished,  matching  the  shade  of  the  pews.  The  aisle  which  you  enter  from 
the  door  is  seven  feet  wide.     The  two  side  aisles  are  about  five  feet. 

Between  the  central  and  each  side  aisle  are  forty-two  double  oak  pews. 
The  building  is  intended  to  seat  2,000  peisons,  but  can  by  close  sitting 
accommodate  2,252. 

There  are  sedelia  in  the  transepts  to  afford  increased  sitting  accommo- 
dations when  needed. 

The  Chapels. — At  the  extreme  right  of  the  church,  separated  from  the 
sanctuary  by  the  wood  screen,  is  the  Chapel  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  This 
also  contains  a  white  altar  with  pillars  of  Mexican  onyx.  The  reredos  does 
not  extend  any  higher  than  the  tabernacle,  and  is  finished  with  battlements. 
The  tabernacle  has  no  niche. 

The  shrine  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  is  on  the  left  of  the  sanctuary.  In  its 
centre,  on  a  marble  pedestal  placed  on  an  onyx  platform,  is  a  very  beautiful 
statue  in  white  marble  of  the  Blessed  \'irgin  Mary.  The  statue  is  a  gift  of 
Rev.  W.  A.  Harty,  then  rector  of  the  cathedral. 

The  chapel  in  the  western  transept  is  St.  Francis's  Chapel,  and  contains 
a  white  marble  altar  which  has  in  its  panels  of  the  high  reredos  some  beauti- 
ful specimens  of  Mexican  onyx.  The  tabernacle  supports  a  niche  for  the 
statue  of  St.  Francis.  The  altar  is  the  gift  of  the  Very  Rev.  Father  Leo  da 
Saracena,  O.  S.  F.,  of  Winsted,  Conn. 

The  chapel  in  the  eastern  transept  is  St.  Bernard's  Chapel.     It  has  also 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  207 

an  altar  of  the  same  size  and  design  as  St.  Francis,  but  varying  in  its  decora- 
tions The  niche  contains  a  very  handsome  statue  of  St.  Bernard.  The  akar 
is  erected  in  memory  of  the  late  Bishop  O'Reilley,  by  his  two  nephews,  the 
V^ery  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  LL,D.,  of  Hartford,  and  the  Rev.  Bernard 
O'Reilley  Sheridan,  of  Middletown.  Both  chapels  are  lighted  by  standards 
of  lights  erected  in  the  transepts. 

On  the  right  side  of  the  sanctuary  is  St.  Bridget's  altar,  of  white  marble 
and  Mexican  ony.x,  of  smaller  size,  but  similar  in  design  to  the  high  altar. 
Tiie  wall  back  of  the  altar  is  finished  in  gold  work,  and  the  niche  over  the 
tabernacle  has  a  gold  crucifix.  The  altar  was  presented  to  the  cathedral  b\' 
the  Sisters  of  Mercy  of  the  diocese.  The  altar  on  the  left  side  is  consecrated 
to  St.  Patrick,  and  was  the  gift  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  It  is 
similar  in  size  and  design  to  St.  Bridget's  altar. 

The  architect  of  the  cathedral  was  Mr.  P.  C.  Keeley. 

The  priests  who  have  been  rectors  of  the  cathedral  after  the  administra- 
tion of  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly  are  Rev.  William  A.  Harty,  March,  1878,  to  Sep- 
tember, 1882;  Rev.  Philip  J.  McCabe,  September,  1882,  to  December,  1885; 
Rev.  William  A.  Harty,  January,  1886,  to  March,  1894;  Rev.  Walter  J. 
Shanley,  the  present  rector,  since  March,  1894. 

The  clergymen  who  have  been  assistants  at  various  periods  at  the  cathe- 
dral are:  Rev.  J.  H.  Ryan,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  Larkin,  Rev.  P.J.  McCabe,  Rev.  J. 
H.  Carroll,  Rev.  G.  J.  O'Farrell,  Rev.  T.  W.  Brady,  Rev.  R.  E.  Shortell, 
Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley,  Rev.  A.  F.  Harty,  Rev.  F.  P.  Havey,  Rev.  W.  J.  ]\Ic- 
Gurk,  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Nealon,  Rev.  P.  H.  McClean,  Rev.  J.  O'Brien.  The 
present  staff"  of  assistants  consists  of  Rev.  Thomas  Duggan,  Rev.  John  L. 
McGuiness  and  Rev.  Felix  O'Neil.  The  chancellor  and  secretary  is  the  Rev. 
James  P.  Donovan,  D.D. 

The  population  of  the  cathedral  parish  is  estimated  at  5,700  souls,  Irish 
and  American.  They  are  a  people  devoted  to  their  faith,  active  in  the  pro- 
motion of  every  good  work  and  of  high  social  and  intellectual  standing. 
Contributing  cheerfully  and  generously  to  the  support  of  religious  works, 
frequent  recipients  of  the  sacraments,  faithful  in  attendance  at  the  various 
devotions  of  the  church,  they  reflect  honor  upon  the  diocese  and  are  a  source 
of  consolation  to  their  clergy. 

St.  Joseph  Parochial  School. — The  lot  on  which  the  Cathedral  school 
is  erected  on  the  corner  of  Broad  street  and  Capitol  avenue,  was  purchased 
by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Galberry  in  the  summer  of  1878.  He  began  the  erec- 
tion of  a  school,  but  died  before  it  was  completed.  It  was  opened  for  the 
reception  of  children  in  1879.  The  school  has  eight  grades  with  830  children. 
It  is  conducted  by  eleven  Sisters  of  Mercy  under  the  direction  of  Sister  M. 
Benedict.  The  school  takes  high  rank  among  the  educational  institutions 
of  Hartford.  No  better  evidence  of  the  scholarship  of  its  pupils  need  be 
adduced  than  the  great  success  that  invariably  attends  their  examinations  for 
entrance  into  the  high  school  of  Hartford,  and  the  honorable  positions  they 
maintain  there  throughout  their  course.  Like  many  other  jjarochial  schools 
of  the  diocese,  St.  Joseph's  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  priest  specially  ap- 


208  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

pointed  for  that  purpose.  A  contemporary  writer  says  of  this  school .  'The 
system  of  education  carried  on  here  is  one  of  tlie  best  in  vogue  in  any  of  the 
public  schools  in  New  England.  Work  is  begun  in  the  kindergarten  and 
primary  grades  and  extends  through  the  grammar  grades.  The  boys  and 
girls  from  the  primary  up  are  taught  in  separate  rooms,  and  so  much  inter- 
est is  taken  in  their  studies  tliat  even  in  tlie  most  inclement  weather  but  a 
small  percentage  of  the  children  are  absent.  We  had  the  pleasure  of  listen- 
ing to  a  singing  exercise  in  the  kindergarten,  which  was  very  cleverly  ren- 
dered and  showed  that  the  teacher  in  charge  knew  well  the  work  she  was 
handling.  In  every  room,  from  first  to  last,  there  is  an  atmosphere  of  culture 
and  refinement,  stimulated  by  the  presence  and  influence  of  the  worthy  Sis- 
ters in  charge  of  the  school.  No  blackboard  nor  wall  is  without  its  decora- 
tive drawings  in  vari-colored  crayon,  the  handiwork  of  artists  and  a  slinmlus 
to  the  furthering  of  artistic  talent  in  the  pupils." 

The  Cathedral  Lyceum. — Tlie  cathedral  lyceum,  an  organization  of 
Catholic  young  men,  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley,  rector  of 
the  cathedral,  on  August  12,  1894.  Increasing  rapidly  in  member.ship  it  was 
deemed  advisable  in  March,  1895,  to  erect  a  building  for  lyceum  purposes. 
This  was  made  feasible  by  the  generous  donation  by  Mr.  William  F.  O'Neil 
of  a  piece  of  land  1 1 2x  1 50  feet  on  Lawrence  street.  Ground  was  broken  on 
June  4,  1895,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  before  a  large  concourse  of  people 
on  July  21,  1895.  The  lyceum  was  blessed  on  April  11,  1896,  and  was  for- 
mally opened  on  April  13th.  The  building  affords  the  members  a  suitable 
place  to  spend  their  evenings  and  furnishes  theni  with  means  of  varied 
anuisement. 

The  object  of  the  lyceum  is  the  moral,  intellectual  and  physical  develop- 
ment of  its  members.  Its  endeavor  is  to  strengthen  them  in  the  practice  of 
their  religion,  to  make  them  good  citizens  and  useful  members  of  society.  .\ 
large  library  of  choice  works  has  been  formed,  and  connected  with  it  is  a  fine, 
commodious  and  well-furnished  reading-room.  The  gymnasium  has  been 
dedicated  to  Mx.  William  O'Neil  as  a  recognition  of  his  generosity.  Every 
effort  is  made  to  elevate  the  members  of  the  lyceum  ;  to  this  end  courses 
of  lectures  have  been  established  and  classes  have  been  formed  in  draughting, 
free-hand  drawing  and  vocal  music. 

ST.   PATRICK'S    PARISH,     . 

H.\KTI'ORIJ. 

HE  hi.story  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  is  chiefly  the  history  of  the  pastorate 
of  the  late  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  LL.  D.  When  Father 
Hughes  received  from  Bishop  O'Reilly  at  Hartford  on  November  9, 
1854,  his  appointment  as  the  successor  of  Father  Brady,  be  began  the  longest 
pastorate  in  the  history  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford.  For  two  score  years  or 
more  Father  Hughes  was  a  prominent  figure  in  the  ecclesiastical  and  civil  life 
of  Hartford.  During  all  the  vicissitudes  of  this  long  period  lie  wielded  an 
influence  among  all  classes  that  reflected  honor  on  the  sacerdotal  character, 


VERY  REV,  JAMES  LYNCH,  V.G. 


VERY  REV.  JAMES  HUGHES,  V.G. 


VERY   REV.  THOMAS  WALSH,  VG, 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  209 

and  which  was  always  employed  for  the  best  interests  of  church  and  state. 
His  was  preeminently  an  active  life.  His  term  in  the  priesthood  abounded 
in  works  that  will  long  survive  him  and  serve  to  keep  his  memory  green  for 
generations  yet  to  come.  Of  noble  and  stalwart  appearance,  he  was  every 
inch  a  priest.  He  loved  the  church,  and  sought  by  every  legitimate  means  to 
conserve  and  promote  her  highest  interests.  Of  deep  and  abiding  faith  in  the 
sacredness  of  his  vocation,  self  was  submerged  in  his  congregation,  and  the 
wishes  of  the  latter  became  paramount.  Father  Hughes  was  a  man  of  strong, 
sturdy  character,  and  his  individuality  was  evident  in  all  the  parochial  works 
of  his  pastorate.  From  the  time  of  his  ordination,  almost,  he  occupied  high 
official  positions  in  the  diocese.  As  vicar-general  and  administrator  he  dis- 
played superior  executive  powers,  and  that  which  rests  upon  his  memory  as  a 
glorious  crown  are  the  justice  and  impartiality  that  characterized  his  rule. 
His  name  will  long  linger  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Hartford,  and  the 
impress  of  the  master  hand  upon  the  works  he  accomplished  will  be  visible  to 
children  yet  imborn. 

Father  Hughes  discharged  the  office  of  vicar-general  during  the  episco- 
pates of  Bishop  O'Reilly,  Bishop  McFarland,  Bishop  McMahon  and  Bishop 
Tierney.  He  was  administrator  during  the  absence  of  Bishop  McFarland  at 
the  Vatican  Council,  and  after  the  Bishop's  death  in  October,  1874,  he  served 
in  the  same  capacity  until  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Galberry.  Again  he 
was  called  to  the  hehn  during  Bishop  McMahon's  seven  months'  absence  in 
Europe ;  and,  finally,  he  governed  the  diocese  during  the  interregnum  between 
the  death  of  Bishop  McMahon  and  the  appointment  of  Bishop  Tierney. 

In  recognition  of  his  services  to  religion  his  Alma  Mater,  St.  John's  Col- 
lege, Fordham,  N.  Y.,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws ; 
and  as  the  Catholic  chaplain  of  the  Connecticut  National  Guard  during  a 
summer's  encampment  at  Niantic,  he  won  high  encomiums  from  the  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  authorities.  But  the  recognition  that  would  have  been  an  appro- 
priate reward  of  an  active,  useful  and  successful  career  in  the  priesthood  came 
when  the  shadows  of  death  were  beginning  to  fall  over  the  form  of  the  vener- 
able priest.  Aware  of  the  zeal  of  Father  Hughes  in  promoting  the  interests 
of  religion,  the  Holy  See  elevated  him  to  the  dignity  of  domestic  prelate,  but 
death  summoned  him  hence  before  the  ceremony  of  investiture.  When 
Father  Hughes  passed  away  there  went  out  from  the  diocese  a  true  j^riest,  a 
father  to  his  people,  one  of  nature's  noblemen.  The  material  works  accom- 
plished are  still  in  evidence,  and  speak  eloquently  of  the  brain  that  conceived 
and  of  the  hand  that  directed  them. 

When  Father  Hughes  came  to  Hartford  he  found  St.  Patrick's  parish 
burdened  with  debt.  He  at  once  set  himself  to  its  liquidation,  displaying 
those  splendid  resources  of  business  tact  and  energy  which  ripened  in  the 
years  of  experience  that  followed.  He  paid  off  the  debt  on  the  old  church, 
bought  the  present  parochial  residence,  built  the  old  school  in  1865,  erected 
the  convent  and  orphanage  attached  to  the  church  (the  latter  in  1855),  rebuilt 
the  church  after  its  destruction  by  fire,  and  purchased  St.  Patrick's  and  Mount 
St  Benedict's  cemeteries.  He  built  also  an  annex  to  the  asylum  to  be  used  for 
II — 14 


210  THE   CATHOLIC  CIIUKCII  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

an  ho.-pital.  Tlie  financial  management  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  during  Father 
Hnglies'  pastorate  was  marked  with  the  same  nuvarying  success  that  char- 
acterized his  spiritual  administration.  It  is  in  every  sense  a  model  parish, 
tlie  most  painstaking  care  being  bestowed  on  every  detail  connected  with  its 
spiritual  and  temporal  well-being. 

Father  Hughes'  sacerdotal  career  was  contemporaneous  with  the  period 
that  has  marked  the  highest  progress  of  the  diocese,  and  he  witnessed  its  growth 
before  and  since  its  division  from  the  coign  of  vantage  of  official  position. 

After  forty-three  years  of  devoted  labor  in  the  sacred  cause  of  his  divine 
Master,  Father  Hughes  finished  his  course  on  August  7,  1895,  during  the  ab- 
sence of  Bishop  Tierney  in  Europe.  The  large  a.ssemblage  of  priests  from  this 
and  other  dioceses,  the  concourse  of  people  that  thronged  the  church,  the 
crowds  of  people  who  followed  sorrowfully  the  remains  to  their  last  resting 
place — all  demonstrated  the  deep  affection  of  which  Father  Hughes  was  the 
object.  The  solemn  pontifical  Mass  of  Requiem  was  sung  by  Right  Rev.  John 
Brady,  D.D.,  auxiliary  Bishop  of  Bo.ston,  and  the  funeral  oration  was  pro- 
nounced by  Right  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Beaven,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Springfield.  The 
a.shes  of  Father  Hughes  mingle  with  those  of  his  brother  and  si.ster  in  Mount 
St.  Benedict's  cemetery,  Hartford. 

The  original  St.  Patrick's  church,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present 
building,  was  begun  by  the  Rev.  John  Brady  in  1 850.  On  January  28th  of  that 
vear.  Bishop  F'itzpatrick  of  Boston,  who  was  Administrator  of  tlie  Diocese  of 
Hartford  until  the  appointment  of  Bishop  O'Reilly,  visited  Hartford  and 
examined  tlie  plans  which  Father  Brady  had  had  prepared  for  the  new  church. 
It  was  built  of  rubble  stone  and  was  166  feet  long  by  75  feet  wide.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  imposing  ceremonies  on  July  ist,  1850,  and  the  dedication 
took  place  on  December  14,  185 1.  Right  Rev.  Bi.shop  Fitzpatrick,  of  Boston, 
was  the  celebrant  of  the  Pontifical  Mass,  and  the  famous  Augustinian  priest, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Moriarty,  preached  the  sermon.  The  Bishop  of  Bo.ston  also  offi- 
ciated at  Vespers,  and  the  discourse  was  pronounced  by  Bishop  O'Reilly.  The 
latter's  comment  on  the  occasion,  as  found  in  his  Journal,  was:  "The  cere- 
mony was  grand,  worthy  of  the  church."  On  January  23,  1875,  a  conflagra- 
tion laid  this  fine  edifice  in  ruins. 

With  the  destruction  of  the  church  the  people  were  left  without  a  place 
for  divine  services,  and  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  up  for  the  faithful  in 
St.  James'  chapel,  the  first  Mass  in  which  was  celebrated  on  the  morning  after 
the  disaster,  which  was  Sunday,  while  the  smoldering  fire  from  the  black- 
ened ruins  of  the  church  added  to  the  grief  of  the  people.  For  some  time 
afterwards  the  10.30,  or  Parochial  Mass  was  celebrated  in  Allyn  Hall ;  but 
scarcely  had  the  ruins  of  the  old  church  become  cold  ere  the  energetic  pastor, 
Very  Rev.  Father  Hughes,  began  to  take  measures  for  the  erection  of  an  edi- 
fice, which  in  beauty  of  architecture  and  thoroughness  of  workman.ship  would 
surpass  the  old  one.  The  work  was  begun  on  the  7th  of  July,  1875,  and  in 
the  astonishingly  short  space  of  three  months  and  twelve  da\s,  actual  work- 
ing time,  the  chancel  gable,  88 '^  feet,  the  side  walls  50  feet  high,  and  the 
tower  and  gable  to  the  height  of  the  side  walls,  were  completed. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  211 

St.  Patrick's  church,  risen  Phoenix-like  from  the  ashes,  was  solemnly  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God  with  iimisual  pomp,  accompanied  with  the  most 
impressive  ceremonies  of  the  church,  on  Sunday,  November  19,  1876,  by 
Bishop  Galberry.  The  procession,  emerging  from  the  vestry  door,  moved  up 
Ann  street  to  the  main  entrance,  where  it  entered  in  the  following  order: 

Cross  Bearer. 

Light  Bearers. 

Acolytes  and  Altar  Bo}-s. 

Clergy. 

Bishops. 

Deacon  and  Sub-Deacon. 

Deacons  of  Honor. 

Assistant  Priest. 

Right  Rev.  Bishop  Galberry,  Officiating  Prelate. 

At  the  conclusion  of  tlie  dedicatory  ceremonies  a  Solemn  Pontifical  Mass 
was  celebrated  with  the  following  officers  : 

Cilfbrant,  MOST  Rev.  JOHN  Wil,Ll.A.MS,  D.D.,  Boston. 

Assistant  Priest,  REV.  F.  W.  GoCKELN,  S.  J.,  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  N.  Y. 

Deacons  of  Honor,  Rev.  Luke  D.\lv,  New  Britain  ;  REV.  E.  J.  SHERIDAN,  Taunton. 

Deacon  of  the  Mass,  Rev.  F.aTHER  LEO  d.a  Saracena,  O.  S.  F.,  Winsted. 

Stib  Deacon,  Rev.  Thomas  Lynch,  Hartford. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  REV.  P.  J.  McCabe,  Hartford;  REV.  D.  Gremin,  Hartford. 

Cross  Bearer,  REV.  P.  GOODWIN,  East  Hartford. 

Book  Bearer,  Rev.  J.  J.  FuRLONG,  Rockville. 

Mitre  Bearer,  REV.  J.  CAMPBELL,  Manchester. 

Crozier  Bearer,  REV.  J.  RusSELL,  Jewett  City. 

Light  Bearer,  Rev.  E.J.  O'BRIEN,  Middletown. 

Chanters,  REV.  J.  CAMPBELL  and  REV.  James  FaGan. 

The  sermon  was  delivered  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McQuade  of  Rochester, 
who  selected  his  text  from  the  eightieth  Psalm. 

At  7. 30  Solemn  Pontifical  Vespers  were  celebrated,  the  following  clergy- 
men officiating  : 

Celebrant,  Right  Rev.  Edgar  P.  Wadhams,  D  D.,  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 

Assistant  Priest,  Rev.  M.  BENDER,  Cincinnati. 

Deacon,  REV.  E.  J.  ShERIDAN,  Taunton. 

Sub-Deacon,  REV.  LUKE  Daly,  New  Britain. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  P.  J.  McCabe  and  Rev.  D.  Cremin. 

The  discourse  was  from  Psalm  xxv.  8,  and  was  delivered  by  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  O'Reilly,  of  Springfield.  The  following  prelates  honored  the  occa- 
sion by  their  presence  :  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams,  Bishops  Galberry, 
O'Reilly,  Hendricken,  De  Goesbriand,  McNeirney  and  McQuade.  Among 
the  Vicars  General  present  was  Very  Rev.  L.  S.  McMahon,  of  New  Bedford, 
Mass.,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Hartford.  Priests  had  assembled  from  the  New 
England,  Eastern  and  Middle  States  to  do  honor  to  their  esteemed  co-worker 
and  friend,  the  pastor,  and  to  participate  in  the  joy  that  possessed  the  hearts 
of  his  parishioners. 

The  crowning  glory  of  St.  Patrick's  church  was  its  solemn  consecration  in 
November,  1885.  It  was  the  second  church  in  the  diocese  to  attain  this 
distinction,  St.  Patrick's,  New  Haven,  being  the  first.    The  officiating  prelate 


212  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

at  tlie  services  of  consecration  was  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Williams  of 
Boston.  Solemn  Pontifical  High  Mass  was  celebrated  by  Rij^ht  Rev.  Bishop 
McMahon,  durinjj  which  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Ryan  of  Philadelphia, 
prononnced  the  oration.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Conroy  presided  at  the  Vesper 
service,  and  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McQnade  was  the  preacher.  The  ceremonies 
of  the  morning  and  evening  services  were  nnder  the  snpervision  of  Rev.  M. 
F.  Kelly  and  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donncll.  With  the  exception  of  the  conse- 
cration of  the  cathedral,  the  city  of  Hartford  has  scarcely  witnessed  so  cou- 
s])icnons  an  assemblage  of  ecclesiastical  dignitaries,  priests  and  people.  With 
their  pastor  the  parishioners  rejoiced  at  the  realization  of  their  hojDes,  their 
noble  cluirch  edifice  relieved  of  indebtedness ;  and  in  recognition  of  divine 
blessings  received,  presented  it,  a  heart  offering,  to  the  Giver  of  all  gifts. 

On  Sunday,  September  8,  1895,  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  Vicar- 
General,  assumed  charge  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  as  the  successor  of  Father 
Hughes.  With  every  promise  of  a  succe.ssfnl  career  in  his  new  field  of  labor, 
Father  Mulcahy  was  stricken  down  by  illness  in  October,  1897,  which  has 
necessitated  prolonged  absence  from  home  in  quest  of  heajth. 

Before  this  affliction  befell  him,  however,  he  gave  evidence  of  his  zeal 
in  the  erection  of  a  splendid  parochial  school,  the  finest  in  Connecticut,  and 
perhaps  in  all  New  England.  On  September  11,  1894,  Father  Mulcahy  was 
appointed  vicar-general  by  Bishop  Tierney,  and  who,  previous  to  his  depart- 
ure on  his  ctd  li»iina  visit  to  Rome,  made  him  Administrator  of  the  diocese, 
which  position  he  filled  from  June  i  to  August  18,  1895.  During  Father 
Mulcahy's  illness  the  affairs  of  the  parish  have  been  administered  by  the  Rev. 
John  J.  Downey,  who,  faithful  to  the  traditions  of  the  parish,  is  energttic  in 
promoting  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  his  charge.  The  assistants 
at  present  laboring  in  St.  Patrick's  parish  are  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Loftus  and  the 
Rev.  J.  F.  Ryan,  who  is  also  a  professor  in  St.  Thomas"  Preparatory  Seminary. 

Father  Mulcahy  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  this  country  when 
quite  young.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  entered  the  English  and  business 
course  of  studies  in  Bryant  and  Stratton's  school  at  Hartford.  Believing 
him.self  called  to  the  sacred  priesthood,  he  entered  St.  Charles'  College, 
Maryland,  where  he  remained  si.x  \ears,  completing  the  course.  His  philo- 
sophical and  theological  studies  were  made  at  St.  Joseph's  Seminary,  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  June  17,  1873.  His  first 
appointment  was  as  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Father  Lynch  in  the  parish  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception,  Waterbury,  and  when  Father  Lynch  was  transferred 
to  St.  Patrick's  parish,  New  Haven,  in  August,  1876,  Father  Mulcahy  accom- 
panied him.  He  labored  there  until  February,  1877,  when  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  Ea.st  Hartford,  a  mission  which  included  Glastonbury,  Wethersfield 
and  Rocky  Hill.  His  labors  in  this  field  are  eloquent  evidences  of  his  zeal 
and  energy.  He  erected  the  church  at  Ea.st  Hartford  and  St.  Augu.stine's  at 
Glastonbury,  liquidated  the  debt  on  the  church  lot  in  Wethersfield  and  col- 
lected money  for  the  erection  of  a  church  at  Rocky  Hill.  In  November,  1878, 
he  was  transferred  to  Thompsonville,  which  mi.ssion  then  included  the  pres- 
ent parishes  of  Hazardville  and  Broad  Brook.     For  three  years  he  labored  in 


I 


«-->''-=^S^ 


////7^  i^ .  ^y^M^^^oJ^y  '^^' 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  213 

this  portion  of  Christ's  vineyard,  during  which  time  he  purchased  new  and 
more  eligible  sites  in  Hazardville  and  Broad  Brook  and  erected  upon  them 
substantial  churches.  His  success  in  Thompsonville  is  attested  by  the  fact 
that  the  parish  indebtedness  was  reduced  $g,ooo,  and  by  the  purchase  of  a  lot 
on  which  the  new  church  stands.  On  November  i,  1881,  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  the  Sacred  Heart  parish,  New  Haven,  succeeding  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Sheffrey,  deceased.  His  four  years  of  earnest  and  zealous  labor  there  bore 
rich  fruit.  The  church's  indebtedness  was  reduced  $22,000  and  sufficient 
projjerty  for  a  school  and  convent  was  purchased  adjoining  the  church  on 
Columbus  avenue.  On  January  i,  1886,  Father  Mulcahy  assumed  charge  of 
the  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  Waterbury.  The  work  accom- 
plished by  him  from  that  date  to  the  end  of  his  pastorate  will  be  revealed  in 
part  in  the  history  of  that  parish. 

St.  Patrick'.s  Parochial  School. — "  When  we  consider  that  the 
maintenance  of  the  parochial  schools  of  Hartford  is  wholly  by  the  members 
of  the  various  Catholic  churches,  we  must  one  and  all  admire  the  cheerful 
spirit  in  which  these  members  accept  their  double  school  taxation.  And 
again  we  note  with  what  enterprise  they  are  conducted  and  with  what  excel- 
lent equipment  they  are  provided.  What  is  good  enough  for  the  public 
school  is  not  any  too  good  for  the  parochial  school,  and  what  advancement  is 
made  in  education,  is  as  much  due  to  the  latter  as  to  the  former.  They  are 
not  'copyists,'  but  are  originators  of  the  most  progressive  type.  Among 
their  directors  are  found  men  of  the  highest  intellectual  qualifications  and 
their  principals  are  ahva}s  priests  of  thorough  scholarly  training." 

For  half  a  century  the  children  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  have  enjoyed  the 
blessings  of  a  Christian  education.  For  fifty  years  have  the  parents  gathered 
the  rich  fruits  of  the  Catholic  training  of  their  children.  Abundant,  indeed, 
have  been  the  graces  that  have  flowed  into  the  parisli  during  these  many 
years.  Catholic  schools  have  existed,  here  since  1848.  In  that  year  the  first 
parochial  school  was  opened  with  ten  pupils  in  the  basement  of  the  old 
church.  Here  the  devoted  Sisters  of  Mercy  taught  an  ever-increasing  school 
for  ten  years.  In  1865,  Father  Hughes  erected  the  school  on  Allyn  street, 
which  in  every  respect  was  a  model  building  in  those  days,  and  which  for 
over  thirty  years  maintained  a  high  reputation  among  its  sister  schools  of  the 
city.  In  September,  1866,  the  Christian  Brothers  arrived  at  the  invitation 
of  Father  Hughes  and  assumed  control  of  the  boys'  department.  ,This  school 
was  conducted  in  part  of  the  building  now  used  as  the  parochial  residence. 
The  growth  of  the  parish  made  additional  school  facilities  an  imperative  ne- 
cessity ;  accordingly,  at  Father  Mulcahy's  advent  preparations  were  imme- 
diately begun  for  the  erection  of  a  new  school.  The  property  adjacent  on 
Ann  street  was  purchased,  and  the  s]3acious  residence  that  occupied  the  site 
was  removed.  The  work  of  construction  progressed  expeditiously,  and  the 
building  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  September,  1897.  It  was  solemnly 
blessed  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  on  September  5th,  the  Rev.  James  H. 
O'Donnell  preaching  the  dedication  sermon,  and  opened  the  day  following  for 
the  reception  of  pupils.     The  ten  pupils  of  184S   have  increased  to   1 145,  the 


214  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

number  at  present  enrolled,  and  the  humble  basement  has  given  way  to  one 
of  the  most  thoroughly  equipped  schools  in  New  England.  Architecturally, 
there  are  schools  that  present  a  more  striking  exterior  appearance,  but  the 
interior  appointments  have  few  equals  and  no  superiors.  The  system  of 
light  and  ventilation  are  unique  and  leave  nothing  to  be  desired  iu  a  building 
in  which  so  many  children  daily  gather.  The  main  building  contains 
eighteen  rooms ;  in  the  rear,  there  are  two  spacious  apartments  set  apart  for 
kindergarten  purposes.  In  this  grade  there  are  175  little  ones  in  attendance. 
We  quote  again  from  the  writer  whose  words  begin  this  .sketch:  "  It  is  only 
just  that  we  pay  due  tribute  to  the  one  who  has  by  his  indomitable  energ)- 
and  enthusiasm  made  the  erection  of  this  magnificent  building  possible. 
This  is  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Mulcahy.  Since  he  took  charge  of 
the  parish,  he  has  doubled  the  size  of  the  school,  extended  the  course,  added 
many  features  of  study  and  iu  everyway  madeit  theequal,  if  not  the  superior, 
of  any  school  in  the  State." 

The  success  of  the  pupils  in  the  annual  e.xaminations  for  entrance  into 
the  High  school  attest  their  proficiency.  There  are  twenty  sisters  engaged  in 
teaching,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Rev.  J.  Loftus,  to  whose  efficient 
management  is  to  be  attributed  much  of  the  success  that  attends  the  sisters' 
efforts.  The  members  of  the  parish,  the  sisters  and  the  clergy  have  everj' 
reason  to  ])e  proud  of  their  scliool. 

ST.    PETER'S    PARISH, 
Hartford. 

'OR  well  nigh  forty  years  St.  Peter's  parish  has  been  faithful  to  ics 
e.xalted  mission  of  winning  souls  to  Christ.  Zealous  in  the  perform- 
ance of  duty,  conscientious  in  their  attention  to  the  spiritual  needs  of 
their  parishioners,  its  successive  rectors  have  attained  an  enviable  reputation 
for  priestly  energy,  and  have  built  up  a  parish  in  whose  good  name  its  mem- 
bers rejoice. 

In  September,  1 859,  St.  Peter's  jjarish  was  set  apart  from  St.  Patrick's  by 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  McFarland,  and  comprised  the  southern  .section  of  the 
city  below  Little  River.  The  first  pastor  of  the  new  parish  was  the  Rev. 
Peter  Kellv,  who  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  June  13,  1852.  Fatlier 
Kelly  had  Ijeen  received  into  the  diocese  from  the  famous  Seminary  of  St. 
Sulpice,  '^iris,  and  spent  about  nine  months  completing  his  theological 
studies  i  Bishop  O'Reilly's  Seminary,  Providence.  Father  Kelly  had 
received  tlie  order  of  sub-deacon  on  December  13,  1851,  and  was  elevated  to 
the  diaconate  on  the  day  following.  These  .same  orders  were  conferred  at  the 
same  time  upon  the  Rev.  Patrick  Delaney,  whose  ordination  to  the  priest- 
hood had  occurred  on  December  15,  1851,  in  St.  Patrick's  church,  Hartford, 
thus  antedatmg  the  ordination  of  Father  Kelly  six  months. 

When  St  Peter's  parish  was  organized  its  population  was  estimated  at 
1500  souls,  chieriy  Irish,  with  a  small  number  of  Germans.  With  character- 
istic energy.  Father  Kelly  set  about  securing  a  fitting  place  in  which  his  peo- 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  215 

pie  could  attend  divine  worship,  and  having  secured,  through  Mr.  James 
Tiernan,  an  old  school  building,  commonly  known  as  the  "  Old  South  School- 
house,"  he  had  it  suitably  renovated  and  appropriately  refitted  for  Catholic 
worship;  and  so  expeditiously  was  the  work  accomplished  that  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  celebrated  with  joy  and  thanksgiving  on  the  Sunday 
following  the  formation  of  the  parish.  As  the  parish  was  increasing  in  num- 
bers, an  enlargement  of  the  transformed  building  became  necessary ;  accord- 
ingly, an  addition  was  built,  and  the  structure,  as  it  now  stood,  was  dedicated 
to  God  under  the  patronage  of  the  Prince  of  the  Apostles  by  Bishop  McFar- 
land  on  December  4,  1859.  Father  Kelly's  next  work  was  the  purchase  of  a 
frame  building  north  of  the  church,  which  he  occupied  as  a  parochial  resi- 
dence. A  dwelling  house  south  of  the  church  was  also  secured,  and  a  school 
erected  behind  the  church.  The  furniture  of  this  school  was  of  a  superior 
order,  and  the  school  itself  soon  vied  with  the  public  schools.  Father  Kelly 
accomplished  all  this  work  in  the  brief  period  of  three  years.  Desiring  a 
different  field  of  labor.  Father  Kelly  was  transferred  from  St.  Peter's  to  St. 
Joseph's  parish.  Providence,  in  October,  1862.  He  died  at  Valley  Falls,  R.  I., 
on  February  4,  1868.  "  Father  Kelly  was  probably  the  best-known  and  best- 
liked  man  in  Hartford.  Certainly  no  person  ever  lived  here  to  whom  our  non- 
Catholic  friends  would  pay  their  money,  by  way  of  subscription,  so  cheerfully 
or  freely.  He  was  a  ripe  scholar,  an  eloquent  preacher,  and  an  enthusiast  in 
whatever  he  undertook." ' 

Father  Kelly's  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Lynch,  who  came  to  Hart- 
ford from  Birmingham,  now  Derby.  In  April,  1865,  Father  L,ynch  began  the 
erection  of  the  present  church  edifice.  In  order  not  to  deprive  his  parishion- 
ers of  the  privilege  of  assisting  at  Mass  on  Sundays,  or  to  obviate  the  neces- 
sity of  removing  elsewhere  for  divine  worship,  he  adopted  the  plan,  hitherto 
unheard  of  in  church  construction,  of  building  the  new  church  up  and  around 
the  walls  of  the  old,  and  it  was  only  when  the  new  structure  was  ready  for 
roofing  that  the  old  building  was  removed  ;  and  so  scientifically  was  the  work 
carried  on  that  not  for  a  single  Sunday  was  attendance  at  Mass  interrupted. 
The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  in  October,  1865,  and  its  solemn 
dedication  occurred  on  July  26,  1868,  Bishop  McFarland  officiating. 

The  present  rectory  was  purchased  in  1 865  from  the  Hon.  Henry  Bar- 
nard. It  was  used  as  a  parochial  residence  for  ten  years,  after  which -it  was 
occupied  for  six  years  by  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  After  the  erection  of  the 
convent  in  1881,  it  reverted  to  the  use  of  the  clergy. 

Father  Lynch  gave  to  the  construction  of  the  church  his  constant  and  per- 
sonal supervision.  His  watch  ward  was  "  Duty, ' '  and  the  traits  that  shone  con- 
spicuously in  his  character  were  exactness,  promptness,  and  love  of  labor.  He 
watched  over  the  school  with  truly  paternal  solicitude,  and  was  ever  anxious 
concerning  the  educational  interests  ot  the  little  ones  of  his  flock.  His  love 
for  children  was  boundless.  An  accident  which  occurred  while  driving 
through  his  parish  on  parochial  duties,  and  which  resulted  in  a  fracture  of  his 

'  "Historical  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Hartford." 


216  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  AV  NEW  ENGLAND. 

collar-bone,  necessitated  complete  rest.  Accordingly,  he  visited  Ireland  in 
1869.  The  affairs  of  the  parish  were  administered  during  his  absence  by  the 
Rev.  John  Cooney.  The  unexpected  death  of  Father  Lynch's  father  rendered 
the  prolongation  of  his  visit  a  necessity.  In  June,  1870,  the  Rev.  Lawrence 
Walsh  was  appointed  Father  Lynch's  successor  as  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  parish, 
and  upon  his  return  from  Europe  he  was  re-appoiuLod  to  his  former  charge  at 
Birmingham.  An  event  which  rendered  Father  Walsh's  administration 
noteworthy  was  the  consecration  of  Right  Rev  iJishop  Galberry  in  St.  Peter's 
church  on  St.  Joseph's  Day,  March  19,  1876.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Father  Walsh  the  excellent  custom  was  introduced  of  paying  monthly  visits 
to  the  Connecticut  State  Prison  and  saying  Mass  for  and  instructing  the 
inmates  in  Christian  doctrine.  This  work  was  continued  down  through 
successive  administrations  until  the  formation  of  the  parish  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  at  Wethersfield,  whose  pastor  has  the  Catholic  prisoners  under  his 
spiritual  charge.  The  in.structions  in  Christian  doctrine  were  imparted, 
and  are  still  given  by  young  men  of  approved  character  and  competency, 
and  the  good  that  has  been  accomplished  among  these  wards  of  the 
State  during  the  past  twenty-five  years  has  been  incalculable.  In  July  of 
that  year.  Bishop  Galberry  having  selected  St.  Peter's  church  as  his  pro- 
cathedral.  Father  Walsh,  who  preached  his  farewell  sermon  on  Sunday,  July 
30th,  was  transferred  to  the  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  Walerbury, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev  Thomas  Lynch,  who  served  in  the  capacity  of 
rector  until  January,  1877.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  the 
present  bishop  of  the  diocese,  who,  as  pastor,  governed  St.  Peter's  parish 
until  June,  1883.  During  his  pastorate.  Father  Tierney  built  the  convent  in 
1 88 1.  He  also  erected  the  third  addition  to  the  school,  the  first  part  having 
been  built  by  Rev.  Peter  Kelly,  and  the  second  by  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh. 
The  splendid  organ  of  the  church  was  put  in  during  Father  Tierney's  incum- 
bency. It  was  during  this  administration  that  the  centennial  of  the  first  Mass 
said  in  Connecticut  was  celebrated.  This  event  occurred  on  June  26,  1881. 
Bishop  jMcMahon  was  the  celebrant  of  the  Solemn  Pontifical  Mass,  as- 
sisted by  the  following  officers  : 

Assistant  Priest,  Rev.  Augustine  F.  Hewitt,  New  York. 

Deacons  of  Honor,  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  Waterbury,  and  Rev.  E.  D.  Boone,  Worcester. 

Deacon  of  the  Mass,  Rev.  Jolin  J.  Furlong,  Rockville. 

Sub-deacon,  Rev.  John  J.  Quinn,  Hartford. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  Rev.  Philip  T.  McCabe,  Hartford,  and  Rev.  Maurice  Crowley,  Hartford. 

Right  Rev.  J.  J.  Conroy,  Bishop  of  Albany,  and  Right  Rev.  J.  P.  Mache- 
beuf.  Vicar  Apostolic  of  Colorado  honored  the  occasion  by  their  presence.  A 
large  gathering  of  priests  from  this  and  other  dioceses  assisted  at  the  impress- 
ive and  historic  ceremony.  The  oration  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Thomas 
O'Gorman,  C.  S.  P.,  the  j^resent  bishop  of  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota.  An 
appropriate  text  was  selected  from  Lsaias  v.  2.  3:  ^'■Enlarge  the  place  0/  thy 
tent,  and  stretch  out  the  skins  of  thy  tabernacles.  Spare  not.  Lengthen  thy  cords 
and  strengthen  thy  stakes.  For  thou  shalt  pass  on  the  right  hand  and  to  the  left,  and 
thy  seed  shall  inherit  the  Gentiles  and  shall  inhabit  the  desolate  cities.^'     Present  at 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  217 

the  celebration  were  Mayor  Morgan  G.  Buckley,  with  officials  of  the  town 
and  city  governments. 

When  Father  Tierney  was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  New  Britain, 
he  was  sncceeded  in  St.  Peter's  parish  by  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  W.  Broderick.  Father  Broderick's  pastorate  has  been  fruitful  in 
works  that  tend  to  the  advancement  of  religion  and  to  the  upbuilding  of  the 
faith  of  his  devoted  people.  Among  the  works  that  have  signalized  his  admin- 
istration are  the  renovation  of  the  parochial  school  and  the  complete  and  beau- 
tiful redecoration  of  the  church.  So  thorough  was  the  transformation  of  the 
latter  and  so  notable  the  improvement  that  the  church  had  lost  its  former 
dedication  ;  in  consequence,  it  was  solemnly  rededicated  by  Bishop  McMahon 
in  September,  1887. 

The  people  of  St.  Peter's  parish  deservedly  occupy  a  high  position  among 
their  fellows  in  the  political,  social,  intellectual  worlds.  They  are  represented  in 
local,  state  and  national  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  They  have  given  many 
honored  names  to  the  clerical,  legal  and  medical  j^rofessions,  while  not  a  few 
have  attained  eminence  in  commercial,  mechanical  and  industrial  vocations. 
The  parish  is  composed  of  nii.xed  nationalities,  Irish  and  their  descendants, 
Americans,  Poles,  Lithuanians  and  Portuguese,  and  comprises  4,500  souls. 

As  a  benefactor  the  name  of  Patrick  Cavanagh  stands  out  in  prominence. 
He  left  his  entire  estate  in  1897  to  be  devoted  to  religious  and  charitable  pur- 
poses. Among  the  notable  conversions  to  the  ancient  faith  within  this  jurisdic- 
tion we  may  mention  Miss  Spencer,  Miss  Hammersly  and  Mr.  Frederick  Tudor, 
all  of  whom  were  connected  with  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  fami- 
lies of  Hartford.  The  last  was  a  descendant  of  Mr.  Samuel  Tudor,  who  treated 
Bishop  Cheverus  so  courteously  at  the  time  of  his  visit  to  Hartford  in  1823. 

The  first  marriage  recorded  after  the  organization  of  the  parish, is  dated 
October  9,  1859,  ^'^^  the  ceremony  was  performed  by  Father  Kelly.  It  was 
that  of  Patrick  Culliuane  and  Bridget  Glynn,  alias  Mallon.  The  witnesses 
were  Charles  and  Ellen  Doherty.  From  this  date  to  July  i,  1898,  the  number 
of  marriages  solemnized  was  2,019.  The  baptismal  records  in  possession  of 
the  parish  begin,  at  October  2,  1862.  From  this  date  to  July  i,  1898,  the 
number  of  baptisms  was  7,983. 

The  clergy  who  have  served  as  assistants  in  St.  Peter's  parish  are  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Rev.  Daniel  Mullin.  Rev.  J.  P.  Connelly,  July,  '8i— Oct.,  '8l. 

Rev.  Patrick  Sherry,  1862.  Rev.  C.  J.  McElroy,  Oct.,  '81— Oct.,  '87. 

Rev.  P.  Grau,  March  to  Dec,  1863.  Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley,  April,  '85— July,  '86. 

Rev.  Hugh  Mallou,  Dec,  '63— March,  '66.  Rev.  R.J.  Carroll,  July,  '86— May,  '88. 

Rev.  J.  McCarten,  April,  '66— Oct.,  '67.  Rev.  J.  C.  Lynch,  Feby.,  '87- March,  '87. 

Rev.  J.  Cooney,  Oct.,  '67— May,  '70.     .  Rev.  E.  J.  Broderick,  Oct.,  '87—        '98. 

Rev.  R.  J.  Sullivan,  Sept.,  '69— March,  '70.  Rev.  J.  J.  Lynch,  May,  '88— Sept.,,  '97. 
Rev.  F.  Dent,  O.  S.  F.,  April,  '70— March,  '74.       Rev.  J.  Lee,  May,  '91— May,  '93. 

Rev.  D.  Cremin,  Dec,  '72— Jany.,  '77.  Rev.  J.  F.  Lally,  May,  '93. 

Rev.  W.  T.  Slocum,  July,  '76— Aug.,  '76.  Rev.  D.  L.  Gleason,D.D.,Sept.,  '97— Jany., '98. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Galligan,  Aug.,  '76— Febry.,  '79.  Rev.  J.J.  Laden,  Jauy.,  '98. 

Rev.  P.  F.  McAlenuey,  Jany.,  '77— July,  '81.  Rev.  Stanislaus  Musiel. 
Rev.  M.  J.  Crowley,  Jany.,  '79 — April,  '85. 


218  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND 

Father  Broderick  has  been  the  Defender  of  the  Marriage  Tie  in  the  diocese 
since  1884;  a  diocesan  consultor  since  1886,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  dio- 
cesan Board  of  Examiners  of  the  Clergy.  In  the  summer  of  1896  lie  received 
llie  public  thanks  of  the  governor  of  the  State  and  a  handsome  medal  in 
recognition  of  his  services  as  the  Catholic  chaplain  at  tlie  encampment  of  the 
National  Guard  at  Xiantic. 

St.  Peter's  Parochial  School. — St.  Peter's  school  is  the  successor  of 
the  scliool  organized  by  the  Rev.  Father  Kelly  in  i860.  At  that  time  there 
were  about  200  children  enrolled.  For  some  years  the  school  was  conducted 
under  the  management  of  the  committee  of  the  South  school  district.  The 
pari.sh  furnished  the  building  and  furniture,  but  the  district  paid  the  salaries 
of  the  teachers.  The  first  teachers  of  this  school  were :  Mr.  John  Godfrey, 
Miss  Sarah  Kelly,  Miss  ]Mary  Bows  and  Miss  Hannah  Pembroke,'  all  Catho- 
lics. Upon  the  death  or  resignation  of  a  Catholic  teacher,  the  committee 
appointed  a  Protestant  teacher  in  her  place.  In  1S65,  during  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Fatlier  Lynch,  a  Protestant  teacher  was  appointed  who  rendered  her- 
self objectionable  by  persisting  in  reading  from  a  Protestant  Bible  before 
beginning  the  morning  exercises.  Adhering  to  the  practice  despite  the  pro. 
testations  of  the  committee,  she  was  removed,  but  on  appealing  to  the  courts 
was  reinstated  over  the  children  she  had  so  persistently  offended.  Discord 
only  could  result  from  such  an  arrangement,  and  the  school  was  closed.  After 
a  brief  period  it  was  reopened  and  placed  under  the  control  of  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy.  At  present  the  scliool  has  eight  grades,  with  900  pupils,  taught  by 
seventeen  Sisters,  of  whom  Sister  I\I.  Antonius  is  the  directress.  It  is  in  a 
most  flourishing  condition,  and  the  proficiency  of  the  pupils  is  demonstrated 
by  the  gratifying  fact,  that  for  more  than  ten  years  the  graduating  classes  have 
unanimously  and  with  honor  passed  the  competitive  examinations  for  admis- 
sion to  the  High  School. 

An  appreciative  critic  says:  "In  Hartford  no  better  example  of  the 
'modern  school  idea'  can  be  found  than  that  offered  by  St.  Peter's  Parochial 
school.  Established  thirty  years  ago,  it  has  ever  maintained  a  prominent 
place  in  the  advance  of  education  in  this  vicinity.  It  is  the  second  oldest 
parish  school  here  and  has  an  annual  attendance  of  900  boys  and  girls.  It 
is  graded  from  the  kindergarten  to  the  high  school  course,  and  the  boys  and 
girls,  excepting  in  the  kindergarten,  are  educated  in  separate  rooms.  Though 
the  discipline  is  strict,  it  is  mild  and  quiet,  and  the  pupils  are  taught  to  love 
rather  than  to  fear  their  teachers.  The  Sisters  of  Mercy  preside,  and  as  is 
their  custom,  create  around  them  an  atmosphere  that  is  sunny,  refined  and 
stimulating.  There  are  fifteen  rooms  devoted  to  school  purposes  besides  the 
kinder<''arten.  Two  rooms  are  now  utilized  in  the  convent  building  adjoining 
the  .school  for  the  music  class  and  the  eighth  grade.  Both  instrumenlal  and 
vocal  music  are  taught,  and  a  course  is  provided  in  needlework  and  cooking 
for  the  girls  and  in  manual  training  for  the  boys." 

'  Htst.  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Hartford.  ' 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  219 

ST.  LAWRENCE   O'TOOLE'S    PARISH, 

Hartford. 

'T.  LAWRENCE  O'TOOLE'S  parish  was  organized  on  February  i6, 
I S85.  During  the  fourteen  years  of  its  existence  it  has  accomplished 
much  that  has  redounded  to  the  honor  of  religion  and  the  glory  of 
God.  The  Catholics  of  this  locality  were  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
St.  Peter's  parish  from  its  formation  in  1859  until  1881,  when  they  passed  under 
the  spiritual  guidance  of  the  clergy  of  the  cathedral.  This  parish  is  familiarly 
called  "The  Rock,"  from  its  proximity  to  a  ledge  from  which  for  nearly 
seventy  years  have  been  quarried  the  stones  used  on  the  streets  of  Hartford, 
and  which  has  furnished  employment  for  the  heads  of  families  in  this  locality. 
In  1876,  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  then  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  parish,  recog- 
nized the  necessity  of  a  church  in  that  vicinitv,  and  having  obtained  from 
Mr.  John  Allen  the  donation  of  a  desirable  lot  on  the  corner  of  Laurel  and 
Wilson  streets,  100  by  150  feet,  he  proceeded  to  put  into  execution  his  con- 
templated design.  Before  the  work  was  completed,  however,  Father  WaLsh 
was  transferred  to  Waterbury.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  Sunday,  Septem- 
ber 3,  1876.  The  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  who  began  the  church,  preached 
the  sermon.  The  construction  of  the  church  was  prosecuted  industriously 
by  his  successor,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Lynch,  rector  of  the  pro-cathedral,  and 
was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  December  3,  1876.  The  officiating  prelate  was 
Bishop  Galberry.  After  the  ceremonies  of  dedication,  a  solemn  high  Mass  was 
celebrated  with  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  of  New  Britain,  as  celebrant ;  Rev.  Philip 
McCabe,  of  Hartford,  as  deacon  ;  Rev.  M.  Galligan  as  sub-deacon,  and  Rev. 
D.  Cremin  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Joseph  Coleman,  O.S.A.  Joy  and  happiness  were  visible  in  the  countenances 
of  those  sturdy  sons  of  toil  and  devoted  children  of  holy  church  as  they  wit- 
nessed the  celebration  of  the  divine  mysteries  in  a  church  of  their  own. 
From  that  time  Mass  was  said  regularly  every  Sunda}-  and  holy  day  of  obliga- 
tion by  a  priest  from  the  mother  church  until  the  cathedral  assumed  charge, 
when  the  same  facilities  for  attending  divine  service  were  continued. 

Recognizing  the  great  spiritual  and  temporal  benefits  that  would  accrue 
to  this  section  of  the  city  from  the  presence  of  a  resident  pastor,  Bishop 
McMahon  organized  it  into  a  separate  parish,  and  appointed  the  Rev.  John 
Lenahan  as  its  first  pastor.  For  ten  years  Father  Lenahan  labored  unceas- 
ingly for  the  welfare  of  his  flock,  and  it  was  with  profound  regret  that  they 
heard  the  announcement  that  the  relations  between  him  and  them  were  to 
be  dissolved. 

The  second  pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  Smith,  who  came  hither  from 
Guilford.  He  continued  the  excellent  work  of  his  predecessor,  and  among 
the  successes  that  marked  his  pastorate  of  four  years  was  the  erection  of  a 
finely  equipped  lyceum  for  the  young  men  of  his  parish.  Here  they  were 
and  are  provided  with  every  facility  for  moral,  social,  intellectual  and  spiritual 
advancement.     Father  Smith  preached  his  farewell  sermon  in  St.  Lawrence 


220  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAXD. 

O'Toole's  church  on  Sunday,  November  21,  1898,  and  was  immediately  suc- 
ceeded by  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Tliomas  J.  Keena,  who  came  to  Hart- 
ford after  many  years  of  faithful  and  successful  labors  in  St.  John's  parish, 
Stamford. 

When  St.  Lawrence  O'Toole's  parish  was  organized  the  census  showed  a 
population  of  700  souls,  principally  Irish  and  Irish  Americans.  It  has  since 
increased  to  800. 

The  priests  who  served  this  parish  have  possessed  not  only  the  affec- 
tionate regard  of  their  own  people,  but  have  also  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
shared  in  the  good-will  of  their  .separated  brethren,  and  have  done  much  to 
dissolve  the  mists  of  sectarian  prejudice.  Father  Keena  is  the  Diocesan 
Director  of  the  propagation  of  the  faith. 

St.  Lawrence  O'Toole's  church  is  a  frame  building  with  a  solid  brick 
foundation,  and  is  Gothic  in  style  of  architecture.  It  has  a  front  of  40  feet 
and  is  60  feet  deep,  and  will  accommodate  300  people.  The  cost  of  the 
church  was  about  53,500. 

ST.   ANN'S   (FRENCH)    PARISH, 

HARTFORD. 

HK  first  meeting  of  the  French-Canadians  with  the  object  of  organizing 
a  separate  parish  with  a  pastor  of  their  own  nationality  was  held  in 
October,  1888.  Mass  was  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in  St.  Joseph's 
school  hall  on  January  6,  1889,  by  the  Rev.  A.  St.  Louis.  The  French-Cana- 
dian population  at  that  time  was  650  souls.  The  Rev.  Father  St.  Louis  was 
the  first  pastor  of  the  newly-organized  parish,  but  after  a  brief  term  of  service 
he  was  compelled  by  illness  to  retire  from  his  pastoral  duties.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  March,  1890,  by  the  Rev.  P.  E.  Roy. 

Father  Roy  immediately  set  himself  the  task  of  providing  his  people  with 
a  place  of  worship.  A  site  was  secured  at  the  corner  of  Park  and  Putnam 
streets.  Eager  to  possess  a  church  his  parishioners  diligently  co-operated 
with  him,  and  in  a  short  time  saw  their  hopes  fully  realized.  Sunday,  May 
28,  1893,  was  hailed  with  joy  and  delight  by  the  French-Canadians  of  Hart- 
ford, for  on  that  dale  their  new  church,  whose  completion  has  been  awaited 
with  much  pleasurable  anticipation  and  longing  was  dedicated  to  the  service 
of  God  with  all  the  imposing  ceremonies  incidental  to  such  occasions.  The 
dedicatory  services  began  at  10  a.m.  with  Bishoj)  McMahou  officiating.  He  was 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  of  New  Britain,  as  deacon,  and  the  Rev. 
T.  W.  Broderick  of  Hartford,  as  subdeacon.  At  10.30  a  solemn  high  Mass 
was  sung,  the  celebrant  being  the  Rev.  J.  Bourret  of  Waterbury  ;  deacon,  the 
Rev.  J.  E.  jMarcoux  of  North  Adams,  Mass. ;  subdeacon,  the  Rev.  C.  Leddy 
of  Hartford ;  master  of  ceremonies,  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley  of  the  cathedral. 
The  sermon  of  dedication  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Guinet  of  the 
order  of  Our  Lady  of  La  Salette.  At  the  close  of  the  Ma.ss  Bishoj)  IMc- 
Mahon  imparted  the  episcopal  benediction.  At  3.30  vespers  were  sung  with 
the  Rev.  E-  Cartier  of  New  Haven,  as  the  celebrant.      During  this  service 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  221 

Bishop  McMahon  administered  the  sacrament  of  confirmation  for  the  first 
time  in  the  parish  to  seventy-three  children.  The  bishop  addressed  the  con- 
gregation in  French  in  words  of  enconragement  and  congratulation  upon 
their  fine  edifice,  the  result  of  their  united  efforts  and  generosity.  Present 
at  the  services  were  all  the  priests  of  the  city  with  many  from  neighboring 
parishes. 

The  church  has  a  seating  capacity  of  600,  and  cost  $22,000.  Above  the 
church  is  a  large  hall  which  is  used  as  a  school,  wherein  the  children  of  the 
parish  obtain  instruction  in  both  the  French  and  English  languages.  The 
parish  numbers  at  present  about  1200  souls. 

After  nine  years  of  arduous  labor  which  he  carried  on  with  commendable 
zeal.  Father  Roy  severed  his  connection  with  St.  Ann's  parish  and  with  the 
diocese  on  Sunday,  April  30,  1899.  Though  laboring  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Bishop  of  Hartford,  Father  Roy  was  a  subject  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Quebec,  not  having  received  dimissory  letters  from  that  dignitary.  He 
returned  to  the  archdiocese  of  Quebec,  his  mission  being  to  collect  funds  for 
the  great  archdiocesan  hospital,  the  Hotel  Dieu.  His  successor  is  the  Rev. 
J.  E-  Senesac,  who  assumed  charge  of  St.  Ann's  on  Sunday,  May  7,  1899. 

ST.  ANTHONY'S  PARISH, 
Hartford. 

^T.  ANTHONY'S  is  the  Italian  parish  of  Hartford.  For  many  years 
it  had  been  the  desire  of  the  Bishops  of  Hartford  to  provide  ways 
and  means  that  would  enable  the  rapidly  increasing  Italian  popu- 
lation to  receive  instruction  in  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  faith  in 
their  own  language.  To  that  end  they  have  been  attended  for  some  years 
by  priests  set  apart  for  that  purpose.  In  January,  1895,  the  Rev.  Edward 
Flannery  began  his  ministry  among  them  as  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Angelo  Chica- 
gilione.  As  the  latter  returned  to  Europe  on  February  27th  following,  the 
care  of  the  parish  was  intrusted  to  Father  Flannery.  The  present  pastor,  the 
Rev.  D.  L.  Gleason,  D.D.,  was  appointed  on  January  i,  1898.  In  May  of  the 
same  year.  Bishop  Tierney  purchased  from  the  German  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion its  church  property  on  Market  street.  After  suitable  improvements  were 
made  the  church  was  dedicated  to  St.  Anthony  on  June  5,  1898. 

In  December,  1898,  A.  Andretta  and  P.  M.  D'Esopo  were  elected  trus- 
tees, and  on  January  11,  1899,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  transferred  the  church 
property  to  St.  Anthony's  corporation.  The  census  of  June,  1898,  shows  a 
record  of  2,800  names. 


222  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH   IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

PARISH  OF  OUR  LADY  OF  SORROWS. 
Hartford  (Parkville). 

r^sARKVILLE   originally  belonged  to  the  jurisdiction  of  St.   Peter's 
'  ^     ])arisli,  but  latterly  it  cauie  under  that  of  the  cathedral.    The  present 


[i©  church  was  erected  during  the  rectorship  of  Rev.  William  A.  Harty 
and  was  attended  by  the  clergy  of  the  cathedral  until  it  was  given 
in  charge  of  the  Missionary  Fathers  of  La  Salette.  The  Congregation  of 
La  Salette  was  admitted  into  the  diocese  on  August  ii,  1892,  by  Bishop 
McMahon,  who  granted  to  the  fathers  the  use  of  the  former  episcopal  resi- 
dence on  Woodland  street.  After  some  necessary  repairs  Mass  was  said  in 
the  house  for  the  first  time  on  September  19th  by  Rev.  Father  Pajot  and 
Rev.  Father  Vignon.  In  this  year  his  Eminence,  the  Cardinal  Prefect  of  the 
Propaganda,  permitted  the  community  to  have  a  novitiate.  Rev.  Father 
Pajot  was  Superior  in  Hartford  from  1892  to  1898.  In  the  latter  year,  Rev. 
Father  Vignon  was  appointed  Vicar  General  of  the  Congregation  in  America 
and  Superior  of  the  Hartford  community.  In  1892  the  community  numbered 
five  priests  ;  there  are  now  eighteen  and  fifteen  professed  scholastics. 

With  the  increasing  number  of  priests  and  students,  the  house  on  Wood- 
land street  became  too  small,  so  that  in  1894,  the  Congregation  began  pre- 
parations for  more  adequate  accommodations.  Accordingly,  they  secured  a  val- 
uable site  on  New  Park  Avenue  and  began  the  erection  of  a  new  home.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  October  7,  1894,  by  Bishop  Tierne)-,  the  discourse 
being  delivered  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley,  rector  of  the  cathedral.  The  semi- 
nary is  an  attractive  l)uilding  114x45,  and  has  accommodations  for  100 
students.     Its  cost  was  about  $45,000. 

Combined  with  the  seminary  is  a  missionary  college  embracing  the  class- 
ical and  preparatory  brandies  necessary  for  the  ecclesiastical  state.  Only 
aspirants  to  the  priesthood  in  the  Order  of  the  IMissionary  Fathers  of  La 
Salette  are  admitted.     There  are  in  this  department  ten  students. 

The  Fathers  of  La  Salette  have  pastoral  charge  of  two  parishes  in  the 
dioce-se.  Our  Lady  of  Sorrows,  of  which  the  Superior,  Rev.  Joseph  Vignon, 
is  pastor,  and  St.  James',  Danielson,  whose  rector  is  Rev.  J.  P.  Guinet.  At 
present  all  the  fathers  are  French,  but  it  is  the  avowed  purpose  to  secure 
vocations  among  Engli.sh-speaking  young  men,  who  will  continue  the  apos- 
tolic work  already  so  auspiciously  entered  upon.  The  ten  students  above 
mentioned  are  of  this  class,  which  makes  the  future  bright  with  promise  for 
the  enlargement  of  their  field  of  activity. 

The  fathers  also  give  missions  in  French  parishes  ana  assist  m  various 
parishes  on  Sundays. 


/ 


REV.   HENRY   T    WALSH, 


REV    PETER  H,   McCLEAN,  S.T.L. 


REV    MICHAEL  B    RODDEN 


REV    WILLIAM   J     DUULAN, 


REV.   RICHARD  CARROLL, 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  223 

IMMACULATE   CONCEPTION   PARISH, 

Hartford. 

(5  I  HE  youngest  of  the  parishes  of  Hartford  and  one  of  the  most  promising 
'  I  is  that  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  The  growth  of  the  Cathedral 
parish  in  this  section  of  the  city  necessitated  the  erection  of  a  church, 
which  was  attended  as  a  mission  from  the  Cathedral  until  its  formation  into 
an  independent  parish  on  April  2,  1899.  The  church  was  built  under  the 
supervision  of  the  rector  of  the  Cathedral,  the  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley. 
Ground  was  broken  on  the  feast  of  Our  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel  July  16,  1894. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney  on  October  21,  1894,  on  which 
occasion  the  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Broderick  preached  the  sermon.  The  church 
was  dedicated  on  May  19,  1895.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass,  which  followed 
the  ceremony  of  dedication,  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Keena,  and  the  preacher 
was  the  Rev.  Edward  Flannery.  Previous  to  its  organization  into  a  separate 
parish,  the  clergy  of  the  Cathedral  celebrated  Mass  three  times  here  every 
Sunday,  besides  offering  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  on  holy  da}s  of  obli- 
gation, First  Fridays,  etc.  The  Rev.  John  T.  Winters  assumed  charge  of  the 
new  parish  at  the  time  of  its  formation.  The  church  is  situated  directly 
south,  and  within  three  blocks  of  the  State  capitol,  at  the  corner  of  Park  and 
Hungerford  streets.  It  is  of  Gothic  design  with  spire,  and  presents  an  attract- 
ive exterior  and  interior  appearance.     Its  seating  capacity  is  420. 

The  church,  which  was  built  as  a  "chapel  of  ease,"  is  now  inadequate  to 
accommodate  the  parishioners,  notwithstanding  that  four  Masses  are  said  every 
Sunday.  This  insufficiency  of  accommodation  will  necessitate  an  enlargement 
of  the  church  in  the  near  future.  Father  Winters  is  assisted  in  his  Sunday  labors 
by  a  priest  from  the  college  of  Our  Lady  of  La  Salette,  Parkville.  An  assistant, 
however,  has  been  appointed,  but  has  not  yet  entered  upon  the  discharge  of 
his  duties.      Father  Winters  resides  temporarily  at  No.  39  Hungerford  street. 

The  first  baptism  was  administered  April  4,  1899.  The  recipient  of  the 
sacrament  was  Joseph  Hood,  son  of  John  J.  Hood  and  Delia  Mc^Iahon.  The 
first  marriage  was  that  between  Patrick  Doran  and  Elizabeth  Brown,  April 
19th.     The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  Ann  Gilligan  of  Lawrence  street. 

The  new  parish  began  its  career  under  the  happiest  auspices  and  with 
the  brightest  prospects  of  future  success. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S  PARISH, 

Bristol. 

^^^AMES  SHEEHAN,  John  Moran,  Annie  Madden  and  Mary  Moran  con- 
stitute a  little  band  whose  names  should  be  gratefully  cherished  for 
their  devotion  to  the  church  in  the  days  when  to  be  a  professing 
Catholic  demanded  courage  indeed.  The  working  of  the  North  copper 
mines  brought  into  this  locality  a  goodly  .sprinkling  of  Irishmen  as  stalwart 
in  faith  as  in  physique.  Mass  was  first  said  here  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  of 
Hartford,  about  1848  or  1849.     At  the  time  of  the  first  Mass  there  were  about 


224  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

one  liundred  Catholics  in  Bristol.  Wlien  tlie  copper  mines  closed  and  the 
constrnctiou  of  the  railroad  began,  many  Catholics  found  employment  at  the 
work  and  settled  in  Bristol  Centre.  From  this  time  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of 
the  Mass  was  offered  up  in  a  building  on  Queen  street,  near  John  Moran's 
residence,  and  also  in  Gridley's  hall. 

The  church  was  built  by  the  Rev.  Father  Daly,  in  1855,  as  pastor  of  St. 
Mafy's,  New  Britain,  to  which  Bristol  was  a  mission.  The  Catholic  popula- 
tion at  this  period  had  reached  two  hundred  souls.  On  October  i,  1864, 
Bristol  was  made  an  independent  parish,  with  the  Mines  and  Forestville  as 
dependencies,  and  the  Rev.  Michael  Redden  was  appointed  its  first  resident 
pastor.  Father  Rodden's  term  of  service  at  St.  Joseph's  was  four  years.  He 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Christopher  Duggett,  whose  pastorate  was  of 
three  years  duration.  .\t  tlie  expiration  of  Father  Duggett's  administration, 
Father  Rodden  returned  in  1S72,  and  has  administered  the  affairs  of  the  parish 
continuously  ever  since.  For  many  years  Father  Rodden  had  the  spiritual 
charge  of  Plainville,  Farmington  and  Forestville.  Plainville  was  the  first 
mission  to  be  taken  from  the  parent  parish,  and  with  Kensington  formed 
a  separate  jurisdiction.  Farmington  was  attached  to  Plainville  in  February, 
1885,  and  Forestville  was  also  annexed  on  September  20,  1891. 

The  parish  cemetery  was  purchased  in  1868,  and  solemnly  blessed  in  the 
same  year. 

Father  Rodden  is  assisted  in  his  parochial  labors  by  the  Rev.  Patrick  J. 
O'Leary. 

ST.   CATHERINE'S    PARISH, 

Broad  Brook. 

(j5  I  HE  honor  of  being  among  the  pioneer  Catholics  of  Broad  Brook  belongs 
'I  to  Patrick  Duffy,  James  O'Neil,  Michael  Geary,  Patrick  McDonald 
and  Patrick  O'Reilly.  Rev.  James  Smyth  was  the  celebrant  of  the 
first  ^lass  said  here,  and  the  house  that  enjoys  this  distinction  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Patrick  McDonald.  But  bigotry  was  rife  in  those  days,  and  in  that 
section,  and  Mr.  McDonald  suffered  the  penalty  of  eviction  for  allowing  his 
house  to  be  used  as  a  temporary  chapel.  At  this  time  there  were  about 
twenty  Catholics  in  Broad  Brook,  all  Irish.  In  1856,  it  passed  under  the  care 
of  the  pastor  of  Rockville,  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tully,  who  met  with  consider- 
able opposition  from  fanatics.  Being  thwarted  in  his  desire  to  say  Mass  in 
the  public-school  house  by  the  strong  anti-Catholic  sentiment  prevailing, 
he  was  rescued  from  his  dilemma  by  the  generosity  of  the  proprietor  of  the 
village  hotel,  a  Mr.  Hubbard,  who  placed  at  the  disposal  of  Father  Tully  a 
large  room  in  his  house.  Mr.  Hubbard's  generosity  and  broad-minded  prin- 
ciples were  still  further  brought  in  evidence  by  the  donation  of  a  large  lot, 
upon  which  the  church  was  afterwards  erected. 

Cautious  to  a  great  degree  was  Fatlier  Tully,  as  was  also  his  successor  in 
Rockville,  the  Rev.  Hugh  T.  O'Reilly.  They  justly  feared  the  burden  of 
debt  which  the  erection  of  a  church  would  entail,  and  therefore  deferred 
building.      In    1865,  Broad  Brook   was  served    from   Thompsonville,  whose 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  225 

pastor,  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tiilly,  had  been  transferred  from  Rockville.  From 
this  time  until  November,  1882,  it  continued  under  the  control  of  the  pastors 
of  Thompsonville,  being  attended  every  Sunday  during  the  administrations 
of  the  Rev.  William  E.  DuflFy,  Rev.  John  Cooney  and  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy, 
and  Rev.  Patrick  Donahoe  for  a  brief  period.  It  was  during  the  pastorate  of 
Father  Mulcahy  that  the  church  lot  was  secured  and  St.  Catherine's  church 
erected.  In  November,  1882,  as  said  above,  it  passed  again  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Rockville,  where  it  remained  until  its  formation  into  a  separate 
parish. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  newly  created  parish  was  the  Rev.  Michael  J.  Daly, 
who  received  his  appointment  in  July,  1886.  The  population  of  the  parish 
at  this  time  was  chiefly — it  might  be  said  exclusively — Irish  people,  and  num- 
bered, it  was  estimated,  600  souls.     In  1898  they  had  declined  to  450  souls. 

Ou  taking  the  reins  of  government,  Father  Daly  entered  with  zeal 
upon  his  labors,  and  to  him  is  the  parish  indebted  for  its  handsome  rectory 
and  its  cemetery.  His  .successor  was  the  Rev.  Michael  Lynch,  who  served 
from  August,  1890,  to  May,  1891.  St.  Catherine's  thereupon  reverted  to 
Rockville,  whence  it  was  attended  until  the  advent  of  the  present  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Dunn,  in  August,  1891.  Father  Dunn's  systematic  labors 
have  borne  excellent  fruit.  What  with  the  liquidation  of  the  debt,  improve- 
ments made  in  the  church,  residence  and  cemetery,  the  parish  is  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  The  people  are  responsive,  devoted  to  their  spiritual  guide, 
and  all  indications  point  to  a  bright  future. 

From  August,  1887,  to  January,  1898,  the  records  show  205  baptisms 
and  52  marriages. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  PARISH, 

COLLINSVILLE. 

— IpNROMINENT  among  the  first  Catholic  settlers  of  Collinsville  the  fol- 
Ik^     lowing  names  stand  forth:  Peter  Myers,  Michael  Sinnott,  Stephen 
V^        jMcMahon,  James  Furlong,  Patrick  Moore,  Patrick  Kane,  Patrick 
O'Loughlin,  Patrick  Tinnian  and  Walter  Lambert.     The  pioneer 
priest.  Father  Brady,  of  Hartford,  being  overtaken  at  night  in  Collinsville 
in  the  winter  of  1841,   celebrated    Mass   for   the    Catholics   there   resident. 
Father  Brady  found  the  number  of  people  here  sufficiently  numerous  to  war- 
rant visitations  at  frequent  intervals;  so  that  Collinsville  was  faithfully  served 
from  Hartford  until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  to  New  Britain 
on  May  9,  1849.     Father  Daly  administered  the  affairs  of  this  congregation 
until  December  10,  1856.     It  was  during  Father  Daly's  pastorate  that  the 
church  was  erected.     The  lot  on  which  it  stands  was  the  generous  gift  of  Mr. 
Peter  Myers,    an  excellent    representative  of  the   Irish   Catholic  character. 
When  Father  Daly  remonstrated  and  suggested   to  Mr.  Myers  that  the  dona- 
tion was  too  large  for  his  means,  this  worthy  Catholic,  with  the  grateful  feel- 
ings of  a  warm-hearted  Christian,  made  an  answer  that  deserves  to  be  perpetu- 
ated :   "  I  have  resolved  to  make  this  offering  to  religion  and  my  God ;  permit 
me  to  complete  my  resolve.     I  came  here  poor.     God  has  blessed  me  with 
II- 1 5 


22(5  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

health,  the  capital  witli  which  I  have  provided  wliat  I  am  possessed  of.  I  will,  I 
trust,  ever  be  grateful  to  hiui."  The  church  was  dedicated  on  August  22,  1852, 
by  Bishop  O'Reilly  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Patrick.  The  discourse  on  the 
occasion  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  of  Winsted.  The  bene- 
factors to  the  church  who  merit  remembrance  are  Bishop  O'Reilly,  who  con- 
tributed $100,  and  Michael  Sinnott,  whose  gift  was  $150.  The  total  of  Mr. 
Peter  Myers'  donation  was  S230.  At  the  time  of  the  celebration  of  the  first 
Mass  in  Collinsville  the  Catholic  ])opulation  was  twelve  ;  when  the  church 
was  dedicated  it  was  140. 

On  the  lotli  of  December,  1856,  Collinsville  was  elevated  to  the  dignity 
of  a  parish,  with  Tariffville  and  New  Hartford  as  dependencies.  The  Rev. 
Patrick  O'Dwyer  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor,  and  remained  in 
charge  till  1861.  His  pastorate  witnessed  the  purchase,  in  1856,  and  the 
blessing  of  the  cemetery  ;  the  latter  event  occurred  on  April  29,  1858,  Bishop 
McFarland  officiating,  and  also  preaching  an  eloquent  discourse  on  the 
nature  of  the  ceremony,  and  the  spirit  of  the  church  in  setting  aside  and 
blessing  spots  of  earth  for  the  reception  of  bodies  after  death.  Previous  to 
this  ceremony  the  bishop  administered  the  sacrament  of  Confirmation  to  over 
100  persons,  after  the  Solemn  High  Mass,  which  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev. 
P.  J.  O'Dwyer,  the  pastor,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  of  New  Britain, 
as  deacon,  the  Rev.  B.  Tully  of  Rockville,  as  sub-deacon,  and  the  Rev.  E. 
J.  O'Brien  of  New  Haven,  as  master  of  ceremonies.  Present  in  the  sanctuary 
were  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  of  Meriden  ;  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Mangan  of 
Winsted,  and  the  Rev.  ^Michael  O'Reilly  of  Waterbury.  Bishop  McFarland 
preached  also  at  this  ceremony  from  the  text  Matt.  xvi.  18.  The  succession 
of  priests  after  Father  O'Dwyer  was  as  follows :  The  Rev.  John  Fagan,  from 
1861  to  1868;  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  from  1868  to  May,  1S70;  the  Rev. 
Bernard  O'R  Sheridan,  from  1870  to  1885;  the  Rev.  Maurice  Crowley,  from 
1885  to  1889.  Father  Crowley  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  J.  Quinn,  who 
slill  continues  in  charge.  The  priests  who  have  served  as  assistants  in  this 
parish  are  :  Rev.  William  O'Brien,  Rev.  John  Russell,  Rev.  J.  Creedon,  Rev. 
J.  Schacken,  Rev.  T.  A.  Mulvane)',  and  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons. 

When  St.  Patrick's  parish  was  organized  in  1856,  the  population  was 
about  500  souls,  principally  Irish,  and  some  Canadians.  In  1898  it  was  1 100, 
comprising  500  Irish,  400  Canadians,  100  Germans  and  100  Poles.  In  the 
four  decades  that  have  elapsed  since  the  organization  of  tlie  parish,  3298  souls 
received  the  priceless  gift  of  faith  by  baptism,  and  544  marriages  have  received 
the  blessing  of  the  church. 

Besides  the  church  and  rectory  St.  Patrick's  parish  is  possessed  of  con- 
siderable property.  Regarding  no  labor  too  burdensome,  and  recognizing 
their  obligations  to  religion,  the  people  are  cheerful  and  earnest  in  their 
responses  to  Father  Quinn's  appeals,  are  docile  to  his  authoritative  instruc- 
tions, and  stimulated  by  his  zeal  and  activity  in  the  performance  of  his  duties, 
are  continuing  the  noble  work  of  their  predece.s.sors,  and  by  their  profound 
attachment  to  the  faith  are  promoting  the  honor  and  glory  of  God — the  one 
thing  necessary. 


REV.   MICHAEL  A,  SULLIVAN. 


REV.  JOHN  J,  QUINN 


REV.  THOMAS  J.   PRESTON. 


VERY   REV.  JOSEPH  VIGNON,  M.S. 


REV.  C.  SOCQUET,  M.S. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  227 

ST.  MARY'S   PARISH, 
East  Hartford.     , 

HE  Catholics  of  East  Hartford  were  organized  into  an  independent  parish 
in  August,  1873,  with  the  Rev.  Patrick  A.  Goodwin  as  the  first  resident 
pastor.  Previous  to  that  time  the\-  had  formed  part  of  St.  Patrick's 
parish,  Hartford.  Before  tlie  division  land  for  a  church  had  been  purchased 
through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Patrick  Gar\au  at  a  cost  of  $3,000  The  times  were 
then  unfavorable,  and  no  attempt  was  made  to  build  a  church.  Services  were 
held  every  Sunday  at  Elm  Hall,  on  Main  street,  the  Christian  doctrine  class 
always  preceding  the  ten-o'clock  Mass.  A  fair  held  in  the  fall  of  1876,  which 
realized  $1,450,  infused  courage  into  the  people,  and  they  determined  to  com- 
mence the  erection  of  a  chinch.  In  the  meantime,  Father  Goodwin  was 
stricken  with  a  fatal  illness  and  died  on  February  15,  1877.  Immediately 
after,  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  who  was  assistant  to  Vicar  General  Lynch 
at  New  Haven,  was  assigned  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  new  parish. 

Soou  after — such  were  the  desires  and  the  paramount  need  of  his  devoted 
congregation — the  energetic  young  pastor  felt  obliged  to  push  forward  the 
work  of  building  the  church.  Accordingly,  ground  was  broken  on  the  1st 
day  of  April,  1877,  and  on  June  3d  the  corner-stone  was  laid. 

On  Sunday,  November  1 1,  1877,  the  congregation  assembled  in  their  new 
place  of  worship  to  witness  its  dedication  to  the  service  of  God  by  Bishop  Gal- 
berry,  who  was  assisted  by  Ver)'  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  Vicar  General ;  Rev. 
M.  A.  Tierney,  Rev.  T.  Synnott,  Rev.  J.  Fitzpatrick,  Rev.  J.  Campbell,  and 
Rev.  John  A.  Mulcah)-,  the  pastor.  After  the  services  of  dedication,  a  Pon- 
tifical Mass  was  celebrated,  with  Bishop  Galberr}-  as  celebrant ;  Very  Rev. 
Thomas  Walsh,  assistant  priest ;  Rev.  Thomas  Synnott  and  Rev.  J.  Fitzpatrick, 
deacons  of  honor;  Rev.  J.  Campbell  and  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  deacon  and 
sub-deacon  of  the  Mass,  respectively;  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  master  of  ceremon- 
ies.    The  discourse  was  preached  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes. 

During  his  pastorate  here.  Father  Mulcah)'  built  also  St.  Augustine's 
church  at  Glastonbury;  liquidated  the  debt  on  the  church  lot  in  Wethers- 
field,  and  collected  money  for  the  erection  of  a  church  at  Rocky  Hill.  He 
was  transferred  from  St.  Mary's  in  November,  1878,  to  St.  Patrick's  parish, 
Thompsonville.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  T.  McMahon,  who  took 
control  of  the  parish  on  November  loth.  Father  McMahon's  administration 
was  marked  by  many  successes,  both  in  the  temporal  and  spiritual  order.  He 
-was  succeeded  by  the  present  rector,  the  Rev.  James  Gleason,  who  has  labored 
assiduously  in  promoting  the  religious  welfare  of  his  flock.  When  the  parish 
was  formed  it  comprised  Glastonbury,  Wethersfield,  and  Rocky  Hill.  At  pres- 
ent Glastonbury  only  remains  with  East  Hartford.  The  mission  church  is 
64  feet  long  by  37  wide.  The  chancel  is  14  feet  deep  and  24  feet  wide.  It 
has  a  seating  capacity  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  Its  corner-stone 
was  laid  on  the  7th  of  Ajuil,  1878,  by  Bishop  Galberry,  the  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly, 
of  Windsor  Locks,  preaching  the  sermon.  The  ceremony  of  dedication  took 
place  on  Sunday,  November  17,  1878,  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  V.  G.,  offi- 


228  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

dating.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  Rev.  James  Campbell  of  Manchester, 
of  which  place  Glastonbury  was  formerh-  an  out-mission.  The  preacher  on 
the  occasion  was  the  former  pastor,  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy.  The  cost  of  the 
church  was  about  $3, 500. 

St.  Mary's  church,  East  Hartford,  is  admirably  situated  on  Main  street, 
and  located  on  a  gentle  slope  off  the  wide  avenue,  has  a  fine  sweep  of  land- 
scape within  .its  view.  The  edifice  is  beautiful  in  design  and  workmanship, 
has  a  seating  capacity  of  six  hundred,  and  is  capable  of  seating  seven  hundred. 
At  a  distance  its  spire  and  cross,  overtopping  and  looming  up  from  out  of  the 
noble  old  elms  that  give  grandeur  and  dignity  to  the  place,  harmonize  with 
the  Catholic  and  cultured  mind. 

ST.  BERNARD'S  PARISH, 
Hazardville. 

Y(2)TAZARDVnvLE  is  situated  about  three  and  one-half  miles  east  of 
Ip;  I  Thouipsonville  in  the  town  of  Enfield.  Its  earliest  Catholic  resi- 
_L^  V^  ^  dents  were  William  Casey,  Martin  D'Arsey,  John  Cunningham, 
Daniel  Bailey  and  Michael  Leary,  all  of  whom  are  still  living. 
The  first  Mass  said  in  Hazardville  was  offered  up  by  the  Rev.  James  Smyth, 
pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  Windsor  Locks,  about  the  year  1S60,  in  the  resi- 
dence of  William  Casey.  There  were  at  this  period  about  one  hundred  Catho- 
lics here,  but  scattered  over  a  large  extent  of  territory,  and  were,  for  the  most 
part,  Irish.  Father  Smyth  visited  Hazardville  occasionally  until  the  forma- 
tion of  St.  Patrick's  parish,  Thompsonville,  in  January,  1863,  with  the  Rev. 
Bernard  Tully  as  its  first  resident  pastor.  Father  Tully  visited  Hazardville 
at  monthly  intervals  and  said  Mass  at  William  Casey's  residence  until  1865 
when  he  purchased  an  old  school-house,  which  was  suitably  arranged  for 
divine  service.  Father  Tully  was  succeeded  in  1866  by  the  Rev.  William  E. 
Duff\',  who  said  Mass  semi-monthly  until  1S70,  when  the  people  began  to  ex- 
perience tlie  great  blessings  of  weekly  service.  Succeeding  Father  Duffy, 
the  Rev.  John  Cooney  attended  Hazardville  for  eight  years,  offering  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  every  Sunday,  visiting  the  sick  and  attending  to  the 
spiritual  needs  of  the  children.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mul- 
cahy, now  the  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese,  who  was  appointed  pa.stor  of 
Thompsonville  and  missions  in  October,  1878.  Father  Mulcahy  began  at 
once  the  erection  of  a  church.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  1880  by  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  McMahon,  and  the  discourse  on  the  occasion  was  delivered  by 
the  late  Rev.  John  Duggan,  of  Waterbury.  In  the  same  year  the  church 
was  dedicated  in  honor  of  St.  Bernard,  the  sermon  of  dedication  being 
preached  by  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  now  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  In 
188 1,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Donahoe  succeeded  Father  Mulcahy  and  continued  to 
serve  Hazardville  until  its  erection  into  a  separate  parish  in  January,  1888. 
The  first  resident  pastor  of  the  new  parish  was  the  Rev.  John  Svnnott,  who 
came  on  Jannary  12,  1888.  During  his  pastorate  the  parochial  residence  was 
built  upon  land  secured  by  him,  a  cemetery  was  purchased  and  extensive 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  229 

iuiproveiiieuts  were  made  in  the  church.  The  indebtedness  incurred  by 
these  works  was  liquidated  by  Father  Synnott,  and  a  substantial  sum  was 
left  in  the  treasury  at  his  departure  on  May  20,  1894.  The  cemetery  was 
bought  in  1889  by  Martin  D'Arsey  and  immediately  transferred  to  the  church 
corporation.  It  was  solemnly  blessed  in  the  same  year  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
McMahon.  After  a  re.sidence  of  six  years  in  Hazardville,  during  which 
he  labored  actively  and  successfully  for  the  welfare  of  his  parishioners, 
Father  Synnott  was  succeeded  on  May  24,  1894,  b\-  the  present  incvnnbent, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Maloney,  who  has  proved  a  worthy  successor  of  the 
zealous  priests  who  preceded  him  in  the  care  of  the  Catholics  of  Hazardville. 

Among  the  evidences  of  his  material  labors,  we  may  note  the  iutroductiou 
of  a  steam-heating  outfit  at  an  expense  of  $800,  the  renovation  of  tlie  paro- 
chial residence  at  an  expenditure  of  $700,  and  the.  frescoing  of  the  church. 

Among  the  special  benefactors  of  St.  Bernard's  parish  mention  should 
be  made  of  the  Hazard  Powder  Co.,  whose  donation  of  $500  infused  hope 
and  courage  into  the  hearts  of  the  Catholic  people  who  eagerly  desired  a 
suitable  place  in  which  to  worship  God.  At  the  period  in  which  the  parish 
was  formed  the  Catholic  population  numbered  about  four  hundred  souls, 
chiefly  Irish,  with  a  few  Canadian  families.  The  growth  of  the  parish  has 
been  slow,  as  its  population  in  1898  was  425  souls,  of  the  same  nationalities 
aud  in  the  same  proportion  as  in  1888.  The  number  of  baptisms  in  the  ten 
years  of  the  parish's  existence  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five.  The  first 
child  to  receive  the  sacrament  of  baptism  in  Hazardville  after  the  formation 
of  the  parish  was  George  Ruschette,  January  20,  1 888,  and  the  marriage  of 
Clallane  Kilba  and  Catharine  Bailey  was  the  first  solemnized,  September  23, 
1888. 

St.  Bernard's  church  is  a  handsome  brick  edifice  with  brown  stone  foun- 
dations, and  finely  situated  on  the  main  street  of  the  town.  Its  attendants 
are  loyal  to  parochial  and  diocesan  rules  and  regulations,  proud  of  their  faith, 
patriotic  in  sentiment  and  in  deed,  and  generous  in  their  responses  to  all 
appeals  made  in  behalf  of  religion. 

SoMERSviLLE,  All  Saints'  Mission. 

Somersville  is  a  mission  of  St.  Bernard's  parish,  Hazardville,  and  is  dis- 
tant about  three  miles,  in  the  town  of  Somers.  While  pastor  of  Thompsonville, 
the  Rev.  Patrick  Donahoe  purchased  an  old  Congregational  church  for  the 
use  of  the  Catholics  of  Somersville.  It  was  remodeled  and  appropriately 
fitted  up  for  Catholic  worship  by  the  Rev.  John  Synnott.  Father  Synnott 
paid  the  indebtedness  on  the  parish,  $2,000,  and  at  his  transfer  left  $1,500  in 
the  treasury.  The  congregation  soon  outgrew  the  seating  capacity  of  the 
building,  and  early  in  May,  1897,  Father  Maloney  broke  ground  for  a  new 
church.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  July  i8th,  1897,  by  Right  Rev.  M.  A. 
Tierney,  D.D.  The  Rev.  William  Gibbons  preached  the  sermon.  Among 
the  clergy  present  were  the  Revs.  John  Cooney,  Thomas  Dunn,  Thomas 
Preston,  Richard  C.  Gragan,  and  Thomas  F.  Maloney.  Bishop  Tierney  ded- 
icated the  church  under  the  title  of  All  Saints,  on  January  i6th,  1898.     A 


230  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Solemn  High  Mass  was  celebrated,  with  the  Rev.  James  P.  Donovan,  D.D., 
celebrant;  the  Rev.  Thomas  Preston,  deacon,  and  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Gragan,  sub- 
deacon.  The  dedicatory  discourse  was  delivered  by  tlie  Rev.  Peter  McClean. 
The  organ  in  the  church  was  the  gift  of  .Mr.  R.  Keeney,  and  Mr.  George 
Keeney  has  also  proved  and  still  continues  to  show  himself  a  generous  bene- 
factor. Somersville  mission  comprises  about  325  souls,  the  majority  of  whom 
are  of  Acadian  descent.  Father  Maloney  offers  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the 
Mass  on  every  Sunday  and  holy  day  of  precept,  and  in  other  ways  assiduously 
guards  the  spiritual  interests  of  this  portion  of  his  flock.  The  church  is  a 
frame  building  with  stone  foundations,  and  is  unencumbered  by  indebtedness. 

ST.   PAUL'S  PARISH, 

Ke.vsington. 

(51  HE  year  1855  witnessed  the  advent  of  the  first  Catholic  to  Kensington, 
'  I  William  Daly.  He  was  followed  by  John  O'Brien,  Frank  Mallo)-  and 
Martin  Hart  in  1856.  After  this  came  Peter  Hackett,  Patrick  Roche, 
James  .Stafford,  John  Lynch  and  John  Halloran.  It  was  not,  however,  until 
after  the  Civil  War  that  Catholics  came  here  in  any  considerable  numbers. 
With  the  close  of  hostilities  and  the  return  to  their  homes  of  the  Union's 
defenders,  business  interests  revived  and  the  factories  required  additional 
hands.  In  consequence  of  this  improved  order  of  things  a  number  of  Cath- 
olic families  came  hither  in  quest  of  labor,  and  found  it  in  the  factories.  It 
was  not  until  1872  that  Kensington  was  honored  by  the  offering  of  the  Ador- 
able Sacrifice  within  its  boundaries,  the  people  assisting  at  ]Mass  in  New 
Britain.  In  the  }ear  mentioned  the  Rev.  Luke  Dal\-  said  the  first  Mass  in 
Hart's  Hall.     At  that  time  there  were  350  Irish  Catholics  in  Kensington. 

The  congregation  of  St.  Paul's  continued  in  missionary  relationship  until 
1881,  when  the  Rev.  Paul  F.  McAlenney  was  designated  as  the  first  resident 
pastor.  He  found  a  church  here  which  had  been  erected  in  1877,  but  it  was 
in  poor  condition,  unfinished  and  burdened  with  a  heavy  debt. 

His  dwelling  place  for  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate  was  ni  the  sac- 
risty of  the  church.  The  church  was  begun  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Carmody,  of  New  Britain.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  October  27, 
1878,  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  preaching  the  sermon.  It  was  dedicated  by 
the  pastor  in  May,  1879.  The  celebrant  of  the  first  Mass  in  the  new  church 
was  the  Rev.  Father  Donahoe,  and  the  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  the  Rev. 
J.  H.  Ryan,  D.D. 

Father  McAlenney  overcame  the  difficulties  with  which  he  was  con- 
fronted. He  finished  the  church,  provided  a  pastoral  residence  and  liquidated 
the  debt.  He  severed  his  relations  with  St.  Paul's  parish  in  February,  1885, 
and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shelly,  the  duration  of  whose  pastor- 
ate was  eleven  years.  Father  Shelly's  success  is  attested  by  his  promotion 
to  St.  John's  parish,  Cromwell,  and  his  recent  advancement  to  the  parish  of 
the  Sacred  Heart,  Waterbury. 

The  Rev.  M.  A.  vSullivan  came  in  1896,  and  still  administers  the  affairs 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  231 

of  St.  Paul's.  When  Kensington  was  elevated  to  the  parochial  dignity  the 
Catholic  population  numbered  about  i,000  souls,  chiefly  Irish  and  their 
descendants.  At  present  it  is  greatly  reduced,  the  number  being  500  Irish 
and  50  Italians. 

In  two  decades,  from  1878  to  1898,  the  sacrament  of  baptism  has  been 
administered  364  times,  and  in  the  same  period  59  marriages  liave  been 
solemnized.  The  first  to  receive  baptism  was  James  McGee,  born  December 
13,  1872.  The  waters  of  regeneration  were  poured  upon  him  in  Hart's  Hall, 
where  the  first  Mass  was  said.  The  first  marriage  ceremony  performed  in  the 
new  church  was  that  between  John  McKeon  and  Elizabeth  Duffy  in  1878. 

SACRED   HEART   MISSION, 

East  Berlin. 

(j!)  I  HE  Catholics  of  East  Berlin  attended  St.  Paul's  church,  Kensington,  for 
'  I  many  years.  They  were  obliged  to  travel  from  four  to  six  miles  to 
assist  at  divine  worship.  This  was  no  small  inconvenience  ;  and  as 
their  numbers  increased  the  need  of  having  a  priest  to  visit  them  became 
evident.  Rev.  Father  Shelly  said  Mass  for  them  in  Clark's  Hall  on  June  4, 
1893,  this  being  the  first  time  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  in  East  Berlin. 
He  visited  this  mission  thereafter  every  Sunday,  a  privilege  highly  prized  by 
the  people,  who  contributed  generously  for  the  purchase  of  a  chalice,  vest- 
ments, and  other  articles  necessary  for  the  celebration  of  Mass.  Upon 
Father  Shelly's  promotion  to  Cromwell  in  May,  1896,  his  .successor,  Father 
Sulli\'an,  undertook  the  erection  of  a  church  suitable  for  the  needs  of  the 
people. 

A  generous  collection  from  the  parishioners,  the  sympathy  and  practical 
assistance  of  many  non-Catholics,  made  the  task  a  pleasing  one.  The  contri- 
bution of  the  Berlin  Iron  Bridge  Compan\-,  Charles  M.  Jarvis,  president,  gave 
much  encouragement  and  cheered  the  hearts  of  their  Catholic  brethren.  A 
fine  site  was  secured,  plans  were  drawn,  and  work  on  the  new  church  was 
auspiciously  begun.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney  on  Novem- 
ber 8,  1896.  An  attractive  Gothic  church,  72  by  42  feet,  rose  rapidly,  and  it 
was  solemnly  dedicated  to  God's  holy  service  under  the  invocation  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  by  Bishop  Tierney,  on  Sunday,  May  30,  1897.  The 
Mass  that  followed  was  celebrated  by  Rev.  M.  F.  Rigney,  with  Rev.  T.  W. 
Dolan,  and  Rev.  E-  P-  Sullivan  as  deacon  and  sub-deacon,  respectively.  Rev. 
N.  F.  X.  Schneider  was  the  master  of  ceremonies.  The  dedication  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  M.  H.  Barry,  whose  theme  was,  "The  Unity  of  the 
Church."  At  the  end  of  the  services  Bishop  Tierney  made  a  felicitous  address, 
in  which  he  congratulated  both  pastor  and  people  on  the  happy  issue  of  their 
labors,  and  invoked  a  continuance  of  the  divine  favors  upon  them. 

The  first  child  to  receive  baptism  in  the  new  church  was  James  Mclutyre, 
son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Mclntyre,  born  on  May  30th,  the  da}'  on  which  the 
church  was  dedicated,  and  baptized  on  June  13,  1897.  The  first  funeral  ser- 
vices held  were  over  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Mclntyre,  grandmother  of  the  child 
above  mentioned. 


232  THE   CATHOLIC   CHURCH  I.\  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  cordial,  fraternal  relations  that  exist  here  between  the  Catholics  and 
their  non-Catholic  brethren  is  very  gratifying,  and  promise  well  for  the  inter- 
ests of  religion.  Both  in  Kensington  and  in  East  Berlin  the  bond  of  union 
and  sympathy  between  pastor  and  people  is  firmly  welded,  with  the  natural 
result  that  the  efforts  of  both  are  crowned  with  success. 

ST.   BRIDGET'S   PARISH, 
Manchester. 


MONG  the  earliest-  Catholics  to  settle  in  this  vicinity  were  John  Ken- 
nedy, James  Duffy  and  Mrs.  Gill.  The  first-named  fell  a  victim  to 
the  fell  intolerance  then  prevalent  throughout  the  State.  There 
were  some  noble  exceptions,  but  these  only  served  to  bring  out  in 
stronger  light  the  fanaticism  of  the  crowd.  Mr.  Kennedy  had  permitted — 
and  rejoiced  at  the  great  privilege — Father  Brady  to  offer  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
in  his  humble  dwelling  for  the  consolation  of  the  few  Catholics  of  this  sec- 
tion. For  this  act  he  was  summarily  ejected  from  his  home  by  his  unchari- 
table landlord,  a  Mr.  Stone.  But  justice  overtook  the  owner.  Indignant  at 
his  conduct  the  proprietor  of  the  mill,  Mr.  Buell,  removed  Stone  from  his 
employment  and  restored  Kennedy  to  his  position.  In  Manchester,  as  else- 
where, the  first  .seeds  of  faith  were,  from  a  human  point  of  view,  small  and 
discouraging.  Planted  in  an  uncongenial  soil,  choked  and  all  but  stifled  by 
the  briars  of  bigotry  and  intolerance,  they  nevertheless  germinated  into  a 
sturdy  growth  that  astonished  those  who  forgot  the  divine  promises  that  the 
gates  of  hell  .shall  not  prevail  against  the  Church. 

During  the  period  of  his  curacy  at  Hartford,  Manchester  was  visited  at 
regular  intervals  by  Father  Smyth,  who  said  Mass  in  the  residence  of  James 
Duffy.  When  Rev.  Peter  Egan  assumed  charge  of  the  Catholics  of  Rockville 
in  1854,  their  co-religionists  of  Manchester  passed  under  his  jurisdiction.  His 
pastorate  was  marked  by  the  purchase  of  a  church  lot  from  Mr.  E.  Weaver, 
at  a  cost  of  $200.  This  site  was  one  of  the  mo.st  eligible  and  commanding  in 
the  neighborhood.  The  Rev.  Bernard  Tully,  who  succeeded  Father  Kgan  in 
December,  1856,  set  about  to  carry  out  the  designs  of  his  predecessor.  On 
Tuesday,  October  19,  1858,  the  frame  of  the  new  church  was  raised  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  congregation,  most  of  them  Irish-Americans.  The  Cheney 
Brothers  stopped  their  mills  in  order  to  render  all  the  assistance  possible. 
The  dedication  occurred  on  Decembers,  1858;  500  persons  were  present  in 
the  church  on  the  occasion.  The  celebrant  of  the  ^lass  was  the  Rev.  Father 
O'Dwyer  of  Collinsville,  and  an  appropriate  discourse  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Quinn  of  Meriden.  Thenceforth  to  1869,  St.  Bridget's  church  was 
served  from  Rockville— Father  Tully,  1856  to  1863  ;  Father  Hugh  O'Reilly, 
1863  to  1868;  Father  Tully  again,  186S  to  October,  1S69.  At  this  la.st  date 
the  Rev.  James  Campbell  became  the  fir.st  resident  pastor  of  St.  Bridget's 
.parish.  Among  the  material  labors  that  signalized  his  administration  were 
the  purchase  of  the  first  rectory  and  the  erection  of  St.  James'  church,  South 
Manchester.     His  pastorate  extended  to    1890.     The  Rev.  William  Doolan 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  233 

then  followed,  and  after  a  successful  rule  of  four  years  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Richard  Gragan,  who  served  the  parish  from  1894  to  1897.  During  this 
period  the  indebtedness  of  the  church  was  liquidated,  a  new  lot  for  a  church 
was  secured  and  a  church  built  at  Vernon.  The  corner-stone  of  the  present 
church  was  laid  on  August  2,  1896.  Bishop  Tierney  officiated,  and  Rev. 
Thomas  W.  Broderick  preached  the  sermon.  There  were  twenty-two  priests 
present  and  3500  people.  The  chapel  in  the  basement  was  blessed  by  Bishop 
Tierney  on  Sunda}',  January  25,  1897.  The  officers  of  the  Solemn  Mass  were  : 
Celebrant,  Rev.  P.  Pajot ;  deacon,  Rev.  J.  Cooney ;  sub-deacon.  Rev.  D.  Hag- 
gerty ;  preacher.  Rev.  P.  McClean.  On  this  day  Father  Gragan  announced  his 
appointment  to  Stafford  Springs.  He  was  followed  immediately  by  the  Rev. 
Frederick  J.  Murphy,  tlie  present  pastor.  He  has  materially  reduced  the 
indebtedness  increased  by  the  construction  of  the  church,  and  is  laboring 
zealously  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  flock. 

Attached  to  St.  Bridget's  parish  is  a  cemetery  of  the  same  name,  pur- 
chased in  1862  and  blessed  in  1863.  The  population  of  the  parish  in  1898 
was  755  souls,  comprising  Irish  and  Americans,  while  at  the  time  of  the  first 
Mass,  in  1854,  there  were  twelve  Irish  families,  or  about  sixty  souls. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 

New  Britain. 

MONG  the  pillars  of  the  nascent  church  in  New  Britain,  the  vanguard 
of  that  numerous  phalanx  which  is  rendering  such  signal  service 
in  the  warfare  for  Christ  and  souls,  shine  out  conspicuously  the 
Celtic  names  of  Patrick  Crotty,  Thomas  Pentilow,  Peter  McAvoy, 
Philip  Powers,  James  Foley,  John  Haffey,  Patrick  Brady,  John  Cusick, 
Hugh  Fox,  and  Peter  Skelly. 

Sixty  years  ago  there  were  few  Catholics  in  New  Britain,  and  previous 
to  1 842  the  little  band  had  not  been  visited  by  a  priest.  But  in  July  of  that 
year  the  Rev.  John  Brad}^  of  Hartford,  celebrated  the  Divine  Mysteries  in 
the  house  of  James  Foley,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Russell  &  Erwiu 
screw  factory.  At  this,  the  first  Mass  said  in  New  Britain,  there  were  present 
about  twenty  or  twenty-five  persons.  In  succession  to  Father  Brady  came 
the  Rev.  Edmund  Murphy,  who  labored  with  great  zeal  on  this  mission  for 
eight  months.  Father  Murphy  was  a  priest  of  the  diocese  of  Boston,  and  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century  after  his  departure  from  New  Britain  was  pastor  of  St. 
John  the  Baptist  parish  at  Fall  River,  Mass.  During  Father  Murphy's  brief 
pastorate,  and  for  ten  years  afterwards,  Mass  was  said  in  private  houses, 
chiefly  in  the  residences  of  William  Cassid)-  and  Peter  Skelly. 

When  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  assumed  charge  of  this  mission  in  September, 
1848,  the  Catholic  population  of  New  Britain  numbered  about  one  hundred 
souls.  His  parish  comprised  New  Britain,  Farmington,  Plainville,  Bri.stol 
and  the  Mines,  Forestville,  Collinsville,  New  Hartford,  Tariffville,  Simsbury, 
and  Rainbow.  His  labors  in  this  large  field  were  mainly  i^reaching,  cate- 
chizing,   administering   the   sacraments,    and    saying    Mass  whenever   and 


2.34  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

wherever  he  had  the  opportunity.  Father  Daly's  first  Mass  in  New  Britain 
was  celebrated  in  the  building  that  stands  just  south  of  Mr.  I.  N.  Lee's  fac- 
tory, the  upper  rooms  being  occupied,  the  partitions  liaving  been  removed. 
Among  the  congregation  at  that  Mass  were  Mr.  Peter  Skelly,  Mr.  Downs, 
Mr.  Fox,  Mi.  r,ray,  Mr.  Cassidy,  Mr.  Brady,  and  Mr.  HafTey.  Mr.  Ca.ssidy's 
house  was  used  for  a  sliort  time,  and  the  second  Christmas  Mass  was  celebrated 
in  Humphrey  Hall.  Though  Father  Daly  was  appointed  pastor  of  New 
Britain  in  September,  1848,  he  did  not  take  up  his  permanent  residence 
there  until  Wednesday,  May  9,  1849.  In  September,  1850,  he  Ijegan  the 
erection  of  a  church  on  Myrtle  street,  84  feet  in  length  by  45  feet  in  width. 
The  site  which  he  had  secured  for  the  church  was  purchased  for  $225.  It 
was  the  second  brick  church  in  the  State,  the  first — old  vSt.  James'  of  Bridge- 
port— having  been  erected  by  Father  Smith.  The  ceremony  of  dedication 
took  place  on  August  11,  1853.  .V  contemporary  thus  wrote  of  the  new 
church  :  "There  is  now  here  a  Catholic  church  in  the  early  Knglisli  Gothic 
style,  chaste  and  perfect  in  all  its  proportions.  It  is  the  first  church  of  its 
kind  I  have  seen  in  which  the  style  is  carried  out,  and  is  a  relief  from  the 
barn  style,  which  might  be  considered  the  favorite  church  style  in  too  man\- 
sections  of  our  countrj-.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Daly  is  pastor  of  this,  with  other  mis- 
sions, to  whose  energy  and  labors  the  good  village  of  New  Britain  is  indebted 
for  this  beautiful  Gothic  church.  The  congregation  is  increasing  so  fast  that 
the  church,  erected  with  a  view  to  meet  the  increasing  hosts  of  Catholicit>-,  is 
already  well  filled.  The  congregation  is  well  spoken  of  as  practical  in  reli- 
gion and  ever  obedient  to  the  monitions  of  their  pastor."  In  185  i.  Father 
Dal)' purchased  the  old  cemetery,  which  was  blessed  by  Bishop  McFarland  in 
1859.  He  also  bought  the  pastoral  residence  on  Lafayette  street  in  1857.  In 
September,  1862,  Father  Daly  added  to  the  church  a  transept  32  feet  by  75 
feet,  and  a  chancel  42 1  feet  by  30  feet,  which  was  dedicated  b\-  Bishop 
McFarland  on  October  11,  1868.  The  benefactors  of  this  church  deserve 
mention  here.  Besides  Father  Dah'  himself,  they  were  Peter  Skelly,  William 
Cassidy,  Peter  Slain,  Joseph  Cassidy,  Patrick  Downs,  Patrick  Keely,  Hugh 
Fox,  Michael  Gray,  John  Haffey,  John  Bowman,  and  Patrick  ClaflTey.  "We 
had  only  poor  men  to  assist  us,"  wrote  Father  Daly;  "but  the  above  gave 
most  towards  building  the  church."  In  1866  a  bell  was  purchased  for  the 
church  and  blessed  on  September  30tli  of  that  year  by  Bishop  McFarland. 
A  sacri.st)',  40  by  20  feet,  was  also  added  to  the  rear  of  the  church.  On  May 
28,  1877,  Father  Daly  began  the  erection  of  St.  Thomas'  Convent,  u\\  Lafas- 
ette  street,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  by  Bishop  Galberry.  Before 
the  convent  was  completed,  however,  Father  Daly  was  called  to  his  reward. 
After  thirty-two  years  of  incessant  and  successful  toil  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard, he  passed  away  after  a  brief  illness  on  June  30,  1878,  in  the  56th  year  of 
his  age.  Father  Daly  was  born  in  the  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  and  was 
educated  at  All  Hallows'  College,  a  nursery  of  priests.  He  was  ordained  in 
1846  by  Bishop  Tyler,  and  resided  .soon  after  with  Father  Brady  of  Hartford. 
Father  Daly's  death  was  a  public  loss,  and  the  following  words  of  a  contem- 
porary testify  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  : 


ST.   MARYS  CHURCH, 
New  Britain. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  235 

"  The  flags  floating  at  half-mast  on  every  public  building  on  the  eve  of 
the  Fourth  of  Jul)- !  Every  wheel  still,  and  the  busy  hum  of  industry  hushed 
in  the  workshops  of  a  city  of  15,000,  in  Puritan  New  England,  in  Protestant 
Connecticut !  Shutters^closed  on  all  the  business  streets !  What  was  tlie 
cause  of  all  this  public  demonstration  of  respect  and  veneration?  It  was 
because  a  noble-hearted  Catliolic  priest  was  dead — a  man  of  no  extraordinary 
abilities,  as  the  world  counts  genius,  but  a  man  whose  watchword  through 
life  was  duty — a  priest  whose  whole  life  was  devoted  to  the  cause  of  God — a 
hero  of  modern  times,  whose  fields  of  conflict  and  victory  were  in  the  confes- 
sional, at  the  altar,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  flock  ;  who  had  seen  New  Britain 
a  village  and  left  it  a  city  ;  who  had  found  the  Catholics  there  few  in  num- 
bers— about  fifty,  without  strength  or  reputation — and  who  left  them  increased 
to  from  5,000  to  6,000,  nearly  a  third  of  the  population.  Well  was  it  that 
New  Britain  should  mourn  ;  well  was  it  that  the  church  should  be  crowded  ; 
well  was  it  that  the  chief  shepherd  of  the  flock  i;a  the  diocese  and  the  reverend 
clergy  all  over  the  State  should  assemble  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to 
Rev.  Luke  Daly,  New  Britain's  pastor  for  nearly  thirty  years." 

The  Pontifical  Mass  of  requiem  was  said  by  BishojD  Galberry,  after 
which  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carmody  pronounced  the  funeral  sermon  and  paid  this 
tribute  to  his  departed  friend  : 

"  He  was  a  man  full  of  faith,  of  no  pretense.  More  brilliant  priests  I 
have  known,  but  none  possessing  more  priestly  traits.  He  was  careful  of  the 
neatness,  and  as  time  permitted,  even  of  the  splendor  of  the  church,  devoted 
to  the  education  of  the  children,  and  constant  in  the  confessional.  He  loved 
his  people  and  studied  both  their  temporal  and  eternal  interests.  He  re- 
spected those  who,  although  not  Catholics,  were  his  fellow-citizens,  and  was 
interested  in  the  prosperity  of  this  cit)-." 

The  Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  D.D.,  of  New  Haven,  was  appointed  the  suc- 
cessor of  Father  Daly  on  July  16,  1878,  and  assumed  charge  of  the  parish  on 
Sunday,  July  21st.  His  administration  was  signalized  by  the  completion  of 
the  convent,  and  the  purchase  of  a  fine  site  on  North  Main  street,  on  which 
he  intended  to  erect  a  new  church,  as  the  old  St.  Mary's  had  become  too 
small  for  the  steadily  increasing  congregation.  Moreover,  it  was  being  sur- 
rounded by  factories.  It  was  unsafe  and  not  in  keeping  with  the  dignity 
and  membership  of  St.  Mary's  parish.  The  lot  purchased  by  Dr.  Carmody  has 
a  frontage  of  300  feet,  is  the  same  width  on  Beaver  street,  and  cost  $29,000. 
But  death  intervened,  and  the  work  was  postponed.  Dr.  Carmody  passed 
from  earth  on  April  23,  1883.  His  last  public  words  about  his  plans  were: 
"Whosoever  will  complete  the  work  I  began  will  leave  a  lasting  monu- 
ment as  evidence  of  the  generosity  of  the  Catholics  of  New  Britain."  During 
his  administration  the  parish  prospered,  and  through  his  efforts  the  present 
parochial  schools  were  opened. 

The  Rev.  Michael  A.  Tierney  succeeded  Dr.  Carmody  in  May,  1883.  He 
began  and  carried  to  completion  the  work  of  the  church's  construction.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  June  27,  1886,  by  Bishop  McMahon,  Very  Rev. 
A.  V.  Higgins,  O.  P.,  of  New  Haven,  preaching  the  sermon.     The  basement 


236  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  EXGLAND. 

was  dedicated  to  tlie  Sacred  Heart  by  the  same  bishop  on  September  8,  i  S89. 
The  preacher  was  tlie  Rev.  Charles  McKenna,  O.  P.  Before  tlie  main  church 
was  dedicated  Father  Tierney  was  transferred  to  a  higlier  position  and  to 
weightier  responsibilities. 

It  is  of  rare  occurrence  that  a  bisliop  dedicates  a  church  which  he  him- 
self erected  as  pastor.  But  on  March  4,  1894,  Bishop  Tierney,  with  cere- 
monial the  most  impressive,  solemnly  dedicated  to  God,  under  the  patronage 
of  His  ever  Blessed  Mother,  the  magnificent  edifice  upon  which  he  had  been 
engaged  for  ten  years.  It  was  his  first  public  official  act  as  bishop,  and  a 
gratifying  one  it  must  have  been  to  the  devoted  people  who  generously  fol- 
lowed his  spiritual  guidance  throughout  those  years.  After  Bishop  Tierney 
had  concluded  the  ceremony  of  dedication.  Solemn  Pontifical  High  Mass  was 
celebrated  with  the  following  officers: 

Celebrant^  RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  S.  MlCHAUD,  D.D.,  Coadjutor  Bishop  of  Burlington,  Vt. 

Assistant  Priest,  The  Rev.  Jamks  Num.,  Bridgeport. 

Deacon,  The  REV.  JEREMIAH  CuRTiN,  New  Milford. 

,  Sub-Deaeon,  The  Rev.  PeTER  Skellv,  Litchfield. 

Masters  of  Ceremonies,  The  Rev.  J.  CuRTiN,  New  Haven  ;  the  Rev.  M.  Mav,  New  Britain. 

Preacher,  The  REV.  James  C.  O'Brien,  Bridgeport. 

Present  in  the  sanctuary  were  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Beaven  of  Springfield, 
and  about  fort\'  priests.  The  sacrament  of  confirmation  was  administered 
at  3  P.M.  for  the  first  time  in  the  new  church  to  two  hundred  children  and 
adults.  At  the  Vesper  service  Bishop  Tierney  presided,  and  the  Rev. 
Timothy  O'Brien,  of  Noroton,  pronounced  the  discourse. 

St.  Mary's  church  is  of  Portland  brown  stone,  with  rich  carvings. 
Within  are  three  marble  altars,  one  in  memory  of  Father  Daly,  one  in  memory 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Carmody,  and  the  main  altar,  which  is  a  marvel  of  workmanship. 
The  ceiling  is  of  ribbed  wood-work  in  artistic  colors,  the  mouldings  being  of 
beautiful  design.  Elegant  portraits  of  twenty  saints  adorn  the  panels.  Tlie 
large  circular  window  over  the  main  altar  contains  pictures  of  the  Twelve 
Apostles  and  the  Holy  Family.  There  are  sixteen  stained  glass  windows  por- 
traying leading  events  in  sacred  history.  Nine  large  pillars  .support  the  roof, 
and  are  handsomely  decorated.  The  lights  are  encircled  around  these  col- 
umns. Over  the  main  altar  is  a  handsome  grotip  of  the  Crucifixion.  The 
edifice  is  Gothic  in  style,  127  feet  long  and  80  feet  wide.  The  main  audi- 
torium is  100  feet  by  80,  witli  a  height  of  60  feet  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling. 
Its  seating  capacity  is  1,500.  The  chapel  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  the  liasemeut, 
seats  about  the  same  number. 

Bishop  Tierney  was  succeeded  by  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam A.  Harty,  who  preached  his  initial  sermon  as  pastor  of  St.  Mar)''s  parish 
on  vSunday,  March  25,  1894.  Bringing  to  his  new  field  of  labor  ripe  experi- 
ence, reliable  judgment,  and  zeal  judiciously  tempered  with  prudence.  Father 
Harty  has  not  only  materially  reduced  the  indebtedness,  but  is  keeping  the 
parish  on  the  high  spiritual  plane  established  by  his  predecessors.     Father 


REV.  RICHARD  F.   MOORE,  A.M. 


REV.  N.  F.  X.  SCHNEIDER. 


REV.  WILLIAM  A.  HARTY. 


REV.   LUCIAN   BOJNOWSKI. 


REV.  JOSEPH  ZEBRIS. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  237 

Harty  is  a  diocesan  consultor  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Examiners  of 
the  clergy. 

St.  Mary's  has  two  cemeteries.  The  old  burial  place  was  purchased  in 
July,  185 1,  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Daly,  and  blessed  by  Bishop  Mc- 
Farland  in  April,  1859.  The  new  cemetery  was  bought  by  Father  Tierney 
in  August,  1890,  and  blessed  on  May  30,  1893,  by  Bishop  McMahon.  Be- 
sides the  church,  rectory  and  schools,  the  parish  possesses  the  old  parochial 
residence  and  grounds  on  Lafayette  street,  corner  of  High,  and  the  sexton's 
house  on  Beaver  street. 

The  number  of  baptisms  administered  between  the  years  1849  and  1898 
(to  June)  was  10,724;  the  number  of  marriages  was  2,313.' 

The  clergymen  who  have  served  as  assistants  in  St.  Mary's  parish  are  the 
following : 

With  Father  Daly  :  Revs.  Henry  Lynch,  Thomas  Mullen,  William  Harty,  Thomas  Smith 
John  H.  Duggan,  Patrick  H.  Finnegan. 

With  Dr.  Carnwdy :  Revs.  John  C.  Donahoe,  James  Larkin,  J.  H.  Ryan,  M.  McKeon,  E. 
McGee,  T.  J.  Hanavan,  R.  C.  Gragan,  J.  H.  Dolan. 

With  Father  Tierney :  Rev.  R.  C.  Gragan,  J.  H.  Dolan,  N.  F.  X.  Schneider,  J.  W.  Lancaster, 
J.  T.  McMahon,  W.J.  McGurk,  W.  H.  Gibbons,  Michael  May,  J.  J.  Fitzgerald. 

With  Father  Marty:  Revs.  M.  May,  J.  J.  Fitzgerald,  M.  Sheehan,  J.  Lee,  D.  A.  Bailey,  P. 
J.  O'Reilley,  J.  McLoughlin,  D.  D. 

The  estimated  population  of  St.  Mary's  parish  is  6,000  souls,  principally 
Irish,  with  many  French  Canadians  and  a  few  Italians. 

St.  Mary's  Parochial  School. — The  first  Catholic  school  in  New 
Britain  was  built  in  May,  1862,  and  opened  in  the  following  September,  lay 
teachers  being  employed.  It  was  about  the  time  the  transept  was  being 
added.  The  school  building  was  being  constructed  at  the  same  time,  and 
the  school  was  organized  in  the  church,  classes  being  formed  in  the  pews. 
When  the  school  proper  opened  there  were  two  rooms.  The  one  on  the  first 
floor  was  for  the  boys  and  was  taught  by  Mr.  Joseph  Cullen,  now  of  Water- 
bury,  who  was  the  principal.  The  girls  occupied  the  second  iioor,  and  were 
taught  by  a  Mr.  Grace.  Mr.  Grace  was  succeeded  by  Miss  Jennie  E.  Barnes, 
who  has  made  teaching  her  life  work  and  who  still  resides  in  New  Britain. 
Mr.  Cullen  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Thomas  O'Dell,  a  graduate  of  the  New 
Britain  Normal  school.  In  1871  Mr.  John  A.  O'Brien,  A.B.,  a  graduate  of 
St.  Francis  Xavier  College,  New  York,  was  called  from  Providence  to  succeed 
Mr.  O'Dell.  Father  Daly  inaugurated  a  Latin  School  undet  Mr.  O'Brien's 
tuition,  and  the  class  gave  to  the  Church  the  following  priests :  Rev.  J.  J. 
Curtin,  Waterbury ;  Rev.  T.  F.  O'Brien,  Noroton  ;  Rev.  J.  Curtin,  West 
Haven;  Rev.  T.  J.  Mullin,  Missouri  Valley,  Iowa;  Hugh  McAvoy,  Kilkenny, 
Minn.  Rev.  P.  Skelly,  of  Litchfield,  and  Rev.  James  B.  Nihil  of  Bridgeport, 
were  pupils  of  this  school  from  its  opening.     The  following  table,  gathered 

'  For  about  half  of  the  first  decade,  /.  e.,  from  1849  to  1854,  the  marriage  and  birth  entries 
include  the  adjacent  towns  of  Farmington,  Tariffville,  the  Mines,  Bristol,  Berlin,  Collinsville, 
Simsbury,  Rainbovr,  etc. 


238  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

from  authentic  sources,  will  be  of  interest,  as  showing  the  increase  in  child 
population  for  nine  years  : 

Year.  No.  of  pupils.  Year.  Ko.  of  pupils. 

1862 170  1867 375 

1863 200  l868 400 

1864 300  1869 450 

'865 350  1870 525 

1866 375 

At  present  there  are  1343  pupils,  three  school  buildings,  twenty-four 
Sisters  of  Mercy,  with  nine  grades.  Sister  M.  Raymond  is  the  superior  of  St. 
Thomas  convent.  Xnmericalh-  St.  Mary's  school  is  tlie  first  in  the  diocese  ; 
in  point  of  excellence,  in  methods  of  teaching  and  in  the  success  that  attends 
its  graduates,  it  is  second  to  none.  It  has  sent  fortli  into  the  world  hundreds  of 
young  men  and  women  who  are  loyal  citizens  of  the  State  and  devoted  children 
of  the  Church.  Among  the  institutions  of  New  Britain  that  have  contributed 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  city,  in  the  front  rank  stands  deservedly  St.  Mary's 
parochial  school. 

ST.  PETER'S  (GERMAN)  PARISH, 
New  Britain. 
MONG  the  earliest  German  Catholics  to  settle  in  New  Britain  were 
Thomas  Schmitt  and  M.  Marron.  With  few  exceptions,  the  first  Ger- 
man Catholics  who  came  hither  wandered  from  the  household  of 
the  faith.  F'orming  new  affiliations  they  sundered  the  ties  that 
bound  them  to  the  church  of  their  baptism.  Jnto  Freemasonrj'  went  some  of 
them,  into  infidelity  others.  The  cause  of  their  apo.stasy  ?  It  is  difficult  to 
attribute  their  defection  to  any  particular  cause.  Deartli  of  priests,  infre- 
quency  of  instruction,  lack  of  opportunity  to  assist  at  Mass  and  to  frequent 
the  sacraments,  pride,  association — all  have  been  causes  contributing  to 
apostasy.  But  the  history'  of  the  Church  proves  that  faith  is  surrendered  only 
willingly;  that  those  who  wish  to  preserve  it,  will  keep  it  even  at  the  sacrifice 
of  life  itself 

The  first  Mass  celebrated  for  the  Germans  of  New  Britain  was  said  in 
1872,  probably  by  the  Rev.  H.  Wendel.schmidt,  who  was  appointed  in  1868 
the  first  pastor  of  the  German  Catholics  of  New  Haven.  The  first  baptism 
was  admini.stered  onjuly  15,  1872.  In  the  spring  of  1874,  Rev.  Father  Schale 
succeeded  Father  Wendelschmidt  at  New  Haven  and  assumed  charge  also  of 
the  German  Catholics  of  New  Britain.  After  a  short  while,  however.  Father 
Schale  relinquished  the  New  Britain  mission  to  Rev.  John  Herman  Bernard 
Jaspers,  who  attended  also  the  Germans  of  Hartford. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Nicholas  F.  X.Schneider,  received  his 
appointment  on  July  17,  1889,  as  pastor  of  the  German  Catholics  of  Hartford 
and  New  Britain.  Father  Schneider  resided  in  Hartford  for  a  year,  when  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  New  Britain  in  July,  1890. 

The  church,  which  has  not  been  built  beyond  the  basement,  was  begun 
by  Father  Schneider  in  1890.  The  land  upon  which  it  is  built  was  pur- 
chased in  the  fall  of  this  year  by  Joseph  Schilling.     On  November  23d  of 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  239 

that  year  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon,  the  Rev.  Boniface 
Goebbles,  a  Capuchin  Friar,  preaching  the  sermon.  The  dedication  cere- 
mony took  place  on  July  19,  1891,  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  officiat- 
ing. The  Mass  which  followed  the  dedication  services  was  celebrated  by 
Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  assisted  by  Rev.  T.  Shelly  as  deacon,  Rev.  J.  Lynch  as 
sub-deacon,  and  Rev.  W.  Maher,  D.D. ,  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  preacher 
was  Rev.  Father  Anastasius,  O.M.,  Cap.,  of  New  York.  Work  ou  the  super- 
structure was  resumed  on  May  17,  1899,  and  the  edifice  is  to  be  completed  by 
January  i,  1900. 

When  the  first  Mass  was  said  for  the  German  Catholics  of  New  Britain, 
in  1872,  there  were  about  100  souls.  When  the  parish  was  organized  in  18S9, 
the  number  was  estimated  at  300.      At  present  there  are  500. 

From  July,  18S9,  to  1898,  the  sacrament  of  Baptism  was  conferred  upon 
190  persons,  and  during  the  same  period  the  marriage  ceremony  was  per- 
formed 30  times. 

The  first  piece  of  land  purchased  by  the  German  Catholics  of  New 
Britain  for  church  purposes  was  secured  in  1873,  and  on  July  2nd  of  that  year 
the  parish  was  incorporated  according  to  the  laws  of  the  State  with  Right 
Rev.  Francis  P.  McFarland,  D.D.,  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  and  Rev. 
Joseph  Schale,  as  the  ecclesiastical  members  of  the  corporation,  Cliarles 
Kemmerer  and  Frederick  Engel  peing  the  lay  members. 

The  first  death  after  the  formation  of  the  parish  was  that  of  Mrs.  Ambrose 
Schmitt,  August  6,  1889.  The  first  marriage  was  solenmized  on  November 
12,  1889,  the  contracting  parties  being  Frank  Benz  and  Margaret  Siering. 
The  first  child  to  receive  baptism  during  Father  Schneider's  pastorate  was 
Barbara  Elizabeth  Merget. 

The  present  trustees  are  Thomas  Schmitt  and  Arthur  Volz. 

SACRED    HEART    PARISH, 

New  Britain. 

IN  1894,  the  Polish  Catholics  of  New  Britain  were  sufficiently  numerous 
to  have  assigned  to  them  a  priest  of  their  own  nationality.  On  August 
10th,  of  that  year,  Rev.  Thomas  Misicki,  D.  D. ,  the  new  pastor,  said 
Mass  for  the  first  time  for  his  flock  in  St.  Mary's  church.  At  that  time 
his  parish  had  a  population  of  700  souls,  comprising  Poles,  Slavonians  and 
Ruthenians.  Rev.  Dr.  Misicki  remained  here  a  year,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  pastor,  Rev  Lucian  Bojnowski,  on  September  26,  1895.  The 
present  church  was  begun  on  April  16,  1896.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  45  x  100 
feet.  The  upper  story  is  used  for  divine  worship,  while  the  first  floor  contains 
a  school  and  the  apartments  of  the  rector.  The  church  seats  528  persons.  The 
ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  took  place  on  July  19,  1 896,  Bishop  Tierney 
officiating.  Present  on  the  occasion  were  Very  Rev.  J.  A.  Mulcahy,  V.G.,  Rev. 
J.  P.  Donovan,  D.D.,  Very  Rev.  P.  Pajot,  M.S.,  Rev.  W.  A.  Harty,  Rev.  R. 
Moore,  Rev.  T.  Mizotns,  Rev.  K.  Kucharski,  Rev.  D.  Bailey,  Rev.  J.  Fitzgerald, 
Rev.  P.  O'Reilly.  The  Polish  societies  were  present  at  the  ceremony  in  laroe 
numbers.     The  church  was  dedicated  on  October  4th  of  the  same  year  by 


240  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Bishop  Tierney  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assemblage  of  the  clergy  and 
laity. 

When  the  school  was  opened  forty-two  pupils  were  enrolled.  There  are 
now  150,  with  three  grades  taught  by  lay  teachers. 

The  last  census  of  the  parish  disclosed  1330  souls  ;  1200  of  whom  are 
Poles,  50  Slavonians  and  80  Ruthenians.  The  number  of  baptisms  from  the 
organization  of  the  parish  in  1894  to  1898  was  537;  the  number  of  marriages 
for  the  same  time  was  172. 

Through  the  zeal  of  Father  Bojnowski,  two  Protestants  and  one  Jew  have 
received  the  grace  of  conversion. 

ST.  ANDREW'S  (LITHUANIAN)  PARISH, 
Nkw  Britain. 
X  October  I,  1895,  Bishop  Tierney  requested  the  Rev.  Joseph  Zebris, 
pa.stor  of  St.  Joseph's  (Lithuanian)  parish,  Waterbury,  to  say 
Mass  every  Sunday  for  the  Lithuanians  of  New  Britain.  There- 
after, Father  Zebris  visited  New  Britain  weekly  and  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
of  the  Mass  in  St.  IMary's  church,  and  discharged  other  duties  belonging  to 
his  office  as  pastor.  Desirous  of  possessing  a  church  of  their  own,  they  began 
to  make  preparations  for  the  accomplishment  of  tlie  work.  Accordingly,  on 
New  Year's  Day,  1896,  the  corner-stone  of  St.  Andrew's  church  was  laid  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Bishop  Tierney  addressed  the 
large  a.ssemblage  in  English,  and  the  pastor  delivered  a  discourse  to  his 
countrymen.  The  ceremony  of  dedication  took  place  on  Easter  Sunday,  1896, 
the  pastor,  Father  Zebris,  officiating,  who  also  said  on  that  day  the  first  Mass 
celebrated  in  tlie  new  church.  To  liquidate  the  indebtedness  thus  incurred, 
the  Lithuanians  with  their  pastor  collected  $3,000. 

On  July  I,  1896,  the  Lithuanians  received  as  pastor  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Masrolas,  who  remained  about  six  months.  St.  Andrew's  was  then  attended 
by  tlie  clergy  of  St.  Mary's  and  Sacred  Heart  parishes  until  Father  Zebris 
again  assumed  charge.  He  attended  New  Britain  from  Waterbury  until  June 
I,  1898,  when,  at  the  request  of  Bishop  Tierney,  he  took  up  his  residence  at 
New  Britain,  and  became  the  resident  pastor  of  St.  Andrew's.  In  October  of 
that  year,  Father  Zebris  built  the  pastoral  residence  at  a  cost  of  $1,700.  The 
property  of  St.  Andrew's  parish  is  valued  at  $12,000.  The  population  is  400 
souls.     The  baptisms  average  thirty-five  annually  and  the  marriages  fifteen. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S  PARISH. 

New  Bkit.m.n. 
'T.  JOSEPH'S  parish  was  organized  on  April  9,  1896,  by  Rev.  Rich- 
ard F'.  Moore,  A.  M.,  its  first  pastor,  who  celebrated  his  first  Mass 
here  in  St.  Peter's  chapel,  Sunday,  April  19th,  of  that  year. 
The  estimated  number  of  Catholics  when  the  parish  was  formed 
was  1000  Irish,  Irish-Americans  and  a  few  French.  Among  tho.se  living  in 
this  section  of  the  city  for  any  notable  time  before  the  formation  of  the 
parish  are  William  Stewart,  Edward  Nihil,  John  Nolan,  Michael  Donnelly, 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  241 

J.  and  P.  O'Sullivan,  Judge  Roche,  P.  J.  Flannery,  Mrs.  Devitt,  Michael 
O'Connell,  William  and  Patrick  Coiighlin,  Richard  O'Dell  and  John  L. 
Gardiner. 

Father  Moore  began  immediately  to  make  preparations  for  the  erection 
of  a  church  for  his  flock.  The  people  responded  generously  to  his  appeals  for 
financial  aid,  and  the  work  progressed  so  favorably  that  the  corner-stone  was 
soon  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney,  assisted  by  Very  Rev.  J.  A.  Mulcahy,  V.  G., 
and  Rev.  W.  Harty,  assistant  priests;  Rev.  N.  Schneider,  deacon;  Rev.  J. 
Lynch,  sub-deacon  ;  Rev.  J.  Fitzgerald,  cross  bearer ;  Rev.  H.  Walsh  and  Rev. 
W.  J.  Dullard,  chanters.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Monsignor  T.  J. 
Conaty,  D.D.  Among  the  priests  present  were  Rev.  M.  Rodden,  Rev.  P. 
McGivney,  Rev.  C.  McCann,  Rev.  P.  O'Leary,  Rev.  M.  Sullivan,  Rev.  L,. 
Bojnowski,  Rev.  A.  Mizotus,  Rev.  D.  Bailey  and  Rev.  P.  O'Reilly.  Five  thou- 
sand people  witnessed  the  impressive  ceremony.  On  the  platform  were  seated 
many  Protestant  ministers,  members  of  the  Board  of  Education,  Board  of 
Aldermen,  Councilmen  and  the  Mayor.  Work  on  the  church  progressed 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people  increas- 
ing as  they  witnessed  the  fruition  of  their  labors.  On  September  19,  1S97, 
the  new  church  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  God  imder  the  patronage  of  St. 
Joseph,  patron  of  the  Universal  Church .  Bishop  Tierney  officiated  at  this 
ceremony,  after  which  a  Solemn  High  Mass  was  sung,  with  Rev.  J.  B.  Nihil 
as  celebrant,  Rev.  H.  T.  Walsh  as  deacon.  Rev.  M.  Sullivan  as  snb-deacon, 
Rev.  R.  Earl)'  as  master  of  ceremonies  ;  chaplains  to  Bishop  Tierney,  Rev. 
B.  O.,  R.  Sheridan  and  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum.  Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley,  rector  of 
the  cathedral,  preached  on  "The  Beauty  of  God's  House."  A  number  of  priests 
of  the  diocese  were  present  in  the  sanctuary.  St.  Joseph's  church  has  attached 
to  it  a  school  containing  four  commodious  and  well-ventilated  rooms,  which 
was  erected  with  the  church  and  blessed  on  the  same  day.  The  school,  how- 
ever, has  not  yet  been  opened  for  the  reception  of  pupils.  It  is  the  intention 
of  the  pastor  to  convert  a  dwelling-house  of  two  tenements  on  the  church 
property  into  a  convent. 

The  benefactors  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  are  William  Stewart,  who  donated 
^500  for  the  main  altar  ;  the  family  of  Edward  Nihil  and  that  of  Mrs.  Devitt ; 
Mrs.  J.  Sullivan,  who  contributed  the  Bles.sed  Virgin's  altar,  and  Patrick 
Mulligan,  the  sexton,  who  donated  St.  Joseph's  altar ;  Michael  Donnelly, 
trustee,  and  Judge  Roche,  clerk  of  the  church  committee,  whose  generosity 
has  been  made  manifest  on  various  occasions.  As  evidence  of  the  people's 
cooperation  with  their  pastor,  it  may  be  stated  that  in  one  collection  they 
contributed  $3000  to  furnish  the  church. 

The  baptisms  for  the  first  year  numbered  twenty-one,  for  the  second, 
thirty-two.  The  marriages  for  the  same  periods  were  three  and  nine  respec- 
tively. 

St.  Joseph's  parish  is  in  the  residential  portion  of  the  city  ;  here  are  the 
State  Normal  School  and  the  new  High  School.     Many  of  its  principal  mem- 
bers occupy  positions   of  trust  in   political,  business  and   factory  life,   while 
others  are  an  honor  to  the  teaching  profession.   The  young  parish  has  entered 
11— -16 


242  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  LV  NEW  ENGLAND. 

upon  its  career  auspiciously  and  has  made  enviable  progress  in  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  orders.  Its  prospects  for  a  successful  future  are  bri>iht,  indeed, 
if  tile  successes  of  the  past  be  any  criterion. 

OUR  LADY  OF   MERCY, 

Pl.AINVILLE. 

^^TvAINVILLE  in  former  years  was  called  tlie  "City  of  the  Plains," 
and  is  situated  about  fourteen  miles  west  of  Hartford.  The  town 
received  its  name  from  the  fact  that  its  site  is  one  unbroken  plain, 
there  being  nothing  like  a  hill  within  the  limits  of  the  township. 
It  possesses  fine  railroad  facilities,  as  both  the  Highland  and  Northampton  di- 
visions of  the  Consolidated  Railroad  pass  through  it  and  make  it  an  important 
junction  town.  To  these  may  be  added  the  accommodation  affordfd  b\  the 
"  Third  Rail  "  system  and  no  less  than  four  different  trolley  lines. 

Notwithstanding  its  attractive  and  commercial  advantages,  there  are  but 
few  large  industries  located  in  Plainville,  and  none  of  any  importance  has 
been  introduced  in  many  years.  The  population  of  the  town  has  increased 
but  little  in  twenty  years,  and  the  Catholic  portion,  owing  to  the  few  indus- 
tries, has  not  increased  with  that  rapidity  and  steadiness  characteristic  of 
large  industrial  centers. 

The  pioneer  Catholics  of  Plainville  were  Luke  Doyle,  Daniel  Kelly, 
James  Prior,  Christopher  Calleu  and  James  McCaul.  All  of  these,  with  the 
exception  of  James  Prior,  and  possibly,  Luke  Doyle,  were  long  since  summoned 
to  their  reward,  honored  by  all  who  knew  of  their  devotion  to  the  faith. 
The  first  Mass  celebrated  in  Plainville  was  said  in  the  residence  of  Daniel 
Kelly,  about  the  year  185  i,  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  whose  kindly,  priestly 
attentions  are  still  fondly  remembered.  For  some  time  afterwards  IMass  was 
said  in  "Neal's  Hall,"  the  present  "Union  House,"  which  is  under  the 
management  of  Charles  McCaul,  the  first  Catholic  child  baptized  in  Plain- 
ville. For  a  number  of  years  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  offered  up 
in  "  Newton's  Hall,"  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  about  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ago.  "  Morgan's  Hall  "  was  then  .secured,  and  the  faithful  band  of 
Catholics  attended  divine  worship  here  for  a  few  years.  At  this  period,  and 
for  some  years  previous,  the  spiritual  care  of  the  people  of  Plainville  devolved 
upon  the  pastor  of  Bristol,  the  Rev.  Michael  K.  Rodden. 

At  the  celebration  of  the  first  Mass  here,  probably  not  more  than  a  dozen 
Catholics  were  present,  all  of  whom  were  Irish.  As  their  numbers  increased 
with  the  years,  they  began  to  discuss  the  feasibility  of  erecting  a  church 
where  their  faith  could  offer  suitable  homage  to  the  Di\'ine  Mysteries.  They 
petitioned  the  Ordinary  of  the  diocese.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  IMcMahon  of 
blessed  memory,  with  the  result  that  Plainville  was  taken  from  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Bristol  and  attached  to  Kensington,  both  places  forming  a  parish  with 
the  Rev.  Paul  F\  McAlenney  as  its  first  rector.  The  work  which  the  new 
pastor  first  undertook  was  the  erection  of  a  church,  and  so  generous  and  con- 
stant was  the  co-operation  of  the  people,  that  although  the  parish  was  formed 
on  July  26th,  1 88 1,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  the  following  December,  and 


DIOCESE  GF  HARTFORD.  243 

tlie  impressive  ceremony  of  dedication  took  place  on  September  24th,  1882. 
The  beautiful  altar  which  adorns  the  sanctuary  was  the  gift  of  j\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Frank  jMcDerniott. 

On  February  15th,  1885,  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Henry  T.  Walsh, 
was  transferred  from  Stamford  to  Plainville,  as  the  successor  to  Father 
McAlenney.  He  began  immediately  the  erection  of  a  parochial  residence. 
Again  the  devoted  Catholics  of  Plainville  responded  cheerfully  to  their  pas- 
tor's appeal  for  financial  assistance,  so  that  within  six  months  a  rectory, 
modern  in  all  respects,  was  ready  for  occupanc^^  But  inore  was  yet  to  be 
accomplished.  A  cemetery  was  imperatively  needed,  as  all  burials  took 
place  either  in  Bristol  or  New  Britain.  As  an  evidence  of  the  practical 
S}-mpath}-  of  the  people  towards  this  new  project,  it  may  be  stated  that  the 
first  collection  taken  up  for  the  purpose  was  more  than  suflScient  to  liquidate 
the  indebtedness  incurred  h\  the  purchase  of  six  acres  of  land  on  Farmineton 
avenue.  The  cemetery  was  blessed  on  Sunday,  July  I2tli,  1887,  by  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  McMahon.  The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  Richard  Moore.  The  procession,  made  up  of  religious  and  civic  socie- 
ties, which  marched  to  the  cemetery  on  that  day,  was  a  revelation  to  the 
towns-people,  and  a  parade  equal  to  it  has  not  since  been  duplicated. 

The  present  Catholic  population  of  Plainville  is  three  hundred  and 
seventy  souls,  ninety-five  per  cent,  of  whom  are  Irish.  The  first  marriage 
solemnized  here  was  that  between  James  Prior  and  Ann  Shields.  The 
ecclesiastical  propert}',  consisting  of  the  church  and  parochial  residence, 
which  are  both  lighted  by  electricity,  and  the  cemetery,  are  striking  proofs 
of  the  faith  and  genero.sity  of  the  Catholics  of  Plainville,  as  well  as  of  the  zeal 
and  energy  of  their  pastors.     The  assistant  priest  is  the  Rev.  P.  F.  Daly. 

St.  Matthew's  Mission,  Forestville. 
Forestville,  formerly  served  from  Bristol,  has  been  attended  as  a  mission 
from  Plainville  since  September  20th,  1891.  For  about  ten  years  previous  to 
this  change.  Mass  was  said  every  Sunday  in  "Firemen's  Hall"  by  Rev. 
Father  Rodden  of  Bristol.  After  the  transfer  of  Forestville  to  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Plainville,  Father  Walsh  began  immediately  the  erection  of  a  church 
there.  Excavations  were  begun  on  November  5th,  1891,  and  the  corner-stone 
was  laid  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  on  January  17th,  1892.  The  work 
of  construction  was  carried  on  so  successfully  that  the  first  Mass  was  said  in  the 
basement  by  Father  Walsh  on  Sunday,  March  27th,  1892.  The  dedication  cere- 
monies took  place  on  June  12th,  1S92,  Bishop  McMahon  officiating.  Five  years 
later  the  superstructure,  a  beautiful  building,  was  completed  and  dedicated  to 
God  under  the  patronage  of  the  Apostle,  St.  Matthew,  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Tierney,  on  June  27th,  1897.  The  church  is  valued  at  $15,000,  is  an  orna- 
ment to  the  village,  as  well  as  a  testimony  to  the  faith  of  the  500  Catholics  of 
Forestville. 

St.  Patrick's  Mi.s.sion,  Farmington. 

Farmington  was  detached  from  Bristol  in  February,  1885,  and  assigned 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Plainville.     The  first  disciples  of  the  faith  in  this  hand- 


244  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

some  old  village  were  Thomas  Smith,  I^awrence  McCahill,  John  ReilTy, 
John  Brady,  Mrs.  Mary  Skelly  and  John  Flood.  Tlie  first  Mass  was  said  in 
the  early  fifties  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  in  the  present  residence  of  John  Flood. 
The  Catholic  population  of  Farmington  is  cliiefly  Irish  and  numbers  2Q0 
souls.  Mass  is  said  every  Sunday  in  the  brick  church  purchased  by  Rev. 
Patrick  Duggett  and  dedicated  in  honor  of  St.  Patrick. 

ST.   JOSEPH'S    PARISH, 

Poc^UONOCK. 

^-^'i^-^OQUONOCK,  originally  written  Paquanocke,  is  one  of  the  earliest 

IL«^     settlements  in  Connecticut.     It  was  founded  in  1635.     Its  Catholic 

1^        history  dates  from  1848,  when  the  first  Mass  was  said  within  its 

boundaries  by  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  at  tlie  residence  of  Samuel 

Conroy. 

Poquonock  came  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  after 
his  appointment  as  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  at  Wind.sor  Locks  in  1852.  An 
humble  building  at  the  corner  of  ]\Iain  street  and  Maple  avenue  became 
the  house  of  worship,  and  though  bereft  of  all  that  makes  a  church  a  veri- 
table home,  a  haven  of  rest  to  the  devout  Catholic,  it  was  nevertheless 
precious  to  them,  for  there  they  could  gather  before  the  rudely-constructed 
altar,  and  during  the  celebration  of  the  divine  mysteries,  jjetition  heaven  for 
needed  graces.  This  first  place  of  worship  afterwards  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Catholics  of  Poquonock  and  was  removed  to  the  site  of  the  present 
handsome  edifice.  Since  the  erection  of  the  latter  the  original  church  has 
been  transformed  into  a  parish  hall. 

Before  its  organization  into  a  separate  parish  Poquonock  continued  to 
be  served  successively  by  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  Rev.  Michael  ^IcAuley, 
Rev.  Michael  F.  Kelly  and  Rev.  James  O'R.  Sheridan.  During  tlie  admin- 
istration of  the  last-mentioned,  the  present  fine  structure  was  erected. 

Ground  was  broken  in  June,  1886,  the  people  co-operating  enthusiastically 
with  their  pastor,  gratified  that  God  liad  so  prospered  them  that  they  were 
soon  to  possess  a  church  that  would  be  an  ornament  to  the  village.  Two 
months  later  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  the  orator  of  the  occasion  being  the 
Rev.  Charles  McKenna,  O.  P.  The  sacrifices  of  the  people  were  rewarded 
and  their  labors  crowned  on  January  30,  1887,  when  the  new  temple,  placed 
under  tlie  j)atronage  of  the  patron  of  tire  universal  church,  St.  Joseph,  was 
dedicated  with  impressive  ceremonial.  Bishop  McMahon  oflliciated  on  the 
auspicious  occasion,  and  the  dedication  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
Thomas  W.  Broderick,  of  Hartford.  ^ 

Poquonock  continued  under  Father  Sheridan's  jini.sdiction  for  five  years 
longer.  The  congregation  was  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  contentment 
reigned  among  them.  The  indebtedness  had  been  reduced  to  $3,000  during 
Father  Sheridan's  incumbency,  a  comparatively  small  amount  when  we  reflect 
that  the  church,  was  thoroughly  equipped  witji  all  things  necessary  for  the 
proper  and  decent  celebration  of  divine  worship. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  245 

Father  Flemming,  the  first  resident  pastor  of  Poqiionock,  received  his 
appointment  thereto  in  Angnst,  1892,  and  immediately  set  about  the  work  of 
erecting  a  parochial  residence,  which  he  completed  at  a  cost  of  $2,625.  To 
the  liquidation  of  the  indebtedness  thus  incurred  may  be  added  the  reduction 
of  the  original  mortgage  debt  to  $1,000.  After  five  and  a  half  years  of  unre- 
mitting labor  in  this  field  Father  Flemming  was  transferred  to  Bethel,  as 
successor  to  the  Rev.  Patrick  O'Connell,  in  the  latter  part  of  January,  1898. 
His  successor  is  an  active  young  priest,  a  worthy  successor,  and  for  many 
years  assistant  at  St.  Francis'  parish.  New  Haven,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shanley. 

ST.   GABRIEL'S   CHURCH, 

Windsor. 

^T.  GABRIEIv'S  CHURCH,  Windsor,  is  an  out-mission  of  Poquo- 
nock.  The  church  is  an  old  structtire  and  has  an  interesting  his- 
tory, having  been  the  church  of  the  followers  of  the  famous  English 
clergyman,  and  friend  of  Cardinal  Newman,  Dr.  Pusey.  Here  also 
the  late  Right  Rev.  Mgr.  Preston,  of  New  York,  officiated  as  a  Protestant 
clergyman.  The  church  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Catholics  of  Wind- 
sor during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  James  Smyth  in  1866.  It  remained  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  Windsor  Locks  until  the  formation  of  St.  Joseph's  parish, 
Poquonock,  whose  pastor  has  since  attended  it.  Many  notable  improvements 
were  made  on  the  church  and  grounds  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
Father  Sheridan. 


(5The 


ST.  THOMAS'    PARISH, 

SOUTHINGTON. 


HE  announcement  of  a  sorrowful  accident  is  the  first  indication  we  have 
jl  of  the  presence  in  Southington  of  a  member  of  the  Church.  The  fol- 
lowing notice  is  taken  from  The  Catliolic  Press,  Hartford,  August  15, 
1829: 

"Drowned  at  Southington,  Conn.,  on  the  7th  inst. ,  Peter  Dayle,  aged 
about  44  years.  The  deceased  was  a  native  of  Wexford  in  Ireland,  and  as  he 
had  friends  and  connexion  in  this  country,  editors  of  newspapers  would  per- 
form an  act  of  humanity  by  publishing  this  notice." 

Whether  Peter  Dayle  had  compatriots  in  Southington,  it  is  difficult  now 
to  determine.  It  is  not  unreasonable,  however,  to  believe,  that  others  from 
"  Sweet  Wexford,"  and,  it  may  be,  from  elsewhere  in  the  Green  Isle,  were 
with  him  here  striving  to  build  up  homes  in  the  land  to  which  their  youthful 
aspirations  directed  them.  Bernard  Kennedy  was  here  very  early,  as  were 
also  Michael  and  Thomas  Egan,  Bernard  Curran,  John  Carmody  and  Patrick 
Dolan — these,  with  their  families  constituting,  as  far  as  the  records  show,  the 
first  Catholic  colony  of  Southington. 

In  1852,  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  of  Meriden,  offered  here  for  the  first 
time  the  Holy  Sacrifice  in  the -residence  of  John  Cassidy  on  East  Main  street 


246  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND 

in  tlie  presence  of  about  twenty-five  persons.  Southiiigton  remained  attached 
to  Meriden  until  1859,  in  which  year  it  was  attended  every  third  Sunday.  In 
i860,  it  was  served  every  second  Sunday  from  W'allingford,  reverting  to  Me- 
riden in  1861.  The  first  resident  pastor  of  Southington  was  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Drea,  who  assumed  charge  on  September  4,  1862,  and  remained  until  Octo- 
ber 7,  1867.  Rev.  Patrick  J.  Creighton  immediately  .succeeded  Father  Drea 
and  was  pastor  of  St.  Thomas'  until  his  death.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
William  A.  Harty,  who  a.s.sumed  charge  on  September  15,  1882.  Entering 
upon  his  new  duties  witli  energy,  his  zeal  was  manifested  in  the  thorough 
renovation  of  the  church  and  in  making  many  other  notable  improvements. 
Wlien  he  severed  his  connection  witli  St.  Thomas'  parish,  it  was  financially 
and  otherwise  firmly  established.  Father  Harty's  successor  was  the  Rev. 
Matthew  A.  Hunt,  who  came  on  August  i,  1S84.  The  present  rectorv  was 
built  during  his  administration.  Father  Hunt's  labors  were  terminated  by 
death,  and  his  successor,  the  present  incumbent.  Rev.  William  J.  Doolan, 
began  his  labors  on  March  26,  1894. 

The  corner-stone  of  St.  Thomas'  church  was  laid  on  July  4,  i860,  and 
the  edifice  was  dedicated  in  Decenil)er  of  the  same  year. 

The  clergy  who  assisted  the  difTerent  pastors  in  parochial  work  were  Rev. 
J.  H.  Carroll,  Rev.  J.  J.  Quinn,  Rev.  P.  Byrne,  Rev.  R.  Moore,  Rev.  P.  Keating, 
Rev.  P.  Dineen,  Rev.  M.  Traynor,  Rev.  J.  Lee,  and  Re\\  P.  C.  Dunigan. 

When  St.  Thomas'  parish  was  organized  there  were  about  500  souls;  at 
present  the  population  is  about  1500,  principally  Irish  and  their  descendants, 
with  some  Italians,  Poles,  Hungarians  and  Germans. 

ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH, 
South   Manchester. 

HE  early  Catholic  history  of  South  Manchester  is  mingled  with  that 
of  the  mother  church,  St.  Bridget's,  North  Manchester.  Mr.  John 
Kennedy,  who  suffered  the  penalty  of  eviction  by  Landlord  Stone, 
for  permitting  Father  Brady  to  say  JMass  in  his  house,  was  a  resident  of 
this  portion  of  the  town.  Other  pioneers  of  the  faith  who  performed  yeomen's 
service  in  the  cause  of  religion  are  Michael  Connors,  Denis  Dunn,  Catharine 
Moriarty,  Catharine  Powers,  jNIrs.  John  Riley,/ John  and  Patrick  Connors. 
With  their  brethren  of  North  Manchester,  the;^  were  served  from  Rock vi lie 
until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  James  Campbell,  in  October,  1869.  Until 
the  completion  of  their  own  church,  the  Catholics  of  South  Manchester  at- 
tended St.  Bridget's  church  in  Manchester. 

The  land  on  which  the  church  and  rectory  stand,  consisting  of  one 
acre  and  worth  g28oo,  was  the  generous  gift  to  the  parish  of  the  Cheney 
Brothers,  who  have  at  intervals  since  given  substantial  contributions  to  the 
parish.  Begun  in  1874,  St.  James'  church  was  completed  and  ready  for  dedi- 
cation in  Augu.st,  1876.  The  solemn  ceremony  took  place  on  the  20th,  with  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  presiding.  The  dedication  completed,  Soleuni  High  Mass 
followed,  with  Rev.  Thomas  Kane,  of  Valley  Falls,  R.  I.,  as  celebrant ;  Rev. 


REV.  WILLIAM  J    McGURK. 


REV    FRED  W    MURPHY 


REV,    LUKE   FITZSIMONS. 


REV,  W.   H,   REDDING, 


REV.  JEREMIAH   DUGGAN 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  247 

J.  J.  Furlong  as  deacon,  Rev.  P.  Alulholland  as  sub-deacon,  Rev.  P.  McCabe 
as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  dedication  discourse  was  pronounced  by  the 
Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  of  Waterbury.  The  edifice  cost  ^30,oooyand  has  a 
seating  capacity  of  750.  The  centre  window  represents  our  Sa)(>iour  in  life 
size,  and  was  the  gift  of  John  Walsh,  the  builder.  The  windows  on  the 
Epistle  side  are  the  donations  of  Thomas  Egan,  Oliver  Maxwell,  Michael 
Walsh,  Thomas  Golden  ;  those  on  the  Gospel  side  were  presented  by  William 
Dwyer,  Denis  Dtuin,  John  Shaw  and  John  Sullivan. 

Before  the  church  was  entirely  completed,  the  most  dastardly  sacrilege 
ever  perpetrated  in  Connecticut  was  committed  in  St.  James'  church  on  the 
night  of  the  4th,  or  the  morning  of  the  5th,  of  May,  1876.  Thirty-five 
windows  were  broken,  the  vestry  was  ransacked,  the  altar  despoiled  of 
its  ornaments  and  defiled.  The  altar  cloths  were  afterwards  found  about  a 
mile  from  the  church,  besmeared  with  blood,  apparently  from  wounds  which 
had  been  inflicted  on  the  marauders  by  the  broken  glass  of  the  church  win- 
dows. The>-  also  attempted  to  fire  the  church,  and  with  this  object  in  view, 
collected  a  quantity  of  branches  and  brambles  and  placed  them  in  position 
on  the  Gospel  side  of  the  altar  and  close  to  it.  They  were  found  in  this  posi- 
tion in  the  morning,  with  the  evidences  of  fire  having  been  applied,  as  some 
half-burnt  matches  were  scattered  near  them.  The  town  authorities  promptly 
oflTered  a  reward  of  5200,  to  which  the  trustees  of  the  church  added  $300  for 
the  apprehension  of  the  criminals.  Suspicion,  well  grounded,  at  once  fast- 
ened upon  an  Orangeman,  Nicholas  Murray.  He  had  arrived  in  the  town  on 
the  evening  of  the  4th  and  feigned  ignorance  of  the  place  and  people,  but  it 
was  disclosed  that  he  was  acquainted  with  the  prominent  Orangemen  and 
had  attended  a  meeting  of  the  lodge  that  evening.  Murray  disappeared 
immediately  after  the  sacrilege,  but  was  captured  on  May  19th,  in  New 
Hampshire,  whither  he  had  fled,  having  been  warned  by  his  Orangemen 
friends  that  oflScers  were  on  his  track.  He  was  bound  over  in  the  suui  of 
$200  to  await  his  trial  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Tolland  county. 

Father  Campbell,  who  died  in  1890,  pastor  of  St.  Bridget's  parish,  Man- 
chester, was  interred  in  front  of  the  church.  South  Manchester,  where  a  splen- 
did monument  marks  his  last  resting  place. 

The  Rev.  Daniel  Haggerty  was  the  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  James' 
parish,  coming  here  on  November  21,  1890.  For  eight  years  previous  he  had 
been  assistant  to  Father  Campbell  at  Manchester.  Father  Haggerty  built  the 
pastoral  residence  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  towards  which  the  Cheney  Brothers 
contributed  $2,000.  Other  improvements  were  made  which  were  indicative 
of  good  taste  and  sound  judgment.  After  a  month  spent  in  southern  climes 
in  search  of  health.  Father  Haggerty  died  at  St.  Vincent's  Hospital,  New 
York,  in  April,  1898. 

His  successor,  the  Rev.  William  McGurk,  is  the  Diocesan  Director  of  the 
League  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  and  the  success  that  has  thus  far  attended  his 
ministry,  in  South  Manchester,  is  a  testimony  of  his  sacerdotal  zeal  and  solici- 
tude. The  population  of  St.  James'  parish  is  1,500,  principally  Irish  and  their 
descendants. 


248  THE   CATHOLIC   CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  number  of  baptisms  from  1891  to  1898  inclusive  was  340;  and  the 
marriages  for  the  same  period,  97. 

ST.  BERNARD'S  PARISH, 
Takiffvillk. 

(5  I   HE  earliest  evidence  we  possess  of  the  presence  of  Catholics  in   Tariff- 
*  I       ville  is  the  following  record  of  marriage  : 

J  as.  Kelly  ")  "  i8j2,Octoberi4th  :  Married  at  TariffVille,  James  Kelly  toRosanna 

and  \      McEllier.     Witnesses;  Felix  (iaflfney  and  Rose  McEllier. 

Ro.sanna  McEllier  j  Jas.  McDermot." 

In  October,  1836,  Rev.  Peter  Walsh,  the  successor  of  Father  P^itton  in  Hart- 
ford, reported  twenty-four  Catholics  in  Tariffville.  The  Catholics  here  con- 
tinued to  be  served  by  the  Rev.  John  Brady  of  Hartford,  until  the  appointment 
of  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  as  pastor  of  New  Britain,  in  September,  1848.  In 
1850  a  small  church  was  built  on  the  "Mountain  Road."  Before  this,  ^Mass 
was  said  in  a  barn  and  afterwards  in  the  house  of  one  of  the  parishioners. 
This  church  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1876  and  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan,  pastor 
of  Collinsville,  purchased  a  move  suitable  site  upon  which  to  build  the  second 
church.  Bishop  O'Reilly  made  a  visitation  here  on  May  19,  1851,  offered 
the  Holy  vSacrifice  and  preached.  Tariffville  remained  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  St.  Mary's,  New  Britain,  until  the  formation  of  Collinsville  into  an  inde- 
pendent parish  on  December  10,  1856. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  TarifTville  whose  names  have  coine  down  to 
us,  were  Thomas  P'ljiin,  Neil  Lagan,  Patrick  Timon,  John  McAleer,  James 
Kelly,  Moses  Leary  and  Richard  Mulherring.  Re\-.  John  Brady  of  Hart- 
ford celebrated  the  first  IVIass  said  in  Tariffville  in  1846;  at  this  period  there 
wer.e  about  fifteen  Catholics  here.  The  first  church  was  built  by  Father  Daly, 
and  was  forty  by  sixty  feet  in  the  clear.  The  Catholic  population  at  the  time 
of  the  erection  of  the  church  was  about  100  souls.  The  principal  benefactor 
of  the  old  church  was  Bi.shop  Tyler  who  donated  $100  to  the  building  fund. 

The  priests  who  successively  attended  Tariffville  until  it  was  set  apart 
as  a  separate  parish  were:  Revs.  James  McDermot  (and  perhaps.  Fathers 
O'Cavanagh  and  Fitton),  Peter  Walsh,  John  Brady,  Luke  Daly,  P. 
O'Dwyer,  Philip  Daly,  John  Fagan,  L.  Walsh  and  B.  O'R.  Siieridan. 

About  May  i,  188 1,  Tariffville  was  formed  into  a  parish  with  Bloonifield 
as  a  mission.  Rev.  John  Quinn  was  the  first  resident  pastor  and  remained 
until  his  death  on  December  20,  1890.  The  present  rectory  was  purchased 
during  his  pastorate.  On  A.sh  Wednesday,  1892,  during  the  administration 
of  his  successor.  Rev.  James  Walsh,  a  conflagration  destroyed  the  church. 
A  new  site  adjoining  the  rectory  was  purchased  and  an  attractive  and  com- 
modious church  was  erected  upon  it.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop 
McMahon  in  1892,  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick  preaching  on  the  occasion.  It  was 
dedicated  in  May,  1895.  On  June  i  of  that  year  Father  Walsh  was  trans- 
ferred and  his  successor,  the  present  incumbent,  Rev.  M.  C.  Cray,  immedi- 
ately assumed  charge. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  249 

Father  Cray  attends  also  the  church  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Bloomfield. 
This  mission  was  organized  b}-  Rev.  Joseph  Reid  of  the  cathedral  parish,  and 
was  subsequently  attended  by  Fathers  Kelly  and  Harty.  The  church,  a  hand- 
some structure,  was  erected  during  the  rectorship  of  Father  Harty.  The  cor- 
ner-stone was  laid  on  September  8,  1878,  by  Bishop  Galberry,  assisted  by 
Very  Rev.  T.  Walsh,  V.G.,  Rev.  Dr.  Carmod}-,  Rev.  M.  Tierney,  Rev.  M. 
Galligan,  Rev.  P.  McAlenny,  Rev.  J.  Larkin.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Carmody.     The  contributions  on  the  occasion  realized  $440. 

The  dedication  of  the  church  on  Sunday,  August  17,  1879,  was  the  first 
public  official  act  of  Bishop  McMahon,  the  ceremony  taking  place  one  week 
after  his  consecration.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass,  which  followed  the  dedi- 
catory services,  was  the  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly,  and  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G., 
preached  the  sermon.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Mass,  Bishop  McMahon  ad- 
dressed the  congregation  as  follows: 

"  My  first  public  act  in  the  Diocese  of  Hartford,  the  blessing  of  this  church,  was 
partly  bj'  my  own  choice  and  partly  bj'  circumstances.  I  am  sincerely  glad  to  commence 
my  labors  among  my  people  by  such  an  act.  The  dedication  of  a  new  church  is  an  im- 
portant event  of  itself,  for  it  is  the  establishment  of  a  new  centre  from  which  should 
go  forth  all  spiritual  graces  and  blessings  ;  but  I  take  especial  delight  in  dedicating  this 
particular  church  because  I  understand  it  is  practically  free  from  debt.  This  is  a  good 
omen,  a  happy  augury.  The  Catholics  of  Bloomfield  have,  in  their  act  of  dedicating  a 
church  practically  free  from  debt,  given  a  good  example  to  more  wealthy  churches  else- 
where, and  done  credit  to  themselves.  I  congratulate  you  and  your  pastor.  You  must 
have  been  very  generous,  or  you  have  had  good  friends  to  assist  you.  I  presume  both 
suppositions  are  true.  The  church  is  a  perfect  little  gem,  complete  in  all  its  appoint^ 
ments.  As  you  have  done  so  much  now,  I  hope  that  j-ou  will  do  still  more;  that  you  will 
make  use  of  the  church  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  designed,  and  then  it  will 
indeed  prove  the  means  of  rich  blessings  to  30U  and  your  children." 

ST.   PATRICK'S  PARISH, 

Thompson  VI LLE. 

IT  is  not  improbable  that  the  Rev.  Father  Woodley  and  the  Rev.  Father 
O'Cavanagh  visited  Thompsonville  in  1828,  1829  and  1830,  upon  the 
occasions  of  their  periodical  trips  to  the  Enfield  Canal.  The  latter 
was  the  first  resident  priest  in  Hartford,  and  made  frequent  visits  to 
the  northern  section  of  the  State.  At  any  rate,  the  Rev.  James  Fitton, 
Father  O'Cavanagh's  successor,  made  a  missionary  visit  to  Thompsonville 
and  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  the  house  of  Richard  Murphy 
in  the  fall  of  1831.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Thompsonville  he  arranged  to 
deliver  a  lecture,  which  was  largely  attended  by  the  Protestants  of  the  town, 
who  were  moved  by  curiosity  to  see  a  "real  live  Catholic  priest."  Through- 
out this  whole  section  there  were  about  ten  disciples  of  the  old  faith,  and 
after  the  lecture  they  were  quietl)-  notified  that  Mass  would  be  said  the  next 
morning  before  daylight  in  the  house  above  mentioned.  According  to  appoint- 
ment, the  few  Catholics  who  could  possibly  attend,  assembled  in  this  modest 
home  in  the  gray  dawn  of  that  memorable  morning  to  be  present  at  the 
Adorable  Sacrifice.     There  ivere  seven  in  attendance.     It  was  not  a  Sunday 


250  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

uiorniiig,  and  those  who  came  did  so  at  the  risk  of  being  summarily  dis- 
charged by  their  bigoted  employers. 

Mass  was  not  said  again  in  Thompsonville  for  three  years.  On  this  occa- 
sion the  attendance  was  larger,  as  a  few  additional  Catholics  had  come  to  work 
in  the  neighborliood.  The  marriage  register  bears  testimony  to  this  visit  as 
follows  : 

"  Thompsonville,  Conn. 

Peter  Casey         ")  1SJ4.  August  /j  :  Married,  Peter  Casey  to  Elizabeth  Bachelder. 
and  V     Witnesses,  Patrick  and  Marj-  Collins. 

Elizabeth  Bachelder  )  Jas.  Hitton." 

The  small  band  of  the  faithful  was  not  again  blessed  with  the  presence  of 
a  priest  until  1837,  when  it  is  said  a  Father  Murphy,  happening  in  the  vicin- 
ity, gladly  sojourned  a  few  days  with  them  and  ministered  to  their  wants. 
This  priest  officiated  in  the  house  of  James  Benson,  a  worthy  pioneer  of  the 
faith.  In  1838  the  Catholics  of  Tliomp.sonville  were  consoled  by  the  visits 
of  another  priest,  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  of  Hartford,  at  intervals  of  three 
months.  So  strong  was  the  current  of  intolerance  that  Father  Brady  was 
compelled  to  say  Mass  at  four  d' clock  in  the  morning  in  Mr.  Benson's  resi- 
dence. Having  been  previously  advised  b)'  Father  Brady,  he  would  carry  the 
glad  tidings  of  his  coming  visits  to  the  Catholics  of  the  town. 

After  the  arrival  of  Fatlier  Smyth  as  assistant  to  Father  Brady,  he  min- 
istered to  the  wants  of  the  faithful  for  si.x  or  seven  years  ;  and  a  private 
dwelling  being  now  too  small  for  their  rapidly  increasing  numbers,  the  town 
hall  was  secured  and  used  for  divine  service  once  a  month.  During  this 
period  Feather  Smyth  received  the  occasional  assistance  of  various  priests, 
among  whom  were  the  Rev.  Father  Doherty,  of  Springfield,  Mass. ;  the  Rev. 
Father  Duffy,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  the  Rev.  Father  Hogan,  of  Long  Island. 
Increasing  numbers  brought  to  the  devoted  band  confidence  in  their  ability  to 
build  a  church.  .Accordingly,  Father  Smyth  purcha.sed  ground  and  announced 
his  intention  to  erect  a  suitable  house  of  worship.  In  a  short  time  a  fine,  .spa- 
cious and  handsome  frame  structure  arose.  To  this  building  Father  Tully  built 
an  addition  after  a  few  years,  so  rapidly  did  the  congregation  increase.  This 
edifice,  the  first  Catholic  church  in  Thompsonville,  was  erected  in  i860. 

Among  the  sturdy  pioneers  of  Catholicity,  other  than  those  already 
mentioned,  we  may  note  the  names  of  James  Donovan,  Patrick  O'Brien,  John 
Hubbard,  Patrick  Carroll  and  Daniel  Lawlor. 

In  Bishop  O'Reilly's  journal  under  date  of  February  9,  1S52,  is  this  entry: 

"  Wrote  Rev.  Carmody  appointing  him  to  the  mi.ssious  of  Tliomp.sonville 
and  Windsor  Locks  ;  this  good  young  priest  was  sent  to  Bridgeport,  but  left, 
and  begged  these  missions."  Dr.  Carmody  officiated  in  Thompsonville  on 
three  occasions.    His  successor  in  Windsor  Locks  was  the  Re\-.  James  Smyth. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  Tliomp.sonville  was  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tully, 
who  assumed  charge  in  January,  1863.  His  term  of  service  was  three  years, 
having  as  successor,  the  Rev.  William  E.  Duffy,  October,  1866.  During  his 
pastorate  he  enlarged  the  church  and  built  the  present  convent,  though  he 
intended  it  for  a  pastoral   residence.     Having   been   transferred  before   the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  251 

building  was  completed,  the  work  was  carried  on  by  the  Rev.  John  Cooney, 
who  came  to  Thompsonville  in  May,  1871.  Instead  of  occupying  the  new 
building  himself.  Father  Cooney  installed  therein  a  band  of  Sisters  of  Mercy, 
whom  he  had  brought  from  Hartford.  Other  substantial  evidences  of  his 
labors  are  the  parochial  school  and  the  present  rectory.  After  a  service 
of  eight  years  he  was  followed  b}-  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  the  present 
Vicar  General,  who  reduced  the  parish  indebtedness  ^9,000,  besides  purchasing 
the  choice  lot  upon  which  the  present  church  stands.  In  October,  1881,  the 
Rev.  Patrick  Donahoe  assumed  control  of  the  parish  and  began  the  erection 
of  the  new  church,  having  disposed  by  sale  of  the  old  buildings  that  stood 
on  the  premises.  Father  Donahoe  also  purchased  a  public-school  building, 
moved  it  to  the  lot  adjoining  the  convent,  renovated  it  in  a  suitable  manner 
and  opened  it  for  school  purposes.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Gleason  then  came  in 
January,  1889,  and  immediately  took  up  the  work  of  completing  the  church. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  August  11,  1889.  The  discourse  on  the  occasion 
was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tieruey.  The  work  progressed  apace,  and 
on  October  16,  1892,  the  basement  was  dedicated  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
McMahon.  The  celebrant  of  the  Pontifical  High  Mass  was  the  Most  Rev. 
Archbishop  Fabre  of  Montreal.  Other  works,  such  as  enlarging  the  school 
and  the  building  of  a  boiler  house,  closed  a  pastorate  of  six  years.  The  pres- 
ent rector  is  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Preston,  who  took  charge  on  December  8, 
1895,  and  with  whom  the  people  are  cheerfully  co-operating  to  the  end,  that 
both  may  witness  the  dedication  of  their  magnificent  church  as  a  fitting  crown 
to  their  work.     Father  Preston's  assistant  is  the  Rev.  James  W.  Hoey. 

When  St.  Patrick's  parish  was  organized  in  1863,  its  population  was  esti- 
mated at  500  souls,  comprising  Irish,  Germans  and  a  few  French  Canadians. 
In  1898  it  was  i/oo,  and  of  the  same  nationalities.  -During  the  thirty-five 
years  of  its  parochial  existence,  3074  souls  have  been  regenerated  by  the  sav- 
ing waters  of  baptism,  while  during  the  same  period  744  were  united  in  wed- 
lock. Among  the  generous  benefactors  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  are  the  Hartford 
Carpet  Company,  William  Cashman  and  Mrs.  Mary  Diedrich.  The  parish 
possesses  a  beautiful  cemetery,  which  was  purchased  in  1868  by  Father  Tully, 
and  blessed  in  the  same  year  by  Bishop  McFarland. 

The  assistants  who  have  seived  in  Thompsonville  are:  Rev.  M.  F.  Kelly, 
Rev.  John  H.  Duggan,  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  Rev.  H.T.Walsh,  Rev.  Joseph 
Gleason,  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  Rev.  W.  H.  Redding,  Rev.  R.Walsh,  Rev. 
John  Broderick,  Rev.  D.  J.  O'Connor,  Rev.  D.  J.  Lawlor,  Rev.  C.  W.  Morrell, 
Rev.  W.  J-  Kelly  and  Rev.  James  Hoey.  The  Rev.  Father  Preston  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Diocesan  School  Commission. 

St.  Patrick's  school  was  built  during  the  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  Father 
Cooney.  When  it  was  opened  it  was  attended  b)-  200  pupils.  At  present 
there  are  133  boys  and  164  girls  in  attendance.  There  are  seven  class-rooms, 
six  in  the  main  school,  and  one  in  the  old  church  building  now  used  for 
gymnasium  purposes.  Sister  Leo  is  the  Superioress.  The  educational  work 
accomplished  in  this  school  is  of  a  gratif\ing  character,  and  reflects  deserved 
credit  upon  the  management  of  it. 


252  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ST.  MARY'S,   STAR   OF   THE  SEA,   PARISH, 
Unionville. 

'UR  many  years  the  Catholics  of  Unionville  were  faithfully  and  regu- 
larly attended  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish. 
New  Britain.  In  1854  he  began  to  say  Mass  here,  and  continued  to 
do  .so  until  the  appointment  to  Collinsville  of  the  Rev.  Patrick  O'Dwyer,  early 
in  1857.  He  was  succeeded  in  1861  by  the  Rev.  John  Fagan,  whose  pastorate 
ended  in  1868.  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh  then  became  pastor  of  Collinsville  and 
dependencies,  and  labored  in  tliis  jurisdiction  until  May,  1870.  His  successor 
was  the  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan. 

These  priests  were  imremitting  in  their  care  for  their  Unionville 
charges.  They  organized  them  into  a  comi^act  body,  and  were  zealous  in 
inculcating  the  necessity  and  importance  of  strict  adherence  to  their  religious 
obligations.  In  1H76  they  had  become  so  numerous  and  liad  given  such 
unequivocal  evidences  of  their  desire  and  ability  to  build  a  church,  that  a  large 
and  attractive  edifice  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  that  year.  At  this  time 
the  Catholic  population  numbered  about  600  souls. 

Their  devotion  to  the  church  and  regular  attendance  at  its  various 
services ;  their  reception  of  the  .sacraments  and  generous  contributions  to 
the  support  of  religious  and  charitable  works — all  demonstrated  to  the  cen- 
tral authority  of  the  diocese  the  wisdom  of  forming  the  congregation  into 
an  independent  parish.  This  was  accordingly  done  to  the  joy  of  the 
people,  and  the  Rev.  P.  Fox  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor.  He 
entered  upon  his  pastorate  witli  the  determination  to  place  his  new  charge 
upon  a  solid  spiritual  and  financial  basis.  The  rectory,  the  many  improve- 
ments made  on  the  church  property,  the  prudent  management  of  the  finances 
of  the  parish  attest  his  activity  and  success. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Redding,  is  the  second  pastor 
of  St.  Mary's,  and  faithful  is  he  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  which  devolve 
upon  him.  Having  enlarged  the  parochial  residence,  beautified  the  grounds 
and  in  other  ways  enhanced  the  value  of  the  parish's  possessions,  he  lias  also 
guarded  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people.  St.  Mary's  parish,  which  now 
has  850  souls,  consisting  of  Irish  people  and  their  descendants,  is  in  a  pros- 
jierous  condition  and  is  fulfilling  its  mission  of  forming  devoted  children  of 
the  church  and  useful  citizens  of  the  State. 

PARISH  OF  THE  SACRED  HEART, 

WeTHERSFIELL). 

(5  I  HE  town  of  Wethersfield  received  its  name  on  February  21st,    1636. 
'I        "  It  is  ordered   that  the  plantacon  nowe  called    Newtowne  shal  be 
called  &  named  by  the  name  of  Harteford  Towne,  likewise  the. plan- 
tacon nowe  called  Watertowne  shal  be  called  &  named  Wythersfield."  '    The 
boundaries  of  the  town  were  also  then  allotted.'^     "Samuell  Wakeman  and 

'  Public  Records  of  Cotm.,  1636-1665.  '  Ibid. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  253 

Ancient  Stoughton  doe  thinke  nieete  that  the  boundes  of  Wythersfield '  shal 
be  extended  toward  the  Rivers  month  in  the  same  side  it  standes  in  to  a  Tree 
Sixe  miles  downeward  from  the  bonndes  between  them  &  Harteford  [marked 
w"']  N:  F:  &  to  [run  in  an  east]  &  west  line,  [&  over]  the  great  River,  the 
said  Wythersfield  to  begin  att  [4]  the  month  of  Pewter  pott  Brooke  &  there 
to  rnnn  due  east  into  the  Conntrey  3  miles  &  donweward  six  miles  in  breadth, 
w"*"  is  ordered  accordingly  .  .  .  The  boundes  between  Weathersfield  &  Harte- 
ford are  agreed  on  the  side  wherein  they  stand  to  be  att  a  Tree  m'ked  N  :  F: 
&  to  w"""  the  Pale  of  the  Said  Harteford  is  fixed,  to  goe  into  the  Conntrey  due 
east  &  on  the  other  side  of  the  great  river  from  Pewter  pott  Brooke  att  the 
lower  side  of  Hocanno  due  east  into  the  Conntrey,  w'*  is  nowe  ordered  accord- 
ingly." 

This  ancient  town  is  rich  in  Catholic  memories.  It  was  in  the  hos- 
pitable "  Webb  House  "  that  the  Count  Rochambean  and  his  staff  held  a 
conference  with  General  Washington  in  May,  1781.  At  this  meeting  the 
plan  of  campaign  was  arranged  which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  lyord 
Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  In  Wethersfield  also,  it  is  asserted,  was  celebrated 
the  first  Mass  said  in  Connecticut.  This  historic  event  is  said  to  have 
occurred  during  the  march  of  Rochambeau's  army  across  the  State  to  join 
Washington's  forces  on  the  Hudson.  The  celebrant  of  this  Mass,  according 
to  tradition,  was  the  Abbe  Robin. 

As  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  first  Mass  said  in  Wethersfield  in  recent 
years  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Kelly,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  parish, 
Hartford,  about  Christmas  of  1861.  The  scene  of  this  offering  of  the  August 
Victim  was  the  "Chester  House,"  occupied  by  John  Connery.  Present  at 
this  Mass  were  Patrick  Taffe,  James  McCarthy,  and  about  twenty-five  others. 
Between  this  time  and  the  erection  of  the  church,  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was 
offered  at  various  times  in  the  "  Chester  House,"  the  residence  of  John 
Mehegan,  the  Grand  Army  hall  and  in  the  Town  Hall. 

Previous  to  tiieir  formation  into  a  separate  parish  and  the  appointment 
of  the  first  resident  and  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  T.  Lynch,  on  Septem- 
ber 1st,  1897,  the  Catholics  of  Wethersfield  were  served  by  the  pastors  of  St. 
Peter's  parish,  Hartford,  until  the  appointment  of  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mul- 
cahy  to  the  pastorate  of  East  Hartford,  when  they  passed  under  his  jurisdic- 
tion and  that  of  his  successor,  the  Rev.  John  McMahon.  When  the  parish 
of  St.  Lawrence  O'Toole  was  organized,  Wethersfield  was  attached  to  it  as  a 
mission  and  was  attended  successively  by  the  Rev.  John  F.  Lenihan  and  the 
Rev.  James  Smith.  The  church  was  built  during  the  incumbency  of  the 
Rev.  Father  McIMabon,  and  was  dedicated  to  the  Sacred  Heart  on  October 
31,  1880. 

When  Father  Lynch  assumed  charge  of  the  newly  erected  parish,  the 
population  numbered  340  souls,  Irish  and  their  descendants.  Among  the 
benefactors  of  this  parish,  John  Fitzgibbons,  Bridget  Galugan,  Patrick  Taffe, 
John  Mulligan,  Michael  Riordan  and  Honora  O'Neil,  deserve  special  recogni- 

'  The  Indian  name  of  Wethersfield  was  Pyquaagg. 


254  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  XEW  ENGLAND. 

tion.  In  the  short  time  Father  Lynch  has  been  in  charge,  he  has  purchased 
a  fine  lot,  on  which  lie  has  erected  a  handsome  parochial  residence.  Besides 
attending  to  the  manifold  duties  of  his  parish,  Father  Lynch  is  the  Catholic 
chaplain  of  the  Connecticut  State  Prison, .an  office  he  has  held  since  May, 
1888.  It  is  a  position  that  demands  a  high  degree  of  tact,  a  good  know- 
ledge of  human  nature,  and  a  heart  that  sympathizes  with  the  afflictions 
of  others,  even  when  justly  imposed;  but,  during  his  chaplaincy  of  eleven 
years,  Father  L\n<li  has  so  discharged  the  duties  of  his  difficult  office  as  to 
merit  the  high  encomiums  of  the  honorable  Board  of  Directors,  as  well  as  of 
his  ecclesiastical  superiors.  As  evidence  of  the  tolerant  spirit  of  the  prison 
management,  and  of  the  good  work  he  has  accomplished,  we  append  Father 
Lynch's  last  report: 

To  the  Honorab/e  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Connecticut  State  Prison,  fames  Cheney,  president. 

Gentlemen  :  -  I  have  conducted  religious  ser\'ices  for  Catholic  inmates,  at  the 
Connecticut  State  Prison,  every  Sunday  since  my  last  report  to  your  Honorable  Board, 
one  year  ago. 

On  two  different  occasions  during  the  jear  several  clergymen  have  assisted  me  in 
administering  to  those  foreigners,  who  can  understand  and  speak  only  their  own  language. 
When  necessit}'  or  occasion  required  it,  I  have  visited  the  prison  at  other  times,  to  admin- 
ister the  consolations  of  religion  to  the  sick  or  to  those  who  were  preparing  to  leave  this 
world.  Being  an  advocate  of  the  reform  movement  recently  introduced  into  our  penal 
institutions,  I  have  endeavored  at  all  times  to  employ  those  agencies  which  are  con- 
sidered the  best  means  of  accomplishing  that  reform,  namely,  religious  instruction  and 
moral  suasion.  These  religious  instructions  constitute  a  part  of  nn- duties  every  Sunday. 
In  this  work,  I  am  greatly  assisted  at  our  Sundaj'-school  by  a  number  of  self  sacrificing 
men  who  generously  devote  their  time  and  labor  to  this  worthy  cause.  During  the  past 
year  it  has  been  a  pleasure  to  notice  a  more  uniform  and  regular  attendance  at  religious 
exercises,  as  well  as  a  greater  earnestness  manifested  by  the  men  who  attended.  As 
far  as  our  means  would  allow,  I  have  distributed  among  the  men,  every  week,  a  sup- 
pl}'  of  reading  matter,  with  a  view  to  carry  on  the  work  of  reform  spoken  of  above. 
By  the  kindness  of  the  warden  a  number  of  books  of  a  Catholic  nature  have  been  added 
to  the  prison  library,  and  others  that  had  become  worn  or  soiled  were  replaced  by 
new  ones. 

To  the  Sundaj'-scliool  teachers  who  have  so  conscientioush'  and  faithfully  assisted 
me  in  my  work  at  the  prison  I  am  greatlj-  indebted.  To  Warden  Woodbridge  and  his 
oflScers  I  am  also  indebted  for  the  courtes\-  they  have  at  all  times  extended  to  me. 

Respectfully,  John  T.  Lvnch. 

Wethersfield,  Conn.,  October  27,  1898. 

ST.    MARY'S   PARISH, 

Windsor  Locks. 

O5  I  HPv  Catholics  of  Wind.sor  Locks  were  consoled  and  strengthened  by  the 
*  I  ministrations  of  zealous  missionary  priests  very  early  in  our  history. 
Very  Rev.  John  Power,  Vicar-General  of  New  York,  Rev.  R.  D. 
Woodley,  and  Rev.  B.  O'Cavanagh,  each  in  succession,  came  hither,  the 
heralds  of  glad  tidings  and  the  dispen.sers  of  the  precious  graces  that  flow  so 
abundantly  from  the  Adorable  Sacrifice  and  the  sacraments.  They  watered 
well  the  seeds  of  faith  that  had  been  sown  in  the  hearts  of  those  hardy 
laborers  beyond  the  seas,  and  God  gave  the  increase.     When  Father  Power 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  255 

had  performed  the  work  of  mercy  that  had  brought  him  to  the  Canal  he  offered 
the  Holy  Sacrifice  for  the  faithful  souls  there  congregated  ;  but  the  Divine 
Victim  was  sacrificed  upon  no  altar  of  marble.  In  the  open  air,  upon  an 
humble  table  with  the  thick  foliage  as  a  canopy,  was  Christ  the  Lord  immo- 
lated for  the  first  time  here  in  Holy  Mass.  This  was  in  August,  1S27. 
Yielding  to  their  earnest  solicitations  Father  Power  returned  to  the  Canal 
in  the  October  following. 

The  visits  of  Father  Woodley  and  Father  O'Cavanagh  are  referred  to 
elsewhere  in  these  pages.  Rev.  Father  Fitton,  the  successor  of  Father 
O'Cavanagh,  Father  Kiernan,  Father  Walsh,  the  third  resident  postor  of 
Hartford,  also  came  hither  at  intervals  and  gathered  the  scattered  Catho- 
lics of  the  vicinity  to  assist  at  Mass  and  receive  the  Sacraments.  Rev. 
John  Brady  then  appeared  upon  the  scene.  From  1837,  when  he  assumed 
charge  of  Hartford,  until  February  9,  1852,  the  date  of  the  appointment  of 
the  Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  D.  D.,  as  the  pastor  of  these  missions,  Windsor  Locks 
was  served  by  Father  Brady,  Rev.  John  D.  Brady,  Rev.  John  C.  Brady  and 
the  Rev.  H.  T.  Riordan,  who  had  charge  of  the  parish  during  Father  Brady's 
seven  months'  absence  in  Ireland.  During  these  periodical  visits  the 
thoroughly  Catholic  home  of  John  Byrnes  was  sanctified  by  the  offering  of  the 
Holy  Sacrifice,  save  on  one  occasion,  when  Rev.  John  C.  Brady  said  Mass  in 
a  dilapidated  structure  on  Grove  street,  July  4,  1845.  Among  the  early  set- 
tlers who  assisted  inlaying  the  foundations  of  the  faith  in  this  parish  we  note 
James  Coogan,  John  Byrnes,  Patrick  Gaynor,  Patrick  Googarty  and  William 
English. 

The  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carmody  was  of  brief  duration.  He  was 
followed  by  Rev.  James  Smyth,  then  serving  as  assistant  to  Rev.  Father 
Brady  at  Hartford.  At  first  he  came  here  at  monthly  intervals,  but  took  up 
his  permanent  residence  on  June  24,  1852.  For  twenty-two  years  this  apos- 
tolic priest  labored  here  for  the  promotion  of  God's  glory  and  the  sanctifica- 
tion  of  souls.  It  was  his  zeal  that  erected  the  present  chnrcli  edifice.  He 
had  seen  the  Holy  Sacrifice  offered  amid  humble  surroundings  ;  it  was  the 
all-absorbing  desire  of  his  soul  to  raise  aloft  a  temple  to  the  Most  High.  On 
August  17,  1852,  ground  was  broken,  and  on  September  I4tli  following,  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reilly,  who  also  preached  the 
sermon.  He  was  assisted  by  Rev.  James  Smyth,  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  Peter 
Kelly.  The  exertions  of  the  faithful  people  were  rewarded  by  beholding  a 
completed  church,  within  whose  sanctuary  the  first  Mass  was  celebrated  on 
Easter  Sunday,  1853.  The  dedication  of  the  church  is  said  to  have  occurred 
on  Cliri.stmas  day,  1853  ;  if  so,  Bishop  O'Reilly  did  not  officiate,  as  the  records 
of  his  Journal  show  that  he  was  in  Providence  on  that  day.  However,  we 
learn  from  the  same  source  that  the  bishop  visited  Windsor  Locks  on  June 
15)  '853  ;  '^"t  there  is  no  information  as  to  what,  if  any,  ceremony  was  per- 
formed. It  is  not  improbable  that  the  dedication  of  the  church  took  place  on 
that  occasion.  The  constantly  increasing  population  made  an  enlargement 
of  the  church  necessary;  accordingly  an  addition  was  built  in  1872,  which 
gave  the  church  a  seating  capacity  of  well-nigh  2000.    In  1853,  Father  Smyth 


256  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

purchased  the  original  rectory,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  resi- 
dence until  1878,  and  added  St.  Mary's  cemetery  to  the  ppssessions  of 
the  parish,  erected  a  school  where  the  little  ones  of  his  fldck  could  re- 
ceive a  Christian  education,  and  in  1869  adorned  the  churcl^with  a  valua- 
ble organ.  Father  Smyth  died  on  !\Iay  16,  1874,  aged  eighty-seven  years. 
"His  labors  were  many  and  arduous;  his  sacrifices  were  made  for  the 
benefit  of  the  flock  he  loved  so  well.  Their  spiritual  wants  were  well 
attended  to  by  him,  and  it  might  be  truly  said  that  he  spent  his  life  in  their 
service." 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Micliael  J.  McAuley,  who  governed  the 
parish  until  his  death  in  March,  1878.  On  March  i6th,  the  Rev.  Michael  Kelly 
was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Mary's.  The  present  commodious  rectory  was 
built  during  his  period  of  service.  Assigned  to  Bridgeport  in  June,  1884,  he 
was  followed  by  the  Rev.  James  O'R.  Sheridan.  The  works  accomplished 
during  his  ministry  were  carried  forward  with  characteristic  energ)'.  Sparing 
not  himself,  he  sought  only  the  welfare  of  his  parisliioners.  Chief  among  his 
labors  were  the  complete  re-decoration  of  the  interior  of  the  church,  including 
new  windows,  confessionals  and  altars;  the  purchase  of  a  school  lot,  240  feet 
by  160  feet;  a  home  for  tlie  Sisters  of  vSt.  Joseph,  whom  he  introduced,  and 
the  erection  of  a  parochial  school.  After  twelve  years  of  successful  adminis- 
tration Father  Sheridan  was  followed  by  the  present  rector,  the  Rev.  John 
A.  Creedon,  on  January  8,  1896.  Well  equipped  for  the  charge  assigned  him, 
Father  Creedon  will  faithfully  conserve  the  best  interests  of  his  people  and 
lead  them  in  the  ways  of  justice  and  righteousness.  He'  is  assisted  in  his 
labors  by  the  Rev.  John  C.  Brennan.  The  other  clergj-men  who  discharged 
assistant's  duties  in  this  parish  since  its  organization  are  :  Revs.  P.  F'ay, 
T.  F.  Healy,  A.  Van  Oppen,  T.  P.  Joynt,J.  B.  Dougherty,  J.  J.  Smith,  M.  A. 
Sullivan,  W.  Lynch,  D.  Lawlor,  John  Crowley,  J.  Cunningham,  \V.  J. 
Blake. 

When  St.  Mary's  parish  was  established,  in  1852,  the  census  disclosed  a 
population  of  200  Irish  people.  In  1898  the  estimate  is  1600  Irish  and  al)out 
300  Italians  and  F'rench.  During  the  forty-five  years  elapsing  between  1855 
and  1898,  4559  baptisms  and  1095  marriages  have  taken  place.  The  first  bap- 
tism was  that  of  Patrick  Quirk,  January  2,  1853.  Tlie  marriage  of  Michael 
Kelly  and  Mary  Ouinn  was  the  first  solemnized,  August  4,  1850. 

St.  Mary's  Parociii.\l  School. 

As  stated  above.  Rev.  Father  Smyth  organized  the  first  Catholic  school  in 
W'indsor  Locks  in  1868.  It  was  conducted  in  the  brick  building  in  the  rear 
of  the  church  by  lay  teachers,  Michael  Burke,  IMiss  Ellen  Maloney  and 
Michael  Malone.      It  closed  after  a  brief  existence. 

The  present  flourishing  school  was  founded  in  1888  by  Father  Sheridan. 
In  November  of  that  year  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  the  Rev.  William  Mul- 
heron,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y. ,  preaching  the  sermon.  The  Rev.  Walter  Elliott^ 
C.  S.  P.,  was  the  orator  on  the  occasion  of  the  blessing  of  the  building.  The 
school  is  taught  by  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  who  were  introduced  into  the 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  257 

diocese  by  Father  Sheridan  in  August,  1 88g.  There  are  nine  sisters  teaching, 
with  328  pupils.  The  first  superior  was  Sister  Mary  Ursula ;  the  present 
directress  is  Sister  St.  Hilary.  St.  Mary's  school  has  all  the  grades  from  the 
primary  to  the  high-school  grade  inclusive,  and  is  modern  both  in  its  material 
appointments  and  methods  of  teaching. 

The  Order  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  dates  its  canonical  erection  from 
March  10,  165  i.  Like  many  other  religious  communities  it  was  dispersed  in 
the  French  Revolution  of  1789.  Its  restoration  occurred  in  1807.  The  Order 
was  founded  by  Mgr.  de  Maupas  and  Father  Medaille,  S.  J.,  at  Le  Puy,  France. 


(bT  HE 


SACRED  HEART  (MISSION)  CHURCH, 

SUFFIELD. 


_  HE  Sacred  Heart  church,  Suffield,  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  St.  Mary's 
*  I  parish.  Mass  is  celebrated  here  every  Sunday.  The  land  on  which 
the  church  is  built  was  purchased  and  paid  for  in  1883  by  Rev.  Father 
Kelly.  In  1886,  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Sheridan,  the  church  was 
erected.  It  was  dedicated  on  November  3ist"(Thanksgiving  day)  of  that  year, 
the  preacher  on  the  occasion  being  the  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan,  of  Middletown. 
The  cost  of  the  church,  with  the  surrounding  improvements,  was  ^12,000, 
all  of  wliich  was  liquidated  by  Father  Sheridan.  The  church  grounds 
embrace  eleven  acres. 


FAIRFIELD    COUNTY. 


ST.  AUGUSTINE'S   PARISH, 

Bridgeport. 

RIDGEPORT,  known  in  early  times  as  Fairfield  Village,  Stratfield, 
and  Newfield,  is  the  county  seat  of  Fairfield  county.     It  was  incor- 
porated in  1836.     As  early  as  1657  a  portion  of  the  site  on  which  the 
city  stands  was  known  as   "Ireland's  Brook."     The  origin  of  the 
name  is  lost  in  obscurity. 

The  Catholic  history  of  Bridgeport  embraces  a  period  of  well-nigh  three 
score  and  ten  years.  In  1830,  that  prince  of  missionaries  and  apostolic  man, 
Rev.  James  Fitfon,  celebrated  here  for  the  first  time  the  Adorable  Mysteries  in 
the  house  of  James  McCullough,  on  Middle  street.  Seventeen  souls,  of  various 
ages  and  conditions,  formed  that  first  congregation.  At  this  time  the  follow- 
ing were  residents  of  Bridgeport :  Mrs.  McLoughlin,  Mrs.  McConnell,  Ber- 
nard Kennedy,  Peter  Carey,  John  Carey,  Michael  Sullivan,  Joseph  Delaney, 
II — 17 


258  THE   C ATI  10 Lie  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

James  McCullogli,  John  Reilly,  James  Gillick,  James  Ward,  Tliomas  Garey, 
Edward  Lutz,  and  John  Coyle.  F'ather  Fitton  was  of  the  opinion  that  Bridge- 
port had  been  honored  by  the  presence  of  a  priest  before  his  appearance 
there  ;  that  tlie  sacraments  had  been  administered  to  a  dying  child  of  the 
faith  by  a  priest  from  New  York.  This  pnts  no  strain  on  our  belief,  for  we 
know  that  a  few  years  before  (in  1827)  Very  Rev.  John  Power,  Vicar  General 
of  New  York,  attended  a  sick  laborer  at  Windsor  Locks,  that  he  returned 
again  in  the  same  year,  and  that  he  said  Mass  in  New  Haven.  Father  Wood- 
ley,  of  Providence,  may  also  have  exercised  his  sacred  ministr)'  here,  for  the 
records  show  that  he  returned  to  Hartford  from  the  Enfield  Canal  on  July  21, 
1829,  and  on  the  day  following  set  out  for  New  Haven  and  New  London.  It 
is  not  improbable  that  the  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh,  the  first  resident  priest 
in  Connecticut,  also  visited  this  section  of  his  extensive  parish,  as  he  was  on 
a  missionary  visit  to  New  Haven  on  April  17,  1830. 

However,  Bridgeport  was  visited  by  the  Rev.  James  McDermot  occasion- 
ally from  1832  to  1837,  when  he  was  transferred  from  New  Haven  to  Lowell, 
Massachusetts.  Father  McDermot  said  Mass  in  Mr.  Farrell's  residence  on 
Middle  street.  At  the  period  of  Father  McDermot's  fir.st  visitation  there 
were  about  ninety  Catholics  in  Bridgeport. 

The  Rev.  James  Smyth,  of  New  Haven,  followed  Father  McDermot  in 
his  attendance  upon  the  Catholics  of  Bridgeport.  For  seven  years  Father 
Smyth  served  Bridgeport,  coming  as  frequently  as  once  a  month.  He  erected 
the  old  brick  church — the  first  in  Connecticut — that  stood  on  the  corner  of 
Arch  street  and  Washington  avenue.  It  was  dedicated  to  St.  James  on  July 
24,  1843.  At  this  time  the  number  of  Catholics  had  increased  to  respectable 
proportions,  numbering  in  1841,  according  to  Father  Fitton,  250  souls.  The 
church  measured  60  by  40  feet,  had  a  sacristy,  and  was  adorned  with  a  choir 
gallery. 

On  November  18,  1844,  the  Rev.  Michael  Lynch,  who  in  1843  was  pastor 
of  Waltham,  Mass.,  succeeded  Father  Smyth,  and  became  the  first  resident 
pastor  of  the  Catholics  of  Bridgeport.  His  mi.ssions  were  Norwalk,  Stamford, 
Danbury,  Wolcottville  and  Norfolk.  In  1846  Father  Lynch  estimated  the 
Catholic  population  of  Bridgeport  at  300.'  Father  Lynch's  relations  with  the 
Catholics  of  Bridgeport  closed  on  August  12,  1852.  Rev.  Patrick  Lamb  was 
attached  to  St.  James'  at  this  time. 

In  August,  1852,  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Synnott'  began  his  pastorate  in 
Bridgeport,  which  covered  a  period  of  thirt>-two  years.  In  this  new  field 
Father  Synnott  gave  evidence  of  the  possession  in  a  high  degree  of  tact, 
patience,  courage,  unconquerable  confidence  and  uuusual  financial  capacity. 
It  was  a  time  when  authority  had  to  be  exerci.sed  firmly,  yet  withal  in  a  spirit 
of  fatherh  kindness.  Father  Synnott  was  equal  to  every  demand  made  upon 
him,  and  his  conduct  of  affairs  elicited  the  praise  of  his  Ordinary.  On  June 
5,  1853,  Bishop  O'Reilly  admini.stered  confirmation  in  St.  James'  church,  and 
under  that  date  he  wrote  in  his  Journal :  "  All  matters  well  in  this  congrega- 

'  Letter  to  Bishop  Tyler,  February  i6th. 

•Father  Synnott  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  April  11,  1S51. 


ST.  AUGUSTINE'S  CHURCH, 
Bridgeport. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  259 

tion."     Difficulties  which  had  previously  existed  were  happily  adjusted,  and 
with  Father  Synnott  the  parish  began  a  new  era  of  prosperity. 

Father  Synnott  was  an  active  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ.  His 
works  attest  his  energy.  In  the  first  three  years  of  his  ministry  he  enlarged 
St.  James'  church,  built  St.  Mary's,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Crescent  avenue 
and  Church  street,  and  erected  St.  Thomas'  church  at  Fairfield. 

Old  St.  James'  church  continued  to  be  the  religious  home  of  the  Catholics 
of  Bridgeport  until  1864.  As  far  back  as  July  18,  1852,  Bishop  O'Reilly  had 
recommended  the  erection  of  a  new  church,  and  had  received  some  subscrip- 
tions to  that  end.  He  had  examined  a  contemplated  church  lot,  but  was 
unable  to  secure  it.  Notwithstanding  the  enlargements  of  the  church,  first 
by  Father  Lynch  and  afterwards  by  Father  Synnott,  it  became  inadequate 
for  the  acconnnodation  of  the  people.  Witli  splendid  foresight  and  judgment 
Father  Synnott  purchased  a  fine  lot  on  the  corner  of  Washington  avenue  and 
Poquonock  street,  and  upon  this  he  erected  the  church  which  stands  a  monu- 
ment to  his  zeal,  one  of  the  ornaments  of  Bridgeport.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  on  August  28,  1865.  It  was  opened  for  public  worship  on  March  17, 
1869,  and  dedicated  under  the  title  of  St.  Augustine  in  June,  1868,  by  Bishop 
McFarland.  The  erection  of  St.  Agnes'  magnificent  convent  next  occupied 
Father  Synnott's  attention,  though  he  did  not  live  to  see  it  completed.  When 
Father  Synnott  was  attacked  by  his  last  illness  he  was  engaged  in  improving 
some  forty  acres  of  land  in  the  northern  section  of  the  city.  Among  his  last 
acts  in  the  temporal  order  was  the  purchase  of  the  Billings  property,  now  used 
as  the  parochial  residence.  Father  Synnott  died  on  Wednesday,  April  30, 
1884,  aged  66  years,  at  the  old  parochial  residence  on  Poquonock  street.  The 
Rev.  Augustine  Hewitt,  C.  S.  P.,  pronounced  the  funeral  eulogy.  "As  a  citi- 
zen he  was  irpright,  honest  and  sincere ;  as  a  priest,  he  was  a  firm  upholder 
of  the  doctrines  of  the  church,  and  always  solicitous  for  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  his  flock.  The  cause  of  education  found  in  him  an  earnest  champion.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  several  years,  and  during  that 
time  not  only  maintained  kindly  relations  with  his  colleagues,  but  endeared 
himself  alike  to  teachers  and  pupils."  ' 

Father  Synnott's  successor  was  the  Rev.  Michael  F.  Kelly,  a  king  among 
men.  Father  Kelly  took  up  his  residence  in  the  house  on  the  Billings'  estate, 
opened  the  new  convent  for  a  select  academy,  and  purchased  St.  Michael's 
cemetery,  the  one  in  use.  The  parish  has  two  other  cemeteries,  St.  James' 
and  St.  Augustine's.  Father  Kelly's  pastorate  was  closed  by  death  in  Sep- 
tember, 1887. 

The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Denis  Cremin,  succeeded  Father  Kelly  on 
November  i,  18S7.  The  first  work  to  which  Father  Cremin  devoted  his  ener- 
gies was  the  renovation  of  the  rectory.  At  an  outlay  of  $3,000  it  was  trans- 
formed into  a  model  parochial  residence;  but  a  conflagration,  which  broke  out 
on  the  night  of  January  18,  1888,  destroyed  the  labor,  but  not  the  hopes  of  the 
zealous  rector.  The  rector)-  was  rebuilt,  the  parochial  school  opened,  the 
church  spire  was  erected  in  1894,  the  interior  of  the  church  has  been  superbly 

'  Orcutt's  History  of  Bridgeport. 


260  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

decorated  and  the  spacious  grounds  about  the  church  and  rectory  have  been 
so  graded  and  otherwise  improved  that  tliey  are  among  the  handsomest  in 
the  city.  Altogether,  it  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most  valuable  church 
estates  in  New  England,  and  speaks  eloquently  of  the  faith,  devotion  and  self- 
sacrifice  of  the  people,  and  of  the  wisdom  and  courage  and  ceaseless  toil  of  the 
pastors.  Father  Cremin  is  one  of  the  permanent  rectors  of  the  diocese.  His 
assistants  are  the  Rev.  William  Fitzsimmons  and  the  Rev.  John  McGivney. 

The  first  Catholic  school  in  Bridgeport  was  opened  in  the  house  of  Mr. 
John  Coyle.  It  was  taught  by  Mary  Quigley,  and  was  attended  by  about 
twenty-five  pupils.  In  1874  Father  Syunott  began  the  erection  of  the  present 
school  building.  It  was  opened,  as  said  above,  as  a  select  school  by  Father 
Kelly  and  as  a  parochial  school  by  Father  Cremin.  The  school  contains  nine 
grades,  has  610  pui)i]s,  and  is  conducted  by  twelve  Sisters  of  Mercy  whose 
superior  is  Sister  M.  Colette. 

ST.   MARY'S    PARISH, 
East  Bridgeport. 

(5^  tXTIL  April,  1857,  St.  Mar>''s  church  was  attended  by  llie  priests 
A_  J  attached  to  St.  James'.  The  first  church  was  a  frame  building  on  the 
\^'[X,— ..^  corner  of  Crescent  avenue  and  Church  street,  now  used  as  a 
parochial  school.  It  was  built  in  1854  by  Rev.  Father  Syunott, 
pastor  of  St.  James',  as  an  accommodation  for  the  Catholics  in  this  section  of 
the  city.  Previous  to  its  erection  into  an  independent  parish  it  had  been 
served  successively  by  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neill,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Lamb  and 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Wallace.  The  first  resident  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Peter  A.  Smith, 
who  assumed  charge  in  April,  1857.  He  built  the  rectory  and  remained  in 
charcre  until  F'ebruary  10,  1862.  His  successors  were  the  Rev.  Francis  J. 
Lenihan,  February  24,  1862;  Rev.  Richard  O'Gormau,  January  12,  1866;  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Drea,'  October  2,  1867;  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  F. 
Rogers,  who  succeeded  Father  Drea  on  July  6,  1873. 

Father  Rogers  began  the  erection  of  the  present  fine  church  edifice  in 
June,  1 874.  It  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Pembroke  and  Steuben  streets.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  on  May  16,  1S75,  and 
the  church  was  dedicated  by  Bi.shop  Galberry  on  October  14,  1877.  Pontifical 
Mass  was  celebrated  b\-  Bishop  Galberry,  and  the  sermon  of  dedication  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  J.  Fitzpatrick,  of  New  Haven.  The  church  is  in  the 
Romane.sque  style,  is  74  feet  front  on  Pembroke  street  and  154  feet  in  length, 
with  a  spire  187  feet  in  height.  The  principal  feature  of  the  interior  is  the 
Roman  altar  35  feet  high.  The  edifice  cost,  when  completed,  about  $100,000. 
In  1890,  on  the  occasion  of  the  silver  jubilee  of  Father  Rogers,  a  fine  bell, 
worth  $1,400,  was  placed  in  the  tower  in  honor  of  the  jubilariau.  The  inte- 
rior of  the  church  was  thoroughly  renovated  and  handsomely  decorated  a  few 
years  ago. 

'  Father  Drea  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  May  19,  1851,  at  Hartford,  by  Bishop 
O'Reilly. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  261 

The  present  parochial  residence  was  erected  in  1881,  on  a  lot  adjoining, 
sonth  of  the  church.  It  is  a  donble  lot,  240  feet  wide  on  Pembroke  street, 
between  Steuben  and  Sherman,  and  200  feet  deep  on  Steuben.  Another  lot 
between  Sherman  and  Cedar  streets  was  purchased  by  Father  Rogers,  on 
which  it  is  his  intention  to  erect  a  convent  and  parochial  school.  The  popu- 
lation of  the  parish  is  about  3200  souls.  Father  Rogers  is  assisted  by  the 
Rev.  William  Lynch  and  the  Rev.  Peter  C.  Dunigan. 

St.  Mary's  church  is  admittedly  one  of  the  most  graceful  and  majestic 
brick  structures  in  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  its  external  beaut}'  arousing  the 
admiration  of  all  beholders.  So  numerous  and  ornate  are  the  stone  trimmings 
on  front  and  sides,  that  it  might  with  truth  be  affirmed  that  it  is  a  stoJie  church 
with  brick  ornaments.  The  stately  spire,  which  carries  its  golden  cross  aloft, 
like  a  prayer  into  the  clouds,  bears  upward  the  aspiration  of  both  Protestant 
and  Catholic  alike  that  so  much  of  beauty,  reared  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
the  Infinite,  may  never  fail  in  its  exalted  and  divine  mission.  The  seating 
capacity  is  1300  upstairs  and  1350  in  the  basement.  From  this  it  will  be 
seen  that  2650  worshipers,  including  children  and  adults,  can  at  the  same 
time  be  assembled  for  divine  service. 

The  parochial  school  is  held  in  the  old  church,  and  the  Sisters  of  Mercy 
who  conduct  it,  reside  in  the  rectory  built  by  the  first  resident  pastor.  Rev. 
Peter  Smith.  At  present  there  are  360  pupils,  and  ten  sisters,  whose  superior 
is  Sister  M.  Vincent. 

SACRED  HEART  PARISH, 
Bridgeport. 

C5  I  HE  parish  of  the  Sacred  Heart  is  of  comparatively  recent  origin,  its  his- 
'I  tory  beginning  on  November  i8th,  1883,  when  it  was  organized  by 
the  Rev.  Denis  Cremin,  now  rector  of  St.  Augustine's  parish.  It  was 
the  second  division  of  the  mother  parish.  From  the  time  Father  Cremin 
assumed  charge  until  the  church  could  be  used  for  divine  worship.  Mass  was 
said  in  the  Opera  House.  Having  secured  a  lot  on  Myrtle  avenue  near  Pros- 
pect street.  Father  Cremin  began  the  project  of  erecting  a  church.  Ground 
was  broken  early  in  i  S84  and  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  structure  was  laid 
in  the  September  following.  So  expeditiously  was  the  work  carried  on  that 
in  January,  1885,  the  Adorable  Sacrifice  was  offered  up  in  the  basement. 
At  the  thought  of  enjoying  the  happiness  of  gathering  within  their  own 
sacred  walls  to  assist  at  Mass  both  pastor  and  people  took  on  new  courage, 
their  zeal  received  new  impetus.  The  work  so  progressed  that  on  the  na- 
tion's holiday,  July  4th,  1886,  the  beautiful  building  was  solemnly  dedicated 
to  the  Adorable  Heart  of  our  Lord.  The  spire  was  completed  and  a 
bell  placed  in  it  to  ring  out  the  prai.ses  of  God  and  to  proclaim  to  the 
parishioners  a  welcome  to  their  new  temple.  This  work  accomplished, 
Father  Cremin  was  promoted  to  St.  Augustine's  parish  on  November  ist, 
1887.  He  was  followed  immediately  by  the  Rev.  James  C.  O'Brien,  who  is 
still  the  rector.  The  eleven  years  of  his  pastorate  have  been  attended  with 
unvarying  successes.      The  church  interior  was  completed  under  his  super- 


262  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

vision.  A  rich-toned  organ,  two  marble  side  altars,  statues  and  stations  of 
the  cross,  a  handsome  vestment  case  with  complete  sets  of  vestments  of  the 
prescribed  colors  in  keeping  with  the  dignity  of  the  parish,  and  the  frescoing 
of  the  interior — all  are  works  bearing  evidence  of  the  thought  that  the 
beauty  of  the  temple  in  which  dwells  the  Lord  God  should  be  uppermost  in 
the  mind  and  fill  the  heart  of  him  who  is  a  dispenser  of  His  mysteries.  Yet 
other  works  speak  of  Father  O'Brien's  activity  :  the  purchase  of  the  rector>' 
at  a  cost  of  $15,000,  recently  almost  destroyed  by  fire;  the  securing  of  the  con- 
vent property  adjoining  the  church  at  an  expenditure  of  $12,000;  the  pur- 
chase of  an  acre  of  land  on  Park  avenue  for  which  he  paid  $25,000;  the  erec- 
tion on  this  land  of  a  model  school  which  cost,  exclusive  of  furniture,  $35,000; 
the  erection  of  St.  Michael's  "Chapel  of  Ease"  in  the  western  section  of  tlie  city. 
The  lot  upon  which  this  chapel  stands  was  purchased  in  1 894.  In  September,  on 
Labor  Day,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney,  Rev.  William  J.  Slo- 
cum,  of  Waterbury,  preaching  the  sermon.  It  was  blessed  on  January  6th,  1 895. 
The  church  is  a  wooden  structure  with  a  seating  capacity  of  700.  Its  entire  cost 
was  $16,500.  The  clergymen  who  assist  Father  O'Brien  in  parochial  work  are 
the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Leddy,  the  Rev.  D.  P.  Hurley,"  and  the  Rev.  James  Clyne. 
The  Sisters  of  Mercy  were  introduced  into  the  parish  on  December  8th, 
1892.  After  the  erection  of  St.  Michael's  chapel  they  opened  a  school  in  the 
rear  portion  of  the  building.  Here  they  had  three  rooms  and  125  children, 
with  five  sisters.  The  new  school  was  opened  in  September,  1896.  It  con- 
tains twelve  large  and  well-ventilated  class  rooms,  has  768  pupils  with  thirteen 
sisters,  whose  directress  is  Sister  M.  Petronilla. 

ST.    PATRICK'S    PARISH, 
Bridgeport. 

fllH  growth  of  Catholicity  in  the  uortliern  .section  of  Bridgeport  con- 
vinced Bishop  McMahon  of  the  necessity  of  giving  to  the  Catholics  of 
that  localitv  an  independent  organization.  Accordingly  St.  Augustine's 
parish  was  for  the  third  time  divided,  and  St.  Patrick's  formed  on  May  29, 
1 889.  The  Rev.  James  Nihil  was  appointed  the  first  pastor.  Previous  to  the 
division  Father  Cremin  had  .secured  property  on  Lindley  avenue  known  as 
the  Lindley  estate. 

Upon  his  arrival  among  his  new  flock  Father  Nihil  secured  from  the 
Board  of  Education  the  gratuitous  use  of  the  Grand  street  school,  where  for 
twelve  months  he  gathered  his  pari.shioners  for  divine  worship.  This  cour- 
teous action  of  the  school  board  was  an  evidence  that  the  narrow  religious 
spirit  that  formerly  prevailed  in  Connecticut  is  to  be  catalogued  among  the 
things  that  were.  Believing  that  the  Lindley  estate  was  not  sufficiently  cen- 
tral to  accommodate  his  parishioners  Father  Nihil  purcha.sed  the  Eli  Thonii> 
son  estate  in  April,  1890,  for  $27,000.  No  more  eligible  property  could  be 
secured  for  church  purposes.  It  is  250  by  200  feet,  and  is  bounded  by  three 
streets  :  Thompson  and  Parallel  streets  and  North  avenue.  The  fine  mansion 
purchased  with  the  property  became  the  parochial  residence. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  263 

The  first  shovelful  of  earth  was  taken  from  the  site  of  the  future  church 
on  May  3,  1890,  and  the  3rd  of  August  witnessed  the  laying  of  the  corner- 
stone. On  December  3rd  of  the  same  }ear,  Mass  was  said  for  the  first  time  in 
the  basement.  The  basement,  which  is  as  far  as  the  work  has  progressed,  is 
140  feet  long  and  64  wide.  The  interior  is  13  feet  above  the  floor,  and  has  a 
seating  capacity  of  1000.  When  the  church  is  completed  it  will  present  a 
truly  striking  appearance.  Its  architecture  is  pure  Gothic,  will  have  a  clere- 
story and  a  spire  175  feet  in  height.  Architecturally  it  will  take  front  rank 
among  the  granite  churches  of  the  diocese. 

The  population  of  Father  Nihil's  parish  is  estimated  at  825  souls.  Not- 
withstanding this  comparatively  small  number  he  has  decreased  the  parish 
indebtedness  nearly  $20,000.  The  amount  received  from  the  sale  of  the 
Lindley  property,  first  purchased,  contributed  somewhat  to  the  reduction. 

Though  numerically  small,  Father  Nihil's  parishioners  are  stimulated  to 
religious  endeavors  by  his  example.  "To  Labor  and  to  Move  Onward,"  is 
their  motto,  and  they  generoush-  co-operate  with  their  pastor  in  his  efforts  to 
advance  the  interests  of  religion. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S    PARISH   (GERMAN), 
Bridgeport. 


STThe 


HE  earliest  German  Catholics  to  settle  in  Bridgeport  were  J.  Rickel,  A. 
'  I  Vorsmeit,  Marten  Helleman  and  M.  Roerich.  St.  Joseph's  parish  was 
organized  in  December,  1874,  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Schaele,  of  New 
Haven,  who  attended  it  as  a  mission  until  July  24,  1886.  At  first  and  for 
some  time  after  the  organization  Father  Schsele  said  Mass  in  the  hall  of  the 
Father  Matthew  T.  A.  B.  Society,  and  later  in  a  hall  at  449  Main  street.  In 
1877,  he  began  the  erection  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  which  was  dedicated  the 
following  year.  On  July  24,  1886,  the  parish  was  made  independent,  and  the 
Rev.  Theodore  J.  Ariens  appointed  pastor.  When  the  parish  was  organized 
it  contained  700  Germans  and  500  Canadians  ;  but  the  latter  were  constituted 
a  separate  parish  in  1893.  Father  Ariens  celebrated  his  golden  jubilee  as  a 
priest  on  October  19,  1895,  amidst  the  universal  rejoicings  of  his  people  and 
surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  his  brethren  of  the  clerg\-.  Father  Ariens 
was  born  in  Holland  on  April  14,  1823,  and  is  still  active  in  the  discharge  of 
his  manifold  priestly  duties. 

ST.  ANTHONY  OF  PADUA'S  PARISH  (FRENCH), 

Bridgeport. 

(5  I  HE  French  Catholics  of  Bridgeport  were  organized  into  an  independent 
'  I  parish  in  1893,  with  the  Rev.  Father  Cartier,  of  New  Haven,  as  pastor. 
Mass  was  celebrated  in  a  hall  over  the  post-office.  In  1894  Father 
Cartier  began  the  construction  of  a  church,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was 
laid  on  July  iSth  of  that  year  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  present  pastor  is  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Desaulnier,  who  succeeded  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Senesac.  The  parish 
population  is  about  1,000  souls. 


264  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ST.  STEPHEN'S  PARISH  (ITALIAN), 
Bridgeport. 

(5  I  HE  first  Italian  priest  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  Italians  of  Bridge- 
*  I       port  was  the  Rev.   Father  Morelli.     The  Rev.   Benjamin  Berto  was 
later  in  charjje  of  them  and  .said  Mass  in  St.  Mary's  school  building. 
The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  George  Csaba. 

ST.  JOHN  XEPOMUCENE'S  PARISH  (BOHEMIAN), 

Bridgeport. 

fllE  Bohemians  and  kindred  nationalities  to  the  number  of  about  i,ooo 
were  organized  into  a  separate  parish  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Fonnanek 
in  1889.  He  said  Mass  and  administered  the  .sacraments  for  them  in 
the  basement  of  St.  Mary's  church.  The  church  in  wliich  the  congregation 
now  worships  was  begun  by  Father  Formanek  in  1891  ;  the  basement  was 
dedicated  by  Bishop  McMahon  in  that  year. 

Father  Forinanek's  successor  was  the  Rev.  F.J.  Pribyl,  who  in  turn  was 
followed  by  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Kossalko. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 
Bethel. 

T^^ATHOLIC  families  first  settled  in  Bethel  about  1848.     In  the  records 

I  SX      of  those  days  w'e  find  such  names  as  Skivington,  Doyle,  Quigley, 

^^js    ^    Hanna,  Wixted,  Crowe,  Doran,  Murra}-,  Curtin,  Brauneis,  Diggins, 

McLoughlin,  Lyman,  Mainon,  English,  McHugh  and  IMcGee — all 

children  of  the  ancient  faith. 

The  Rev.  M.  P.  Lawlor  was  the  celebrant  of  the  first  Mass  said  in  Bethel. 
The  historic  event  took  place  on  January  8,  1882,  in  the  Town  Hall,  in  the 
presence  of  about  400  persons.  In  the  spring  of  the  same  year  the  congre- 
gation secured  Fisher's  Hall,  in  which  Mass  was  said  until  the  church  was 
completed.  Before  this  year  the  Catholics  of  Bethel  attended  Mass  at  St. 
Peter's  church,  Danbury. 

In  April,  1883,  Bethel  was  separated  from  tlie  jurisdiction  of  Danbury 
and  organized  into  a  separate  parish,  with  the  Rev.  M.  Byrne  as  the  first  pastor. 
Father  Byrne  died  after  a  successful,  though  brief,  pastorate.  The  main  altar 
of  St.  Mary's  church  was  donated  by  his  mother  as  a  memorial  of  her  son. 

The  Rev.  Patrick  O'Connell  succeeded  P'ather  Byrne  in  November,  1883. 
His  period  of  service  was  fifteen  years.  Evidences  of  his  sacerdotal  zeal  are 
everywhere  visible.  The  works  that  signalized  his  administration  were  the 
purchase  of  the  rectory  and  lot  on  which  it  stands,  and  a  cemetery  on  the  line 
of  the  Danbury  and  Norwalk  railroad.  He  furnislied  tlie  church  with  a  pipe 
organ  and  a  bell  for  the  tower;  erected  three  .sets  of  granite  steps  for  the 
entrances  of  the  church;  built  an  expensive  property  line  wall,  laid  the  con- 
crete walks,  and  graded  and  beautified  tlie  grouiuls — works  which  bear  testi- 
mony to  his  activity  and  to  the  generosity  of  the  parishioners. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  265 

The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  John  Flemming,  received  his  appointment 
as  Father  O'Connell's  successor  in  January,  1898. 

Several  years  before  Bethel  was  raised  to  the  parochial  dignity,  Thomas 
Doran,  PatrickWixted,  James  Howley,  B.  Murphy,  Michael  Brauneis,  James 
McGee,  Charles  Digginsand  John  Doyle  met  in  conference  and  resolved  to 
establish  a  Sunday-school  in  Bethel.  For  this  purpose  a  building,  owned 
by  Thomas  McCorkle,  situated  in  Grassy  Plain  district,  was  rented  and  the 
school  organized.  The  school  was  held  here  as  long  as  the  building  was  for 
rent,  and  when  the  time  expired  a  small  building,  next  to  the  residence  of 
Mr.  B.  Morgan,  was  secured;  but  the  school  was  soon  after  discontinued. 
Not  long  afterwards,  however,  The  Catholic  Society  of  Bethel  was  organized 
with  John  M.  Doyle  as  President  and  Charles  Diggins  as  Secretary.  In  the 
meantime,  still  determined  on  continuing  the  Sunday-school,  Thomas  Doran 
and  Patrick  Wixted  purchased  the  lot  adjoining  the  residence  of  Mr.  E. 
Farmer  from  Willis  Judd,  paying  therefor  $475.  The)-  held  this  lot  for  some 
time,  but  finally  relinquished  it  to  the  "  Catholic  Society  "  for  the  same  price 
they  had  paid  for  it.     Upon  this  lot  the  church  was  afterwards  built. 

In  1 88 1,  it  was  determined  to  separate  the  Catholics  of  Bethel  and  Grassy 
Plain  district  from  the  mother  church  at  Danbury.  Accordingly,  a  building 
committee,  comprising  Thomas  Doran,  Michael  Brauneis  and  Owen  Murray, 
was  appointed,  and  the  work  of  securing  funds  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
church  was  auspiciously  and  successfully  carried  on.  Sufficient  money  hav- 
ing been  collected  to  guarantee  beginning  the  work,  the  construction  of  the 
church  was  entered  upon  with  vigor  and  enthusiasm.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  oil  Sunday,  September  17,  1882,  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Father  Gates,  CS.  S.R.,  of  Boston.  The  ceremony  of 
dedication  took  place  on  Sunday,  September  16,  1883,  Father  Byrne,  being 
pastor.  Bishop  McMahon  officiated.  The  Mass  which  followed  the  dedica- 
tory services  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum,  assisted  by  Rev.  M. 
P.  Lawlor  as  deacon,  Rev.  H.  Lynch  as  sub-deacon,  and  Rev.  P.  M.  Kennedy, 
as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  P.  P. 
Lawlor,  of  New  Haven.  The  church  is  a  brick  edifice,  Gothic  in  style  with 
the  tower  on  the  side.  It  is  49  x  88  feet.  The  basement  wall  is  granite,  and 
the  roof  imitation  clerestory.  All  the  windows  are  of  beautiful  stained 
glass  and  bear  the  names  of  the  donors.  The  distance  from  the  ground  to  the 
top  of  the  cross  is  138  feet.     The  seating  capacity  of  the  church  is  475. 

The  cemetery  was  purchased  August  19,  1889,  and  a  portion  of  it  was 
blessed  on  June  14,  1891,  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  sermon  on  the  occasion 
was  jjreached  b}'  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum  of  Norwalk.  The  number  of  bap- 
tisms administered  in  St.  Mary's  parish  from  1883,  the  year  of  its  foundation 
until  1898,  exclusive,  was  406;  the  number  of  marriages,  81. 

The  first  child  to  receive  baptism  after  the  organization  of  the  parish,  as 
far  as  the  records  show,  was  John  Edward  Philips.  The  first  marriage 
recorded  is  that  of  Theodore  F.  Gillooley  and  Catharine  E.  O'Connor.  The 
first  death  on  the  records  was  that  of  Mrs.  Mary  Crowe,  February  27,  1890. 

St.  Mary's  parish  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.    Both  pastor  and  people 


2G6  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

are  one  in  promoting  the  interests  of  religion  and  in  advancing  the  welfare  of 
the  town.  They  have  accomplished  much  in  the  past,  and  if  influenced  by 
the  memories  which  previous  successes  bring,  the  future  will  witness  still 
greater  things  done  for  God  and  His  hoi)-  church. 


/^        W£ 


REDDING    RIDGE    MISSION. 

BOUT  the  year  1879,  the  building  of  the  church  at  Redding  Ridge 
I'as  commenced  by  F'ather  Martin  Lawlor,  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  parish, 
Danbury,  who  at  that  time  had  charge  of  this  mission.  It  was 
shortl)'  afterwards  connected  with  Ridgefield  and  attended  by 
Father  Thaddeus  Walsh  of  that  place,  who  continued  the  work  on  the  church 
and  completed  the  superstructure.  About  1883,  or  soon  after  the  death  of 
Father  Walsh,  the  mission  was  transferred  to  Father  O'Connell  and  at- 
tached to  Bethel.  Father  O'Connell  continued  attending  it  till  his  death. 
He  built  an  addition  to  the  church,  formed  a  new  sanctuary,  erected  an  altar 
and  frescoed  the  interior,  making  of  it  altogether  a  very  i^rettj'  and  substan- 
tial structure.  There  are  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  souls  in  this  mission. 
The  members  of  the  congregation  are  Irish  and  of  Irish  descent.  There  are 
no  manufactories  in  the  place.  Agriculture  is  almost  exclusively  the  business 
of  the  inhabitants. 

ST.  PETER'S  PARISH, 

DANBURV. 

fHK  .services  of  the  Catholic  church  were  witnessed  for  the  first  time  in 
Danbury  in  1845,  when  the  Rev.  Michael  Lynch,  pastor  of  St.  James' 
parish,  Bridgeport,  offered  up  the  Adorable  Sacrifice  in  the  house  of 
James  Doyle  of  Grassy  Plains.  From  his  appointment  to  Bridgeport  until 
1849  Danburv,  with  neighboring  missions,  was  attended  by  Father  Lynch 
at  about  quarterly  intervals.  He  said  Mass  alternately  at  the  residence  of 
James  Croal,  on  Deer  Hill,  and  at  the  house  of  John  Hart,  on  Franklin  street. 
At  the  time  of  the  first  Mass  the  Catholic  population  of  Danbury  was  between 
sixty  and  seventy  soiils.  The  occasional  j^resence  of  a  jjriest  increased  their 
number.  Becoming  thus  better  known,  they  gradually  overcame  the  preju- 
dices of  their  Protestant  neighbors ;  so  much  so,  in  fact,  that  the>-  were  ena- 
bled to  secure  the  use  of  a  building  situated  near  the  centre  of  Main  street, 
the  property  of  Charles  Hall,  and  known  as  "Union  Hall."  Services  were 
next  held  in  the  academy  conducted  by  a  Mr.  Erwin.  This  property  after- 
wards came  into  the  possession  of  the  Catholics,  and  stood  almost  opposite 
the  new  church  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street. 

In  1849,  Danbury  was  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Norwalk, 
who.se  pastor  was  the  Rev.  John  C.  Brady.  Father  Brady  continued  to  hold 
services  in  the  academy  until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Ryan,  who 
was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on  March  16,  1851.  Father  Ryan  displayed  rare 
judgment  in  his  admini.stration  of  affairs,  and  with  diplomacy  worthy  of  a 
more  experienced  head,  soon  secured  the  use  of  the  court-house  for  the 
increasing  congregation.     Here  the  Catholics  assembled  for  divine  worship 


REV.  PATRICK  FOX. 


REV.  JAMES  B.  NIHILL. 


REV.   HENRY  J.  LYNCH,   P.R. 


REV.  JOHN   FLEMMING. 


REV.  WILLIAM   MAHER,  D.D. 


X 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  267 

until  June  of  1S51,  when  Father  Ryan  purchased  from  the  Universalists,  for 
$2750,  their  building,  which  stood  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and 
Wooster  streets.  The  manner  in  'which  this  purchase  was  consummated 
throws  a  light  upon  the  prejudices  entertained  against  Catholics  at  that  time. 
Bishop  O'Reilly  was  in  town  on  the  day  of  the  sale,  and  during  its  progress 
walked  up  and  down  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  an  anxious,  though  an 
apparently  indifferent  spectator.  To  manifest  interest  openly  in  the  sale 
would  have  defeated  his  purpose,  for  the  Know-Nothing  element,  then  ram- 
pant, would  not  have  permitted  property  to  be  sold  to  Catholics,  especially 
for  church  purposes.  Ne\-ertheless  the  purchase  was  affected  through  the 
shrewdness  and  liberality  of  three  Protestant  gentlemen,  William  H.  Clark, 
Aaron  Seely  and  Samuel  Stebbins,  whose  names  are  still  fondly  cherished  by 
the  older  Catholics  of  Danbury.  Happy  in  the  possession  of  a  church,  though 
humble  indeed,  they  immediately  refitted  it  in  a  manner  suitable  for  Catholic 
worship,  and  it  was  dedicated  the  same  year.  Father  Ryan's  pastorate  in 
Danbury  terminated  on  October  10,  1851,  having  been  transferred  tempora- 
rily to  Stonington.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Farrell,  who  was 
ordained  a  priest  on  July  12,  185 1.  At  this  time  the  congregation  had 
increased  to  the  respectable  number  of  400.  The  arduous  labors  of  this 
mission  soon  began  to  make  inroads  upon  the  health  of  Father  O'Farrell, 
who,  after  a  pastorate  of  eighteen  months,  retired  to  New  Haven  hospital, 
where  he  died.  The  first  cemetery  was  purchased  during  Father  O'Farrell's 
pastorate  at  a  cost  of  $400.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Smith,  who 
came  in  1853.  The  three  years  of  his  administration  were  signalized  by  the 
purchase  of  a  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Centre  streets,  where  St. , 
Peter's  churcU  now  stands,  for  which  he  paid  $1200,  and  the  erection  of  a 
parochial  residence  upon  it  at  a  cost  of  $3000.  Father  Smith  was  followed, 
in  1856,  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Kelly,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded,  in  1858,  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Drea.  At  this  period  Danbury  had  as  dependencies :  Brook- 
field,  New  Fairfield,  Newtown,  Redding  Ridge  and  Ridgefield.  Father 
Drea's  term  of  service  lasted  until  i860,  during  which  time  he  added  largely 
to  the  property  of  the  church.  A  valuable  lot  of  land  extending  from  Main 
to  Foster  streets,  and  including  two  buildings,  the  academy  already  men- 
tioned, and  another  occupied  by  the  Congregationalists,  was  purchased  for 
$2500.  On  Father  Drea's  transfer  to  Bridgeport  Bishop  McFarland  appointed 
the  Rev.  Ambrose  Manahau,  D.D.,  his  successor.  On  September  i,  i860. 
Dr.  Manahan  purchased  the  Congregational  church  for  $600.  Father  Drea 
had  previoush-  bought  the  lot  on  which  this  church  stood.  It  was  remodeled 
and  suitably  prepared  for  Catholic  services,  and  used  until  the  completion 
of  the  present  church.  Dr.  Manahan  was  a  priest  of  fine  culture  and  superior 
intellectual  endowments.  He  was  a  polemical  writer  of  great  ability,  and  his 
book  on  "The  Triumphs  of  the  Church"  was  one  of  the  standard  works  of 
that  time.  He  had  gained  the  unbounded  affection  of  his  people,  and  his 
death  was  deeply  regretted. 

The  Rev.  Philip  Sheridan  followed  Dr.  Manahan  in  1865.     Four  years 
after  his  arrival  he  conceived  the  design  of  erecting  a  Gothic  stone  church 


268  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

which  would  not  only  be  an  architectural  ornament  to  the  town,  but  a  tem- 
ple worthy  of  the  growing  imi)ortance  of  the  parish.  To  this  end  he  removed 
the  pastoral  residence  to  the  rear  of  the  lot  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
Main  street,  and  on  its  site  began  the  foundations  of  the  new  church.  The 
soil  here  was  sandy  and  humid,  and  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
securing  a  solid  bed  for  the  foundations.  In  some  places  the  builders  were 
obliged  to  grout  to  the  depth  of  twenty-seven  feet.  The  difficulties  were 
overcome,  however,  but  at  an  expenditure  of  nearl\-  $4000.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  on  Sunday,  August  28,  1870,  by  Bishop  McFarland,  on  which  occa- 
sion the  Rev.  Augustine  Hewitt,  C.S.  P.,  of  New  York,  preached  the  sermon. 
The  priests  who  assisted  Father  vSheridan  were  his  brother.  Rev.  John  Sheri- 
dan, Rev.  John  Smith,  Rev.  Father  Plunkett,  Rev.  Father  Bernard,  Rev. 
John  Flemming  and  Rev.  Patrick  Finnegan. 

In  July,  1874,  the  Rev.  John  Quitm  succeeded  Father  Sheridan.  The 
panic  of  1873  had  suspended  the  work  on  the  church;  but  upon  his  arrival 
Father  Quinn  resumed  work  on  the  edifice,  and  the  ceremony  of  dedication 
took  place  on  December  13,  1875,  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  officiating. 
The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  following  the  dedication  ceremony  was  the  Rev. 
H.  Glackmeyer,  S.J.,  and  the  preacher,  the  Rev.  William  Hill,  LL-D.,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The  cost  of  the  church,  with  basement  and  tower  unfinished, 
was  $84,630.  With  Father  Quinn  as  assistants  were  Rev.  B.  Bray  and  Rev. 
J.  McMahon. 

Rev.  Martin  P.  Lawlorwas  appointed  Father  Quinn's  successor  in  Decem- 
ber, 1876.  His  assistants  were  Rev.  J.  ]\IcMahon,  Rev.  M.  Byrne,  Rev  T. 
Mulvany,  Rev.  T.  Smith,  Rev.  T.  Walsh,  Rev.  J.  H.  O'Donnell  and  Rev.  T. 
Dunn.  Father  Lawlor  remained  in  Danbur>-  until  1883,  when  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Meriden. 

In  August,  1883,  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Lynch  assumed  charge  of  St.  Peter's 
parish.  The  works  that  mark  his  pastorate  were  the  erection  of  the 
school  and  the  purchase  and  re-fitting  of  St.  Thomas'  Convent.  Before  the 
school  was  entirely  completed.  Father  L)'nch  was  summoned  to  his  eternal 
reward.  Feather  Lynch's  a.ssistants  were  Rev.  Thomas  Dunn,  Rev.  Edward 
O'Donnell  and  Rev.  James  B.  Nihil. 

On  December  10,  1886,  the  Rev.  Henry  J.  Lynch,  the  present  incumbent 
and  the  first  permanent  rector  of  the  parish,  was  appointed  by  Bishop 
McMahon.  A  brief  enumeration  of  the  works  accomplished  during  the  past 
twelve  years  will  bear  testimony  to  zealous,  untiring  and  profitable  labor. 
The  first  work  undertaken  was  the  completion  of  St.  Peter's  school.  On  May 
15,  1887,  it  was  dedicated  and  a  sonorous  bell  bles.sed  for  it  by  Bishop 
McMahon.  A  new  cemetery  was  purchased  in  January,  1887,  for  $5,000,  situ- 
ated near  Lake  Kenosia.  After  being  suitably  graded  and  divided  into  sec- 
tions and  lots,  it  was  blessed  by  the  bishop  on  September  nth,  of  the  same 
year,  Rev.  James  Nihil  preaching  the  .sermon.  His  next  achievement  was 
the  completion  of  the  church  by  the  erection  of  a  sightly  spire.  A  chime  of 
bells  costing  $5,000,  the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  the  parish,  was  afterwards  placed 
in  the  tower.     About  this  time  the  basement  of  the  church  was  finished,  and 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH, 
Danbury. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  269 

on  September  15,  1889,  it  was  dedicated.  The  preacher  on  this  occasion  was 
the  Rev.  James  A.  Doonan,  S.J-  On  the  same  day  the  solemn  ceremony  of 
blessing  the  chimes  took  place,  when  the  Rev.  J.  O'Connor,  S.  J.,  prononnced 
the  discourse. 

The  low,  swamp}'  and  unhealthful  gronnds  about  this  school  were  trans- 
formed into  a  fine  play-gronnd  b}-  the  introdnction  of  a  new  s}'stem  of  drain- 
age and  by  scientific  grading.  Tlie  parochial  residence,  one  of  the  finest  in 
the  diocese,  was  erected  in  1891.  It  stands  north  of  St.  Peter's  school,  front- 
ing on  Main  street  near  Elmwood  Park.  South  of  the  school  on  the  corner 
of  Wooster  and  Main  Streets  is  the  handsome  convent  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy. 
The  corner-stone  of  this  structure  waS  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney  on  June  29, 
1896.  Rev.  F.J.  McCarthy,  S.  J.,  preached  the  sermon.  The  ceremony  of 
dedication  took  place  on  August  15,  1896.  In  the  northern  end  of  this  building, 
entirely  distinct  and  separate  from  the  convent,  are  four  class-rooms,  two  on 
the  first  and  two  on  the  second  floor.  On  the  third  floor  is  located  the  parish 
library.  It  is  abundantly  supplied  with  choice  literature  and  is  sumptuously 
furnished.  The  library  was  opened  on  December  21,  1896.  Its  chief  benefactor 
is  Mrs.  J.  H.  Benedict,  a  convert,  who  contributed  $500  towards  the  purchase 
of  books.  It  will  be  seen  that  St.  Peter's  parish  possesses  valuable  property; 
but  besides  that  mentioned  above,  it  still  owns  the  old  convent  propert)'  valued 
at  $10,000,  and  real  estate  worth  $\  5,000.  This  latter  property  was  the  gift  of 
Mrs.  Cunningham,  who  is  regarded  as  the  principal  benefactor  of  the  parish. 

The  zeal  of  the  clergy  of  St.  Peter's  is  not  confined  to  ministrations 
among  their  own  parishioners  ;  an  average  of  fort}-  conversions  annually  to  the 
faith  demonstrate  the  existence  there  of  an  apostolate  who  are  stimulated 
by  the  words  of  the  Master:  ''''  And  other  sheep  I  have.,  that  are  not  of  this 
fold :  thetn  also  I  must  bring,  and  tliey  shall  hear  my  voice,  and  there  shall  be 
one  fold  and  one  shepherd.'''' 

The  number  of  baptisms  administered  in  the  forty  years  between  1858 
and  1898,-  was  6,143  >  iii  the  same  four  decades  there  were  i,  107  marriages. 

We  have  seen  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  Mass  the  number  of  Catholics 
in  Danbury  did  not  e.xceed  70.  The  present  Catholic  population  is  6,000 
souls,  divided  into  5,000  Irish  and  their  descendants,  and  1,000  of  mixed 
nationalities,  Germans,  Italians,  Hungarians,  French,  Poles  and  vSlavs. 

Twenty-one  religious  and  benevolent  societies  are  under  the  care  of  the 
clergy.  Among  them  are  :  The  Tabernacle  Society,  Branch  of  the  Eucharistic 
League,  Propagation  of  the  Faitli,  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary,  for  tlie  Con- 
version of  sinners.  League  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  and  three  T.  A.  B.  Societies. 

The  estimated  value  of  St.  Peter's  parish  property  is  ,$284,000. 

St.  Peter's  school  opened  in  September,  1886,  with  400  pupils  and  eight 
rooms.  At  present  there  are  1,008  pupils,  17  rooms,  with  17  teachers  and  9 
grades.  Sister  M.  Stanislaus  is  the  Superioress  of  the  convent.  The  standard 
of  this  school  is  above  that  of  the  public-schools,  as  is  shown  by  the  annual 
examinations  for  admittance  into  the  high  school. 

The  priests  who  have  served  with  Father  Lynch  as  assistants  are  :  Rev. 
James  Nihil,  Rev.  Thomas  Dunn,  Rev.  Edward  Murray,  Rev.  Patrick  Keat- 


270  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ing,  Rev.  Daniel  Lawlor,  Rev.  Richard  Walsh,  Rev.  John  Downey,  Rev. 
Richard  Shortell,  Rev.  F.  Bedard,  Rev.  George  Synnott,  Rev.  James  Walsh. 
Those  serving  the  parish  at  present  are  Rev.  John  D.  Kennedy,  Rev.  Matthew 
Traynor  and  Rev.  Charles  Co])pens. 

Religions  harmony  prevails  and  ever  has  prevailed  in  St.  Peter's  parish. 
Energetic,  devoted  and  self-sacrificing  priests  have  been  the  leaders,  and  the 
generous,  devout  people  have  co-operated.  Together  they  have  brought  the 
parish  to  the  front  rank,  where  with  zeal  undiminished  and  with  courage 
quickened  they  continue  the  exalted  work  of  saving  souls. 

ST.  THOMAS'  PARISH, 

Kaikfield. 

HE  Indian  name  of  Fairfield  was  Unquoiva,  and  its  discovery  was  the 
result  of  a  pursuit  of  the  Pequots  in  1637,  by  Roger  Ludlow.  Reach- 
ing tlie  lasco,  the  great  swamp  of  the  town,  he  became  enamored  of 
the  beauty  of  the  land  in  the  neighborhood  and  established  a  settlement. 
*  The  Catholic  history  of  Fairfield  begins  215  years  later,  when  in  1852 
Rev.  Thomas  Synnott,  pastor  of  St.  James'  parish,  Bridgeport,  celebrated  Mass 
here  for  the  first  time.  It  cannot  be  definitely  stated  where  the  first  Mass 
was  said.  The  honor  is  given  to  the  home  of  John  McKenna  and  to  the  resi- 
dence of  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Jarvis,  who  had  received  the  precious  gift  of  faith  in 
1842.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  both  houses  had  the  honor  of  the  first  and 
second  Masses,  and  others  thereafter,  and  that  tradition  has  confused  the 
merits  of  each.  Father  Synnott  visited  Fairfield  frequently,  though  the 
number  of  Catholics  was  not  large.  Deeming  it  advisat)le  to  secure  for  this 
little  band  a  hou.se  of  worship,  he  began  the  erection  of  a  church,  which  was 
dedicated  in  honor  of  St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  on  Sunday,  June  15,  1S54,  by 
Bishop  O'Reilly.  The  Mass  which  followed  the  ceremony  of  dedication  was 
celebrated  by  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  of  Norwalk,  assisted  by  Rev.  James  Lynch, 
of  Birmingham,  as  deacon;  Rev.  James  Kennedy,  diocese  of  Halifax,  as  sub- 
deacon  ;  and  Rev.  Richard  O'Gorman,  of  New  Haven,  as  master  of  cere- 
monies. The  sermon  was  delivered  by  Bishop  O'Reilly.  The  church  was  a 
frame  building,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  about  500.  For  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century  the  Catholics  of  Fairfield  remained  under  the  juri.sdiction  of 
Bridgeport,  Rev.  Father  Synnott  pastor.  In  January,  1876,  they  became  an 
independent  organization  with  the  Rev.  Martin  P.  Lawlor  as  their  first  resi- 
dent pastor.  His  pastorate  was  of  brief  duration,  ending  in  September  of  the 
same  }ear.  Briefer  still  was  the  term  of  his  succes.sor,  the  Rev.  John  Ouinn, 
who  was  succeeded  in  December,  1876,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Mullen.  Like 
those  of  his  predecessdfs,  the  pastorate  of  Father  Mullen  was  brief,  as  he  died 
from  an  affection  of  the  heart  under  peculiarly  sad  circmnstances.  On  August 
4,  1877,  Father  Mullen  was  summoned  to  administer  the  consolations  of  reli- 
gion to  a  man  who  had  received  fatal  injuries  during  an  altercation.  The 
sight  of  the  man's  protuding  vitals  made  a  deep  impression  upon  Father 
Mullen,  who  was  naturally  of  a  nervous  temperament.  After  his  return  home 
he  spoke  to  his  mother  of  the  sad  occurrence,  dwelling  at  some  length  upon 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  271 

the  scenes  that  had  fallen  under  his  observation.  The  following  day  he  was 
again  called  to  the  bedside  of  the  injured  man,  and  the  painful  impressions 
caused  by  the  first  visit  were  renewed.  After  leaving  the  house  of  the  in- 
jured man,  he  visited  another  parishioner  who  was  suffering  from  typhoid 
fever.  Having  concluded  his  duties  he  returned  to  the  pastoral  residence, 
but  the  sight  of  the  man's  wounds  was  continually  before  his  mind.  Going 
out  in  the  garden  to  walk,  he  was  shortly  seen  to  stagger  and  fall,  and  by  the 
time  help  arrived  he  was  breathing  his  last.  Everything  that  medical  science 
could  devise  was  brought  into  requisition,  but  all  proved  ineffectual.  The 
inexorable  fiat  of  death  had  been  pronounced  ;  his  heart  had  ceased  its  pulsa- 
tions. His  death  occurred  on  August  5,  1S77,  in  the  thirty-second  year  of 
his  age.  His  funeral  took  place  on  the  7th,  the  Rev.  J.  Fitzpatrick,  of  New 
Haven,  pronouncing  tiie  eulogy. 

Father  Mullen's  successor  was  immediately  announced  as  the  Rev. 
William  A.  Harty,  of  St.  Mary's  church,  New  Haven,  who  presided  over  St. 
Thomas'  parish  until  Sunday,  March  17,  1878.  While  his  administration  was 
also  brief  Father  Harty  gave  evidence  of  the  possession  of  the  distinguishing 
faculty  of  liquidating  indebtedness  which  has  characterized  his  every  pastor- 
ate since.  The  week  following  Father  Harty's  departure  the  Rev.  Philip 
McCabe  assumed  charge.  His  relations  with  the  parish  ceased  in  September, 
1879,  when  the  Rev.  Denis  Cretnin  became  the  pastor.  Father  Cremin  re- 
moved the  church  to  another  lot,  enlarged  it,  built  a  basement  to  it  and  had 
it  frescoed.  It  was  accordingly  rededicated  in  November,  1880.  Father  Cremin 
also  purchased  a  house  that  stood  adjacent  to  the  church,  and  after  thoroughly 
renovating  it,  used  it  as  a  convent  and  school.  Father  Cremin  governed  St. 
Thomas'  parish  four  years,  during  which  time  he  resided  in  a  rented  house. 
The  Sisters  of  Mercy  were  introduced  in  1882  and  the  school  opened.  On 
November  1,  1883,  Father  Cremin  was  transferred  to  Bridgeport.  His  succes- 
sor, the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Coleman,  followed  immediately. 

Upon  his  arrival  Father  Coleman  began  the  task  of  erecting  a  pastoral 
residence;  this  he  accomplished  without  incurring  any  indebtedness.  For 
more  than  eight  years  the  parish  flourished  under  the  pastor's  guiding  hand. 
The  school's  high  standard  was  maintained;  the  people  were  united,  devout, 
contented.  Suddenly  the  work  of  years  of  patient  toil  and  zeal  and  self- 
sacrifice  was  a  pile  of  smoldering  ruins.  A  conflagration,  which  broke  out 
on  the  night  of  January  19,  1892,  destroyed  church,  residence  and  convent. 
But  pastor  and  people  were  undismayed  by  the  dire  calamity.  Five  days  after 
saw  them  worshiping  in  a  temporary  structure,  which  strong  and  willing 
hands  had  erected.  Work  on  the  present  commodious  rectory  was  begun  in 
1893  and  completed  before  the  end  of  the  year.  Father  Coleman  now  turned 
his  thoughts  to  the  erection  of  a  church;  and  his  people  cordially  seconded 
his  intentions.  Ground  was  broken  on  June,  1894;  the  corner-stone  was  laid 
on  July  4th,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  on  Thanksgiving  day,  November 
27th,  all  within  the  space  of  a  year.  Father  Coleman  also  purchased  an 
extension  to  the  cemetery  for  $1,200. 

St.  Thomas'  Church  is  a  brick  edifice,   Romanesque   in  design,  with  a 


272  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

seating  capacity  of  650.     Its  total  cost  was  $22,000.     The  population  of  the 
parish  is  about  600  souls. 

Notwithstanding  its  reverses,  the  parish  is  again  in  a  higlily  prosperous 
condition.  The  future  is  bright  with  promise,  and  pastor  and  parishioners 
are  grateful  to  the  Giver  of  all  gifts,  who  has  blessed  them  so  abundantly. 

ST.   .MARY'S    PARISH, 

Greenwich. 

K  have  seen  elsewhere  in  these  pages  that  one  of  the  original  pur- 
chasers of  Greenwich  was  an  Irishman,  Daniel  Patrick.  His  fel- 
low-countr\men,  however,  did  not  settle  here  until  about  1845, 
probably  nearer  to  1848.  Among  the  first  Catholics  to  seek  homes  here 
whose  names  are  remembered  were  the  McCormicks,  Barretts,  Dorans,  Dalys, 
Egans,  Foxes,  and  Smiths.  It  has  been  asserted  that  the  first  Mass  celebrated 
in  Greenwich  was  said  by  the  Rev.  H.  O'Reilly,  of  Norwalk,  in  1S54;  but 
it  is  not  improbable  that  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  prior.to  that  year,  as 
in  1854,  the  number  of  Irish  Catholics  in  Greenwich  was  estimated  at  one 
hundred  souls.  Therefore,  between  1850  and  1854  the  number  of  Catholics 
there  must  have  been  suflficiently  large  to  require  the  occasional  visit  of  a 
priest. 

After  the  formation  of  St.  John's  parish,  Stamford,  in  March,  1854,  Green- 
wich passed  under  its  jurisdiction.  From  that  time  until  i860,  Mass  was 
offered  up  at  intervals  in  private  houses  and  in  the  Town  Hall.  In  this  year 
a  small  church  was  erected  on  William  street.  This  was  enlarged  in  1888. 
In  1875  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  improved  the  church  by  the  erection  of  a 
choir  gallery. 

During  Father  Tierney's  pastorate  provision  was  made  for  the  near  for- 
mation of  Greenwich  into  a  parish.  The  first  step  was  the  purcha.se  from 
James  Elphich,  for  $4,200,  of  one  of  the  finest  sites  in  Greenwich  for  a  new 
church.  To  the  Rev.  William  H.  Rogers,  who  was  an  assistant  at  Stamford, 
was  intrusted  the  duty  of  organizing  the  Greenwich  Catholics,  and  of  begin- 
ning work  on  the  new  church,  retaining  in  the  meanwhile  his  position  at 
Stamford.  Upon  the  promotion  of  Father  Rogers  as  the  successor  of  Father 
Tierney,  he  relinquished  juri.sdiction  over  Greenwich,  being  followed  in  Jan- 
uary, 1877,  bv  the  Rev.  Denis  J.  Cremin.  Father  Cremin's  first  work  was  the 
liquidation  of  what  debt  remained  upon  the  property  purchased  by  Father 
Tierney.  He  removed  the  house  that  stood  on  the  lot,  and  having  refitted 
it,  occupied  it  as  a  rectory.  He  then  began  the  construction  of  St.  Mary's 
church.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  June  9,  1878,  by  Bishop  Galberry,  in 
the  presence  of  many  thousands  of  spectators.  The  Bishop  was  assisted  by 
Father  Rogers,  of  Stamford ;  Father  Meister,  of  Mammaroneck,  N.  Y.;  Father 
Walsh,  of  Waterbury,  and  the  reverend  pastor.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
Father  Walsh.  Miss  Anna  Caulfield's  donation  on  the  occasion  was  5300,  for 
which  generous  gift  she  was  presented  with  the  silver  trowel  used  by  the 
Bisliop  in  laying  the  corner-stone.  The  handsome  edifice  was  dedicated  on 
May  18,  1878,  by   the  Administrator  ad  iulerim^  Very    Kcv.  Thomas  Walsh, 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  273 

V.G.  The  mass  which  followed  the  ceremonies  of  dedication  was  celebrated 
by  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  assisted  by  Rev.  John  Russell  as  deacon,  Rev.  Father 
O'Brien  as  sub-deacon,  and  Rev.  P.  M.  Kennedy  as  master  of  ceremonies. 
The  preacher  of  the  occasion  was  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh  of  Waterbury. 
Before  his  transfer  to  Fairfield  Father  Creniin  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  his 
parish  free  from  indebtedness. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  began  his  pastorate  on  Sep- 
tember 1 1,  1879.  For  well-nigh  a  score  of  years  he  has  labored  faithfully  to 
promote  the  interests  entrusted  to  him.  He  introduced  the  Sisters  of  Mercy 
from  Middletown,  having  fitted  up  the  old  church  for  school  purposes,  and 
secured  the  handsome  and  spacious  convent  property  at  an  outlay  of  #9, 500. 
A  lot  on  Greenwich  avenue  has  been  added  to  the  real  estate  already  possessed 
by  the  parish.  Tlie^?ounds  about  the  rector}'  and  church  have  been  beauti- 
fied and  improved  by  macadam  driveways.  In  1884  Father  Smith  had  the 
church  handsomely  decorated.  St.  Mary's  church  is  107  feet  in  length  and 
49  feet  in  width,  and  is  a  frame  building. 

St.  Mary's  scliool  was  opened  with  150  pupils;  204  are  now  in  attend- 
ance. There  are  six  grades,  with  four  teachers,  whose  Directress  is  Sister  M. 
Philomena.  The  school  maintains  a  high  standard,  and  its  graduates  readily 
pass  the  required  examinations  for  admission  to  the  Town  Academy. 

The  clergy  who  have  served  as  assistants  to  Father  Smith  are :  Rev. 
Thomas  Gronin,  Rev.  Thomas  Maloney,  and  Rev.  John  L,ee.  The  present 
assistant  is  the  Rev.  T.  W.  Dolan. 

ST.   ALOYSIUS'  PARISH, 
New  Canaan. 

fHE  incorporation  of  New  Canaan  as  a  town  occurred  in  1801.  Its  Cath- 
olic history  dates  from  1855,  when  the  first  Mass  was  said  here  by  Rev. 
Father  O'Reilly,  of  Norwalk,  in  a  building  on  Main  street,  now  occu- 
pied by  the  grocery  of  Thomas  Fairty.    Mass  was  said  also  in  a  hall  and  subse- 
quently in  the  Town  hall  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  ]\Iulliganat  intervals  from  1859  ^o  1862. 

The  present  church  was  erected  in  1863  by  the  Rev.  Peter  A.  Smith, 
pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  Norwalk.  It  was  thoroughly  renovated  both 
exteriorly  and  interiorly,  and  new  altars  erected  by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum 
during  his  administration  at  Norwalk.  Priests  from  Norwalk  attended  New 
Canaan  regularly  every  Sunday  until  May,  1896,  when  the  parochial  dignity 
was  conferred  upon  it  by  Bishop  Tierney,  who  appointed  the  Rev.  John  T. 
McMahon  the  first  resident  pastor.  Father  McMahon  remained  here  about 
four  months.  He  had  secured  a  lot  for  a  parochial  residence,  but  was  trans- 
ferred before  his  designs  were  realized.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Kelly,  whose  pastorate  of  two  years  was  crowned  with  great  success.  Upon 
his  promotion  to  New  Milford,  he  was  followed  by  the  present  pastor,  the 
Rev.  P.  Byrne. 

When  the  first  Mass  was  said  in  New  Canaan  in  1855,  there  were  about 
thirt)'  Irish  Catholics  in  town.     At  present  they  number  250  Irish  and  about 
forty  Italians,  Poles  and  Slavonians. 
II— 18 


274  Til II  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

In  1896  and  1897  there  were  twenty-six  baptisms  and  six  marriages. 
The  first  child  born  after  the  formation  of  the  parish  was  Mary  Kelly,  dangh- 
ter  of  James  and  Catherine  Kelly,  and  the  first  to  receive  baptism  was  Maur- 
ice Corrigan,  son  of  Joseph  and  Rose  Corrigan.  On  July  22,  1896,  the  first 
marriage  was  solemnized  between  Thomas  E.  Dounillon  and  Mary  Teresi 
Scott. 

ST.  ROSE'S  PARISH, 

Newtown. 

(5  I  HE  ancient  Indian  name  of  Newtown  was  Pohtaluck.  The  town  was 
'  I  incorporated  and  received  its  present  name  in  1708.  Tlie  first  Cat'lio- 
lics  to  reside  in  "Newtown  came,  not  voluntarily,  forty-eight  years 
after  ;  they  were  four  Acadians,  who  were  billeted  on  the  town  by  Act  of  the 
General  Assembly,  January,  1756.  The  records  are  silent  as  to  their  fate. 
Perhaps  they  were  among  the  240  fortunate  exiles  who  gathered  at  Norwich 
in  1767,  and  were  carried  to  Quebec  in  the  brig  "  Pitt."  But  if  they  remained 
they  and  their  descendants  lived  and  died  without  the  consoling  ministra- 
tions of  anointed  priests. 

In  1781  the  French  army,  under  the  Count  Rochambeau,  encamped 
at  Newtown  on  its  march  from  Providence  to  the  Hudson  in  1781.  They 
remained  here  from  June  28th  to  July  1st,  and  as  the  latter  date  fell  on  Sun- 
day, it  may  be  averred  that  one  or  more  of  the  chaplains  offered  up  the  Hol\- 
Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  on  that  day. 

Statements  as  to  the  time  and  celebrant  of  the  first  Mass  in  Newtown 
vary.  Some  are  certain  that  the  Divine  Mysteries  were  offered  here  for  the 
first  time  by  Rev.  James  Smythe,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  diocese,  in  1841, 
while  others  contend  for  six  years  later.  According  to  the  adherents  of  this 
latter  view,  the  first  Mass  was  said  in  Peter  Leary's  house,  which  stands  now 
near  the  Newtown  depot  on  the  N.  Y.  N.  H.  &  H.  R.  R.,  and  that  Rev.  John 
Brady  was  the  celebrant.  The  first  Catholics  to  establish  homes  in  Newtown 
were  Michael  Leary,  Peter  Leary,  John  Cavanagh,  Patrick  Cavanagli,  James 
Carley,  William  Griffin,  Andrew  Egan,  Daniel  Quinlivau,  Thomas  Bradley, 
Bernard  Donlan,  Richard  Reilly,  Patrick  Gaffney. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  Newtown  was  the  Rev.  Francis  Lenihan,  who 
organized  the  parish  on  Augu.st  i,  1859.  Previous  to  the  appointment  of 
Father  Lenithin  Newtown  was  served  by  priests  from  Danbury.  Father 
Lenihan  purchased  the  first  cemeter\- ;  but  it  was  not  blessed  until  the  pastor- 
ate of  his  successor,  the  Rev.  James  Daly,  who  came  here  in  March,  1862. 
Father  Daly  served  the  parish  six  years,  leaving  in  July,  1868.  Rev.  John 
Rogers  then  became  pastor  on  July  22,  1868,  and  remained  until  July,  1873. 
His  successor  was  Rev.  James  McCarten,  who  came  about  Augu.st  i,  1873,  ^"^ 
died  in  January,  1889.  The  present  church  was  erected  during  his  pastorate 
in  1882.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  May  of  that  year  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh.  The  old  church  had 
been  a  Universalist  nVeeting-house  and  was  purchased  by  Rev.  John  Smith 
about  1858.     It  was  38  x  48,  but  an  addition  enlarged  it  to  38  .v  78.     Rev. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  21fi 

Patrick  Donahoe  followed  Father  McCarteii  in  January,  1889,  and  remained 
until  February,  1891.  The  present  incumbent.  Rev.  P.  Fox,  became  pastor 
on  February  13,  1891.  In  1896  Father  Fox  built  the  parochial  school  at  Sandy 
Hook.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  June  9th  by  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy, 
V.G.,  in  the  absence  of  Bishop  Tierney,  who  was  in  Rome  on  his  ad  liniina 
visit.  The  sermon  was'preaclied  by  Rev.  W.  Rogers,  of  Stamford.  The  new 
cemetery  was  also  purchased  during  Father  Fox's  pastorate.  May  16,  1891. 
It  was  blessed  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  the  Rev.  William  Maher, 
D.D.,  preaching  the  sermon. 

St.  Rose's  i^arochial  school  opened  with  125  pupils.  It  has  now  173,  with 
nine  grades,  taught  by  six  Sisters  of  Mercy,  whose  superior  is  Sister  M. 
Berchmans.   . 

The  clergy  who  have  served  Newtown  as  assistants  are  :  Rev.  Thomas 
Mullin,  Rev.  W.  Gibbons,  Rev.  M.  Cray,  Rev.  M.  McCarten,  Rev.  D.  J. 
Kennedy,  Rev.  J.J.  Loftus,  Rev.  C.  Brady,  Rev.  P.  Daly.  The  present  assist- 
ant is  Rev.  Terence  Smith. 

The  number  of  Catholics  present  at  the  first  Mass  was  about  twelve; 
when  the  church  was  bought  by  Father  Smith  the  number  had  increased  to 
100.  The  present  population  of  the  parish  is  about  1300,  all  Irish  and  their 
descendants. 

■•  The  first  marriage  solemnized  in  Newtown,  of  which  there  is  record,  was 
that  between  Jeremiah  Cavan  and  Bridget  Hayes,  November  4,  i860.  The 
first  baptism  was  that  of  Charles  English,  son  of  William  English  and  Bridget 
O'Connell,  August  2,  1859. 

Father  Fox  and  his  assistant  attend  also  vSt.  Stephen's  church  at  Stepney 
twice  a  month.  The  church  was  erected  in  1890  by  Rev.  P.  Donahoe.  There 
are  about  forty  souls  here  and  this  number  is  decreasing. 

Andrew  Egan  and  brotliers  are  numbered  by  the  grateful  parishioners  as 
benefactors  of  St.  Rose's  parish. 


ST.  JOHN'S  PARISH, 

NOROTON. 

IMONG  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  mission  we  may  enumerate  those 
who  bore  the  following  names :  Corrigan,  Everett,  Kane,  Rulihan, 
GafiFney,  Stark,  Waterbury,  Conboy,  Seely,  Sheridan,  Reilly,  Fla- 
herty, Canovan  and  Wood.  Prior  to  1888,  the  Catholics  of  Noro- 
ton  went  to  Stamford  to  Mass.  In  that  year,  permission  was  asked  and 
obtained  to  celebrate  the  Divine  Mysteries  at  the  Soldiers/  Home,  as  there 
were  many  Catholic  veterans,  inmates  of  the  institufion.  A  meeting  was 
subsequently  held  at  the  Home  of  tihe  Catholics  of  Noroton,  both  resident 
and  visiting.  Great  enthusiasm  prevailed,  and  it  was  the  sense  of  the  meet- 
ing that  a  church  be  erected.  Accordingly  a  committee  consisting  of  Rev. 
William  Rogers,  Mr.  John  D.  Crhnmins  and  Mr.  H.  W.  CoUender,  were  ap- 
pointed to  carry  the  work  to  completion. 

A  beautiful  site  of  four  acres  was  purchased  by  Father  Rogers  from  Mr. 
Francis  S.  Fitch,  for  whicli  he  paid  $5,500;  with  the  land  was  secured  also  a 


276  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

house.  The  property  is  among  the  finest  in  the  town  and  overlooks  Long 
Island  Sonnd. 

On  August  29th,  1888,  ground  was  broken  and  the  corner-stone  laid  on 
November  29th,  of  the  same  year  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Hig- 
gins,  O.  P.,  preached  the  sermon.  The  beautiful  little  church  was  dedicated 
on  December  .15th,  1889,  by  the  above  prelate.  The  discourse  on  the  occa- 
sion was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Curtin. 

Noroton  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Stamford,  Father  Rogers, 
pa.stor,  until  May  ist,  1895,  when  the  Rev.  Timothy  M.  O'Brien  was  ap- 
pointed the  first  resident  pastor.  When  the  parish  was  formed  it  contained 
about  250  souls,  Irish  and  Americans;  at  present  it  has  about  300,  with  a  few 
German  and  Hungarian  families.  From  May  ist,  1895,  to  1898,  there  were 
forty-five  baptisms  and  twelve  marriages. 

Tlie  permanent  Catholic  population  of  Noroton  is  in  character  much 
the  same  as  that  which  is  found  generally  in  rural  districts  throtighout  the 
State,  and  while  a  large  proportion  are  in  comfortable  circumstances,  there 
are  none  who  are  wealthy.  However,  there  are  in  Noroton  a  number  of 
country  homes  owned  or  occupied  by  wealthy  families  from  New  York.  Tliese 
families  reside  here  from  four  to  six  months  in  the  year.  Attached  to  the 
households  of  the  non-Catholic  residents  in  one  capacity  or  another  is  a 
goodly  number  of  Catholics,  and  as  a  cla.ss  they  deserve  recognition,  not  only 
as  augmenting  the  congregation  for  a  period  of  time,  but  as  edifying  it  by 
their  devotion,  and  as  materially  assisting  it  by  their  generosit}. 

St.  John's  parish  is  blessed  with  a  number  of  benefactors,  who  manifest 
their  interest  in  the  church  b\-  their  generous  contributions;  among  them 
mention  should  be  made  of  Messrs.  John  D.  Crinunins,  H.  W.  Collender,  Wil- 
liam Rulihan,  William  Everett,  Michael  Kane  and  Feli.x  A.  Mulgrew. 

The  church,  which  is  a  handsome  structure,  is  75  in  length  and  40  in 
width,  and  has  accommodations  for  350  persons. 

Though  among  the  small  parishes  of  the  diocese,  St.  John's  is  among 
the  most  progressive  and  successful.  Co-operation  and  Unity  express  the 
spirit  that  pervades  the  parish. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 

NORWALK. 

(*)  I  HE  honor  oi  being  the  first  Catholics  to  settle  in  Norwalk  belongs  to 
'  I  Michael  Cooney  and  family,  who  came  from  New  York  in  May,  1828. 
Mr.  Cooney  was  a  hat  dyer  and  lived  near  the  dock  on  the  east  side  of 
Water  street.  William  Donahoe  followed  with  his  family  of  six  persons,  in 
1829.  He  was  a  chandler  by  occupation  and  remained  in  Norwalk  until  1832, 
returning  to  New  York.  Clement  Burns  then  came  and  boarded  with  Mr. 
Cooney.  He  was  a  potter  and  a  stanch  Catholic.  Four  years  after  Mr. 
Cooney's  appearance  here  the  family  of  Farrell  Gillooly  and  a  family, 
Brennan  by  name,  arrived.  Then  followed  in  succession  tlie  family  of  Paul 
Bresuan  and  the  families  of  James,  John  and  Ednmnd  Conners. 

The  Rev.  James  McDermot,  pastor  of  New  Haven  said  the  first  Ma.ss 


REV.  TIMOTHY  R.  SWEENEY. 


REV    JOHN  J.   FITZGERALD. 


REV.  JOHN  J.   FURLONG,  P.  R. 


REV.  THOMAS  FINN. 


REV.   D.  J.  OCONNOR. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  277 

offered  up  in  Norwalk,  in  1833,  at  the  residence  of  Michael  Cooney.  Father 
McDennot  visited  Norwalk  semi-annually  until  his  transfer  to  lyowell  in 
1837,  each  time  celebrating  Mass  in  the  front  room  of  Mr.  Cooney's  house. 
"  Here  he  met  and  preached  to  those  poor,  hard-working  pioneers  of  our  faith, 
numbering  in  all  about  twenty-five  persons,  at  his  first  coming  ;  he  was 
cheered  by  their  hearty  welcome  and  encouraged  on  his  long  and  weary  mis- 
sion in  the  heart  of  Puritanism  by  tlieir  fervent  faith." 

The  next  priest  to  visit  Norwalk  was  the  Rev.  James  Smyth  of  New 
Haven.  During  his  visits  here,  he  said  MaSs  at  Mr.  Cooney's  house,  in  the 
basement  of  George  F.  Belden's  tin-store,  and  at  the  residence  of  lyawrence 
Martin,  on  the  Newtown  turnpike.  Afterwards  when  Mr.  IMartin  had  re- 
moved to  Five  Mile  River,  Father  Smyth  said  Mass  in  his  house  there,  four 
or  five  times. 

When  Rev.  Michael  Lynch  was  given  charge  of  Bridgeport,  in  1844,  he 
assumed  jurisdiction  also  over  Norwalk  and  neighboring  places.  His  first 
Mass  here  was  said  in  the  house  of  Brian  Mahoney,  at  the  foot  of  Mill  hill, 
on  Wall  street,  and  the  second,  in  the  summer  of  1844,  in  a  large  tenement 
house,  occupied  by  John  Connors,  John  Kelly  and  two  other  families  on 
River  street.  At  this  second  Mass  there  were  present  about  seventy-five  per- 
sons. Possessing  superior  accommodations  to  other  hoxises  occupied  by  the 
Catliolics,  Mass  was  said  here  frequent!}'  afterwards. 

In  1848,  a  committee,  comprising  Paul  Bresnan,  John  Hanlon,  John 
Foley,  Tenence  Reynolds  and  Farrell  Gillooly,  was  appointed  to  present  a 
petition  to  Bishop  Tjler  for  a  resident  priest.  The  good  Catholic  spirit 
manifested  by  the  petitioners  in  their  letter  impressed  the  Bishop  so  favorably 
that  he  visited  Norwalk,  said  Mass  in  Marine  hall  or  the  Town  House,  and 
delighted  them  with  the  assurance  that  he  would  in  the  near  future  send 
them  a  priest.  Accordingly  he  appointed  the  Rev.  John  Brady  to  Norwalk 
with  Stamford  and  other  places  in  the  neighborhood  as  dependencies.  The 
construction  of  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  Railroad  had  brought  a 
goodly  increase  to  the  original  number  of  Catholics  and  for  their  accommo- 
dation, Father  Brady  secured  gratis  the  use  of  the  Town  hall  for  divine 
services.  Before  this  Mass  was  said  at  intervals  of  four  months  ;  now  it  was 
said  semi-monthly.  Father  Brady  began  almost  immediately  upon  his  ar- 
rival to  make  preparations  to  jorovide  his  rapidly  increasing  congregation 
with  a  church.  A  site  was  purchased  b)-  Terrence  Reynolds  from  a  Mr. 
Bailey,  on  Chapel  street,  and  a  church  36  x  40  immediately  commenced. 
Both  Protestants  and  Catholics  contributed  generously  to  the  erection  of  the 
edifice.  An  anecdote  will  illustrate  the  feelings  of  good-will  that  prevailed 
among  all  classes.  "  Paul  Bresnan  and  Terrence  Reynolds  were  appointed 
the  committee  to  solicit  from  non-Catholics.  The  most  influential  man  in 
town  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mead,  of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church.  '  He  must  be 
got  to  head  the  list  with  his  name,'  said  the  committee;  so  to  him  they  went, 
and  after  making  their  business  known.  Dr.  Mead,  who  knew  the  men  very 
well,  said  :  '  Paul,  how  is  it  you  come  to  me  first;  why  not  go  to  the  Con- 
gregational  minister.  Dr.  Hall  ? '      Paul,  who  was  never  known   to  be  out- 


278  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

witted,  promptly  replied  :  '  Well,  Doctor,  we  know  you  to  be  an  ofT-shoot 
from  the  parent  stock.'  The  Doctor  took  the  list  and  headed  it  generously 
and  was  followed  by  Dr.  Hall  and  many  of  the  most  influential  citizens  of 
the  town."  The  church  was  completed  in  185 1,  and  on  January  28th,  of 
that  year,  it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  O'Reilly.  Of  this  event,  the  bishop 
thus  wrote  in  his  Journal :  "  /i'j/,  January  28th.  Made  the  visitation  of  St. 
Mary's  church,  Norwalk,  confirmed  about  twenty  and  preached  twice.  These 
churches  (St.  John's,  Stamford  and  St.  Mary's,  Norwalk)  were  built  by  Rev. 
John  C.  Brady;  are  in  debt  each  about  $1,000,  but  I  was  pleased  with  his 
efforts."  Father  Brady's  residence  was  on  the  "  Cove  Road,"  near  Stamford. 
In  1852,  Rev.  Father  Kelly  was  assigned  to  Norwalk  as  assistant,  and  there- 
after Mass  was  .said  there  every  Sunday. 

In  1853  Father  Brady  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Cooney,  but  he 
remained  only  until  March,  1854.  Old  residents  remember  him  as  especially 
zealous  in  promoting  the  cause  of  temperance.  Following  Father  Cooney 
came  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  whose  pastorate  lasted  five  years.  His  first 
work  was  the  erection  of  a  school,  over  which  he  placed  Mr.  and  Mrs.  He.s- 
sion  ;  but,  owing  to  the  great  distance  and  many  of  the  children  being  obliged 
to  walk,  it  was  soon  discontinued.  The  school  was  in  the  rear  of  the  church. 
Father  O'Reilly  enlarged  the  church  by  an  addition  of  forty  feet,  and  pur- 
chased the  pastoral  residence  on  Chapel  street,  known  in  later  years  as  the 
"  Eldridge  Brown  House." 

Father  O'Reilly's  pastorate  occurred  during  the  j'ears  that  the  Know- 
Nothing  element  was  triumphant  in  the  State.  They  manifested  their  in.sen- 
sate  hostility  by  setting  the  church  on  fire,  and  at  another  time  by  sawing  off" 
the  gilded  cross  that  .surmounted  the  church.  In  1858  Father  O'Reilly  pur- 
chased from  the  Fairfield  County  Agricultural  As.sociation  a  tract  of  land 
opposite  the  fair  grounds  for  a  cemetery.  In  the  same  year  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Providence,  and  was  succeeded  successively  b\-  the  Rev.  Richard 
O'Gorman  and  the  Rev.  James  Campbell,  whose  incumbencies  were  only 
temporary.  On  July  18,  1859,  the  Rev.  John  Mulligan,  D.D.,  "justly  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  talented  and  promising  clergymen  in  the  Hartford 
diocese,"  assumed  charge  of  St.  Mary's  parish.  Among  the  works  he  accom- 
plished were  the  completion  of  the  church  at  Westport  in  1859;  the  organi- 
zation of  St.  Joseph's  T.  A.  B.  Society  ;  the  establishment  of  a  night  school. 
He  had  also  in  contemplation  the  erection  of  a  church  on  the  present  site  of 
St.  Mary's,  when  death  closed  his  brilliant,  though  brief,  career.  He  died 
on  January  12,  1862.  His  remains  were  interred  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery, 
Hartford,  his  natal  city. 

Dr.  Mulligan  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Peter  A.  Smith,  who  came  here 
from  East  Bridgeport.  The  works  that  marked  his  administration  were  the 
purchase  of  the  pastoral  residence,  which,  after  many  years  of  occupancy, 
gave  way  to  the  present  commodious  rectory,  and  also  of  the  site  of  the 
church  adjoining.  A  school  was  organized  in  a  small  building  erected  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Orchard  street  and  West  avenue,  which  he  placed  in 
the  care  of  a  Mr.  McGilleck,  of  New  York,  and  Miss  Jane  Mahler,  of  Newtown. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  279 

Tlieir  successors  were  Mr.  James  McGirl,  of  New  York,  and  Miss  Margaret 
Tierney,  of  Norwalk.  The  school  was  discontinued  after  an  existence  of  two 
or  three  jears.  Father  Smith  built  the  church  at  New  Canaan,  began  and 
completed  the  present  church,  with  the  exception  of  tlie  spire.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  in  1869,  and  on  the  same  day  of  this  ceremony  Bishop  McFar- 
land  blessed  the  new  cemetery.  When  the  basement  of  the  church  was 
ready  for  occupancy  the  old  church  was  sold  to  S.  E.  Olmstead.  Though 
the  church  cost  $85,000,  there  was  only  an  indebtedness  of  g20,ooo  on  it 
when  dedicated  in  1870.  It  is  a  Gothic  structure,  60  x  130,  and  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  1 ,  200  persons.  Father  Smith's  death  occurred  on  December 
16,  1875,  after  a  most  successful  pastorate  of  thirteen  years.  His  remains 
rest  in  St.  Mary's  cemetery,  by  the  side  of  his  brother.  Rev.  John  Smith, 
who  died  on  November  5,  1869. 

The  Rev.  P.  O'Dwyer  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  of  St.  Mary's  in  January, 
1876.  His  term  of  service  was  brief,  though  replete  with  works  that  redounded 
to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  parish.  He  founded  many  religious  societies, 
and  erected  the  memorial  tablet  to  the  deceased  j^riests  of  the  parish  in  the 
vestibule  of  the  church  at  a  cost  of  $350.  He  died  on  June  7,  1878,  and  was 
buried  in  Ansonia,  where  he  had  been  pastor  from  1870  to  January,  1876. 

The  Rev.  John  Russell  followed  Father  Dwyer  and  assumed  formal  charge 
of  St.  Mary's  parish  on  June  30,  1878.  The  duration  of  his  pastorate  was  five 
years,  during  which  period  he  built  St.  Mary's  parochial  school,  purchased  the 
convent  aud  introduced  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Meriden  into  his  parish.  In 
April,  1883,  he  was  transferred  to  St.  Patrick's,  New  Haven,  and  his  successor 
was  the  Rev.  William  J.  Slocum.  The  works  accomplished  during  his  pas- 
torate attest  his  activity.  Besides  adding  to  and  beautifying  the  convent  he 
built  the  present  parochial  residence,  purchased  a  valuable  piece  of  property 
in  the  rear  of  the  church,  added  a  large  tract  to  the  cemetery,  which  was 
greatly  improved,  completed  the  church  by  the  erection  of  a  spire,  put  in 
marble  altars,  liquidated  the  indebtedness,  and  to  the  joy  of  his  parishioners 
had  the  church  consecrated,  a  heart  offering  of  his  people  to  God.  During 
his  incumbency  St.  Mary's  parish  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a  permanent 
rectorship. 

He  was  transferred  to  the  Immaculate  Conception  parish  in  succession 
to  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  V.  G.,  in  September,  1895.  His  successor, 
the  Rev.  J.  B.  A.  Dougherty,  assumed  control  on  September  19th.  The 
term  of  his  pastorate  was  one  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  present 
rector,  the  Rev.  John  Furlong,  who  began  his  administration  on  October  12, 
1896.  Recognizing  the  importance  of  a  suitable  place  where  the  young  of 
his  parish  could  spend  their  evenings  profitably.  Father  Furlong-  purchased  a 
site  opposite  the  church  on  which  stood  a  dwelling-house,  which  he  converted 
into  a  club-house  and  established  the  Catholic  club  in  January,  1897.  Plans 
are  being  drawn  for  a  more  commodious  building,  which  no  doubt  will  be 
an  ornament  to  the  town,  as  well  as  a  source  of  social,  intellectual  and  spiritual 
profit  to  its  attendants. 

St.  Mary's  school  is  one  of  the  most  proficient  in  the  diocese.     There  are 


280  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

486  pupils  with  eleven  Sisters.  Sister  M.  Clare  is  the  superior.  The  trustees, 
John  Fahy  and  James  Clavin,  have  held  this  office  for  upwards  of  thirty  years, 
and  have  been  pew-rent  collectors  for  the  same  period  of  time. 

Tlie  population  of  St.  Mary's  parish  is  3100  souls,  and  comprises  among 
this  number  physicians,  merchants,  expert  mechanics  and  a  number  of  public- 
school  teachers. 

ST.   MARY'S    PARISH, 

RiDGEFIELD.' 

IT  is  a  well-established  fact  that  James  Brophy  and  family  were  the  first 
Catholics  to  stand  upon  the  soil  of  Ridgefield.  They  came  here  on 
Tlianksgiving  Day,  November  30,-  1848.  After  them  in  succession  we 
meet  the  familiar  names  of  Wlialen,  Kirwin,  Purcell,  Kelly,  Murphy, 
Caliill,  Fitzgerald,  Short,  Mulhall,  Gallagher,  Halpin,  Cnllen  and  Enright. 
In  a  few  years  the  number  so  increased  that  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  persons 
would  gather  about  the  humble  altar  when  it  would  be  known  that  a  priest 
was  to  visit  Ridgefield. 

The  house  of  James  Brophy  was  the  first  to  harbor  a  priest  in  Ridgefield. 
Returning  to  his  home  at  Danbury,  Father  Ryan  stopped  at  Ridgefield  and 
admini-stered  the  last  sacraments  to  two  of  Mr.  Brophy's  relatives  who  were 
dangerously  ill.  His  succes.sor  in  the  pastorate  of  Danbury,  Rev.  Father 
O'Farrell,  becoming  cognizant  that  there  were  a  number  of  Catholics  in 
Ridgefield  and  vicinity,  arranged  to  pay  visits  at  monthly  intervals.  Coming 
on  Saturday  evenings  he  would  hear  confessions  and  say  Mass  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  at  Mr.  Brophy's  residence.  Father  O'Farrell's  successors.  Rev. 
Fathers  Smith,  Kelly  and'  Drea,  continued  to  serve  the  Catholic  people  of 
Ridgefield.  The  number  of  Catholics  increasing,  it  became  necessary  to 
secure  the  old  Town  hall  for  divine  services,  paying  at  each  visit  five  dollars 
for  the  privilege. 

On  November  23,  1867,  the  site  upon  which  the  first  church  was  built 
was  purchased  from  George  R.  Scofield  for  $975,  James  Enright  and  James 
Walsh  acting  as  agents  for  their  Catholic  brethren.  A  frame  dwelling-house 
stood  on  the  lot  at  the  time  of  the  purchase  and  for  a  time  served  as  a  church. 
It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1868.  The  destruction  of  this  building  was  a 
severe  blow  to  the  devoted  little  band.  It  made  a  return  to  private  houses 
and  the  Town  hall  necessary,  and  in  this  struggling  condition  they  remained 
for  nearly  nine  years.  But  their  courage  revived.  They  eagerly  desired  a 
church,  and  their  faith  and  self-sacrifice  provided  the  means.  Generous  souls 
contributed,  $20^  $30  and  $50.  Tlius  .stimulated  they  bent  their  energies  to 
the  task  before  them,  and  in  due  lime  had  the  happiness  to  see  their  long- 
desired  church  erected  —small,  indeed — but  their  own,  and  when  the  work  was 
completed,  the  financial  manager  of  the  work,  Thomas  McGlynn,  presented 
to  the  pastor.  Rev.  M,  P.  Lawlor,  of  Danbury,  a  bill  receipted  in  full  payment 
for  all  debts  that  had  been  contracted. 

'  The  Indian  name  of  Uidgefiekl  was  Caudatou'a,  a  name  signifying  High  Land.  It 
was  incorporated  in  1708. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  281 

Some  time  after  the  completion  of  the  church,  Ridgefield  was  taken 
from  the  jurisdiction  of  Danbury,  and  transferred  to  that  of  Georgetown, 
which  had  been  made  a  parish  with  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Walsh  as  the  first 
resident  pastor.  Redding  Ridge  was  also  served  from  Georgetown.  In  1 880, 
Father  Walsh  transferred  his  residence  to  Ridgefield,  Georgetown  becoming 
the  mission,  where  Mass  is  said  by  Father  Shortell  every  Sunday  and  holy- 
day  in  the  church  of  the  Sacred  Heart.  This  church  was  built  during  the 
administration  of  Father  Walsh.  Father  Walsh  died  in  1886  and  was  imme- 
diately followed  by  Rev.  P.  Byrne,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  six  years  later 
by  Rev.  Joseph  O'Keefe.  After  a  pastorate  of  ten  months  ill  health  com- 
pelled him  to  retire.  Brief  as  was  his  pastorate  he  left  in  the  treasury,  the 
result  of  his  efforts,  $535,  as  a  nucleus  of  a  building  fund. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Richard  E.  Shortell,  assumed  charge  of  St. 
Mary's  parish  on  May  30,  1893.  Father  Shortell  immediately  began  prepara- 
tions for  the  erection  of  a  new  church.  The  first  step  to  this  end  was  the 
purchase  from  Jacob  M.  Lockwood  for  #2,750  of  the  site  on  which  stand  the 
present  handsome  church  and  fine  pastoral  residence.  The  rectory  was  built 
early  in  1894  and  was  free  from  indebtedness  when  completed.  Work  on  the 
church  commenced  in  May,  1896,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  July  4th 
of  that  year  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  church  was  dedicated  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Mother  of  God  on  July  5,  1897.  The  .sermon  was  preached 
on  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Kelly.  Says  a  local  chronicler  :  "Realiz- 
ing that  this  first  little  church  was  inadequate  in  size,  undesirable  in  locality, 
their  zeal  prompted  them  to  renewed  eflforts,  and  then  was  called  forth  that 
generosity  which  gives  them  to-day  one  of  the  most  desirable  places  in  the 
village  of  Ridgefield  for  a  church  worthy  to  be  called  a  House  of  God." 

St.  Mary's  cemetery  was  purchased  by  Rev.  Father  Walsh  in  August, 
1882;  it  was  blessed  on  October  13,  1883,  by  Bishop  McMahon. 

Wheh  St.  Mary's  parish  was  formed  it  comprisefl  about  200  souls,  all 
Irish  and  their  descendants.     The  number  at  present  is  270. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S    PARISH, 
South  Norvvalk. 

^T.  Joseph's  parish  was  formed  September  i,  1895,  by  cutting  off  the 
southern  portion  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  Norwalk.  It  comprises  all  of 
South  Norwalk  and  extends  north  to  Cedar  street.  The  first  pastor 
was  the  Rev.  John  Winters,  who  oflfered  his  first  Mass  for  his  new 
parishioners  on  September  8,  1895,  in  Music  Hall,  South  Main  street.  This 
hall  was  rented  for  church  purposes  at  a  rental  of  $500  per  annum.  When 
the  parish  was  organized  it  comprised  1200  Irish  people,  200  Hungarians  and 
100  Italians. 

Work  on  the  church  was  begun  in  October,  1896.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  on  Sunday,  April  4,  1897,  by  Bishop  Tierney,  in  the  pfesence  of  8,000 
citizens  of  both  Norwalks.  The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  the  Rev.  William 
Maher,  D.D.,  of  Milford. 

St.  Joseph's  parish  began  its  career  with  $1,750  in  the  treasury,  the  gift 


282  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  tlie  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum.  Thej'  possess  a  very  valuable  property  on  South 
Main  street.  Two  separate  properties,  side  by  side,  were  purchased  and  united, 
the  one  serving  for  a  church  site,  the  other  for  a  rectory.  The  building  on 
the  rectory  site  has  been  re-modeled  and  is  used  as  a  pastoral  residence.  The 
house  on  the  other  property  was  removed  to  make  way  for  the  new  church. 
The  rectory  property  cost  $6,000,  and  the  cluirch  lot  with  building,  $4,750 
The  erection  of  the  hand.some  brick  cliurch  and  the  thorough  renovation  of 
it  exteriorly  and  interiorly  and  the  improvements  made  in  the  grounds, 
make  this  property  the  chief  ornament  of  South  Main  street  and  the  pride  of 
the  Catholic  population. 

The  number  of  baptisms  administered  during  1896  and  1897  were  166, 
and  the  marriages  solemnized  during  the  same  time  were  32.  The  first  bap- 
tism was  that  of  Helen  Kindilien ;  the  first  marriage  was  that  of  John  Ken- 
nedy and  Mary  Lynch. 

The  Catholics  of  South  Norwalk  enjoy  the  esteem  and  good  will  of  all 
classes  and  creeds,  and  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph  are  prospering. 
Politically,  they  are  divided  between  the  two  great  parties ;  socially,  they  are 
the  peers  of  their  neighbors  ;  intellectually,  they  are  recognized  as  influential 
elements  in  the  population. 

The  week  after  Easter  Sunday,  1899,  witnessed  the  transfer  of  the  Rev. 
Father  Winters  from  South  Norwalk  to  the  newly  organized  parish  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception,  Hartford.  His  successor  is  the  Rev.  William  Maher, 
D.  D.,  formerly  of  Milford. 

ST.  JOHN'S    PARISH. 
Stamford.' 

fHE  services  of  the  church  were  held  for  the  first  time  in  Stamford  in 
September,  1842,  in  the  house  of  Patrick  H.  Drew  in  West  Stamford. 
The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  on  that  occasion  was  the  Rev.  James  Smyth. 
Three  families  comprised  the  Catholic  population  at  that  time.  Mass  was 
said  here  at  stated  inter\'als  until  1846.  When  I\Ir.  Drew  removed  to  the  old 
"Webb  Place"  on  South  street,  the  Divine  Mysteries  were  there  celebrated, 
first  by  Bishop  Tyler.  In  this  house  and  in  the  Town  hall  services  were  held 
until  the  completion  of  the  church  on  Meadow  street  in  185 1. 

Writing  to  Bishop  Tyler  under  date  of  February  i6,  1846,  the  Rev. 
Michael  Lynch  of  Bridgeport  said  :  "  I  was  at  Stamford  on  the  8th  and  9th 
inst.,  and  administered  the  Sacraments  to  12  or  14  persons  there;  said  Mass 
for  them  and  baptized  two  children.  This  makes  eleven  visits  to  them  these 
three  years  past,  most  of  them  on  Sundays."  '"  In  the  same  letter  he  gave 
the  number  of  Catholics  of  Stamford  as  "15  to  25."  Besides  Stamford,  Father 
Lynch  attended  from  Bridgeport,  Norwalk,  Danbury,  Wolcottville  and  Nor- 
folk also.  Despite  his  almost  quarterly  visits — and  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  he 
could  go  more  frequently  with  missions  as  widely  separated  as  Norfolk,  Wol- 

'  Rippowans  was  the  original  name  of  Stamford.   It  was  purchased  for  "  twelve  coats, 
twelve  hoes,  twelve  hatchets,  twelve  knives,  two  kettles  and  four  fathom  of  wampum." 
'The  8th  and  9th  of  February,  1S46,  fell  on  Sunday  and  Monday. 


ST.   JOHN'S   CHURCH. 
Stamford,   Conn. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  283 

cottville  and  the  others — complaints  were  made  to  Bishop  Tyler  that  Father 
Lynch  had  "  despised  and  forgotten  our  Catholic  brethren  in  the  locality  of 
Stamford."  This  formal  accusation  was  drawn  up,  it  should  be  known,  by  one 
who  "would  not  submit  to  the  rules  of  this  diocese,"  and  who,  refusing  to  obey 
the  law  concerning  the  proclamation  of  the  banns,  was  married  in  New  York. 
The  people  finally  appealed  to  the  priests  of  St.  John's  College,  Fordham, 
for  assistance.  The  following  official  correspondence  will  throw  much  light 
on  the  statrxs  of  Catholicity  in  Stamford  at  this  period  : 

St.  John's  Coll.,  Fordham,  Aug.  12,  1846. 
Right  Revd.  Sir :  '  Mr.  J.  Lynch,  a  good  Catholic  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  applied  to  us 
some  time  .since  to  know  if  we  could  .send,  once  every  six  weeks,  one  of  our  F.F.  (Fathers) 
to  Stamford,  which,  he  said,  can  receive  but  very  seldom  the  visit  of  a  clergyman.  I 
answered  him  that  as  soon  as  I  had  ascertained  the  possibility  of  doing  so  I  would  write 
to  j'our  Lordship,  in  whose  jurisdiction  the  place  is. 

Our  intention  is  not  and  cannot  be  to  establish  there  one  of  us  as  parish  priest,  nor 
to  attend  the  sick  calls;  but  merely  to  say  Mass,  hear  confessions,  and  give  instructions  to 
that  good  people  twice  in  three  months,  until  3-our  Lordship  may  provide  better  for  them. 
If  this  demand  meets  with  your  approbation,  I  will  immediately  answer  afiBrniatively 
to  Mr.  Lynch,  and  at  the  beginning  of  next  month  one  of  our  gentlemen  will  go  to  Provi- 
dence to  receive  your  blessing  and  acquaint  himself  with  your  desire. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Right  Revd.  Sir, 

Your  Most  Obt.  Servt., 

Aug.  J.  Thebaud,  S.J. 

To  this  note  Bishop  Tyler  sent  the  following  reply  : 

Providence,  Aug.  18,  1846. 

Rev.  Dear  Sir :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  12th  inst.  I  wish  certainly  that  the 
good  people  of  Stamford  maj-  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  religion  and  as  frequently  as  possi- 
ble.    They  are  now  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch,  who  resides  mostl}-  at  Bridgeport. 

More  than  a  year  ago  I  received  a  letter  signed  by and  several  others,  com- 
plaining of  being  neglected  and  requesting,  not  in  the  most  humble  terms,  to  be  better 
provided  for.  I  wrote  to  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch  upon  the  subject,  and  after  that  when  I  saw  him, 
spoke  to  him  more  fully  about  it.  It  was  not  difficult  to  perceive  that  an  unfortunate 
misunderstanding  existed  between  a  considerable  portion,  at  least,  of  the  Catholics  of 
Stamford  and  their  pastor.  They  charged  him  with  neglect  and  want  of  attention  to  them, 
and  he  accused  them  of  requiring  of  him  things  that  were  unreasonable,  and  refusing  to 
contribute  a  proper  sum  towards  his  support,^  and  to  enable  him  to  procure  things  required 
for  the  decent  celebration  of  the  sacred  mysteries. 

That  their  demands  upon  him  were  in  some  cases  unreasonable  was  manifest  to  me 
from  their  own  letter,  and  I  do  not  doubt  that  when  tliey  began  to  entertain  an  unkind 
feeling  towards  him  they  also  withheld  their  contributions.  Such  a  state  of  things  is 
deeply  to  be  deplored.  It  is  out  of  my  power  to  remedy  it.  I  have  no  other  priest  to  send 
them,^  and  even  if  I  had  I  doubt  whether  they  would  give  him  a  support. 

Perhaps  some  of  your  good  Fathers  may  do  good  in  the  case.  If  so,  I  shall  be  very 
happy.  But  you  can  easily  perceive  that  it  will  not  do  for  them  to  go  there,  as  it  were, 
rivals  of  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch.     They  should  rather  appear  as  his  assistants,  and  of  course 

'  Bishop  Tyler. 

^  In  his  letter  to  Bishop  Tyler,  quoted  above.  Father  Lynch  said  that  from  his  eleven 
visits  to  Stamford  he  "  got  very  little  from  them,  sometimes  nothing,  at  other  times  hardly 
what  would  pay  my  expenses." 

^  Beside  Father  Lynch  there  were  only  three  other  priests  in  Connecticut,  Rev.  John 
Brady,  Rev,  Jas.  Smyth  and  Rev.  John  Brady,  Jr. 


284  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

should  first  have  a  good  understanding  with  him  ;  unless,  indeed,  you  could  take  the 
whole  care  of  the  place,  which  you  intimate  is  impossible. 

I  will  write  immediately  to  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch  upon  the  subject,  and  if  one  of  you 
good  Fathers  will  see  him  and  have  an  agreement  with  him  upon  the  subject,  and  do 
something  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  poor  people  you  will  have  not  merely  my 
thanks,  but  will  have  the  merit  of  promoting  the  great  object  which  your  society  has 
always  in  view — the  honor  and  glorj-  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 

With  sincere  respect,  I  am.  Dear  Sir, 

Yours  in  Christ, 
Rev.  AiG.  J.  Thebaud,  S. J.,  t  ^^'m.  Tyler. 

St.  Johns  College,  Fordham,  X.  Y. 

In  accordance  with  Bishop  Tyler's  wishes,  a  priest  of  St.  John's  College 
held  a  conference  with  Father  Lynch  at  Bridgeport,  the  results  of  which  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  letters  : 

Bridgeport,  Sept.  23,  1846. 
Right  Revd.  Bishop :  The  Revd.  Mr.  de  Luynes,  one  of  the  priests  of  St.  John's  Col- 
lege, called  here  last  week  to  make  arrangements  for  visiting  Stamford.  I  told  him  he 
might  come  there,  with  your  approbation,  as  often  as  he  plea.sed,  provided  he  did  not 
interfere  with  my  visits  once  in  ever3'  three  months;  or,  with  your  consent,  that  he  might 
take  the  entire  charge  of  that  place  and  the  adjoining  towns.  I  presume  Rev.  Mr. 
Thebaud  will  write  to  you  again.  I  submit  the  matter  to  your  lordship  for  adjustment, 
and  await  j'our  decision. 

Wishing  your  Lordship  health  and  happiness,  I  remain. 

Your  Lordship's  most  Obi.  Servant, 

M, Lynch. 

Father  Thebaud  wrote : 

St.  John's  Coi.l.,  Sept.  28,  1846. 
Right  Rev.  Sir :  Last  week  Father  de  Luynes,  one  of  our  gentlemen,  went  to  see  Revd. 
Mr.  Lynch,  of  Bridgeport,  to  hear  from  him,  if  he  would  have  any  objection  to  our  visit- 
ing periodically  the  Catholics  of  Stamford.  Mr.  Lynch  said  that  he  was  willing,  provided 
we  should  take  altogether  the  charge  of  that  part  of  his  congregation  and  attend  the 
sick  calls.  This  we  cannot  do,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  distance,  and  the  difficulty  of 
the  roads  in  winter.  We  give  up,  therefore,  the  idea  we  had  of  obliging  those  poor  people, 
and  I  think  it  proper  to  inform  your  Lordship  of  it.  It  may  be,  nevertheless,  that,  at  least, 
in  summer,  some  of  us  may  go  occasionalh-  to  Stamford,  as  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch  said  he  had 
no  objection  to  it,  and  T  hope  you  will  grant  us  for  those  occasions,  the  power  of  hearing 
confessions  and  administering  other  sacraments  in  that  portion  of  your  diocese. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Right  Rev.  Sir, 

Your  Obt.  Servt , 

AvG.  J.  Theb.\ud,  S.J. 

After  Bishop  McFarland's  ordination  to  the  priesthood,  on  May  18,  1845, 
he  was  assigned  to  St.  John's  College  as  professor.  He  did  not  remain  here 
long,  as  on  May  6,  1846,  he  was  appointed  pastor  of  Watertown,  N.  V.,  and 
dependencies.  Previous  to  this  he  had  done  parochial  duty  in  New  York 
city.  While  professor  at  Fordham,  Father  McFarland  often  attended  sick 
calls  at  Stamford.  His  visits  antedated  the  application  mentioned  in  Father 
Thebaud's  first  letter  to  Bishop  Tyler,  and  may,  indirectly,  have  been  the  cause 
of  the  petition  being  made  to  the  college. 

In  1849,  the  Rev.  John  C.  Brady  was  appointed  pastor  of  Norwalk,  with 
Stamford,  Danbury,  New  Milford  and  Canaan  as  missions.    Father  Brady  took 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  285 

up  his  residence  on  the  Cove  road  a  short  distance  from  the  town.  On  July 
4,  1849,  ^is  broke  ground  for  a  new  church  on  Meadow  street.  It  was  a  one- 
story  frame  structure,  60  by  40  feet.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  January 
26,  185 1.  On  that  occasion  Bishop  O'Reilly  also  made  a  visitation  of  the 
parish,  administered  confirmation  and  preached  three  times. 

In  March,  1854,  the  Rev.  E.J.  Cooney  succeeded  Father  Brady.  During  his 
pastorate  the  church  was  enlarged  by  an  addition  of  twenty  feet.  Father  Cooney 
made  many  other  improvements  in  and  about  the  church.  The  next  pastor  and 
the  first  resident  priest  of  Stamford,  was  the  Rev.  James  Reynolds.  His  term 
of  service  began  in  November,  1857,  and  ended  by  his  death  in  October,  1858. 

The  Rev.  James  H.  O'Neill  immediately  succeeded  Father  Reynolds. 
Finding  the  labors  of  the  parish  too  arduous  to  be  borne  alone,  as  the  number 
of  souls  had  increased  from  a  few  hundred  to  over  a  thousand  in  less  than  ten 
years,  he  received  as  assistants  the  Rev.  Edward  O'Neill,  who  served  from  i860 
to  1864;  Rev.  Christopher  Duggett,  1864  to  1866;  Rev.  James  Ward,  1866; 
Rev.  James  Charleton,  1867,  and  Rev.  Eugene  Gaffney.  Recognizing  the 
importance  of  Catholic  schools  Father  O'Neill  in  i860  built  a  school  on 
Meadow  street,  and  procured  effective  teachers  in  the  persons  of  Mr.  P.  Reilly 
and  Miss  B.  Clancy,  who  retained  their  positions  until  1876,  when  the  old 
church  having  been  converted  into  school-rooms,  and  the  pastoral  residence 
into  a  convent,  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  assumed  charge  of  the  schools.  During 
these  years  Greenwich  was  a  mission  of  Stamford,  and  so  continued  until  the 
fall  of  1876,  when  it  attained  the  dignity  of  a  parish,  with  the  Rev.  W.  H. 
Rogers  as  the  first  pastor. 

The  Rev.  John  Fagan  was  appointed  the  successor  of  Father  O'Neill  upon 
the  death  of  the  latter  in  October,  1868.  One  of  the  great  needs  of  the  parish 
at  this  time  was  a  new  cemetery,  as  the  little  burial  ground  around  the  old 
church  had  only  a  few  untenanted  graves.  A  tract  of  thirty-si.v  acres  in 
Springdale,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  from  Stamford,  on  the  line  of  the 
New  Canaan  R.  R.,  was  purchased.  Father  Fagan  had  this  surveyed  and 
laid  out  for  cemetery  purposes.  He  built  a  massive  stone  wall  along  the  front, 
planted  trees  and  otherwise  beautified  the  grounds,  so  that  with  its  graveled 
walks  and  driveways,  its  shrubs  and  flowers,  gentle  undulation  and  stream  of 
water  running  along  its  western  border,  Springdale  cemetery  is  a  place  of  great 
beauty.  As  the  congregation  had  increased  to  3000  souls.  Father  Fagan  was 
not  long  in  recognizing  the  necessity  of  a  larger  church.  Accordingly,  a 
short  time  after  his  appointment,  he  took  s'teps  to  secure  an  eligible  site.  He 
purchased  the  present  site  on  Atlantic  street  from  Mr,  A.  J.  Bell  for  $12,500. 
Work  on  the  church  was  immediately  begun,  but  Father  Fagan  lived  to  see 
the  work  completed  only  to  the  water  table.  He  died  on  December  5,  1873. 
Father  Fagan' s  assistants  were  :  Rev.  James  Daly,  from  April  to  October,  1 87 1  ; 
Rev.  Thomas  Ivynch,  from  October,  1871,  to  April,  1872  ;  Rev.  Thomas  Healy, 
from  April,  1872,  to  September,  1873  ;  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  from  June  until 
September,  1S73,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Rogers,  appointed  September,  1873. 

The  Rev.  Michael  A.  Tierney  assumed  charge  of  St.  John's  parish  on 
February  1,  1874,  pushed  on  the  work  of  the  church  vigorously,  roofed  in  the 


286  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

building  and  completed  the  basement,  wliich  was  ready  for  divine  services  on 
Thanksgiving  day,  1875.  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  administrator  of  the 
diocese,  officiated  at  the  dedication  ceremonies,  and  the  sernfon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Matthew  Hart.  The  evening  discourse  was  pronounced  by  the 
Rev.  P.  A.  Murphy.  In  the  meantime  Father  Tierney  had  purchased  the 
present  pa.storal  residence  on  Atlantic  street  from  Mr.  J.  A.  Condon  for  S  18.500, 
had  fitted  up  the  old  church  for  school  purposes,  and  brought  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy  to  lake  charge  of  the  schools. 

Father  Tierney  was  followed  in  the  pastorate  by  the  present  rector,  the 
Rev.  William  H.  Rogers,  in  1877.  Father  Rogers  continued  the  work  on  the 
church  until  its  completion.  The  ceremony  of  dedication  was  performed  by 
Bisl'op  McMahon  on  May  30,  1886.  The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Horst- 
mann,  the  present  bishop  of  Cleveland.  The  orator  at  the  evening  services 
was  the  Rev.  Edward  McGlynn,  D.  D. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Coleman  ser\-ed  as  assistant  here  from  July,  1 876,  to  the 
following  September;  Rev.  Joseph  Gleeson  from  Januarj-,  1877,  until  Novem- 
ber, 1878;  Rev.  H.J.  Walsh  from  November,  1878,  to  February,  1885  ;  Rev. 
P.  Skelly  from  February,  1885,  to  April,  1886;  Rev.  Thomas  Keeuan  from 
February,  1 886,  to  November,  1 897 ;  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Flannery  from  January, 
1898,  to  September,  1898.  Rev.  J.  T.  Lynch  and  Rev.  E.  Sullivan  are  the 
present  assistants. 

.  The  property  of  St.  John's  parish  was  recently  increased  by  the  purchase 
of  the  house  and  land  adjoining  the  rectory  for  $8500.  In  four  decades  the 
Catholic  population  of  Stamford  has  increased  from  100  to  4000  souls.  The 
value  of  the  church  property  is  near  a  quarter  of  a  million  dollars. 

The  parochial  school  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition.  There  are  463 
pupils  and  eleven  sisters,  of  whom  Sister  M.  Alexius  is  Superioress. 

St.  John's  church  is  of  grey  stone  with  granite  trimmings  throughout.  It 
is  of  Gothic  design,  cruciform  with  clerestory.  The  dimensions  are:  extreme 
length,  176  feet;  width  of  nave  and  aisles,  68  feet ;  breadth  of  nave  at  intersec- 
tion of  transepts,  92  feet ;  transepts,  16x50  ;  height  of  nave,  50  feet ;  vestibule, 
i6x  50;  height  of  spire,  225  feet.  The  architect  was  Mr.  James  Murphy,  of 
Providence,  R.  I. 

LIST   OK    EARLY   CATHOLIC   NAMES   OF 

STAMFORD. 

Whole  number  Whole  number 

Families.  of  souls.  Families.  of  souls. 

Drew,  Patrick,  wife  and  six  children  ...  8  O'Brien,  Patrick,  wife  and  three  children  5 
Kenney,  Timothy,  wife  and  two  children  4  Murphy,  James,  wife  and  two  children  .  4 
Dwyer,  Robert,  wife  and  three  children    .   5     .Shaughnessy,  Patrick,  wife  and  four  chil- 

Hogg,  Peter,  wife  and  two  children  ...    4  dren 6 

Gilfoyle.  Mrs.,  and  five  children    ....    6     Hogg,  Michael,  and  wife 2 

Deagan,  John,  wife  and  child         ....    3    Eagan,  Feli.x,  and  wife 2 

Muldoon.  John,  wife  and  five  children.  .    7    Edell,  Madame,  and  one  child 2 

Fitzgerald,  Thomas,  wife  and  one  child  .    3 

stii,lw.\ti;r  district. 

Kennedy,  John,  and  wife 2  I  (luider,  John,  and  wife 2 

Sullivan,  John,  and  wife 2  I  Brown,  ISIrs.  Rose,  and  four  children  .    .    5 


^pv 


^^ 


,1. 

Ik 


ipil 


ST.   JOHN'S   CHURCH, 
Stamford,   Conn. 


/ 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD. 


287 


ROXBURY. 

Whole  number 
of  souls. 


Families. 


Whole  number 
of  souls. 


Shea,  Patrick,  and  wife 2 

Welsh,  Thomas,  wife  and  child 3 


Crowley,  Patrick,  wife  and  two  children  4 

Crowley,  Timothy,  and  sister 2 

O'Brien,  Michael,  wife  and  one  child  .    .    3 

DUMPLING    POND    LOCALITY. 

O'Neil,  Edward,  wife  and  one  child  •    .    .    3  I  O'Brien,  Thomas,  wife  and  four  children  6 
Power,  John,  wife  and  two  children  .    .    .    4  |  Karney,  Michael,  wife  and  one  child    .    .    3 

STANAYE    LOCALE. 

O'Connell,  Timothy,  wife  and  two  chil-      I  Ryan,  John,  wife  and  three  children  ...    5 
dren 4  |  O'Brien,  Patrick,  wife  and  four  children .   6 

Whole  number  of  souls 117 

Whole  number  of  families 30 


STAMFORD. 


Daniel  Lahy. 
Francis  O'Neill. 
Michael  Kennedy. 
Lawrence  Walsh. 
Daniel  Doolan. 
Charles  Downey. 
Michael  Mangen. 


Martin  Flinn. 
William  Collins. 
Timothy  Conroy. 


Edward  Ryan. 
William  Murphy. 
Edward  Kavenagh. 
Michael  Conly. 
John  Hickey. 
John  Ryan. 
Patrick  Cavanagh. 

Patrick  Powers. 


James  Brennan. 
James  Kelly. 
James  Herbert. 
Joseph  McNamara. 
Peter  McGowan. 
Cornelius  Cavanagh. 
Patrick  Lynch. 

Peter  Nugent. 


STILLWATER. 
John  Foley.  John  Foley,  Jr. 

John  Murphy.  John  Harrison. 

Miles  Riley.  James  Mulkey. 

John  McMahon. 


Michael  Lynch. 
Martin  Gillespie. 
Francis  Lee. 
James  Keenan. 
Michael  O'Donnell. 
Francis  McGarvey. 
Bernard  Kehoe. 


Timothy  McDonald. 
John  Terry. 
Daniel  Duffy. 


Thomas  Blute. 


ROXBURY. 

Patrick  Rourke. 


Thomas  Dacey. 


Thomas  Buckley. 
Edmund  Clnte. 


Bridget  Langen. 
Catherine  Donavan. 
Mary  Moran. 
Sarah  Berresford. 
Ann  Mack. 
Bridget  Kelley. 
Bridget  Lynch. 
Ellen  Crowley. 
Catherine  Connors. 


DUMPLING    POND. 

James  Magee.  Jeremiah  O'Brien.  Michael  Kennedy. 

James  McLaren.        Patrick  Gannan.  James  Lynch. 

Peter  Kenned)-. 

ST.'VMFORD. 

Ann  Nugent.  Ellen  O'Neill. 


Mary  Gorman 

Mary  Shean. 

Bridget  Conelly. 

Margaret  Doran 

Rosey  Nugent. 

Mrs.  Simox. 

Rosanna  Flood. 

Mary  Curran. 
Mrs.  Sullivan. 
Also  a  number  of  others  whose  names  could  not  be  easily 

Thirty  families  numbering 

Unmarried  persons  as  far  as  could  be  learned  .... 


Mary  Brady. 
Margaret  Collins. 
Ellen  Malone. 
MaryMcCahey. 
Cecilia  O'Shaughnessy 
Mary  Sanderson. 
Jane  McGrath. 
Bridget  Kehoe. 
Catherine  Smith. 


Ann  Smith. 
Margaret  »Sniith. 
Mary  Fitzpatrick. 
Catherine  Dougherty 
Margaret  Flannigan. 
.  Margaret  Lee. 
Ann  O'Neill. 
Bridget  Connelly. 
Rosanna  Riley. 


ascertained. 


117 

93 


Total 


There  is  no  date  on  the  original  paper  from  which  the  abo\-e  was  copied, 
but  it  is  a  very  old  list.     Its  probable  date  is  about  1850. 


288  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

PARISH   OF  THE  ASSUMPTION, 
Westport. 

II  I{  town  of  Westport  was  incorporated  in  1835.  Eighteen  years  after, 
on  November  21st,  was  offered  up  for  the  first  time  in  Westport  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  The  celebrant  was  the  Rev.  John  Brady, 
of  Norwalk,  and  the  chapel  for  the  occasion  was  the  Universalist  church,  on 
Main  street.  The  priests  of  Norwalk  continued  to  serve  the  Catholics  of 
Westport  until  a  short  time  previous  to  its  formation  into  a  parish. 

In  i860,  the  church  was  built  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mulligan,  and  dedicated 
on  August  15th  of  that  year.  When  Rev.  M.  P.  Lawlor  began  his  pastorate 
at  Fairfield,  in  January,  1876,  he  took  charge  also  of  Westport.  Father  Law- 
lor's  pastorate  was  of  short  duration,  at  the  end  of  which  Westport  was  made 
an  independent  parish.  The  Rev.  Patrick  Keating  was  appointed  the  first  resi- 
dent pastor,  and  in  Jannar}-,  1S77,  purchased  the  pastoral  residence.  Among  the 
other  material  works  effected  was  the  decoration  of  the  clnirch.  Father  Keat- 
ing ministered  to  the  wants  of  the  Westport  Catholics  with  commendable  zeal 
until  May  10,  1885,  when  the  Rev.  John  H.  Carroll  was  appointed  his  suc- 
cessor. His  thirteen  years  of  service  here  were  productive  of  gratifying 
results  in  the  material  and  spiritual  order.  For  many  years  Father  Carroll 
served  on  the  Board  of  Education,  and  was  also  the  chairman  of  that  body,  a 
fact  which  stronL'K'  attests  the  existence  of  the  spirit  of  fraternity  between 
Protestants  and  C  itholics ;  and,  that  this  spirit  does  exist,  is  due  in  no  small 
degree  to  the  prudent,  and  withal  manly  course  adopted  and  steadily  pursued 
by  the  clergy.  Father  Carroll  preached  his  farewell  sermon  on  Sunda\', 
October  9,  lS9^,  and  on  the  following  Sunday  assumed  charge  of  the  parish 
of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Wallingford.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  James  P. 
Ryle,  who  came  here  from  Montville. 

The  church  of  the  Assumption  is  a  frame  structure,  whose  seating  capa- 
city is  500. 


LITCHFIELD  COUNTY. 


ST.  JOSEPH'S    PARISH, 

WiNSTED. 

f\\\\  first  i\Iass  .said  in  Winsted,  or,  as  it  was  then  called,  Clifton,  was 
offered  b)-  the  Rev.  James  Lynch,  of  Birmingham,  in  the  west  district 
school-house,  in  185 1,  in  the  presence  of  about  forty  persons.  An 
old  resident,  however,  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  the  first  Mass  was 
said  in  1850  by  a  Father  Tucker.  One  who  was  present  at  Father  Lynch's 
Mass,  Mrs.  Gabriel  Grinnan,  is  still  living,  and  has  vivid  recollections  of  the 
same.  Mr,  Peter  Dardis  came  to  Winsted  in  1849.  At  that  time,  he  says, 
there  were  about  twelve  Catholic  families  here.     In  1851  land  was  purchased 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  289 

for  a  church.  \\\  1852  the  Rev.  Tlioiiias  Ouinn  entered  upon  his  duties  as  the 
first  resident  pastor  of  Winsted.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  began  the  erection 
of  the  church,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  in  1853.  Until  the  church 
was  ready  for  occupancy,  divine  services  were  held  in  Camp's  Hall.  In  1853 
Father  Quinn  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Philip  Gillick,  who  came  from  the 
diocese  of  New  York.  He  completed  the  church,  in  the  basement  of  which 
he  took  up  his  residence.  Rev.  Thomas  Hendricken  came  in  1854.  Serving 
here  about  one  year,  he  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Richard  O'Gorman  in  1855, 
Rev.  lyawrence  Mangan  came  next,  and  remained  three  years.  While  trav- 
eling in  Burope  Father  Mangan  was  drowned.  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen  was 
appointed  pastor  in  i860,  but  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  office  of  chaplain  of  the  Ninth  Connecticut  Volunteers.  "Father 
Mullen  was  a  man  of  literary  culture,"  says  the  Annals  of  Winchester.,  "and 
earnest  patriotism,  who  served  at  Baton  Rouge  and  Chackaloo  Station,  L,a., 
and  Deep  Bottom,  Va.  He  was  compelled  by  ill  health  to  resign  on  the  26th 
of  August,  1862."  Father  Mullen's  successor  was  the  Rev.  Philip  Sheridan, 
who  a  few  years  later  was  followed  by  Rev.  Father  Leo  da  Saracena,  O.  S.  F., 
who  had  taken  Father  Mullen's  place  as  chaplain  of  the  Ninth  Regiment. 
During  his  first  ad;ninistration  this  parish  was  thoroughly  organized.  Father 
Leo  received  his  appointment  as  rector  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  on  January  i, 
1865.  In  August,  1870,  the  Rev.  Father  Anacletus,  O.  F.  M.,  became  pastor, 
but  was  transferred  in  the  following  year  to  allow  Father  Leo  to  resume  charge 
of  the  parish,  which  he  continued  to  govern  till  1877.  From  1877  to  1880  he 
was  Custos  Provincial  of  the  order,  and  resided  at  Allegany  in  St.  Bonaven- 
ture's  seminary,  of  which  he  was  the  president  for  three  years.  Father  Leo 
was  followed  by  Father  Ubaldus  da  Rieti,  who  held  the  position  of  rector 
until  1878,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Bonaventure  Fo.x,  O.  S.  F.  He 
remained  until  1879,  when  he  returned  to  Santa  Barbara,  California.  In 
1879,  Fathers  Jerome,  Daniel,  and  Francis  labored  here  as  well  as  on  the  out- 
missions.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  at  Allegany  in  1880,  Father 
Leo  returned  to  Winsted.  With  the  exception  of  a  tour  through  Europe  and 
the  Holy  Land  in  1891  and  1892,  Father  Leo  labored  continuously  in  the 
parish  until  summoned  to  his  reward  on  November  3,  1897,  in  the  sixty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age  and  the  forty-second  of  his  priesthood.  His  successor, 
the  Rev.  Alexander  M.  Hickey,  O.  S.F.,  was  appointed  by  the  Custos  Provin- 
cial, Very  Rev.  Joseph  Butler,  with  the  approbation  of  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Tierney,  and  is  still  in  charge  of  the  parish. 

Among  the  works  that  distinguished  Father  Leo's  administration  were 
the  purchase  from  a  Mr.  Philips  of  a  dwelling-house ;  the  providing  the 
Sisters  with  a  building  which  they  used  as  an  academy  and  convent ;  the 
opening  of  a  parochial  school  in  the  basement  of  the  church  on  August  15, 
1865;  the  purchase  of  a  piece  of  land  in  1866  west  of  the  church,  and  the 
erection  on  it  of  a  spacious  brick  monastery  ;  the  securing  of  the  property  in 
the  rear  of  the  church,  known  as  the  Grove;  the  building,  in  1876,  of  the 
convent  of  St.  Margaret  of  Cortona,  which,  with  the  beautifying  of  the 
grounds,  cost  over  $15,000.  The  corner-stone  of  the  convent  was  laid  on  Sep- 
II — 19 


290  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

tember  17,  1S76,  and  on  December  3,  of  the  same  year,  it  was  dedicated  ;  the 
new  convent  bell  was  blessed  on  this  occasion.  The  Holy  vSacrifice  of  the 
Mass  was  celebrated  by  Rev.  E.  J.  O'Brien,  assisted  by  Rev.  C.  Hughes, 
of  Providence,  Rev.  Father  Boniface  and  Rev.  Father  Leo.  The  discourse 
at  the  morning  service  was  pronounced  by  Bishop  O'Reilly,  of  Springfield, 
and  Bishop  Galberry  preached  the  sermon  in  the  evening.  In  1883  Father 
Leo  remodeled  the  church  by  adding  a  transept  and  chancel,  and  had  it  thor- 
oughly renovated  exteriorly  and  interiorly — the  whole  work  at  an  expense 
of  $15,000.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  June  13,  1883,  the  Rev.  Cliarles 
McKenna,  O.  P.,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  In  1887  the  energetic 
pastor  built  St.  Antiiony's  school,  a  fine  brick  edifice,  with  a  stone  basement. 
The  school  was  blessed  by  Bishop  McMahon  on  December  11,  1887.  He 
was  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  .V.  Mulcahy,  now  \'icar-General,  and  Rev.  T.  W. 
Broderick.     The  oration  was  pronounced  by  Mgr.  Thomas  J.  Conaty,  D.D. 

The  cemetery  attached  to  the  parish  was  purchased  during  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Father  Mangan,  about  1858  or  1859.  It  was  secured  for  the  parish 
by  a  Mr.  McGuire,  and  cost  $400.  A  portion  of  it  was  blessed  by  Bishop 
McFarland  before  the  departure  of  Father  Mangan,  and  the  remainder  when 
Father  Leo  was  pastor,  before  1876.  Prior  to  the  purchase  of  this  cemetery 
the  parishioners  buried  their  dead  in  the  Catholic  cemeteries  of  New  Hartford 
and  Norfolk. 

According  to  the  deed  by  which  Bishop  McFarland  conveyed  the  entire 
property  to  the  Franciscans,  the  people  of  the  parish  must  have  the  use  of 
the  churcli ;  and  it  may  excite  surprise  that  they  have  only  the  use  of  it.  This 
may  be  accounted  for  thus  :  tliat  tiie  people  who  visit  a  church  of  the  Friars 
Minor  on  the  ist  and  2d  of  August,  other  conditions  being  complied  with, 
may  gain  the  indulgences  granted  by  the  Pope.  The  circumstance  aflfects 
the  people  indifferently,  because  all  the  property  held  in  the  name  of  the 
Friars  Minor  belongs  to  the  Holy  See. 

When  Father  Leo  took  charge  in  Winsted  he  had  as  dependencies  Cole- 
brook,  New  Boston,  Torrington,  Litchfield  and  Norfolk.  Of  these  missions 
Colebrook  alone  remains.  The  estimated  number  of  Catholics  in  Winsted, 
when  the  parisli  was  formed,  was  250,  principally  Irish.  The  number  at 
present  is  about  2,000.  Father  Hickey  is  assisted  in  his  parochial  labors  b\- 
Rev.  Father  Lewis,  O.S.F.,  and  Rev.  C  Ryan,  O.S.F. 

Among  the  benefactors  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  mention  may  be  made  of 
Mr.  Harvey  Wakefield,  who  died  on  July  24,  1884,  bequeathing  $1,000  to  the 
church. 

St.  Joseph's  school  is  taught  b)-  the  Sisters  of  St.  Francis,  nine  in  num- 
ber, of  whom  Mother  Leo  is  the  Superioress.  The  school  has  nine  grades, 
with  an  attendance  of  314  pupils,  and  is  among  the  best  in  the  diocese. 

From  1867  to  the  present  there  have  been  twenty-nine  assistants,  and 
among  them  was  Rev.  Father  Diomede  Falconio,  O.  S.  F.,  now  an  archbishop 
in  Italy,  and  recently  appointed  Apostolic  Delegate  to  Canada. 


REV.  MICHAEL  MANN.  O.F.M. 


REV.  JAMES  H.  O'DONNELL. 


1  \ 

,     ] 

iJi 

) 

^,  1 

REV.   P.   KEATING. 


REV.   TIMOTHY   F.    BANNON. 


REV.  JOHN   LEE. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  291 

ST.   MARY'S    PARISH, 
Lakeville. 

'NTIL,  the  appointment  of  Rev.  H.  Lynch  in  1875,  the  pastors  of  the 
missions  inchided  within  this  jurisdiction  resided  at  Falls  Village, 
as  here  was  the  parish  church.  Mass  was  said  for  the  first  time 
in  Falls  Village  in  1849  by  Rev.  John  C.  Brady,  pastor  of  St. 
Mary's  parish,  Norwalk.  Previous  to  this  the  Holy  Sacrifice  had  been 
offered  in  North  Canaan  on  Christmas  Day,  1848,  in  the  house  of  Patrick 
Lynch  by  Rev.  John  Smith  of  Albany,  N.  Y.  The  total  Catholic  population 
of  North  Canaan  at  this  time  consisted  of  three  families,  the  Lynch's,  McCar- 
thy's and  Gorman's.  The  first  Mass  celebrated  in  Lakeville  was  said  on  July 
4,  1849,  under  a  tree  near  the  Davis  Mine  by  Rev.  Father  Howard  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  N.  Y.  Father  Smith  came  from  Albany  at  stated  intervals  and  said 
Mass  in  Mr.  Lynch's  residence  and  elsewhere  as  opportunity  provided. 

When  Rev.  Christopher  Moore,  the  first  resident  pastor  of  Falls  Village, 
assumed  charge  in  1850,  his  jurisdiction  embraced  Canaan  (Falls  Village), 
Goshen,  Salisbury  (Lakeville),  Sharon  and  Cornwall.  Having  no  church  in 
which  to  gather  his  flock,  he  said  Mass  and  administered  the  sacraments  in 
houses  most  convenient  for  the  people.  At  the  time  of  his  arrival,  about  800 
men  were  employed  at  Ames'  Iron  Works  ;  for  their  accommodation  Mass  was 
frequently  said  in  the  school-house  at  Amesville.  One  Sunday  morning,  how- 
ever, they  found  the  door  of  the  school  locked  by  the  authorities  against  them, 
so  that  divine  services  were  resumed  in  private  houses  and  in  the  open  air, 
"  an  apple  tree  standing  on  Beebe  Hill  furnishing  them  shade  on  one  fine 
Sunday  morning  in  June."  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  of 
Falls  Village  in  1851.  Here  he  built  St.  Patrick's  church  in  1854,  as  well  as 
churches  at  Goshen  and  Cornwall.  Before  St.  Patrick's  church  was  dedicated 
it  was  paid  for,  Father  Kelly's  mother  in  Ireland  contributing  generously  for 
the  purpose.  St.  Patrick's  church  enjoys  the  distinction  of  never  having  been 
in  debt,  although  it  is  the  oldest  church  on  the  railroad  line  between  Bridge- 
port and  Pittsfield. 

In  1887  Father  Kelly  was  transferred  to  Hartford  and  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Mulligan,  who  remained  two  years.  Then  Rev.  Richard  O'Gorman 
was  appointed  j^astor.  His  pastorate  was  of  short  duration,  having  been  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Philip  Sheridan  in  i860.  After  serving  three  years,  Rev.  J. 
Couch  came,  but  remained  for  a  short  time  only.  The  pastorates  of  his  suc- 
cessors, Father  O'Reilly  and  Father  O'Farrell,  were  also  brief.  The  latter  died 
at  Falls  Village  in  1868.  Early  in  1868,  Rev.  John  J.  McCabe  assumed  charge, 
but  was  followed  in  September,  1869,  by  Rev.  Joseph  O'Keefe.  During  his 
pastorate  in  1871  he  built  St.  Joseph's  church  in  North  Canaan.  After  four 
years  of  labor  here  Father  O'Keefe  gave  way  to  Rev.  Stephen  ShefFrey,  whose 
pastorate  was  of  one  year's  duration,  having  been  sent  to  New  Haven  in 
February,  1875.  Immediately  following  Father  Sheftrey  came  Rev.  Henry 
Lynch,  who  remained  pastor  of  these  missions  until  December,  1886.  Father 
Lynch  built  St.  Mary's  church  in  Lakeville,  and  erecting  a  pastoral  residence 


292  riJR   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

also,  moved  his  residence  here  and  constituted  Lakeville  the  parish.  The 
corner-stone  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Lakeville,  was  laid  on  the  feast  of  Corpus 
Christi,  May  27,  1875,  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Administrator,  and  it  was 
dedicated  to  divine  worship  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  on  January  16,  1876. 
Falls  Village  then  became  a  mission.  .\t  this  time  his  jurisdiction  embraced 
Lakeville,  Falls  Village,  Canaan  and  Cornwall,  with  Catholics  at  Huntsville 
and  Lime  Rock.  Father  Lynch  built  tlve  splendid  St.  Mary's  conven^t  and 
parochial  school  in  1882,  and  introduced  the  Si.sters  of  Mercy  from  Hartford 
to  conduct  an  academy  for  young  ladies  and  to  teach  in  the  school.  The 
academy  was  discontinued,  but  the  school  continues  with  three  sisters  and 
seventy-one  pupils.  Sister  Euphemia  is  the  Superioress  of  the  convent. 
Father  Lynch's  pastorate  ceased  in  December,  1 886,  when  the  Rev.  P.  Fo.v 
was  appointed  pastor.  His  success  in  this  field,  wherein  he  had  been  assistant 
to  Father  Lynch,  was  marked  by  a  notable  reduction  in  the  indebtedness  of 
the  parish.  Father  Fox  was  transferred  to  Newtown  in  February,  1891,  and 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  P.  Donahoe,  who  died  here  on  July  12th  of  the 
same  year.  From  this  date  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Timothy  F.  Bannon, 
has  been  the  pastor  of  St.  Mary's.  Father  Bannon  is  assisted  in  his  parochial 
labors  by  the  Rev.  William  Kiernan.  It  was  in  Lakeville,  in  the  residence 
of  Father  Bannon,  that  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  died. 

The  population  of  St.  IMary's  parisli  is  about  700  souls,  including  the 
missions,  Falls  \'illage  and  Canaan,  where  Mass  is  said  every  Sunday. 

The  chief  benefactors  to  the  parish  were  Jonathan  Scoville,  who  donated 
^3, 500  to  St.  Mary's,  and  the  Hon.  William  H.  Barnum,  who  was  ever  a  gen- 
erous and  consistent  friend,  giving  freely  of  his  substance  to  further  the 
interests  of  religion  as  represented  by  St.  Mary's  parish. 

St.  Patrick's  cemetery.  Falls  Village,  was  purchased  in  the  fall  of  1853, 
but  was  not  blessed  until  the  episcopate  of  Bishop  Galberry,  July  17,  1876. 
Rev.  F'ather  Glackmeyer,  S.J.,  preached  on  the  occasion.  St.  Joseph's  cem- 
etery, North  Canaan,  was  bought  in  the  spring  of  1889,  and  in  the  following 
September  was  blessed  by  Bishop  McMahon,  Rev.  J.  J.  Quinn  preaching  the 
sermon.  St.  Mary's  cemeter)-,  Lakeville,  was  purcha.sed  earl)-  in  1885,  and 
was  solemnly  set  apart  for  burial  purposes  by  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  V.G., 
in  the  same  year.    On  this  occasion  Rev.  J.  J.  Curtin  pronounced  the  discourse. 

Father  Bannon  labors  unceasingly,  not  only  to  promote  the  spiritual 
interests  of  his  flock,  but  also  to  reduce  the  indebtedness  of  the  parish;  and 
in  this  arduous  task  he  has  been  eminently  successful. 

ST.  ANTHONY'S   PARISH, 
Litchfield. 

HE  section  now  comprised  in  the  town  of  Litchfield  was  known  to  the 
Indians  as  Baii/a»i:  it  was  incorporated  in  1724  as  Litchfield.  The 
first  minister  in  Litchfield  bore  the  familiar  name  of  Timothy  Collins. 
He  was  a  native  of  Guilford,  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  college  in  17 18.  Another 
suggestive  name  found  in  the  early  records  of  this  historic  old  town  is  IMark 
Kenney,  who  saw  hard  service  in  the  French  and   Indian  war.     The  first 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  293 

Catholics  to  come  within  the  confines  of  Litchfield  were  three  Acadians,  the 
victims  of  English  oppression.  Sybil  Shearawa)-,  one  of  them,  married 
Thomas  Harrison  in  1764,  and  their  descendants  are  still  residents  of  Litch- 
field. The  town  records  of  January,  1759,  disclosed  the  manner  in  which 
these  poor  people  were  treated.  On  this  date  it  was  "voted  that  the  select- 
men may  provide  a  house  or  some  suitable  place  in  the  town  for  the  maiiitc- 
7iance  of  the  French ;''''  and  in  the  county  treasurer's  book  this  entry  is  found: 
*'  To  paid  John  Newbree  for  keeping  William  Dunlap  and  the  French  persons^ 
545-.  6(/.,  which  the  county  allowed,  and  R.  Sherman,  justice  of  the  quorum, 
drew  an  order  dated  April  25,  1760,  as  per  order  on  file."  As  the  proselytizing 
spirit  was  then  rife  in  Connecticut,  it  is  almost  certain  that  if  the  elder  Aca- 
dians did  not  sacrifice  their  faith,  their  descendants  were  taught  to  believe  that 
nothing  good  could  come  out  of  Rome. 

From  this  time  on  we  find  no  trace  of  Catholicity  in  Litchfield  until  the 
period  when  Irish  emigration  was  at  its  height.  Irish  people  settled  here  in 
the  rural  districts  and  devoted  themselves  to  the  pursuits  of  agricultural  life. 
"  The  celebrated  '  Echo  Farm,'  known  the  world  over,"  says  a  local  historian, 
"  as  a  most  thoroughly  scientific  agricultural  institution,  is  a  glorious  example 
of  their  success  in  this  branch  of  industry." 

The  first  priest  to  visit  Litchfield  was  the  Rev.  John  Smith,  of  Albany, 
who  n-.ade  a  missionar}-  tour  through  this  section  of  the  State  in  1848  on 
horseback,  seeking  out  and  ministering  to  the  Catholics  whom  he  might  find 
here.  On  one  of  these  tours  he  tarried  at  Litchfield  and  said  Mass,  but  where, 
has  passed  from  remembrance. 

Bishop  O'Reilly  visited  Litchfield  on  February  25,  185 1,  as  his  journal 
informs  us;  but  the  entry  is  silent  concerning  the  Holy  Sacrifice.  It  is  pro- 
bable, however,  the  bishop  traveled  on  these  missionary  tours  provided  with 
all  things  necessary  for  celebrating  the  divine  mysteries.  Missionary  priests 
did  so;  why  not  missionary  bishops? 

The  second  Mass  was  said  in  the  house  where  Henry  Ward  Beecher  was 
born.  It  was  the  house  of  John  Ryan,  on  Mill  street,  and  is  now  a  portion  of 
Buell's  Retreat.  This  historic  Mass  was  said  by  Rev.  Philip  Gillick  in  1853, 
in  the  presence  of  twenty  persons.  At  this  time,  or  at  least  in  the  same  year, 
was  solemnized  the  first  Catholic  marriage  in  Litchfield,  Father  Gillick 
officiating. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  F.  Hendricken  was  the  next  priest  to  visit  Litchfield. 
In  1854,  when  pastor  of  Winsted,  he  ministered  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
Catholics  in  the  residence  of  Peter  Vogin.  Father  Hendricken  was  succeeded 
in  Winsted  by  Rev.  Richard  O'Gorman,  who  in  turn  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Lawrence  Mangan  in  1856.  Father  Mangan  visited  Litchfield  and  said  Mass 
in  the  Academy.  The  year  following  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  gathered  the  Catholics 
of  this  section  about  him  in  the  residence  of  Joseph  Fanning,  on  North  street. 

During  all  these  years  that  Litchfield  was  honored  by  the  visits  of  priests, 
there  was  no  settled  place  for  divine  worship  In  different  private  houses  the 
faithful  little  band  gathered  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  the  priest.  But  as  the 
congregation  grew,  it  became  necessary  to  secure  more  adequate  acconunoda- 


294  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

tions  than  afforded  by  private  liouses.  Moreover,  the  pastors,  energetic  and 
willing  as  they  were  to  meet  the  demands  of  their  people,  could  not,  as  a 
rule,  visit  them  oftener  than  quarterly.  What  was  to  be  done  for  them,  espe- 
cially for  the  children,  between  visits?  God  provided  the  ways  and  means  to 
keep  alive  the  faith  of  his  children  here.  A  convert  to  the  faith,  born  in 
Litchfield,  Miss  Julia  Beers,  became  a  ministering  angel  to  her  co-religionists. 

She  purchased  from  her  father  in  1858  a  small  building,  which  is  now  a 
part  of  the  pastoral  residence  ;  the  room  which  she  suitably  arranged  with 
altar  and  seats,  is  the  dining-room  of  the  rectory.  Here  the  devoted  congre- 
gation assembled  at  frequent  intervals  until  1861,  when  increasing  numbers 
necessitated  removal  to  tlie  court-house,  where  they  worshiped  until  the  old 
church  was  completed  in  1868.  During  these  years  and  until  18S2,  the 
pastors  of  Winsted  served  the  people  of  Litchfield.  The  old  church  was 
begun  by  Rev.  Father  Leo,  O.S.F.,  in  1867,  and  the  first  Mass  was  offered  up 
in  tlie  new  edifice  on  New  Year's  Day,  i868.  F'ather  Leo  also  purchased  a 
cemetery  about  this  time. 

On  September  8,  1882,  Litchfield  was  made  an  independent  parish  with 
the  Rev.  ]\L  Byrne,  as  its  first  resident  pastor.  During  his  brief  pa.storate 
here  he  occupied  apartments  for  a  time  with  that  pioneer  of  Catholicity  in 
this  section,  Mrs.  Fanning.  Father  Byrne  was  transferred  to  Bethel  on  April 
4,  18S3,  leaving  in  the  treasury  $2,700,  which  he  had  collected  for  a  Imild- 
ing  fund.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Gleeson.  Entering  upon  his 
work  with  enthusiasm.  Father  Gleeson,  secured  for  his  people  the  pre- 
sent rectory,  paying  therefor  $6,000.  After  two  years  of  ser\'ice  Father 
Gleeson  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Timothy  M.  Sweeney,  in  November, 
1885.  His  admini-stration  was  distinguished  by  the  erection  of  the  beauti- 
ful church  that  is  the  pride  of  all  who  gather  within  its  walls,  at  a  cost  of 
$23,000.  The  old  church  was  removed  to  the  rear  and  the  grounds  were 
beautified  and  fine  walks  laid  about  the  church  and  parochial  residence. 

In  March,  1889,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Finnegan  was  appointed  rector  of  St. 
Anthony's  in  succession  to  Father  Sweeney.  Father  Finnegan's  pa.storate 
was  signalized  b}-  the  most  gratifying  successes.  In  a  few  >  ears  he  liquidated 
the  entire  indebtedness  of  $9,000,  and  placed  a  sweet-toned  bell  which  cost 
$700  in  the  tower.  Ill  health  brought  to  a  close  a  pastorate  as  successful  in 
.spirituals  as  in  temporals.  Father  Finnegan,  to  the  grief  of  his  devoted 
people,  resigned  his  parish  on  October  15,  1896. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Peter  Skelh',  was  then  appointed  rector  of 
St.  Anthony's.  Since  his  advent  to  Litclifield,  Father  Skelly  has  accom- 
plished much  for  his  people.  The  young  are  the  special  objects  of  his  affec- 
tion. For  their  improvement  he  has  established  an  indoor  and  outdoor  gym- 
nasium. The  athletic  field  has  been  improved  by  the  removal  of  the  old 
church,  and  on  its  site  a  fine  lawn-tennis  court  has  been  made.  In  this  field 
his  young  men  gather  for  trials  in  athletic  sports  and  the  old  saw,  "  a  .soimd 
mind  in  a  sound  body,"  has  nowhere  a  better  illustration  than  among  the 
enthusiastic  devotees  of  this  field. 

As  auxiliaries  to  the  pastors  of  St.  Anthony's  parish.  Miss  Julia  Beers  and 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  295 

Miss  Emma  Deining,  both  converts,  labored  zealously  in  season  and  out  of 
season  to  promote  the  spiritual  interests  of  their  co-religionists.  In  the 
intervals  between  the  visitations  of  the  priests  these  self-sacrificing  women 
taught  the  young  the  salutary  truths  of  our  holy  religion,  while  all  gathered 
at  their  homes  to  assist  at  devotions.  Their  disinterested,  faithful  and  labor- 
ious work  for  souls  has  left  an  impress  upon  the  Catholic  hearts  of  Litchfield 
which  time  will  never  erase.  Their  names  are  spoken  with  reverence  by  a 
grateful  people,  and  from  the  hearts  of  child  and  parent  fervent  prayers  are 
ever  ascending  for  their  devoted  benefactors.  They  were  a  host  in  themselves, 
and  the  full  measure  of  the  good  they  accomplished  for  religion  here  will  not 
be  known  until  the  pages  of  the  Book  of  Life  are  revealed  at  the  Final  Day. 
Blessed,  indeed,  is  the  parish  that  possesses  such  heroic,  saintly  souls — souls, 
who,  keeping  ever  in  mind  the  divine  injunction  :  "Seek  first  the  Kingdom 
of  God  and  His  justice,"  have  all  things  else  added  unto  them. 

ST.  THOMAS  OF  VILLANOVA, 

Goshen  Mission. 

'OUR  miles  from  Litchfield  is  the  town  of  Goshen,  a  dependency  of  St. 
Anthony's  parish,  Litchfield.     It  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1749. 
Catholics  were  residents  of  Goshen  as  early  as  1831.     The  following 
record  tells  a  story  of  interest  : 

"  Goshen. 
Henry  Briordy  ")  iSji.  June  7.     Married  Henry  Briordy  to  Elizabeth  Rosen.     Witness, 
and  ^      Peter  King. 

Elizabeth  Rosen)  Jas.  FiTTON." 

In  1837  other  Catholics  found  homes  here  and  gave  evidence  of  the  faith 
that  was  in  them  by  traveling  to  Norfolk  to  assist  at  Mass,  when  they  would 
receive  notice  of  the  coming  of  the  priest  to  that  station.  In  1854,  however, 
the  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  said  the  first  Mass  celebrated  in  Goshen,  in  a  private 
house,  unless  we  suppose  that  Father  Fitton  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  on  the 
occasion  when  theiabove  marriage  took  place,  which  is  very  probable.  In  1856, 
Father  Kelly  converted  a  private  residence  into  a  chapel  where  Mass  was  said 
by  the  pastors  of  Falls  Village  for  seventeen  years.  On  December  i,  1873, 
Goshen  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Rev.  Father  Leo,  O.S.F.,  who  visited 
it  at  monthly  intervals.  While  in  his  charge  Father  Leo  built  St.  Thomas' 
church.  The  pastors  of  Winsted  continued  to  serve  Goshen  rmtil  Rev.  M. 
Byrne  assumed  charge  of  Litchfield  as  its  first  resident  pastor.  During  his 
brief  pastorate  Father  Byrne  liquidated  an  indebtedness  of  $80©  on  the  church 
and  left  $300  in  the  treasury.  His  immediate  successor.  Father  Gleeson,  ren- 
ovated the  church,  and  his  successors  have  labored  indefatigably  for  the  well- 
being  of  this  portion  of  their  flock. 


296  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

IMMACULATE   CONCEPTION    PARISH, 
New  Hartford. 

(5  I  HE  first  Catholic  to  reside  within  the  limits  of  the  present  parish  was 
*  I  ail  Irishman,  a  farm  hand,  and  it  is  traditional  that  his  advent  created 
such  astir  that  the  old  residents  came  from  miles  around  to  see  what  "a 
real  live  Irishman  looked  like."  He  was  here  early  in  the  forties,  and  no 
doubt,  if  he  resembled  his  fellow-countrymen  and  co-religionistsof  that  period, - 
was  fully  competent  to  give  a  reason  for  the  faith  that  was  in  him.  After 
him,  in  1847,  1848  and  1849,  came  John  Mano;an,  John  Creuss,  John  Henry, 
Robert  Smith,  Joseph  McManus,  John  O'Connell,  John  Smith,  James  Cum- 
mings,  Joseph  Hagarty  and  Timothy  liuckley.  In  1850,  185 1  and  1852,  we 
meet  the  names  of  John  and  James  O'Keefe,  Patrick  Keegan,  James  Donovan, 
John  Cahill,  John  McNamara,  Thomas  Ryan,  Patrick  and  John  Whalen, 
Daniel  Mulcondry,  Miciiacl  Young,  H.  Lynch,  Patrick  Donovan,  Luke  Mc- 
Cabe,  Cornelius  Danalvy,  J.  Sheehan,  Timothy  Mulcondry,  Martin  Walsh, 
Mrs.  Gorman  and  Mrs.  Tuite. 

In  the  residence  of  John  Mangan  in  1 849,  vvas  offered  the  first  Adorable 
Sacrifice  in  New  Hartford,  in  the  presence  of  about  30  persons.  The  cele- 
brant was  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neill.  Two  months  later  a  second  Mass  was 
said  by  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  then  assistant  to  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  Hartford. 
At  intervals  of  two  or  three  months  thereafter  until  185 1,'  Father  Daly  visited 
New  Hartford,  and  said  Mass  in  the  house  of  John  Henry  and  other  places. 
Father  Daly  gained  the  affections  of  the  people  of  this  mission  to  a  high 
degree,  and  so  zealously  did  he  labor  for  their  spiritual  welfare  that  his  name 
is  yet  held  in  benediction.  After  him  New  Hartford  was  attended  by  the 
pastors  of  Winsted,  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn,  in  1852;  Rev.  Thomas  P".  Hen- 
dricken,  and  Rev.  Richard  O'Gorman,  who  had  charge  in  1856  and  1857. 
When  Collinsville  received  its  first  resident  pastor  in  the  person  of  the  Rev. 
Patrick  O'Dwyer  in  1858,  New  Hartford  passed  under  his  care,-  and  was 
served  snccessiveh-  by  Rev.  John  Fagan  and  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  his  suc- 
cessors, who  said  Mass  here  twice  a  month  until  1870,  when  the  Rev.  B.  O'R. 
Sheridan  began  his  administration.  When  Father  Sheridan  secured  an 
assistant  the  Catholics  of  New  Hartford  were  ble.s.sed  witli  holy  IMass  every 
Sunday  thereafter.  It'has  been  handed  down  that  the  Rev.  Father  Gillick 
was  among  the  earliest  priests  to  attend  New  Hartford  ;  that,  in  fact,  he 
was  the  successor  of  Father  Brady  and  the  predecessor  of  Father  Quinn. 
This  would  make  the  time  of  his  service  between  185 1  and  1852.  But  Father 
Gillick  had  not  been  received  into  the  diocese  up  to  March  i,  1852.  He  had 
previously  applied  for  admi.ssion,  but  at  this  date  his  application  was  refused. 
Moreover,  the  Catholic  Almanac  for  1852,  gives  New  Hartford  as  being 
attended  from  West  Winsted,  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  pastor.  However,  there 
is  nothing  to  militate  against  the  supposition  that  Father  Gillick  exercised 

'  Father  Daly  \va.s  in  charj^e  of  this  mission  as  late  as  August,  1S51. 
'•■The  exact  date  of  his  appointment  is  not  known,  but  it  is  certain  that  he  was 
pastor  of  Collinsville  as  early  as  May,  1858. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  297 

here  temporarily  the  sacred  ministry  pending  the  granting  of  or  the  refusal 
of  his  petition.' 

The  project  of  building  a  church  for  the  Catholics  of  New  Hartford  was 
inaugurated  by  the  Rev.  P.  O'Dwyer,  who  took  up  the  first  collection  for  it. 
His  successor  purchased  the  land  and  built  the  basement.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  June  lo,  1869,  by  Bishop  McFarland.  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh  com- 
pleted the  church,  and  it  was  dedicated  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,on 
March  27,  1870.  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan  cleared  it  of  indebtedness  and  pur- 
chased three  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  cemetery;  on  this  lot  there  was  a 
house  which  served  as  a  rectory  for  nine  years.  This  last  purchase  was  also 
paid  for  except  a  mortgage  note  of  $Soo. 

The  church  is  situated  in  the  most  elevated  and  picturesque  part  of  the 
village.  The  land  upon  which  it  stands  was  bought  of  Mr.  E.  D.  Curtis,  M.D., 
on  March  11,  1867,  by  Henry  T.  Smith,  who  transferred  it  to  Father  Fagan. 
The  purchase  of  a  site  for  a  Catholic  church  in  those  days  required  a  discreet, 
tactful  and  responsible  man,  and  Mr.  Smith  proved  equal  to  the  emergenc>-. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons,  received  his  appoint- 
ment on  August  15,  1 88 1.  During  his  administration  the  church  was  frescoed 
in  water-colors,  new  stained-glass  windows  put  in,  besides  being  otherwise 
much  improved  interiorly  and  exteriorly.  At  the  ceremony  of  re-opening 
the  church  on  September  26,  1886,  Bishop  McMahon  officiated,  and  Rev. 
John  H.  Duggan,  of  Waterbury,  pronounced  the  oration.  The  church  was 
frescoed  the  second  time  in  oil,  and  a  large  handsome  altar  erected.  At  the 
celebration  of  this  event,  August  13,  1893,  Bishop  McMahon  presided,  and 
Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan  preached  the  sermon.  This  was  Bishop  McMahon's 
last  public  function.  Other  works  which'  are  evidences  of  Father  Fitzsim- 
mons' zeal  are  the  grading  and  enlarging  of  the  cemetery  in  1883  ;  the  grad- 
ing and  beautifying  of  the  grounds  of  the  school,  convent  and  rectory ;  the 
completion  and  furnishing  of  the  three  buildings  at  a  cost  of  $22,000,  nearly 
all  of  which  has  been  paid.  Truly  a  record  of  cheerful  co-operation  and 
generous  self-sacrifice,  of  zeal,  faith  and  confidence. 

When  the  Immaculate  Conception  pi^risja  was  formed,  its  population 
numbered  about  1,000  souls,  600^ Irish  and  400  Canadians.  The  latest  census 
disclosed  about  1,300  souls:  Canadian.s,  700;  Irish,  457,  and  Slavonians 
about  150. 

The  parish  cemetery  was  purchased  in  1S52  from  Henry  Sejmour  by  a 
committee  comprising  John  Cruess,  Joseph  McManus,  James  Cummings  and 
Santy  Cruess.  It  was  enlarged  and  the  new  part  blessed  on  June  4,  1883,  by 
Bishop  McMahon. 

The  parochial  school  was  begun  in  1888,  and  on  September  9  of  that 
year  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  preachers  on  the 
occasion  were  Rev.  M.  J.  Lavelle,  LL.  D.,  of  New  York,  and  Rev.  T.  J. 
Dunn,  of  Dayville,  Conn.     The  building  was  completed  in   1889.     The  con- 

'  The  Catholic  Alma7iacs  of  1850  and  1851  assign  the  Rev.  Philip  Gillick  to  St.  Paul's 
church,  Belleville,  N.  J.,  diocese  of  New  York.  In  1S53  he  was  in  Winsted.  In  1855  he 
was  at  Greenville,  R.  I. 


298  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  /.V  NEW  ENGLAND. 

vent  was  finished  in  1890  and  the  rectory  in  the  year  following.  On  Septem- 
ber 7,  1890,  the  school,  convent  and  school  bell  were  blessed  by  Bishop  Mc- 
Mahon,  Rev.  J.  J.  Quinn  preachinj^  the  English  disconrse,  and  Rev.  J.  A. 
Bachand,  of  Canada,  delivering  the  sermon  in  French. 

In  Augnst,  1890,  Father  Fitzsimnions  iiitrodnced  the  Si.sters  of  St.  Jo.seph, 
whose  niother-honse  is  in  Chanibery,  France,  and  placed  them  in  charge 
of  his  school.  There  are  four  Sisters  with  102  girls  and  81  boys.  Sister 
Mary  Amedine  is  the  local  superioress.  The  Sisters  engage  also  in  Sunday- 
school  work  and  visit  the  sick. 

ST.   FRANCIS  XAVIER'S  PARISH, 
New  Milfokd. 

Yp)IK.E  many  other  stations  within  the  limits  of  the  diocese,  missionary 
I  J]  priests  came  hither  occasionally  to  celebrate  Mass,  administer  the 
J^'  ^'sacraments  and  to  minister  in  other  ways  to  the  spiritual  wants  of 
the  scattered  Catholics  of  this  .section. 

According  to  reliable  traditions,  the  first  Mass  celebrated  here  was  after  the 
completion  of  the  railroad.  This  Mass  was  said  at  the  residence  of  Matthew 
Dunn,  who  resided  near  the  railroad  station,  but  the  name  of  the  celel)rant  is 
not  known  ;  probably  it  was  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  of  New  Haven.  In  1850 
Rev.  Father  Brady  and  Rev.  Father  Ryan  visited  NewMilford  and  said  Mass 
at  quarterly  intervals  during  that  year.  Father  Ryan  said  Ma.ss  in  Wright's 
Hall,  on  Main  street.  In  185 1  Father  O'Farrell,  of  Danbnry,  celebrated  the 
Divine  Mysteries  at  the  residence  of  Edmond  Finn.  The  next  priest  to  visit 
New  Milford  was  the  Rev.  John  Smith,  of  Falls  Village,  who  .said  Mass  for  the 
first  time  on  Sunday,  July  3,  1853.  His  period  of  service  here  was  four  years. 
In  succession  to  Father  Smith,  Fathers  Kelly,  Mulligan  and  O'Gorman  min- 
istered to  the  Catholics  of  New  Milford.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  Rev.  Father 
Lenihan,  of  Newtown,  assumed  spiritual  control  of  the  Catholics  of  New  Mil- 
ford, and  remained  until  1862.  During  Father  Lenihan' s  pastorate  the  site 
of  the  present  cluirch  was  purchased  from  Messrs.  Beach  and  Canfield,  on 
May  21,  i860.  Upon  the  premises  was  an  old  saw  mill  which  was  remodeled 
into  a  church,  and  divine  services  were  held  here  in  the  following  October. 
This  humble  house  of  prayer  and  sacrifice  was  dedicated  to  St.  Francis  Xavier 
by  Bishop  McFarland.  Succeeding  Father  Lenihan  came  Father  Daly,  also 
of  Newtown,  whose  term  of  .service  was  four  years.  It  was  during  his  admin- 
istration that  the  cemetery  was  purchased.  The  Rev.  John  Rogers  then 
assumed  charge  of  Newtown  and  served  the  Catholics  of  New  Milford  from 
1866  to  1 87 1.  The  Catliolics  of  New  Milford  were  honored  with  a  resident 
pastor  on  May  21,  1871,  in  the  person  of  Rev.  P.  G.  McKenna.  The  first 
trustees  of  the  new  parish  were  Michael  A.  Kelly  and  John  Dolan.  Father 
McKenna  died  after  two  years  of  successful  labors  in  July,  1873. 

In  succession  to  Rev.  Father  McKenna,  Rev.  Fathers  M.  O'  Herr,  M.  P. 
Lawlor,  W.  Hart,  P.  Finnegan,  B.  Bray,  J.  Gleasou,  J.  C.  O'Brien,  C.  Mc- 
Elroy,  J.  J.  Curtiu,  T.  Crowley,  and  T.  Kelly  faithfully  and  zealoush'  dis- 
charged   their   duties   as   pastors   of  their   widely  "scattered    flock.     During 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  299 

Father  Finnegan's  pastorate  the  rectory  was  built.  The  work  which  marked 
the  administration  of  Father  Bray  was  the  interior  decoration  of  the  church, 
and  the  purchase  of  horses  and  vehicles  for  use  on  the  missions.  Father 
Gleason  materiall}'  reduced  the  indebtedness  of  the  parish,  besides  making 
marked  improvements  in  the  property. 

In  1 886  Father  O'Brien  enlarged  the  church,  adding  a  spire,  chancel 
and  sacristy ;  the  interior  was  also  handsomely  frescoed,  and  a  new  altar 
erected.  The  renewed  temple  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  McMahon  on  Tues- 
day, August  13,  of  that  year.  Father  McElroy's  pastorate  was  signalized 
by  putting  in  a  splendid  pipe  organ,  a  heating  apparatus  in  the  basement  of 
the  church,  re-shingling  the  spire,  and  by  making  other  improvements  in 
church  and  rectory.  In  1892,  during  Father  Curtin's  administration,  a 
parcel  of  land  in  the  rear  of  the  church  was  purchased,  upon  which  were 
erected  horse-sheds  for  the  accommodation  of  the  parishioners.  Father 
Crowley  liquidated  the  church  indebtedness,  enlarged  the  rectory,  and  left  a 
substantial  sum  in  the  treasury.  Rev.  Father  Crowley  preached  his  farewell 
sermon  in  New  Milford  Sunday,  September  18,  1898,  and  was  succeeded  in 
the  following  week  by  the  present  rector,  Rev.  Thomas  Kelly.  The  first 
High  Mass  celebrated  in  New  Milford  was  sung  by  the  Rev.  William  Hart, 
on  Christmas  Day,  1874.  No  pipe  organ  was  there  to  add  dignity  nor  lend 
solemnit)'  to  the  occasion  ;  but  the  devout  parishioners  listened  to  the  familiar 
Adcste  Fidcles  and  Venitc  Adorenms  with  as  much  joy  and  gladness  as  though 
discoursed  by  a  cathedral  instrument. 

The  dependencies  of  New  Milford  were  formerly  Bridgewater,  Kent, 
Warren,  Washington  and  Roxbury.  In  Bridgewater  Mass  was  celebrated  first 
in  the  Town  hall  and  afterwards  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Thomas  Halpin.  Ser- 
vices here  were  discontinued  upon  the  removal  from  the  town  of  the  hatting 
industry.  The  property  purchased  by  Father  Lenihan,  whose  intention  it 
was  to  erect  here  a  church,  was  sold  by  Father  McKenna  in  November,  1872. 
In  1883,  Kent  and  Warren  were  attached  to  Cornwall  Bridge,  but  Brookfield 
was  added  to  New  Milford.  In  1874,  the  missions  of  Woodbury  and  South- 
bury  were  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  New  Milford,  by  whose  pastors  it 
was  served  for  thirteen  years.  These  missions  were  assigned  to  the  Water- 
town  jurisdiction  in  1887.  Previous  to  Father  McKenna's  pastorate  divine 
services  were  held  at  Roxbury  only  at  irregular  intervals.  Being  desirous  of 
providing  a  place  of  worship  for  this  portion  of  his  flock,  he  secured  the 
consent  of  Mr.  Lenihan  and  Mr.  Michael  Pickett  to  say  Mass  in  their 
residences.  It  was  reserved,  however,  to  the  Rev.  Father  O'Brien  in  April, 
1885,  to  purchase  a  lot  in  Roxbury  Center,  upon  which  he  erected  a  church 
which  was  dedicated  in  August  of  the  following  year  in  honor  of  Ireland's 
Apostle.  On  September  21,  1890,  the  church  at  Washington  Depot  was  dedi- 
cated under  the  title  of  "Our  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help,"  during  the  adminis- 
tration of  Father  McHlroy.  Emulating  his  predecessors  Father  Curtin  erected 
a  church  at  Brookfield,  which  was  dedicated  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph 
in  November,  1892.  The  labors  of  Father  Crowley  were  attended  with 
gratUying  success  ;  indebtedness  liquidated,  the  relations  of  pastor  and  people 


300  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

firmly  cemented  ;  and  under  the  present  administration  the  spiritual  status  of 
the  entire  jurisdiction  is  faithfully  maintained.    . 

IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION  PARISH, 

NOKKOLK. 

fHE  town  of  Norfolk  was  incorporated  in  1758.  It  is  the  highest  land 
reached  by  railroad  in  Connecticut.  The  scenerj-  in  this  vicinity  is 
unsurpassed  by  any  in  New  England. 

It  is  traditional  among  the  Catholics  of  Norfolk  that  Bishop  Cheverus,  of 
Boston,  visited  here  in  the  discharge  of  his  missionary  duties.  This  is  not 
improbable,  as  in  1823  he  made  an  extensive  tour  through  the  State.  Another 
interesting  tradition  has  a  Father  Plunkett,  of  Boston,  as  a  visitor  to  Norfolk 
before  1829. 

The  introduction  of  Catholicity  into  Norfolk  as  a  part  of  the  town's  life 
dates  from  1836.  In  j\Iarch  of  that  year  Matthew,  John  and  Charles  Ryan 
and  Edward  C.  Ryan,  a  convert  to  the  faith,  settled  here  and  engaged  in  the 
woolen  industry.  In  this  year  Patrick  Burke,  father  of  the  Rev.  Charles  E. 
Burke,  of  North  Adams,  Mass.,  established  his  home  here.  Mr.  Burke  was 
present  at  the  first  Mass  known  to  have  been  said  here.  It  was  in  1836,  Rev. 
James  Fitton,  of  Hartford,  officiating,  in  the  home  of  Matthew  Ryan,  now 
occupied  by  Michael  Whalen.     About  twelve  persons  assisted  at  the  Mass. 

Father  F'itton's  extensive  territory,  which  must  needs  be  visited,  pre- 
cluded frequent  visits  to  Norfolk.  The  R\an  family,  in  the  absence  of  the 
priest,  proved  faithful  and  worthy  auxiliaries.  In  a  room  in  the  woolen  mill 
they  would  gather  the  handful  of  Catholics,  and  in  prayer  petition  the  Giver 
of  all  gifts  for  the  grace  of  perseverance.  Tliey  practiced  tlieir  devotions  ear- 
nestly, faithfully,  and  if  Christ  the  Lord  is  in  the  midst  of  two  or  three  gath- 
ered together  in  His  name,  we  may  well  believe  that  this  little  band  were 
partakers  of  the  divine  favors. 

The  successor  of  Father  Fitton,  the-Rev.  John  Brady,  also  came  to  Nor- 
folk w'hen  possible,  and  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  in  the  wool-sorting  room 
or  at  the  house  of  John  Ryan.  Rev.  John  D.  Brady,  Rev.  John  Brady,  Jr., 
and  Rev.  James  Strain  also  exercised  the  ministry  here,  though  their  visits 
were  necessarily  infrequent  owing  to  the  difficulties  of  travel.  The  old  resi- 
dents still  speak  of  Father  Brady's  experience  in  being  snow-bound  for  a 
week  in  Norfolk. 

The  first  Catholic  marriage  .solemnized  in  Norfolk  was  that  of  Patrick 
Burke  and  .A.nn  O'Neil  on  October  9,  1842,  the  Rev.  John  D.  Brady  ofl^ciating. 

The  generosity  of  the  Ryans  %vas  not  confined  to  providing  a  place  for 
divine  services ;  they  also  purchased  a  piece  of  land  for  cemetery  purposes, 
which  they  transferred  to  the  congregation.  In  this  spot  rest  the  remains  of 
pioneers  from  all  that  section  of  the  State. 

In  1846  the  Catholics  of  Norfolk  were  attended  by  the  Rev.  Charles 
O'Reilly.  On  June  22d  of  that  year  he  thus  wrote  from  Waterbnry  to  Bishop 
Tyler :  "  Yesterday  was  my  second  Sunday  here  ;  the  people  seem  anxious  to 
have  a  church ;   the  foundation  is  cleared,  some  brick  are  on  the  spot  and 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  301 

almost  as  much  cash  on  hand  as  will  pay  up  to  this  time.  But  to  commence 
building  would  require  a  considerable  sum,  which  these  people  cannot  pro- 
cure, except  I  become  security,  and  I  have  had  a  considerable  degree  of  repug- 
nance at  alL  times  to  have  myself  involved  in  money  matters,  and  how  to 
proceed  I  am  really  at  a  loss  to  know.  Employment  in  this  locality  is  very 
precarious There  is  a  great  deal  of  labor  and  inconvenience  in  attend- 
ing Norfolk  and  this  place  (Waterbury),  there  being  no  decent  mode  of  travel 
between  them.  A  per.son  must  either  go  by  Bridgeport  or  Hartford  and  stop 
a  night  in  either  place,  as  the  stages  do  not  run  all  the  way  on  the  same 
day,  so  that  there  is  con.siderable  expen.se  incurred  and  great  loss  of  time.  .  .  . 
The  Norfolk  people  ji.ave  made  no  move  yet  with  regard  to  building ;  they 
.seem  content  to  have  Mass,  but  I  will  not  be  content  with  saying  Mass  in  a 
shanty.''^ 

When  Falls  Village  was  organized  in  1850  with  Rev.  Christopher  Moore 
as  the  first  pastor,  Norfolk  became  its  mission.  On  March  2,  185  i.  Bishop 
O'Reilly  visited  Norfolk  and  made  arrangements  for  a  church,  and  on  the 
31st  of  the  same  month  he  appointed  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Norfolk  and  dependencies.  Father  Quinn's  successor  was  the  Rev. 
John  Smith,  who  received  his  appointment  to  the  Norfolk  Mission  on  Febru- 
ary 9,  1852.  On  this  date  Bishop  O'Reilly  wrote:  "This  is  a  most  difficult 
mission."  ' 

Under  date  of  February  27  and  28,  1854,  Bishop  O'Reilly  wrote  in  his 
Journal:  '■'■  2jth.  Leave  (Winsted)  at  10  a.m.  for  Norfolk,  where  I  arrive 
before  noon  and  stop  with  Mr.  Edward  Ryan.  I  make  this  evening  an 
arrangement  with  the  Ryans  for  the  building  of  a  church  on  the  lot  they  pre- 
sented me.     This  will  be  effected,  I  hope,  next  spring." 

'■'•28th.  Say  Mass  in  Ryan's  hall;  it  was  full ;  published  the  regulations 
for  Lent  ;  said  a  few  words  to  the  people  and  left  in  Ryan's  carriage  for  Falls 
Village,  where  I  arrive  at  1 1  A.  m." 

In  1859  the  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  was  built,  but  in  1865 
it  had  not  yet  been  dedicated.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  successors  of  Father 
Moore  in  Falls  Village  celebrated  Mass  and  administered  the  sacraments  over 
the  store  of  Matthew  Ryan,  now  occupied  by  M.  N.  Clark.  In  1856  Norfolk 
was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Winsted,  from  which  it  was  attended  once  a 
month.  It  so  remained  until  the  summer  of  1889,  when  it  was  formed  into 
an  independent  parish,  with  the  Rev.  P.  Keating  as  the  first  pastor.  At  this 
time  the  Catholic  population  of  Norfolk  was  380  souls.  Upon  his  arrival 
Father  Keating  secured  apartments  in  the  village,  where  he  resided  until  the 
completion  of  the  present  commodious  rectory.  The  work  accomplished  by 
Father  Keating  here  is  sufficient  evidence  of  his  activity.  He  graded  the  prop- 
erty about  the  church,  which  he  remodeled  and  frescoed  and  adorned  with 
new  stained  glass  windows,  beautiful  Stations  of  the  Cross  and  organ,  all  at 
an  expenditure  of  §1400.  In  189S  he  purchased  a  lot  for  cemetery  purposes, 
which  was  immediately  paid  for. 

In   1 89 1    Father  Keating  began  to  attend   Stanfield  in  the  diocese   of 
^Bishop  O' Reilly  s  Journal. 


302  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Springfield  at  the  request  of  Bishop  O'Reilly.  After  two  years  of  regular 
attendance  he  discontinued  his  visits,  as  nearly  all  of  the  Catholics  had 
removed  elsewhere. 

Much  of  the  prosperity  that  has  attended  the  parish  of  tlie  Immaculate 
Conception  is  due  to  the  sturdy  faith,  the  good  example  and  the  generosity  of 
the  Ryans.  In  practice  they  were  Catholics  as  well  as  in  name,  and  though 
more  than  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since  they  moved  upon  the  scene,  the 
influence  of  their  lives  is  still  visible  in  their  successors.  Numerically  small, 
the  Catholics  of  Norfolk  are  strong  of  faith,  and  their  devotion  to  religion 
was  manifested  by  their  donation  to  Bishop  McMahon  of  the  Tabernacle 
of  the  main  altar  of  the  cathedral. 

ST.  BERNARD'S  PARISH, 
Sharon. 

^1  HE  town.ship  of  Sharon  was  .surveyed  in  1732,  and  settlements  were 
'  I  begun  in  1739.  The  first  white  man  to  settle  here  was  Daniel  Jack- 
son. In  1826  we  find  settlers  bearing  such  names  as  Butler,  Bailey 
and  Donovan  residing  here.  Two  Catholics  came  into  the  town  late  in  the 
thirties,  and  the  following  Catholics  .settled  here  in  the  early  forties  :  Michael 
and  Mrs.  Henry,  Mary  Mannion,  Bernard  and  Mrs.  McDonald,  Bridget  Craven, 
Michael  and  Mrs.  Curley,  Mary  Henry,  Patrick  and  Mrs.  Dunning,  Sarah 
Henry,  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Kelly,  Mary  Moran. 

From  1826  to  1840  there  occur  on  the  records  names  which  investigation 
shows  to  have  been  borne  by  persons  who  were  originally  Catholics,  viz.  : 
Smith,  Brown,  Riley  and  "Walsh.  The  descendants  of  these  early  settlers 
are  not  of  the  hou.sehold  of  the  Catholic  faith,  though  one  of  them  has 
admitted  his  Catholic  ancestry. 

In  a  small  house,  so  small  as  to  be  almost  concealed  from  view,  though 
just  beside  the  road  on  a  declivity,  was  the  first  ilass  said  in  Sharon.  It  was 
the  humble  home  of  a  good  Catholic  woman,  Mrs.  Bridget  Dunning.  It  was 
in  the  spring  of  1845,  and  the  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  the  Rev.  Michael 
Lynch,  of  Bridgeport.  About  thirty  Irish  Catholics  knelt  reverently  around 
that  humble  altar. 

Before  Cornwall,  the  original  parish,  was  formed  into  an  independent 
organization,  it  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Lakeville.  In  1883  it  received 
parochial  honors,  and  the  Rev.  W.  O.  R.  Sheridan  was  appointed  the  fir.st 
resident  pastor.  In  the  following  year  Father  Sheridan  completed  St.  Bridget's 
church,  which  had  been  started  by  Father  Lynch,  of  Lakeville.  Father 
Kelly  built  the  church  at  Cornwall  aljout  1854;  it  is  now  a  dwelling  house. 
It  was  the  first  church  within  the  limits  of  the  present  parish.  Father  Sheri- 
dan was  .succeeded  by  the  Revs.  W.  J.  Doolan,  Maurice  J.  Sheehan,  Michael 
F.  Rigney,  Michael  C.  Cray,  J.  T.  Walsh  and  John  Lee,  the  present  rector. 
Father  Doolan's  pastorate  was  of  four  years'  duration  ;  Father  Sheehan's, 
three;  Father  Rigney's,  two;  and  Father  Walsh's,  three.  All  of  the  above- 
named  pastors  labored  faithfully  to  advance  the  interests  of  their  scattered 
flock.     Among  the  benefactors  of  Sharon  we  may  mention  Mr.  Wheeler,  who 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  303 

offered  a  site  for  a  church  on  the  i^rincipal  street  of  the  town,  but  the  offer 
was  not  accepted ;  however,  he  is  still  a  generous  friend  to  the  parish.  When 
the  parish  was  first  organized  it  numbered  450  souls,  chiefly  Irish,  with  some 
French.  At  present  the  Catholic  population  is  about  300  souls,  including 
five  French  families.  It  is  a  sad  reflection  that  about  40  French  families 
of  Sharon  have  departed  from  the  faith  of  their  fathers.  The  parish' 
possesses  a  beautiful  cemetery.  The  number  of  baptisms  administered  in 
the  parish,  the  missions  included,  from  1884  to  1898,  was  199.  The  total 
number  of  marriages  solemnized  within  the  same  period  was  46.  In  January, 
1896,  Rev.  Father  Walsli  purchased  the  new  parochial  residence  in  Sharon, 
and  in  the  same  month  transferred  his  residence  here.  St.  Bernard's  church 
was  then  made  a  parish  church.  St.  Bridget's  church  at  Cornwall  Bridge, 
until  then  a  parish  church,  became  a  mission  of  Sharon.  Alass  is  said  in 
Cornwall  Bridge  every  other  Sunday.  At  present  there  are  about  100  souls 
here,  but  the  Catholic  population  is  rapidly  decreasing,  as  the  furnaces  have 
been  closed  for  over  four  years.  Cornwall  Bridge  also  has  a  beautiful  ceme- 
tery. The  first  marriage  recorded  in  the  town  records  was  between  Thomas 
and  Sarah  Rogers, September  14,  1855,  Rev.  Father  Kelly  officiating.  Among 
the  first  births  recorded  were  those  of  Ann  Kenney,  Michael  Kenney  and  P. 
J.  Kenney.  The  first  death  on  record  in  Sharon  was  that  of  James  Davis, 
March  10,  1857.  The  Rev.  Father  L,ee  has  cliarge  also  of  the  Sacred  Heart 
mission  in  Kent.  The  church  was  erected  in  1884  by  Father  Sheridan.  It 
was  dedicated  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Administrator,  duriug  the 
absence  of  the  Bishop  at  the  Baltimore  Council.  Mass  is  said  here  every 
other  Sunday.  The  Catholic  population  is  about  90  souls,  and,  like  Corn- 
wall Bridge,  is  declining,  owing  to  the  closing  of  the  furnaces. 


(5IT  HE 


ST.  THOMAS'  PARISH, 

Thomaston. 


HE  following  entries  are  extracted  from  the  early  marriage  records  of 
Hartford: 

Plymouth. 

Ber'd  Mount     \      1S31.     April  17  :  Married  Bernard  INIount  to  Neoma  Braynard.    Wit- 
and  r         nesses,  Den's  Ryan  and  Owen  Right. 

Neoni.  Braynard  )  Jas.  Fitton. 

Den's  Ryan      ^      Ibid ■•   Married  Dennis  Ryan  to  Rosina  Braynard.    Witnesses,  Ber'd 
and  ■  Mount  and  Owen  Right. 

Rosina  Braynard  I  Jas.  Fitton. 

The.se  felicitous  events  are  evidence  that  Catholics  were  early  settlers 
here.  What  is  now  known  as  Thomaston  was  formerly  called  Plymontli  Hol- 
low. It  is  probable  that,  besides  the  above  named  Catholics,  others  were 
here  to  share  their  lot.  It  is  not  improbable  that  the  above  marriages  were 
solemnized  during  an  historic  visit  of  Father  Fitton  to  Plymouth.  Travel- 
ing from  Hartford  to  Wolcottville  (now  Torrington)  Father  Fitton  was  com- 
pelled to  remain  at  Plymouth  over  Sunday,  as  there  existed  a  law  against 


304  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

traveling  on  that  day.  April  17,  1831,  fell  on  Sunday.  Eager  to  exercise 
his  sacred  ministry,  Father  Fitton  obtained  permission  to  preach  in  the 
school  building,  the  belief  being  that  he  was  a  Protestant  clergyman ;  but 
upon  tlie  discovery  that  he  was  a  priest,  he  was  violently  assailed  with 
abuse  by  the  audience.  The  undaunted  priest  received  their  revilings  with 
calm  dignity  and  succeeded  in  so  overcoming  their  opposition  that  he  not 
only  finished  this  sermon  amid  the  silence  of  the  assemblage,  but  received 
applause  at  the  end. 

Among  the  first  Catholics  to  arrive  and  reside  here,  besides  the  persons 
who  were  married  by  Father  Fitton,  was  Martin  Claffin  (or  Claffey),  after- 
wards janitor  of  the  city  hall,  Waterbury.  Then  followed  at  various  inter- 
vals, Denis  Hogan,  Garret  Burns,  Michael  Higgins,  Michael  Ryan,  William 
Dunlay,  Eugene  O'Connell,  Bartholomew  Gleason,  Jeremiah  Hurley,  John 
Kelly,  David  Harrigan,  Jeremiah  Howard,  Thomas  Claffey,  John  Fenders, 
James  McDermott,  Thomas  Joy,  William  Hoard,  Edward  Stuart,  Farrell 
F'oy,  Jolin  Murpliy  and  Farrell  Slieridan. 

The  Holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  offered  up  for  the  first  time  in 
Thomaston,  in  1854,  in  Michael  Ryan's  residence  on  Railroad  street,  by 
Rev.  Michael  O'Neil  of  Waterbury.  At  this  time  there  were  about  fifty 
Irish  Catholics  in  the  town.  Father  O'Neil  v-isited  Thomaston  at  monthly 
intervals,  saying  Mass  and  administering  the  sacraments  at  Mr.  Ryan's  house, 
until  they  secured  Academy  Hall.  When  Father  Hendricken  was  appointed 
pastor  of  Waterbury,  in  1855,  in  succession  to  Father  O'Xeil,  he  visited 
Thomaston  regularly  or  sent  his  assistants.  Rev.  Fatlier  Bohan  and  Rev. 
Father  Rodden.  When  tlie  Bristol  church  was  organized  with  Fatlier  Rodden 
as  first  resident  pastor,  in  1863,  he  assumed  charge  also  of  Thomaston,  which 
remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Bristol  until  1871. 

Father  Rodden's  successor,  Rev.  Christopher  Dugget,  began  the  erection 
of  St.  Thomas'  church,  upon  a  site,  which  had  been  donated  by  Aaron 
Thomas,  and  the  foundations  had  been  laid  when  Rev.  Eugene  Gaffney  was 
appointed  the  first  resident  pastor  in  1871.  Within  his  jurisdiction  were  also 
Terryville  and  Watertown.  Father  Gaffney  had  apartments  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Curtis,  but  soon  secured  a  house  from  Mr.  Bradley,  in  which  he  lived 
until  the  erection  of  the  present  rectory.  He  completed  the  church,  pur- 
chased tlie  original  cemetery  and  erected  churches  also  in  Terryville  and 
Watertown.  Father- Gaffney  died  on  August  30,  1884.  Until  the  appoint- 
ment of  his  successor,  the  affairs  of  the  parish  were  conducted  b)-  Rev.  Joseph 
Fones. 

Father  Gaffney's  successor  was  the  Rev.  Michael  J.  McGivney,  who  came 
here  in  November,  1884.  For  six  years  he  administered  the  affairs  of  the 
parish  with  commendable  zeal  and  gratifying  success.  He  provided  the 
church  and  parochial  residence  with  electric  lights  and  laid  walks  about  both. 
While  Father  McGivney  was  zealous  in  promoting  the  interests  of  all  his 
flock,  he  was  particularly  devoted  to  the  younger  element  of  his  parish,  and 
they  reciprocated  liis  affection.  He  died  on  August  14,  1890,  and  his  remains 
rest  in  the  famil)-  plot  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  Waterbury. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  305 

The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Michael  J.  Daly,  began  his  administration 
on  August  17,  1890, 

Father  Daly  furnished  the  pastoral  residence  with  steam  heat,  improved 
the  old  cemetery,  besides  enlarging  it  by  the  addition  of  four  acres,  built  a 
new  and  fine  entrance  thereto,  and  provided  the  church  with  new  vestments  of 
all  the  prescribed  colors.  The  new  cemetery  was  blessed  by  Bishop  Tierney,  on 
which  occasion  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Edward  Brennan.  On  July 
9,  1898,  Father  Daly  increased  the  temporal  possessions  of  the  parish  by  the  pur- 
chase of  the  splendid  Woodward  property  with  dwelling-house,  and  barn,  situ- 
ated on  the  corner  of  Main  and  East  Main  streets.  On  this  site  it  is  the  intention 
to  erect  a  church  and  rectory  which  will  be  a  worthy  crown  to  the  generous 
and  constant  efforts  of  the  Thomaston  Catholics  in  the  sacred  cause  of  religion. 

When  St.  Thomas'  parish  was  organized  its  population  was  700  souls, 
chiefly  Irish.     At  present  it  is  1000,  comprising  Irish,  Germans  and  Poles. 

The  clergy  who  have  labored  as  assistants  here  are  Revs.  Joseph  Fones, 
E.  J.  Murray,  T.  M.  Crowley,  R.  J.  Early,  C.  W.  Morrill,  M.  Byrne,  and 
C.  McGowan.     The  present  assistant  is  the  Rev.  John  F.  Donahoe. 

The  first  child  to  receive  baptism  in  this  parish  was  James  Torrance,  and 
the  first  marriage  was  that  of  William  Trihey  and  Helen  Burns. 

St.  Thomas'  church  is  a  neat  and  graceful  structure,  and  adorns  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  hill  convenient  to  the  railroad  depot. 

It  was  erected  by  the  united  and  generous  efforts  of  a  handful  of  poor  but 
devoted  Catholics.  It  was  solemnly  dedicated  on  October  15,  1876,  by 
Bishop  Galberry,  who  made  his  first  visitation  to  Thomaston  on  that  occasion. 
The  ceremony  of  dedication  was  followed  by  a  solemn  High  Mass  Coram 
Episcopo^  with  the  Rev.  James  Fagan  as  celebrant.  Rev.  Father  Isaias, 
O.  S.F. ,  as  deacon.  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan  as  sub-deacan  and  Rev.  M.  Rod- 
den  as  master  of  ceremonies.  Rev.  Hugh  Brady  preached  the  sermon,  his 
theme  being  the  "Eucharistic  Sacrifice."  In  the  afternoon  Bishop  Galberry 
administered  the  sacrament  of  Confirmation  to  1 39  persons. 

IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION  MISSION, 
Terryville. 

(Qt\  TTACHED  to  Thomaston  is  the  mission  of  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
fclA      Terryville,  where  Mass  is  said  every  Sunday- and  holy  day  of  precept. 
yJIsV^^  The  mission  has  350  souls,  and,  like  the  mother  parish,  is  in  a 
most  prosperous  condition. 
The  first  Catholic  to  settle  in  Terryville  was  Denis  Ryan.     He  came  in 
1843,    ^'^^'^   'lis   brother,   Philip   C.  Ryan,  in    1845.     There   were   giants   of 
Catholicity  in   those  days,  and  Philip  Ryan  was  one  of  them.      Not  infre- 
quently he  walked  to  New  Ha\-en,  a  distance  of  thirty-seven  miles,  to  assist 
at  the  Holy  Sacrifice. 

Closely  following  Denis  and  Philip  Ryan  came  William  Roach,  Martin 
Kearney,  Thomas  Keefe,  John  Byron,  John  McNamara,  Timothy  Keefe, 
Thomas  Higgins  and  Timothy  McNamara. 

Early  in   1848  Father  O'Neil  paid  a  missionary  visit  to  Terryville,  and 
II — 20 


306  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

celebrated  the  divine  mysteries  in  Pliilip  Ryan's  house.  In  subsequent  visits 
the  school-house  was  secured  for  divine  services.  Terryville  was  regularh- 
served  by  the  clergy  of  Waterbur\-  until  the  formation  of  the  Bristol  parish, 
in  1863.  In  1862  the  cemetery  was  purchased  by  Philip  Ryan,  who  trans- 
ferred it  to  Father  Hendrickeu  for  the  congregation. 

Terryville  became  a  dependency  of  Thomaston  upon  the  formation  of  that 
parish  in  1871.  The  present  church  was  built  in  18S2.  In  1884  it  became  a 
mission  of  Watertown,  when  Rev.  Joseph  Foues  was  appointed  pastor  of  that 
parish,  but  in  1886  it  reverted  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Thomaston  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  M.  J.  McGivney. 

Father  Daly  has  had  the  church  beautifully  decorated  within,  a  new 
altar  has  taken  the  place  of  the  former  holv  table,  and  a  new  set  of  Stations 
of  the  Cross  has  been  erected.  The  cemetery  has  been  improved  and  the 
church  lawn  beautified.  After  the  completion  of  the  work  on  the  church  the 
renewed  edifice  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Tierney  on  June  20,  1897.  The 
Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons  was  the  preacher  on  the  occasion. 

The  successes  achieved  b>'  the  pastors  and  people  of  Thomaston  and 
Terrvville  are  a  fine  illustration  of  the  familiar  nia.xim  that  in  union  there  is 

strength. 

PARISH    OF   ST.  FRANCIS   OF   ASSISI, 

TORRINGTON. 

(^  I  HE  township  of  Torrington  received  its  name  at  the  May  session  of  the 
*I  General  Assembly,  1732.  Torrington,  formerly  Wolcottville,  named 
after  Oliver  Wolcott,  Esq.,  formerly  governor  of  the  State,  was  incor- 
porated as  a  borough  at  the  January  session  of  the  Legislature,  1.S87. 

The  introduction  of  the  holy  services  of  the  church  into  Torrington  dates 
from  1835,  when  that  apostolic  missionary.  Rev.  James  Fitton,  offered  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  a  brick  building,  now  occupied  by  O'Brien's 
bakery,  south  of  the  bridge  on  South  Main  street.  There  were  but  few 
children  of  the  faith  here  at  that  time  to  profit  by  the  ministrations  of  the 
pioneer  priest.  Among  the  early  settlers,  we  find  the  names  of  Timothy 
Fanning,  William  Grant,  John  Looby,  Edward  Kelly,  Timothy  Hennessy, 
James  Batters,  Daniel  Burns,  Owen  Cummings,  John  Cummings,  Martin 
Hennes.sy,  Richard  Carroll  and  James  Kent. 

Seven  years  after  Father  Fitton's  visit,  his  successor.  Rev.  John  Brady, 
gathered  the  scattered  Catholics  at  the  home  of  one  of  the  Messrs.  Hennessy  on 
the  west  hill.  Five  or  six  families  and  a  few  unmarried  persons  constituted  the 
little  congregation.  Father  Brady,  and  after  him.  Father  Lynch,  of  Bridge- 
port, visited  Torrington  once  a  year  until  1847,  when  Rev.  Michael  O'Neil 
was  appointed  pastor  of  Waterbury  and  the  missions  of  the  Naugatuck  Valley. 

After  Father  O'Neil's  first  visit  to  Torrington  he  perfected  arrangements 
whereby  he  was  enabled  to  hold  divine  services  in  a  three-story  brick  build- 
ing, sometimes  used  as  a  place  of  worship  and  as  an  acadeni)-.  Two  other 
relio-ious  bodies  used  "  lliat  old  union  meeting-house."  Father  O'Neil 
vi.sited  Torrington  twice  annually.  In  February  of  1S51  Bishop  O'Reilly 
made  a  visitation  of  Waterbury,  Litchfield  and  Wolcottville,  his  visit  to  the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  ■  307 

last  place  taking  place  on  the  26tli.  No  donbt  the  bishop  strengthened  and  con- 
soled the  good  people  here  b}'  saying  Mass,  preaching  and  administering  the 
sacraments.  In  this  year,  Rev.  James  I^ynch,  of  Birmingham,  assumed  spiritual 
charge  of  Torrington  aud  made  one  or  two  visits.  From  1852,  beginning  with 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Thomas  Oninn,  Torrington  was  attended  from  West  Win- 
sted.  His  successors.  Rev.  Fathers  Gillick,  Hendricken,  O'Gorman,  Mangan, 
Mullen,  Sheridan  and  lyco,  continued  to  render  faithful  service  to  the  Catho- 
lics here,  "  each  doing  his  work  earnestly  for  the  improvement  of  his  people." 
In  1 85 1,  a  lot  opposite  the  Congregational  church  on  Main  street  was 
secured  by  Father  O'Neil  for  a  church.  Father  Lynch  paid  for  the  lot  by 
collecting  therefor  $400,  and  transferred  the  property  to  the  bishop.  Work 
on  the  church  was  not  begun  until  the  fall  of  1859,  during  the  pastorate  of 
Father  Mangan.  It  was  completed  in  July,  1S60,  and  the  indebtedness  in- 
curred by  its  erection,  $3000,  was  liquidated  by  Father  Mangan. 

"  About  the  time  the  church  was  built  there  was  considerable  prejudice  manifested 
toward  the  Catholics,  and  against  the  building  of  the  church,  and  whether  there  were 
threats  made  or  not,  the  Catholic  people  felt  it  necessar5f  for  a  time  to  station  a  watchman 
at  the  church  during  the  nights,  to  give  the  alarm  if  an  attempt  should  be  made  to  burn 
the  building.  This  was  a  decided  mistake,  if  any  occasion  was  given  for  such  fear,  for 
if  religious  liberty  is  good,  then  it  is  as  good  for  one  as  another,  and  it  is  not  good  unless 
it  will  apply  to  all  the  heathen  as  well  as  Christians.  The  Catholics  are  a  Christian  people. 
But  all  the  disposition,  if  ever  there  was  any,  to  hinder  the  success  of  the  Catholic  church 
in  the  town  is  thoroughly  removed,  all  persons  knowing  that  it  is  far  better  for  them,  as 
well  as  all  other  people,  to  go  to  church,  hear  the  gospel  and  obey  it,  than  to  neglect 
such  duty  and  privilege.  It  is  also  true  that  the  Catholic  people  know  that  there  is  no 
occasion  for  fear,  so  long  as  the\-  do  as  they  heretofore  have  done,  respect  the  rights  of 
others  as  well  as  their  own,  and  that  they  are  now  held  in  respect  bj-  those  who  differ 
from  them,  in  religious  belief."  ' 

In  1866,  Father  Leo  built  an  addition  to  the  church  at  a  cost  of  $1500, 
and  beautified  the  interior.  In  1870,  the  Coe  Brass  Company  sold  to  Father 
Leo,  through  Owen  Cummings,  for  ,giooo,  six  acres  of  land,  near  the  Redfield 
and  Rice  manufactory,  for  cemetery  purposes,  and  it  was  blessed  \)\  Bishop 
McFarland       Mr.  Oliver  Coe  donated  $100  towards  its  purchase. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  Torrington  was  a  Franciscan  priest,  tlie  Rev. 
Father  Isaias,  who  received  his  appointment  in  October,  1874.  He  secured 
the  Patterson  property  on  Prospect  street,  which  he  remodeled  and  occupied 
as  a  parochial  residence.  St.  Francis'  parish  at  this  time  numbered  120  fami- 
lies ;  1 1 5  children  attended  Sunday-school.  The  laymen  who  constituted  the 
first  church  committee  were  Edward  Kelly,  Andrew  Harty,  Richard  Carroll 
and  William  Grant. 

Father  Isaias  was  succeeded  in  November,  1S77,  by  the  Rev.  John  H. 
Duggan,  who  in  turn  was  followed  by  the  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Patrick 
Duggan,  in  May,  1879.  Father  Duggan  purchased,  in  1S84,  all  the  property 
at  present  occupied  by  the  parish,  save  the  piece  of  land  purchased  in  185  i 
by  Father  O'Neil.  In  1886  plans  were  accepted  for  a  new  church  more  in 
keeping  with  the  growing  importance  of  the  parish.  The  first  collection  for 
this  purpose  brought  the  splendid  sum  of  $1 1,000,  yet  the  parish  census  placed 

'  OrcutVs  History. 


308  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

tlie  mniiber  of  souls  at  1376.  Tlie  work  of  construction  was  begun  at  once, 
and  llie  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon  on  vSepteniber  5,  1SS6,  Rev. 
Jolin  H.  Duggan,  of  Waterbury,  pronouncing  the  discourse.  Two  tliousand 
dollars  were  realized  in  a  collection  on  that  occasion.  The  generous  Catholic 
spirit  of  the  people  was  showJi  in  the  following  year  by  the  contribution  of 
5^1 2,000  to  the  building  fund.  When  St.  Francis'  church  was  completed  it 
was  free  from  financial  encumbrance,  and  both  pastor  and  people  united  in 
consecrating  it  to  the  service  of  God  forever.  The  solemn  services  of  conse- 
cration took  place  on  November  1 3,  1887.  The  con.secrating  prelate  was  Right 
Rev.  L,.  S.  McMahon.  The  Mass  which  followed  this  impressive  ceremony 
was  celebrated  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  assisted  by  Rev.  Father 
Leo,  as  deacon,  Rev.  J.  H.  Duggan,  as  sub-deacon,  and  Rev.  James  H.  O'Don- 
nell  and  Rev.  T.  Crowley  as  masters  of  ceremonies. 

The  next  work  that  engaged  Father  Uuggan's  attention  was  the  erection 
of  the  pastoral  residence  ;  this  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  former  church  in 
1888.  Three  years  later  the  convent  and  school,  both  handsome  structures, 
were  erected.  Notwithstanding  the  great  material  works  accomplished  in 
these  years  there  was  no  indebtedness  when  the  last  building  was  completed. 
Father  Duggan  disposed  of  the  former  rectoiy  b>'  sale  in  1892.  The  school 
was  blessed  in  September,  1 893,  by  the  Administrator  of  the  diocese.  Very  Rev. 
James  Hughes,  V.G.,  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum  preaching  the  sermon.  When  the 
school  was  opened  it  received  391  pupils;  at  present  there  are  695,  with  nine 
grades  and  eleven  Sisters  of  ^lercy,  of  whom  Sister  ]\I.  Dominic  is  the  Direc- 
tress. St.  Francis'  parish  enjoys  the  proud  distinction  of  having  all  its 
children,  who  attend  school,  taught  within  the  walls  of  the  parochial  school, 
and  the  standard  of  scholarship  here  maintained  is  of  such  excellence  that  its 
graduates  are  admitted  into  the  high  school  without  e.xamination. 

When  St.  F'rancis'  parish  was  organized  in  1874,  its  population  was  esti- 
mated at  800  souls.  At  present  there  are  3600,  of  mixed  nationalities,  compris- 
ing Irish,  French,  Germans,  Poles,  Lithuanian.s,  Slavs,  Hungarians  and  Italians. 

The  number  of  baptisms  administered  between  1874  and  1899,  exclusive, 
was  1 867  ;  the  number  of  marriages  solemnized  within  the  same  period  was  376. 

The  assistants  of  St.  Francis'  parish  were  :  Rev.  T.  Brady,  Rev.  T.  Whe- 
lan,  Rev.  M.  Barry,  Rev.  S.  Musiel.  The  present  assistants  are  Re\'.  E. 
Brennan  and  Rev.  N.  Brommenschenkel. 

St.  Francis'  parish  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  among  its  sister  par- 
ishes of  the  diocese.  If  the  success  achieved  in  the  material  order  has  been 
gratifying,  not  less  consoling  have  been  the  results  in  the  sjuritual. 

ST.  JOHN'S  PARISH, 
Watertdwn. 

(5  I  Hli  ancient  town  records  of  Watertown  contain  many  names  that  have 

'  I       a  distinctively  Celtic  flavor,  but  whether  their  owners  were  of  Irish 

birth  or  descent  is  conjectural ;  much  less  is  it  known  what  creed  they 

professed.     However,  the  names  themselves  lead  us  to  the  not  unreasonable 

conclusion    that    they    were    borne    by    children    of    Holy    IMother    church, 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  309 

whatever  may  have  been  their  subsequent  spiritual  fate.  Some  of  these " 
names  copied  from  the  records  are  :  Seth  Blake  (1769);  Eunice  Collins  (1777); 
Love  Higgins  (1780);  Rhoda  Finn  (1779);  John  Brien  (1780);  Lucy  Brien 
(1785);  Annie  Flynn  (1788);  Joseph  Finn  (1805);  Richard  Finn  (1813); 
Thomas  Finn  (181 8).'  John  O' Brian  and  Polly  Matthews  were  married  on 
December  12,  1802;  Henry  O' Bryan  and  Cordelia  McDonald,  on  June  6,  1825; 
Timothy  Richards  and  Sally  Daly,  on  October  28,  1827.  The  above  family 
names  are  immistakably  Irish,  while  the  baptismal  names  indicate  mixed 
marriages,  or,  as  was  frequently  the  case  in  the  early  days,  a  change  of  Irish 
into  Puritan  baptismal  names,  so  as  not  to  leave  too  many  traces  of  Irish  origin. 

The  first  Catholic,  knowm  to  be  such,  to  reside  in  Watertown  was  Michael 
Dunn,  who  came  here  about  1841.  Three  years  later  he  was  reinforced  by  two 
others,  Anna  Gaffnc}'  and  Patrick  Doherty,  the  latter  of  whom  still  resides 
here.  In  1853,  the  entire  Catholic  population  of  the  town  numbered  about 
a  dozen  souls.  It  comprised  Patrick  Doherty,  Patrick  Drum,  James  Godsell, 
John  Kane,  Robert  Torrence,  and  John  McGowan  with  their  families. 

Previous  to  1855,  no  priest  had  visited  Watertown.  In  that  year  Mass 
was  said  for  the  first  time  by  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neil,  of  Waterbury,  in  the 
residence  of  John  McGowan.  Robert  Torrence's  house  was  the  scene  of  the 
second  Mass,  and  Mrs.  Harvey's  had  the  honor  of  the  third.  At  first,  the 
Catholics  of  Watertown  were  attended  every  three  months,  but  as  their  num- 
bers increased  Father  O'Neil  and  his  successors  made  monthly  visits.  The 
first  death  of  a  Watertown  Catholic  was  that  of  Patrick  Fitzpatrick,  who 
died  late  in  1853.     The  first  baptism  was  that  of  an  infant  of  Patrick  Drum. 

After  Father  Hendricken  had  assumed  charge  of  the  Catholics  of  Water- 
town,  he  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  monthly  in  what  was  known 
for  years  as  "  Citizens'  Hall,"  a  former  Episcopalian  church.  Father  Rodden 
and  Father  Bohen,  of  Waterbury,  also  made  periodical  visits  here.  As  pastor 
of  Bristol,  Father  Rodden  attended  Watertown,  but  only  for  a  brief  period ; 
it  then  reverted  to  Waterbury.  On  April  9,  1871,  it  was  assigned  to  the  care 
of  Rev.  Eugene  Gaffney,  of  Thomaston,  under  whose  jurisdiction  it  con- 
tinued until  1884. 

In  1877,  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  residence  of  Mrs.  James  Dunigan, 
was  purchased  from  the  Da}-ton  estate  for  $375  ;  but  as  it  was  found  to  be 
unsuitable  for  church  purposes,  it  was  sold  and  the  present  beautiful  site 
bought  for  $600.  Father  Gaffney  began  at  once  the  erection  of  a  church,  the 
corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  in  November,  1877.  On  March  24,  1878, 
Bishop  Galberry  dedicated  it  in  honor  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist.  The  High 
Mass  which  followed  the  dedicatory  services  was  sung  b}'  the  pastor,  Father 
Gaff'ney,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Patrick  Fay  of  Colches- 
ter. The  church,  though  small,  is  an  architectural  gem  and  cost  ^7,000. 
Patrick  Dunigan  and  John  Kane  were  the  first  trustees. 

In  November,  1884,  Watertown  was  separated  from  Thomaston  and 
formed  into  a  parish  with  Terryville  as  a  mission.  Rev.  Joseph  Fones  was 
appointed  the  first  resident  pastor.      During  his  administration  of  two  }-ears, 

'The  name  of  Finn  appears  in  1770. 


310  THE   CATHOLIC   CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Father  Fones  accomplished  much  for  his  parish,  among  the  material  works 
completed  being  the  parochial  residence.  In  November,  1 886,  the  Rev.  James 
W.  Lancaster  assumed  charge  of  the  parish.  An  eloquent  and  active  priest,  a 
man  of  deeply  sympathetic  nature  he  labored  here  for  six  years,  beloved  by  his 
parishioners.  Father  Lancaster  died  on  .-Vpril  28,  1892,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  on  May  15,  1892. 

Father  O'  Donnell  has  thorouglily  renovated  the  church  and  rectory,  within 
and  without,  laid  concrete  walks  about  both,  introduced  a  new  heating  appa- 
ratus and  electric  lights,  and  liquidated  the  entire  indebtedness  of  the  parish. 

On  February'  24,  1896,  he  purchased  three  and  one-half  acres  of  land  for 
cemetery  purposes,  paying  therefor  $700.  This  transaction  was  distinguished 
by  the  town  donating  S300  towards  the  purchase.  Mt.  St.  James'  cemetery 
was  blessed  by  Bishop  Tieruey  on  Sunday,  July  26,  1896.  The  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Very  Rev.  John  A.  IMulcahy,  Vicar-General. 

The  parish,  which  comprises  Oakville,  numbers  about  475  souls,  Irish 
and  their  descendants  and  French  Canadians. 

The  present  trustees  are  Thomas  Shields  and  John  Doherty. 

SACRED   HEART   (MISSION)   CHURCH, 

SOL'TUBURV. 

IX  the  beautiful  Pomperaug  valley  is  situated  the  Sacred  Heart  church, 
Southbury,  a  mission  of  Watertown.  The  Rev.  James  Bohen  cele- 
brated the  first  Mass  said  here  in  1862,  in  the  house  of  Francis  Grant. 
There  were  present  about  forty  persons.  After  this,  Mass  was  said  at 
intervals  by  priests  attached  to  the  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
Waterbury.  From  Waterbury  it  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  New  Mil- 
ford.  For  many  years  the  Catholics  of  Southbury  joined  with  their  brethren 
of  Woodbury  and  worshiped  in  tlie  town  hall  of  the  latter  village.  In  1884, 
there  were  about  forty  families  in  Southbury,  and  the  pastor  of  New  Milford, 
the  Rev.  James  C.  O'Brien,  began  the  erection  of  a  church.  The  site  was 
donated  by  Denis  Houlihan.  In  November  of  that  year  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  assisted  by  Revs.  H.  T.  Brady, 
Ansonia;  P.  M.  Kennedy,  Birmingham;  J.  Fagan,  Naugatuck ;  J.  M.  McCar- 
ten  and  M.  Cray,  Newtown.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Harty, 
and  Rev.  Fathers  Kennedy  and  Fagan  discharged  the  office  of  chanters.  The 
work  on  the  building  progressed  so  favorably,  that  Mass  was  said  in  it  for  the 
first  time  on  Cliristmas  day,  1884.  During  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Father 
Lancaster,  Southbury  was  attached  to  Watertown,  whence  it  is  still  attended. 
Father  Lancaster  purchased  the  cemetery  which  was  blessed  by  Bishop 
McMahon  in  the  summer  of  1890.  The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached 
by  Father  O'Donnell,  then  of  Waterbury.  Mass  is  .said  here  twice  a  month. 
The  number  of  Catholics  in  Southbury  is  about  seventy-five. 

In  the  summer  of  1892  the  church  was  artistically  frescoed,  the  sanctuary 
re-carpeted  and  the  altar  re-decorated.  Vestments  of  all  the  prescribed  colors 
were  recently  added  to  the  possessions  of  the  church. 

Woodbury  is  another  mission  of  Watertown  where   Mass  is  said  semi- 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  311 

monthly.  Woodbury  was  first  attended  by  priests  from  Birmingham,  then 
from  Waterbury  until  it  was  assigned  to  New  Milford.  During  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Rev.  Father  Fones,  it  was  attached  to  Watertown.  About 
thirty  Catholics  reside  here  and  Mass  is  said  in  the  Town  hall.  In  1895,  the 
town  generously  donated  a  cemetery  lot  to  the  Catholics,  which  was  blessed 
on  November  21st  of  that  year,  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  congregation  owns 
a  valuable  lot  upon  which  it  is  the  intention  to  erect  a  church. 

The  first  Catholics  to  reside  in  Woodbury  were  nine  Acadians,  but  the 
names  of  four  only  have  come  down  to  us,  viz  :  Peter  Beaumont,  Henrie 
Scisceau,  Alexander  Pettigree  and  Philemon  Cherevoy.  In  1760  we  meet 
the  name  Philemon  Way.  Was  he  an  Acadian,  also?  It  is  probable.  Other 
names  copied  from  the  ancient  records  indicate  the  probable  presence  in 
Woodbury  of  Catholics  in  the  last  century.  Mary  L,acey  appears  in  1704. 
In  the  adjoining  town  of  Roxbury,  we  find  such  names  as  Mary  Ward  (died 
September,  1760),  wife  of  Thaddeus  Lacy  (died  May  12,  1764),  and  Mary 
Hunt  (died  May  6,  1782).  In  Woodbury  there  was  a  John  Runnolds  (Rey- 
nolds) in  1759,  and  a  Timothy  Mitchell  in  1768.  Joshua  Guitteau  died  in 
1746;  Francis  Guitteau  in  1760:  David  Guitteau  in  1774,  and  Jerusha  Guit- 
teau in  1783.     A  Joseph  Tooley  died  in  1778. 

Members  of  the  Acadian  family  of  Cherevoy  died,  Philemon,  March  i, 
1 80 1,  aged  52  years  ;  Nathaniel,  April  29,  18 13,  aged  28  years  ;  a  child  of 
Philemon,  August  22,  1790;  Rachel,  widow  of  Philemon,  January  14,  1831, 
aged  •]■]  years  ;  Elizabeth,  May  5,  1850,  aged  75  years. 

The  first  Catholic  marriage  that  took  place  in  Woodbury,  of  which  there 
is  any  record,  was  that  between  Stephen  Collins  and  Bridget  Dolan,  October 
26,  1856.  Rev.  James  Ivynch  of  Birmingham  performed  the  ceremony.  The 
first  birth  recorded  is  that  of  a  female  child  of  Patrick  and  Mary  Collins, 
April  2,  1852.  In  1849  occurred  the  first  death,  Charles  Birney;  the  second, 
May  27,  1852,  Mary  Ann  Quirk. 


MIDDLESEX    COUNTY. 


ST.  JOHN'S   PARISH, 

MiDDLETOWN. 

jIDDLETOWN,  the  Indian  name  for  which  was  Mattabesett,  was 
invested  with  town  privileges,  in  September,  165 1,  and  received 
its  name  in  November,  1653.  The  historian  Barber  says,  that 
in  1654  there  were  about  thirty  families,  and  in  1670,  fifty-two. 
From  a  list  given  by  the  same  author,  we  extract  some  names  that  are  un- 
mistakably of  Irish  origin.  The  list  is  dated  March  22,  1670,  and  the  names 
represent  proprietors  of  Middetown  with  their  estates:  John  Ward,  William 
Ward,  Anthony  Martin,  Samuel  Collins,  Nathaniel  Collins,  John  Savage, 
John  Kirby,  Philip  Mortimer  and  Captain  Gleason.  The  city  of  Middletown 
was  incorporated  in  1784. 


312  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Middletown  received  its  quota  of  French  Neutrals,  according  to  the  dis- 
position made  by  the  General  Assembly  in  January,  1756.  Sixteen  of  the 
exiles  were  assigned  to  this  town.  They  were  the  first  Catholics,  known  to 
be  such,  to  reside  within  the  borders  of  the  town.  Did  they  remain  faithful 
to  the  church,  to  the  faith  of  their  baptism  ?  The  elders  did,  no  doubt;  but 
what  of  their  descendants?  Did  the  memories  of  childhood  keep  alive  the 
sacred  flame,  or  did  human  considerations  smother  the  fire  that  later  burned, 
perhaps,  but  dimly  ? 

The  first  priest  to  visit  this  section  was  the  Rev.  R.  D.  Woodley,  of  Pro- 
vidence. In  July,  1829,  he  was  directed  by  Bishop  Fenwick  to  visit  Middle- 
town.  In  this  same  month  he  had  visited  the  Enfield  Canal,  New  Haven 
and  New  London.  As  Father  Woodley  and  all  other  early  missionaries 
always  traveled  prepared  to  say  Mass  when  the  opportunit)'  was  favorable, 
it  may  be  reasonably  inferred  that  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  in  Middle- 
town  during  this  visit. 

The  Rev.  James  Fitton  informs  us  in  his  Sketches  that  he  attended  Mid- 
dletown and  Portland  in  1830,  when  Mass  was  said  and  the  sacraments 
administered  in  private  houses.  "The  e.vtensive  work  at  the  brown  stone 
quarries  of  Portland,"  says  the  missionary,  "  gave  employment  to  several  la- 
borers, the  majority  of  whom,  with  their  families,  were  members  of  the  church, 
who,  after  their  week's  toil,  had  occasionally  the  privilege  of  Mass  on  Sun- 
days, or  before  their  day's  work  on  other  occasions."  Father  Fitton  visited 
Middletown  on  Thursday  evening,  November  10,  1831,  delivered  a  lecture 
which  had  been  previously  advertised,  and  no  doubt  said  Mass  and  performed 
other  religious  functions  during  this  visit.  In  July,  1832,  religious  services 
were  held  in  Westfield,  a  few  miles  north-west  of  Middletown.  We  quote  from 
the  United  States  Catholic  Press,  }\\\y  12,  1832: 

"Seldom  did  we  witness  a  more  pleasing  sight  than  that  alTorded  us  on 
Sunday,  the  8th  inst.  The  Catholics  employed  on  the  Enfield  Canal  were 
visited,  agreeably  with  previous  arrangements,  by  their  pastor,  //  beini^  the 
first  time  that  the  holy  services  of  our  Church  were  performed  in  this  section  of 
our  country.  The  concourse  of  those  who  attended  from  the  neighboring 
towns,  some  of  them  coming  from  eighteen  miles  distant,  was  so  great  that 
no  room  could  be  found  sufficiently  spacious  to  accommodate  all ;  they  as- 
sembled in  the  nearest  woods,  called  Cedar  Swamp,  where  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
was  offered  under  the  spacious  boughs  of  a  large  tree.  The  scene  was  im- 
pressive and  truly  edifying,  similar  to  that  which  was  exhibited  on  the  dis- 
covery of  America  by  the  Catholic  Columbus;  as  then,  so  now,  the  holy  altar 
was  erected  and  sacrifice  offered  to  the  living  God  of  the  universe.  The 
multitude  of  those  who  were  present,  to  tlieir  credit  be  it  .said,  behaved  with 
propriety  and  becoming  respect.  Though  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  as 
it  often  happens,  was  a  subject  of  much  mystery  to  our  Protestant  brethren 
of  various  denominations,  who  were  present,  yet  they  were  attentive  and  duly 
respectful.  The  discourse,  both  morning  and  afternoon,  was  listened  to  with 
much  apparent  interest,  and  though  hours  were  necessarily  employed  in  es- 
tablishing as  well  as  vindicating  the  truths  of  the  Catholic  religion,  still  tlie 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  313 

pastor  was  called  upon  to  visit  and  preach  in  another  section  of  the  country 
the  same  evening.  Many  on  this  occasion  attended  to  their  religious  duties; 
some  were  baptized,  and  one  family  presented  themselves  for  other  instructions, 
that  they  might  be  admitted  into  the  communion  of  the  Catholic  church." 

Among  the  first  Catholics  to  settle  in  Middletown  to  establish  homes 
were  Thomas  Condon,  Michael  Ahem,  James  Sheridan,  Martin  Deegan,  Mi- 
chael Byrnes,  James  Barry,  David  Geary,  Edmund  Higgins  and  John  Dunn. 
These  were  probably  here  in  1835,  and  it  may  be,  earlier,  as  about  that  time 
labor  was  in  great  demand  in  the  quarries  at  Portland.  Those  who  located 
at  Middletown,  Portland  and  Cromwell,  formed  a  not  inconsiderable  body, 
and  therefore,  like  their  countrymen  who  settled  elsewhere  in  the  State  and 
throughout  New  England,  were  eager  to  possess  the  benefits  of  religious  ser- 
vices. Accordingly,  the  Rev.  James  McDermot,  of  New  Haven,  was  noti- 
fied of  the  presence  in  this  neighborhood  of  a  goodly  number  of  Catholics. 
In  response  to  their  request,  he  visited  Middletown  in  the  summer  of  1835 
and  offered  the  Hoi)-  Sacrifice  in  Mr.  Taylor's  house  on  East  Court  street. 
The  successor  of  Father  Fitton  of  Hartford,  Rev.  Peter  Walsh,  came  in  1836, 
and  held  divine  services  at  the  house  of  Michael  Ahern.  He  continued  his 
visits  at  regular  intervals  until  August,  1837,  when  he  was  succeeded  in  Hart- 
ford by  the  Rev.  John  Brady.  In  September  of  that  year,  Father  Brady 
began  his  missionary  visits  here,  and  for  four  years  said  Mass  at  monthly  in- 
tervals at  Mr.  Ahern's  residence.  The  increase  in  numbers  made  search  for 
a  larger  place  for  worship  an  imperative  necessity.  A  small  building  on  the 
"  Sand  Bank  "  was  purchased  from  Thomas  Condon,  and  was  appropriately 
fitted  for  Catholic  worship.  In  this  humble  chapel  they  gathered  for  their 
religious  devotions  until  the  erection  of  the  brick  church  in  1843. 

The  little  church  soon  became  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  the  congrega- 
tion. Therefore,  in  the  year  above  mentioned.  Father  Brady  began  his  quest 
for  an  eligible  site  for  a  church  in  Middletown.  There  were  at  this  time 
about  thirty  families  in  the  parish.  The  result  of  his  efforts  was  the  obtain- 
ing of  the  land  on  which  the  church  now  stands  on  November  18,  1S41. 
The  lot  was  owned  by  Mr.  Charles  R.  Alsop,  who  asked  $500  for  it.  A 
Catholic  lady,  Mrs.  Richard  Alsop,  generously  donated  this  amount,  and 
the  contract  was  closed.  Father  Brady  began  immediately  to  raise  funds  for 
the  prosecution  of  the  work  of  building  the  church,  and  in  a  short  time  his 
people  experienced  the  happiness  of  witnessing  the  realization  of  their  hopes. 
The  church  was  65x40  feet.  This  building  is  still  standing.  The  exterior, 
with  the  exception  of  the  cross,  which  was  removed,  is  the  same  as  when 
erected.   -The  interior  was  remodeled  and  fitted  up  as  a  tenement  house. 

The  Catholic  population  having  increased  in  1845  to-  nearly  400  souls,  a 
petition  was  forwarded  to  Bishop  Tyler,  praying  for  a  resident  pastor.     It  is 

as  follows: 

Middletown,  April  2,  1845. 
Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir  : — 

We,  the  undersigned  as  a  Committee,  do  hereby  most  respectfully  solicit  j'our  kind 
and  immediate  attention  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Catholics  of  Middletown  and  Port- 
land in  Connecticut. 


314  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

It  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  set  forth  in  this  communication  all  the  spiritual 
wants  which  the  Catholics  of  this  portion  of  your  diocese  suffer,  or  to  make  you  ac- 
quainted with  the  numerous  disadvantages  under  which  they  labor,  in  consequence  of 
their  not  having  a  priest  reside  here  amongst  them. 

In  tiie  absence  of  any  personal  acquaintance  with  jou,  we  deem  it  most  applicable 
to  the  object,  which  we  have  in  aildressing  you,  to  state  such  facts  as  we  think  best  cal- 
culated to  command  your  kind  and  immediate  consideration. 

We  presume  that  you  are  well  aware  that  we  have  through  the  extraordinary  chari- 
table exertions  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brady,  of  Hartford,  got  a  church  built  in  Middletown  which 
contains  at  present  48  or  50  pews,  each  pew  calculated  to  contain  5  or  6  persons,  for  which 
the  people  agree  to  pay  the  sum  of,  say,  men,  >6,  and  women,  $4  each  per  .seat  quarterly- 

We  can  confidently  state  to  j-ou  that  there  is  at  present  a  number  of  Catholics  sufiB- 
ciently  large  to  occupy  the  above-mentioned  number  of  pews  to  the  utmost  extent  for 
which  they  are  calculated  to  accommodate. 

In  addition  to  the  above  facts  we  have  good  reasons  to  suppose  from  personal 
knowledge  and  observation  on  the  increased  activity  of  business  that  there  will  be  a 
great  increase  in  the  number  of  Catholics  here  in  course  of  the  ensuing  summer. 

As  the  Catholic  population  of  Middletown  and  vicinity  is  composed  of  Irish  la- 
borers, with  very  few  exceptions,  we  are  unable  to  state  their  exact  number;  but  we  will 
state  without  any  pretensions  to  accuracy,  however,  that  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing 
summer  their  number  will  not  fall  much  short  of  four  hundred. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Brady  told  us  on  the  last  Sunday  he  gave  service  here,  that  it  was  im- 
possible for  him  on  account  of  his  health,  and  his  obligations  to  his  people  in  Hartford, 
to  come  here  much  longer. 

This  letter,  we  as  a  committee  in  the  Catholic  name  of  the  people  of  Middletown 
and  Portland,  present  to  your  Reverence  with  the  most  profound  respect,  and  subscribe 
ourselves  Your  most  faithful  servants  and  Catholics, 

John  Dren.van,         James  Geary,       J.  Barry,  Mich.\el  Keefe, 

Michael  HoGAN,       P.  Cavanagh,        Martin  Deegan,     Joseph  Magner, 

M.  Byrne,  John  C.\rr,  Willia.m  Douge,      M.  IIanegan. 

Bishop  Tyler  honored  this  petition  by  the  appointment  to  iMiddletown  in 
the  same  year  of  the  Rev.  John  Brad}',  Jr.  The  stream  of  immigration  that 
flowed  into  Connecticut  between  1845  and  1850  increased  to  a  great  extent 
the  Catholic  population  of  Middletown,  Portland  and  Cromwell.  These 
hardy  sons  of  toil  found  employment  m  the  quarries  at  Portland.  The  new 
church  became  too  small  to  accommodate  the  congregation.  Father  Brady, 
therefore,  set  about  the  erection  of  a  church  which  would  meet  all  future  de- 
mands. Learning  of  this  determination,  admiring  the  spirit  it  disclosed  and 
recognizing  the  salutary  influence  exerted  by  religion  over  their  employees, 
the  owners  of  the  quarries  generously  donated  all  the  stone  necessar\'  for 
the  construction  of  the  church;  the  mouey  which  paid  for  the  building  was 
collected  almost  entirely  among  the  parishioners.  A  unique  means  of  rais- 
ing funds  was  employed  in  building  both  churches.  In  1843,  a  piece  of 
land  in  the  rear  of  the  church  -was  laid  out  in  burial  lots,  and  ever)-  parishioner 
who  contributed  $20  towards  the  erection  of  the  church  received  in  return  a 
lot  in  the  cemetery.  When  the  new  church  was  projected  by  Father  Brady, 
the  same  method  was  adopted  of  giving  a  whole  lot  in  the  cemetery  to  tho.se 
contributing  $20  and  a  half  lot  to  those  who  gave  §10.  So  enthusiastic  were 
the  people  over  the  prospect  of  a  new  church  that  the  lots  were  disposed  of 
in  a  short  time. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  315 

In  the  meantime  Bishop  O'  Reilly  made  a  visitation  of  Middletown  on 
May  II,  185 1,  administered  confirmation  to  116  persons  and  preached  three 
times. 

The  new  church  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God  under  the  patronage 
of  St.  John,  on  Sunday,  September  5,  1852.  Bishop  O'Reilly  arrived  at  Mid- 
dletown on  the  4th,  and  remained  until  the  8th.  The  ceremony  of  dedication 
was  as  edifying  as  it  was  interesting.  Bishop  O'  Reilly  officiated  at  the  service, 
at  the  conclusion  of  which  a  Solemn  High  Mass  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Quinn,  of  Winsted,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Edward  O'Brien,  of  New 
Haven,  as  deacon  ;  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'  Reilley,  of  Meriden,  as  sub-deacon,  and 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Daly,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The 
preacher  at  the  morning  service  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moriarty,  and  at  the  Ponti- 
fical vespers  Rev.  Bernard  O'Reilly,  S.  J.,  of  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  pro- 
nounced the  discourse,  his  theme  being,  "The  Priesthood."  In  the  morning 
Bishop  O'Reilly  administered  confirmation  to  a  large  number  of  persons,  and 
preached.    Commenting  on  the  ceremonies  of  this  day,  a  contemporary  wrote  : 

"  Dedications  of  churches  to  Catholic  worship  are  now  almost  of  weekly  occurrence 
throughout  the  country,  but  nowhere  more  so  than  in  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  a  proof  of 
the  untiring  enterprise  of  our  Bishop  and  the  zeal  of  our  priesthood.  Localities  in  this 
State  where,  five  or  six  years  since,  a  Catholic  priest  was  a  rare  sight,  are  now  supplied 
with  churches,  pastors  and  congregations,  a  proof  of  the  inherent  vitality  of  Catholicity 
and  the  divine  mission  of  its  teachers.  Although  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brady  has  been  a  com- 
paratively short  time  with  us,  he  has,  through  his  indomitable  energy  and  fervent  desire 
to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  erected  a  temple  which  will  live  after  him  ;  within  whose 
walls  many  generations  will  enter,  and  worship,  and  go  out,  and  which  will  endear  his 
memory  to  many  a  pious  soul  for  who.se  benefit  he  has  provided  a  temple  and  erected  a 
tabernacle  in  which  the  God  of  Heaven  may  be  worshiped  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

Father  Brady's  relations  with  St.  John's  parish  ceased  on  April  21,  1855. 
As  was  not  infrequently  the  case  in  those  days,  his  retirement  caused  no  little 
excitement  among  the  people.  Some  adherent  of  the  pastor,  with  more  zeal 
than  respect  for  authority,  nailed  the  following  notice  on  the  principal  entrance 
of  the  church  on  the  evening  of  the  21st :  ^^  Let  no  man  take  this  doiun  till 
the  Bishop  gives  a  reason  for  removing  Mr.  Brady  from  his  beloved  congrega- 
tion. Let  no  man  dare  to."  The  Rev.  Louis  Mangan,  who  had  accompanied 
Bi.shop  O'Reilly  to  Middletown,  and  who  became  the  successor  of  Father  Brady, 
saw  the  notice  on  the  door  as  he  approached  to  say  Mass  on  the  morning  of 
the  22nd.  News  of  the  placard  had  spread  through  the  town,  and  the  people 
began  to  gather  very  early,  discussing  among  themselves  the  propriety  of 
such  proceedings.  Father  Mangan  tore  the  notice  off  the  door  and  asked  the 
reason  of  it.  An  elderly  man  in  the  crowd  told  him  that  the  Bishop's  course 
was  disapproved  by  the  congregation,  as  they  did  not  wish  to  part  with  Father 
Brady.  He  had  been  with  them  ten  years,  had  built  them  up  to  what  they 
were,  and  that  to  remove  him  without  giving  a  reason  to  the  congregation 
was  an  outrage,  he  said,  to  their  feelings.  Father  Mangan  procured  a 
hatchet,  pried  oflf  the" boards  which  had  been  nailed  across  the  doors  and 
opened  the  church  for  divine  service.  Some  of  the  people  entered,  while 
others  remained  outside,  but   all  were  quiet  and  orderly.     Father  Mangan 


316  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

addressed  the  people  in  a  calm,  dignified  and  conciliatory  manner,  which 
tended  to  allay  the  excitement  which  had  been  aroused  by  a  few  misguided 
leaders.  Excitement  had  run  high  and  passion  was  deep.  There  was  a  dis- 
position to  rebel  against  ecclesiastical  authority,  and  to  censure  the  Bishop 
for  exercising  what  was  inalienably  his  right.  He  was  the  object  of  severe 
condenmation  at  the  time;  but,  as  was  becoming  his  office,  he  remained  silent. 
But  in  the  interests  of  truth  and  historic  justice,  I  believe  he  should  now 
speak  after  a  silence  of  fifty-four  years.  From  Bi.shop  O'Reilly's  Journal : 
"  /<?.-)'J,  April  20,  Leave  (Hartford)  in  the  evening  for  Middletown,  arrive 
there  at  8  p.m.,  and  put  up  at  the  McDonough  house. 

2r.  "Goto  the  church  to  say  Mass  at  half-past  6  A.  .M.  Send  to  Rev'* 
Brady  for  the  key  of  the  church ;  the  messenger  informs  me  that  Father 
Brady  will  bring  the  key  in  a  few  minutes.  He  shortly  appears  accompanied 
with  his  man  of  all  business,  Mr.  Cody,  and  presents  me  his  resignation  in 
writing;  this  act  of  his,  whilst  Wis  resignation  or  his  right  to  resign  was  of 
no  consideration,  was  most  acceptable.  He  asked  me  if  I  accepted  it;  I 
answered  yes,  and  treated  him  most  courteously."  *  ^ 

Here,  in  a  few  words,  is  the  plain,  unvarnished  account  of  a  transaction 
which  threatened  at  the  time  to  disrupt  the  congregation.  It  is  within  a 
Bishop's  province,  as  it  is  his  bounden  duty,  to  warn,  reprimand  and  to  punish 
with  censures,  if  necessary,  his  clergy,  who  are  negligent,  or  who  prove  a 
stumbling  block  to  their  people,  and  this  duty  of  giving  warning  Bishop 
O'Reilly  had  performed  on  the  preceding  ist  of  March,  the  outcome  of  which 
was  the  voluntary  resignation  of  Father  Brady. 

Father  Brady  founded  the  first  parochial  school  in  Middletown  in  1849. 
Mr.  Andrew  Cody,  a  classical  scholar  from  Fermoy  College,  County  Cork, 
Ireland,  was  the  first  master  of  the  school,  which  position  he  retained  until 
his  death,  in  1866.  He  was  assisted  for  many  years  by  two  sisters,  Isabella 
A.  and  Helen  G.  Fagan. 

Rev.  Louis  Mangan  became  the  pastor  of  St.  John's  parish  on  April 
22,  1855.  He  maintained  this  relationship  until  his  death  in  November,  1857, 
when  the  Rev.  James  Lynch,  "a  man  of  ability  and  enterprise,"  was  appointed 
his  successor.  For  fifteen  years  Father  Lynch  was  the  faithful,  devoted  pastor 
of  St.  John'.s.  In  that  time  he  liquidated  the  debt  of  the  church,  completed 
the  spire  in  1864,  placed  a  large  bell  in  the  tower,  and  had  the  church  frescoed 
in  the  most  artistic  manner.  He  erected  the  parochial  residence  and  convent, 
introduced  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  as  teachers  of  the  school,  and  purchased  the 
cemetery.  This  tract  of  land  was  on  Johnson  street,  and  was  secured  from 
Michael  H.  Griffin  in  1865,  and  blessed  in  the  same  year.  Father  Lynch's 
kindness  and  zeal,  his  unobtrusive  manner,  and  his  profound  sympathy  with 
the  people  won  for  him  an  abiding  place  in  the  hearts  of  all.  When  he  was 
transferred  to  Waterbury,  to  succeed  Father  Hendricken,  who  had  become 
Bishop  of  Providence,  he  was  followed  early  in  1873  by  the  Rev.  Edward  J. 
O'Brien,  who  resigned  his  pa.storate  in  1876.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
Francis  P.  O'Keefe.  Father  O'Keefe  organized  the  mission  at  Cromwell  and 
remodeled  the  main  altar  of  the  church. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  317 

The  Rev.  Denis  Desmond  followed  Father  O'Keefe  in  October,  1881. 
Father  Desmond  liquidated  the  debt  that  remained  on  the  cemetery  and  spire, 
introduced  steam  heat  into  the  church,  convent  and  pastoral  residence,  had 
new  and  beautiful  stained-glass  windows  put  in  the  church,  and  in  1883 
secured  the  tract  of  land  south  of  the  cemetery,  which  he  had  laid  out  for 
burial  purposes.  After  a  successful  pastorate  of  three  years  and  seven  mouths 
Father  Desmond  died  at  Middletown  in  April,  1885. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Bernard  O'Reilly  Sheiidan,  succeeded 
to  the  administration  of  St.  John's  on  May  i,  1885.  In  July  of  that  j-ear  Father 
Sheridan  began  the  work  of  thoroughly  renovating  the  church,  within  and 
without.  The  roof  was  reslated  ;  new  stained-glass  was  placed  in  every  win- 
dow, even  the  smallest;  handsome  altars  were  erected  in  place  of  the  former 
ones;  and  new  pews  and  confessionals  added  to  the  beauty  of  the  interior — 
all  accomplished  at  an  outlay  of  $25,000.  The  renewed  edifice  was  reopened 
with  impressive  ceremonies  on  October  12,  1885.  Pontifical  Mass  was  cele- 
brated by  Bishop  McMahon. 

The  zeal  of  Father  Sheridan  was  now  directed  to  the  entire  liquidation 
of  the  indebtedness  which  the  recent  extensive  improvements  had  entailed. 
Having  accomplished  this  end,  the  crowning  event  of  his  pastorate,  as  it  is  the 
crowning  event  in  the  life  of  any  pastor,  came  on  September  10,  1886,  when 
his  beautiful  church,  unencumbered  by  financial  obligations,  was  with  great 
pomp  and  solemnity  consecrated  forever  to  divine  service.  It  was  a  day  on 
which  the  faithful  people  truly  rejoiced  and  were  glad,  for  they  were  the  pos- 
sessors of  a  temple  upqn  which  no  profane  hand  would  ever  fall. 

The  Most  Rev.  M.  A.  Corrigau,  Archbishop  of  New  York,  officiated  at 
the  ceremony  of  consecration,  and  the  Rev.  Edward  McGlynn,  D.D.,  preached 
the  sermon.  Of  the  Pontifical  Mass  which  followed.  Bishop  McMahon  was 
the  celebrant,  with  the  following  clergy  assisting  :  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes, 
V.  G.,  arch-priest ;  Rev.  Thomas  Broderick,  deacon  ;  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons, 
sub-deacon  ;  Rev.  Michael  F.  Kelly  and  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  masters  of 
ceremonies  at  the  consecration  services  and  at  the  Mass.  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Conroy  oflficiated  at  Pontifical  Vespers,  with  Very  Rev.  M.  McCabe,  of  Woon- 
socket,  as  assistant  priest. 

The  handsome  and  commodious  parochial  school  was  begun  in  1887. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon,  and  the  oration  on  the 
occasion  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  H.  Kinnerney,  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  The 
blessing  of  the  new  school  took  place  in  September,  1888,  the  officiating 
prelate  being  Bishop  McMahon,  and  the  orator  the  Rev.  Dr.  Conaty,  at 
present  rector  of  the  Catholic  University  of  America  at  Washington.  The 
school  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  ^30,000,  and  when  opened  was  free  from 
debt..  Besides  these  greater  works.  Father  Sheridan  erected  a  brown-stone 
chapel  in  the  cemetery  on  the  site  of  the  old  brick  chapel,  built  an  archway 
between  the  church  and  school,  placed  a  handsome  granite  coping  and 
new  flagging  around  the  rectory  grounds,  purchased  a  new  house  for  the 
janitor  and  another  dwelling  east  of  the  convent,  improved  and  beautified 
the  convent  property,  renovated  the  rectory  and  ptirchased  several  lots  on 


318  THE   CATHOLIC   CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

north   Main  street — works  that  speak  eloqnently  for  the  activity  and  the 
financial  ability  of  the  pastor. 

St.  Coleman's  church  at  Middlefield,  a  mission  church,  was  also  built 
during  Father  Sheridan's  administration  in  1887,  site  and  building  costing 
$3500,  all  of  which  was  liquidated  wlien  the  church  was  completed.  Mass  is 
said  here  every  Sunday.    'Die  Catholics  of  Middlefield  number  about  100  souls. 

As  stated  above,  the  first  Catholic  school  in  Middletown  opened  in  1849, 
in  charge  of  lay  teachers.  This  arrangement  continued  until  1866,  when  it 
passed  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Education,  thus  becoming  one  of  the 
public  schools  of  the  city.  On  May  10,  1872,  during  the  pastorate  of  Father 
Lynch,  .seven  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Funis,  County  Clare,  Ireland,  came  to 
Middletown  at  the  invitation  of  Bishop  McFarland,  and  took  possession  of  the 
new  convent.  They  assumed  charge  of  the  parochial  school,  and  opened  an 
academy  for  young  ladies  which  acquired  a  just  fame  for  the  high  standard  of 
scholarship  there  maintained.  The  parochial  school  at  present  has  568  pupils, 
with  twelve  grades.  Mother  M.  Aloysius  is  the  Superioress  of  the  convent. 
Results  the  most  gratifying  are  secured  in  St.  John's  school.  Its  graduates 
pass  with  no  difficulty  to  the  high  school,  and  while  there,  reflect  honor  on  the 
school  that  laid  the  foundation  upon  which  their  higher  education  is  builded. 

The  clerg)'  who  assist  Father  Sheridan  in  his  parochial  labors  are  the 
Rev.  P.  J.  McGivuey  and  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Walsh. 

When  the  first  Mass  was  said  in  Middletown  there  were  between  thirty- 
five  and  forty  Catholics  to  kneel  before  the  altar  ;  when  the  church  was  built 
in  1843  the  Catholic  population  had  increased  to  300  or  400 ;  at  present  the 
number  of  .souls  is  estimated  at  3700,  comprising  Irish,  French,  Germans, 
Poles,  Portuguese  and  Italians. 

Tlie  baptismal  records  of  St.  John's  parish  show  that  from  1845  to  June, 
1 898,  the  sacrament  of  baptism  was  administered  8949  times ;  and  the  marriage 
records  testify  that  1897  marriages  were  solemnized  within  the  same  period. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S   PARISH, 
Chester. 

7"^ H FOSTER  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1836.  In  1850  we  note  the 
I  \y  beginnings  of  Catholicity.  Among  the  pioneers  who  settled  here 
^^  ^  about  this  time  were  John  Barry,  David  Flyun,  John  Baker, 
Leonard  Baker,  Daniel  Duggan,  William  O'Connor  and  John 
l)aily.  In  1850  these  sons  of  Holy  Church  invited  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  of 
Hartford,  to  come  and  miuLster  to  them  the  con.solations  of  religion.  He 
visited  Chester  in  respon.se  to  their  urgent  call  and  said  Mass  in  a  private 
house  in  the  .same  year  ;  about  twenty-five  persons  received  the  blessings  of 
that  service.  The  house  in  which  this  Mass  was  said  was  afterwards  owned 
and  occupied  by  Fisk  Shailer.  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  came  in  1851,  and  the  people 
having  .secured  Rechabite  Hall,  through  the  liberal  dispositions  of  its  owners, 
said  Mass  there  for  the  first  time.  The  privilege  of  holding  divine  services  in 
this  hall  was  a  boon  highly  prized  and  for  which  the  Catholics  have  ever  been 
grateful.    Rechabite  Hall  was  used  until  the  erection  of  St.  Joseph's  church. 


REV.  RICHARD  C.  GRAGAN. 


REV.  ANDREW   F.   HARTY, 


REV.  JOHN  WALSH. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  319 

Having  been  informed  of  the  presence  here  of  this  congregation,  Bishop 
O'Reilly  appointed  the  Rev.  John  Lynch  their  pastor  in  1852,  with  Saybrook, 
Clinton  and  Branford  as  deiDendencies.  In  1853  there  were  ten  Catholic 
families  in  Chester  and  about  forty  unmarried  persons. 

In  the  fall  of  1852,  Father  Lynch  secured  through  the  agency  of  Judge 
Vinal  the  present  church  lot,  paying  therefor  $600,  and  in  1855  began  the 
erection  of  old  St.  Joseph's  church,  which  was  completed  in  the  same  year. 
During  these  years.  Father  Lynch' s  residence  was  on  Maple  street.  About 
the  end  of  1856,  he  transferred  the  pastoral  residence  to  Guilford,  from 
which  Chester,  Branford  and  Clinton  were  attended.  In  1856,  Chester  was 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Branford,  the  pastor  of  which  was  the  Rev. 
William  Clarke.  In  1865  it  was  severed  from  Colchester  by  the  Rev.  P. 
Creighton,  who  attended  it  for  about  two  years,  when  late  in  1867  it  reverted 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Branford.  The  pastors  of  Branford  visited  Chester 
frequently  until  1876,  when  the  Rev.  Pliilip  Sheridan  was  appointed  the  first 
resident  pastor  with  Saybrook  as  a  mission.  His  period  of  service  ended 
with  his  death  in  1883.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Synuott,  who 
assumed  charge  in  April  of  the  same  year.  Father  Synnott  built  the  pastoral 
residence  and  St.  John's  church  at  Saybrook,  at  an  expenditure  of  $9,500,  the 
former  at  $5,000  and  the  latter  at  $4,500;  and  when  in  April,  1886,  he  was 
transferred  to  Ansonia,  he  had  not  only  liquidated  the  indebtedness  incurred 
by  the  construction  of  these  two  buildings,  but  left  to  his  successor  a  balance 
in  the  treasury. 

The  Rev.  Father  Skelly  became  Father  Synnott' s  successor.  Among  the 
material  works  which  marked  his  administration,  were  the  erection  of  St. 
Peter's  church  at  Higganum ;  the  removal  of  old  St.  Joseph's  church  and 
the  construction  on  its  site  of  the  present  edifice  in  1891  ;  the  purchase  of  a 
lot  north  of  the  church  property,  which  he  transformed  into  a  park.  When 
Father  Skelly  was  transferred  to  Litchfield,  the  present  rector,  the  Rev. 
Andrew  F.  Harty,  became  his  successor  on  October  19,  1896.  Father  Harty 
attends  also  the  churches  in  Saybrook,  Essex  and  Higganum.  Mass  is  said  in 
Saybrook  three  times  a  month,  in  Essex  and  Higganum  once.  The  population 
of  the  missions  is  chiefly  Irish  and  is  constantly  decreasing.  When  Chester 
was  organized  into  a  parish,  the  number  of  Catholics  here  was  about  .seventy- 
five  ;  at  present  there  are  about  125  souls. 

The  parish  owns  a  fine  cemetery  which  was  purchased  in  1873  and  blessed 
by  Bishop  McFarland. 

Arduous,  indeed,  but  consoling  withal,  are  the  labors  of  these  missions. 
Higganum  is  ten  miles,  Saybrook  nine  and  Essex  four,  from  the  home  parish. 
What  with  the  Sunday  work  at  these  distant  missions — saying  Mass,  preach- 
ing, instructing  the  children  and  administering  the  sacraments,  the  long 
drives  soon  make  inroads  upon  a  priest's  health.  But  zeal  for  God's  honor 
and  glory  recognizes  no  fatigue  ;  to  spend  and  to  be  spent  are  the  all-absorbing 
desires  of  the  priest  who  is  a  true  father  to  his  flock  ;  but  when  the  labors  of 
the  pastor  are  recognized  with  such  grateful  appreciation  as  at  Chester,  no 
work  is  too  exhausting,  no  sacrifice  too  great. 


320  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ST.  JOHN'S  PARISH, 
^^  Cromwell. 

*IVE  years  before  Cromwell  received  its  civic  incorporation  Catholic  set. 
tiers  had  established  homes  here.  Micliael  Dowlinc^,  Elizabeth  Kellv 
and  Patrick  Byrne  arrived  in  1846,  and  of  this  trio,  Elizabeth  Kelly 
still  survives.  Of  the  Germans,  John  Myer  was  the  first  Catholic  resident, 
comin<)j  in  1S57.  In  1S47  was  solemnized  the  first  Catholic  marria<je  in 
Cromwell,  that  of  John  Ryan  and  Mary  Moran,  and  their  daughter,  Sarah,  was 
the  first  Catholic  child  to  receive  baptism,  April  10,  1848.  In  their  family, 
also,  occurred  the  first  death,  that  of  their  infant  daughter,  Anna,  in  i860. 

As  Cromwell  originally  belonged  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Middletown,  the. 
Catholics  of  this  place  attended  divine  services  at  St.  John's  church,  until 
June  3,  1877,  when  the  fir.st  Mass  celebrated  in  Cromwell  was  said  by  the 
Rev.  Francis  P.  O'Keefe  in  Stephens'  Hall.  At  that  time  there  were  about 
350  Catholics  in  Cromwell,  of  Irish  and  German  extraction,  in  the  proportion 
of  about  four  to  one.  Besides  the  attendance  given  by  the  pastor  to  the 
Catholics  of  Cromwell,  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  iVIiddletown  became  effi- 
cient auxiliaries  in  teaching  the  children  the  salutary  truths  of  faith. 

The  Rev.  John  H.  Ryan,  D.D.,  became  the  first  resident  pastor  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1880,  with  jurisdiction  over  Rocky  Hill  and  Kensington.  According 
to  the  census  taken  that  year,  there  were  400  souls  in  the  parish.  The  people 
continued  to  gather  in  Stephens'  Hall  for  divine  services  under  Dr.  Rvan's 
administration.  He  purchased  the  present  church  property,  remodeled  the 
house  that  stood  on  the  premises,  and  had  begun  the  excavation  of  the  base- 
ment of  the  new  church,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  F.  Mur- 
phy in  July,  1 88 1.  In  that  year  the  corner-.stoue  of  the  church  was  laid,  and 
the  ceremony  of  dedication  was  performed  by  Bishop  Mc]\Iahon  on  .\pril  22, 
1883.  The  church  is  an  attractive,  substantial  structure  with  a  seating  capa- 
city of  500.  Father  Murphy's  work  in  Cromwell  may  be  estimated  when  it 
is  stated  that,  besides  building  the  church,  he  erected  the  present  handsome 
pastoral  residence,  and  made  other  improvements  which  greatly  enhanced 
the  value  of  the  parochial  propert)'. 

Rev.  William  Gibbons  succeeded  Father  Murphy,  who  was  transferred 
to  Mystic,  in  September  1895.  Remaining  eight  months,  he  was  followed 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Shelly  in  May,  1896.  Father  Shelly  served  the  parish 
eighteen  months,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  parish,  Waterbury.  His  successor  is  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  . 
John  Fitzgerald.  The  population  of  St.  John's  parish  is  513  souls,  of  Irish 
and  German  extraction,  in  the  proportion  of  three  to  one.  Since  his  advent 
Father  Fitzgerald  has  liquidated  the  indebtedness  of  the  parish. 

In  the  first  decade  after  the  organization  of  the  parish,  the  number  of 
baptisms  was  25c  and  the  marriages  55  ;  in  the  second  decade  200  baptisms 
were  conferred  and  31  marriages  solemnized. 

The  meuibeis  of  St.  John's  are  chiefly  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
devoted  to  the  church  and  most  attentive  to  their  religious  duties. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  321 

Rocky  Hill,  formerly  attached  to  East  Hartford,  is  attended  by  Father 
Fitzgerald,  as  it  had  previously  been  served  by  his  predecessors  from  the  for- 
mation of  the  Cromwell  parish.  The  church  here,  a  frame  building  with 
brick  basement,  was  erected  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Murphy,  and 
dedicated  in  honor  of  St.  James  in  1880.  Its  seating  capacity  is  300.  Free 
from  financial  obligations,  the  church  is  a  splendid  testimony  to  the  faith 
and  generosity  of  the  people.     Mass  is  said  here  every  Sunday. 

In  the  home  of  Michael  Kelly,  Rev.  Louis  Mangan  celebrated  the  first 
Mass  said  in  Rock)-  Hill.  No  little  uncertainty  surrounds  the  dates  of  the 
first  marriage,  baptism  and  death.  John  Halligan  was  the  first  child  born 
and  baptized  here,  and  John  Grimes  the  first  child  claimed  by  death.  The 
oldest  residents  assign  these  events  to  the  year  1848.  The  baptismal  records 
show  seventy  baptisms  and  nineteen  marriages  in  the  first  decade. 

ST.   MARY'S  PARISH, 
Portland. 

•''i  HATH  AM,  now  Portland,  was  part  of  Middletown  until  October,  1767. 
I  V^     In  that  year  it  was  granted  separate  rights  and  given  the  name  Chat- 

V»^__^  ham,  after  the  town  in  England  of  that  name,  famous  for  its  ship- 
building. 
The  earliest  Catholic  services  in  this  vicinity  were  held  at  Portland. 
The  second  priest  to  reside  in  Connecticut,  Rev.  James  Fitton,  said  Mass  and 
discharged  in  other  ways  his  priestly  office  in  Portland  in  1830.  His  suc- 
cessor in  Hartford,  the  Rev.  Peter  Walsh,  came  to  Middletown  in  the  spring 
of  1836,  with  the  intention  to  arrange  for  monthly  services.  He  arrived  on 
a  Sunday  afternoon  at  Middletown,  and  learning  that  the  greater  number  of 
Catholics  resided  across  the  river,  he  went  to  Portland  to  secure  a  suitable 
place  in  which  to  assemble  the  people.  Being  unsuccessful  in  his  search  for 
a  house  or  a  hall,  he  finally  secured  the  use  of  a  barn  from  a  Captain  Worth- 
ington  on  Main  street.  With  his  devoted  little  band  he  repaired  to  the  place 
on  the  following  morning,  but  found  the  doors  of  the  barn  bolted  against 
them.  Receiving  no  reasons  for  this  change  of  attitude.  Father  Walsh  was 
about  to  gather  his 'flock,  as  his  brethren  in  the  priesthood  had  done  before 
in  those  days,  beneath  the  overspreading  boughs  of  a  large  tree,  when  a 
neighbor  of  Captain  Worthington,  Joseph  Myrick,  graciously  extended  the 
hospitality  of  his  house.  Here  the  Divine  Mysteries  were  celebrated.  The 
Divine  Victim  of  the  sacrifice  rewarded  his  servant  for  his  generous  act,  and 
Joseph  Myrick  became  the  first  convert  to  the  faith  in  Middlesex  county.' 
From  this  time  till  1845,  Father  Walsh,  Father  Brady,  Sr.,  and  Father  Brady, 

'  In  this  connection  the  following  marriage  record  will  not  be  without  interest : 

Benjamin  J.  Myrick  ~\      ''  August  the  7th,  1S31 :    Married,  Mr.  Benjamin  James  Myrick, 
to  |- of  Chatham,  Ct.,  to  Mrs.  Eleanor  Strong,  of  Hartford.  Witnesses 

Mrs.  Eleanor  Strong.  )  present,  i\Ir.  Daniel  Donevan  and  Lady.  B.  0'Cavan.\gh." 

The  reader  will  notice  that  this  marriage  took  place  nearly  five  years  before  the  above- 
mentioned  event. 
II — 21 


322  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Jr.,  visited  Portland  frequently,  until  the  appointment  of  Rev.  John  Brady, 
Jr.,  as  the  first  resident  pastor  of  Middletown.  Tiienceforth  until  1872,  the 
Catholics  of  Portland  went  to  Middletown  to  Mass  and  were  attended  by  the 
pastor  of  that  place.  The  first  marriage  solemnized  by  Rev.  John  Brady,  Sr., 
is  the  followin<^  taken  from  the  record  of  marriages  preserved  at  St.  Patrick's 
church,  Hartford. 

"  Ch.^tham. 
fSjS.    January  28 :     MarrieJ,  Martin  Degan  to  Bridget  Ryan.     Witnesses:    Martin 
Degan  and  Bridget  Mulhern.  John  Brady." 

St.  Mary's  parish  was  formed  in  1872,  and  the  first  resident  pastor.  Rev. 
William  K.  Duffy,  assumed  char<;e  on  August  Stli  of  that  year.  Father  Duffy 
secured  Waverly  Hall,  in  which  he  held  divine  services  for  some  time ;  after- 
wards moving  to  a  building  owned  by  John  Bransfield,  where  the  congregation 
worshiped  until  the  church  was  completed.  It  was  Father  Duffy's  purpose  to 
build  a  church,  and  to  this  end  he  had  purchased  the  site  on  which  the  present 
edifice  stands  ;  but  death  intervened.     Father  Duffy  died  on  August  30,  1876. 

The  Rev.  Deuis  Desmond  was  appointed  Father  Duffy's  successor,  and  on 
October  i,  1876,  assumed  charge.  The  erection  of  the  church  first  occupied 
Father  Desmond's  attention,  and  within  a  mouth  after  his  arrival  ground  was 
broken.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  April  15,  1877.  Bishop  Galberry 
officiated  at  the  ceremony  assisted  by  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  of  Meriden, 
and  Rev.  Flor.  De  Bruckyer,  of  Willi mautic,  as  deacons  of  honor.  The  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  of  Hartford. 

The  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  during  the  administration  of 
Father  Desmond,  who  built  also  the  pastoral  residence.  His  successor,  the 
Rev.  John  Flemming,  followed  on  September  2,  18S1.  St.  Mary's  cemetery  was 
purchased  during  his  pastorate,  which  terminated  in  1885.  Rev.  Joseph  Glee- 
son  then  became  pastor  of  St.  Mary's.  Father  Gleeson  introduced  the  Sisters 
of  Mercy  into  the  parish,  organized  the  parochial  school,  purchased  a  fine  estate 
adjoining  the  parish  property  and  transformed  the  dwelling  thereon  into  a  home 
for  the  Sisters.  Appointed  to  Thompsonville,  Father  Gleeson  was  followed 
by  the  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Tinioth)-  R.  Sweeney,  on  January  31,  1889. 

Among  the  parochial  works  which  Father  Sweeney  has  accomplished  are 
the  liquidation  of  the  indebtedness,  which  he  found  on  assuming  the  pas- 
torate, $3,400;  the  remodeling  of  the  pastoral  residence,  and  otiierwise  im- 
proving the  parish  buildings;  the  grading  of  the  grounds  about  the  church 
and  rectory;  the  placing  of  an  $800  bell  in  the  church  tower  on  May  8,  1890, 
on  which  occasion  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick,  of  Hartford,  pronounced  the  oration; 
the  erection  of  a  parochial  school,  which  was  blessed  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
Rev.  Walter  Elliott,  C.S.P.,  preaching  the  sermon,  on  November  27,  1890. 

With  its  .sister  schools  of  the  diocese,  St.  ^Mary's  is  doing  splendid  work  for 
the  church  and  the  state.  Its  graduates  reflect  honor  upon  their  instructors  and 
:=erve  well  the  state  of  which  they  become  useful  citizens.  The  training  they 
here  receive  qualifies  them  to  enter  into  the  battle  of  life  well  equipped  against 
the  dangers  that  surround  them.  Five  si.sters  are  in  charge,  having  under 
their  tuition  178  pupils.     Sister  M.  Ignatius  is  the  superioress  of  the  convent 


(bl  HE 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  323 

ST.  PATRICK'S  (MISSION)  CHURCH, 
East  Hampton. 


_  HE  Rev.  Patrick  Creighton,  of  Colchester,  wa.s  the  first  priest  to  attend 
jl  the  faithful  of  East  Hampton.  He  began  his  visitations  in  1857  and 
offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  the  house  of  William  Wall. 
The  name  of  Patrick  O'Connell  appears  prominent  among  tlie  early  Catho- 
lics, as  on  May  23,  1865,  he  transferred  to  Bishop  McFarland  a  half  acre  of 
land  for  $100,  upon  which  St.  Patrick's  church  was  built.  The  church  was 
completed  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  McCarten  in  i86g.  East  Hampton 
became  a  dependency  of  Portland  in  1872,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Father  Duffy.  Father  Desmond  enlarged  the  church  in  June,  1878,  and  on 
August  nth  of  that  year,  it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Galberry,  assisted  by 
Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  V.G.,  Rev.  J.  S.  Fitzpatrick,  and  Rev.  Flor.  De 
Bruckyer.  The  Solemn  High  Mass  which  followed  the  dedication  ceremonies 
was  celebrated  by  Father  De  Bruckyer,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by 
Father  Fitzpatrick.     Over  2,000  persons  assisted  at  the  ceremony. 

In  1895,  Father  Sweeney  purchased  a  fine  lot,  and  having  paid  the  cost  of 
it,  $5,000,  began  the  erection  of  the  church  on  May  i,  i8g6.  The  new  edifice 
was  dedicated  on  February  14,  1897,  by  Bishop  Tierney ;  the  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Rev.  Thomas  Campbell,  S.J.,  president  of  St.  John's  College,  Fordham. 
The  church  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity,  one  half  of  the  congregation  being 
non-Catholics.  After  the  ceremony  Bishop  Tierney  addressed  words  of  congratu- 
lation to  the  parishioners  upon  the  self-sacrificing  spirit  manifested  in  the  erec- 
tion of  the  church,  after  which  he  imparted  to  the  assemblage  his  benediction. 
St.  Patrick's  church  is  98  x  47  feet  with  a  spire  104  feet  high,  and  accom- 
modates 400  persons. 


NEW  HAVEN  COUNTY. 


^^EW  HAVEN  COUNTY  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Litchfield  and 
Hartford  Counties;  on  the  east  by  Middlesex  County;  on  the  south 
by  Long  Island  Sound ;  and  on  the  west  by  Litchfield  County  and 
the  Housatonic  river.  From  north  to  south  it  is  about  21  miles 
in  width,  and  its  length  from  east  to  west  is  about  26  miles.  It  contains  546 
square  miles,  or  345,600  acres.  The  population  of  the  county  in  1820  was 
39,616;  in  1830,  43)847;  in  1890  it  was  209,058.  The  cities  and  towns  in 
which. there  are  Catholic  parishes  are  the  following : 

New  Haven,  Guilford,  Seymour, 

Ansonia,  Meriden,  South  Meriden, 

Branford,  Milford,  Wallingford, 

Derby,  Mount  Carmel,  Waterbury. 

Naugatuck. 


324  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH   IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

NFAV    HA  VEX. 

|IC\V  HAVEN  was  known  among  the  Indians  as  Quinnipiac,  and  by 
tiie  Diitcli,  who  were  here  some  years  before  the  English,  as  Red 
Ijs  ^^  ^  Moiin/,  so  called  from  the  appearance  of  East  and  West  Rocks.' 
In  1637  Mr.  Eaton  and  others  made  a  tour  of  exploration  to  Con- 
necticut. Selecting  Quinnipiac  as  the  place  of  their  settlement,  they  spent 
the  winter  in  a  miserable  hut  at  the  corner  of  Cluircli  and  George  streets.^ 
In  the  following  year,  on  March  30th,  the  Rev.  John  Davenport,  Theophilus 
Eaton  and  others  sailed  from  Boston  to  Quinnipiac,  where  they  arrived  on 
April  i8th.  Rev.  John  Davenport  was  a  vigorous  opponent  of  the  Catholic 
church,  as  were  the  Puritans  of  his  day.  They  deemed  it  a  privilege  in  their 
public  declarations  to  associate  "  Popery  "  with  the  devil,  tyranny  and  idola- 
tr)'.  Nevertheless,  John  Davenport's  nephew,  Christopher  Davenport,  re- 
nounced Puritanism,  entered  the  Catliolic  cliurch,  became  a  student  at  the 
famous  seat  of  learning,  Douai  College,  in  1651,  entered  the  novitiate  of  the 
Flemish  Franciscans  at  Ypres,  October  7,  1657,  and  was  enrolled,  October 
18,  1658,  as  a  Fvauciscau  Friar,  taking  the  name  in  religion  of  Francis  a 
Sancta  Clara. ^ 

Thirteen  years  after  the  advent  of  John  Davenport  there  came  into  New 
Haven  the  first  Catholics  to  tread  the  soil  of  Connecticut.  One  was  a  priest 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  the  Rev.  Gabriel  Druillettes  ;  the  other  a  legal  lumi- 
nary, Mons.  Godefroy.  They,  with  their  retinue,  all  Catholics,  arrived  in 
New  Haven  about  September  2d  or  4th,  165 1,  and  remained  .some  days  in 
convention  with  the  venerable  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New 
England,  to  whom  they  had  been  sent  as  ambassadors  from  Canada. 

The  expedition  against  Cape  Breton  in  1745  resulted  in  the  capture  of 
that  place  with  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  many  of  whom  were  brought  to 
New  Haven  and  jilaced  in  the  custody  of  Samuel  Miles.  By  an  act  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  July  of  the  same  year.  Miles  was  ordered  to  convey  his 
prisoners  to  the  care  of  Joseph  Whiting,  Esq.,  also  of  New  Haven.  These 
prisoners  were  Catholics;  but  it  is  of  no  practical  benelit  to  speculate  as  to 
their  spiritual  fate.  The  legislation  of  the  time,  and  the  spirit  then  prevail- 
ing, were  hostile  to  the  faith  they  professed,  and  though  every  means,  no 
doubt,  were  employed  to  estrange  them  from  their  cherished  belief,  yet  it  is 
our  privilege,  as  it  is  our  hope,  to  believe  tliat  they  remained  steadfast  to  the 
creed  of  their  baptism. 

Eleven  years  later  New  Haven  received  nineteen  Acadians — all  children 
of  the  ancient  Churcli — its  quota,  as  establi.shed  by  the  General  As.sembly  of 
January,  1756.  They  were  faithful,  devoted  Catholics,  otherwise  they  would 
not  have  been  exiles  ;  but  deprived  of  priest  and  church,  of  the  Mass  and  the 
sacraments  and  instruction,  living  in  the  midst  of  a  people  antagonistic  to 
their  dearest  possession,  their  faith,  a  sense  of  fear  steals  over  us  that,  though 

'  Barber's  Historical  Collections. 

» Historical  Collections. 

'  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Sliahan's  Pamphlet,  Christopher  Davenport. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  325 

the  fathers  and  mothers  were  not  attracted  by  an  alien  creed,  their  children 
eventnally  yielded  to  influences  which,  taken  in  every  respect,  were  bitterly 
and  inexplicably  anti-Catholic. 

Thenceforth,  the  records  are  silent  concerning  the  presence  of  Catholics 
in  New  Haven  until  January  28,  1796.  As  told  elsewhere  in  these  pages,  a 
French  priest  visited  here  and  took  up  lodgings  at  Mr.  Azel  Kimberley's 
residence  on  Cliapel  street,  probably  to  care  for  the  spiritual  interests  of  the 
numerous  French  refugees  who  had  gathered  here,  as  well  as  at  New  London 
and  Hartford,-  at  the  end  of  the  last  century,  victims  of  the  San  Domingan 
insurrection.  It  may  be  inferred  that  this  priest  said  Mass  during  his  sojourn 
in  New  Haven,  and  that  the  published  notice  of  his  presence  brought  a 
goodly  number  who  profited  by  his  ministry. 

Bishop  Cheverus,  of  Boston,  active,  ceaseless  in  labor,  an  apostolic  man, 
seeking  ever  the  extension  of  the  Kingdom  of  God  on  earth,  was  the  next 
representative  of  the  priesthood  to  visit  New  Haven.  He  came  in  1823,  and 
offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  on  York  street,  at  the  residence  of  a 
French  professor  of  Yale  College.  Catholicity  had  now  come  to  stay,  to  re- 
main a  permanent  and  beneficent  factor  in  the  city's  life.  The  prayer  of  the 
saintly  bishop  that  religion  might  flourish  here  has  received  an  answer  which 
even  those  who  cannot  see  may  read. 

The  next  priest  to  visit  New  Haven  was  Very  Rev.  John  Power,  Vicar- 
General  of  the  diocese  of  New  York.  He  had  ministered  to  the  spiritual 
wants  of  the  Catholics  on  the  Enfield  Canal  near  Windsor  Locks,  in  August 
and  October,  1827,  and  on  his  return  from  one  of  these  visits  remained  over 
Sunday  in  New  Haven.  At  this  time  there  stood  near  the  head  of  Long 
wharf  a  little  chapel,  which  had  Ijeen  erected  and  used  b\-  the  Protestants  as 
a  seamen's  Bethel.  The  committee  who  had  charge  of  the  building  were 
appealed  to  for  permission  to  occupy  it  at  an  early  hour  on  Sunday.  The 
application  was  refused  with  the  reply  :  "We  have  no  Popery  now  in  New 
Haven,  and  we  don't  want  any."  In  this  emergency  the  Catholics  secured 
the  only  available  building,  a  bar-room;  the  bar  was  closed  and  concealed 
from  view  by  blankets,  and  a  few  benches  were  brought  in  as  seats  for  the 
little  congregation;  amid  these  humble  surroundings  was  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
offered  by  the  Vicar-General  of  New  York. 

On  July  13,  1829,  Rev.  R.  D.  Woodley,  of  Providence,  .set  out  from  Hart- 
ford for  New  Haven,  and  on  the  following  morning  said  Mass  and  adminis- 
tered the  sacraments  in  a  barn  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  Chapel  and 
Chestnut  streets,  then  called  "  Sliny's  Corner."  "The  barn  was  in  such  a 
dilapidated  condition  that  the  wind  whistled  through  the  crevices  of  the  walls, 
and  the  good  people  tiiought  it  miraculous  that  the  candles  on  the  altar  were 
not  extinguished  by  the  lively  gusts.  Here  some  of  our  leading  Catholic 
residents  were  baptized."  During  this  visit  Father  Woodley  baptized  two 
persons.  About  this  time,  there  came  to  New  Haven  one  who  had  acquired 
no  little  degree  of  local  celebrity,  George  Gabriel.  He  was  of  Catholic  ante- 
cedents, no  doubt,  as  he  was  a  descendant  of  a  Frenchman  who  came  over 
with  Lafayette.     He  opened  a  grocery  store  near  the  college,  but  afterwards. 


326  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

engaged  in  tlie  fancy  goods  business.  He  accumulated  a  fortune,  chiefly  by 
mending  canes,  umbrellas  and  parasols,  at  which  trade  he  was  very  proficient. 
He  bequeathed  $\o,ooo  to  Yale  College,  $15,000  to  Yale  Divinity  School, 
besides  leaving  large  sums  to  various  charities. 

The  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh,  who  took  up  his  residence  at  Hartford 
on  August  26,  1829,  as  the  first  resident  priest  of  Connecticut,  visited  Xew 
Haven  on  Sunday,  December  21,  of  that  year,  and  said  Mass  in  the  house  of 
a  Mr.  Newman.  Father  O'Cavanagh  returned  to  New  Haven  on  December 
31,  and  on  January  1,  1830,  celebrated  Mass,  preached  and  administered  the 
sacraments  at  the  residence  of  a  Mr.  McGrath.  He  remained  here  three  days, 
intending  to  visit  Xew  London,  but  circumstances  called  him  to  Hartford  on 
Januar\'  4th.  Father  O'Cavauagh's  ne.xt  missionary  visit  was  on  Saturday, 
April  17,  1830,  when  he  said  Mass  and  preached  twice  in  Union  church,  near 
the  city,  heard  the  confessions  of  many  and  baptized  two  children.  On  June 
17th  he  united  in  marriage  Patrick  Shea,  of  New  Haven,  and  Hulda  Cath- 
arina  Whaley,  of  Waterbur>.  In  its  issue  of  October  30,  1830,  The  Catholic 
Press  contained  this  notice: 

"The  Catholics  residing  at  New  Haven  will  be  visited  by  their  pastor 
on  Friday,  the  5th  of  November." 

And  on  December  1 8th,  it  published  that 

"The  Catholics  at  New  Haven  will  be  visited  by  their  pastor  on  the 
23d  inst." 

The  earliest  recorded  marriages  of  Catholics  solemnized  at  New  Haven 
are  the  following,  taken  from  the  Marriage  Record.  The  entries  are  in  the 
beautiful  penmanship  of  Father  Fitton,  but  are  signed  by  Father  O'Cavanagh. 

Philip  Slevin     ")      iSjr,   January  i<)tli.      Married,    Philip   Slevin   to  Ann    McGrath. 

and  y  \Vitne.sse.s  :  John  McGrath,  Daniel  and  Mrs.  Donevan. 

Ann  McGrath.     )  B.  0'Cav.^n.\<;h. 

Rog'  Kennedy    ")     January  24th.       Married,    Roger   Kennedy  to   Bridget   McGrath. 
and  >  Witnesses  :  Daniel  and  Mrs.  Donevan. 

Bridget  McGrath.  )  B.  ()'Cav.\nagh. 

The  trials  experienced  by  the  pioneers  of  Catholicity  in  New  Haven  are 
thus  described  by  one  of  them  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  :  "When  we  heard  that 
a  church  had  been  purchased  at  Hartford,  and  was  about  to  have  a  priest,  we 
were  delighted.  The  appointment  gave  us  an  opportunity  of  having  Mass 
at  New  Haven  about  once  in  three  months,  and  happy  we  then  were  for  so 
<yreat  a  privilege.  Hearing  for  the  first  time  that  the  priest  was  about  to 
visit  us,  we  were  at  a  loss  to  know  where  we  could  find  a  place  for  offering 
the  Holy  Sacrifice.  After  many  efforts  to  secure  a  respectable  and  suitable 
place,  we  were  in  the  end  necessitated  to  take  up  with  an  old  barn,  which  we 
swept  and  fitted  up  the  best  we  could.  (This  was  on  the  occasion  of  Father 
Woodley's  visit,  July  13,  1 829).  By  the  next  visit  of  his  Reverence  we  rented 
a  room  from  a  German,  he  not  knowing  for  what  purpose  we  intended  it 
We  next  needed  a  few  benches ;  but  the  joiner,  hearing  what  we  wanted 
them  for,  refused  positively  to  make  them,  saying  that  '  they — his  fellow- 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  327 

townsmen — were  determined  to  put  down  that  religion,  at  least  in  Connecti- 
cut, whether  or  no.'  We  succeeded,  at  length,  in  finding  one  who  made  us 
a  few,  not  suspecting  the  place  for  which  they  were  intended  ;  but  as  soon  as 
as  he  found  out,  declared  'he  would  not  have  made  them  for  fifty  dollars  a 
piece  if  he  had  known  it  in  time.'  "  ' 

It  had  been  announced  in  Tlie  Catholic  Press  that  Father  Fitton  would 
visit  New  Haven  on  December  24,  1831,  and  that  midnight  Mass  would  be 
celebrated  on  Christmas  morning  at  12.30  at  the  residence  of  a  Mr.  Finnegau. 
The  writer  above  quoted,  thus  wrote  of  that  historic  event:"  "Whenever  we 
expected  the  priest  we  all  came  together  to  receive  him.  One  Saturday,  in 
particular,  it  was  the  eve  of  Christmas,  and,  anticipating  midnight  Mass,  we 
were  all  at  our  accustomed  place  of  meeting,  awaiting  his  arrival ;  but  he 
did  not  come.  We  were  certain  he  would  not  disappoint  us,  whilst,  at  the 
same  time,  we  could  not  account  for  his  delay.  At  length  we  concluded  to 
go  and  see  if  we  might  not  meet  him.  We  did  so,  and  met  him  on  the  road, 
about  four  miles  outside  of  New  Haven.  The  sleighing  from  Hartford  had 
been  good  part  of  the  way,  and  then  failed,  till  nothing  remained  but  bare 
ground,  and  his  horse  gave  out ;  the  distance  from  Hartford  to  this  city  is 
about  thirty-four  miles ;  but  the  good  priest,  not  wishing  to  disappoint  us, 
determined  to  walk  the  rest  of  the  way.  When  we  met  him  he  had  his  valise, 
containing  his  vestments,  etc.,  on  his  shoulders.  The  walking  being  rough 
and  frozen,  his  shoes  were  nearly  worn  out,  and  when  he  arrived  that  night 
he  was  scarcely  able  to  preach,  though  he  did  so  at  the  end  of  Mass,  after 
which  we  secured  a  conveyance  to  leave  him  where  he  had  left  his  horse,  for 
he  had  to  return  and  say  another  Mass  at  Hartford  the  same  day."  * 

The  writer  thus  concludes  his  reminiscences :  "There  is  another  little 
incident  that  occurs  to  my  mind  in  connection  with  the  early  establishment 
of  our  religion  at  this  place.  As  our  members  began  somewhat  to  increase,  I 
called  upon  a  certain  gentleman  who  owned  an  old  building  that  we  thought 
might  be  fitted  up  for  church  purposes,  but  neither  for  love  nor  money  would 
he  listen  to  our  proposition,  declaring  that  he  would  not  encourage  Catholi- 
city in  any  way.  We  felt  disappointed,  and  my  reply  to  him  was :  '  Sir,  I 
hope  that  you  and  I  may  live  to  see  Catholic  churches  in  this  city  with  spires 
as  high  as  any  of  yours.'  He  doubted  it  ;  but,  thank  God,  it  has  come  to 
pass ;  and  he  has  lived  to  see  our  splendid  churches  all  well  filled,  and  even 
crowded,  every  Sunday." 

Rev.  James  Fitton,  who  succeeded  Father  O'Cavanagh  as  the  second  pas- 
tor of  Hartford,  attended  New  Haven,  among  other  places,  at  regular  intervals 
until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  James  McDermot  as  resident  pastor  of  New 
Haven.  Among  the  marriages  solemnized  by  him,  and  the  first  marriage 
ceremony  by  him  performed  at  New  Haven,  was  recorded  as  follows : 

Corn.  DriscoU    ~)      1S32,  May  28th.    Married  at  New  Haven,  Cornelius  DriscoU  to  Jennet 

and  •  Twitchell.     Witnesses :  Ricard  England  and  Mary  Bowen. 

Jen't  Twitchell.  )  James  Fitton. 

»  Father  Fitton's  "  Sketches."  '  Ibid.  »  Jbid. 


328  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Other  dates  on  which  Father  Fittoii  visited  New  Haven  are,  Mondav, 
February  13,  1832  ;  Easter  Monday,  April  23d,  and  May  27th.  On  this  last 
occasion  services  were  "at  10  o'clock,  where  they  were  performed  on  last  visit 
near  the  New  Green." 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  New  Haven  was  the  Rev.  James  McDermot. 
He  offered  his  services  to  Bishop  Fenwick  on  September  2,  1831,  was  accepted 
and  sent  to  Montreal,  where  he  made  his  philosophical  studies.  He  received 
Minor  Orders  on  Februarj'  24,  1 832,  and  in  the  same  year  received  snb-deacon- 
ship,  deaconship  and  priesthood  on  August  i6th,  17th  and  19th  respectivelv. 
His  first  assignment  was  as  an  assistant  to  Father  Fitton  at  Hartford,  where 
he  arrived  on  September  i8th.  After  a  brief  term  of  service  in  this  capacity 
he  was  ap])ointed  to  New  Haven,  with  Bridgeport,  Waterbury,  Derby,  Nor- 
walk,  Danbury,  Meriden,  Middletown,  Goshen,  Tariffville  and  other  stations 
as  dependencies.  Among  tlie  prominent  Catliolics  who  resided  here  about 
this  time  were  James  Callaghan,  John  Connor,  James  Hayes,  an  engineer  on 
the  Farmington  canal,  Charles  Fagan  and  Patrick  Murphy,  of  State  street; 
in  all  they  formed  a  congregation  of  about  200. 

It  was  Father  McDermot's  desire,  as  it  was  the  ambition  of  his  people, 
to  build  a  church  in  which  they  could  assemble  regularly  and  with  comfort 
for  divine  worship.  To  this  end  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  York  and  Davenport 
streets,  on  which  St.  John's  church  now  stands,  was  secured  through  the 
instrumentalit)'  of  Mrs.  DriscoU,  a  Protestant,  whose  marriage  record  is  given 
above.  The  sum  paid  for  this  lot  was  $100,  and  on  May  14,  1833,  Bishop 
Fenwick  received  the  deed  for  the  same.  The  New  Haven  town  records 
show  other  real  estate  transactions.  On  May  9,  1833,  a  transfer  of  a  lot  on 
the  corner  of  Whiting  and  Hill  streets  was  made  by  Adolphus  Michael  Bague- 
lin  to  Bishop  Fenwick,  the  consideration  being  $450.  On  September  24, 
1833,  this  piece  of  land  was  given  to  Timothy  Ailing  in  exchange  for  a  lot 
on  the  corner  of  York  street  and  Davenport  avenue,  "adjoining  the  land 
owned  by  Jannett  DriscoU."  A  portion  of  this  land  was  set  apart  and  became 
the  first  Catholic  cemetery  in  New  Haven. 

On  the  lot  secured  on  May  14,  1833,  was  erected  the  first  Catholic  church 
in  the  city.  It  was  a  frame  building,  sixty  by  thirty-five  feet,  exclusive  of 
sacristy,  twenty-two  feet  high  to  the  plates,  exceedingly  neatly  furnished 
inside  and  out,  and  contained  one  gallery.  The  feast  of  the  Ascension,  May 
8,  1834,  was  the  date  assigned  for  its  dedication.  Bishop  Fenwick  arrived  at 
New  Haven  at  noon  on  May  7th,  and  as  he  notes  in  his  Journal,  "Was 
courteously  treated  by  a  servant  in  the  hotel,  named  Daniels."  During  the 
ceremony  of  dedication  a  distressing  accident  occurred,  which  the 'Bishop 
thus  described :  "May  8.  Said  early  Ma.ss  and  gave  communion.  A  great 
concourse  was  assembled  at  10  o.'clock,  consisting  of  Catholics  from 
all  the  adjacent  country,  and  a  very  great  number  of  Protestants  who 
were  attracted  merely  to  witness  the  ceremony,  from  New  Haven.  I 
went  to  the  church  at  10 ;  found  Fathers  McDermot  and  Fitton  there ; 
dressed  and  prepared  for  the  ceremony.  After  making  the  circuit  of  the 
church,  returned  to  the  altar;  was  hardly  arrived  when  the  gallery  behind 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  329 

gave  way  and  fell  with  all  its  incumbents  upon  the  mass  of  people  below. 
One  boy,  fourteen  years  old  was  instantly  killed,  and  several  others  were 
dreadfully  wounded  ;  of  these  one  died  in  the  course  of  the  day.  Both  of 
these  were  converts.'' ,  The  boy  who  was  killed  was  Abraham  Lloyd  Bryan  ; 
the  other  victim  was  his  grandfather,  Mr.  Hardyear,  of  West  Haven,  both 
brought  into  the  Church,  as  converts,  through  the  agency  of  the  famous  con- 
vert, Calvin  White.  As  the  blood  of  Hardyear  mingled  with  that  of  his 
grandson  in  the  church,  his  dying  request  was  that  they  should  be  interred  in 
the  same  grave.  They  were  buried  on  the  day  following  in  the  cemetery 
adjoining  the  church.  A  large  concourse  of  people  of  all  denominations  fol- 
lowed the  remains  to  the  grave  and  manifested  profound  sympathy.  Among 
the  sufferers  of  this  calamity  were  John  Conner,  of  Derby,  and  James  Calla. 
ghan,  who  was  on  the  point  of  removing  to  New  York,  but  delayed  his  jour- 
ney to  witness  the  ceremony.  Their  escape  from  being  crushed  was  almost 
miraculous,  for  they  were  both  caught  by  the  falling  gallery  near  the  spot 
where  the  greatest  pressure  was.  Of  the  Protestants  who  were  present  and 
received  serious  injury,  were  a  Mr.  Tomlinson,  Mrs.  Hinman,  wife  of  Deacon 
Scovill  Hinman,  Miss  Taylor,  daughter  of  Solomon  Taylor,  and  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  Collins,  all  of  New  Haven.  The  cause  of  the  disaster  was  ascribed 
to  the  carpenter  who  had  constructed  the  gallery.  According  to  the  original 
plan,  it  was  intended  there  should  be  two  Gothic  columns  to  support  it.  The 
carpenter,  however,  deemed  these  unnecessary,  and  in  lieu  thereof  undertook 
to  support  the  gallery  by  trussing. 

Fifteen  persons  had  been  prepared  to  receive  confirmation  on  this  fatal 
day,  but  only  two  presented  themselves  after  the  accident,  and  were  confirmed 
privately.  They  were  Michael  Thomas  Cooney  and  Elizabeth  Mead.  On 
the  Sunday  following  the  disaster.  May  1 1 ,  the  church  having  been  cleansed, 
the  Bishop  celebrated  early  Mas.s,  previous  to  which  he  blessed  the  church, 
giving  it  the  title  of  "  Christ's  Church."  At  the  Mass  which  was  celebrated 
at  half-past  ten,  and  said  by  Father  McDermot,  the  Bishop  preached  and 
administered  confirmation  to  four  persons,  ^Margaret  Finnegan,  IMargaret 
O'Leary,  Ann  Reynolds,  and  Bridget  Toohey.  Christ's  church  cost  $3,000, 
and  was  without  exception  the  most  beautiful  little  Gothic  church  in  New 
England.  The  debt  at  the  time  of  the  accident  was  ^500,  which  the  disaster 
increased.  To  encourage  the  disheartened  congregation  Bishop  Fenwick 
donated  ;^50  to  the  treasury. 

The  disaster,  awful  as  it  was,  while  it  evoked  the  profound  sympathy 
of  the  majority  of  non-Catholics,  gave  to  some  editors  of  religious  journals 
an  opportunit)'  to  display  their  fanaticism.  We  extract  the  following  editor- 
ial from  The  Jesuit.^  May  31,  1834: 

''  Under  the  head  of  '  A  Solemn  Providence,'  we  find  an  article  in  Zioii's 
Herald  of  ;\Iay  21st,  of  this  city  (Boston),  which  purports  to  have  been  copied 
from  the  Religious  Intelligeticer^  of  New  Haven,  in  reference  to  the  distress- 
ing accident  which  occurred  there  in  the  breaking  down  of  the  organ  gal- 
lery of  the  new  Catholic  church  on  Ascension  day.  While  the  editors  of 
the  other  papers  of  the  city,  one  and  all,  as  far  as  we  have  ascertained,  expressed 


330  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IM  NEW  ENGLAND. 

themselves  on  this  melancholy  event  as  tliey  should  and  with  much  delicacv 
to  the  feelini^s  of  Catholics,  who  were  the  principal  sufferers  by  it,  he  of  the 
Intelligencer  alone,  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  fanatic,  must  come  out  with  his 
''Solemn  PriwUencc.'  The  article  which  he  penned  on  that  occasion  com- 
mences thus :  '  On  the  8th  inst.  the  Roman  Catholic  church  lately  erected  in 
New  Haven  was  to  have  been  consecrated,  whether  to  the  Virgin  Mary  or  to 
God  we  kno-M  not.''  The  fanatic  !  Why  did  he  not  inquire  to  which?  There 
were  enough  present,  even  of  his  own  people,  to  inform  him  correctly.  Why 
did  he  not  go  himself  to  the  church?  The  walk  was  but  a  moderate  one; 
he  could  have  there  seen  and  read  on  the  very  frontispiece  of  it, 

'CHRIST'S   CHURCH,' 

in  characters  sufficiently  large,  too,  as  to  have  been  read,  even  without  spec- 
tacles, at  the  distance  of  200  yards,  at  least,  to  whom  it  was  to  have  been  ded- 
icated. But  is  it  quite  certain  that  the  gentleman,  the  religious  editor,  was 
not  there,  and  that  he  did  not  read  the  above  glowing  characters  before  he 
penned  the  article  in  question?  .  .  .  The  least  grain  of  his  charity,  let  it  be 
ever  so  cold,  should  have  suggested  to  him  the  propriety  of  not  bearing  false 
witness  against  his  neighbors,  and  of  not  throwing  out  a  hint,  without  the  least 
grounds  for  it,  to  induce  the  public,  as  far  as  he  had  any  control  over  it,  to 
believe  that  the  Catholics  were  a  superstitious  race,  who  were  in  the  habit  of 
dedicating  their  churches  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  instead  of  dedicating  them  to 
God." 

In  October,  1S34,  Christ's  churcli  was  broken  into,  tlie  altar  stripped  of 
its  ornaments,  and  the  crucifix  and  the  silver  chalice  stolen  ;  but  the  Pro- 
testants of  New  Haven  deprecated  the  outrage,  and  presented  the  church 
with  a  handsome  silver  chalice  to  replace  the  one  taken. 

A  census  taken  in  1836  gave  New  Haven  300  adult  Catholics;  Derby, 
25  ;  Bridgeport,  100;  Norwalk,  25,  and  Waterbury  30.  On  June  4,  1837, 
Bishop  Fenwick  administered  confirmation  for  the  second  time  at  New 
Haven,  and  twenty-one  males  and  twenty-three  females  were  the  recipients 
of  the  sacrament.  The  Easter  communions  of  this  year  iu  New  Haven 
were  301. 

On  June  15,  1837,  Father  McDermot  severed  his  relations  with  the  Cath- 
olics of  New  Haven,  having  been  transferred  to  Lowell,  i\Iass.,  all  the  New 
England  States  at  that  time  being  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of 
Boston.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  William  Wiley,  who  remained  only  until 
August  24th  of  that  year.  Bishop  Tyler,  Father  Fitton,  and  Father  Wiley 
received  the  orders  of  sub-deacon  and  deacon  on  December  21  and  22,  1827, 
respectively.  Fathers  Fitton  and  Wiley  were  ordained  priests  on  December 
23rd  of  the  same  year,  while  Bishop  Tylor  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  on 
June  3,  1829.  Father  Wiley  died  at  East  Boston  on  April  19,  1855,  aged  51 
years.  The  Rev.  Father  Haskins  preached  the  funeral  sermon,  which  we 
herewith  append.'  It  shows  in  tlie  most  graphic  manner  the  trials  and  hardships 

'From  the  Freeman' s  Journal ,  June  2,  1S55,  c<)i)ied  from  the  Pitot. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  331 

Father  Wiley  experienced  in  youth,  and  reveals  his  steadfastness  in  aiming 
at  and  reaching  the  holy  priesthood  : 

William  Wiley  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  the  year  1803  or  1804.  He 
was  deprived  of  both  his  parents  during  his  infancy,  so  that  he  had  no  recollection  of 
ever  having  seen  either  of  them.  His  earliest  recollections  were  of  an  aunt  who  had  the 
charge  of  him,  and  who  did  not  treat  him  well,  and  of  a  sister  who  was  under  the  same 
roof.  After  having  suffered  much  harsh  treatment  for,  as  it  then  seemed,  a  long  time,  he 
was  at  the  age  of  five  or  six  years  placed  in  a  Protestant  Orphan  Asylum.  Here  he  was 
kindly  treated,  and  here  he  went  to  his  first  school.  At  the  age  often  or  eleven  years  he 
was  apprenticed  to  a  shoemaker,  who,  unfortunately  for  the  boy,  was  one  of  that  class  to 
whom  parents  would  not  entrust  their  children,  and  who  are  therefore  compelled  to  seek 
their  apprentices  among  friendless  orphans.  He  proved  a  hard  master,  and  when  the  boy, 
after  having  patiently  borne  many  cruel  whippings,  at  length  dared  to  remonstrate,  his 
master  returned  him  to  the  asylum,  as  a  stubborn  and  refractory  child.  A  short  time  after 
he  was  apprenticed  to  another  shoemaker,  150  miles  from  the  citj'  of  New  York.  This  new 
master  proved  even  worse  than  the  first.  Poor  William  was  nearly  starved,  and  was 
reduced  to  almost  a  skeleton.  He  was  but  scantily  clad  with  clothing,  and  what  little  he 
had  was  in  tatters.  Moveover  he  was  covered  with  disease  caused  by  neglect  and  want  of 
food.  So  one  morning,  while  all  were  asleep,  he  took  his  resolution  and  escaped  from  the 
house  of  his  master,  and  walked  a  distance  of  fifty  miles,  stopping  only  to  repose  by  the 
wayside,  or  to  eat  that  which  was  given  him  by  charitable  housekeepers.  He  had  now 
reached  a  town  on  the  Hudson  river,  where  he  fortunatelj-  met  a  man  who  had  seen  him 
in  the  asylum,  and  who,  when  he  heard  his  story,  put  him  on  board  a  vessel  bound  for 
New  York,  where  he  arrived  the  following  day,  and  immediately  presented  himself  at  the 
door  of  the  orphan  asylum,  and  related  the  story  of  his  escape.  His  storj',  and  still  more 
his  wretched  condition,  his  altered  looks,  his  neglected  and  tattered  clothes,  corroborating 
every  word  of  it,  excited  the  pity  and  indignation  of  the  guardians  of  the  institution, 
and  they  received  him  at  once,  and  clothed  and  nursed  him  until  he  was  again  strong 
enough  to  be  apprenticed. 

Then  there  came  one  day  to  the  asylum  a  rich  farmer  in  search  of  an  apprentice.  He 
selected  William  Wiley,  and  took  him  to  his  residence  in  Waterford,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  where  he  faithfully  served  his  new  master  for  the  space  of  about  two  years.  During 
the  week  he  labored  on  the  farm,  and  on  Sunday  he  drove  the  farmer  and  familj'  to  meet- 
ing, which  he  attended  very  devoutly  himself;  for,  educated  though  thus  far  a  Protestant, 
he  firmly  believed  many  of  the  truths  of  Christianity,  and  had  an  ardent  desire  to  love 
and  to  serve  God  and  gain  heaven.  At  length  by  the  mercj'  of  God,  he  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  a  Catholic — the  first  he  had  ever  met.  He  was  an  Irishman — a  devout 
and  exemplary  Christian — who  conversed  frequently  with  him  upon  Catholic  doctrine, 
and  lent  him  the  "  Poor  Man's  Catechism."  This  was  his  only  book  of  study  for  several 
months.  It  was  his  constant  companion  after  the  labors  of  the  day,  and  on  Sunday  he 
would  sit  for  hours  devouring  its  contents. 

At  length  his  master  and  mistress  perceived  the  change  that  had  been  wrought  in 
him,  discovered  the  cause,  seized  the  book,  and  concealed  it,  remarking  that  he  should 
read  no  popish  trash  in  their  house.  From  that  moment  his  existence  was  embittered. 
Ever  after,  when  he  drove  them  as  usual  to  meeting,  thej'  took  every  occasion  to  ridicule 
and  abuse  those  who  professed  the  Catholic  faith,  and  on  their  return  would  regale  each 
other  with  thanks  to  God  that  they  were  not  worshipers  of  the  Virgin,  and  that  the  min- 
ister had  given  them  no  popish  mummeries.  He  forbore  as  long  and  as  patienth'  as  he 
could,  and  then  determined  to  leave  them.  So  one  Sunday  morning  after  he  had  driven 
the  family  to  meeting,  he  returned  to  the  house,  and  first  searched  every  place  he  could 
think  of  till  he  had  found  his  book — his  beloved  treasure — with  which  he  immediately 
ran  to  the  good  Irishman  in  order  to  return  it  to  its  rightful  owner.  Next  he  searched  the 
drawers  of  his  master's  desk  till  he  found  his  indentures,  which  he  incontinentlj'  com- 
mitted to  the  fire.   Then  he  made  up  his  little  bundle,  which  consisted  of  an  old  gray  coat 


332  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

and  a  Protestant  BiMe,  and  in  the  middle  of  winter,  on  foot,  he  started  off  for  Boston, 
because  the  Irishman  had  told  him  that  tliere  was  a  Catholic  church  and  a  Catholic  bishop 
there.  He  walked  as  fast  as  he  could  for  fear  of  being  overtaken.  He  sold  his  Bible  for 
seventj'-five  cents,  but  that  was  soon  exhausted.  One  bitter  cold  day,  as  he  was  pelting 
througli  the  storm,  the  stage-coach  overlook  him.  It  was  on  runners  ;  and  he  looked  for 
a  chance  to  ride,  and  looked  imploringly  at  the  driver,  for  he  was  cold  and  hungry.  The 
driver  was  a  good-natured  soul  and  stopped  his  coach  and  said:  "Get  inside,  my  boy," 
and  he  drove  him  to  the  end  of  his  route,  and  then  consigned  him  to  the  care  of  the  next 
driver,  and  so  he  made  a  good  piece  of  his  journey.  However,  a  benevolent  old  gentle- 
man in  the  coach  perceived  that  the  boy  never  got  out  at  meal  times,  but  always  remained 
gathered  up  in  a  corner  of  the  coach.  So  at  length  he  suspected  the  true  reason,  and  when 
all  the  passengers  had  gone  in  to  dinner,  he  went  back  to  the  coach — this  benevolent  old 
gentleman— and  asked  the  boy  where  he  was  going.  "  I  am  going  to  Boston,"  he  replied; 
"to  try  if  I  can  find  my  sister,  or  half-sister"  I  he  never  knew  which).  This  was  no 
falsehood,  for  he  would  indeed  have  been  very  glad  to  have  found  her,  or  any  one  else 
related  to  him,  for  he  felt  so  lonely  in  the  world.  The  kind  old  gentleman  was  moved  to 
compassion  for  the  boy,  and  put  his  hand  into  his  pocket  and  took  out  some  silver  and 
did  not  stay  to  count  it,  but  thrust  it  into  the  boy's  hand,  and  bade  him  go  straight  into 
the  tavern,  and  call  for  whatever  he  wanted. 

At  last,  however,  there  came  along  a  surly  driver,  who  declared  gruffly,  that  he 
wasn't  going  to  drive  boys  that  didn't  pay.  "  So  get  out  here,  boy,  and  go  along  on  foot." 
Poor  William  obeyed,  of  course  He  had  no  other  alternative.  He  walked  on  till  he 
came  to  Bennington  in  Vermont.  Here  some  kind  person  took  him  in  and  kept  him  for 
a  day  or  two  ;  and  then  he  started  off  again,  inquiring  the  way  to  Boston.  It  seemed  to 
him  as  if  he  were  going  around  the  world,  the  journe3-  was  so  long.  At  length,  hungry, 
weary  and  penniless,  he  reached  Boston,  and  continued  to  walk  about  the  streets,  till  hy 
repeated  inquiries  he  found  Franklin  street  and  the  Catholic  church.  He  contented  him- 
self with  merely  looking  at  the  outside  of  it,  not  feeling  himself  worthy  of  entering  so 
holy  a  place.  Walking  up  Broomfield  Lane,  now  called  Broorafield  street,  he  discovered 
a  stable,  which  he  entered  and  asked  for  employment,  offering  to  work  for  his  board  and 
lodging.  But  the  proprietor  refused  him,  and  with  others  who  stood  by  jeered  at  him 
and  called  him  some  runaway  thief.  William  made  no  reply,  but  burst  into  tears,  and 
was  walking  quietly  away,  when  the  stable  man  relented,  and  called  after  him  and  took 
him  to  his  house,  and  took  the  kindest  care  of  him  for  several  days,  during  which  he 
went  frequently  to  an  intelligence  oiSce,  to  seek  a  situation  and  means  of  support.  One 
daj-  while  standing  among  a  crowd  of  other  applicants,  a  venerable-looking  man  came  in 
and  asked  for  a  boy,  and  engaged  William  Wiley.  This  gentleman  w-as  the  late  President 
Kirkland,  President  of  Harvard  University.  He  lived  with  the  president  till  the  latter 
broke  up  housekeeping,  w-hen  he  recommended  William  lo  a  friend  of  his  in  Boston, 
Benjamin  Fessenden,  Esq.,  with  whom  he  remained  several  months,  and  was  then  em- 
ploj'ed  by  a  Mr.  Hill.  While  with  Mr.  Fessenden  he  called  on  Father  Larri.sey,  the  first 
and  only  priest  he  had  ever  yet  seen.  B\-  him  he  was  instructed,  baptized  and  received 
into  the  Catholic  church.  In  August  of  the  year  1820,  he  was  confirmed  by  Bishop 
Cheverus,  and  made  his  first  communion  the  same  month.  He  was  then  about  16  or  17 
years  of  age.  It  was  at  this  time  that  he  first  conceived  the  idea  of  studying  for  the 
priesthood,  though  he  revealed  his  intention  to  no  one.  He  immediately  commenced  tak- 
ing lessons  in  private  in  Latin  of  Master  Pemberton,  the  distinguished  teacher  of  the 
Boston  Latin  School.  He  also  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  the  French  language  and 
read  all  the  books  he  could  obtain.  Many  of  the  old  Catholics  of  Boston  still  live,  who 
remember  well  how  constantly  and  piously  he  assisted  at  Mass  every  day  of  the  week  in 
the  Cathedral  Church  at  this  time. 

All  his  thoughts  were  now  upon  the  holy  ministry.  He  felt  himself  called  to 
consecrate  himself  without  reserve  to  God  ;  but  how  to  accomplish  it  was  his  great  em- 
barrassment. He  fervently  prayed  to  God  for  light  and  to  his  blessed  .Mother  for  aid. 
At  length,  hearing  that  Dr.  Jarvis,  Protestant  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  was  about 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  333 

making  a  tour  to  Europe,  he  offered  to  go  with  him  in  the  capacity  of  a  servant,  in  order, 
as  he  had  candidly  avowed,  that  he  might  get  into  France  and  study  for  tlie  priesthood, 
under  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Cheverus,  who  was  at  that  time  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux.  Dr. 
Jarvis  received  his  application  with  due  consideration  and  kindness,  and  applied  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Burns,  then  stationed  at  the  Cathedral,  for  the  character  of  the  young  man,  and 
informed  him  of  Mr.  Wiley's  application  and  intentions  for  the  future. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Burns  at  once  informed  Bishop  Fenwick  of  the  nature  of  Dr.  Jarvis's 
interview,  and  the  bishop  immediately  sent  for  I\Ir.  Wiley,  and  after  an  interview  with 
him  in  which  he  was  perfectly  satisfied  of  his  vocation,  offered  to  receive  him  as  a  student 
of  theology,  which  he  did  at  once,  and  placed  him  to  board  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Murphy,  who  occupied  a  portion  of  the  episcopal  residence. 

With  a  zeal  and  industry  characteristic  of  himself  he  pursued  his  studies,  and  in 
December,  1827,  was  elevated  to  the  priesthood.  There  are  mans'  thousands  living  who 
can  attest  to  the  fidelity  and  charity  with  which  he  dmcharged  its  duties,  and  manj-  more 
who  have  departed  will  rise  again  on  the  final  day  and  call  him  blessed.  Many  a  broken 
heart  has  he  healed  ;  into  many  a  wound  has  he  poured  the  balm  of  consolation  ;  many 
an  orphan's  tear  has  he  dried  ;  and  many  a  widow's  heart  has  he  made  to  sing  for  joy. 

•  He  served  the  Cathedral  parish  for  several  years,  and  it  was  here  that  I  had  the  hap- 
piness of  first  forming  his  acquaintance.  I  was  at  that  time  a  Protestant  myself,  but 
called  at  the  bishop's  house  to  find  a  priest  to  assist  a  poor  woman  who  was  very  ill. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Wiley  answered  the  call.  I  can  never  forget  this,  my  first  interview  with 
a  Catholic  priest,  nor  the  eloquence,  earnestness  and  unction  with  which  he  extolled  the 
beauties  of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  portrayed  the  horrors  and  deformities  of  heresy  and 
schism.  He  compromised  nothing.  When  I  asked  him  if  he  did  not  think  that  I  could 
be  saved  as  an  honest  and  sincere  Episcopalian  he  answered  that  it  was  impossible.  That 
there  was  no  possibility  of  salvation  out  of  the  Catholic  church — that  there  was  but  one 
Lord,  one  Faith  and  one  Baptism — that  the  believer  would  be  saved,  and  the  unbeliever 
damned.  This  was  \\\y  first  lesson  in  Catholic  doctrine,  and  I  never  forgot  it.  It  made 
so  strong  an  impression  upon  me  that  when  I  left  the  house  I  made  a  vow,  which  was 
registered  in  Heaven,  that  I  would  faithfuUj'  examine  and  diligently  seek  the  truth,  and 
that  if  I  found  it  where  Father  Wiley  said  it  was,  I  would  at  any  risk  embrace  it.  And 
thanks — eternal  thanks— to  God.  I  kept  that  vow.  It  was  Father  Wiley  who  found  me  wan- 
dering about,  and  lost  in  the  mazes  of  falsehood  and  error,  and  speeding  fast  to  my  eternal 
ruin,  and  kindlj-  warned  me  of  my  danger,  and  took  my  hand  and  led  me  into  the  paths  of 
peace  and  safety.  Oh,  my  Father,  my  Father  !  I  shall  see  thee  no  more.  But  I  do  fervently 
ask  for  the  gift  of  thy  mantle,  that  I  may  live  as  the  just  man,  and  my  last  end  be  like  this. 

The  Rev.  James  Smytli,  who  had  been  ordained  to  the  priestliood  by 
Bishop  Fenwick  on  October  17,  1835,  came  to  New  Haven  from  Waltham, 
Mass.,  as  successor  to  Father  Wiley,  on  Aug.ust  24,  1837. 

Father  Smyth  enlarged  Christ's  chtirch,  of  which  Thomas  Darcy  McGee 
wrote  on  August  10^  1843:  "Whilst  speaking  of  churches,  I  begin  to  bethink 
me  of  New  Haven.  This  well-known  and  admired  model  of  neatness  has 
been  enlarged,  through  the  laborious  zeal  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smyth,  its  pastor, 
and  now  stands  in  the  form  of  a  perfect  cross.  Its  dimensions  are  85  by  75 
feet,  and  botli  interiorly  and  outwardly,  it  is  just  now  a  unique  piece  of 
church  architecttire,  yet  the  fairest  in  the  diocese." 

The  following  letter,  written  by  Father  Smyth  to  Bishop  Tyler,  will 
throw  some  light  upon  a  portion  of  his  extensive  parish. 

Kew  Haven,  April  15,  1845. 
My  Lord : — 

The  number  of  marriages  in  my  mission  in    1844  was  30,  and  of  that  number  tliree 

were  from  Waterbury  and  two  from  Derby.     I  registered  all  the  baptisms  under  the  head 


334  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  /.V  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  New  Haven  ;  the  total  number  for  1R44  was  104.  As  near  as  I  can  ascertain  there 
arein  Waterburj'  adults,  that  is  men  and  women,  married  and  sino;le,  about  100.  and  about 
90  children.  There  are  thirty-four  married  couples  ;  about  the  third  part  of  that  number 
came  there  the  past  year.  Derby,  about  90  adults  and  about  90  children.  I  have  not  got 
the  land  for  a  church  in  that  place  as  yet.  T  hope  to  get  it  ere  long.  I  have  got  the  land 
in  \Vaterbur>-;  it  cost  $275  ;  it  is  paid  for  and  tlie  deed  taken  out  as  you  directed.  We 
have  about  s6o  collected  after  paying  for  the  land. 

On  Sunday  night,  June  11,  1S4S,  t'.ie.  Catholics  of  New  Haven  e.xperi- 
enced  a  severe  loss  in  the  de.striiction  of  their  beautiful  church  by  fire.  It 
was  supposed  at  the  time  to  be  the  work  of  an  incendiary.  The  church  was 
valued  at  between  S8,ooo  and  $9,000,  and  was  insured  for  §5,500.  - 

After  eleven  years  of  arduous  and  faithful  labor  in  New  Haven,  Father 
Smyth  was  transferred  to  Windsor  Locks  in  July,  1848,  where  he  died  on  May 
16,  1874,  aged  87  years.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly.  After  tlie 
destruction  of  the  church  divine  ser\'ices  were  held  in  a  tent  until  December 
of  that  year,  when  the  building  occupied  by  the  Congregationalists  on  Church 
street  was  purchased  from  Sidney  M.  Stone.  After  being  suitably  fitted  up 
for  Catholic  worship  it  was  dedicated  under  the  title  of  St.  Marj-'s  on  Decem- 
ber 18,  1848.  Of  this  ceremony  the  Journal  and  Courier  the  following 
morning  said:  "The  Catholic  society  assembled  for  the  first  time  at  their 
place  of  worship  which  they  purchased  some  months  since.  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
Tyler  officiated.  At  the  clo.se  of  the  ritual,  Bishop  Tyler  addressed  the  as- 
sembly, congratulating  them  on  the  auspicious  circumstances  under  which 
they  were  again  permitted  to  meet  after  having  been  scattered  by  the  di.sas- 
trous  fire  which  reduced  to  dust  the  beloved  temple  of  their  faith.  The  cost 
of  the  edifice  was  $13,000,  of  wliich  sum  there  yet  remain  to  be  raised  $700." 
Two  entries  in  Bishop  O'Reilly's  Journal  indicate  a  numerous  congregation  in 
New  Haven  at  this  time  and  disclose  as  well  the  zeal  and  activity  of  the  Bishop. 

"  18^1  y  February  ^th:  Arrived  at  New  Haven,  where  I  heard  confessions 
the  remainder  of  the  week  from  6  A.  m.  to  i  i  p.  m.,  and  preached  each  evening. 

"p///  .•  Made  a  visitation  of  this  congregation,  confirmed  671,  gave  Holy 
Communion  to  over  1000  and  preached  five  times." 

Father  O'Reilly's  pastorate  ended  on  May  12,  185 1.  His  removal  from 
St.  Mary's  was  the  subject  of  no  little  comment  at  the  time  and  evoked  tlie 
following  correspondence: 

"  New  Haven,  June  20,  '51. 
"To THE  Editor  OF  thk  Celt: 

"The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  O'Reillj'  has  been  in  town  for  some  days  past,  making 
arrangements  for  the  immediate  commencement  of  another  Catholic  church,  which  is  to 
be  located  on  Grand  street,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city.  It  is  to  be  built  of  stone,  and 
in  the  Gothic  Style.  When  completed  it  will  be  one  of  the  largest  Churches  in  the  State. 
It  will  be  the  endeavor  of  the  entire  Catholic  population  of  this  city  to  make  it  an  orna- 
ment to  the  city,  and  a  structure  as  near  worthy,  as  their  means  will  allow,  of  the  great 
object  to  which  it  is  to  be  dedicated. 

"Owing  to  the  removal  of  Rev.  ^ir.  O'Reilh',  our  former  Pastor,  from  this  diocese, 
the  Bishop  has  appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  O'Brien  pastor,  with  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Sheridan 
and  Tevin  as  assistants.  To  Mr.  Sheridan  is  committed  the  superintendence  of  the 
building  of  the  new  Church." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  335 

This  commuuication  brought  out  the  following  letter: 

New  Haven,  June  30,  1851. 
Dear  McGee — I  have  noticed  in  the  last  number  of  the  Celt  that  30ur  informant  from 
our  city  has  led  the  many  readers  of  it  astray,  by  stating  that  Rev.  Mr.  O'Reilly  was 
removed  from  this  diocese,  which  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  is  not  the  case.  That  Rev. 
Mr.  O'Reilly  has  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  among  us,  is  alas,  too  true  ;  a  circumstance 
which  has  caused  extreme  regret  among  his  friends  here,  who  wish  him  God  speed  wher- 
ever Providence  shall  see  fit  to  place  him.  A  Friend  to  Truth. 

About  sixty-two  years  ago  the  first  Catholic  school  of  New  Haven  was 
opened.  An  humble  beginning  it  was,  in  very  truth,  but  then  were  laid  the 
foundations  of  a  school  system  that  has  no  superior  in  Connecticut,  and  which 
is  the  joy  and  pride  of  its  devoted  adherents.  In  1834  Peter  McDermot,  a 
brother  of  the  first  pastor,  opened  a  school  in  the  sacristy  of  Christ's  church. 
He  was  followed  by  Mrs.  Rosanna  Toole,  who  gathered  her  pupils  at  her 
house,  on  the  corner  of  Fair  and  Wooster  streets.  Her  school  was  afterwards 
moved  to  Church  street.  In  1838  a  school  was  conducted  in  the  vestry  of 
Christ's  church  by  a  Mr.  John  Smith.  In  1 848  a  Mr.  Looby  and  Miss  Elizabeth 
Meagher  took  charge  of  the  school,  which  had  been  opened  on  the  ground 
floor  of  St.  Mary's  church.  On  September  19,  1849,  Patrick  Morrissey,  a 
name  held  in  veneration  in  New  Haven,  began  his  career  as  a  teacher  here. 
He  was  "  then  a  vigorous  young  man  just  from  Tipperary  cotinty,  Ireland, 
who  in  his  career  of  twenty  years  has  taught  the  greater  part  of  the  young 
men  of  New  Haven,  some  of  them  priests  to-day."  The  status  of  the  school 
conducted  by  Mr.  Morrissey  and  Miss  Meagher,  who  became  Mrs.  Morrissey, 
was  defined  in  a  "  report  of  the  Board  of  School  Visitors  of  the  First  School 
Society  of  New  Haven,  at  the  annual  school  meeting,  held  at  the  L,ancasterian 
school-house,  October  5,  1850." 

"  The  board  have  twice,"  said  the  report,  "  within  the  last  three  months 
visited  the  two  schools,  one  for  boys  and  the  other  for  girls,  of  the  Catholic 
denomination,  which  are  under  the  general  supervision  of  Rev.  Mr.  O'Reilly, 
and  which  are  kept  beneath  the  audience  room  of  the  Catholic  church.  The 
committee  were,  of  cotirse,  aware  that  they  had  no  legal  rights  there,  but  they 
doubted  not  that  they  would  be  kindly  received  and  afforded  every  opportu- 
nity desired  for  such  observations  as  would  either  gratify  their  curiosity  or 
afford  them  information.  The  superintendent  expressed  himself  not  only  will- 
ing to  comply  with  our  request  to  see  his  little  flock,  but  was  highly  gratified 
that  we  had  made  it.  Our  first  visit  was  so  satisfactory  that  we  obtained  the 
consent  of  Mr.  Lovell,  of  the  Lancasterian  school,  to  unite  with  us  in  a  second 
and  more  thorough  examination.  We  found  the  higher  classes  in  both  of  the 
schools  to  be  in  a  most  excellent  condition  and  far  surpassing  our  expecta- 
tions. In  grammar,  reading,  spelling,  speaking  and  defining  there  was 
throughout  the  exercises  great  promptitude  and  surprising  accuracy.  One 
little  girl,  between  four  and  five  years  of  age,  took  her  station  at  the  maps  and 
passed  most  triumphantly  a  close  examination  in  geography,  answering  cor- 
rectly for  some  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  nearly  every  question  put  to  her. 
The  teacher  of  the  girls'  school  is  Miss  Eliza  Meagher,  and  the  teacher  of  tne 


;3.'iG  rUE   CATJIOL/C  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

boys'  school  is  Mr.  Patrick  Morrissey.     These  accomplished  instructors  were 
educated  in  Ireland,  their  native  country." 

The  child  who  went  through  the  ordeal  so  successfully,  was  Miss  Nellie 
McGuire,  for  many  years  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  New  Haven,  and 
leading  .soprano  singer  of  St.  Patrick's  choir. 

On  May  12,  1852,  four  Sisters  of  Mercy,  of  whom  Sister  M.  Camillus 
was  Superior,  arrived  at  New  Haven  from  Providence,  brought  hither  by  the 
Rev.  Edward  J.  O'Brien,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish.  They  a.ssunicd  charge 
of  the  girls'  school,  while  Mr.  Morrissey  continued  in  charge  of  the  boys' 
until  July  20,  i860.  The  first  home  of  the  Sisters  was  on  George  street,  near 
Broad.  They  remained  here  until  the  summer  of  1854,  when  they  took  up 
their  residence  in  a  new  convent  adjoining  old  St.  Mary's  church  on  Church 
street.  In  the  summer  of  1875  they  took  up  their  abode  in  a  house  near  the 
new  St.  Mary's.  In  July,  i860,  the  Sisters  as.sumed  charge  of  both  boys  and 
girls.  The  basement  of  the  new  St.  Mary's  church  became  the  school  in  the 
fall  of  1875,  and  in  the  following  year  a  dwelling  in  the  neighborhood  was 
secured  in  which  the  school  was  continued. 

The  first  Catholic  cemetery  of  New  Haven  was  a  part  of  Christ's  church 
lot,  near  the  corner  of  York  street  and  Davenport  a\-enue.  Here  the  Catho- 
lics of  New  Haven  were  interred  until  1851.  On  Jiine  28lh,  of  this  year, 
Mr.  Bernard  O'Reilly  purchased  from  Mr.  Gerard  Hallock,  at  one  time  editor 
of  tlie  New  York  Journal  of  Commerce,  a  parcel  of  land  near  the  ''  West 
Bridge,"  avowing  it  as  the  intention  to  dispose  of  it  in  small  lots.  The 
"small  lots"  proved  to  be  cemetery  lots,  to  the  chagrin  of  Mr.  Hallock, 
who  was  noted  for  his  hostility  to  the  Catholic  church.  This  tract  of  land 
was  blessed  as  St.  Bernard's  cemetery  on  September  1,  185 1.  In  1858  an 
additional  tract  of  eighteen  acres  was  purchased,  which,  with  a  small  piece  of 
land  secured  in  August,  1876,  made  a  cemetery  of  about  twentj-five  acres. 
On  November  22,  1887,  the  deeds  to  the  Bronson  farm  were  conveyed  to  Rev. 
John  Russell,  who  had  purchased  it  for  cemetery  purposes  in  the  name  of  the 
corporation.  This  tract  of  land  contains  fifty-two  acres  and  lies  southwest  of 
the  city  and  town  bonndar)'  line  in  the  town  of  Orange,  and  the  price  asked 
was  $10,000.  On  June  22,  1888,  the  new  cemetery  received  the  name  of  St. 
Lawrence's  cemetery;  it  was  solemnly  blessed  on  Sunday,  October  4,  1890, 
by  Bishop  McMahon,  Rev.  B.  W.  Bray  preaching  the  discourse. 

In  the  summer  of  1851  the  Rev.  Edward  J.  O'Brien'  became  the  pastor 
of  St.  Mary's  in  succession  to  the  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly.  He  had  as  assistants 
the  Rev.  Bernard  Tevin,  Rev.  John  Sheridan,  who  had  been  commissioned 
to  build  St.  Patrick's  church,  and  Rev.  Matthew  Hart.  On  April  18,  1858, 
Bishop  McFarland  visited  St.  Mary's  church  and  administered  the  sacrament 
of  Confirmation  to  over  300  persons. 

In  1868  negotiations  were  begun  for  a  site  for  a  new  church.  The  old 
church  had  become  the  centre  of  commercial  firms,  and  in  consequence  had 
become  ill  suited  as  a  place  for  divine  worship.     A  number  of  sites  were  in- 

'  Father  O'Brien  wa.s  the  first  priest  of  the  diocese  to  receive  ordination  at  St.  Mary's 
Seminary,  Baltimore,  Md.     He  was  ordained  by  Archbishop  Ecclestoii  in  1850. 


ST.    MARY'S   CHURCH, 
New   Haven,   Conn. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  337 

spected,  among  tliein  one  on  the  corner  of  Elm  and  High  streets,  another  on 
Meadow  street,  and  a  third  on  tlie  corner  of  Elm  and  York  streets.  The  first 
of  these  was  almost  pnrchased,  bnt  Bisliop  McFarland's  objection  to  the 
location  brought  the  negotiations  to  an  end.  The  site  on  which  the  church 
was  subsequently  built  was  then  secured  in  a  manner  thus  related  by  a  local 
writer  : 

"  There  is  some  disagreement  as  to  the  circumstances  attendant  on  the 
purchase  of  the  lot  on  which  the  church  was  in  reality  afterwards  built. 
According  to  one  story  Mr.  John  Kennedy,  of  Branford,  had  something  to  do 
with  the  negotiations.  Another,  which  is  worth  giving  in  detail,  is  to  the 
following  effect  :  As  soon  as  Father  O'Brien  learned  positively  that  he  could 
not  obtain  the  Elm  street  lot,  he  sorrowfully  turned  his  steps  towards  the 
City  Hall,  where  he  met  City  Clerk  William  Downes,  who  was  the  only 
Catholic  lawyer  in  the  city  at  the  time.  He  told  Mr.  Downes  his  story.  The 
latter  thought  a  while,  and  then  turning  to  the  priest  inquired,  'Why  don't 
you  buy  that  lot  on  Hillhonse  avenue,  next  to  Dr.  Hillhouse's  place  ?  It  is 
the  prettiest  spot  in  the  city  for  a  church,  and  not  many  years  will  pass  by 
before  it  will  be  one  of  the  most  convenient  for  the  Catholics  of  St.  Mary's.' 
Father  O'Brien  answered  that  there  was  no  sense  in  talking  of  that  lot,  for 
the  residents  would  not  permit  the  erection  of  a  church  there.  Mr.  Downes 
suggested  that  they  go  over  to  the  avenue  and  look  at  the  lot.  They  agreed 
upon  its  desirability.  'Now,' said  Mr.  Downes,  'you  agree  to  take  the  lot 
if  I  secure  it?'  Father  O'Brien  so  agreed.  The  city  clerk  immediately 
approached  the  agent  who  had  the  sale  of  the  lot.  The  agent  inquired 
whether  Mr.  Downes  intended  to  build  immediately,  and  was  answered  in 
the  affirmative.  The  price  was  agreed  upon.  Mr.  Downes  drew  up  a  deed, 
brought  back  to  the  agent  $ioo,  and  thus  sealed  the  bargain." 

This  lot  had  been  transferred  by  Dr.  Hillhouse  to  Chauncey  O.  Crosby  on 
February  1 1,  1867,  with  this  proviso  in  the  deed  :  "  This  deed  is,  however,  on 
the  express  condition  that  said  Crosby,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  not  here- 
after at  any  time  erect  or  maintain  dwelliUg  houses  or  buildings  for  manu- 
facturing purposes  upon  that  part  of  said  land  which  fronts  upon  Temple 
street,  nor  more  than  two  dwelling  houses  upon  that  portion  of  said  land 
which  fronts  upon  Hillhouse  avenue."  The  records  show  that  the  property 
was  transferred  by  Mr.  Crosby  to  William  Downes  on  June  13,  1868,  with  the 
above  provision,  and  that  he  conveyed  it  to  St.  Mary's  parish  on  June  15,  1868, 
the  conditions  remaining  the  same.  The  price  paid  was  $16,000.  A  build- 
ing committee,  comprising  Charles  Atwater,  Francis  Donnelly,  John  and 
Patrick  Maher,  P.  Wood,  M.  F'ahy,  J.  McLaughlin  and  Edward  Downes  was 
immediately  organized,  and  the  services  of  James  Murphy,  architect,  secured. 
The  ground  plan  of  the  church  was  accepted  on  June  27th.  The  sentiment 
of  the  neighborhood  was  opposed  to  the  erection  of  the  church.  It  was  feared 
that  the  seclusion  it  had  so  long  enjoyed,  and  which  was  so  much  desired, 
would  be  broken  in  upon  by  the  crowds  who  would  attend  divine  worship, 
and  so  powerful  was  this  influence  that  many  Catholics  so  far  yielded  as  to 
suggest  other  sites.  Wiser  counsels,  however,  prevailed.  At  a  meeting,  on 
II — 22 


338  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

September  15,  186S,  at  which  Bishop  McFarland  presided,  it  was  decided 
that  not  more  tliaii  $120,000  should  be  expended  on  the  contract.  It  was  a 
stupendous  undertaking  for  the  parish,  and  fears  were  entertained  as  to  the 
success  of  the  enterprise.  It  was  the  wish  of  some  of  tlie  parish  that  the 
administration  of  affairs  be  placed  in  tlie  hands  of  a  religions  congregation, 
and,  on  May  8,  1869,  Judge  William  Robin.son  suggested  to  Bishop  McFar- 
land,  Father  Hecker  and  Father  O'Brien  the  advisability  of  the  Paulists 
being  called  to  assume  charge. 

The  construction  of  the  church  began  under  the  supervision  of  Father 
O'Brien,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  September  22,  1870,  by  Bishop  Mc- 
Farland  in  the  presence  of  thirty  priests  from  this  and  neighboring  dioceses  and 
of  several  thousand  spectators.  The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  Very  Rev.  I.  T. 
Hecker,  of  New  York.  Among  the  prominent  guests  were  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bacon 
of  Center  church.  President  Woolsey  of  Yale  College,  Judge  Bradley,  Charles 
Atwater,  Mayor  Lewis  and  ex-Mayor  Welch.  The  as.semblage  contributed  $906. 

The  work  of  construction  then  ceased  by  order  of  Bishop  McFarland. 
The  magnitude  of  the  work  discouraged  Father  O'Brien,  and  knowing  his 
want  of  capacity  as  a  financier,  he  urged  the  Order  of  Preachers,  the  Dom- 
inicans, to  take  charge  of  the  parish.  In  May,  1872,  Father  O'Brien  relin- 
quished the  heavy  burden,  and  the  Rev.  Patrick  A.  Murphy  became  the  pas- 
tor of  St.  Mar}''s.  In  July  of  that  year  work  on  the  church  was  resumed, 
the  people  co-operating  enthusiastically  with  the  new  pastor.  A  series  of 
monthly  collections  inaugurated  brought  into  the  parish  treasury  over  $1,000 
a  month  for  some  time.  At  length  the  church,  one  of  the  finest  in  New  Eng- 
land, was  dedicated  on  October  25,  1874.  At  this  time  there  were  five  Catho- 
lic parishes  in  the  city,  St.  Mary's,  St.  Patrick's,  St.  John's,  St.  Francis' 
and  St.  Bouiface'.s.  F'ollovving  the  ceremony  of  dedication,  Pontifical  Mass 
was  celebrated  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reilly,  of  Springfield.  The  assist- 
ing clergymen  were  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  who,  after  the  death  of  Bishop 
McFarland,  had  been  appointed  Administrator  of  the  dioce.se,  assistant  priest; 
Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  deacon;  Rev.  James  Fagan,  sub-deacon;  Rev.  Edward 
J.  O.  Brieu  and  Rev.  Matthew  Hart,  deacons  of  honor;  Rev.  Thomas  GriflSn, 
of  Springfield  and  Rev.  Francis  O'Keefe,  masters  of  ceremonies.  The  bishops 
and  priests  in  attendance  and  assisting  at  the  ceremony_were: 

Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reilly,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Lynch,  Charleston,  S.  C. 
Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  Hartford. 

"         "     Wm.  Quinn,  New  York. 
Rev.  Dr.  Carmody, 

"    James  Finnegan, 

"     Matthew  Hart 

"     Frank  O'Keefe, 

"     Patrick  H.  Murphy,       New  Haven. 

"     P.  Mulholland, 

"    James  Fagan, 

"    John  McMahon, 

"     Thomas  Lynch, 

"     E.J.  O'Brien,  Middletown 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  339 

Rev.  Thomas  Griffin,  Springfield. 

"  J.  F.  Campbell,  D.D.,  North  Manchester. 

"  T.  Synnott,  Bridgeport. 

"  Patrick  J.  O'Dwyer,  Ansonia. 

"  Peter  Smith,  Norwalk. 

"  Dr.  McGlynn,  St.  Stephen's  church.  New  York. 

"  James  Lynch,  Waterbury. 

"  Charles  McCallian,  Ansonia. 

"  H.  Brady,  Naugatuck. 

"  E.  Gaffney,  Thomaston. 

The  .sermon  was  preached  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Lynch,  Charleston,  S.  C. 
Taking  his  text  from  Hebrews  xiii.  lo,  tiie  preacher  began  by  compliment- 
ing the  people  of  the  parish  on  the  beauty  of  their  church  and  the  generosity 
and  faith  they  had  manifested  in  btiilding  it.  All  had  done  their  part — their 
late  pastor  who  had  the  courage  to  begin  the  work,  and  the  younger  man,  his 
successor,  to  whom  he  had  transferred  the  task  of  completing  it.  All  had  con- 
tributed of  their  means.  The  widow  had  given  her  mite,  and  the  little  chil- 
dren what  they  could  bring.  The  day_was  a  joyful  one  for  them  now  that 
they  took  possession  of  a  church  which  was  more  beautiful  than  any  other  in 
the  diocese.  The  preacher  then  said  that  sacrifice  was  the  crowning  act  of 
all  true  religion,  and  had  been  so  from  the  earliest  times.  Prayers  could  be 
and  were  shared  by  others  than  God,  but  to  Him  alone  could  sacrifice  be 
offered.  Sacrifice  was  the  distinctive  mark  of  the  Church,  and  therefore  from 
the  earliest  ages,  in  the  Catacombs,  in  the  far  East,  every  church  had  its 
altar.  Though  nothing  could  add  to  the  dignity  of  that  sacrifice,  which  was 
the  same  under  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's  as  in  the  rude  chapel  of  the  poor  mis- 
sionary, it  was  nevertheless  fitting  that  beautiful  churches  should  be  built. 
In  an  eloquent  passage,  the  preacher  spoke  of  the  myriad  stars  that  adorned 
the  heavens,  and  were  to  us  as  we  gazed  upon  them  lamps  of  lights;  so  to 
the  saints  and  angels  in  paradise  looking  upon  the  world,  foul  and  dark  with 
sin  and  evil,  the  churches  appeared  like  stars  amid  the  blackness. 

In  the  evening,  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Lynch  was  celebrant  at  the  vesper 
service.  The  Rev.  Dr.  McGlynn,  of  New  York,  was  the  preacher.  His 
text  was  the  following:  "Truly  this  is  the  house  of  God  and  the  gate  of 
heaven. ' ' 

After  the  erection  of  the  church,  the  work  of  completing  St.  Francis' 
Orphan  Asylum  devolved  upon  Father  Murphy.  He  had  charge  also  of  St. 
Bernard's  cemetery.  "  But  while  his  youthful  energ)-  was  laughing  at  the 
heat  of  the  fray,  and  while  great  and  delicately  manipulated  real  estate  trans- 
actions were  on  his  hands,  there  came  the  great  financial  panic.  The  sources 
of  the  chvfrch's  income  almost  dried  up.  His  ability  was  of  no  avail.  His 
eyes  lost  their  lustre  and  his  cheeks  paled.  Night  and  day  for  some  }-ears 
longer  he  struggled  with  the  frightful  incumbrance  of  debt,  then  about 
^165,000." 

Father  Murphy  died  on  May  19,  1S79.  The  impressive  funeral  services 
were  held  in  St.  Mary's  church  on  the  21st.  The  officiating  clergymen  were : 
Rev.  Father  Lynch,  of  Thorndike,  Mass.,  celebrant;  Rev.  Fathers  O'Keefe, 


3-10  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Harty,  O'Comiell  and  Dougherty  as  deacon,  sub-deacon,  and  masters  of  cere- 
monies, respectively.  Rev.  L.  Walsh,  of  Waterbury,  delivered  the  panegyric. 
The  successor  of  Father  Murpliy  was  the  Rev.  Patrick  P.  Lawlor,  who 
assumed  charge  of  St.  Mary's  parish  on  Sunday,  June  29,  1870.  Father  Law- 
lor was  an  exemplary  and  energetic  priest.  Few  priests  in  the  diocese  pos- 
sessed greater  executive  ability.  He  was  immediately  confronted  witli  an 
enormous  debt.  He  was  no  visionary,  or  dreamer,  or  sentimentalisL  Of  an 
exceedingly  practical  bent  of  mind,  he  employed  all  his  energies  to  the  dimin- 
ishing of  the  indebtedness.  The  first  step  to  tliis  end  was  tlie  gentle  forcing 
of  the  bankers  to  reduce  their  rate  of  interest  from  7  to  5  per  cent.  Every 
year  witnessed  a  diminution  of  the  financial  burden.  But  the  weight  of  .seven 
years  of  arduous  and  exacting  labor  brought  his  pastorate  and  his  life  to  an 
end.  Father  Lawlor  died  on  ^March  20,  1886.  Funeral  services  the  most 
imposing  were  held  in  St.  Mary's  church  on  the  23rd.  Bishop  McMahon  pre- 
sided at  the  ceremony.     The  oflficers  of  the  Mass  of  requiem  were  : 

Celebrant  — Rev.  J.  Cooney,  New  Haven. 
■  Deacon — Rev.  P.  Mullholland,  New  Haven. 

Sub-De;icon — Rev.  J  A.  Mulcahy,  Waterbury. 
INIaster  of  Ceremonies— Rev.  J.  B.  Dou<;herty. 
Chanters — Rev.  T.  Kennedy,  Rev.  John  Fagan,  Rev.  J.  Joyiit. 

The  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  of  New  Britain,  preached  the  funeral  sermon,  of 
which  tlie  following  is  a  brief  extract : 

"  I  have  known  Fatlier  Lawlor  for  nineteen  years,  ever  since  his  ordination.  The 
first  of  his  f)riestly  labors  were  spent  among;  you  in  St.  John's  parish.  Many  of  you  here 
to-day  remember  him  and  know  him  as  well  as  I  do.  I  need  not  speak  to  you  of  his 
labors  in  Mystic,  Rockville,  and  New  London.  The  same  noble  characteristics  which 
marked  him  here  ever  followed  him  throughout  his  sacerdotal  life. 

"  When  it  became  uecessarj-  for  some  one  to  take  charge  of  this  church,  there  was  not 
a  priest  in  the  diocese  who  was  willing  to  take  upon  himself  the  burden.  You  may  then 
judge  for  vourself  of  Father  Lawlor's  priestly  character  when  he  was  willing  to  respond 
to  the  call  of  God,  leave  a  comparatively  comfortable  life,  which  he  had  made  .so  by  his 
indefatigable  labors,  and  come  here  to  St.  Mary's,  upon  which  such  an  enormous  debt 
rested.  For  the  last  seven  years,  therefore,  he  has  labored  among  you  with  a  success 
that  few  men  could  attain.  His  one  ruling  thought  was  to  liquidate  this  debt.  Is  it  any 
wonder  that  he  succumbed  under  this  heavj'  load  ?  Many  there  are  who  look  upon 
a  priest  from  a  worldly  point  of  view.  They  look  to  his  oratorical  powers,  his  talents, 
etc.  But  few  there  are  who  look  to  the  inward  life  of  a  priest.  He  has  his  sorrows  and 
his  joys.  His  heart  is  filled  with  heavenh-  comfort  when  he  beholds  the  flock  intrusted 
to  his  care  following  out  the  truths  which  are  expounded  to  them.  He  is  filled  with  sor- 
row when  he  sees  the  little  ones  growing  up  without  faith,  and  when  he  knows  that 
before  God  he  is  responsible  for  them.  In  conclusion,  I  would  ask  you  to  pray  for  the 
repose  of  the  soul  of  Rev.  Father  Lawlor,  because  of  the  awful  respon^bilities  that 
were  his.     But  I  would  have  you  pray  not  without  hope." 

After  the  death  of  Father  Lawlor,  the  Rev.  Michael  Daly,  now  of  Thom- 
aston,  administered  the  affairs  of  the  parisli  until  the  arrival  of  the  Dominican 
Fathers  on  IVLiy  16,  1866.  On  that  date,  St.  Marj-'s  passed  under  a  new 
regime,  a  new  era  in  its  history  was  entered  upon.  On  the  feast  of  St.  Joseph 
the  sons  of  St.   Dominic  began  tlieir  career  in   New  Haven.      Their  first 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  341 

public  service  was  a  solemn  High  Mass,  with  the  Rev.  Father  Hartigan  as 
celebrant,  the  Rev.  Father  Kent  as  deacon,  and  the  Rev.  Father  O'Connell 
as  sub-deacon.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Father  Lilly,  and  was 
in  part  as  follows  : 

"  Last  .Sunday,  m3'  friends,  it  was  announced  to  you  by  your  acting  pastor  that  the 
Bishop  had  given  over  this  church  and  parish  to  the  Dominican  Fathers,  and  that  they 
would  make  their  first  public  appearance  among  you  to-day.  In  accordance  with  that 
announcement  we  are  here  to-day  to  take  formal  possession  of  the  church  and  to  begin 
the  work  of  our  spiritual  ministrations  in  the  parish.  We  have  been  called  here  bv  your 
Bishop,  not  for  the  purpose  of  remedying  an3'  defect  in  the  administration  of  previous 
pastors,  for  no  defect  has  ever  been  attributed  to  them,  except  perhaps  an  excessive  zeal 
which  sapped  the  foundation  of  their  health  and  brought  at  least  two  of  them  to  prema- 
ture graves.  But  if  this  be  a  fault,  surely  it  is  a  noble  one  in  a  priest.  How  can  the 
change  be  construed  into  a  reflection  on  the  temporary  government  of  your  late  acting 
pastor,  for  all  the  evidence  goes  to  prove  that  he  worthily  emulated  the  energy  and  zeal 
of  his  predeces.sors  and  discharged  the  delicate  functions  of  his  vicariate  with  rare  tact 
and  prudence.  Far  be  it  from  us  to  utter  any  words  on  this  occasion  other  than  those  of 
commendation  of  the  zealous  and  worthy  men  who  have  gone  before  us.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  verj'  first  duty  that  we  would  inculcate  among  you  is  that  of  constantly  and 
gratefullj'  remembering  the  arduous  labors  of  those  devoted  priests. 

"  No,  my  friends,  the  presence  of  a  religious  order  in  New  Haven  is  not  due  to  any 
such  narrow-minded  views  as  those  to  which  I  have  referred.  The  counsels  that  called  us 
to  this  diocese  and  to  this  parish  were  cast  in  a  larger  mould.  Catching  his  inspiration 
from  the  encyclicals  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  himself,  your  chief  pastor  has  concluded 
that  it  would  be  to  the  interest  of  religion  in  his  diocese  to  secure  the  co-operation  of 
another  religious  order,  whose  members  would  hold  themselves  ever  in  readiness  to  assist 
him  and  his  devoted  clergy  in  the  great  work  of  caring  for  the  souls  committed  to  his 
charge,  and  in  making  his  choice  amongst  the  different  religious  organizations,  I  hope  I 
may  be  pardoned  the  seeming  egotism  in  asserting  that  he  chose  wisely  in  selecting  that 
grand  old  order,  whose  record  during  six  centuries  of  the  church's  historj'  has  gained  for 
itself  the  proud  distinction,  the  glorious  title  of  '  The  Order  of  Truth,'  upon  whose  teach- 
ings the  greatest  of  modern  popes  relies  to  bring  back  the  world  from  the  mazes  of  extrav- 
agance and  error  to  the  pure,  simple,  yet  sublime,  precepts  of  the  Gospel.  Whether  for 
weal  or  woe,  however,  the  choice  has  been  made,  and  though  there  may  be  some  who 
might  doubt  as  to  vi'hether  your  Bishop  has  chosen  wisely,  there  is  not,  in  the  diocese  of 
Hartford,  an  individual,  knowing  the  man,  who  would  dare  assert  that  he  has  not  chosen 
conscientiously.  And  though  we  are  comparative  strangers  to  you  here  in  New  Haven, 
we  are  well  known  in  other  portions  of  the  diocese.  During  the  last  two  decades  our 
Fathers  have  been  called  by  various  pastors  to  assist  them  in  their  labors  by  giving  mis- 
sions amongst  their  people,  and  I  am  vain  enough  to  believe  that  our  position  amongst 
you  to-day  is  in  some  measure  at  least  an  acknowledgment  and  a  recognition  of  the  work 
that  we  have  done. 

"  Your  Bishop  has  been  frank  enough  to  declare  that  he  expects  '  great  results  '  from 
this  new  foundation  of  the  Dominican  Fathers  in  his  diocese.  Henceforward  it  will  be 
our  highest  aim  and  our  chief  ambition  to  bring  those  hopes  of  our  common  Father  to 
their  fullest  and  maturest  realization.  But  to  succeed  in  this  we  need  the  co-operation  of 
the  people  ;  and  in  assuming  the  burden  to-day— for  we  do  not  conceal  from  ourselves 
the  fact  that  it  is  a  burden  who.se  weight  is  charged  with  having  borne  two  of  your  pastors 
to  untimely  graves — in  assuming  this  burden  we  are  sustained  by  the  glowing  reports 
which  come  to  us  from  every  quarter  of  the  admirable  disposition  and  spirit  of  the  people 
of  this  parish." 

When  the  Dominican  Fathers  assumed  charge  of  St.  Mary's  parish  in 
May,  1886,  the  indebtedness  was  over  ^150,000;  on  January  i,  1888,  it  was 


342  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

^I30,cxx);  on  January  i,  1889,  it  had  been  reduced  to  $120,000.  In  1889  the 
old  Churcli  street  property  was  sold  for  $55,000,  which,  being  applied  to  the 
debt,  reduced  it  to  $65,000.  After  thirteen  years  of  arduous  and  self-.sacri- 
ficing  labor  the  indebtedness  has  been  reduced  to  $21,000.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  chapel  property  has  been  acquired  at  an  outlay  of  $12,500,  and  is 
free  from  debt. 

The  population  of  St.  Mary's  parish  is  about  5,000  souls,  chiefly  Irish 
and  their  descendants.  The  priests  who  serve  the  parish  are  \'ery  Rev.  Hugh 
F.  Lilly,  O.P.,  P.G.,  Vicar;  Revs.  J.  C.  Gilroy,  O.  P.,  T.  H.  Justin,  O.P.,  L.J. 
Lockingen,  O.P.,  M.  A.  McClellan,  OP. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  PARISH, 
New  Haven. 

'T.  PATRICK'S  parish  is  a  portion  of  the  original  mission  established 
in  New  Haven  by  the  Rev.  James  McDermot  in  1832.  The  for- 
mation of  St.  Patrick's  parish  was  the  earliest  division  of  St.  Mar)''s, 
the  eldest  of  the  New  Haven  parishes.  In  1851,  the  Rev.  E.  J. 
O'Brien,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  in  anticipation  of  the  approaching  needs  of  the 
lower  part  of  the  city,  purcha.sed  the  site  upon  which  stand  the  present  churcli, 
parochial  residence  and  schools.  Tlie  land  having  been  secured.  Bishop 
O'Reilly  appointed  the  Rev.  John  Sheridan  an  assistant  to  Father  O'Brien, 
but  with  the  commission  also  to  build  the  new  church.  The  work  on  the 
church  progressed  rapidly,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  August  31,  1851. 
A  contemporary  thus  wrote  of  this  interesting  event : 

"  New  Haven,  September  1,  1S51. 
"  Yesterday  was  a  da}'  long  to  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  the  Catholics  of 
this  city.  The  imposing  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  church  was  per- 
formed according  to  the  ancient  u.sage  and  solemn  rites  of  the  church  of  God.  At  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  large  procession  was  formed  at  St.  Mary's  cliurch,  Church 
street,  headed  by  a  cross-bearer  and  numerous  acolytes,  bearing  liglUed  tapers,  followed 
by  the  children  of  the  female  and  male  schools,  the  Rev.  clergy  of  the  city,  the  choir  of 
St.  Mary's,  members  of  the  Hibernian  and  Montgomery  Societies,  and  the  Catholic 
population  generally.  It  proceeded  through  several  streets  to  the  .site  of  the  edifice  about 
to  Ije  erected,  where  was  performed,  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  O'Reilly,  assisted  by  the 
clergy,  the  sacred  rite  of  blessing  the  foundation  and  laying  the  corner-stone,  in  which 
were  deposited  .several  American  coins  of  recent  date,  and  a  manuscript  in  Latin,  of  which 
the  following  is  a  literal  translation  ; 

"  '  In  the  name  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ— Amen. 

"  '  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1851,  the  thirty  first  day  of -August,  the  twelfth  Sunday 
after  Pentecost,  in  the  seventh  year  of  the  Pontificate  of  our  Holy  Father  Pius  the  Ninth, 
in  the  first  year  of  the  Episcopacy  of  Hernard  O'Reilly,  Bishop  of  Hartford,  in  the  seventy- 
sixth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States,  Millard  Fillmore  being  President  of 
the  United  States,  Thomas  H.  Seymour  being  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
Aaron  N.  Skinner  being  Mayor  of  this  city,  (New  Haven) ;  this,  the  first  stone  of  this 
new  temple,  was  laid  in  honor  of  God,  under  the  invocation  of  St.  Patrick,  by  the  afore- 
said Bishop  of  Hartford,  James  Fitton,  Edward  J.  O'Brien,  Bernard  Tevin,  John  Sheridan, 
assisting  priests— the  members  of  the  Ililjernian  and  Montgomery  Societies,  besides  a 
great  concourse  of  Catholic  people  and  others,  being  present.  — Sidney  M.  Stone,  of  this 
city,  architect.' 


REV.  JOHN   D.  COYLE. 


REV.  MICHAEL  J.   DALY. 


REV.  JOHN   RUSSELL,  P.R. 


REV.  JEREMIAH  CURTIN. 


REV.  WILLIAM  J.   DULLARD. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  343 

"The  ceremonies  being  over,  the  bishop  and  priests  ascended  the  platform,  and 
taking  for  his  text  the  passage  of  Scripture  embraced  in  the  loth  to  the  22nd  verses  of 
the  28th  chapter  of  Genesis,  the  bishop  preached  a  most  eloquent  and  impressive  dis- 
course. He  observed  that  the  passage  he  had  read  was  the  record  of  the  first  dedication 
of  a  place  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  He  traced  the  historical  records  of  the 
blessing  of  places  and  things  to  be  used  in  divine  worship  as  contained  in  Holy  Writ  ;  it 
has  been  observed  in  the  Christian  church  by  sacred  rite  since  the  first  dawn  of  freedom, 
in  the  same  manner  and  form  as  his  audience  had  witnessed  on  the  present  occasion.  He 
explained  the  doctrine  which  will  be  preached  and  maintained  in  the  temple  about  to  be 
built.  The  religion  which  there  will  be  taught,  will  be  the  religion  which  received  its 
commission  from  the  Son  of  God.  The  religion  which  alone  of  all  others  has  converted 
and  civilized  the  world  with  no  other  weapons  but  those  of  its  Divine  Master,  Truth 
and  Faith. 

"  But  it  would  be  impossible  to  give  even  a  synopsis  of  his  masterly  discourse  with 
anything  like  justice  to  the  Right  Rev.  Prelate.  It  occupied  about  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  in  delivery,  and  was  listened  to  with  the  greatest  attention  by  the  vast  audience, 
which  was  estimated  by  good  judges  as  near  seven  thousand  persons. 

"  The  choir  having  sung  in  an  excellent  manner  '  Hail  Glorious  Apostle,'  the  Te 
Deurn  Laudamns  and  several  other  chants  of  the  church,  and  the  bi.shop  having  given  the 
solemn  benediction,  the  vast  concourse  retired  with  grateful  hearts  ;  nothing  occurred  to 
disturb  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion. 

"  The  church  is  to  be  built  in  the  style  of  the  eighth  century — the  Romanesque — 
and  is  expected  to  be  ready  for  divine  service  by  Christmas  day. 

"  This  morning  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  O'Brien  and 
Tevin,  consecrated  with  solemn  rite  and  ceremony  the  new  Catholic  cemetery.  It  is 
beautifully  situated  on  the  northern  bank  of  a  small  river,  which  forms  the  southern 
boundary  of  the  city.'' 

The  corner-stone  laid  and  the  foundations  finished,  Father  Sheridan  was 
sticceeded  by  the  Rev.  Matthew  Hart,  who  had  also  been  an  assistant  at  St. 
Mary's  until  December,  1852,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  among  his  new 
parishioners.  Father  Hart  himself  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  he 
offered  the  first  Mass  said  within  the  limits  of  the  present  parish  on  December 
19,  1852.  With  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Farrell,  Father  Hart  was  ordained  sub- 
deacon,  deacon  and  priest  on  July  16,  19  and  20,  185 1,  respectively.  Upon  his 
appointment  to  St.  Patrick's  the  work  of  construction  was  prosecuted  with 
vigor  until  the  church  was  ready  for  dedication.  This  event  took  place  on 
October  9,  1853.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Archbishop  Bedini, 
Papal  Ntmcio  to  Brazil,  assisted  by  Bishop  Fitzpatrick  of  Boston,  Bishop 
Timon  of  Buffalo  and  Bishop  O'Reilly.  Archbishop  Bedini  celebrated  Pon- 
tifical Mass,  at  which  the  Bishop  of  Boston  pronounced  the  discourse.  At 
Vespers  in  the  afternoon,  the  Bishop  of  Hartford  preached,  and  in  the  even- 
ing a  discourse  was  delivered  by  Bishop  Timon.  The  church  was  120  by  65 
feet  and  was  built  of  brown-stone.  At  the  time  of  the  dedication,  the  parish 
numbered  about  1500  souls. 

Father  Hart  continued  his  arduous  labors,  reducing  the  indebtedness  and 
assiduously  guarding  the  spiritual  interests  of  his  increasing  flock.  He 
erected  the  pastoral  residence,  two  school  btiildings,  the  first  in  1853  and  the 
second  in  1858,  and  the  convent  in  1870.  In  1867,  the  desire  of  his  heart 
was  realized,  the  wishes  of  his  people  were  fulfilled.  The  church  was  freed 
from  financial  encumbrance  and  was  ready  for  consecration.     This  ceremony 


344  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

was  performed  b}-  Archbishop  McCloskey,  of  New  York,  on  October  15th  of 
the  above  year,  assisted  by  two  otlicr  bishops,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
attendance  of  the  clergy  and  laity. 

In  January  1875,  a  fire  destroyed  the  roof  of  the  church  and  severely 
damaged  the  interior  of  the  edifice.  The  church  was  practically  rebuilt  and 
is  a  mixture  of  Gothic  and  Romanesque  styles  of  architecture.  Father  Hart 
did  not  live  to  witness  the  completion  of  the  church.  Having  been  taken 
ill  in  the  latter  part  of  June,  1876,  he  went  to  St.  \'incent's  hospital,  New 
York,  on  July  5th,  where  he  suddenly  expired  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  in 
the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age.  "The  announcement  of  the  death  of  their  be- 
loved pastor  was  received  with  the  most  touching  demonstrations  of  grief  by 
his  parishioners  in  New  Haven.  He  had  endeared  himself  to  them  by  every 
tie  that  can  bind  a  priest  to  his  people,  and  no  one  but  a  Catholic  can  fathom 
the  unbounded  love  which  a  Catholic  people  hold  for  a  priest  to  whom  they 
have  become  attached.  He  lives  but  for  them  and  their  welfare  ;  he  knows 
every  one  of  them  personally  and  is  at  once  their  father,  brother,  friend, 
physician  and  counsel;  he  has  joined  them  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony; 
he  has  baptized  their  children  and  watched  with  the  zealous  care  of  a  pastor 
the  young  souls  committed  to  his  guidance;  he  has  comforted  them  in  afflic- 
tion and  wept  with  them  in  sorrow ;  he  has  rejoiced  with  them  in  their  joy 
and  gloried  in  their  glory  ;  he  has  supported  and  strengthened  the  weak  and 
encouraged  the  strong ;  he  has  buried  their  dead  and  a-ssuaged  their  grief  for 
the  loved  one  gone,  hy  the  soft  and  holy  accents  of  the  hope  of  a  blessed  re- 
union above.  He  has  grown  into  and  around  their  very  heart-strings,  and 
the  sundering  of  the  earthly  tie  that  binds  them  to  him,  causes  anguish  and 
heart-rending  too  deep  for  expression.  Such  a  priest  was  Father  Matthew 
Hart — a  priest  beloved  by  all  and  whose  memory  will  be  long  sacredly 
cherished  with  the  deepest  reverence."  ' 

The  remains  of  Father  Hart  were  brought  to  St.  Patrick's  on  their  ar- 
rival from  New  York,  but  the  funeral  services  were  conducted  at  St.  Mary's 
church,  on  July  1 2th.  The  Solemn  Mass  of  Requiem  was  celebrated  by  Very 
Rev.  James  Hughes,  assisted  by  Rev.  James  L>  nch  of  Waterbury  as  deacon. 
Rev.  P.  Mullhollaiid  of  New  Haven  as  sub-deacon  and  Rev.  Francis  O'Keefe 
of  Middletown  as  master  of  ceremonies.  Bishop  Cialberry  and  Bishop  Hen- 
dricken  were  present  in  the  sanctuary.  The  funeral  oration  was  pronounced 
by  the  Rev.  Hugh  Carmody  of  New  Haven  in  the  course  of  which  he  said  : 
"  For  five  and  twenty  years  he  labored  among  you  with  a  success  which  few 
men  can  expect,  and  we  take  it  as  a  sign  that  God's  blessing  was  on  his  labor. 
To  all  of  us,  and  to  the  diocese  of  Hartford,  death  has  brought  a  great  los.s. 

"  He  was  sent  by  Bishop  O'Reilly  to  found  a  new  parish,  and  God  only 
knows  what  trials  and  struggles,  sleeplessness  and  care  were  his.  He  had 
great  difficulties  to  contend  with,  but  he  left  his  parish  one  of  the  first  in  the 
State.  He  built  his  church,  parsonage,  and  school,  and  was  engaged  at  the 
time  of  his  death  in  the  project  of  the  orphan  asylum.  His  heart  was 
with  the  little  orphans.  During  the  twenty-five  years  of  his  residence  here, 
'  Conntxiiait  Ottholic  Year  Book,  iSy/. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  345 

he  was  esteemed  by  Protestants  and  Catholics  alike,  as  a  usefnl  and  one  of 
our  foremost  citizens. 

"  His  deep  knowledge  of  canon  law  and  church  discipline  was  soon  dis- 
covered by  the  late  Bishop  McFarland,  of  blessed  memory,  who  reposed  such 
confidence  in  his  judgment  that  he  made  him  his  theologian,  and  in  that 
capacit)-  he  accompanied  the  Bishop  to  the  Ecumenical  Council  at  Rome,  and 
only  a  short  time  ago  the  venerable  head  of  the  diocese  appointed  him  one  of 
his  counsellors." 

The  successor  of  Father  Hart  was  Very  Rev.  James  Lynch,  Vicar  General, 
who  preached  his  first  sermon  as  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  on  Sunday, 
August  6,  1876.  With  this  appointment  came  also  his  elevation  to  the  office 
of  Vicar  General.  Father  Lynch  was  accompanied  to  New  Haven  by  Rev. 
John  A.  Mulcahy,  the  present  Vicar  General.  Father  Lynch's  pastorate  was 
of  only  five  months' duration.'  His  final  illness  began  on  November  17th, 
with  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  occasioned  by  an  accident,  which  injured  his  spine. 
From  that  date  he  lingered  until  December  6th,  when  he  peacefully  expired, 
aged  fifty  years.  A  striking  coincidence  attending  the  final  moments  of 
Father  Lynch,  was  that  on  the  eve  of  his  death,  the  5th  inst.,  the  Holy  Viati- 
cum was  administered  to  him  by  one  of  his  assistants,  Rev.  William  J.  Slocum, 
whom  nearly  twenty-six  years 'before  he  had  himself  baptized  in  Winsted, 
while  there  shortly  after  his  ordination.  The  funeral  services  were  held  at 
St.  Mar>''s  church  on  Saturday,  the  9th,  the  following  clergymen  oflSciating  : 

Celebrant — Rev.  Thomas  S3'niiott,  Bridgeport. 
Deacon — Rev.  Luke  Daly,  New  Britain. 
Sub-deacon — Rev.  E.J.  O'Brien,  IMiddletown. 
Master  of  Ceremonies — Rev.  W.  A.  Hatty,  New  Haven. 

Present  in  the  sanctuary  with  a  large  assemblage  of  priests  were  Bishop 
Galberry,  of  Hartford,  and  Bishop  Lynch,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  the  latter  of 
whom  pronounced  the  eulogy  on  the  departed  priest.  Bishop  Lynch  said  in 
part:  "Sorrow  has  fallen  on  your  communit)-.  One  of  the  chief  churches  of 
this  city  has  lost  its  beloved  pastor  ;  the  body  of  the  clergy  has  lost  a  reverend 
brother  and  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments;  the  diocese  loses  its  kind  Vicar 
General.  .  .  .  Shall  I  tell  you  of  his  call  to  the  service  of  the  altar;  how  that 
young  heart  answered  the  promptings  of  Divine  grace  and  from  his  earliest 
years  devoted  himself  to  God,  to  the  service  of  His  church?  .  .  .  The  day 
came  to  him,  as  it  came  to  us,  his  brethren  of  the  clergy,  when  in  the  sanc- 
tuary he  lay  prostrate  before  the  altar  and  off'ered  to  God  all  the  days  of  his 
life  to  do  His  work.  And  he  never  drew  back.  .  .  .  Shall  I  speak  of  the 
twenty-six  years  of  his  priestljood  or  of  his  character  for  earnest  piety  ?  Years 
ago  I  was  struck  with  his  sweetness  of  disposition,  by  his  zeal  and  assiduity 
in  the  performance  of  works  of  charity.     I  have  seen  children's  eyes  gladden 

'  From  Bishop  O'ReilU's  Journal : 

"1851.    March  i^f. — Reed.  Revd.  James  Lynch  from  All  Hallow.s. 
"14. — Revd.  Hugh  O'Reilly  arrived  from  the  Seminary  of  All  Hallows. 
"31. — Appointed  Revd.  James  Lynch  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  Birmingham  and  its 
dependencies." 


346  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

as  they  caught  sight  of  his  form,  and  his  untiring  exertions  in  behalf  of  those 
little  ones,  prone  to  evil,  but  easily  led  to  good,  are  matters  well  known.  Wher- 
ever he  labored  he  increased  the  schools  and  the  facilities  for  teaching  his 
Catholic  children  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  faith.  Throughout  his  whole  life 
he  sought  not  distinction  nor  renown,  but  what  he  did  seek  with  all  his  soul 
was  to  fulfill  the  vows  taken  at  his  ordination,  and  he  labored  faithfully  and 
zealously  among  the  population  to  which  he  was  sent.  Witness  the  congre- 
gation at  Middletown,  where  for  nearly  si.xteen  years  he  worked  tirelessly  and 
gained  the  hearts  of  all.  Witness  the  congregation  at  Waterbury,  where  for 
four  years  he  was  idolized  by  the  people.  And  in  this  city,  during  his  short 
sojourn,  with  what  love,  affection  and  reverence  has  he  not  inspired  those  to 
whom  he  had  become  as  a  father ! 

"  But  called  to  his  reward,  dying  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  we  may 
mourn  for  him,  but  not  without  hope.  Such  a  life  as  his  is  happily  terminated 
with  such  a  death."' 

The  Rev.  Jeremiah  S.  Fitzpatrick  became  the  successor  of  Father  Lynch 
and  entered  upon  his  duties  Sunday,  December  24,  1876.  Father  Fitzpatrick 
brought  to  his  new  field  of  labor  reliable  judgment,  ripe  experience  acquired 
from  pastoral  labors  el.sewhere  and  from  study  and  observation  and  a  determi- 
nation to  maintain  the  high  standard  of  material  and  spiritual  excellence 
established  and  sustained  by  his  predecessors.  He  entered  upon  his  labors 
confident  both  of  the  divine  a.ssistance  and  the  co-operation  of  liis  people. 
Success  followed  his  labors,  and  his  pastorate  promised  the  full  measure  of 
honor  and  glory  for  the  Divine  Head  of  the  church  when  a  serious  and  pro- 
tracted illness  compelled  his  retirement  after  an  administration  of  five  years. 

It  was  during  Father  Fitzpatrick's  pastorate  that  St.  Patrick's  remodeled 
church  was  dedicated.  After  its  partial  destruction  by  fire  in  1875,  Father 
Hart  embraced  the  opportunity  to  considerably  enlarge  the  edifice  and  to 
improve  its  appearance,  both  interior  and  exterior.  The  work  designed  and 
pushed  forward  by  Father  Hart  was  continued  vigorously  by  his  successor, 

'  In  the  three  years  previous  to  the  death  of  Father  Ljiich  the  diocese  lost  by  death 
sixteen  of  her  ablest  and  most  indefatigable  worker.s,  namely  : 

1.  Rev.  John  Fagan,  Stamford,  Decembers,  1873 

2.  Rev.  P.  McKenna,  New  Milford,  August  27,  1874. 

3.  Rev.  J.  B.  Reynolds,  Jevvett  City,  December  30,  1874. 

4.  Rev.  W.  F.  O'Urien,  Middletown,  January  8,  1874. 

5.  Rev.  J.  Smyth,  Windsor  Locks,  May  16,  1874. 

6.  Rev.  T.  Drea,  Hast  Bridgeport,  July  11,  1874. 

7.  Right  Rev.  F.  P.  McFarland,  Hartford,  October  12,  1874. 

8.  Rev.  T.  F.  Healy,  Windsor  Locks,  August  26,  1875. 

9.  Rev.  Peter  .Smith,  Norwalk,  December  20,  1875. 

10.  Rev.  William  Hart,  Naugatuck,  March  19,  1876. 

11.  Rev.  John  O'Brien,  Hartford,  Marcli  27,  1876. 

12.  Rev.  Matthew  Hart.  New  Haven,  July  9,  1S76. 

13.  Rev.  W.  K.  Dufty,  Porthmd,  August  30,  1876. 

14.  Rev.  F.  Duggett,  Walerburj-,  August  29,  1876. 

15.  Rev.  R.  O'Gorman,  Naugatuck,  December  3,  1876. 

16.  Very  Rev.  James  Lynch,  New  Haven,  December  6,  1876. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  347 

Very  Rev.  Father  Lynch.  The  honor  of  completing  the  work  so  well  begun 
and  advanced  fell  to  Father  Fitzpatrick.  The  impressive  ceremony  of  dedi- 
cation took  place  on  Sunday,  January  21,  1877.  Bishop  Galberry  officiated  at 
this  ceremony,  and  at  the  Pontifical  Mass  following.  At  the  latter  ceremony 
he  was  assisted  by 

Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  Archpriest 

Rev.  H.  Carmody,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  P.  J.  O'Dwyer,-  Deacons  of  Honor. 

Rev.  P.  A.  Murphy,  Deacon. 

Rev.  P.  Kennedy,  Sub-deacon. 

Rev.  E.  J.  O'Brien  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Mulcahy,  Masters  of  Ceremonies. 

The  Rev.  Michael  O'Farrell  of  St.  Peter's  church,  New  York,  preached 
the  sermon,  taking  his  text  from  the  Apostles'  Creed:  "  I  believe  in  the  Holy 
Catholic  Church."  In  the  evening  Bishop  Galberry  officiated  at  Pontifical 
Vespers,  and  Rev.  H.  Brady,  of  Ansonia,  preached  the  sermon. 

Father  Fitzpatrick's  assistants  at  this  time  were  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy 
and  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum. 

The  first  service  held  in  the  church  after  its  re-dedication  was  a  "  Month's 
Mind  "  Mass  for  the  late  Very  Rev.  James  Lynch,  V.  G.,  which  had  been  post- 
poned owing  to  the  unfinished  condition  of  the  church. 

Upon  the  retirement  of  the  Rev.  Father  Fitzpatrick  the  parish  was  admin- 
istered by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum  until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  John  Rus- 
sell in  April,  1883.  What  with  the  erection  of  new  schools,  the  liquidation  of 
the  parish's  indebtedness,  the  supervision  of  the  great  cemetery  interests  of 
the  Catholics  of  New  Haven,  and  the  guarding  of  the  manifold  spiritual  in- 
terests entrusted  to  his  care.  Father  Russell  has  witnessed  results  that  speak 
of  zeal  and  priestly  solicitude  on  the  one  hand  and  of  confidence,  appreciation 
and  co-operation  on  the  other.  St.  Patrick's  parish  is  at  the  zenith  of  its 
prosperity,  temporal  and  spiritual,  a  potent  factor  in  the  intellectual,  financial 
and  spiritual  life  of  New  Haven.  Father  Russell  found  an  indebtedness  of 
$65,000,  which  was  paid  within  ten  years.  A  large  lot  was  purchased  and  a 
new  school  building  erected  upon  it,  and  the  old  buildings  were  renovated. 
The  debt  incurred  by  these  improvements  has  also  been  liquidated.  A  hand- 
some marble  altar  and  new  stations  of  the  cross  have  been  erected  in  the 
church.  An  extensive  addition  has  been  built  to  the  convent,  so  that  this 
structure  is  one  of  the  most  imposing  convents  in  the  diocese. 

The  schools  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  enjoy  the  distinction  of  being  under 
the  direction  of  the  School  Board  of  the  city  of  New  Haven.  One  thousand 
one  hundred  and  eight  pupils  are  taught  by  si.xteen  Sisters  of  Mercy,  of 
whom  Sister  M.  Patricia, is  the  Directress. 

Father  Russell  is  one  of  the  permanent  rectors  of  the  diocese.  His  co- 
laborers  are  Rev.  E.  O'Connell,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Duggan,  Rev.  M.  J.  O'Connor. 


348  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  l.\  NEW  ENGLASD. 

ST.  JOHN'S  PARISH, 
New  Haven. 

'T.  JOHN'S  PARISH  is  the  second  offshoot  of  the  mother  parish, 
St.  Mary's.  In  1857  Rev.  John  Smith,  of  Danbury,  was  appointed 
by  the  Very  Rev.  Administrator,  William  O'Reilly,  to  proceed  to 
New  Haven  and  collect  fnnds  for  the  erection  of  a  chnrch  on  the 
site  of  old  Christ's  cluirch,  destroyed  by  a  conflagration  in  1848.  The  growth 
of  the  Catholic  population  in  that  section  of  the  city  rendered  a  new  house  of 
worship  necessary.  Moreover  the  people  were  desirous  of  seeing  a  church 
erected  on  the  spot  hallowed  by  the  memories  of  the  old  historic  edifice. 
Arrived  at  New  Haven,  F'ather  Smith  took  up  his  residence  with  Father 
O'Brien  at  St.  Mary's. 

Entering  upon  his  mission  with  enthusiasm,  and  cordially  a.ssisted  by  his 
parishioners,  Father  Smith  began  the  second  period  of  his  jiastorate  when 
the  corner-stone  of  the  church  was  laid  on  Sunday  afternoon,  April  18,  1858, 
under  the  title  of  St.  John,  the  Evangelist.  The  Catholic  population,  with 
many  others,  formed  in  j)rocession  at  St.  Mary's  church  and  proceeded  to 
the  site  of  the  new  church,  where  the  stone  was  placed  in  position,  in  the 
presence  of  12,000  people.  Bishop  McFarland  performed  the  ceremony  and 
preached  on  the  occasion,  selecting  as  his  text  the  words  of  the  royal  psalmist : 
"Unless  the  Lord  build  the  house,  in  vain  do  they  labor  who  build  it."  The 
donations  of  the  assemblage  amounted  to  over  $1,000.  On  Sunday,  Septem- 
ber 28th,  of  the  same  >ear  St.  John's  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Mc- 
Farland. The  church  was  the  fir.st  of  the  kind  built  in  the  United  States, 
being  of  the  Celtic  style  of  architecture,  which  ])revailed  throughout  Ireland 
in  the  nth  and  12th  centuries.  The  architect  was  P.  C.  Keeley.  Father 
vSmith's  pastoral  relations  with  St.  John's  were  severed  by  deatli,  in  1864,  the 
Rev.  Hugh  Carmody,  D.D.,  becoming  his  succes.sor.  The  church  had  been 
built,  but  much  was  to  be  done  towards  furnishing  it.  Dr.  Carmody  put  in 
stained  glass  windows,  erected  the  main  altar  and  a  commodious  gallery.  In 
1874  the  convent  building  on  South  street  was  built  at  an  expense  of  $30,000, 
exclusive  of  the  cost  of  the  site.  The  pastoral  residence  was  also  erected 
during  his  administration  at  an  expenditure  of  $15,000.  Dr.  Carmody  was 
extensivelv  interested  in  educational  matters,  and  the  South  street  school, 
built  and  owned  by  the  parish,  was  leased  to  the  school  district.  He  pur- 
chased, also,  the  church  known  as  "Hallock's  church,"  which  became  the 
church  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  with  Father  Sheffrey  as  its  first  rector.  Dr. 
Carmody 's  fourteen  years'  pastorate  came  to  an  end  on  July  16,  1878,  when  he 
received  notification  of  his  appointment  to  St.  Mary's  parish.  New  Britain, 
as  the  successor  to  the  Rev.  Luke  Dal\-.  He  jircached  his  farewell  sermon 
to  his  sorrowing  parishioners  on  Sunday,  the  28th,  saying  : 

"  My  relations  to  the  people  of  thi.s  parish  have  been  so  intimate  and  endearing 
during  the  past  fourteen  years  that  it  is  not  surprising  that  there  should  be  pain  at 
parting.  I  do  not  desire  to  leave  you,  but  it  is  tlie  wish  of  the  bishop,  who  makes 
changes  and  does  what  he  thinks  best  for  the  interest  of  the  diocese.     I  cannot  look  for- 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  349 

ward  to  such  ease  and  comfort  in  my  new  station,  for  althougli  much  has  been  done  by 
the  sainth"  priest  who  has  passed  awa}-,  there  is  much  yet  to  do.  I  can  only  offer  up  my 
prayers  in  your  behalf.  In  the  fourteen  years  of  my  life  with  you  I  have  always  been 
treated  with  love  and  kindness.  The  greatest  harmony  has  existed  between  us.  Twenty 
years  ago,  this  year,  St."  John's  church  was  first  opened  for  divine  worship,  and  all  its 
prosperity  and  all  it  has  achieved  is  owing  to  God's  blessing.  Your  new  pastor  has  been 
placed  over  you  bj'  the  bishop,  and,  with  your  hearty  co-operation  in  all  good  works, 
God's  blessing  will  be  upon  you.  God  has  wonderfully  bles.sed  j-our  parish,  and  I  would 
ask  you  to  give  your  prayers,  your  powers,  your  interest  and  }'Our  sympathies  to  the 
schools  of  the  parish.  The  bishop  says  there  are  no  better  schools  in  the  diocese.  In  a 
few  j'ears  we  elder  ones  will  have  passed  away,  and  the  children  are  the  only  hope  of 
Catholicism  in  the  future.  Indeed,  I  do  not  know  what  to  say  on  this  occasion.  Usu- 
ally, I  am  not  at  a  loss  for  words,  but  to-day  I  am.  The  majority  of  my  priestly  life  has 
been  spent  in  this  parish.  You  have  aided  my  work  in  all  ways.  You  have  given  what 
I  have  asked,  and  given  freely  and  generously.  You  have  upheld  my  hand  and  my 
heart  in  all  good  works.  I  wish  I  could  say  more  to  you  today,  but  I  cannot  do  so 
From  my  inmost  heart  I  pray  God  to  bless  you,  and  your  families,  and  the  church  of 
God — the  church  so  dear  to  us  all." 

In  sticces.siou  to  Dr.  Carmody  came  Rev.  John  McMahon,  Rev.  John 
Cooney,  Rev.  Bernard  Bray  and  the  present  rector,  Rev.  John  D.  Coyle — all 
animated  with  zeal  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth,  all  fully  cogniz- 
ant of  their  responsibilities,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  Christian  education, 
conservative  yet  j^rogressive — they  have  achieved  successes  in  the  great  cause 
of  the  Divine  Master,  that  redound  to  tlie  welfare  of  souls,  and  to  the  honor 
of  the  parish  whose  influence  is  ever  expanding.  Father  Cooney  assumed 
charge  of  St.  John's  in  December,  1878.  His  administration  was  marked  by 
mildness  and  pastoral  solicitude  for  all,  but  especially  for  the  children  to 
whom  his  heart  went  out  in  its  ftilness. 

In  February,  1887,  Rev.  Bernard  Bray  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  of  St. 
John's.  The  sacristy  was  enlarged  and  the  church  redecorated  during  his 
pastorate.  The  present  rector,  Father  Coyle,  assumed  charge  in  May,  1895. 
Since  his  advent  the  school  has  undergone  a  complete  transformation,  the 
convent  has  been  renovated  and  the  grounds  beautified.  A  piece  of  land, 
north  of  the  rectory,  has  been  purchased,  which  enhances  the  value  of  the 
church  property.  The  schools  of  the  parish  maintain  their  efficiency,  and 
the  pupils  go  out  therefrom  well  equipped  to  engage  the  enemies  which  so 
sttirdily  assail  youth  upon  their  entrance  into  practical  life.  Success  after 
success  has  attended  the  self-sacrificing  labors  of  the  devoted  pastors  of  St. 
John's,  but  the  material  achievements  were  not  secured  at  the  sacrifice  of 
higher  and  holier  interests.  Societies  for  mutual  aid,  religious  confraternities, 
associations  for  the  promotion  of  the  virtue  of  temperance,  institutes  for  the 
moral,  intellectual  and  spiritual  advancement  of  youth  have  been  founded, 
and  are  accomplishing  in  a  gratifying  manner  the  results  anticipated  from 
their  organization.  Thirteen  Sisters  of  Charity,  under  the  direction  of  Sister 
M.  Geronimo,  are  efficient  auxiliaries  to  the  pastor  in  the  training  of  the 
youth  of  the  parish.  Four  hundred  and  fifty-nine  children  receive  daily  the 
benefit  of  their  experience  and  come  under  the  salutary  influence  which  flows 
from  the  presence  of  a  religious  garb  ;  so  that  the  parish,  solidly  established 


350  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

financially  and  spiritually,  has  still  brighter  prospects  in  the  children  who  are 
now  being  so  religiously  nurtured. 

From  1858,  to  January,  1899,  the  number  of  baptisms  in  St.  John's 
parish  was  8,097  ;  for  the  same  period  there  were  1,543  marriages.  The  first 
marriage  was  that  between  Cornelius  Leonard  and  Mary  Collins,  October  3, 
1858,  and  the  first  baptism  recorded  was  that  of  James  John,  son  of  Maurice 
and  Mary  Farraher,  September  26,  1858. 

Assisting  F'ather  Coyie  in  his  parochial  labors  are  Rev.  Francis  Murray 
and  Rev.  James  Keating. 

SACRED    HEART    PARISH, 
New  Haven. 

N  December  20,  1S74,  the  Rev.  John  McMahon,  an  assistant  in  St. 
John's  parish,  celebrated  the  Divine  Mysteries  in  what  had  been  a 
Congregational  and  Presbyterian  church  for  twenty-three  years. 
The  cross  that  surmounted  the  original  structure  was  raised  on  De- 
cember 18,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carmody  and  Major  Patrick  Maher.  The  church 
was  originally  built  by  the  Congregational ists  in  1851,  and  the  chapel  in  the 
rear  in  1852.  The  chief  contributors  to  the  building  fund  were  Girard  Hal- 
lock,  Thomas  R.  Trowbridge  and  brothers,  Sidney  M.  Stone  and  Amos  Smith. 
In  1855,  Mr.  Hallock  purcha.sed  the  shares  of  Messrs.  Stone  and  Smith,  and 
in  1864  those  also  of  Messrs.  Trowbridge,  thus  becoming  sole  owner. 

An  ecclesiastical  .society  was  organized  on  November  8,  1852,  and  the 
two  buildings,  the  South  church  and  the  South  church  chapel,  were  offered 
to  it  for  the  rental  of  a  barleycorn  a  year.  This  nominal  rental  was  faith- 
fully paid  until  the  church  passed  into  other  hands.  After  many  vicissitudes 
the  property  was  transferred  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  church  of  New  York,  a 
Presbyterian  organization,  on  April  30,  1869.  The  Board  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions paid  a  rental  of  $2000  per  annum,  and  the  formal  transfer  was  made  on 
October  21,  1874.  The  property  had  been  in  the  market  for  sale,  and  three 
days  after  the  transfer  to  the  Board,  it  was  purchased  by  Rev.  Hugh  Car- 
mody, D.D.,  pastor  of  St.  John's  parish.  On  November  10,  1874,  he  received 
the  deed  transferring  the  property. 

In  the  meantime.  Dr.  Carmody  had  been  energetic  in  the  endeavor  to 
collect  funds  sufficient  to  make  the  enterprise  an  assured  success.  Forty 
thousand  dollars,  price  down,  was  the  amount  asked  for  the  property.  The 
warranty  deed  was  eventually  executed  and  a  mortgage  secured.  Among 
those  who  supported  Dr.  Carmody  by  suggestion  and  advice,  but,  particularly, 
by  financial  assistance,  were  John  R.  Gildea,  Patrick  Eagan,  Bernard  Reilly, 
John  Starrs,  Thomas  Deskin,  Charles  McConville,  William  Kearney,  Dr. 
Barry,  Thomas  F.  Stackpole,  FMward  Boylan,  Michael  Herrity,  Lawrence 
Curtis,  Thomas  Kelley,  David  O'Donnell,  Michael  Reynolds,  FVaucis  Coyle, 
Patrick  Maher  and  Martin  Kennedy. 

The  new  acquisition  was  refitted  and  prepared  for  Catholic  services.  It 
was  attended  by  the  clergy  of  St.  John's  church  until  Sunday,  February  14, 
1875.     On  that  day,  the  Rev.  Stephen  P.  Sheffrey  began  his  administration 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  351 

as  pastor  of  the  newly  formed  parish.  When  Father  Sheffrey  assumed 
charge  of  the  parish  the  prospects  of  a  successful  pastorate  were  dark 
indeed.  Not  a  dollar  was  there  in  the  treasury,  nor  was  there  a  parochial 
residence.  His  lodgings  for  a  time  were  in  the  old  South  church  chapel. 
It  was  his  mission  to  unite  his  people,  and  to  instill  a  love  for  the  parish 
that  had  been  formed  in  honor  of  Him  whose  adorable  heart  had  been 
pierced  ou  Calvary.  His  it  was  to  assuage  the  grief  that  had  been  caused  by 
the  severance  of  time-honored  ties.  Twelve  months  after  his  arrival.  Father 
Sheffrey  secured  the  house  on  Columbus  avenue,  opposite  the  church,  which 
was  used  as  a  pastoral  residence  until  the  erection  of  the  present  rectory. 
Exacting  were  the  duties  of  Father  Sheffrey,  arduous  his  labors.  The  bur- 
den became  greater  than  he  could  bear,  and  he  yielded  to  its  weight.  The 
prospects  of  success  which  he  had  conjured  up  had  faded  and  the  hopes  upon 
which  he  had  builded  were  shattered.  Illness,  from  which  he  never  re- 
covered, followed,  and  on  October  i,  1881,  Father  Sheffrey  obeyed  the  final 
summons.  He  was  "  mourned  sincerely  by  a  congregation  which  at  last  had 
become  unified  through  his  ministrations,"  wrote  one  who  knew  him,  "and 
every  member  of  which  loved  him  for  the  goodness  of  a  patient  heart  which 
had  endured  much  uncomplainingly.  His  memory  remains  green  as  the  turf 
beneath  which  he  sleeps  in  the  churchyard." 

In  November,  1879,  K.^^-  Thomas  Coleman  was  appointed  administrator 
of  the  Sacred  Heart  parish,  and  in  this  capacity  he  served  until  the  appoint- 
ment of  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy.  To  Father  Coleman  belongs  the  honor  of 
paying  the  first  thousand  dollars  of  the  parish  indebtedness.  The  priests  who 
served  with  Father  Sheffrey  as  assistants  were  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons,  Rev. 
Thomas  Mulvaney  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Coleman.  Serving  with  Father 
Coleman  during  his  administration  were  Rev.  J.  Dougherty  and  Rev.  R.  C. 
Gragan. 

The  successor  of  Father  Sheffrey  was  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  the 
present  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese,  who  began  his  pastorate  of  four  years  on 
November  i,  1881.  Father  Mulcahy  was  confronted  with  an  indebtedness  of 
$39,000,  but  when  his  pastorate  terminated,  this  burden  had  been  reduced  to 
$14,000.  He  also  added  to  the  parish  possessions  by  the  purchase  of  sufficient 
land  on  Columbus  avenue  for  a  school  and  convent.  Father  Mulcahy  was 
assisted  in  his  parochial  labors  by  Father  Coleman  and  Father  Gibbons. 

Upon  the  transfer  of  Father  Mulcahy  to  Waterbury,  the  Rev.  M.  McKeon 
assumed  charge  of  the  parish  on  January  i,  1S86.  Evidences  of  his  zeal  and 
success  abound.  He  enlarged  and  remodeled  the  cliurch,  and  decorated  the 
interior  in  the  most  artistic  manner  at  an  expense  of  $30,000.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  new  addition  was  laid  in  May,  1888,  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
attended  by  the  clergy  of  all  the  churches  of  the  city.  Rev.  Father  Mul- 
cahy pronounced  the  discourse  on  the  occasion.  The  old  church  was  64  by 
90  feet,  and  had  a  seating  capacity  of  1000.  The  chapel  in  the  rear  was  razed, 
and  on  its  site  the  walls  of  an  addition  were  erected,  wider  than  that  of  the 
church  proper  by  ten  feet,  and  sixty-five  feet  in  length,  making  the  edifice  a 
total  length  of  155  feet.     The  renewed  church  is  in  the  Romanesque  style  of 


352  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

architecture.  The  altar  is  of  tlie  purest  marble,  is  an  artistic  piece  of  work- 
nuHJslup,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  diocese,  and  cost  $4000.  It  is  made 
of  various  kinds  of  marble,  foreign  and  domestic.  The  quarries  of  France 
and  Italy,  as  well  as  those  of  Vermont  and  Tennes.see,  furnished  its  material. 
It  is  twenty-five  feet  from  the  sanctuary  floor  to  the  top  of  the  cross,  while 
the  table  is  twelve  feet  in  length.  Father  McKeon  purcha.sed  at  a  cost  of 
$5500  two  lots  on  Liberty  street  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  70  feet  on  Liberty 
and  126  feet  on  Portsea  street,  upon  which  he  erected  a  commodious  pastoral 
residence.  In  1894  he  erected  a  school  that  is  an  honor  to  the  parish  and 
which  has  few  equals  in  the  State;  it  was  blessed  in  1895.  The  handsome 
convent  was  built  a  year  later,  and  blessed  in  1897. 

Having,  in  the  meantime,  liquidated  the  indebtedness  on  the  church. 
Father  McKeon  resolved  to  solemnly  consecrate  it  forever  to  the  service  of 
God.  Tlie  impressive  ceremony  took  place  on  Sunday,  September  27,  1889, 
Bishop  McMahon  officiating,  assisted  by  Revs.  James  H.  O'Donnell  and  John 
D.  Coy le,  masters  of  ceremonies  ;  Rev.  F.  Murpiiy,  thurifer;  Rev.  J.  Lawless, 
cross-bearer;  Rev.  J.  Synnott,  bearer  of  relics ;  Rev.  P.  McAlenney,  bearer  of 
holy  oils ;  Rev.  B.  Bray,  deacon  of  the  door.  The  Pontifical  Mass  which 
followed  the  ceremonies  of  consecration  was  celebrated  by  Right  Rev.  Mat- 
thew Harkins,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Providence,  with  the  following  assistants: 
assistant  priest.  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.  G. ;  deacon.  Rev.  P.  MuUhol- 
land;  sub-deacon.  Rev.  J.  Russell;  masters  of  ceremonies,  as  above.  The 
oration  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Father  McCarthy,  S.J.  Bishop  Mc- 
Mahon presided  at  the  Vesper  services,  and  Rev.  Richard  Burke  preached 
the  sermon. 

In  his  parocliial  labors  Father  McKeon  has  been  assisted  by  Rev.  W. 
Gibbons,  Rev.  William  Maher,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  Curtin,  Rev.  R.  J.  F;arly.  Tlie 
present  a.ssistants  are  Rev.  G.  Sinnott  and  Rev.  J.  J.  Fitzgerald. 

A  sad  occurrence,  resulting  in  the  death  of  a  Sister  of  i\Iercy,  cast  a 
gloom  over  the  parish.  On  June  29th,  of  this  year  (1899),  a  fire  broke  out 
in  the  convent,  during  which  Sister  Mary  Aloysius  died  from  suffocation. 
Twenty  Sisters  were  in  the  building  at  the  time,  but  the  others  escaped 
injury.     The  damage  to  the  convent  was  S3000. 

The  religious  societies  attached  to  the  church,  and  which  are  accomplish- 
ing much  for  religion  are  :  the  Confraternity  Society,  with  a  membership  of 
about  300;  the  Sodality  of  the  Children  of  Mary,  150;  the  Holy  Angels' 
Sodality,  300 ;  the  Sacred  Heart  T.  .\.  B.  Society,  200  ;  the  Sacred  Heart 
Cadets,  180  ;  the  Catholic  Club,  175  ;  the  Holy  Name  Society,  200  ;  the  Junior 
Holy  Name  Society,  150;  Infants'  Sodality,  200;  Junior  Sodality,  150. 

The  population  of  the  pari.sh  is  about  5000  .souls. 

The  material  successes  that  have  attended  the  labors  of  the  rectors  of  this 
parish  are  evidence  that  its  spiritual  status  is  of  a  high  standard,  and  are 
eloquent  attestations  of  the  fidelity  of  the  people  to  instruction  and  of  co- 
operation with  their  spiritual  guides. 


REV.   EDWARD   MARTIN. 


REV.  CHARLES  J.  McELROY. 


REV.  PETER   M.   KENNEDY. 


REV.  JOHN  CORCORAN. 


REV.  JOHN   D.  KENNEDY. 


DIOCESE.  OF  HARTFORD.  353 

ST.  FRANCIS'   PARISH, 
New  Haven. 

G^j^TNTIL  1867,  the  Catholics  of  Fair  Haven,  so  called,  attended  divine 
/ ^\  services  at  St.  Patrick's  church,  the  Rev.  Matthew  Hart,  pastor.  In 
\^^^^— ^  that  year  Father  Hart  secured  a  piece  of  land  upon  which  the 
first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Francis'  parish,  the  Rev.  Patrick  A. 
Gaynor,  built  the  church.  Its  dimensions  were  lOO  by  60  feet.  After  a 
pastorate  of  two  years  Father  Gaynor  died  in  1869,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Patrick  Mullholland.  When  Father  Mullholland  assumed  charge  of 
St.  Francis  parish  its  population  numbered  about  1,500  souls.  With  their 
young  pastor  they  entered  enthusiastically  into  the  work  of  promoting  the 
great  interests  of  the  parish.  His  will  was  their  law.  Obedient  to  his  wishes, 
even  anticipating  them  often,  both  forces  accomplished  results  that  are 
visible  to-day,  and  which  will  serve  to  keep  the  memory  of  Father  Mull- 
holland green  for  generations  to  come.  Active,  responding  to  the  demands 
of  his  high  calling,  sparing  not  himself  when  the  interests  of  others  were  at 
stake,  faithful  to  the  promises  made  to  the  ordaining  prelate.  Father  MuU- 
holland's  career  in  St.  Francis'  parish  produced  results  which  his  colleagues 
might  pardonably  envy,  and  which  no  doubt  merited  a  benign  sentence  from 
the  Supreme  Pastor  when  he  stood  before  the  Throne  to  receive  judgment. 
The  school  and  convent,  an  enlarged  and  beautifully  decorated  church,  a 
remodeled  rectory,  the  institution  of  'parochial  societies,  the  purchase  of 
valuable  pieces  of  property,  and  other  works  redolent  of  zeal  and  priestly 
solicitude,  all  are  reminders  that  a  strong  hand  was  at  the  helm.  The  people 
of  St.  Francis'  revere  his  memory  ;  the  children,  for  whom  he  ever  had  a 
father's  love,  hold  his  name  in  benediction  ;  all  recognized  that  when  Father 
Mullholland  responded  to  the  final  summons,  there  went  forth  a  devoted 
friend,  a  wise  counselor,  a  faithful  pastor,  one  who  wore  himself  out  in  the 
service  of  his  Master. 

Father  Mullholland  died  in  October,  1897.  Bishop  Tierney  celebrated 
the  Pontifical  Mass  of  Requiem,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Creedon,  of  Windsor  Locks, 
preached  the  panegyric. 

The  Rev.  Peter  M.  Kennedy,  the  present  incumbent,  assumed  the  bur- 
dens laid  down  by  his  predecessor  on  October  26th,  of  the  same  year.  As- 
sisted in  the  labors  of  his  parish  by  Rev.  D.  O'Connor,  Rev.  W.  J.  Blake  and 
Rev.  D.  F.  Baker,  Father  Kennedy  not  only  maintains  the  parish  upon  the 
grade  of  efficiency  established  by  those  who  went  before,  but  is  increasing  its 
power  as  a  spiritual  force  in  the  city.  Thirteen  Sisters  of  Mercy,  under  the 
direction  of  Sister  M.  Bonaventure,  render  invaluable  assistance  in  instructing 
700  children  in  the  parochial  school.  Here,  humanly  speaking,  are  the  hopes 
of  the  church,  the  future  props  of  society,  and  the  Sisters,  realizing  their 
responsibilities,  are  faithful  to  the  trust  imposed  upon  them. 
11—23 


354  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  XEW  ENGLAXD. 

ST.  BONIFACE'S   (GERMAN)  PARISH, 

New  Haven. 

HE  following  correspondence  which  appeared  in  the  New  York  Citizen 
discloses  tlie  fact  that  harmony  did  not  reign  among  the  early  German 
Catholics  of  New  Haven.     It  sliows  that  a  disturbing  element,  under 
the  name  of  religion,  .sought  to  sow  the  seeds  of  discord  among  the  faithful : 

The  German  C.vtholics  of  New  Haven. 

In  our  last  number  we  copied  from  a  contemporarj-  a  preamble  and  resolutions,  pur- 
porting  to  express  the  sentiments  of  the  Cierman  Catholics  of  New  Haven.  We  have 
since  received  the  following  correspondence  on  the  subject : — 

Greenwich  Street,  New  York,  February  9,  1855. 
To  THE  Editor  of  the  Citizen  : 

Sir — In  looking  over  your  good  paper,  the  Cilizen,  of  this  week,  I  .see  a  preamble 
and  resolutions  purporting  to  be  the  wishes  of  all  the  German  Catholics  of  New  Haven. 
Sir,  perhaps  the  enclosed  true  preamble  may  be  worthy  of  j'our  insertion,  and  confound 
these  infidels.  Yours,  etc.,  A  Germ.^x  C.vtholic. 

New  Haven,  February  15,  1855. 
To  THE  Editor  of  the  New  York  Herald  : 

In  your  issue  of  the  30th  ult.,  you  published  certain  resolutions  said  to  have  been 
adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  "  German  Roman  Catholics"  of  New  Haven.  I  am  sure  you 
will  not  hesitate  to  make  the  correction  which  justice  demands,  when  I  make  known  to 
you  that  it  was  nothing  else  than  a  h3-pocritical  trick  to  injure  us  in  the  estimation  of 
our  fellow-Catholics.  The  accompanying  resolutions,  as  published  in  the  New  Haven 
Pallatiium,  and  which  were  adopted  by  the  Catholic  Germans,  will  explain.  They  read  thus  : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Catholic  Germans  of  New  Haven,  the  following  preamble  and 
resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  /f7/£rdi7.5,  certain  persons  calling  themselves  'German  Roman  Catholics,' have 
wrongfully  usurped  the  right  of  speaking  for  us,  against  our  will  ;  and  whereas,  they 
have  published  resolutions  in  direct  opposition  to  our  feelings — said  resolutions  being 
drafted  by  a  committee  made  up  of  one  Jew,  one  Protestant  and  one  who  publicly  pro- 
fesses himself  to  be  an  infidel,  believing  all  religion  'a  humbug,'  and  adopted  bj' a 
meeting  of  the  same  class  of  men  :     Therefore— 

"  Resolved,  That  we  Catholics  deny  having  any  part  in  the  proceedings  ;  that  we 
denounce  the  statements  made  by  them  as  being  wicked  and  injurious  to  us  ;  more  like 
'  His  blood  be  upon  us  and  upon  our  children,'  than  the  sentiments  of  true  Catholics. 
We  despise  the  hypocrisy  of  the  Jew,  infidel  or  I'rotestant,  who  would  call  himself 
Roman  Catholic  for  an  evil  purpose. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  do  want  a  priest  who  can  preach  the  Gospel  to  us  in  our  native 
language,  and  who  will  find  that  we  do  not  yet  deny  the  '  one  faith  '  taught  us  care- 
fullj'  by  our  parents,  and  which  we  shall  never  renounce  for  mammon. 

"  Resolvcd,"iV?X  we  hail  Rev.  Mr.  Hender's  advent  among  us  with  joy  and  grati- 
tude; that  Bishop  O'Reilly  be  requested  to  make  this  city  his  residence,  and  that  we 
shall  do  everything  in  our  power  to  sustain  him  and  make  him  comfortable. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  published  in  all  the  papers  that  circu- 
lated the  late  calumny  on  our  good  name. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  meeting,  ' 

"  Joseph  Augrick,  President. 


'Andrew  Klaffki, 


"John  Ratt,  \  ,,.     „      .,     . 

•V  „  ;-  Vice-Presidents. 


(,.,. 


Frederic 
'  Gasper  Fink 


:k  Ihesing,  ( 

jjj^.^  )  Christian  Gergen,  Secretary." 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  355 

The  upshot  of  the  former  resolutions  was  this:  Bishop  O'Reill)- sent  a  priest  to 
take  charge  of  tlie  German  Catholics  of  this  city,  about  two  hundred  in  number.  The 
German  Jews  and  infidels,  who  are  trying  to  establish  a  societj'  which  would  acknowl- 
edge no  other  God  than  nature,  took  this  amiss.  Thej-  saw  the  projected  society  in  dan- 
ger, and  consequently  determined  to  oppose  the  priest.  For  this  purpose  they  called  a 
meeting,  inviting  a  great  many,  whilst  they  kept  the  object  of  the  meeting  a  secret. 
Some  Catholics,  myself  amongst  the  number,  went  there  to  see  what  was  going  on,  but 
when  tlie  object  leaked  out,  most  of  them  left,  and  were  it  not  that  a  few  stopped  to 
watch  the  proceedings,  the  brotherhood  would  have  been  "  alone  in  their  glory."  The 
meeting  itself  was  an  admirable  burlesque  on  the  use  of  reason  ;  and  he  who  would  be  so 
foolish  as  to  believe  in  God,  Christ  or  the  Bible,  got  a  place  among  the  long-eared  tribe. 
At  length,  after  much  trouble  and  any  amount  of  confusion,  three  individuals  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  draft  Roman  Catholic  resolutions  ;  and  they  did  draft  them. 

Christian  Gergen,  Secretary. 

On  July  21,  1868,  the  Rev.  H.  Wendelschmidt  assumed  charge  of  the 
German  Catholics  of  New  Haven.  The  parishioners  assembled  in  a  hall  in 
Gregson  Alley  for  divine  sen'ices,  and  here  they  worshiped  every  Sunday  tintil 
1873.  In  April  of  this  year  St.  Boniface's  church  was  begun  on  a  lot  which 
had  been  previously  secured.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  May  1 1,  1873,  by 
Bishop  McFarland,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Schrader,  of  New  York,  jsreaching  the  ser- 
mon. Father  Wendelschmidt' s  pastorate  terminated  on  December  29,  1873, 
his  successor,  the  present  incumbent,  Rev.  Joseph  Schale,  assuming  charge 
on  May  15,  1874. 

At  the  formation  of  the  parish  its  population  was  about  eighty  souls  ;  at 
present  it  numbers  about  800.  St.  Boniface  school  was  organized  in  Septem- 
ber, 1896,  with  143  pupils.  It  is  conducted  by  the  Sisters  of  St.  Francis,  has 
eight  grades,  with  163  pupils.  In  addition  to  the  church,  school,  convent, 
and  rectory,  the  parish  owns  Germania  Hall. 

The  number  of  baptisms  administered  during  the  past  three  decades  was 
1773,  and  the  number  of  marriages  solemnized  during  the  same  period  was 
390.  The  first  baptism  conferred  was  that  of  Wilhelmina  Reinpherd,  and 
Joseph  Dunbar  and  Gertrude  Jansen  were  the  first  to  leceive  the  sacrament  of 
matrimony,  October  18,  1868. 


(5 J  HE 


ST.  LAWRENCE'S   PARISH, 

West  H.wen. 


HE  earliest  Catholics  to  settle  in  this  section  of  New  Haven  were  James, 

^  I       Peter,  and  Bernard  Gaffney,  Patrick  Morrissey,  James  and  Thomas 

Leddy,  John  Slater,  Denis  Boyle,  Edward  McCabe,  Lawrence  Riley, 

George  McDermott,  David  Monahan,   Denis    Kennedy,  Paul   Kehoe,   Peter 

English,  Philip  Cronan,  John  Ennis. 

The  first  Mass  celebrated  in  West  Haven  was  said  by  the  Rev.  James 
Larkin,  of  Milford,  in  April,  1886,  in  the  Borough  Officer's  room  of  Thomp- 
son's block,  in  the  presence  of  about  forty  persons,  though  at  this  time  there 
were  about  two  hundred  Catholics  in  this  section.  West  Haven  remained 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Milford  from  18S6  until  May  i,  1895,  when  the  Rev. 
J.  Curtin  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor.      Previous  to  1S86  the  people 


356  THE  CATHOLIC  -CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

attended  Mass  at  the  Sacred   Heart  church,  Xew  Haven,  and  still  earlier  at 
St.  John's. 

St.  Lawrence's  church  was  built  by  Father  Larkin  in  1885.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  in  Xoveniber  of  that  year  by  Bishop  McMahon  during  a  heavy 
rainstorm  in  the  presence  of  two  thousand  people.  The  clergy  present  were 
Rev.  Fathers  Russell,  Lawlor,  Maloney,  Gibbons,  Mulcahy,  ^Mullholland, 
Smith,  Murray,  Rogers,  and  Murphy.  The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  W.  A. 
Harty,  of  Waterbury.     He  said  in  part : 

"  We  are  gathered  liere  today  to  witness  the  solemn  exercises  of  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  another  new  church.  It  is  eminently  proper  that  there  should  be  no  difference 
in  the  ceremony  for  the  church  that  is  built  in  the  village  and  the  most  gorgeous  cathedral 
in  the  world.  Each  one  is  entitled  to  our  respect  and  to  our  admiration.  Each  one  should 
have  our  best  wishes  and  our  watchful  care.  .\nd  so  may  we  repeat,  '  How  terrible  is  this 
place,  it  is  no  other  than  the  house  of  God.'  It  is  eminently  proper,  then,  that  we 
should  gather  here  to-day,  though  the  elements  are  against  us,  to  join  in  these  .solemn 
services,  and  bid  God-speed  to  the  people  who  are  so  nobly  spreading  our  glorious  reli- 
gion. This  is  none  other  than  the  foundation  of  the  hpuse  of  God.  Here  in  this 
church  the  poor  will  be  as  welcome  as  the  rich,  and  the  low  will  occupy  positions  as 
lofty  as  the  high.  Here  the  blessed  Gospel  will  be  preached  alike  to  old  end  young,  to 
the  rich  and  to  the  poor.  Here  in  this  church,  the  corner-stone  of  which  has  been  laid 
to-day,  that  awful  Sacrifice  that  was  transacted  on  Calvary  will  be  explained,  and  its 
truths  and  lessons  expounded.  Here  will  be  renewed  the  old  storj-  and  from  here  the 
Bread  of  eternal  life  will  be  disseminated.  Here,  brethren,  standing  around  these  unfin- 
ished walls,  will  God's  own  words  be  fulfilled  :  '  Behold,  I  am  with  you  all  ages,  even  to 
the  consunnnation  of  the  world.'  .Vgain,  I  say,  this  is  truly  God's  house,  and  no  gale  of 
bi"-oted  opposition  can  destroy  it.  It  is  the  house  of  God,  and  not  the  house  of  man. 
The  country  towns  are  especially  dear  to  God's  heart.  It  was  in  Bethlehem,  not  in  Jeru- 
salem, that  He  was  born  ;  in  Nazareth,  not  in  imperial  Rome,  He  lived.  There  is  not  a 
villao-e  in  Connecticut,  having  twenty  Catholic  families,  that  has  not  a  Catholic  church. 
On  every  hand  Catholic  churches  are  springing  from  the  soil.  During  the  six  years  and 
five  months  of  the  administration  of  our  beloved  bishop,  half  of  the  one  hundred  and 
twenty  churches  in  this  diocese  have  either  been  built  or  completely  renovated." 

The  church  is  40  by  70  feet,  with  a  .spire  130  feet  high,  and  cost  $12,000. 
Over  $2,000  was  contributed  on  the  occasion  of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone. 
The  ceremony  of  dedication  took  place  in  1895. 

Among  the  benefactors  of  St.  Lawrence's  parish  mention  sliould  be  made  of 
John  Anderson,  Edward  Kimberley,  Donaldson  Thompson,  and  James  Graham. 
Handsome  windows  were  donated  by  P.  Morrissey,  S.  Boyle,  James  Gaffney, 
ist;  James  Gaffney,  2d;  Bernard  Gaffney,  Peter  Gaffney,  Mar-aret  Leddy, 
Maria,  Rose,  and  Julia  Murphy,  David  Monahan,  James  McCarthy,  Lawrence 
Reilly,  Bernard  and  Lottie  Farrell,  and  the  Rev.  James  Larkin. 

The  population  at  the  formation  of  the  parish  in  1895  was  about  500 
souls;  it  is  now  about  600,  chiefly  Iri.sh  and  their  descendants.  The  number 
of  baptisms  conferred  from  1895  to  1898  was  S3,  while  11  marriages  were 
solemnized  in  the  same  period. 

Attached  to  St.  Lawrence's  parish,  and  attended  by  its  pastor,  is  St. 
Joseph's  mission,  Westville.  Previous  to  the  formation  of  St.  Lawrence's 
parish,  the  Westville  Catholics  were  attended  by  the  pastors  of  St.  John's, 
New  Haven.     The  first  Mass  celebrated  in  Westville  was  said  by  the  Rev. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  357 

Hugh  Carmody,  D.D.,  in  1871,  in  Franklin  Hall,  on  Fountain  street,  now 
St.  Joseph's  Lyceum  and  T.  A.  B.  Society  Hall.  A  lot  for  a  new  church  was 
purchased  on  Hill — now  Emerson — street  from  E.  W.  Cooper  for  $1,400. 
Ground  was  broken  in  1872,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  the  same  year 
by  Bishop  McFarland,  the  Rev.  M.  Hart  preaching  the  sermon.  The  cost 
of  St.  Joseph's  church  was  $7, 500. 

The  first  Mass  offered  up  in  the  new  church  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Carmody  in  the  fall  of  1872.  The  first  baptism  recorded  is  that  of  Annie 
T.  Powers,  a-nd  the  first  to  receive  the  sacrament  of  matrimony  were  Thomas 
Elliott  and  Annie  Mullen,  the  Rev.  P.  Keating  officiating.  Martin  Heath 
and  Michael  Sarsfield  were  the  first  pew-rent  collectors. 

Dr.  Carmody's  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  McMahon,  who  remained 
only  for  a  brief  period.  Rev.  John  Cooney,  his  successor,  served  St.  Joseph's 
five  years,  during  which  time  he  frescoed  the  church,  erected  new  stations  and 
•  adorned  the  edifice  with  handsome  statues.  Rev.  B.  Bray  was  the  next  pas- 
tor, serving  also  five  years.  During  his  administration  new  stained-glass 
windows  were  put  in  the  church,  and  concrete  walks  laid. 

The  principal  benefactors  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  were  the  Messrs.  Beecher, 
who  donated  ^5300  to  the  building  fund. 

ST.  LOUIS'  (FRENCH)  PARISH, 

'  New  HAVtN. 

(5  I  HE  history  of  the  French  Canadian  Catholics  of  New  Haven,  as  an 
'  I       organization,  dates  from  May  25,  1889,  when  they  assembled  before 
the  altar  in  St.  Patrick's  school  to  assist  at  the  Holy  Sacrifice  offered 
by  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Bourret.     About  600  persons  assisted  at  this  Mass.     In  this 
year  Father  Bourret  purchased  a  chapel,  which  was  dedicated  by  Bishop 
McMahon  in  July,  1890.     Father  Bourret's  term  of  ser\'ice  expired  in  May, 
1890.     His  successor,  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Cartier,  came  in  August  of  this  year,  and 
remained  as  pastor  until  December,  1897.     The  priests  who  served  as  assist- 
ants in  St.  Louis'  parish  were  Revs.  J.  E-  Cartier,  L.  Mayeur  and  J.  E.  Fer- 
ran.     The  Rev.  J.  E.  Senesac  followed  Father  Cartier  in  the  pastorate,  and 
in  turn  was  succeeded  b}-  Rev.  H.  Chapdelaine,  the  present  pastor. 
The  present  population  of  the  parish  is  about  1,000  souls. 


(bjT'HE 


ST.  MICHAEL'S  (ITALIAN)  PARISH, 
New  Haven. 


HE  Rev.  Vincent  Asterri,  M.A.,  was  the  first  resident  pastor  of  the  Italian 

*\       Catholics  of  New  Haven.     He  organized  his  fellow-countrymen  into 

a  parish  in   1889.     His  successors  were   Rev.  Orestes  Alussi,    Rev. 

'Francis   Becherini,  Rev.  Vincent  ScioUa,   Rev.   Peter  Lotti.      The  present 

pastor  is  the  Rev.  Aloysius  Lango.   The  priests,  who  have  served  St.  Michael's 

parish  as  assistants  were  Rev.  Vitterio  vSovilla  and  Rev.  Father  Battaglia. 

St.  Michael's  church  was  dedicated  with  unusual  pomp  on  Sunday,  April 
24,  i899.--    Among  the  ecclesiastical  dignitaries,  who  graced  the  occasion  by 


358  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

their  presence  was  the  Apostolic  Delej^ate,  Most  Rev.  Sebastian  Martinelli. 
He  was  accompanied  by  liis  secretary  and  the  Rev,  Francesco  Zibolio,  of 
New  York,  and  the  Rev.  Giaconuno  Zambero,  of  "Hoston,  Provincial  of  the 
Order  of  San  Carlo  Borromeo.and  the  Rev.  Panlo  Novati,  of  Providence,  R.  I. 
All  the  Italian  societies  of  the  city  with  two  bands,  a  drnm  corps,  and  a 
great  crowd  of  people,  escorted  the  distinguished  prelate  from  the  station  to 
St.  Michael's  rectory.  The  Papal  Delegate  was  received  at  the  depot  by 
Bishop  Tierney,  Rev.  John  Russell,  Rev.  .M.  McKeon,  Rev.  John  D.  Co\le, 
Rev.  Joiui  Corcoran,  and  the  rector  of  St.  Michael's  church. 

Following  the  ceremonies  of  dedication  a  Solemn  High  Mass  was  cele- 
brated by  the  Rev.  Orestes  Alussi,  of  New  York,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  James 
Gambera,  the  Rev.  C-  H.  Victor  Tiene  and  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Donovan,  D.D. 
The  discourse  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Paulo  Novati.  During  the  vesper 
services  Bishop  Tierney  administered  Confirmation  to  150  persons. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  parish's  existence  there  were  55  baptisms  and 
20  marriages.  In  1897,  the  baptisms  were  398  and  the  marriages  165.  The 
Italian  population  of  New  Haven  is  about  11,000. 


The   limits  and  regulations  of  the  English-speaking  parishes  of  New 

Haven  are  shown  by  the   following  circular  dispatched   by  the  \'ery  Rev. 

Administrator  in  187S: 

Meriden,  Oct.  19,  1878. 

Rkv.  Dear  Sir: — You  will  plea.se  notify  your  congregation  at  all  the  Masses  on  Sun- 
day, the  20th  inst.,  of  the  parochial  regulations  adopted  at  the  late  Synod.  As  applicable 
to  New  Haven,  thej'  are  as  follows: 

I.  The  parish  limits  lately  established  by  our  lamented  bishop  will  be  .strictly  ob- 
served.    These  limits  are  the  following: 

Limits  of  St.  Mary's  P.\rish. 

St.  Mary's  parish  comprises  that  part  of  the  cilj^  which  lies  between  the  east  side  of 
Meadow  street,  commencing  at  the  N.  Y.  &  N.  H.  Railroad  Depot,  to  the  junction  of 
Meadow  street  with  George,  the  north  side  of  George  street  and  Derb)'  avenue,  to  the 
bridge  over  West  river,  and  thence  northerly  along  West  river  to  town  line,  the  west  side 
of  Olive  street  from  the  harbor  to  the  junction  of  Olive  street  and  State  street,  to  Mill 
river,  and  thence  along  Mill  river  to  Lake  Whitney. 

Limits  of  St.  Patrick's  P.\rish. 

St.  Patrick's  parish  includes  that  part  of  the  city  wliich  lies  between  the  east  side  of 
Olive  .street  from  the  harbor  to  the  junction  of  Olive  street  and  State,  the  southeast  side 
of  State  to  Mill  river,  and  thence  southerly  to  the  harbor.  ' 

Limits  of  St.  John's  Parish. 

St.  John's  parish  embraces  that  part  of  the  cit}'  which  is  situated  between  the  south 
side  of  George  street  from  its  junction  with  Congress  avenue,  and  the  .south  side  of  Derby 
avenue  to  .West  river,  and  the  northwest  side  of  Congress  avenue  to  West  river,  with 
that  part  of  the  town  of  Orange  which  lies  north  of  the  Milford  turnpike. 

Limits  of  Sacred  Heart  P.vuish. 

Sacred  Heart  parish  comprises  that  part  of  the  city  which  lies  between  the  west  side 
of  Meadow  street  from  the  New  York  Depot  to  the  junction  of  Meadow  street  with  Con- 
gress avenue;  the  south  side  of  Congress  avenue  to  West  river  ;  and  that  part  of  the  town 
of  Orange  that  is  situated  south  of  the  Milford  turnpike. 


'•'"'^^ut^^ 


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CO  c 

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DC 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  359 

Limits  of  St.  Francis'  Parish. 

St.  Francis'  Parish  includes  all  Fair  Haven  and  the  town  of  North  Haven. 

2.  No  pastor  or  assistant  pastor  shall  administer  the  sacraments  or  perform  any  sacred 
function  in  another  parish,  without  the  permission  of  the  pastor  thereof.  From  this  rule 
confession  alone  is  excepted. 

3.  Funerals  must  be  attended  by  the  pastor  of  the  parish  in  which  the  deceased  lived. 
The  funeral  ser\'ice,  unless  in  prohibited  cases,  must  take  place  in  the  parish  church. 

4.  Persons  holding  sittings  in  any  church  may  retain  the  sittings  until  they  can  con- 
veniently change.  In  the  meantime  they  must  apply  to  the  pastor  of  the  parish  in  which 
they  live  for  the  administration  of  the  sacraments  and  other  sacred  functions,  and  no  sit- 
ting for  the  future  will  be  rented  to  a  person  living  outside  of  the  parish. 

5.  The  marriage  ceremony  must  be  performed  hy  the  pastor  of  the  parish  in  which 
the  female  partj'  resides  ;  and  baptism  by  the  pastor  of  the  parish  in  which  the  parents 
reside. 

6.  No  collection  shall  be  made  in  any  parish  without  the  permission  of  the  pastor. 
These  regulations  are  now  in  full  force. 

Very  Re\'.  T.  Walsh,  Aiiministrator. 

PARISH    OF  THE   ASSUMPTION, 

Ansonia. 

tNSONIA  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest  town  in  Nevi^ 
Haven  county,  having  been  separated  from  Derby  in  tlie  spring  of 
1889.  Tliere  is  a  well-grounded  tradition  that  it  was  visited  by 
priests  soon  after  it  became  a  village  in  1845,  as  some  Irish  people 
were  attracted  here  by  the  promise  of  employment  on  the  ptiblic  works.  An- 
sonia remained  in  the  relation  of  a  mission  to  Birmingham  until  the  pastorate 
of  the  Rev.  Patrick  O'Dwyer.  It  was  attended  sticcessively  by  the  Rev. 
James  Lynch,  the  Rev.  John  Lynch,  the  Rev.  John  Siieridan  and  the  Rev.  P. 
J.  O'Dwyer.  In  1864  Father  Sheridan  conceived  the  design  of  erecting  a 
church,  and  to  that  end  purchased  a  piece  of  laud  on  Atwater  avenue.  This 
project,  however,  did  not  mature,  and  the  lot  was  sold.  Nothing  daunted, 
Father  Sheridan,  in  1866,  secured  from  Phelps,  Dodge  &  Co.,  the  lot  on 
which  the  old  church  stands,  and  generotisly  donated  it  to  the  congregation. 
Encouraged  by  the  possession  of  so  eligible  a  site,  his  succe.ssor,  Father 
O'Dwyer,  resolutely  entered  upon  the  work  of  building  a  church.  Bishop 
RIcFarland  laid  the  corner-stone  on  August  15,  1867,  when  Rev.  T.  F.  Hen- 
dricken  preached  the  sermon.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  1868.  Its 
entire  cost  was  nearly  f 20,000.  On  June  25,  1870,  Father  O'Dwyer  severed 
his  relations  with  Binningham  and  became  the  first  resident  pastor  of  Ansonia, 
which  now  began  a  new  epoch  in  its  history.  When  Father  O'Dwyer  assumed 
charge  of  Ansonia  he  found  1,000  souls.  His  first  work  was  the  purchase 
of  the  house  on  Factory  street  which  became  his  residence.  Father  O'Dwyer's 
term  of  service  expired  in  January,  1876.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Hugh 
T.  Brady,  who  came  here  from  Naugatuck.  Among  the  achievements  of 
Father  Brady's  pastorate  were  the  enlargement  of  the  church  and  the  erec- 
tion of  the  present  pastoral  residence,  and  the  introduction  of  the  Sisters 
of  Mercy  from  Meriden,  who  occtipied  the  former  rectory.  In  the  spring 
of  i886,  Father  Brady  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry,  and 


SCO  rilE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  /.V  N/i\V  ENGLAXD. 

a  few  months  later  died  in  New  York.     He-  was  buried  in  the  West  Ansonia 
cemetery. 

His  successor,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Synnott,  became  pastor  on  Holy  Thurs- 
day, 1886.  Father  Synnott  is  signalizing  his  pastorate  by  the  erection  of  one 
of  the  finest  churcli  edifices  in  New  England.  In  August,  1888,  he  secured 
a  beautiful  site  from  Charles  H.  Hill  on  North  Cliff  street,  paying  there- 
for $25,000.  A  fine  residence  still  stands  on  the  premises,  the  home  of 
the  Sisters;  two  other  buildings  that  adjoined  were  sold.  On  April  4,  18S9, 
ground  was  broken  for  the  new  church.  On  Suuday,  September  6,  1891, 
Ver>'  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  laid  tiie  corner-stone,  assisted  by  Rev.  M. 
Mulhollaud,  of  New  Haven;  Rev.  P.  M.  Kennedy  and  Rev.  T.  F.  Finn,  of 
Birmingham.  The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  the  Rev.  Walter  Elliott, 
C.S.P.,  of  New  York.  Work  on  the  church  is  still  in  progress.  The 
walls  will  be  of  granite,  and  will  be  more  than  46  feet  high.  The  length 
of  the  building  is  183  feet,  the  front  width  96  feet  and  the  rear  width 
138  feet.  The  tower  will  be  156  feet  high.  The  .seating  capacity  of  the 
superstructure  will  be  1,200.  The  plans  were  drawn  by  Architect  Keeley, 
of  Brooklyn. 

The  assistant  priests  of  the  parish  of  the  As.sumption  are  the  Rev.  John 
Fleming  and  the  Rev.  John  J.  McLoughlin,  D.D.  The  estimated  population 
of  the  parish  is  4,000  souls. 

The  first  Catholic  school  in  .Vnsonia  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  James 
Lynch  in  1853.  It  was  conducted  in  an  old  building  that  is  now  a  Methodist 
church.  Its  duration  was  about  seven  years,  and  had  as  teachers  a  Mrs.  Mor- 
gan, Michael  McDonald  and  a  Mr.  Conway.  The  present  school  is  conducted 
in  the  spacious  convent  and  is  attended  by  52  boys  and  75  girls,  who  are  taught 
by  six  Sisters  of  Mercy.  The  sister  Superior  is  Sister  M.  de  Pazzi.  The 
school  is  in  a  highlv  flourishing  condition,  and  .sends  annually  a  class  to  the 
High  School. 

Ansonia  has  a  congregation  of  Greek  Uniats,  whose  pastor  is  the  Rev. 
Anthony  Bonczewsky. 


(^MOl 
fJ-\      ass 


IMMACULATE   CONCEPTION   PARISH, 
Branford. 

MONO  the  pioneers  whose  names  have  come  down  to  ifs,  who  materially 
assisted  in  the  up-building  of  the  Catholic  faith  in  Branford,  we  note 
Francis  Harding,  Edward  Rice,  Thomas  Fitzgerald  and  Michael 
O'Brien,  Michael  Scanlan,  John  and  Bartholomew  O'Brien, 
David  Sliney,  Thomas  Carter,  Edward  Mulvey,  John  O'Donnell,  James, 
Thomas  and  John  Carney  and  Daniel  Driscoll.  In  the  house  of  the  first 
named  was  celebrated  the  first  Mass  said  in  Branford.  Tradition  has  given 
the  honor  of  this  Mass  to  the  Rev.  John  Sheridan  of  New  Haven,  and  also 
places  the  year  at  1S51.  In.  1852  the  priests  .serving  in  New  Haven  were  the 
Rev.  Edward  J.  O'liiien  and  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tevin  at  St.  Mary's,  and  the 
Rev.  Matthew  Hart  at  St.  Patrick's.     Father  Hart,  of  New  Haven,  broke  the 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  361 

ground  for  the  church  which  was  completed  in  1854  by  Rev.  John  Lynch. 
At  this  time  Branford  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Guilford,  whose  pastor 
was  the  Rev.  John  Lynod.  About  1859  Branford  became  the  residence  of  a 
pastor,  the  Rev.  William  Clarke,  who  attended  Chester,  Clinton,  Guilford  and 
Haddam.  Father  Clarke  said  Mass  every  third  Sunday  in  Branford.  Rev. 
James  Bohen  succeeded  Father  Clarke  in  1861.  On  November  6,  1S61,  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  succeeded  Father  Clarke,  and  served  until  August,  1864 ; 
and  in  turn  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  James  F.  Campbell,  who  came  here 
from  Waterbury  on  February  18,  1865.  Father  Campbell  enlarged  the 
church.  Father  Campbell's  pastorate  terminated  in  September,  1S69,  and 
was  followed  by  Rev.  John  Sheridan  on  October  3d,  of  the  same  year.  The 
Rev.  Thomas  Mullen  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  in  October,  1873.  The 
term  of  his  administration  closed  on  September  i,  1876,  when  the  present 
rector,  the  Rev.  Edward  Martin,  assumed  charge  of  the  parish.  The  Catho- 
lic population  of  Branford  is  about  1200  souls,  principally  Irish,  with  a  few 
Poles  and  Hungarians. 

The  parish  possesses  two  places  of  burial.  The  old  cemetery,  purchased 
and  blessed  in  1858,  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  and  is  nearly  filled. 
The  new  cemetery  purchased  in  1889  for  $2,500  contains  fourteen  acres  and 
is  east  of  the  village. 

During  the  recent  temporary  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Bonaventure  Broder- 
ick,  D.D.,  the' parish  purchased  a  most  eligible  site  upon  which  it  is  intended 
to  erect  a  handsome  church  in  the  near  future.  From  January  i,  18S7,  to  the 
end  of  the  decade  there  were  570  baptisms  and  90  marriages. 

ST.    MARY'S   PARISH, 

Derby. 

(5  I  HE  original  name  of  Derby  was  Paugasset.  The  first  purchase  of  land 
'  I  made  here  was  in  1653,  followed  in  1654  by  a  few  settlements.  In 
October,  1675,  it  received  town  privileges,  as  well  as  its  present  name. 
On  March  17,  1775,  there  was  born  in  Derby  a  child  with  a  familiar  name, 
Keeney,  to  whom  the  parents  gave  the  name  of  Ethel.  Like  many  other 
towns  of  Connecticut,  Derby  received  its  quota  of  the  hapless  Acadians — four. 
They  were,  no  doubt,  the  first  Catholics  here,  but  all  trace  of  them  has  long 
since  been  lost.  The  earliest  Catholic  of  whom  anything  is  known  to  come 
to  Derby  (1760),  was  a  Frenchman,  Claude  Bartheleme,  who  was  made  a 
prisoner  at  Fort  Niagara.  He  married  a  Protestant  lady,  but  his  offspring 
were  reared  in  the  Catholic  faith.  The  following  letter,  written  to  his  brother 
in  France,  will  throw  some  light  on  the  histor>-  and  religious  character  of 
this  remarkable  man. 

Derby,  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  America. 
Sir  and  My  J  'ery  Dear  Brother : — 

This  is  to  inform  you  of  m\-  verj-  humble  respects,  and  to  inquire  after  the  health 
of  my  friends.  I  am  still  in  good  health,  thanks  be  to  God.  I  should  inform  you  that, 
after  quitting  you  to  make  a  tour  of  France,  I  engaged  in  the  Regiment  Royal  Rossilon 
in  the  year  1756.     Some  of  us  embarked  for  Canada.     I  continued  in  good  health  until 


362  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

we  arrived  on  tlie  bars  of  Newfoundland  ;  there  a  malady  broke  out  on  board  the  vessel. 
In  1757  we  went  to  besiege  Fort  George,  which  surrendered  after  a  siege  of 
nine  days,  when  we  made  eighteen  scores  of  savages  see  the  expediency  of  surrendering. 
.  .  .  In  175S  we  gained  a  victory  over  the  English,  who  were  ten  thousand  men  strong, 
we  having  only  three  thousand  men,  who  sustained  for  five  hours  by  the  clock  a  strong 
fire  and  conquered.  In  the  year  1759,  in  the  month  of  May,  we  .set  out  for  Niagara,  near 
which  170  of  us  found  a  health  house.  .  .  .  After  having  been  three  months  at  Niag- 
ara, the  English  began  the  siege,  and  after  sustaining  it  for  twenty  days  we  were  obliged 
to  surrender.  Afterwards  we  were  brought  to  New  Ivngland,  where  I  married  a  girl  in 
1762,  by  whom  I  had  three  children,  two  girls  and  one  boy.  I  built  me  a  house  in  which 
I  dwelt,  and  afterwards  another  log  house,  in  which  I  lived  as  well,  thank  God.  In  the 
year  1762  I  learned  to  read  and  write  English,  and.in  1768  I  learned  to  write  French.  I 
desire  to  thank  God  that  you  may  hear  from  me.  Also,  I  thank  God  for  His  Holy  Spirit 
and  for  the  gift  of  His  Son.  This  faith  .so  pure,  so  full  of  joy  to  one  who  believes  in 
Christ.  .  .  .  'My  dear  brother,  I  entreat  j'ou  to  pray  for  me,  a  poor  sinner,  who  is  able 
to  make  to  you  his  salutation. 

(Signed)  Claudius  Bartheleme. 

Claudius  Bartheleme  died  in  1824,  faithful  to  the  end,  we  may  rest 
a.s.sured,  to  the  Catholic  faith.  His  descendants  in  Derby  are  for  the  most  part 
Protestants. 

The  presence  in  Derby  of  other  French  people,  and  probably  Catholics 
also,  is  evident  from  this  entry  taken  from  the  old  town  records: 

"  Louis  de  Lamarquesie,  son  of  Bernard  de  Lamarquesie,  Esq'r., — and  major  in  the 
Continental  service, — and  Mary  Anne  de  Lamarquesie,  was  born  on  the  loth  day  of 
March,  1719." 

A  prominent  Catholic,  a  convert,  of  early  Derby,  was  the  Rev.  Calvin 
White,  whcse  .span  of  life  reached  from  1763  to  1853.  In  1833  Irish  Cath- 
olics began  to  settle  in  Derby;  in  that  )ear  we  find  the  sturdy  names  of  John 
Phalen,  William  Quigley,  William  Foley,  John  O'Connor  and  Matthew  Kel- 
lady.  This  little  band  was  shortly  after  increased  by  Michael  Stokes,  George 
Wallace,  Patrick  Qninn,  John  Reynolds,  John  Ryan  and  Farrell  Rile\'.  In 
1833  Father  McDermot,  of  New  Haven,  visited  Derby,  and  for  the  first  time 
Mass  was  celebrated  here  in  the  "Old  Point"  house,  which  was  situated  near 
the  site  of  the  National  Bank  on  Main  street.  Two  of  the  persons  injured 
by  the  falling  of  the  gallery  of  Chri.st  church.  New  Haven,  1834,  were  resi- 
dents of  Derby.  Derby  continued  to  be  served  from  New  Haven  by  Father 
McDermot  until  his  removal  to  Lowell  in  1837.  Occasionally  Mass  was  said 
at  the  residence  of  Bernard  Reilly  on  Hawkins  street. 

The  ne.xt  priest  to  visit  Derby  was  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  of  New 
Haven,  w-ho  attended  this  portion  of  his  flock  at  regular  intervals  until  1847. 
It  was  during  his  term  of  service,  1845,  that  the  first  Catholic  church  in 
Derby  was  built,  the  .spacious  site  having  been  donated  by  Anson  G.  Phelps. 
The  dimensions  of  this  church  were  50  by  33  feet.  The  building  was  en- 
larged, first  by  the  Rev.  James  Lynch,  and  .secondly  by  the  Rev.  John  Lynch. 
After  the  first  enlargement  the  church  was  solenuily  dedicated  to  God  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  on  May  2,  1852.  The  ceremony  of 
dedication  was  performed  by  Bishop  O'Reilly,  after  which  a  Solenni  High 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  363 

Mass  was  sung,  the  pastor,  Rev.  James  Lynch,  being  the  celebrant.  Rev.  M. 
O'Neil,  deacon,  and  Rev.  Christopher  Moore,  sub-deacon.  Bishop  O'Reilly 
preached  the  dedication  sermon.  After  vespers  the  Bishop  administered  the 
sacrament  of.  confirmation  to  120  persons. 

In  1847  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neil  assumed  jurisdiction,  but  after  a  sojourn 
of  a  few  months  took  up  his  residence  in  Waterbury,  retaining,  however, 
charge  of  Derby.  The  number  of  Catholics  had  so  increased  that  Derby  was 
erected  into  a  parish  with  the  Rev.  James  Lynch  as  the  first  resident  pastor, 
March  31,  1851.  Father  Lynch  added  to  the  lot  donated  by  Mr.  Phelps  and 
purchased  another  piece  of  land  with  a  house  from  John  Cross  in  1853.  The 
four  succeeding  pastors  ruled  over  St.  Mary's  parish  as  follows  :  Rev.  John 
Lynch,  November  i,  1857,  to  November  2,  1862;  the  Rev.  John  Sheridan, 
November  2,1862,  to  December  31,  1866;  the  Rev.  Patrick  O'Dwyer  from 
January  i,  1867,  to  June  25,  1870;  the  Rev.  John  Lynch  (the  second  time) 
from  June  25,  1870,  to  September  of  1878.  In  1870  Ansonia  was  separated 
from  Derby  and  formed  into  a  parish  with  Father  O'Dwyer  as  the  first 
pastor. 

The  successor  of  the  Rev.  John  Lynch  was  the  Rev.  Peter  M.  Kennedy, 
who  began  his  duties  here  on  October  i,  1878.'  Among  the  works  that 
marked  his  administration  were  the  removal  of  the  old  rectory  to  College 
street,  and  the  building  on  its  site  of  the  present  fine  pastoral  residence;  the 
erection  of  the  church  ;  the  purchase  of  the  convent  property;  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Meriden  (1885) ;  the  purchase  of  thirty-one 
acres  of  land  for  a  cemeteiy  and  the  erection  in  1881  of  the  church  at  Milford, 
then  a  mission  of  Derby.  Work  on  the  present  church  was  begun  in  March, 
1882;  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  June  25th  of  the  same  year,  by  Bishop 
McMahon ;  and  on  the  21st  of  November,  1883,  it  was  dedicated.  Bishop 
O'Reilly,  of  Springfield,  preached  the  sermon  on  this  occasion.  The  seating 
capacity  of  the  church  is  1,058.  The  main  altar  is  a  masterpiece  of  work- 
manship, over  1,000  pieces  of  various  stones  entering  into  its  construction. 
The  tower  is  equipped  with  a  fine  bell. 

The  present  rector,  Rev.  Charles  McElroy,  succeeded  Father  Kennedy  on 
February  i,  1891.  Conspicuous  among  his  achievements  in  the  interest  of 
his  parish  are  the  renovation  of  the  exterior  of  the  church  ;  the  remodeling 
of  the  convent  and  the  grading  of  its  surroundings;  the  improvement  and 
enlargement  of  tlie  cemetery  ;  the  purchase  of  a  lot  adjacent  to  the  church 
property ;  the  reduction  in  a  very  gratifiying  degree  of  the  indebtedness ;  the 
erection  of  a  handsome  parochial  school. 

The  old  or  first  cemetery  was  purchased  by  Farrel  Riley  from  Joseph  P. 
Smith  on  August  27,  1847,  and  transferred  to  Bishop  O'Reilly  on  September 
4,  185 1.  The  lot  was  in  the  section  of  the  town  known  as  "Bare  Plains." 
It  was  blessed  in  the  fall  of  1858.  A  child  of  Thomas  Maher  was  interred 
here  in  December,  1 847.  This  was  the  first  burial  of  a  Catholic  in  a  Cath- 
olic cemetery  in  Derby.  A  new  tract  of  land  was  bought  by  Rev.  John  Lynch 
on  August  9,  1861.  It  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  McFarland  on  January  12, 
1864,  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Sheridan.     Mt.  St.  Peter's    cemetery, 


304  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

purchased  by  Fatlier  Kennedy,  was  blessed  by  Bishop  McMahon  on  May  8, 
1887,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Higgins,  O.  P.,  preaching  the  sermon. 

When  tlie  first  Mass  was  .said  in  Derby  in  1833  the  number  of  Catholics 
was  28.  When  the  church  was  built  in  1845  the  Catholic  population  was 
about  100.  In  1890  it  was  estimated  at  3,500,  and  in  1898  the  number  is 
4,000,  comprising  many  nationalities,  viz.:  Americans,  Irish,  Germans, 
French,  Greeks,  Poles,  Slavonians,  Hungarians,  Bohemians,  Italians  and  a 
few  English. 

The  clergymen  who  have  served  St.  Mary's  parish  as  assistants  are  the 
following  : 

Rev.  C.  Duggett,  Rev.  T.  Shelly,  Rev.  J.  Dolan, 

Rev.  P.  G.  McKenna,  Rev.  M.  Keane,  Rev.  M.  Barrj', 

Rev.  M.  McAuley,  Rev.  E.  McGee,  Rev.  T.  Finn, 

Rev.  Jas.  Gleeson,  Rev.  Jas.  Nihil,  Rev.  J.  Fogart}-. 

Rev.  Wiu.  O'Brien,  Rev.  C.  McGowan, 

Prominent  among  the  benefactors  of  the  parish  were  Edward  Shelton, 
Anson  G.  Phelps,  .Sheldon  Bassett,  Peter  Phelps,  F.  Smith,  Messrs.  Canfield 
and  Downs,  and  Messrs.  Tomlinson  and  Smith. 

The  first  Catholic  marriage  ceremony  in  Derby  was  performed  about  1837. 
The  contracting  parties  were  George  Wallace  and  Ann  Reilly,  the  Rev. 
James  Smyth  officiating  at  the  residence  of  Bernard  Reilly  on  Hawkins 
street,  between  what  is  now  Eighth  and  Ninth  streets. 

A  festival  day  for  St.  Mary's  parish  was  December  8,  1895,  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  the  erection  of  the  first  church.  The  golden  jubilee  was  im- 
pressively celebrated  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Bishop 
Tierney  graced  the  occasion  by  his  presence,  and  the  Solemn  High  Mass, 
celebrated  Coram  Episcopo,  was  sung  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Walsh  of  Plainville, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  Tliomas  Coleman  as  deacon,  and  the  Rev.  John  Fitz- 
gerald as  sub-deacon.  The  jubilee  oration  was  pronounced  by  Very  Rev. 
Father  Pardow,  S.J.  The  sermon  in  the  evening  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
William  Maher,  D.D. 

The  fir.st  Catholic  school  in  Derby  was  organized  in  1852,  and  was  taught 
by  lay  teachers.  It  was  held  in  the  basement  of  the  church.  The  first  teacher 
\\as  Mr.  Cain,  whose  term  began  on  June  14,  1852  and  expired  on  February 
6,  1854.  Mr.  Nicaloi  then  taught  for  a  year  and  was  followed  by  Miss  Gossin, 
who  began  her  duties  on  Februar}'  10,  1855.  She  was  succeeded  by  Miss 
Rathbone  in  the  spring  of  1856.  Mr.  Michael  McDonald  was  also  a  teacher 
in  this  school.  The  school  closed  after  a  career  of  five  years.  In  September, 
1885,  after  the  introduction  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  Rev.  Father  Kennedy 
opened  a  school  in  the  basement  of  the  church.  It  contained  seven  rooms 
and  was  attended  by  350  children. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  present  fine  school  was  laid  on  May  16,  1897,  by 
Bishop  Tierney.  Right  Rev.  Mgr.  Joseph  Mooncy,  Vicar-General,  New 
York  City,  delivered  the  discourse.  On  September  11,  1898,  it  was  blessed 
by  Bishop  Tierney,   the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell  preaching  the  sermon. 


.     .  DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  365 

The  attendance  is  225  boys  and  219  girls;  there  are  twelve  Sisters,  whose 
Superioress  is  Sister  M.  Coluniba.  The  members  of  St.  Mary's  parish  are 
proud  of  their  school  and  rejoice  at  the  successes  achieved  by  the  pupils.  It 
ranks  among  the  first  schools  of  Derby,  which  position  it  is  the  intention  of 
the  management  to  maintain. 

ST.  GEORGE'S  PARISH, 

Guilford. 

fe  I  HE  first  appearance  of  Catholicity  in  Guilford  as  an  organized  force, 
'I  was  in  1854,  when  priests  from  St.  Patrick's  parish,  New  Haven, 
ministered  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Catholic  people  here  residing. 
The  Adorable  Sacrifice  was  first  oflFered  in  that  year  in  the  presence  of  a  few 
persons,  in  a  stone  house,  at  one  time  tlie  residence  of  th.e  Rev.  Henry  Whit- 
field.'  The  occasional  visits  of  priests  were  productive  of  good  results. 
Desirous  of  possessing  a  chapel  of  their  own,  the  little  band  purchased  a 
store  on  Whitfield  street  in  i860.  After  being  suitably  remodeled.  Mass  was 
said  in  the  new  chapel  for  the  first  time  on  Sunday,  March  4,  i860.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1 86 1,  there  were  seventy-five  Catholics  in  Guilford,  and  of  these,  less 
than  a  dozen  were  children  of  Sunday-school  age.  The  congregation  con- 
tinued to  worship  in  this  chapel  until  1876,  when  the  Rev.  Edward  Martin, 
pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  Branford,  erected  the  church  on  the  corner  of 
Whitfield  and  High  streets.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  November  12, 
1876,  by  Very  Rev.  James  Lynch,  Vicar-General,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  P. 
Mullholland  and  the  Rev.  Father  Rogers.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  J.  Lyncli.  Over  2,000  persons  were  present  at  this  ceremony,  500  of 
whom  were  from  New  Haven.  At  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  church 
the  Catholic  population  of  Guilford  had  increased  to  about  thirty  iamilies. 
The  congregation  of  St.  George's  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Bran- 
ford  until  March  i,  1887,  when  the  Rev.  John  Dolan  was  appointed  the 
first  resident  pastor  of  Guilford  and  dependencies,  Clinton,"  Madison,  Leete's 

'  In  connection  with  this  house  where  Mass  was  first  said  in  Guilford,  the  following 
will  not  be  without  interest: 

"  It  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  house  now  standing  in  the  U.  S.  (1838).  This  build- 
ing was  erected  by  the  company  who  first  settled  the  town,  about  the  year  1640.  The 
leader  or  head  of  the  company  was  Henry  Whitfield,  a  minister  of  the  church  of  England, 
and  one  of  the  number  of  those  who  were  called  Non-Conformists.  This  house  was  built 
for  him  ;  the  stone  of  which  the  building  is  constructed  was  brought  on  hand  barrows, 
from  a  ledge  some  considerable  distance  from  the  place  where  the  house  stands  ;  the 
cement  used  in  building  the  walls  is  said  now  to  be  harder  than  the  stone  itself  The 
walls  were  plastered  15  or  20  years  since.  Mr.  Whitfield  and  several  others  of  the  com- 
pany who  came  to  this  place  in  1639,  returned  to  England  in  1649.  This  house  was  used 
by  the  first  settlers  as  a  kind  of  fort  for  some  time,  to  defend  themselves  against  the 
hostile  savages.  The  first  marriage  which  took  place  in  this  town,  was  solemnized  in 
this  building.  The  supper  which  was  provided  for  the  occasion  consisted  of  pork  and 
beans."  — Barber's  historical  Collections. 

■^  This  entrj' is  found  in  Bishop  O'Reilly's  journal:  "  October  i6,  2851:  Sent  Rev. 
Drae  to  Clinton,  Connecticut,  to  open  a  mission  there." 


3G6  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Island  and  Stony  Creek.  Father  Dolan's  pastorate  was  of  short  duration,  as 
he  died  on  July  3,  1888.  He  was  buried  in  the  new  cemetery  on  tlie  Durham 
turnpike,  which  had  been  consecrated  a  short  time  previous. 

The  Rev.  James  Smith  succeeded  Father  Dolan  on  July  21,  1888.  In 
1890  the  number  of  Catholic  families  in  Guilford  and  missions  was  estimated 
at  si.xty-seven,  distributed  as  follows:  In  Guilford,  41  ;  Madison,  7;  Clinton, 
5;  Stony  Creek,  5;  Leete's  Island,  9.  In  1888  Mr.  John  Beattie  built  a  hall 
at  the  latter  place,  where  Mass  is  said  for  the  accommodation  of  its  residents 
as  well  as  for  those  who  attend  from  Stony  Creek. 

Father  Smith's  successor  was  the  Rev.  William  J.  Dullard,  who  received 
his  appointment  in  August,  1893;  after  a  successful  administration  of  two 
years  he  was  followed  by  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  James  Degnan,  in 
September,  1895.  A  notable  convert  to  the  faith  in  Guilford  in  its  early 
days  was  Mr.  George  Hill,  who  was  an  active  auxiliary  to  the  priests  attend- 
ing this  mission.  To  him  belongs  the  honor  of  organizing  the  first  Catholic 
Sunday-school  in  Guilford. 

PARISH    OF   ST.   ROSE   OF    LIMA, 
Meride.n. 


(bTiiE 


HE  first  glimpse  we  catch  of  Catholics  in  ]\Ieriden  is  in  1839;  a  few 
*  I       laborers,   humble,   unknown,   men  of  brawn,   but  like   their  fellow- 
countrymen  of  that  period  whom  emigration  brought  to  our  shores, 
men  of  faith  and  profoundly  attached  to  the  creed  of  St.  Patrick. 

A  dilapidated  barn,  recalling  the  night  when  a  multitude  of  angels  filled 
the  air  with  heavenly  chant  nineteen  centuries  ago,  was  the  temple  in  which 
Mass  was  first  celebrated  in  Meriden.  The  old  structure  stood  on  Holt's  Hill, 
below  South  Colony  street.  The  year  was  1843  or  1844,  and  the  celebrant 
the  Rev.  Father  Smyth,  who  was  on  his  way  from  New  Haven.  Mass  was 
subsequently  said  in  1846  by  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly  and  Rev.  Bernard  Tevin. 
The  latter  offered  the  Adorable  Sacrifice  in  the  residence  of  Robert  Clarke  on 
Broad  street.  Among  the  pioneers  who  resided  in  Meriden  at  this  period 
were  James  Connolly,  John  Flynn,  James  Collins,  Robert  Clarke,  John  Slane, 
Patrick  and  James  Carroll,  John  Cassidy,  Bernard  Brady,  Patrick  Reynolds, 
Michael  Moran,  Patrick  and  Francis  Carlin,  Frank  Maloney,  William  Ha- 
garty,  John  McCaffrey,  Thomas  Faliey,  Hugh  McCaule\',  Thomas  Hickey 
and  John  McKinley. 

Father  Tevin  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  who  secured  the 
old  Epi.scopal  church  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Olive  streets ; 
the  price  was  $1,450.  In  two  years,  notwithstanding  their  small  number, 
this  indebtedness  was  liquidated.  Ma.ss  was  said  in  this  building  for  nine 
years.  On  March  31,  185 1,  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly  became  pastor  of  Meriden, 
with  Wallingford,  Cheshire  and  Southingtou  as  missions.  During  Father 
O'Reilly's  pastorate  Bigotry  showed  its  hideous  head  on  more  than  one  occa- 
sion and  at  times  when  serious  consequences  might  have  resulted.  Father 
O'Reilly  purchased  St.  Patrick's  cemetery  on  South  Broad  street,  as  well  as 


REV.  JOHN   H,  CARROLL. 


REV.   MICHAEL  F.  RIGNEY, 


REV.  JOHN  COONEY,  P.P. 


REV.  JAMES  P.  DEGNAN. 


REV.  JAMES  CUNNINGHAM. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  367 

the  land  occupied  by  the  cemetery  and  old  church  in  Wallingford.  Father 
O'Reilly  had  lodgings  with  James  Lynn  on  High  street. 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn,  whose  pastorate  began  on 
June  4,  1S54.  In  1855  he  organized  the  first  Catholic  school  in  Meriden.  It 
was  conducted  in  the  basement  of  the  church  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and 
Olive  streets  by  Professor  P.  Smith.  Among  the  pupils  wly)  began  their  edu- 
cation here  is  the  present  pastor  of  St.  Edward's  parish,  Stafford  Springs, 
Rev.  R.  C.  Gragan.  Father  Quinn  about  this  time  purchased  the  lot  on  Cen- 
ter street  for  the  church  which  was  in  contemplation.  The  pastoral  residence 
was  the  humble  little  building  that  stood  south  of  the  church  for  many 
years,  and  in  which  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh  breathed  his  last. 

St.  Rose's  church  was  begun  and  completed  in  1856.  Very  Rev.  William 
O'Reilly,  Administrator,  officiated  at  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cummings  of  St.  Stephen's  parish.  New  York,  preached  the 
sermon.  The  same  orator  pronounced  the  discourse  at  the  dedication  of  the 
church  which  took  place  towards  the  end  of  the  same  year. 

In  Ma\-,  1858,  the  Rev.  Charles  McCallion  came  to  St.  Rose's  as  assistant 
to  Father  Quinn,  and  remained  in  this  capacity  until  the  following  December. 
While  at  Meriden  Father  Quinn  became  involved  in  a  lawsuit,  which  attracted 
no  little  attention  at  the  time.  A  woman,  one  of  his  parishioners,  married  a 
divorced  man  whose  wife  was  still  living.  Realizing  that,  according  to  the 
laws  of  the  Church  her  marriage  was  invalid,  she  submitted  the  matter  to 
Father  Quinn,  who  informed  her  that  her  reconciliation  with  the  Church 
could  be  effected  only  by  a  complete  separation.  The  husband  brought  suit 
against  Father  Quinn,  claiming  ;S  10,000  damages. 

Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh  began  his  administration  of  St.  Rose's  in  Jan- 
uary, 1859,  with  a  church  burdened  with  a  heavy  debt.  Among  the  achieve- 
ments of  his  successful  pastorate  were  the  purchase  of  a  piece  of  land  from  a 
Mr.  Fuller,  adjoining  that  secured  by  his  predecessor,  the  acquisition  of  all 
the  church  property  on  Center  street,  save  one  lot  in  the  rear  of  the  garden, 
the  purchase  of  a  new  cemetery  in  1864,  the  erection  of  a  spire  and  the  placing 
therein  of  a  bell.  The  impressive  ceremony  of  blessing  the  bell  was  per- 
formed by  Bishop  McFarlandon  November  i,  1866,  assisted  by  Very  Rev.  James 
Hughes,  Rev.  E.J.  O'Brien,  Rev.  Thomas' Walsh  and  Rev.  J.  Smith.  The 
preacher  on  the  occasion  was  Bishop  McFarland.  The  Solemn  Mass  which 
followed  was  celebrated  by  Rev.  E.J.  O'Brien,  with  Father  Hughes  as  deacon, 
and  Father  Smith  as  sub-deacon.  It  was  during  Father  Walsh's  pastorate, 
also,  that  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Ennis,  Ireland,  were  introduced  into  the 
diocese.  They  arrived  at  Meriden  on  May  7,  1872,  and  on  that  day  four  Sisters 
took  possession  of  their  new  convent  home  on  Liberty  street,  which  Father 
Walsh  had  purchased  from  Mr.  F.  H.  Williams  for  ^8,300.  The  first  Supe- 
rioress of  the  convent  was  Mother  Teresa,  who  is  the  only  survivor  of  the 
original  band.  In  1875  the  Sisters  took  up  their  residence  in  the  new  school, 
which  had  been  built  in  the  previous  year  at  a  cost  of  $20,000 ;  here  they 
remained  until  the  erection  of  the  convent  in  1877.  At  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  convent  Bishop  Galberry  officiated,  and  the  Rev.  T.  W. 


368  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Broderick  preached  the  sermon.  In  1876  St.  Bridget's  convent  was  elevated 
to  tlie  dignity  of  a  Mother-house,  Sister  M.  Teresa  Perry  being  appointed 
the  first  Rev.  Mother.  Father  Walsh  was  appointed  Vicar-General  of  the  dio- 
cese in  succession  to  Ver>-  Rev.  James  Lynch,  who  died  on  December  6,  1876. 

In  .the  spring  of  18S3,  Father  Walsh  began  the  erection  of  a  pastoral 
residence.  For  thirty-four  years  he  had  been  content  with  the  comforts 
afforded  by  the  humble  home  which  the  new  and  more  commodious  residence 
was  destined  to  replace.  He  had  completed  the  church,  built  a  spacious 
school  and  provided  the  Sisters  with  a  convent.  A  new  rectory  was  neces- 
sary to  complete  the  series  of  handsome  structures  that  had  grown  up  on 
Centre  street.  He  would  cheerfully  have  remained  in  the  old  home,  as  he  was 
a  priest  of  simple  habits  and  of  retiring  disj^osition  ;  but  he  overlooked  his 
own  desires  in  his  thoughts  for  others.  But  Divine  Providence  did  not  per- 
mit him  to  witness  th?  completion  of  the  work.  Seized  by  a  sudden  illness, 
the  Vicar-General  expired,  after  a  few  days'  sickness,  on  Monday,  July  2, 
1883.  The  funeral  services,  at  which  Bishop  McMahon  officiated,  and  Rev. 
Lawrence  Walsh  preached,  were  attended  by  over  100  priests  and  a  concourse 
of  people  that  ta.xed  the  capacity  of  the  church  to  its  utmost. 

"The  expressions  of  sympathy  and  regret  manifested  by  all  classes  and 
denominations  in  the  city  revealed  the  happy  relations  which  the  good  pastor 
had  maintained  with  all,  by  whom  he  was  universally  respected.  Meriden 
mourned  his  loss  as  one  of  her  best  citizens  and  most  respected  members  of 
society." 

The  month  following  the  demi.se  of  Very  Rev.  Father  Walsh  witnessed 
the  advent  ot  his  succes.sor,  the  Rev.  M.  P.  Lawlor.  During  his  brief  pas- 
torate the  rectory  was  completed,  but  ill  health  compelled  his  retirement  in 
January,  1885. 

The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Paul  F.  McAlenney,  became  pastor  of  St. 
Rose's  on  February  22,  1885.  The  works  that  have  signalized  his  adminis- 
tration are  evidence  of  sacerdotal  zeal  and  of  lay  co-operation:  the  two 
schools  were  remodeled  and  renovated ;  St.  Patrick's  cemetery  was  beau- 
tified and  improved  by  additional  walks  and  driveways;  on  June  15,  1885,  a 
handsome  monument  was  completed  in  the  cemetery,  erected  to  the  memory 
of  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  V.G.;  the  church  organ  was  enlarged  one-third  its 
original  dimensions,  and  the  capacity  of  the  sanctuary  increased  ;  the  confes- 
sionals were  reconstructed  and  made  conformable  to  the  interior  architecture  of 
the  building,  and  necessary  changes  were  made  in  the  means  of  exit.  Father 
McAlenney  purchased  in  1886  from  Mrs.  Lucy  Mather  a  piece  of  land  on  the 
east  side  adjacent  to  the  church  property,  and  later  secured  a  tract  of  land  on 
the  corner  of  North  First  street  and  North  avenue.  A  farm  was  also  pur- 
chased from  a  Mr.  Godey.  In  1889  a  tract  of  land  comprising  thirty  acres 
was  secured  for  cemetery  purposes,  but  it  did  not  receive  episcopal  blessing 
until  1893.  In  that  year  it  was  solemnly  set  apart  for  burial  purposes  by 
Bishop  McMahon,  Rev.  J.  J.  Curtin  preaching  the  sermon. 

As  the  old  chapel  had  become  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the  Sisters, 
Father  McAlenney  assumed  the  labor  of  erecting  a  chapel  that  would  be  in  all 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  369 

respects  a  suitable  place  for  the  sisters  to  gather  for  divine  worship.  The 
result  was  the  construction  of  St.  Ro.se's  present  spacious  and  elegant  chapel. 
It  adjoins  and  forms  part  of  the  convent,  and  its  general  architecture  conforms 
to  that  of  the  main  building. 

The  construction  of  a  boiler-house  also  engaged  the  attention  of  the  rec- 
tor. Previous  to  this  the  buildings  were  heated  by  apparatus  put  in  as  each 
one  was  erected.  To  concentrate  this  force  would  lessen  labor  and  expense, 
and  secure  more  satisfactor\'  results.       The  new  boiler-house  is  30  by  40  feet. 

In  March,  1895,  Father  McAlenney  put  into  execution  a  plan. he  had 
under  contemplation  for  some  time,  the  securing  of  a  "chapel  of  ease"  in  the 
western  section  of  the  city.  He  purchased  a  brick  building  from  the  Trinity- 
Methodist  Society,  transformed  it  into  a  well-equipped  chapel,  and  named  it 
in  honor  of  the  Sacred  Heart.  It  is  attended  by  the  clergy  of  the  mother 
cliurch,  who  say  two  Masses  there  every  Sunday. 

With  so  much  accomplished  for  God  and  His  church,  with  so  manv  evi- 
dences of  material  and  spiritual  prosperity  abounding,  the  rector  and  his 
devoted  parishioners  celebrated  the  golden  jubilee  of  the  parish  on  Sunday, 
September  4,  1S98.  The  joyful  occasion  brought  together  a  large  number  of 
priests,  many  of  whom  were  children  of  the  parisli,  and  received  here  the 
rudiments  of  their  education.  The  chief  feature  of  the  occasion  was  the 
Solemn  High  Mass,  with  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Donavan,  D.D.,  as  celebrant ;  Rev.  M. 
P.  McCarthy,  as  deacon;  Rev.  Denis  Hurley,  as  sub-deacon;  Rev.  E.  lyamon- 
tagne,  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  Rev.  Walter  Elliott,  C.S.  P. ,  pronounced 
the  oration.  Bishop  Tierney  was  present  in  the  sanctuary,  having  as  attend- 
ants Revs.  John  Russell  and  Richard  C.  Gragan.  Besides  the  officiating  cler- 
gymen, twenty -two  other  priests  of  the  diocese  assisted  at  the  imposing  cere- 
mony. The  evening  service  was  a  fitting  crown  to  the  day's  jubilation.  At 
the  solemn  vespers  Rev.  R.  C.  Gragan  officiated  as  celebrant ;  Rev.  T.  J.  Pres- 
ton, as  deacon;  Rev.  J.  H.  Broderick,  as  sub-deacon;  Rev.  M.  P.  McCarthy, 
as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  Denis  P.  Hurley,  who 
spoke  from  the  divine  words  :  "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  grain  of  mus- 
tard seed." 

The  priests  who  received  their  early  education  in  St.  Rose's  parish  were 
Revs.  Peter  M.  Kennedy,  the  first  to  receive  this  distinction  ;  Richard  C. 
Gragan,  Maurice  J.  Crowley,  James  Connolly,  Daniel  Haggerty,  Thaddeus 
Walsh,  Andrew  Haggerty,  Denis  P.  Hurley,  James  P.  Donovan,  D.D.,  Michael 
McCarthy,  Earnest  Lamontagne. 

Nineteen  young  ladies,  members  of  the  parish,  embraced  the  religious 
life,  and  retiring  from  the  world,  entered  various  religious  orders  :  Harriet 
McNamara,  Miss  Waldron,  Mary  Mulligan,  Annie  McCabe,  Margaret  Ames, 
Lizzie  Dooley,  Mary  Martin,  Mary  Breen,  Minnie  Burk,  Margaret  O'Brien, 
Katie  O'Brien,  Mary  O.  Johnston,  Mary  J.  Byrnes,  Fannie  Garvev,  Jennie 
Brock,  lyizzie  Johnston,  Rose  Johnston,  Mary  McF'arland,  Mary  Quinn. 

Before  the  arrival  df  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  in  Meriden,  the  schools  were 
conducted  by  lay  teachers.      As  stated  above,   P'ather  Quinn  instituted  the 
first  Catholic  school  in  Meriden,  with  Prof.  P.  Smith  as  the  first  instructor. 
II — 24 


370  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  XEW  EXGLAND. 

Fatlicr  Walsli  or<janized  liis  scliool  in  the  basement  of  the  present  church, 
wliich  was  tauglit  successively  by  the  following  teachers :  Miss  Grogan,  of 
Hartford,  from  i860  to  1861  ;  Miss  McDonough  for  a  brief  period ;  Miss  Mul- 
vyhill,  from  September,  1861,  to  March,  1S63 ;  James  Yates,  from  March,  1863, 
to  September,  1865;  from  this  date  to  1S66,  Timothy  Sweeney;  Miss  Spell- 
man  for  a  short  time;  the  Misses  Grundelle,  Yates,  and  Mulville,  from  1868 
to  1871;  F.  J.  Lamb  and  Miss  Mulville,  from  1871  to  1872;  Miss  Mary  Daly 
and  Miss  Mary  Liddy,  from  1872  to  1874,  as  the  Sisters  did  not  assume  charge 
of  the  boys  and  girls  together  until  1874.  In  1872  they  began  to  teach  the 
girls  in  a  two-room  school  on  Liberty  street,  in  the  rear  of  the  convent.  Addi- 
tional room  becoming  necessar}-,  a  coach-house  was  secured,  refitted,  and 
here  were  gathered  the  younger  children  of  the  school.  The  building  was 
afterwards  removed  to  Center  street. 

The  priests  wh6  served  as  assistants  in  St.  Ro.se's  parish  are : 

Pastorate  0/  I'ery  Rez:  Thomas  Walsh:  Revs.  E.  O'Connor,  T.  Smith, 
B.  O'R.  Sheridan,  B.  Plunkett,  J.  A.  Fitzsimon,  J.  B.  Reynolds,  J.  Russell, 
T.  W.  Broderick,  T.  P.  Joynt,  M.  C.  McKeon,  T.  J.  Preston,  T.  Sweeney,  A. 
J.  Haggerty,  M.  Costello,  W.  T.  Doolan,  T.  M.  O'Brien. 

Pastorale  of  Rev.  M.  P.  Laivlor :  Revs.  W.J.  Doolan,  T.  M.  O'Brien. 

Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  P.  F.  McAlenney :  Revs.  W.  J.  Doolan,  T.  M.  O'  Brien, 
J.  Walsh,  J.  H.  O'Donnell,  J.  H.  Broderick,  J.  T.  Crowley,  James  Degnan,  D. 
P.  Hurley,  C.  McCaun,  F.  Murpliy,  John  Lee,  R.  Early,  L.  Guinan. 

As  St.  Rose's  parish  fulfills  all  the  requirements  to  constitute  a  permanent 
rectorship,  Bishop  McMahon  conferred  this  dignity  upon  it  with  Father 
McAlenney  as  its  first  permanent  rector. 

ST.   LAURENT'S   (FRENCH)    PARISH, 
Meriden. 

rr^RIOR  to  June  6,  1880,  the  French  Canadians  worshiped  at  St.  Rose's 
church,  where  the  9  o'clock  Mass  was  set  apart  for  their  benefit. 
Their  spiritual  interests  were  in  charge  of  Rev.  John  Russell  and 
his  successors  at  St.  Rose's,  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick  and  Rev.  T.  P. 
Joynt.  Becoming  too  numerous  to  be  accommodated  with  one  service,  steps 
were  taken  to  organize  the  French  Canadians  into  a  separate  parish  organi- 
zation. Accordingly,  a  meeting  which  had  been  duly  warned  at  the  paro- 
chial Mass  on  the  Sunday  previous,  was  held  in  the  hall  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
on  June  2,  1880.  A  president  and  secretary  were  chosen  by  the  parishioners 
then  and  there  present,  a  church  committee  was  appointed  and  two  trustees 
were  legally  elected  by  said  committee.  With  the  Canadians  were  a  number 
of  Germans,  Poles  and  Italians;  but  the  Canadians  and  Germans  being  the 
most  numerous,  it  was  thought  at  first  to  form  both  under  one  corporation  ; 
by  an  agreement  of  both  parties,  however,  it  was  determined,  before  organ- 
izing into  a  corporate  body,  to  form  the  new  corporation  under  the  name  of 
the  "  French  Canadian  Catholic  Church,"  while  the  Germans  were  to  enjoy 
all  the  spiritual  privileges  of  the  same.  At  this  meeting,  attended  by  two  hun- 
dred persons,  a  few  collectors,  who  had  taken  up  a  census,  reported  that  i  loO 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  371 

French-speaking  people  resided  in  Merideu.  The  announcement  filled  all 
present  with  enthusiasm,  and  before  the  meeting  adjourned  $3,500  was 
pledged  by  the  French  Canadians  towards  the  building  of  a  church. 

Among  the  earliest  French  Canadian  settlers  in  Meriden  were  Narcisse 
Anger,  L.  Loissell,  O.  Raby,  P.  and  O.  Belcourt,  L.  Gouin,  W.  and  E.  Du- 
bord,  D.  A.  Dolbec,  V.  Besurchaine,  N.  L,isee,  T.  and  J.  Chalifoux,  R.  Des- 
sureau,  T.  and  A.  Felix,  E.  Cossette,  F.  Cossette,  O.  Duplessis,  Mons. 
Brunelle,  M.  Des  Rosiers,  M.  Bibeau,  M.  Turcotte,  N.  P.  Lamontagne  and 
U.  Neven. 

The  first  Mass  celebrated  before  the  newly  organized  parish  was  said  by 
the  new  pastor,  the  Rev.  A.  Van  Oppen,  on  June  6,  1880,  in  the  Grand  Army 
hall;  but  for  the  following  nine  months,  the  people  attended  divine  services 
in  the  City  Hall.  Work  on  the  excavation  of  the  cellar  for  the  new  church 
began  on  July  5th,  1880,  and  so  numerous  were  the  workers,  and  so  vigor- 
ously did  they  ply  pick,  and  spade,  and  shovel,  that  the  excavation  was 
completed  that  evening.  The  scene  was  enlivened  by  music  by  the  city 
band,  and  so  enthusiastic  were  the  toilers  at  the  success  of  their  labors  that 
they  organized  an  impromptu  procession  and  marched  through  the  city,  the 
men  shouldering  their  picks  and  other  implements  of  toil. 

In  November,  1880,  work  on  the  basement  was  begun,  and  on  Palm 
Sunday,  April  loth,  the  following  year,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop 
McMahou,  who  also  blessed  the  basement,  which  had  been  completed,  on 
the  same  day.  The  morning  discourse  was  pronounced  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Shanahan,  of  Harrisburg.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  \yas  the  Rev.  Flor.  De 
Bruycker,  and  the  master  of  ceremonies,  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Vygen.  Rev.  L-  G. 
Gagnier  preached  at  Vespers.  The  ba.sement  structure,  including  the  fur- 
nishings, cost  $11,000. 

The  congregation  worshiped  in  the  basement  until  the  completion  of  the 
superstructure,  work  on  which  had  been  resumed  in  the  spring  of  i8S6.  On 
November  4,  1888,  the  church  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  God  in  honor  of 
the  martyr,  St.  Lawrence,  Bishop  McMahon  officiating.  Right  Rev.  L.  F. 
Lafleche,  D.D,  Bishop  of  Three  Rivers,  P.  Q.,  preached  the  French  sermon, 
and  Rev.  W.  Stang,  D.D.,  delivered  the  discourse  in  German.  On  the  corner- 
stone are  these  inscriptions:  ^^  Eglise  de  Saint  Laurent,  iSSo;''^  '■^  Laurentio 
Auspice,  pie  fide  limn  obolis  exstructa,  1886^  The  dimensions  of  St.  Lau- 
rent's church  are,  length  118  feet,  width  60  feet;  the  exterior  is  6o]4  feet 
high,  and  the  interior,  45}^  feet;  when  completed,  the  tower  will  rise  165  feet. 

At  the  time  the  parish  was  organized  in  1886  there  were  11 50  French 
Canadians  in  Meriden;  when  the  church  was  dedicated  in  188S  the  number 
was  1300;  the  present  population  of  the  parish  is  1700  souls. 

St.  Laurent's  school  was  opened  in  September,  1893,  with  200  pupils, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Assumption,  whose  Mother-house  is 
in  Nicolet,  P.  Q.  The  French  and  English  languages  are  taught.  There 
are  ?t  present  325  pupils  in  eight  grades  taught  by  six  Sisters,  of  whom  Sis- 
ter Felicite  is  the  Superioress.  The  rector.  Rev.  Father  Van  Oppen,  is  a 
member  of  the  Diocesan  School  Commission. 


372  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  parisli  in  Jiuie,  1880,  to  1898,  1658  bap- 
tisms have  been  administered  and  360  marriages  solemnized. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 
^^^  Meriue.n. 

(5 1  I  IK  German  Catholics  of  Meriden  attended  services  at  St.  Rose's 
^  I  church  with  the  French  Canadians  previous  to  June  6,  1880.  On  that 
date  they  became  part  of  St.  Laurent's  parish.  When  the  church  was 
dedicated  in  1888  the  German  Catholic  population  of  Meriden  numbered  400 
souls.  They  remained  under  the  juri.sdiction  of  St.  Laurent's  until  Decem- 
ber 6,  1891,  when  they  took  possession  of  their  own  church,  St.  Mary's,  with 
the  Rev.  Ignatius  Kost,  as  the  first  pastor,  who  is  still  in  charge.  Tluee 
Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  Baltimore,  Md.,  whose  Superioress  is  Sister  Helena, 
teach  212  pupils. 

PARISH  OF  OUR  LADY  OF  MOUNT  CARMEL, 

Meriden. 

'  S  far  as  can  be  ascertained  the  first  Italian  Catholics  to  settle  in  Meri- 
den were  S.  Gentile,  G.  Maneano,  G.  Conco,  .J.  Materese,  S.  Larese, 
and  B.  Ponzillo.  Like  other  nationalities,  the  Italians  worshiped 
in  tlie  mother  church,  St.  Rose's,  until  June,  18S0,  when  they 
came  under  tlie  jurisdiction  of  the  pastor  of  St.  Laurent's  parish,  the  Rev. 
A.  Van  OpiJen.  The  first  Mass  said  for  them  by  a  clergyman  of  their  own 
nationality  was  in  St.  Laurent's  church  in  October,  1892,  the  celebrant  being 
Rev.  Angelo  Chiariglione.     About  sixty-five  Italians  attended  that  Mass. 

The  first  resident  pastor  was  Rev.  Felice  Morelli,  who  remained  from 
May,  1894,  until  September  of  the  same  year,  ft  is  successor  was  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Falcotill,  who  served  until  February,  1895.  Father  Becherini  then 
became  pastor,  which  office  he  held  till  May  of  that  year,  wlien  the  present 
pastor.  Rev.  Vittorio  Sovilla,  assumed  charge. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  church  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel  was  laid 
early  in  1894,  Bishop  McMahon  oflSciating.  The  ceremony  of  dedication 
was  performed  by  his  Eminence,  Cardinal  Satolli,  in  the  presence  of  a  host  of 
people  who  gathered  to  witness  the  impressive  ceremony  and  to  render  respect 
to  tlie  venerable  Apostolic  Delegate. 

When  the  parish  was  formed  the  Italian  population  numbered  about  400; 
a  census  recently  taken  enumerates  about  600  souls. 

ST.  STANISLAUS'  PARISH, 
Meriden. 

(j5  I  HE  Polish  Catholics  of  Meriden  were  organized  into  a  parish  in  the 
*  I  spring  of  1891.  They  held  divine  services  in  the  basement  of  the 
church,  which  was  generously  set  apart  for  their  use,  until  October 
30,  1892,  when  the  corner-stone  of  their  new  church  was  laid  during  the 
pastorate  of ■  Rev.  Father  Kelaniter.  Remaining  about  eighteen  months,  he 
retired.     Until  the  appointment  of  his  successor,  F'ather  McAlenney,  assisted 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  373 

by  Rev.  Father  Havey,  administered  the  affairs  of  the  parish.  The  present 
pastor  is  the  Rev.  C.  Kucharski.  The  school  attached  to  the  church  has 
sixty  pupils  and  is  taught  by  a  lay  teacher. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 

MiLFORD. 

IN  February,  1685,  Colonel  Thomas  Dongan,  the  Catholic  governor  of 
New  York,  visited  Milford  to  confer  with  Governor  Treat  of  Connec- 
ticut, about  the  agreement  of  the  Commissioners  selected  to  determine 
the  boundary  line  between  the  two  colonies.  On  the  23rd  of  the  month 
the  report  was-assented  to  and  ratified  by  both  governors.  On  this  occasion. 
Governor  Dongan  received  the  salutes  proper  to  his  dignity.  In  firing  one 
of  the  great  guns,  a  Samuel  Adkins  was  injured,  on  account  of  which  he 
petitioned  the  General  Court  for  damages  ;  he  was  awarded  five  pounds.  It 
is  not  improbable  that  Governor  Dongan's  retinue  comprised  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  Catholic  officials. 

The  construction  of  the  New  Haven  railroad  brought  a  great  influx  of 
Irish  laborers  to  Milford,  those  sturdy  sons  of  the  Church,  who  craved  the 
presence  of  a  priest,  and  whose  fellow-countrymen  in  scores  of  places  in 
Connecticut  laid  strong  and  deep  the  foundations  of  what  their  descendants 
enjoy.  In  1S48,  they  experienced  the  great  happiness  of  assisting  at  a  Mass 
celebrated  by  a  visiting  priest  in  the  house  of  John  Lyons.  Being  informed 
of  the  presence  here  of  children  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  Edward  J.  O'Brien 
of  St.  Mary's  parish,  New  Haven,  administered  to  them  the  consolations  of 
religion,  occasionally  saying  Mass  in  the  houses  of  John  Lyons  or  of  Mrs. 
Sullivan. 

Yielding  to  the  importunities  of  the  people  and  pleased  with  the  sus- 
tained interest  manifested,  Father  O'Brien,  in  1853,  erected  a  church  on  a 
lot,  ninety  feet  wide,  bought  from  Mrs.  Sullivan,  southeast  of  the  cemetery. 
From  the  directories  we  learn  that  in  1856  and  1857,  Milford  was  served 
from  St.  James'  parish,  Bridgeport,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Synnott,  pastor  ;  in 
1859-60-61,  from  St.  Mary's,  New  Haven,  by  the  Rev.  Peter  A.  Smith; 
from  1865  to  the  first  year  of  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  John  Rogers,  from  St. 
Mary's,  East  Bridgeport,  when  the  Rev.  John  Lynch,  pastor  of  Birmingham, 
assumed  charge  of  the  Milford  mission. 

Milford  owes  its  present  church  to  the  energy  of  Rev.  P.  M.  Kennedy, 
the  successor  of  Father  Lynch  at  Birmingham.  In  1881,  Father  Kennedy 
bought  a  fine  lot  on  the  corner  of  Gulf  street  and  New  Haven  avenue  from 
Judge  Fowler,  for  which  he  paid  $500.  He  began  the  work  of  construction 
immediately,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  December  of  that  year.  It  was 
dedicated  on  June  25,  1882,  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  -Rev.  Lawrence 
Walsh,  of  Waterbury,  preached  the  sermon.  The  church  has  a  seating  capa- 
city of  400  and  cost  $12,000,  not  a  heavy  burden  when  we  consider  the  will- 
ingness of  the  people  to  make  generous  sacrifices  in  behalf  of  the  faith  to 
which  they  were  devotedly  attached,  and  the  sacerdotal  zeal  that  inflamed  the 
hearts  of  their  spiritual  leaders.     So  prosperous  in  fact  had  this  mission  be- 


374  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

come,  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  erect  it  into  an  independent  parish. 
Accordingly  in  April,  1895,  it  was  separated  from  the  mother  parisli  and  the 
Rev.  James  Larkin  was  appointed  tlie  first  resident  pastor.  He  assumed  charge 
also  of  West  Haven  and  Stratford  as  dependencies.  His  seven  years  pastorate 
was  marked  by  works  which  will  long  snr\ive  him.  Two  chnrches  are  evi- 
dence of  his  activity — St.  James'  at  Stratford,  and  St.  Lawrence's  at  West 
Haven.  The  erection  of  the  pastoral  residence  is  also  his  work ;  he  renovated 
the  old  church,  which  is  used  for  various  parochial  purposes.  Father  Larkin 
entered  into  his  reward  on  July  25,  iiS92. 

The  Rev.  William  Maher,  D.D.,  began  his  duties  as  pastor  of  St.  Mary's 
parish  on  October  23,  1892.  During  Dr.  Maher's  illness,  which  occurred  in 
December  following  his  aiipointment  and  continued  until  June,  1S93,  the 
aflfairs  of  the  parish  were  administered  by  the  Rev.  John  T.  Kennedy  of  New 
Haven.  Though  deprived  of  the  manufacturing  industries  that  are  of  such 
incalculable  assistance  to  many  parishes,  St.  Mary's  parish  is  in  a  flourishing 
condition,  the  result  of  sustained  co-operation  on  the  one  hand  and  of  unre- 
mitting labor  on  the  other. 

St.  Mary's,  Milford,  is  the  headquarters  of  the  Hartford  Apostolate. 

St.  Mary's  cemetery  is  situated  on  Indian  river,  south  of  the  N.  Y.  and 
N.  H.  R.  R.  Though  purchased  in  1868,  when  Milford  was  served  from  East 
Bridgeport,  it  was  not  blessed  until  about  1878. 

Stratford  is  the  out-mission  of  Milford  and  is  attended  every  Sunday. 


If: 


ST.  MARY'S    PARISH, 
Mt.  Carmel  (Hamde.n). 

'^HEN  the  Rev.  Matthew  Hart,  of  New  Haven,  celebrated  the  first 
Mass  said  in  Hamden  in  September,  1852,  there  were  about 
thirty  Catholic  peoi)le  in  the  town.  At  intervals  of  a  month  they 
were  privileged  to  assist  at  Ma.ss  said  by  priests  from  New  Haven.  In  1856 
Hamden  was  under  tlie  jurisdiction  of  Rev.  E-  J.  O'Brien,  of  St.  Mary's. 
The  increasing  number  of  Catholics  prompted  him  to  secure  a  suitable 
house  of  worship.  In  the  above-mentioned  year  Father  O'  Brien  bought  a  lot, 
to  which  he  moved  an  old  building  purchased  from  the  Axle  Company.  This 
was  suitably  remodeled  for  divine  worship.  An  enlargement  became  neces- 
sary in  1867.  For  thirty-four  years  was  this  humble  but  well-beloved  church 
used  by  the  Catholics  of  Hamden.  The  directories  inform  us  that  Hamden 
was  attended  from  St.  Mary's,  New  Haven,  until  i860,  when  it  was  served 
from  Wallingford.  In  1865  it  was  in  charge  of  the  pastor  of  Southington, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Drea.  On  August  11,  1867,  it  reverted  to  Wallingford,  and 
was  taken  in  charge  \)\  the  Rev.  Hugh  Mallon.  There  were  at  this  time  225 
Catholics  in  Hamden.  Alone  at  Wallingford,  Father  Mallon  could  not  give 
weekly  .services  in  Hamden;  but  after  the  appointment  of  the  first  assistant 
in  1878,  Mass  was  said  regularly  there  every  week.  In  1890  the  Catholics  of 
Hamden  had  increased  to  500  ;  so  that  the  old  church  was  insufficient  to 
accommodate  the  congregation.  To  encourage  his  people,  to  stimulate  their 
faith  and  to  provide  them  with  a  church  suitable  to  their  aspirations.  Father 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  375 

Malloii  purchased  a  lot  between  Centreville  and  Mt.  Cannel,  south  of  the  old 
church.  Work  on  the  foundation  was  begun  in  i8S8,  and  the  church  was 
dedicated  in  the  summer  of  1890  under  the  title  of  Our  L,ady  of  Mt.  Carniel. 
It  is  an  imposing  structure,  the  most  prominent  church  in  the  town,  and  when 
completed  and  furnished,  cost  $20,000.     The  architecture  is  Gothic. 

The  cliurcli  of  Our  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel  continued  in  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Father  Mallon  until  April  22,  1891,  when  Bishop  McMahon  bestowed  upon  it 
parochial  honors  and  appointed  tiie  Rev.  John  Winters  the  first  resident  pastor. 
For  over  four  years  Father  Winters  labored  in  this  portion  of  the  Vineyard, 
accomplishing  much  for  his  people  both  in  the  spiritual  and  temporal  orders. 
The  sightly  rectory  was  built  by  him  and  other  improvements  of  a  substan- 
tial character  were  effected.  On  September  i,  1895,  he  was  transferred  to 
South  Norwalk,  and  was  immediately  followed  by  the  present  incumbent,  the 
Rev.  William  Dullard. 

ST.   FRANCIS'  PARISH. 

Naugatuck. 

HE  first  Catholic  settlers  in  Naugatuck  were  Patrick  Maher,  John  Kelly, 
Andrew  Moran,  George  Burns,  Patrick  Conron,  Patrick  Butler,  Walter 
Healy,  Thomas  and  John  Campbell  and  John  Hyne.  Though  it  is 
not  improbable  that  Naugatuck  was  visited  by  Father  Fitton  and  Father 
McDermot  in  their  periodical  tours  tlirough  this  section,  the  first  Mass  said 
here,  as  far  as  is  known,  was  offered  up  by  Father  O'Neil  of  Waterbury,"in 
1847  in  the  Naugatuck  hotel.  There  were  about  fifty  Catholics  here  at  this 
time.  Anterior  to  this  date  the  sacraments  were  administered  to  people  in 
Naugatuck  by  Father  Smyth  of  New  Haven.  Mass  was  said  later  in  the 
residences  of  Patrick  Conron  and  Patrick  Boylan.  In  1857  five  men,  public 
spirited  and  strong  of  faith — Patrick  Maher,  Thomas  Campbell,  John  Dono- 
van, Edward  Conroy  and  Patrick  Conron — purchased  a  lot  on  Water  street, 
for  which  they  paid  $400.  At  this  time  Naugatuck  was  served  from  Birming- 
ham, whose  pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  Lynch.  Father  Lynch  began  the 
erection  of  a  church,  which  was  continued  by  his  successor,  the  Rev.  John 
Lynch.  In  the  meantime  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  up  semi-monthly  in 
Nicholas'  hall.  Mass,  however,  was  said  in  the  new  church  before  it  was 
entirely  completed.  In  1858,  Naugatuck  was  given  in  charge  of  Father  Hen- 
dricken,  of  Waterbury,  who  completed  the  church  and  purchased  a  cemetery 
about  1859.  He  continued  in  charge  until  1866,  when  Naugatuck  was  ele- 
vated to  the  dignity  of  a  parish.  The  Rev.  Hugh  T.  Brady  was  appointed 
the  first  resident  pastor.  The  duration  of  Father  Brady's  pastorate  was  nine 
years.  He  purchased  a  house  on  Arch  street  from  George  A.  Lewis  for  $5,000, 
which  became  his  pastoral  residence.  Upon  his  transfer  to  Ansonia,  he  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  Harty,  who  died  on  March  19,  1876,  five 
weeks  after  his  appointment.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Richard  O' Gor- 
man, who  died  on  December  3d,  after  a  pastorate  of  six  months. 

The  Rev.  James  Fagan  was  appointed  pastor  on  December  17,  1876. 
As  the  congregation  was  increasing  it  became  evident  to  Father  Fagan  that  a 


376  THE   CATIIO-UC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

new  chiircli  was  a  necessity.  Accordingly,  in  1877,  he  purchased  tlie  Hine 
projKTty  on  Church  street,  and,  after  tlie  necessary  renovations,  occupied  the 
house  on  the  premises  as  a  rectory.  The  indebtedness  incurred  by  this  transac- 
tion was  liquidated  in  le.ss  tlian  a  year.  Father  Fagan  then  established  a  b)iild- 
ing  fund  and  .so  actively  did  he  labor  and  so  generously  did  his  people  cooperate 
with  him  tiiat  in  a  dozen  years  the  fund  reached  the  sum  of  $20,000. 

Ground  was  broken  for  the  present  beautiful  church  on  .Vpril  7,  1882, 
Father  Fagan  digging  the  first  shovelful  of  earth.  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
MciMahon  laid  the  corner-stone  on  July  23d,  in  -the  presence  of  the  largest 
concourse  of  people  ever  gathered  in  Naugatuck  up  to  that  lime.  The  Rev. 
Lawrence  Walsh,  of  Waterbury,  preached  the  sermon. 

Tlie  collection  on  that  occa.sion  added  to  the  building  fund  the  munificent- 
sum  of  55,000.  The  basement,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  1160,  was  soon 
ready  for  occupancy.  On  Sunday,  .'August  19,  1883,  Mass  was  said  in  the  old 
church  for  the  last  time,  and  on  the  Sunday  following  the  basement  chapel 
was  dedicated  b\'  Bishop  ]\[tMahoii.  The  solemn  High  Mass,  Coram  Ef'iscopo^ 
which  followed  the  dedic;ttion  services,  was  celebrated  by  Ver\'  Rev.  James 
Hughes,  Hartford,  as  celebrant ; -the  Rev.  James  Campbell,  Manchester,  deacon; 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Beaven  (now  Bishop  of  Springfield),  sub-deacon;  the  Rev. 
Peter  M.  Kennedy,  Birmingham,  master  of  ceremonies.  The  discourse  was  de- 
livered by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Duggau,  of  Waterbury.  The  congregation  wor- 
shiped in  this  chapel  until  November  30,  1890,  the  date  of  the  dedication  of  the 
main  church.  A  striking  architectural  feature  of  the  edifice  is  the  tower  on 
the  right  hand  corner ;  it  is  modeled  after  that  of  St.  Gertrude's  in  Louvain, 
Belgium.  Father  Fagau's  labors  did  not  cease  with  the  construction  of  the 
church.  This  work  accomplished,  he  purchased  a  fine  tract  of  land  of  over 
thirty  acres,  which,  in  November,  1892,  was  consecrated  to  burial  purposes 
under  the  patronage  of  St.  James.  When  Father  Fagan  took  up  the  reins  of 
government,  St.  Francis'  parish  had  not  one  thousand  .souls,  and  the  value  of 
the  church  property  was  estimated  at  g  10,000.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
August  I,  1893,  the  property  valuation  was  $110,000,  with  a  population  of 
three  thousand.  An  appreciative  contemporary  thus  wrote  of  Father  F'agan  : 
"  Father  F''agan  is  warmly  interested  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  his  parish, 
which   are   constantly  calling  forth    his   best  efforts;  but  in  his  relations  to 

the  community  at  large  he  is  liberal  and  progressive His  zeal  and 

energy  were  largely  manifested  in  the  erection  of  the  new  St.  Francis'  church, 
which  is  a  grand  and  imposing  monument  to  the  Catholic  faith  and  the  .sacri- 
ficing devotion  of  his  parishioners." 

F-ather  Fagau's  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  F.  Lenahan,  who  came  here 
from  Hartford.  Brief  as  was  Father  Lenahan's  pastorate,  it  was  replete  with 
good  works.  The  Spring  property,  adjacent  to  the  church,  was  purchased  in 
1895,  and  the  grounds  improved  and  beautified.  Father  Lenahan  was  .suni. 
iiioned  to  his  eternal  reward  in  December,  1895.  His  successor  is  the  present 
rector,  the  Rev.  James  O'Reilly  Sheridan.  Early  in  his  pastorate  the  ]iari.sh 
was  visited  with  a  severe  loss  in  the  almost  total  destruction  of  the  basement 
interior;  the  altar,  two  confessionals,  and  two  statues  only  were  saved  from 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  -All 

the  wreck.  The  damage  was  caused  by  detective  drainage,  which  resulted  iu 
a  flood.  As  a  consequence,  an  improved  and  modern  system  of  drainage  was 
introduced;  and  the  chapel,  thoroughly  renovated,  was  transformed  into  a 
new  and  elegant  place  of  worship,  all  at  an  expense  of  $10,000.  On  February 
20,  1 897,  Father  Sheridan  introduced  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  the  Mother- 
house  of  Middletown,  and  installed  them  in  the  residence  ptirchased  by  his 
predecessor,  where  they  conduct  a  select  school  for  girls.  Other  evidences  of 
Father  Sheridan's  activity  are  to  be  found  in  the  improvements  made  in 
the  new  cemetery,  and  the  erection  therein  of  necessary  buildings.  At  the 
present  writing,  plans  are  being  considered  for  a  school,  which  exteriorly  and  in 
its  interior  appointments  will  be  in  keeping  with  the  dignity  of  the  parish. 

Among  the  recent  benefactors  of  St.  Francis'  parish  are  Thomas  Neary, 
who  donated  the  chandeliers  in  the  church,  valued  at  $1,000;  Miss  Mary 
Shields,  whose  gift  was  a  statue  of  the  Sacred  Heart ;  Richard  Neary,  who 
gave  a  statue  of  St.  Patrick.  The  assistant  priests  are  the  Rev.  William  Gib- 
bons and  the  Rev.  William  Fanning. 

ST.  AUGUSTINE'S  PARISH, 
Seymour. 

fHE  original    name  of  Seymour  was  Nau-ko-titnk^   which  signifies  one 
large  tret\  so  called  from  a  large,  stately  tree  which  formerly  stood  near 
Rock  Rimmon.      To  the  stream  on  which   Seymour  is  situated  was 
given  the  English  pronunciation  of  the  above  name  Naiigahic.    Naii-ko-tunk 
subsequently  gave  way  to  Humphreysville  in  honor  of  David  Humphreys, 
whose  manufacturing  establishment  was  incorporated  in  18 10. 

Fifty-five  years  ago  Seymour  (which  received  its  present  name  in  1850) 
had  only  six  Catholics,  Nicholas  and  Daniel  Brockway,  Thomas  Gaffney, 
Nicholas  Cass,  James  Quinlan  and  Patrick  Gaffney.  *  In  1844,  Father  Smyth, 
of  New  Haven,  celebrated  the  first  Mass  said  in  Seymour  in  a  building  known 
as  the  "Old  Long  House, "  which  was  situated  on  the  site  of  the  engine 
house  on  Raymond  street.  The  construction  of  the  railroad  brought  a  goodly 
increase  to  the  Catholic  population,  and  at  the  aijpointment  of  Rev.  Michael 
O'Neil,  to  Waterbury,  Seymour— or  Humphreysville — passed  into  his  charge. 
During  the  interval  between  the  first  Mass  and  this  period  the  Catholics  of 
this  mission  assisted  at  Mass  either  at  Derby  or  New  Haven ;  at  the  former 
when  Father  Smyth  would  visit  it.  Upon  the  assumption  of  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Birmingham  in  185 1,  Rev.  James  Lynch  also  assumed  control  of  Se\'mour. 
On  September  24th  of  that  year,  he  purchased  a  fine  lot  for  a  church  from 
Alfred  Blackman,  paying  therefor  the  sum  of  $400.  In  the  fall  of  1855, 
work  on  the  new  church  was  commenced,  and  it  was  dedicated  under  the 
patronage  of  St.  Augustine  in  the  fall  of  1S56.  Seymour  continued  to  be 
served  from  Birmingham  until  the  transfer  of  Father  O'Dwyer  to  Ansonia 
in  1870,  when  it  began  mission  relations  to  the  latter  place.  In  October, 
1885,  it  was  organized  into  a  parish  with  the  Rev.  John  McMahon  as 
the  first  resident  pastor.  On  May  i,  1886,  he  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Richard  C.  Gragan,  whose  period  of  service  terminated  on  April   i,  1894. 


378  THE   CATIJOUC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

For  soiue  time  after  his  arrival  Father  Gragan  liad  lodgings  at  a  private  house 
and  at  the  hotel.  Having  liquidated  an  outstanding  indebtedness  of  ?i,ooo, 
he  began  the  erection  of  a  church  more  suitable  to  the  needs  of  the  popula- 
tion of  the  parish.  On  May  4,  1SS8,  ground  was  broken,  and  on  July  15th, 
the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon,  the  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney,  of 
New  Britain,  preaching  the  sermon.  Divine  services  were  held  in  the  new 
church  on  Christmas  day,  1889,  for  the  first  time,  and  on  May  18,  1890.  it  was 
.solemnly  dedicated.  The  Ma.ss  which  followed  the  ceremony  of  dedication 
was  sung  by  the  Rev.  T.  Kelly,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  M.  Mulholland  as  deacon 
and  the  Rev.  Father  Walsh  as  sub-deacon;  Rev.  J.  Synnott  as  master  of  cere- 
monies ;  the  preacher  was  the  Rev.  James  C.  O'Brien.  The  cost  of  the  edifice 
was  $13,000.  When  the  parish  was  formed  the  population  was  estimated  at 
650,  consisting  of  Irish,  Germans  and  Poles.  When  the  church  was  dedi- 
cated, the  number  was  about  700.  After  the  completion  of  the  new  church, 
Father  Gragan  converted  the  old  one  into  a  parochial  residence. 

The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Michael  Rigney,  succeeded  to  the  pastorate 
of  St.  Augustine's  on  April  I,  1S94.  His  success  attests  his  activity.  What  with 
renovating  the  basement,  beautifying  the  grounds,  improving  the  cemetery  and 
purchasing  a  .sweet-toned  church  bell,  his  zeal  has  been  expended  in  promoting 
the  interests  of  his  parish.  The  ceremony  of  blessing  the  bell  took  place  on 
May  7,  1895,  Bishop  Tierney  officiating,  and  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  V.G., 
preaching  the  sermon.  St.  Augustine's  church  ha,s  a  seating  capacity  of  600 
and  cost  $13,000.  The  present  population  of  the  parish  is  500.  St.  Angus- 
tine's  cemetery  was  ])urchased  in  1893  and  blessed  b\-  Bishop  McMahon  on  June 
25th  of  that  year,  the  Rev.  J.  Fitzgerald  of  Cromwell  deli\ering  the  discourse. 

From  1885  to  1898  exclusive,  the  sacrament  of  ba])tism  has  been  ad- 
ministered 270  times  ;  while  98  marriages  have  been  solemnized.  The  first 
baptism  conferred  after'  the  organization  of  the  parish,  was  upon  Charles 
Parsons,  December  6,  1885  ;  the  first  marriage  ceremony  performed  was  be- 
tween John  Cassidy  and  Elizabeth  Frazier,  November  26,  1885. 

Father  Rigney  attends  also  two  stations.  Beacon  Falls  and  Oxford. 

The  Beacon  Falls  Rubber  Company  recently  donated  to  the  Catholics  of 
Beacon  Falls  a  fine  tract  of  land  upon  which  a  church  will  be  built  in  the 
immediate  future. 

HOLY   ANGELS'    PARLSH, 

South  Meruien. 

'OUTH  MERIDEN  is  about  two  miles  distant  from  Meriden  and 
was  formerly  a  part  of  St.  Rose's  parish,  Meriden.  For  many  years 
the  Catholic  people  attended  the  mother  church,  but  Father 
McAlenney,  recognizing  that  on  stormy  Sundays  and  during  the 
winter  months,  it  was  a  trying  task  to  walk  this  distance,  sought  and  ob- 
tained permission  from  Bishop  McMahon  to  erect  a  church,  suitable  for  the 
people's  needs,  in  vSonth  Meriden.  Selecting  a  fine  site  opposite  Hanover  Park, 
Feather  McAlenney  broke  ground  for  the  new  church  in  December,  1886.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  Sunday,  April   3,  18S7,  by  Bishop  McMahon,  Rev. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  379 

John  Russell,  of  New  Haven,  preaching  the  sermon.  On  July  17,  1887,  the 
first  Mass  was  offered  up  in  the  newly  dedicated  church.  Holy  Angels'  church 
continued  to  be  served  from  St.  Rose's,  until  January  10,  1880,  when  the  Rev. 
Richard  Moore  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor.  Upon  his  advent  into 
the  parish,  Father  Moore  lived  in  a  house  that  recalls  the  residence  of  Bishop 
Tyler  in  Providence,  described  elsewhere,  which  could  be  carried  about  by  a 
pair  of  oxen.  In  this  humble,  yet  cheerful  home.  Father  Moore  lived  until 
the  completion  of  the  rectory  which  now  ornaments  the  parochial  property. 
Successfully  fulfilling  his  mission  here.  Father  Moore  was  promoted  to  a  new 
parish  in  New  Britain,  St.  Joseph's,  and  the  Rev.  P.  Byrne  became  his  suc- 
cessor. After  a  brief  administration  Father  Byrne  was  transferred  to  New 
Canaan  and  was  followed  by  the  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Cr®nin. 

Father  Cronin  attends  also  St.  Bridget's  church,  Cheshire,  among  the  pio- 
neer churches  of  the  diocese.  As  early  as  1852,  Rev.  Father  Tevin  and  others 
visited  Cheshire  to  say  Mass,  administer  the  sacraments  and  instruct  the  faithful. 
The  residence  of  Michael  Garde  was  one  of  the  first  in  which  divine  services 
were  held.  The  attendants  at  Mass  at  this  time  were  principally  miners.  Later 
the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  offered  in  Baldwin's  Hall  byRev.  Hugh  O'Reilly  of  Meri- 
den.  Not  long  after  a  room  in  Martin  Brennan's  hotel  was  secured  for  divine 
worship,  and  here  the  Catholicsof  Cheshire  worshiped  until  the  church  was  built. 

In  the  meantime  the  number  of  Catholics  was  increasing,  and  Father 
O'Reilly  began  to  make  preparations  for  the  erection  of  a  church.  He  secured 
an  acre  of  land  from  Michael  Garde  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  which 
he  intended  for  church  and  cemetery  purposes.  The  corner-stone  of  the 
church  was  laid  in  the  summer  of  1859,  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Quinn 
of  Meriden.  The  first  Mass  said  in  the  new  church  was  celebrated  on  Christ- 
mas day  of  the  same  year  by  Rev.  Charles  McCallion,  assistant  to  Father 
Quinn.  The  church  was  beautified  and  improved  in  1883,  a  small  tower  was 
added  and  stained  glass  windows  were  put  in.  So  notable  were  the  improve- 
ments made  at  this  time  that  the  church  was  rededicated  by  Bishop  McMahon 
on  November  4,  1883  St.  Bridget's  church  was  attended  at  different  times 
from  Meriden,  Wallingford  and  Southington.  In  1888,  it  came  under  the  juris- 
diction of  South  Meriden.  At  one  time  it  had  a  resident  priest,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Drea,  who  resided  in  the  Beadle  place  and  attended  Hamden  and  Southington. 
The  Catholic  poijulation  of  Cheshire  is  about  twenty-five  families,  or  loo  souls. 

HOIvY   TRINITY   PARISH, 
Wallingford.' 

IN  1840  there  were  only  three  Irish  Catholics  in  Wallingford,  James  Han- 
Im,  Michael  Mulligan  and  Mark  Daly.     Seven  years  later,  on  Decem- 
ber  22d,  Mass   was  said  for  the   first  time  in  Wallingford   by  Father 
McGarisk,  an  Illinois  missionary,  in  the  house  of  James  Hanlon,  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  High  streets.    Among  those  who  were  privileged  to  assist 
at  this  Mass  were  James  Hanlon,  Mrs.  O'Connor,  Mrs.  Leonard,  Mrs.  Logan 

'  For  some  of  the  details  of  this  sketch,  I  am  indebted  to  ]^r.  John  Phelan's  admir- 
able History  of  this  parish. 


380  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  I.V  NEW  ENGLAND. 

and  Charles  Logan,  about  a  dozen  persons  in  all.  Previous  to  this,  the  Catii- 
olics  in  order  to  hear  Mass  were  obliged  to  go  to  New  Haven  where  the  nearest 
church  was  located. 

The  Rev.  Philip  O'Reilly,  of  New  Haven,  was  the  second  priest  to  visit 
Wallingford.  He  also  said  Mass  in  the  home  of  James  Hanlon,  who  was  then 
residing  on  Academy  street.  When  Meriden  was  organized  into  a  parish, 
Wallin<iford  l)ecame  attached  to  it  as  a  mission  and  was  attended  by  the  Rev. 
Bernard  Tevin,  who  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  in  the  residence  of  Martin 
Owens  at  frequent  intervals.  Father  Tevin  performed  the  first  Catholic 
marriage  ceremony  witnessed  in  Wallin;,rford.  The  historic  date  is  May  12, 
1850,  and  the  contracting  parties  were  Philip  McCabe  and  Ellen  Maloney. 

Father  Tevin  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  who  had  arrived 
at  Providence  on  March  14,  1851.  He  was  an  alumnus  of  All  Hallows'  Col- 
lege, Dublin.  Father  O'Reilly  continued  to  say  Mass  at  the  home  of  Martin 
Owens;  and  here  also  he  established  Wallingford's  first  Catholic  school.  De- 
sirous of  providing  a  house  of  worship  for  his  people,  Father  O'Reilly  pur- 
chased three  choice  lots  from  Philip  McCabe,  on  Ma>'  29,  1852,  paying  therefor 
{^280.  Land  had  been  offered  gratis  to  the  people,  but  their  locations  were  un- 
suitable for  church  purposes.  Meriden  still  continued  to  serve  Wallingford, 
which  was  visited  regularly  by  the  Rev-  Thomas  Ouiiin  from  1854  to  1856. 

His  successor  and  the  fir.st  resident  pastor  of  Wallingford  was  the  Rev. 
M.  A.  Wallace,  LL.D.,  who  assumed  charge  in  1857.  He  said  Mass  in  Union 
Hall.  The  Catholic  population  at  this  time  had  increased  to  150,  and  the 
people  felt  they  could  bear  the  burden  of  a  church.  They  would  make 
the  necessary  sacrifices  to  see  in  their  midst  a  church,  how  humble  so  ever, 
in  which  they  could  commune  with  their  Heavenly  Father.  The  project  was 
auspiciously  started,  many  non-Catholics  generoush-  contributing.  The  work 
progressed  .so  favorably  that  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  November  23,  1857, 
the  Rev.  Father  Quinn  officiating.  The  church  was  a  small  structure,  60 
feet  in  length  by  40  feet  in  width;  but  it  was  a  church,  nevertheless,  and  their 
own.     It  was  built  on  the  lot  previously  purchased  by  F'ather  O'Reilly. 

Before  the  completion  of  the  church,  Wallingford  passed  again  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  Meriden — Father  Quinn  still  pa.stor.  In  April,  1858,  the 
floor  of  the  church  fell,  while  Father  Quinn  was  saying  Mass.  Though  no 
lives  were  lost,  the  accident  resulted  in  the  serious  injury  of  many  persons. 
From  the  directories  we  gather  that  the  Rev.  Father  Sheridan  was  resident 
pa.stor  of  Wallingford  in  i860  with  Cheshire  and  Hauiden  as  missions.  P'rom 
the  same  source  we  k-arn  that  his  successor  in  1861  was  the  Rev.  Charles 
McCallion,  whose  pastorate  here  was  very  brief,  owing  to  the  outbreak  of  hos- 
tilities between  the  North  and  the  South,  which  so  unsettled  financial  matters 
as  to  render  the  maintenance  of  a  separate  parish  organization  well  nigh 
impossible.  Accordingly,  Wallingford  was  again  taken  in  charge  by  Meriden, 
under  whose  jurisdiction  it  remained  from  1862  to  1867.  In  that  year,  on 
August  1 1 th,  the  Rev.  Hugh  Mallon  received  his  appointment  as  resident 
pastor  of  Wallingford. 

Father  Mallon's'  first  success  was  the  purchase  of  a  fine  piece  of  land 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  381 

near  the  center  of  the  town,  on  whicli  he  purposed  to  erect  a  church  that 
would  accommodate  his  growing  congregation  ;  and  the  future  justified  the 
wisdom  of  his  course.  The  old  church  was  improved  by  the  addition  of 
galleries,  but  the  accommodations  remained  inadequate. 

Ground  for  the  new  church  was  broken  in  1875,  and  on  September  24, 
1876,  Bishop  Galberry  laid  the  corner-stone  in  the  presence  of  8,000  interested 
spectators.  From  this  time  on  the  work  advanced  slowly,  the  height  of  th-e 
water-table  being  reached  three  years  later.  On  August  9,  1S78,  a  tornado 
struck  Wallingford  and  spread  desolation  everywhere.  The  old  church 
was  swept  out  of  existence,  thirty  persons  were  hurled  into  eternity  and 
thirty-five  were  seriously  injured,  the  majority  of  them  being  members  of 
Father  Mallon's  parish.  The  dead  were  laid  in  the  school-house,  on  the  steps 
of  which  Mass  was  offered  up  on  August  1 1,  1S78,  for  the  repose  of  their  souls. 

The  heart  of  the  pastor  was  crushed  with  grief  at  the  calamity  that  had 
fallen  upon  his  people  ;  but  Father  Mallon  rose  equal  to  the  emergency.  A 
temporary  basement  was  fitted  up  by  roofing  the  walls  of  the  new  church,  and 
here  the  congregation  worshiped  until  the  following  spring.  The  first  Mass 
said  in  the  temporary  chapel  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  Father  Harding. 
Father  Mallon  made  a  tour  of  the  diocese,  collecting  funds  for  the  comple- 
tion of  his  church.  Generously  did  he  receive.  The  work  of  construction 
was  resumed,  and  in  August,  1S79,  it  had  reached  such  a  state,  that  it 
could  be  used  for  divine  service.  In  November,  1879,  the  basement  was  ready 
for  occupancy,  and  here  services  were  held  until  the  dedication  of  the  church 
on  November  24,  1887,  by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  church  is  built  in  cruci- 
form style  ;  its  extreme  length  is  148  feet;  the  width  of  the  transepts  is  104 
feet,  and  of  the  nave  72  feet.  The  side  walls  are  29  feet  high,  and  from  the 
floor  to  the  apex  of  the  roof  the  height  is  nearly  50  feet.  The  spire  is  190 
feet  high,  and  the  gilt  cross  that  surmounts  it  is  12  feet  in  height. 

The  rectory  adjoining  was  also  built  by  Father  ]\Iallon.  It  is  a  hand- 
some structure  and,  with  the  church,  presents  an  attractive  view.  The 
entire  parish  property  is  evidence,  if  any  were  needed,  that  a  man  of  wisdom 
was  at  the  head  of  affairs,  and  that  his  people  nobly  seconded  his  efforts  to 
place  and  to  maintain  the  parish  upon  a  high  spiritual  and  temporal  plane. 

After  thirty-one  years  of  faithful,  diligent,  and  successful  labor,  Father  Mal- 
lon laid  down  the  burden  on  September  27,  1898.  He  was  succeeded  on  Octo- 
ber isth  following  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Carroll,  who  came  here  from  Westport. 

PARISH  OF  THE  IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION, 

Waterbury. 

(^>r' CCORDING  to  the  testimony  of  those  who  may  claim  the  longest 
^\  residence  here,  the  Catholic  who  is  justly  entitled  to  be  named  the 
y  JlsV  pioneer  of  his  race  and  faith  in  Waterbury  was  Cornelius  Donnelly, 
who  lived/ on  West  Main  street,  near  Crane  street,  about  1832. 
Others  gradually  found  their  way  here,  until  Waterbury  embraced  within 
its  limits  a  colony  composed  of  the  following  Irishmen: 

In  1837  and  earliei  :  Cornelius  Donnelly  and  family,  James  Martin  and 


382  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAXD. 

wife,  Christopher  Casey,  John  Flynn,  John  Connors,  John  Corcoran  and  wife, 
M.  Neville  and  sister,  (later  Mrs.  William  Moran),  Michael  Corcoran,  Wil- 
liam Corcoran,  Timothy  Corcoran  and  wife,' John  Galvin  and  wife,  James 
Byrne,  James  Grier. 

In  1S38:  Michael  Donohue,  Patrick  Donohue,  Patrick  Martin,  Patrick 
Reilly  and  sister. 

In  1839,  1840  and  1841:  Patrick  Delavan,  Matthew  Delavan,  Finton 
Delavan,  Thomas  Delaney,  Thomas  Kilduff  and  wife,  Timotliy  Whalen  and 
wife,  Tliomas  Claffe)'. 

The  Rev.  James  Fitton  was  the  first  priest  to  visit  Waterbury,  and  it 
may  be  safely  asserted  that  he  said  Mass  during  his  periodical  visitations 
here.  So  little  impression  did  his  visit  make,  however,  that  his  name  is  not 
remembered  by  any  of  the  old  people  now  residing  here. 

The  Rev.  James  McDermot,  of  New  Haven,  also  visited  Waterbury,  and 
celebrated  Mass.  The  precise  date  cannot  be  determined,  but  the  place  was 
the  dwelling  house  of  Cornelius  Donnelly.  So  an.xious  were  the  Catholics 
of  Waterbury  to  have  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  offered  for  them,  and  to 
receive  otherwise  the  consolations  of  their  religion,  that  they  generously  pre- 
sented Father  McDermot  with  a  handsome  horse,  saddle  and  bridle,  in  the 
hope  that,  being  provided  with  his  own  means  of  travel,  he  might  occa- 
sionally find  opportunity  to  visit  them.  But  the  good  donors  were  doomed 
to  disappointment,  as  he  was  unable  to  return,  owing  to  a  multitude  of 
missionary  duties.  In  the  summer  of  1837  he  was  transferred  to  Ivowell, 
Mass. 

The  Rev.  James  vSmyth  officiated  in  Waterbury  from  1S37  to  the  fall  of 
1847.  During  these  years  Waterb,ury  was  connected  with  St.  Marj-'s  parish. 
New  Haven.  In  these  days  traveling  was  either  by  stage  coach  or  private 
conveyance,  and  Father  Smyth  generally  traveled  with  a  large  sorrel  horse 
that  was  about  as  well  known  as  the  priest  himself. 

His  first  reception  in  Waterbury  was  not  very  encouraging.  When 
he  arrived  he  went  to  the  same  house  at  which  Father  McDermot  had 
stayed,  but  was  informed  that  he  could  not  be  received  there,  as  the  owner 
had  been  notified  by  his  employers  that  if  he  entertained  the  priest  he  would 
be  discharged  from  his  work.  He  then  went  to  the  old  Franklin  House,  and 
immediately  .sent  word  of  his  situation  to  Michael  Neville,  who  lived  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  borough.  Mr.  Neville  at  once  went  to  his  assistance  and 
offered  him  the  hospitality  of  his  home. 

From  1837  to  1S45  Father  Smyth  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Ma.ss 
at  the  residence  of  Michael  Neville  on  East  Main  street.  The  building  is 
standing  now,  a  precious  landmark  for  the  Catholics  of  Waterbury.  In  1845 
Washington  Hall,  on  the  corner  of  Exchange  Place  and  West  Main  .street, 
was  secured  from  Dr.  Jesse  Porter.  Dr.  Porter  was  an  intelligent  citizen,  but 
his  views  in  regard  to  Catholics  were  similar  to  those  held  by  a  good  many 

'It  appears  from  the  records  of  the  town  that  "Timothy  Corcoran,  of  Ireland, 
and  Sarah  Glover,  of  Birmingham,  England,"  were  married  Januarj' 7,  1831.  Their  first 
child,  James,  was  born  January  7,  1833. 


CHURCH   OF   THE   IMMACULATE   CONCEPTION, 
Waterbury,   Conn. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  383 

others  at  that  time.  Although  he  granted  tlie  use  of  the  hall,  he  insisted  that 
the  rent  should  be  paid  before  the  doors  would  be  opened.  The  handful  of 
devout  worshipers  were  not  at  all  disconcerted  at  this  turn  in  the  proceedings. 
Worship  they  would,  so  they  climbed  into  the  attic  through  a  trap-door. 
Divine  services  were  usually  held  in  this  hall  until  the  Catholics  secured  a 
church  of  their  own. 

A  short  time  previous  to  Father  Smyth's  departure  the  Catholics,  con- 
stantly increasing  in  number,  determined  to  secure  a  fitting  house  of  worship, 
one  that  might  be  solemnly  set  apart  solely  for  religious  uses.  The  possession 
of  a  church  had  been  their  controlling  desire,  the  aim  of  all  their  labors,  and 
God  rewarded  their  fidelity  and  perseverance.  In  1847  they  purchased  the 
lot  on  the  corner  of  East  Main  and  Dublin  streets,  prejudice  having  again 
interfered  to  prevent  the  purchase  of  one  more  centrally  located.  The  lot 
secured,  the  question  of  building  a  church  became  the  all-absorbing  topic. 
The  financial  means  of  the  Catholics  were  limited.  At  this  time  the  Episco- 
palians were  seeking  larger  and  better  accommodations  for  their  increasing 
flock,  and  the  Catholics  bought  their  church  and  began  preparations  for  remov- 
ing it  to  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  East  Main  and  Dublin  streets.  The  old  church 
cost  ^1,500,  of  which  Father  O'Neil  paid  $600  in  the  course  of  nine  weeks. 
When  the  building  had  been  moved  to  a  point  in  the  street  opposite  the  pres- 
ent church,  the  contractor  (Alajor  D.  Hill,  of  Hartford),  became  convinced  that 
he  could  not  get  it  over  the  high  ground  a  short  distance  ahead.  The  original 
plan  was  abandoned,  and  the  lot  on  which  St.  Patrick's  hall  now  stands  was 
purchased  from  Elizur  E.  Prichard,  by  Michael  Neville,  acting  as  the  agent 
of  the  Catholics.     The  sum  paid  for  it  was  $(ilo. 

In  the  midst  of  these  transactions  Father  Smyth  was  removed  from  New 
Haven,  and  placed  in  charge  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Windsor  Locks. 

Except  on  the  occasions  when  Father  Smyth  visited  Waterbury,  bap- 
tisms, marriages  and  funerals  took  place  in  New  Haven.  Among  the  earliest 
marriages  recorded  are  the  following' : 

Patrick  Delaney  and  Mary  Delaney,  April  9,  1837.  (Their  first  child, 
John,  was  born  in  Waterbury,  February  11,  1838.) 

William  Moran  and  Bridget  Neville.  (Their  first  child,  Catherine,  was 
born  in  Waterbury,  May  11,  1837.) 

Michael  Donohue  and  bride,  July  7,  1839,  and  Patrick  Reilly  and  bride, 
the  same  date. 

The  first  children  of  Catholic  parents  to  receive  baptism  in  Waterbury 
were,  Thomas  Donohue  and  James  H.  Riley.  The  sacrament  was  administered 
by  Father  Smyth  at  the  residence  of  Michael  Neville.  Funerals  were  always 
largely  attended,  the  entire  Catholic  communit}-  accompanying  the  remains 
to  the  cemetery  at  New  Haven.  The  last  funeral  to  go  to  New  Haven  was 
that  of  Captain  Bannon.  In  1847,  Bishop  Tyler,  through  John  Galvin  as 
agent,  purchased  the  lot  south  of  Grand  street,  adjoining  the  old  buryino- 
ground,  for  burial  purposes.  The  price  paid  for  the  land  (about  an  acre)  was 
,^50.  In  1890  the  property,  with  that  adjoining,  was  condemned  by  the  city,  as 
it  was  required  for  public  uses.     The  Catholic  section  was  valued  by  the  city 


384  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH   IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

at  $12,000,  which  amount  was  distributed  among  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
St.  Patrick's  and  Sacred  Heart  parislies. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  speak  of  all  those  whose  struggles  in  the 
early  days  built  up  a  flourishing  parish,  and  whose  influence  for  good, 
always  potent,  is  now  unquestionable.  Besides  those  previously  named  we 
will  be  pardoned  for  mentioning  William  Moran,  Patrick  Delaney  and  his 
brother,  .'\ndrew  Moran,  Thomas  Matthews,  Finton  Riley,  John  Burns,  Cap- 
tain Bauuoii  and  John  Reid,  all  honored  in  their  da)'  and  generation.  Many 
of  them  iiave  entered  into  their  reward.  Others  still  remain,  happy  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  respect  of  their  fellows,  and  proud  of  the  achievements  of 
the  past.  Ill  tiie  e\ening  of  their  lives  they  may  well  rest  from  active  parti- 
cipation in  parochial  affairs.  It  is  for  their  ciiildren  to  sustain  what  they 
established. 

About  October,  1847,  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neill   arrived  in  Waterbury. 
He  was  the  fir.st  resident  Catholic  jjastor.      His  first  work  was  to  put  the 
church  recently  purchased,  in  order.     He  placed  it  under  the  patronage  of 
St.  Peter.      So  energetically  did  he  labor  and  so  generously  did  his   flock 
co-operate  with  him  that  on  Christinas  day,  1847,  he  had  the  happiness  of 
oflTering  for  the  first  time  within  its  walls   the    Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 
It  was  an  appropriate  day  on  which  to  crown  the  self-sacrificing  labors  of 
those  sturdy  pioneers,  and  many  recollections  are  still  affectionately  enter- 
tained of  it.     The  young  pastor  was  full  of  vigor  and  the  personification  of 
zeal.     With    pardonable    pride  he  rejoiced  in  the   completion  of  his  work, 
and  his  parishioners  shared  in  his  enthusiasiii.      Divine  services  were  held 
in  this  church  until  1859.     Here  in  1 851  Bishop  O'Reilly  administered,  for 
the  first  time  in  Waterbury,  the  .sacrament  of  Confirmation.     On  that  occa- 
sion 200  children  were  made  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ.     Bishop  Tyler  had 
previously  visited  Waterbury,  and  promi.sed  to  return  when  his  engagements 
would  permit  and  administer  the  sacraments.     But  he  was  soon  after  called 
to  his  eternal  reward.     On  December  29,  1854,  while  a  large  congregation 
was  attending  divine   service,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  church.      The  coolness 
of  the  pastor  and  the  efforts  of  the  men  present  prevented  what  might  have 
been  a  serious  conflagration. 

From  his  arrival  in  Waterbury  until  the  autumn  of  1850,  Father  O'Neill 
resided  with  the  family  of  Michael  Neville,  on  Dublin  street,  opposite  the 
cemetery  gate.  In  1850,  he  rented  a  house  on  East  Main  street  from  John 
Sandland,  now  the  property  of  James  Lunney.  On  November  11,  1851,  he 
purchased  from  George  Root  the  property  on  which  the  church  of  the  Immacu- 
late Conception  now  stands.  He  occupied  one  of  the  old  houses  then  on  the 
property  until  Juh',  1855,  when  he  was  transferred  to  East  Bridgeport. 

Like  many  another  pioneer  missionary.  Father  O'Neill  had  his  trials. 
Anti-Catholic  prejudice  was  .strong  then.  There  were  some  who  did  not  look 
with  favor  upon  the  rapid  increase  of  Catholicity,  and  who  in  con.sequence 
sought  to  stem  the  tide  of  its  progress.  Obstacles  great  and  numerous  were 
tliiowii  in  the  way  of  the  priest's  labors,  and  to  the  annoyances  from  indivi- 
duals, to  which  he  was  forced  from  time  to  time  to  .submit,  were  added  not  in- 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  385 

frequently  the  complications  of  legal  tribunals.  In  November,  1855,  after  his 
transfer  to  Bridgeport,  the  case  of  Blakeslee  versus  O'Neill  came  before  the 
Superior  Court  at  New  Haven,  and  attracted  unusual  interest  owing  to  the 
attendant  circumstances.  Alfred  Blackman  and  N.  J.  Buell  appeared  for  the 
prosecution,  and  R.  J.  Ingersoll  and  J.  W.  Webster  for  the  defense.  The 
suit  was  brought  on  an  action  of  trespass  on  the  part  of  Father  O'Neill,  who  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  pastor  had  endeavored  to  administer  the  last  rites 
to  Blakeslee's  wife,  who  was  a  Catholic  (her  maiden  name  was  Helen  Lynch), 
and  after  her  death  to  read  the  funeral  services  of  the  Catholic  church.  This 
was  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  deceased;  but  Mr.  Blakeslee,  who 
was  an  Irish  Protestant,  remonstrated  against  the  execution  of  the  wishes 
of  his  dying  wife;  hence  the  suit.  During  the  trial  attempts  were  made  to 
coerce  Father  O'Neill  to  divulge  the  secrets  of  confession.  A  record  of  the 
case  says:  "  The  judge  is  taking  time  to  consider  whether  he  shall  be  made 
to  answer;  "  but  the  priest  very  properly  refused  to  disclose  what  had  'trans- 
pired between  him  and  his  penitent.  His  reply  was:  "I  will  burn  first." 
The  result  of  the  trial  was  that  Father  O'Neill  was  convicted  and  sentenced 
to  pay  a  fine  of  $\^0  and  costs.  The  judge  in  his  charge  stated  that  he  did 
not  require  Father  O'Neill  to  divulge  the  secrets  of  the  confessional,  as  he 
did  not  consider  that  it  affected  the  merits  of  the  case,  but  said  that  if  it  had 
been  important  his  priestly  office  would  have  been  no  shield  against  the  usual 
punishment. 

In  July,  1S55,  Father  O'Neill  severed  his  connection  with  the  Catholics 
of  Waterbury  and  went  to  East  Bridgeport.  He  died  at  New  Haven,  February 
25,  1868,  aged  forty-nine  years.  His  remains  rest  in  Waterbury,  the  city  he 
loved  so  well  and  served  so  faithfully.  The  Catholic  people  of  Waterbury 
loved  him,  and  to  show  their  affection  and  to  perpetuate  his  memory  among 
their  children,  erected  a  handsome  monument  over  his  grave  in  St.  Joseph's 
cemeter} .  We  can  truly  sa}'  of  him,  that  he  was  a  man  without  guile — 
"with  charity  for  all  and  with  malice  towards  none." 

The  Rev.  T.  F.  Hendricken  arrived  in  Waterbury  in  July,  1855.  He 
came  from  Winsted.  He  was  ordained  at  All  Hallows  College,  Dublin,  Ire- 
land, April  25,  1853. 

The  first  work  to  which  he  devoted  his  energies  was  the  erection  of  the 
present  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  On  Sunday,  July  5,  1857,  he 
had  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  corner-stone  laid  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  people.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Very  Rev.  Wil- 
liam O'Reilly,  administrator  of  the  diocese.  The  priests  assisting  were  the 
Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  of  Hartford,  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  the  Rev.  C.  Moore, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Wallace,  the  Rev.  James  Lynch,  the  Rev.  Fathers  Aubier,  Cha- 
raux,  Bede  and  Hendricken.  A  procession,  in  which  were  two  hundred 
Sunday-school  children,  marched  from  the  pastoral  residence  to  the  grounds. 
The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn,  of  Meriden. 

On  December  19,  the  church  was  solemnly  dedicated  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Immaculate  Conception  of  the  Mother  of  God.     The  ceremony  of  the 
dedication  was  performed  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McFarland,  who  also 
11—25 


386  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  EXGLAXD. 

preaclied  the  sermon.  Pontifical  Mass  was  celebrated  by  the  Right  Rev. 
John  Loughlin,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Brooklyn,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Fathers  Reg- 
nier  and  Lynch  as  deacons  of  honor,  the  Rev.  Fathers  Hughes  and  Delaney 
as  deacon  and  sub-deacon  respectively,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  as  thurifer, 
and  the  Rev.  James  Lynch  as  master  of  ceremonies.  At  the  evening  ser\-ice 
the  preacher  was  Bishop  Loughlin.  At  the  close,  Bishop  McFarlaiid  ad- 
dressed the  congregation,  congratulating  them  on  the  completion  of  their 
splendid  church,  and  paying  a  deserved  compliment  to  the  zeal  of  their  pas- 
tor. The  architecture  of  the  church  is  ])urely  Gothic.  It  presents  the 
following  dimensions:  Extreme  length,  162  feet;  e.vtreme  breadth,  65  feet; 
interior  height,  65  feet ;  height  of  the  spire,  200  feet. 

At  the  time  the  church  was  dedicated,  and  for  some  time  after,  Father 
Hendricken  resided  in  the  brick  building  directly  opposite  the  present  pas- 
toral residence.  The  dedication  of  the  church  marked  an  epoch  in  his  life  in 
Waterbury.  Between  that  event  and  his  election  to  the  episcopal  see  of  Prov- 
idence, his  was  an  extremely  busy  life.  What  with  the  building  of  the  paro- 
chial residence,  the  founding  of  the  young  ladies'  academy  of  Notre  Dame, 
and  the  purchase  of  eight  valuable  pieces  of  property  in  the  heart  of  the  city, 
his  time  was  advantageously  emplojed.  It  was  during  his  administration 
that  the  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  was  incorporated  under  the 
laws  of  the  vState. 

The  news  of  Father  Heudricken's  elevation  to  the  bishopric  of  Provi- 
dence was  received  in  Waterburj-  Febniarj-  22,  1872.  While  his  devoted 
parishioners  were  loath  to  part  with  him,  yet  they  experienced  feelings  of  par- 
donable pride  in  the  fact  that  their  parish  had  given  to  the  church  a  worthy 
])relate.  Many  were  the  expressions  of  sorrow  at  his  prospective  departure, 
and  sincere  the  testimonies  to  his  worth  not  only  as  a  churchman,  but  as  a 
citizen  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  city. 

Dr.  Hendricken  left  Waterbury  for  his  new  field  of  labor  in  March,  1872, 
followed  by  the  good  wishes  and  blessings  of  the  entire  cit\-  of  Waterbury. 
His  faithful  as.sistant,  the  Rev.  Robert  Sullivan,  followed  him  to  Providence 
soon  after,  having  preached  the  farewell  sermon  on  Sunday,  April  22nd. 

Coming  to  Waterbury  a  young  man,  Father  Hendricken  was  full  of  zeal 
and  willing  to  spend  himself  to  advance  the  spiritual  and  temporal  interests 
of  the  people.  He  was  a  man  of  marked  faith  and  piet\-,  and  soon  gave  evi- 
dence of  possessing  superior  executive  ability.  His  enthusiasm  knew  no 
bounds,  and  his  constant  aim  was  to  build  up  a  parish  second  to  none  in  the 
diocese.  That  he  succeeded  is  a  fact  of  history.  For  seventeen  years  he 
labored  unceasingly  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  the  fruits  of  his  labors 
in  this  field  were  numerous  and  are  still  manifest.  Not  less  earnestly  did  he 
struggle  for  Catholic  education.  The  seed  sown  by  Father  Hendricken  is 
now  bearing  rich  fruit.  It  is  true  that  some  feared  that  he  was  in  advance  of 
his  time,  and  that  a  few  of  his  undertakings  were  more  or  less  hazardous. 
But  he  was  a  man  who  had  implicit  confidence  in  divine  Providence.  He 
believed  that  God's  work  niu.st  succeed,  notwithstanding  temporary  difficul- 
ties.    He  saw  far  into  the  future  and  acted  according  to  the  light  vouch.safed 


REV.  JOSEPH   M,  GLEESON. 


REV.  JEREMIAH  J.  CURTIN. 


REV.  WILLIAM  J.  SLOCUM,   P.R. 


REV.  FARRELL  MARTIN,  D,D. 


REV.  Timothy  m.  crowley. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  387 

him,  and  the  result  justified  his  actions.  The  name  of  Father  Hendricken 
and  the  jmrish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  are  inseparable.  The  history 
of  the  one  in  its  brightest  pages  is  a  history  of  the  other.  He  built  the  present 
church  and  parochial  residence,  established  a  parochial  school  in  the  old 
church,  purchased  the  property  of  the  convent  of  Notre  Dame,  erected  the 
convent  hall,  and  bought  the  magnificent  property  on  which  St.  Mary's  school 
now  stands.  Though  a  great  deal  of  that  property  has  been  sold  from  time 
to  time,  it  is  at  present  unquestionably  the  finest  school  lot  in  Connecticut. 
Dr.  Hendricken's  influence  in  Waterbury  was  recognized  by  the  whole  com- 
munity. He  was  the  head  of  a  parish  daily  growing  in  numbers  and  influ- 
ence. Following  his  wise  giiidance  it  attained  an  enviable  position  among 
the  parishes  of  the  diocese.  The  poor  were  his  special  charges,  and  those 
whose  temptations  led  them  into  the  path  of  intemperance  found  in  Dr.  Hen- 
dricken a  kind,  considerate  and  sympathetic  friend.  He  was  particularly  fond 
of  children.  In  their  company  he  was  as  one  of  them,  and  it  is  needless  to 
say  they  reciprocated  his  affection.  Many  of  them  have  now  attained  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood,  but  time  does  not  dim  their  recollections  of  Father 
Hendricken. 

On  Sunday,  April  22,  1872^  the  Rev.  James  Lynch  preached  his  farewell 
sermon  to  his  flock  in  Middletown,  and  during  the  week  following  arrived  in 
Waterbury  as  the  successor  of  Bishop  Hendricken.  Having  witnessed  for 
seventeen  years  the  zeal,  ability  and  foresight  of  their  pastor,  and  knowing 
that  under  his  administration  the  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  stood 
peerless  in  the  Naugatuck  valley,  and  ranked  with  the  foremost  Catholic 
parishes  of  New  England,  the  parishioners  dared  not  hope  to  find  in  Bishop 
Hendricken's  successor  the  combination  of  qualities  adequate  to  conserve  and 
render  permanent  the  prosperity  they  had  attained.  A  few  months,  however, 
sufficed  to  show  that  the  mantle  of  Bishop  Hendricken  had  fallen  upon 
worthy  shoulders. 

When  Father  Lynch  arrived  in  Waterbury  he  was  in  the  prime  of  life, 
being  about  forty-four  years  of  age.  Like  the  majority  of  priests  of  that  day 
in  cliarge  of  English-speaking  congregations,  he  was  born  in  Ireland.  At 
an  early  age  he  prepared  himself  for  the  sacred  ministry.  Ordained  to  the 
priesthood  at  All  Hallows  College,  Dublin,  he  intended  to  devote  his  services 
to  God  in  the  diocese  of  Toronto,  Canada.  On  his  way  hither  he  stopped  at 
New  Haven  to  visit  his  sister,  and  his  brother  Thomas,  a  respected  member 
of  the  Waterbury  parish.  Bishop  O'Reilly,  who  was  very  favorably  impressed 
with  the  young  priest,  requested  him  to  remain  and  labor  in  this  portion  of 
the  Lord's  vineyard.  The  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese,  the  Very  Rev.  Father 
Hughes,  fully  shared  the  views  of  the  Bishop,  and  prevailed  upon  Father 
Lynch  to  make  Connecticut  his  home. 

Endowed  by  nature  with  an  amiable  disposition  which  was  nourished  and 
purified  by  years  of  unselfish  devotion,  gifted  with  prudence  garnered  from 
varied  and  arduous  missionary  labors,  filled  with  zeal  born  of  his  own  good 
impulses,  and  quickened  by  the  knowledge  of  the  rich  spiritual  harvest  that 
awaited  him.  Father  Lynch  entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  of  the  Immacu- 


388  THE  CATHOUC  CHURCH  LV  NEW  ENGLAND. 

late  Conception  parisli.  By  careful  management  combined  with  strict  econ- 
omy he  paid  the  parish  debt  of  §38,000  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time. 
And  tlie  wonder  was  how  it  was  accomplished.  Apparently  he  devoted  no 
time  to  financial  matters,  yet  his  annual  statements  of  the  financial  condition 
of  the  parish  were  agreeable  surprises. 

On  August  I,  1876,  having  received  the  appointment  of  Vicar-General, 
Father  Lynch  left  Waterbury  to  assume  charge  of  St.  Patrick's  parish,  New 
Haven.  He  died  there  December  6,  1876,  from  an  accident  that  had  befallen 
him  a  short  time  before. 

Father  Lynch's  successor,  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  was  born  at  Provi- 
dence, April  10,  1841.  Evincing  ii}  his  early  youth  marked  tendencies 
towards  the  priesthood,  he  was  sent  by  Bishop  McFarland  to  St.  Charles's 
College,  Ellicott  City,  Md.  Graduating  with  honor  from  this  famous  institu- 
tion, he  was  sent  to  the  Grand  Seminary,  Montreal,  to  complete  his  studies. 
He  was  ordained  a  priest  in  1866.  His  first  appointment  was  to  Woonsocket, 
R.  I.,  as  assistant.  From  there  he  was  transferred  to  Hartford  as  assistant  to 
the  Very  Rev.  James  Huglies,  then  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  parish.  His  first 
pastorate  was  at  Collinsville.  From  Collinsville  he  was  appointed  pastor  of 
St.  Peter's  church,  Hartford,  wliere  he  remained  until  his  appointment  to 
Waterbury  in  August,  1876. 

Here  he  displayed  the  same  love  for  souls  tliat  shone  so  conspicuously  in 
his  former  missions.  His  devotion  to  the  old  land  abated  not  a  jot  nor  tittle. 
His  voice  and  pen  were  always  at  the  service  of  the  oppressed  mother  conn- 
tr)-.  His  labors  for  the  Irish  cause  made  his  name  a  household  word  through- 
out the  United  States  and  Ireland.  While  pastor  of  the  Immaculate  Con- 
ception parish  Father  Walsh  occupied  the  honored  and  resjionsible  positions 
of  president,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  National  Land  League.  As  trea- 
surer, over  $1,000,000  passed  through  his  hands. 

Father  Walsh  embodied  in  his  character  the  noblest  qualities  of  the 
priest,  and  the  sterling  traits  of  the  patriot.  His  love  for,  and  practical 
charity  to  the  poor  were  boundless.  A  larger-hearted  priest  was  never  or- 
dained. There  was  not  a  selfish  fibre  in  his  body.  He  lived  for  his  church 
and  for  the  land  of  his  ancestors.  But  his  constant  and  arduous  labors,  both 
as  pastor  of  a  large  congregation  and  as  an  oflficial  in  the  Land  League,  soon 
began  to  make  inroads  upon  his  health.  He  realized  that  a  transfer  to  another 
field  of  labor  was  necessary  in  order  to  preserve  his  strength  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  work  to  which  he  had  dedicated  his  life.  After  seven  years 
of  zealous  labor  in  Waterbury  he  was  transferred  to  Westerly,  R.  I.,  and  on 
Sunday,  July  29,  i8<S3,  he  bade  an  affectionate  farewell  to  his  parishioners. 
His  removal  from  Waterbury  was  at  his  own  request,  and  his  sudden  death 
occurring  soon  after,  justified  his  grave  apjirehensions  regarding  the  state  of 
his  health.  While  on  a  visit  to  Boston  in  1884,  he  was  stricken  with  apople.xy 
and  died  suddenly  at  the  Commonwealth  hotel  on  January  3d.  The  news  of 
his  death  was  a  .shock  to  the  Catholics  of  the  entire  city.  In  life  he  was  deeply 
loved,  in  death  sincerely  mourned.  His  remains  rest  in  St.  Francis'  ceme- 
tery. Providence.     His  tomb  contains  the  dust  of  "one  whose  life-work  as  a 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  389 

priest,  citizen  and  patriot  has  received  the  benediction  of  his  fellow  coun- 
trymen. ' ' 

The  successor  of  the  laineuted  Father  Walsh  was  the  Rev.  William  A. 
Harty,  whose  successful  pastorate  began  on  August  4,  1883,  and  terminated 
January  i,  1886. 

Although  the  period  of  his  residence  here  was  brief,  he  accomplished 
much.  Prominent  among  his  works  were  the  piirchase  of  property  east  of 
the  city  for  a  cemetery  and  the  renovation  of  the  interior  of  the  church. 
This  latter  work  is  an  evidence  of  his  excellent  taste  and  correct  judgment 
in  matters  of  art,  and  an  illustration  of  his  ability  as  a  financier. 

The  renovation  of  the  church  cost  over  $15,000,  and  yet  it  was  accom- 
plished within  a  year,  without  the  addition  of  a  dollar  of  debt  to  the  parish. 
The  church  was  reopened  for  divine  worship  on  Sunday,  September  28,  1884. 
The  services  consisted  of  a  Solemn  Pontifical  Mass  celebrated  by  the  Right 
Rev.  Lawrence  S.  McMahon,  Bishop  of  Hartford,  assisted  by  the  Very  Rev. 
James  Hughes,  Vicar-General,  arch-priest,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Broderick,  of 
Hartford  and  the  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  of  New  Britain,  deacons  of  honor  ;  the 
Rev.  Father  L,eo,  O.  S.  F.,  of  Winsted,  deacon;  the  Rev.  M.  P.  Lawlor,  of 
Merideu,  sub-deacon,  and  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  of  Waterbury,  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Duggan, 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  church.  In  the  evening,  Solemn  Pontifical  Vespers 
were  sung.  Bishop  Hendricken  officiating.  \'icar-General  Hughes  was  assist- 
ant priest,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shahan,  D.D. 

Fatlier  Harty  was  succeeded,  January  i,  1886,  by  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mul- 
cahy.  On  April  18,  1887,  Father  Mulcahy  sold  to  Irving  C.  Piatt  the  pro- 
perty known  as  St.  Patrick's  chapel,  formerly  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
On  August  7,  1889,  by  virtue  of  a  vote  of  the  trustees  at  a  meeting  held  two 
days  before,  he  leased  to  the  sisters  of  the  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame  of 
Montreal,  the  convent  property,  so  called,  at  the  corner  of  South  Elm  and 
Union  streets,  for  999  years,  from  September  i,  1889.  Upon  the  acceptance 
of  certain  conditions  by  the  lessees,  the  delivery  of  the  lease  was  approved  by 
Bishop  McMahon.  The  granting  of  the  lease  was  only  carrying  out  the  in- 
tentions of  Dr.  Hendricken,  the  founder  of  the  convent.  On  September  i, 
1895,  Father  Mulcahy  severed  his  relations  with  the  parish  of  the  Innnacu- 
late  Conception  to  succeed  Rev.  James  Hughes  as  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's 
church,  Hartford.  The  successor  of  Very  Rev.  Father  Mulcahy  was  the 
Rev.  William  J.  Slocum,  who  assumed  charge  on  September  8,  1895,  and  is 
the  present  incumbent.  Father  Slocum  has  zealously  maintained  the  high 
spiritual  standard  of  the  parish  secured  by  his  predecessors.  Among  the 
material  works  accomplished  during  his  administration  have  been  the  beau- 
tifying of  the  old  St.  Joseph's  cemeter)-  and  the  purchase  of  a  fine  tract  of 
land  on  Dublin  street  for  a  new  cemetery.  This  new  burial  place  has  been 
finely  graded  and  laid  out  in  plots  and  solemnly  blessed  by  Bishop  Tierney 
on  September  25,  1878.  The  clergymen  who  have  assisted  Father  Slocum 
are  Rev.  John  McMahon,  Rev.  Patrick  Finnegan,  Rev.  Patrick  Kennedv, 
Rev.  James  McGuane,  Rev.  James  O'Brien. 


390  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  f.V  .VEW  ENGLAND. 

St.  Mary's  School. 

The  first  of  the  great  works  inaugurated  by  Father  Mulcahy  was 
the  erectiou  of  St.  Mary's  School.  Its  corner-stone  was  laid  by 
Bishop  McMahon,  on  August  29,  1886.  The  .sermon  on  the  occasion  was 
preached  by  Father  Harty,  rector  of  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral,  Hartford.  A 
large  number  of  clergy  assisted  at  the  ceremony,  and  it  was  witnessed  by 
an  imnien.se  concourse  of  people.  On  September  3,  1888,  the  school  was 
solemnly  blessed  by  the  Bishop,  and  on  the  day  following  was  opened  for  the 
reception  of  pupils.  The  building  is  an  imposing  structure,  and  there  are 
few  school  edifices  in  Connecticut  superior  to  it.  The  rooms,  twelve  in  num- 
ber, are  large,  well  lighted,  and  furnished  with  an  excellent  system  of  ventila- 
tion and  heating.     They  are  all  of  equal  size,  twenty-five  by  twenty-nine  feet. 

The  school  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  from  Convent 
Station,  N.J.  The  first  superior  was  Sister  Rosita.  After  she  had  served 
the  school  for  two  years,  failing  health  necessitated  her  transfer  to  another 
field  of  labor.  She  was  succeeded  by  Sister  Marie  Agnes,  and  the  present 
superior  is  Sister  Claudine.  On  January  4,  1888,  occurred  the  first  death 
among  the  teachers.  The  deceased  was  Sister  Rachel  Cronin,  aged  twenty- 
four  \ears.  She  had  been  stationed  in  Waterbiiry  only  four  months,  but  in 
that  time  had  won  the  esteem  not  only  of  the  pupils  of  the  school,  but  of  the 
entire  parish.     She  was  interred  in  the  sisters'  plot  in  St.  Jo.seph's  cemetery. 

An  event  of  great  interest  in  the  historj^  of  the  school  was  the  presenta- 
tion of  a  large  and  handsome  American  flag  by  the  four  local  divisions  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  May  13,  1890.  It  was  the  first  flag-raising  over 
a  school  in  Waterbury. 

St.  Patrick'. s  Hall. 

The  work  of  demolishing  the  old  church  on  East  Main  street  was  begun 
in  May,  1888.  For  many  years  it  had  served  the  purpose  of  a  public  school, 
but  time  made  sad  havoc  with  the  venerable  structure,  and  it  was  deemed 
advi.sable  to  remove  it,  and  in  its  place  to  erect  a  building  that  would  be  an 
ornament  to  the  city  and  a  benefit  to  the  younger  portion  of  the  parish.  St. 
Patrick's  Hall,  as  the  new  building  was  called,  is  another  evidence  of  the  zeal 
of  Father  Mulcahy  and  the  generosity  of  the  people.  In  building  it,  the  inter- 
ests of  the  youth  of  the  parish  were  chiefly  considered.  The  object  was  to 
provide  them  with  a  place  for  divine  worship  and  Sunday-school,  and  to  fur- 
nish a  gymnasium  and  reading-room  for  the  improvement  of  mind  and  body. 
On  Sunday,  April  1 1,  1889,  the  Sunday-school  room  was  opened,  the  celebrant 
of  the  first  Mass  within  its  walls  being  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell.  It  was 
the  aim  of  Father  Mulcahy  to  have  a  reading-room  in  St.  Patrick's  Hall  second 
to  none  in  the  diocese.  His  interest  in  the  enterprise  may  be  inferred  from 
his  presentation  to  the  library  fund  of  $1,150,  the  amount  donated  to  him  by 
his  parishioners  on  his  return  from  Europe,  in  September,  1890. 

The  hall  is  built  in  the  Romanesque  style  of  architecture,  and  presents  a 
massive  but  graceful  appearance.  The  building  measures  a  little  over  57  feet 
on  East  Main  street,  and  is  about  100  feet  deep.    The  East  Main  street  front  is 


DIOCESE  OE  HARTFORD.  391 

of  White  Vermont  granite,  trimmed  with  brown  stone,  and  presents  a  striking 
appearance.  The  cornice  is  of  brown  stone,  and  the  dormer  roofs  of  blue 
slate,  with  terra-cotta  crestings. 

St.  Mary's  Convent. 

St.  Mary's  convent,  adjoining  St.  Mar>-'s  school,  was  ready  for  occupancy 
on  November  27,  1 889.  The  building  measures  50  feet  by  60,  and  has  accom- 
modations for  over  one  hundred  pupils.  The  establishment,  including  the 
school  building  proper,  embraces  fourteen  class-rooms,  with  sittings  for  eight 
hundred  and  fift)-  children. 

The  convent  walls  are  built  of  pallet  brick  ;  the  roof  is  of  Bangor  slate, 
and  has  an  iron  cresting.  The  tower  over  the  main  entrance  rises  high  above 
the  roof,  and  is  surmounted  with  a  gilt  cross. 

The  entire  cost,  including  the  grading  of  the  grounds  and  the  laying  of 
the  asphalt  walks,  was  $20,000,  everything  having  been  constructed  with  a 
view  to  excellence  and  permanency. 

The  number  of  Sisters  in  St.  Mary's  convent  is  seventeen. 

Assistants  and  Priests  Born  in  the  Parish. 

The  following  are  the  priests  who  have  served  as  assistants  in  the  parish  of 
the  Immaculate  Conception,  including  those  who  have  served  it  temporarily: 

IVifk  the  Rev.  Michael  O' Neill,  from  iS^j  to  185^ — R^v.  Peter  Cody. 

With  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hendricken^  from  18^^  to  i8j2 — Revs.  Peter  Cody, 
M.  O'Riley,  Charles  McCallion,  J.  Sheridan,  P.  F.  Glennon,  J.  A.  Couch,  J. 
O'Farrell,  J.  Smith,  J.  Bohan,  J.  J.  McCabe,  J.  Daly,  Michael  Rodden,  J.  Camp- 
bell, John  Fagan,  Daniel  Mullen,  John  Lynch,  Phillip  O' Donahue,  Thomas 
Walsh,  J.  Reynolds,  P.  A.  Smith,  J.  Mulligan,  Richard  O'Gorman,  R.  J.  Sulli- 
livan,  C.  Lemagie,  Thomas  Kane,  A.  Princen,  Bernard  Plunket,  Maurice  Herr. 

With  the  Rev.  James  Lynch .^  from  i8j2  to  18^6 — Revs.  Richard  O'Gor- 
man, Maurice  Herr,  M.  J.  McCauly,  J.  A.  Mulcahy,  James  Fagan. 

With  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh.,  from  18/6  to  iS8j — Revs.  J.  B.  Creeden, 
J.  O'R.  Sheridan,  Patrick  Finnegan,  Patrick  Duggan,  Michael  Donahoe. 

With  the  Rev.  William  Harty,  from  /88j  to  /886— Revs.  P.  J.  Finnegan, 
J.  O'R.  Sheridan,  Michael  Donahoe,  James  Walsh,  James  H.  O'Donnell,  Fred- 
erick Murphy. 

JFith  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  from  1886  to  iSg^ — Revs.  P.  J.  Finne- 
gan, James  Walsh,  Frederick  Murphy,  John  Flemming,  James  H.  O'  Donnell, 
P.  F.  Dinneen,  Patrick  Kennedy,  William  Lynch,  J.J.  Downey. 

The  parish  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  has  given  to  the  Church  the 
following  priests  : 

William  Hill,  Patrick  P.  Lawlor,'  Thomas  Shanley, 

F.  H.  Kennernej',  Cliri,stopher  McAvoy,  O.S  A.,  William  Lynch, 

Jeremiah  Fitzpatrick,'  Michael  J.  McGivney,'  Patrick  IMcGivne}-, 

Thomas  Galvin/  John  Donahoe,'  .Arthur  ^IcMahon,  O.S.D, 

Joseph  Read,'  John  Tennion,  John  McGivney, 

Martin  P.  Lawlor,  William  White,  Joseph  Heffernan,  O.S.D. 

'  Deceased.    J.  Delaney  may  be  added,  who  died  a  deacon. 


392  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  I.\  NEW  EXGLAXD. 

St.  JosEPifs  AND  Calvary  Cemeteries. 

On  December  i,  1857,  p-ather  Hendricken  bought  vSt.  Joseph's  cemeten", 
paying  for  the  .same  $2,000.  The  first  person  interred  there  wa.s  Jolin  Rice, 
whose  funeral  took  place  October  17,  1858. 

Calvary  cemetery  comprises  about  sixty-seven  acres.  In  1885  the  Rev. 
William  A.  Harty  purchased  fifty-three  acres,  and  the  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy 
the  remainder  in  August,  1891.  The  first  interment  in  Calvary  cemetery  was 
that  of  Thomas  Harry,  infant  son  of  P.  J.  Bolan,  June  22,  1892.  The  ceme- 
tery was  consecrated  by  the  Right  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  May  24,  1894.  The 
sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell,  of 
Watertown. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  PARISH, 

WAtERBURY. 

(ofX  MONG  the  early  Catholic  settlers  in  this  section  of  Waterbury,  we 
fclA  note  Michael  Spelhnan,  William  Luddy,  Mr.  McEvoy,  father  of 
/j[V^  the  Rev.  Christopher  McEvoy,  O.  S.  A.,  Michael  Begnal,  Thomas 
Claffey,  Thomas  Mellon,  Thomas  Russell,  Michael  McNamara. 

On  February  1st,  1880,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Duggan,  who  was  then  pastor 
of  the  Catholic  parish  of  Colchester  and  the  outhing  missions,  was  directed 
by  the  Right  Rev.  Lawrence  S.  IMcMahon,  D.D.,  to  proceed  to  Waterbury 
and  purchase  land  for  a  new  church  and  its  future  dependencies  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  city,  known  as  Brooklyn  district.  On  Februar\-  19,  1880, 
Father  Duggan  purchased  nearly  three  acres  of  land  from  J.  C.  Booth  and 
N.  J.  Welton  for  $5200,  the  last  installment  of  which  was  paid  July  25,  1881. 
In  the  following  April  he  was  instructed  by  the  Bishop  to  go  to  Waterbury 
again  and  commence  the  organization  of  a  parish,  of  which  he  was  appointed 
pastor.  On  his  arrival,  about  the  middle  of  .\pril,  he  was  received  at  the 
pastoral  residence  of  the  Rev.  Father  Walsh,  who  on  the  preceding  Sunday 
had  officially  announced  the  contemplated  division  of  the  parish  of  the 
Inmiaculate  Conception.  He  announced  that  for  some  time  past  the  Catholic 
population  of  the  city  had  been  outgrowing  its  facilities  for  providing  for  its 
spiritual  wants.  He  had  laid  before  Bishop  McMahon,  he  said,  the  situation 
and  the  necessities  involved  in  it,  and  they  were  promptly  recognized  and 
acted  upon. 

Father  Walsh  afterwards  defined  the  boundary  lines  of  the  new  parish, 
and  having  submitted  them  to  Bishop  McMahon,  they  were  announced  in  the 
church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  as  follows  : — 

"Commencing  at  the  city  limits  in  the  direction  of  Thomaston,  the  line 
will  run  south  along  the  Naugatuck  railroad  to  the  West  Main  street  cros.s- 
ing,  thence  along  the  middle  of  West  Main  street  to  the  New  York  and  New 
England  railroad,  and  down  the  railroad  to  the  north  end  of  Meadow  street, 
thence  along  Meadow  to  Grand  street,  through  the  middle  of  Grand  street 
across  Bank  street  to  South  Main  street,  along  the  middle  of  South  IMaiu 
street  to  Clay  street,  through   Clay  and   along  Mill  street  to  Liberty  street, 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  393 

then  across  the  bridge  over  Mad  river,  and  thence  in  a  straight  line  through 
the  Abrigador  and  over  the  hill  in  the  direction  of  St.  Joseph's  cemetery.'' 

That  part  of  the  city  lying  west  and  south  of  this  line  was  to  constitute 
the  new  parish.  By  a  census  taken  in  1881,  it  was  found  to  contain  3000  souls. 
Father  Walsh,  on  behalf  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  parish,  gave  the  use 
of  the  old  Methodist  church,  on  the  corner  of  East  Main  and  Phceni.x  avenue, 
then  called  St.  Patrick's  chapel,  as  a  temporary  place  of  worship  for  the 
members  of  the  new  parish,  and  they  worshiped  there  until  the  basement 
of  their  church  was  ready,  in  December,  1882.  The  parish  was  placed  under 
the  patronage  of  St.  Patrick. 

The  corner-stone  of  St.  Patrick's  church  was  laid  on  October  16,  1881. 
Fully  10,000  persons  were  present.  The  ceremony  was-  performed  by  Bishop 
McMahon.  The  Rev.  J.  C.  O'Brien  was  cross-bearer,  and  the  Rev.  P.  M. 
Kennedy  and  the  Rev.  James  Fagan  as  chanters.  The  Rev.  Philip  McCabe  was 
master  of  ceremonies.  In  the  corner-stone  was  deposited  a  parchment  record 
containing  the  names  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  Governor 
of  Connecticut,  the  mayor  of  the  city,  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  the  Sover- 
eign Pontiff,  the  officiating  bishops,  the  pastor  and  his  assistants,  the  trustees 
of  the  new  parish,  the  architect  and  the  mason ;  also  the  name  of  the  patron 
saint  and  the  title  of  the  new  church,  together  with  copies  of  the  local  and 
other  newspapers,  various  curious  coins,  and  other  articles  of  interest. 

The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Right  Rev.  M.  J.  O'Farrell,  Bishop  of 
Trenton,  N.  J.  The  contributions  on  the  occasion  amounted  to  $5000.  The 
Roman  Catholic  Total  Abstinence  and  Benevolent  society  donated  $150,  the 
Young  Men's  Catholic  Literary  association  $100,  the  St.  Aloysius  society 
#100,  the  Temperance  Cadets  $\  10,  the  Children  of  Mary  $113,  and  the  Con- 
vent of  Notre  Dame  $50. 

St.  Patrick's  church  is  situated  on  high  ground  in  a  lot  containing  nearly 
three  acres.  It  fronts  on  Charles  street  and  overlooks  the  city,  commanding 
a  beautiful  view.  St.  Patrick's  church  would  have  been  completed  sooner, 
had  not  the  Rev.  Father  Duggan  determined  to  avoid,  as  far  as  possible, 
paying  interest  on  borrowed  money.  In  the  meantime,  the  congregation  has 
had  a  comfortable  place  of  worship  in  the  basement  of  the  edifice,  which 
was  fitted  up  for  church  use. 

Father  Duggan  was  called  to  his  reward  on  November  10,  1895  ;  his 
remains  rest  in  front  of  the  church  which  will  be  his  monument.  His  suc- 
cessor is  the  Rev.  Joseph  Gleeson,  who  came  to  Waterbury  on  December 
2nd,  following.  He  completed  the  splendid  parochial  residence  begun  by 
his  predecessor,  and  is  now  engaged  in  completing  the  church.  The  plas- 
tering is  finished,  the  statues,  made  on  the  premises,  are  completed,  and  the 
beautiful  Stations  of  the  Cross,  purchased  in  Munich,  are  erected.  Father 
Gleeson  is  now  negotiating  for  the  construction  of  the  organ,  altars,  pews 
and  confessionals,  all  of  which  will  be  worthy  of  the  magnificent  edifice. 
Besides  the  church  and  rectory  the  parish  possesses  St  Patrick's  Lyceum  on 
Porter  street,  purchased  by  Father  Duggan,  to  which  Father  Gleeson  built 
an  addition,  making  the  seating  capacity  900,  and  St.  Michael's  convent  on 


394  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Bank  street,  secured  by  Father  Gleeson  for  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  whom 
he  introduced  into  the  parisli. 

Tlie  present  estimate  of  the  population  of  tlie  parish  is  3500,  Irish  and 
their  descendants.  From  April,  1880,  to  June,  1898,  there  have  been  3812  bap- 
tisms and  348  marriages.  The  first  baptism  was  that  of  Catharine  Mulcahy, 
May  30,  1880,  and  the  first  marriage  .solemnized  was  that  of  Patrick  Cronan 
and  Margaret  Madden,  May  31,  1880. 

The  successful  accomplishment  of  tlie  work  tlius  far  accomplished  is 
chiefly  due,  under  God's  providence,  to  the  strong  faith  and  religious  zeal  of 
the  parishioners,  who  have  heartily  co-operated  with  tlic  efforts  of  their 
pastors.  Though  principally  of  the  working-class  they  constantly  and 
voluntarily  contributed  of  the  means  which  God  gave  them  to  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church  that  would  redound  to  His  glon.-  and  the  advancement  of 
religion. 

The  parishioners  were  buoj-ed  up  with  the  hope,  often  inculcated,  of  shar- 
ing in  the  merit  that  would  accrue  from  the  many  holy  works  that  were  to 
be  accomplished  within  this  sacred  edifice,  namely,  the  preaching  of  the 
divine  word,  the  offering  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  the  sacraments 
that  would  be  administered,  the  .souls  which  would  be  regenerated,  strength- 
ened, consoled  and  .sanctified.  They  will  leave  to  their  descendants  in  St. 
Patrick's  parish  enduring  memorials  of  what  the  strong  faith  that  begets 
Christian  zeal  and  genuine  self-sacrifice  can  accomplish  when  strengthened 
by  the  all-powerful  grace  of  God. 

Assistant  Pastors. — The  Revs.  James  Birracree,  Jeremiah  Curtin, 
Edward  O'Donnell,  Farrell  Martin,  D.D. ,  Dominic  Brown,  James  B.  Lawless, 
William  Gibbons  and  F.  A.  Jordan. 


If? 


ST.  MICHAEL'S  (MISSION)  CHURCH, 
Waterville. 

'ERVILLE  is  a  suburb  of  Waterbury,  and,  until  the  advent  of  the 
Rev.  Father  Gleeson,  the  Catholics  of  that  district  were  attended 
from  the  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  The  first  Catho- 
lic settler  of  this  mission  was  Jolin  McCarthy,  who  took  up  his  residence 
in  1854.  He  was  followed  soon  afterwards  by  Charles  Shepley  and  Hugh 
O'Donnell.  When  Father  Gleeson  a.ssnmed  charge  of  St.  Patrick's  parisii, 
Waterbury,  he  took  at  the  same  time  control  of  Waterville  as  a  mi.ssion. 
The  fir.st  Mass  .said  under  the  new  regime  was  celebrated  in  Ford's  Hall,  on 
January  19th,  1896,  by  Father  Gleason.  For  a  time  this  arrangement  was 
continued,  until  the  growing  membership  made  it  necessary  to  provide  a 
place  of  worship  of  their  own.  An  eligible  site  was  secured,  centrally  located 
on  the  main  street,  directly  in  the  heart  of  the  thriving  village.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  new  church  of  St.  Michael  was  laid  in  the  presence  of  fully  3,000 
people  on  Sunday,  June  20th,  1897.  Bishop  Tierney  oflliciated,  attended  by 
a  number  of  priests.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Michael  J.  Daly, 
of  Thomaston,  whose  text  was,  "And  this  stone  which  I  have  .set  up  for  a 
title  shall  be  called  the  house  of  God,"    Gen.  xxviii.  23.     "And   whosoever 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  395 

shall  fall  on  this  stone  shall  be  broken ;  but  on  whomsoever  it  shall  fall,  him 
will  it  grind  to  powder."  Ibid.^  43. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Father  Dalj^'s  address,  Bishop  Tierney  spoke  words 
of  congratulation  upon  the  work  which  the  people  had  accomplished,  and 
exhorted  them  to  remain  steadfast  to  the  teachings  of  Holy  Church,  after 
which  he  imparted  the  episcopal  benediction. 

St.  Michael's  church  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  August  8,  1897,  by  Bishop 
Tierney,  with  impressive  ceremonies.  A  Solemn  High  Mass  followed,  with 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Gleeson,  pastor,  as  celebrant,  the  Rev.  M.  J.  Daly  as  deacon, 
the  Rev.  Luke  Lawlor  as  subdeacon,  and  the  Rev.  J.  L,.  McGuinness  as  Master 
of  Ceremonies.  The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  William  Gibbons,  who  selected 
the  following  text :  "I  will  bring  them  to  my  holy  mountain,  and  make  them 
joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer  .  .  .  for  my  house  shall  be  called  a  house  of 
prayer  for  all  the  people." 

The  new  church  faces  the  west  and  is  directly  opposite  the  largest  school 
in  the  village. 

The  first  baptism  in  Waterville  as  a  mission  of  St.  Patrick's  was  that  of 
Charles  Humphrey,  March  8,  1896,  and  the  first  marriage  in  the  chapel  was 
that  of  Frederick  Doll  and  Margaret  McConnell,  June  22,  1898. 

THE  SACRED  HEART  PARISH, 

Waterburv. 

'ECOND  of  the  daughters  of  the  mother  church,  the  parish  of  the 

Sacred    Heart  is   discharging    faithfully  its  appointed    task,   and 

realizing  the  fondest  hopes  of  its  founders.     Like  all  other  young 

parishes,  it  has  had  its  struggles  and  trials,  but  with  steady  purpose 

it  has  held  to  its  course,  and  has  seen  the  greater  part  of  its  material  work 

accomplished. 

On  Sunday,  February  15,  1885,  Rev.  William  Harty,  rector  of  the 
parish  of  the  Immaculate  .Conception,  made  the  formal  announcement  that 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  had  erected  a  new  parish  in  the  city.  The 
announcement  was  not  entirely  unexpected,  as  rumors  of  the  intended  division 
had  been  current  for  some  time.  The  new  parish  was  to  comprise  East  Main 
street  east  of  Dublin  street,  all  of  Dublin  street,  the  east  side  of  Welton  street, 
Walnut  street  and  all  of  the  streets  east  of  these  points,  and  would  include 
between  1,500  and  2,000  souls.  The  Rev.  Hugh  Treanor,  who  for  si.x  years 
had  been  the  efficient  assistant  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Norwalk,  was 
appointed  by  Bishop  McMahon  pastor  of  the  new  parish.  A  short  time  after 
the  division  the  lots,  on  which  the  church  now  stands,  were  purchased  by 
Father  Treanor  from  the  estate  of  Horace  Porter  for  $4,440.  A  piece  of  pro. 
perty  north  of  the  church,  and  six  acres  on  the  east,  were  subsequent!}-  added. 

On  Sunday,  February  22,  Father  Treanor  preached  his  initial  sermon  to 
his  new  flock  in  the  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  On  March  i,  the 
members  of  the  Sacred  Heart  parish  held  divine  services  for  the  first  time  as 
a  distinct  congregation  in  St.  Patrick's  chapel.  Services  were  held  here 
until  the  blessing  of  the  basement  of  the  new  church,  March  14,  1886. 


396  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  I.\  NEW  EXGLAXD. 

Bringing  to  his  new  field  of  labor  earnestness,  zeal  and  a  spirit  not  easily 
subdued  by  real  or  apparent  difficulties,  Father  Treanor  began  immediately 
the  task  of  providing  his  parishioners  with  a  temple  of  worship  that  would 
be  not  only  suitable  to  their  present  and  possible  future  requirements,  but  an 
ornament  also  to  the  city.  And  this  was  no  light  undertaking.  For  years 
Father  Treanor's  parishioners  had  contributed  generously  to  the  support  of 
the  mother  jiarish.  Many  of  them  had  been  pew-holders  since  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  church.  The  memories  r»f  many  went  back  to  the  days 
when,  but  few  in  number,  comparatively  speaking,  tliey  reverently  knelt 
around  the  altar  in  old  St.  Peter's.  To  begin  again  the  erection  of  a  church 
and  its  necessary  adjuncts  was  the  task  which  the  central  authority  of  the 
diocese  called  upon  them  to  perform.  They  cheerfully  oljeyed.  With  the 
courage,  perseverance  and  self-sacrifice  so  characteristic  of  Catholic  people 
in  the  cause  of  religion,  they  bent  their  energies  to  accomplish  the  will  of 
the  bishop,  which  they  regarded  as  the  will  of  God.  (Generously  they  co- 
operated with  their  pastor,  giving  freely  of  their  time  and  money.  In  the 
furtherance  of  their  purpose  they  received  generous  assistance  from  their 
former  fellow-parishioners.  So  successful  were  their  efforts  that  in  seven 
months  almost  from  the  day  that  Father  Treanor  assumed  charge  of  the 
parish,  his  congregation  had  the  happiness  of  witnessing  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  their  church  with  the  impressive  ceremonial  of  the  Catho- 
lic ritual.  That  day,  which  meant  so  much  for  the  parishioners  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  parish,  was  Sunday,  August  i6,  1885.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  Bishop  McMahon,  in  the  presence  of  an  estimated  attendance  of  8000 
persons.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Francis  Delargy  of  the 
Order  of  Redemptorists.  The  handsome  silver  trowel  used  by  the  Bishop 
during  the  ceremony  was  presented  to  the  Rev.  John  Russell  of  New  Haven, 
who  was  the  largest  contributor  on  the  occasion. 

Tile  first  mile-stone  on  the  journej-  of  the  young  parish  had  been  reached 
and  passed  successfully.  The  future  was  bright  with  promise,  as  the  pa.st 
had  been  fruitful  in  blessings.  Redoubling  their  efforts  the  members  of  the 
parish  began  to  look  anxiously  forward  to  the  da}'  when  the)-  could  worship 
within  the  walls  of  their  own  church  home.  This  happiness  was  vouchsafed 
them  on  March  14,  1886,  when  the  basem'eiit  of  the  church  was  blessed  and 
formally  opened  for  divine  worship.  Bishop  McMahon  graced  the  occasion 
by  his  presence.  The  Rev.  John  Russell  was  the  celebrant  of  the  Mass,  and 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  William  J.  Slocum,  of  Norwalk.  At 
the  vesper  service  confirmation  was  administered  for  the  first  time  to  a  class 
cf  over  si.xty  children. 

Thanksgiving  day  (November  28),  1889,  witnessed  the  crowning  of  the 
good  work,  a  fitting  day  on  which  to  give  to  God  a  holy  temple  wherein  His 
name  should  be  praised.  On  that  day  the  new  edifice  was  solennily  dedicated 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
McMahon.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  the  Rev.  Michael  Tieniev,  of  New 
Britain.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Broderick,  of  Hart- 
ford.   At  the  evening  services,  the  Rev.  James  Fagan  of  Naugatuck  officiated. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  397 

The  cost  of  the  cluirch  was  $55,000.  The  architect  was  P.  C.  Keeley, 
of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

During  1893  and  1894  tlie  attention  of  the  parish  and  its  pastor  was 
largely  occupied  with  the  erection  of  a  parochial  residence,  onWolcott  street, 
adjoining  the  church.  It  is  a  substantial  and  commodious  three-story  struc- 
ture, built  of  pallet  brick,  with  Dummerston  granite  and  terra  cotta  trim- 
mings. The  entire  inside  finish  is  of  brown  ash,  and  the  floors  are  of  quartered 
oak  and  southern  pine.     The  architect  was  Augustus  J.  Smith. 

On  November  15,  1897,  Father  Treanor's  pastorate  ended  with  his 
appointment  to  St.  Patrick's  parish,  Norwich.  He  was  immediately  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shelley,  who  has  gained  the  affection  of  his 
flock  by  his  active  and  paternal  interest  in  their  welfare.  The  membership 
of  the  parish  is  between  1,800  and  2,000  souls. 

The  clergy  who  have  assisted  in  the  labors  of  this  parish  are  the  Rev. 
Frederick  MurjDhy,  the  Rev.  Robert  Egan,  and  the  present  assistant,  the 
Rev.  Bernard  Bray. 

ST.  ANNE'S  PARISH  (FRENCH-CANADIAN), 
Waterburv. 

IN  April,  1886,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Fones,  while  pastor  of  St.  John's  parish, 
Watertown,  was  requested  by  Bishop  McMahon  to  assume  pastoral 
charge  also  of  the  French  Catholic  population  of  Waterbury.  He 
began  at  once  to  organize  his  new  flock.  The  old  Universalist  chapel 
on  Grand  street  (known  as  Trinity  chapel)  was  secured  for  divine  worship. 
Mass  was  celebrated  in  this  building  for  the  first  time  on  Sunday,  May  2, 
1S86.  At  this  time  the  population  was  500  French  Canadians  and  40  French. 
The  first  marriage  ceremony  performed  in  it,  and  the  first  after  the  erection 
of  the  parish,  took  place  on  May  5,  1886,  Father  Fones  officiating.  The  con- 
gregation continued  to  worship  here  until  the  dedication  of  their  present 
church,  January  6,  1 889.  Previous  to  their  organization  into  a  separate  parish 
the  French  Catholics  attended  divine  service  in  the  churches  of  the  district 
in  which  they  resided.  . 

Fatlier  Fones  continued  to  reside  in  Watertown,  visiting  St.  Anne's 
every  Sunday.  In  November,  1886,  he  relinquished  the  charge  of  his  Water- 
town  parish  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Waterbury.  During  his  short  pas- 
torate in  Waterbury  he  accomplished  much  for  the  spiritual  and  material  wel- 
fare of  his  parishioners.  From  a  scattered  folk  they  became  a  compact  and 
influential  organization.  In  April,  1887,  he  bought  from  the  estate  of  A.  C. 
Porter  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Clay  and  South  Main  streets,  for  $10,000.  In 
July,  1888,  he  purchased  from  E.  C.  Lewis  the  former  parochial  residence,  with 
its  spacious  grounds,  the  price  being  $22,500.  St.  Anne's  church  was  built  on 
this  lot  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  September  2,  1888, 
by  Bishop  McMahon,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Emard, 
now  Bishop  of  Valleyfield,  Canada.  The  dedication  of  the  church  under  the 
patronage  of  St.  Anne  took  place  on  January  27,  1889. 

For  some  time  before  his  death  Father  Fones  had   been  in  declining 


398  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

health.  He  realized  that  his  course  was  well-nigh  run.  Two  weeks  before 
the  end  came  he  retired  to  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  his  birth-place.  He  died  May 
1 8,  1890,  at  North  Attleboro,  Mass.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  cemetery  in  Pawtucket. 

On  May  15,  1890,  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Bourret  began  his  duties  as  pastor  of  St. 
Anne's  parish.  The  purchase  of  the  two  pieces  of  property  already  referred 
to  and  the  erection  of  the  church  entailed  considerable  debt.  But  with 
characteristic  energy,  and  confident  of  the  co-operation  of  his  parishioners, 
Father  Bourret  set  himself  at  once  to  the  task  of  reducing  the  burden.  Not 
less  diligently  has  Father  Bourret  labored  for  the  si)iritual  interests  of  his 
flock.  Tlie  number  of  religious  societies  in  his  parish  attests  his  zeal  in  this 
respect. 

In  1895  Father  Bourret  erected  a  school,  which  has  eight  grades  taught 
by  the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation  of  Notre  Dame.  Beginning  with  175 
pupils  it  has  now  400.  In  the  same  year  a  commodious  rectory  was  built  on 
South  Main  street.  The  old  residence,  having  been  removed  to  the  rear  and 
suitably  refitted,  serves  as  a  convent.  The  present  church  is  a  temporar}' 
structure  which  will  be  transformed  into  a  school  when  the  new  church  is 
erected.  The  present  school  building  will  be  converted  into  a  convent,  as  it 
is  admirably  built  for  that  purpose. 

The  number  of  souls  who  ha\-e  received  the  infusion  of  divine  faith  by 
baptism  in  St.  Anne's  parish  from  1886  to  1898,  exclusive,  is  1,401  ;  the  num- 
ber of  marriages,  275. 

The  population  of  the  parish  is  about  3,500  souls.  The  clergymen  who 
have  served  the  parish  as  assistants  are  :  the  Rev.  Eugene  Roberge,  the  Rev. 
A.  Mailhiot,  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Cadotte,  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Senesac,  the  Rev.  J.  J. 
Papillon,  the  Rev.  F.  Bedard. 

ST.   CECILIA'S   PARISH  (GERMAN) 
Waterbl'rv. 

HE  Catholic  Germans  of  Waterbury  were  organized  into  the  Society  of 
the  Holy  Family  at  a  meeting  held  jn  St.  Patrick's  hall,  April  24,  1S92. 
The  charter  members  were  Thomas  Hermann,  Herman  Herriuger, 
Charles  Martin,  Jacob  Daniels,  John  L.  Saxe,  Irwin  Straub,  Michael  Dietz, 
Franz  Schell,  Louis  Strobel,  I\Iichael  Block,  Anton  Hoefler,  John  Wieker, 
Henry  Schild,  Sr.,  and  others.  A  committee  of  these,  consisting  of  Herman 
Herringer,  Jacob  Daniels  and  Irwin  Straub,  were  empowered  to  wait  upon 
Bishop  McMahou  and  to  .solicit  the  formation  of  the  German  Catholics  of 
Waterbury  into  a  .separate  organization.  The  committee  was  instructed  to 
organize  and  secure  a  suitable  site  for  a  church.  Accordingly,  a  lot  was  pur- 
chased on  Scoville  street  by  the  Society  for  $7,500.  The  Rev.  Farrell  Martin, 
D.D.,  who  had  been  appointed  an  assistant  to  the  rector  of  the  Lnmaculate 
Conception  parish,  had  received  instructions  from  the  Bishop  to  organize  the 
German  Catholics.  He  addressed  them  for  the  first  time  in  St.  Patrick's  hall 
on  October  9,  1892,  and  on  November  18th,  Dr.  Martin  was  appointed  pastor 
of  the  newly  organized  parish. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  399 

The  Sisters  of  the  Congregation  of  Notre  Dame  having  donated  the  use 
of  their  convent  hall  to  Dr.  Martin,  the  first  Mass  after  his  appointment  as 
pastor  was  said  there  on  November  20,  1892.  On  January  i,  1893,  the  corpo- 
ration was  formed  with  Herman  Herringer  and  Carl  Martin  as  the  lay  trustees. 
The  church  propert\-,  held  by  the  Holy  Family  Society,  in  all  valued  at 
$12,000,  was  transferred  to  the  corporation. 

Dr.  Martin  applied  himself  at  once  to  the  erection  of  a  church  for  his 
people.  The  work  of  construction  commenced  in  May,  1894,  and  the  corner- 
stone was  laid  on  July  29th  following.  Bishop  Tierney  officiated,  the  Rev. 
Wilhelm  J.  Reumper,  S.J.,  preached  in  German,  and  the  Rev.  S.  B.  Hedges, 
C.S. P.,  in  English.  The  work  progressed  so  rapidly  that  the  ceremony  of 
dedication  took  place  on  November  18,  1894,  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy, 
Vicar-General,  officiating.  After  the  dedication  a  solemn  High  Mass  was 
celebrated  with  Father  Mulcaliy  as  celebrant,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Duggan  as 
deacon,  the  Rev.  William  Lynch  as  sub-deacon  and  the  Rev.  James  H. 
O'Donnell  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  English  sermon  was  delivered  by 
the  Rev.  L.  A.  Delurey,  O.S.  A.,  and  the  discourse  in  German  was  pronounced 
by  the  Rev.  John  Roser,  O.  S.  F. 

The  parish  property  consists  of  church,  rectory  and  a  lot.  The  number 
of  baptisms  in  the  parish  from  1892  to  1898  was  184,  and  the  marriages  32. 
The  first  baptism  administered  was  that  of  Rudolph  August  Gauthe,  March 
26,  1892.  The  first  marriage  took  place  on  January  29,  1893,  the  contracting 
parties  being  Frederick  Stubenrauch  and  Margaret  Eagau. 

The  members  of  St.  Cecilia's  parish  are  of  different  political  affiliations, 
of  good  social  standing,  and  in  occupation  are  mostly  factory  employees.  They 
number  about  800  souls. 

ST.  FRANCIS    XAVIER'S   PARISH, 

Waterburv. 

(5  I  HE  territory  comprised  within  the  limits  of  St.  Francis  Xavier's  parish, 
'  I  with  the  exception  of  a  few  streets,  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Rev.  John  H.  Duggan  from  the  time  of  his  appointment  to  St.  Patrick's 
parish  in  April,  1880,  till  his  death  in  1895.  It  is  that  section  of  Waterburv 
known  as  Washington  Hill,  with  about  200  souls  from  the  parish  of  the  Im- 
maculate Conception  parish.  The  first  Catholics  to  reside  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  parish  were  Michael  Donahue  and  Patrick  O'Reilly.  They 
came  to  Waterbury  about  1836,  but  settled  in  this  section  of  the  town  a  few 
years  later. 

The  first  and  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  J.  Curtin,  came  here  from 
New  Milford.  He  received  his  letter  of  appointment  to  Waterbury  on  No- 
vember 30,  1895,  and  arrived  among  his  new  charge  on  December  3rd,  the 
feast  of  St.  Francis  Xavier ;  it  was  this  circumstance  that  determined  the 
selection  of  the  patron  saint.  Father  Curtin  took  up  his  temporary  abode  at 
the  rectory  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  and  began  to  cast  about  him  for  a 
suitable  place  in  which  to  assemble  his  people  for  Mass  and  instruction.  The 
Auditorium,  a  public  hall,  on  South  Main  street,  was  secured,  and  on  Decern- 


400  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ber  8,  1895,  the  ineinbers  of  St.  Francis  Xavier's  parish  assembled  for  the 
first  time  as  a  distinct  organization  ;  on  this  day,  the  feast  of  tlie  Immacnlate 
Conception,  the  pastor  said  two  Masses  for  his  people.  At  this  time  the  pop- 
ulation of  the  parish  was  2,800,  or  565  families.  The  new  parish  was  enthu- 
siastic and  determined  to  vie  with  their  pastor  in  securing  a  place  of  worship 
of  their  own,  and  more  centrally  located  than  the  Anditorium;  and  when 
both  forces  were  active  and  generous  the  object  of  their  hearts'  desires  was 
soon  accomplished.  On  December  30,  1895,  Father  Curtin  took  possession 
of  the  present  parochial  residence  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Baldwin 
streets,  and  in  the  reception-room  of  which  on  January  2,  1896,  was  offered 
the  first  Mass  said  within  the  boundary  lines  of  the  parish.  In  this  room 
and  on  the  same  date  the  Rev.  Peter  Skelly  administered  the  sacrament 
of  Baptism  to  Thomas  Murphy  and  Ellen  Kearns.  I-'ather  Curtin  used  this 
room  for  week-day  Masses  and  baptisms  until  May  29,  1896.  On  the  feast  of 
St.  Blase,  February  3,  1896,  5,000  people  passed  through  this  room  after  having 
received  the  blessing  of  the  throat  given  on  that  day.  Thus  began  the  sacred 
functions  of  religion  in  St.  Francis  Xavier's  parish. 

The  formal  and  complete  organization  of  the  parish  into  a  corporation 
took  place  on  January  19,  1896,  when  the  following  church  committee  was 
formed:  John  Havican,  John  E.  Finley,  James  Coughlin,  Francis  Reed,  John 
C.  Allmau,  Thomas  Halpin,  William  Delaney,  Timothy  Meehan,  Emmet 
Riorcan,  Thomas  McEvoy,  James  Tiernan  and  John  Galvin.  The  lay  trus- 
tees elected  by  this  committee  on  that  evening  were  James  J.  Cassin  and  James 
Cuu>.:liliii. 

The  parish  was  now  thoroughly  organized  and  tlie  enthusiasm  continued 
unabaied.  As  an  earnest  of  the  people's  co-operation  with  the  designs  of  their 
pastor,  the  first  collection  taken  up  on  February  9,  1896,  reached  the  gratifying 
amount  of  $3,390.  The  first  step  towards  the  consummation  of  their  hopes 
w;i-~  llie  purchase  of  a  piece  of  land  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Baldwin 
sirt  ets  from  the  Waterbury  Buckle  Company.  The  deeds  of  the  property 
W'  re  conveyed  to  tlie  corporation  on  February  12,  1896.  Thereupon  a  con- 
tiaci  for  a  temporary  church  was  signed,  and  the  work  of  construction  given 
t  Ml  Charles  O'Connor.  The  first  Ma.ss  .said  in  the  new  church  was  offered 
u,i  o  .\pril  22,  1896.  On  this  occasion  Father  Curtin  .solemnized  the  marriage 
of  Niciiolas  J.  McEvoy  and  Elizabeth  Wall.  On  May  30,  1896  (Memorial 
Day),  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Tierney.  After  the  ceremonies 
of  dedication  a  solenm  High  Ma.ss  was  celebrated,  with  the  Rev.  J.  O'R. 
Sheridan,  celebrant.  The  Rev.  Peter  Skelly  preached  the  dedication  ser- 
mon. On  October  25th  confirmation  was  administered  for  the  first  time 
in  this  parish,  174  persons  becoming  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ.  On  this 
occasion  Bishop  Tierney  .solennily  blessed  the  statues  of  Our  Lady  and  of 
St  Joseph,  the  preacher  being  the  Rev.  James  J.  Eagan.  In  November,  1896, 
Father  Cnrtin's  parishioners  gave  further  evidence  of  theif  willingness  to  co- 
operate with  him  by  contributing  $3,722  net  at  a  fair.  And  if  still  further 
evidence  were  needed  to  show  the  ability  of  the  pastor  and  the  generosity  of 
the  people,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  receipts  of  the  first  year  of  the  parish's 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  401 

existence  were  $20,657  ;  furthermore,  there  is  in  the  treasury  a  balance  of 
nearly  $20,000  on  liand  with  which  to  begin  the  erection  of  a  church  worthy 
of  the  dignity  of  the  parish.  This  work  has  been  unavoidably  delayed  owing 
to  the  extreme  difficulty  of  securing  a  desirable  site.  The  assistant  pastor  is 
the  Rev.  J.  E.  Clark,  appointed  in  January,  1896. 

Among  the  benefactors  of  St.  Francis  Xavier's  parish  may  be  noted 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney,  who  donated  the  first  and  most  highly  prized 
property  of  the  parish,  a  chalice  of  beautiful  design  ;  and  Mrs.  Ann  Weis, 
wlio  presented  the  large  pipe-organ  now  in  use. 

From  the  formation  of  the  parish  to  1898  exclusive,  the  baptisms  have 
numbered  281  and  the  marriages  46. 

The  first  baptism  was  that  of  Thomas  Shea,  December  5,  1895.  The 
first  marriage  was  between  P.  F.  Cunningham  and  Catharine  A.  Saults, 
Jauuary  15,   i8g6. 

The  first  death  occurred  on  December  11,  1895,  Ann  Honors.  The  first 
child  to  receive  confirmation  was  Thomas  J.  Coogan,  October  25,  1896. 

The  population  of  the  parish  at  present  is  3,000  souls,  Irish  and  their 
descendants. 

The  Rev.  J.  J.  Curtin  is  a  member  of  the  Diocesan  School  Commission. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S  (LITHUANIAN)  PARISH, 
Waterbury. 

'T.  JOSEPH'S  parish,  comprising  the  Lithuanian  Catholics  of  Water- 
bury,    was  organized  in    1894.      The  Rev.  Joseph  Zebris  was  ap- 
pointed pastor,  and  entered  upon  his  work  on  March  28th.     The 
first    Mass  was    celebrated  on   April    ist,    in    Mitchell's   block  on 
Bank  street. 

On  September  28th,  the  Dreher  property,  with  a  frontage  of  200  feet  on 
James  street  and  220  feet  on  John  street,  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $7,000, 
and  the  erection  of  a  church  was  begun  on  October  6th.  On  Thanksgiving 
day,  November  29,  1894,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  the  usual  services. 
Vicar-General  John  A.  Mulcahy  performed  the  ceremony,  the  Rev.  B.  Molej- 
katys  acting  as  deacon,  and  Dr.  Farrell  Martin  as  sub-deacon.  The  address 
of  the  occasion  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Jaksztys,  first  in  the  Lithu- 
anian and  then  in  the  Polish  language.  He  afterward  addressed  the  other 
clergymen  in  Latin,  and  was  followed  by  Vicar-General  Mulcahy  in  an  ad- 
dress of  congratulation  to  the  Lithuanian  people. 

At  the  time  of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone,  the  exterior  of  the  little 
church  was  already  completed.  It  was  ready  for  occupancy  on  December 
1 6th.  The  building  has  a  seating  capacity  of  300,  besides  the  galleries  over 
the  vestibule.  The  dedication  of  the  church  took  place  on  December  2Sth, 
the  pastor,  Father  Zebris,  officiating.  When  the  parish  was  formed,  its  popu- 
lation was  estimated  at  478  souls.  In  1898  the  number  had  increased  to 
1,000,  including  the  Lithuanians  of  Union  City  and  Naugatuck  and  about 
250  Poles  in  Waterbury  and  dependencies.  From  1894  to  1897  the  number 
of  baptisms  was  250  and  the  marriages  74. 
II — 26 


402  THE    CATHOLIC   CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  present  church  is  designed  to  serve  as  a  school-building,  when  a 
larger  and  more  imposing  church  shall  have  been  erected.  The  present 
pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  is  the  Re\-.  Peter  Saurasaitis,  who  began  his 
pastoral  duties  on  May  28,  1898. 

THE  IT.\LIAN  CATHOLICS, 

Waterihrv. 

(ofyt  RECENT  estimate  places  the  number  of  Italian  Catholics  in  Water- 
^La  bury  at  1,500.  As  yet  they  have  no  church  organiza.tion,  although 
yj|»V^  laudable  efforts  are  being  made  to  erect  a  parish  for  them.  lu 
1894  a  mission  was  conducted  by  two  Italian  priests  at  the  church 
of  the  Immaculate  Conception  from  which  good  results  followed.  For  some 
time  the  question  of  securing  for  themselves  a  church  has  been  under  con- 
sideration by  the  Italian  Catholics,  and  no  doubt  the  near  future  will  witness 
the  realization  of  their  hopes.  With  this  end  in  view,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Tierney  ajipointed  the  Rev.  Dr.  Martin,  pastor  of  St.  Cecilia's  parish,  to  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  Italian  Catholics  of  Waterbur)\  He  assumed  this 
additional  labor  in  October,  1S94.  Since  then  Italian  clergymen  have  given 
missions  to  the  people,  with  a  view  to  the  permanent  organization  of  a  par- 
ish. For  the  benefit  of  the  Italians,  a  sermon  in  their  language  is  preached 
at  the  first  Mass  in  St.  Cecilia's  church  even-  Sunday.  The  first  baptism 
since  the  Italians  came  under  Dr.  Martin's  jurisdiction  was  that  of  Maria 
Oriano,  October  21,  1894;  the  first  marriage  was  between  Ciro  Carangelo 
and  Benedetta  Lanze. 

ST.  THOMAS'    PARISH, 
Waterblirv. 

P'FICIAL  notice  of  the  formation  of  the  new  parish  of  St.  Thomas  was 
given  b)'  the  Rev.  William  J.  Slocum,  rector  of  the  mother  parish  of 
the  Immaculate  Conception,  on  Sunday,  September  i8th,  1898.  The 
bomidary  lines  were  announced  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the  inter- 
section of  Walnut  and  Ward  streets,  and  going  westward  along  Ward  and 
Vine  to  Grove  street,  along  Grove,  taking  in  the  north  side  of  that  street,  to 
Cooke;  the  north  side  of  Cooke  street  from  Grove  to  Buckingham,  along 
Buckingham  to  Pine,  from  Pine  to  Columbia  avenue,  and  from  there  to  the 
city  line.  The  Rev.  Timothy  M.  Crowley  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  new 
parish.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  and  assumed  formal  charge  of  the 
parish  on  Sunday,  September  25th,  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the 
church.  When  the  construction  of  a  churcii  in  this  section  of  the  city  was 
proposed,  it  was  intended  that  it  should  be  a  portion  of  the  old  parish,  a 
"chapel  of  ease;"  but  the  need  of  a  separate  ])arish  was  soon  recognized. 
The  church  was  begun  and  comjjleted  by  Rev.  Father  Slocum,  who  paid 
over  half  of  the  indebtedness  which  its  construction  entailed. 

The  cornel -stone  of  the  new  edifice  was  laid  on  Saturda\-,  September 
24th,  and  the  ceremony  of  dedication  was  performed  on  the  day  following. 
Bi.shop  Tierne\-  officiated,  assisted  by  a  number  of  priests  of  the  city  and 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  403 

neighboring  parishes.  This  ceremony  was  followed  b}-  a  Solemn  High  Mass, 
with  the  Rev.  James  O'R.  Sheridan  as  celebrant ;  Rev.  W.  A.  White  as  dea- 
con ;  Rev.  M.  Daly  as  sub-deacon ;  Rev.  P.  Kennedy  as  master  of  ceremonies. 
The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by  the  new  pastor,  Rev.  T.  M.  Crowley. 
The  church  stands  at  the  corner  of  Crown  and  Beacon  streets,  and  is  an 
imposing  structure.  It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  700.  The  parish  popula- 
tion is  about  1800  souls,  chiefly  Irish  and  their  descendants.  Father  Crowley 
is  assisted  by  the  Rev.  William  Kennedy.  The  work  of  erecting  a  parochial 
residence  is  in  progress. 


NEW  LONDON   COUNTY. 


|EW  LONDON  COUNTY  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Windham,  Tol- 
land and  Hartford  counties,  on  the  east  by  Windham  county  and 
Rhode  Island,  on  the  south  by  Long  Island  Sound,  and  on  the 
west  by  Middlesex  county.  From  east  to  west  the  length  aver- 
ages 26  miles,  and  its  average  breadth  is  about  20  miles.  The  cities  and  towns 
in  which  there  are  Catholic  parishes  are  the  following: 

New  London,  Colchester,  Montville,  Norwich, 

Baltic,  Jewett  City,         Mystic,  Taftville, 

voluntown. 

ST.  MARY'S— STAR   OF   THE   SEA— PARISH, 
New  London. 

r^^EW  LONDON  was  settled  by  the  English  in  1646.  Its  Indian  name 
was  Namcaug.^  otherwise  known  as  Tozuaivog.  In  March,  1658,  the 
\p  ^^^  General  Assembly  gave  the  town  its  present  name;  "that  they 
might  leave  to  posterity  the  memory  of  that  renowned  city  of 
London,  from  whence  we  had  our  transportation,  (we)  have  thought  fit  in 
honor  to  that  famous  city,  to  call  the  said  plantation  New  London."  At  the 
same  time  the  Pequot  river  became  the  Thames. 

Elsewhere  in  these  pages  we  have  written  of  the  presence  in  New  Lon- 
don of  400  Acadian  exiles  in  January,  1756,  of  the  San  Domingan  refugees, 
who  gathered  here  at  the  end  of  the  last  century,  of  the  arrival  and  death  of 
Father  Dupre  from  the  island  of  Gaudeloupe,  of  Thomas  Allen's  inn,  of  the 
visit  of  Bishop  Carroll  to  this  portion  of  his  flock,  and  of  other  events  of  his- 
torical interest  that  occurred  in  and  about  New  London.  We  have  now  to 
deal  with  the  Catholic  life  of  New  London  as  a  permanent  force  in  the  up- 
building of  the  city's  welfare. 

After  Bishop  Carroll's  visit  in  1791,  thirty-two  years  elapsed  before  New 
London  was  honored  by  the  presence  of  another  bishop.  Bishop  Cheverus, 
active,  alert  and  solicitous  for  the  welfare  of  his  vast  diocese,  visited  New 


404  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

lyondon  in  June,  1823,  and  on  the  first  of  the  month,  among  other  priestly 
functions,  baptized  two  children.     The  record  is : 

"fS2j,  June  I: — Baptized  Thomas,  bom  January  4,  1831.     Sponsor:  J.  B.  Walbach. 

"Honora,  born  December  4,  1822.    Sponsor:  John  O'Brien. 

"  Both  children  of  Richard  and  Catharine  Morris.  f  J.  Cheverus." 

A  local  historian  says  of  Bishop  Cheverus'  visit:  "There  was  at  the 
time,  we  believe,  but  a  single  family  of  Roman  Catholics  in  the  town — that 
of  Colonel  Walbach,  who  was  commandant  at  the  fort  for  many  years.  He 
had  a  pew  at  St.  James' '  (Protestant),  and  himself  and  family  were  regular 
attendants  upon  its  services,  joining  in  the  worship  of  the  churcli  with  appa- 
rent interest  and  devotion.  A  priest  of  their  own  profession  came  to  visit 
them  occasionalh',  and  give  them  tlie  rites  of  their  church.  The  Roman 
Catholic  bishop  of  Boston  at  that  time  was  Dr.  Cheverus,  a  man  whose  amia- 
ble, pure  and  benevolent  character  secured  the  respect  of  men  of  all  creeds 
and  conditions.  On  one  occasion  he  came  to  New  London  to  pass  a  Sunday 
with  the  family  which  has  been  mentioned.  The  rector  took  occasion  to 
invite  him  to  preach  at  St.  James'  in  the  afternoon.  He  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  at  the  usual  hour  of  service  came  to  the  church  in  the  costume  of  his 
office,  and  after  reading  some  English  prayers  from  the  desk,  preached  a  sermon 
from  the  pulpit.  A  crowded  congregation  assembled  to  liear  him,  for  in  those 
days  a  Romish  bishop,  in  the  attire  of  his  office,  was  a  lion  indeed.  Fortunately, 
to  secure  us  against  any  charge  of  tendency  to  Poper}',  our  Congregational  neigh- 
bors invited  him  to  preach  for  them  also  at  a  later  hour.  It  was  a  long  summer 
day.  A  crowd  assembled  at  the  appointed  hour.  The  bishop  came  again  in  his 
robes,  and  after  offering  an  extempore  pra\er,  delivered  a  sermon  upon  Martha 
and  Mary  from  the  pulpit  of  the  Congregational  church."  During  this  visit 
Bishop  Cheverus  said  Mass  at  the  fort,  the  guest  of  Colonel  Walbach. 

The  Rev.  R.  D.  Woodley,  of  Providence,  was  the  next  ecclesiastic  to 
visit  New  London.  He  ministered  to  the  wants  of  the  Catholics  here  in 
1829,  in  the  week  beginning  with  July  12,  and  also  in  October  of  the  sanfe 
year.  From  his  report  to  Bishop  Fenwick  of  his  visitations  we  learn  that 
during  those  missionar\-  tours  he  baptized  two  children,  besides  performing 
other  duties  incident  to  his  office. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  Hartford,  who  had  all  Connecticut  in  his  juris- 
diction, the  Rev.  Bernard  O'Cavanagh,  attended  New  London  in  April,  1S30. 
He  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  the  residence  of  Mr.  P.  Mitchell,, 
and  baptized  one  infant,  having  on  the  evening  previous  heard  a  number 
of  confessions.  The  name  of  Father  Fitton  now  became  associated  with 
New  London,  as  we  gather  from  the  following  record  of  marriages  : 

"  New  Londox. 
John  B.^lowix     ")         1830,  Oct.  14:  Married  John  Baldwin  to  Matilda  Dunn.     Wit- 
AXD  v  nesses,  John  and  Mary  Dunn. 

Mal't  Duxn.       .)  Jas.   Fitto.v." 

'The  bell  of  this  church  "was  brought  from  the  West  Indies,  and  had  originally 
hung  in. some  French  church  or  convent.  Itwassmall,  but  its  tone  was  sweet  and  musical." 
— Annals  of  St.  Janus',  Neiu  London. 


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DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  .  405 

Another  entr}'  in  Father  Fitton's  handwriting  is  : 

Math.  Highland  ")  "  iSjo,    Oct.   igth :     Married    Matthew    Highland   to   Esther 

AND  Y   Murphy,  both  from  New  London.    Witnesses,  Lawrence  McGuire 

Esther  Murphy,   j   and  Ann  McGuire.  Jas.  Fitton." 

Of  his  experiences  in  New  London  Father  Fitton  thus  writes.:  "To  be 
hooted  and  occasionally  stoned  by  urchins  who  had  imbibed  the  prejudices 
of  their  parents  was  not  an  uncommon  occurrence  in  former  days.  But  deep- 
rooted  as  was  the  prejudice  of  the  majority  of  the  people,  there  were  not  a  feMi 
found  better  informed  at  New  London,  who  were  inclined  to  liberality  and  toler- 
ance, and  who  allowed  the  use  of  the  court-house  for  occasional  preaching."  ^ 

Notwithstanding  the  great  influx  of  Catholics  into  New  London  at  the 
close  of  the  last  century  the  number  found  here  by  Father  Fitton  was  small. 
Deprived  of  priests,  surrounded  by  hostile  influences,  the  descendants  of  those 
who  adhered  to  the  ancient  faith  fell  away  and  became  believers  in  creeds 
that  held  the  doctrines  of  their  ancestors  in  abhorrence.  And  some  of 
the  New  London  families  who  boast  of  their  Puritan  ancestry  are  not  of 
Puritan  extraction,  but  are  the  descendants  of  men  and  women  of  Irish, 
French,  Spanish  and  Portuguese  ancestors — children  of  the  Catholic  faith. 
Their  names  are  a  part  of  the  public  records  of  New  London,  and  the  story 
of  some  of  them  is  told  in  the  pages  of  this  history. 

Of  the  status  of  Catholicity  in  New  London,  during  his  period  of  service, 
Father  Fitton  wrote  in  a  record-book,  preserved  in  St.  Mary's  church  :  "The 
Catholics  of  New  London  in  1831  numbered  about  three  families  and  five 
unmarried  persons.  These  were  attended  from  time  to  time  by  the  clergy- 
man from  Hartford  (himself).  This  number  even,  small  as  it  was,  dimin- 
ished, and  then  as  gradually  began  to  increase  till  1842,  when  an  appropria- 
tion having  been  made  for  repairs  on  Fort  Trumbell,  a  number  of  mechanics 
and  laborers  came  with  their  families  to  the  place.  About  this  time  an 
upper  room  of  a  small  building  near  the  southwest  corner  of  Long  Bridge 
(now  Bank  street)  was  rented  for  the  purpose  of  divine  worship.  Here  the 
Catholics  assembled  on  Sundays,  and  were  attended  monthly  from  Worcester, 
Mass.,  by  the  clergyman  formerly  of  Hartford  (himself).  In  January,  1843,  a 
lot  of  land  was  purchased  for  a  church  and  deeded  in  trust  to  Rt.  Rev.  Benedict 
Fenwick  and  the  foundation  immediately  commenced,  which,  by  the  energy 
and  persevering  zeal  of  the  little  flock,  was  so  far  advanced  as  to  be  ready  to 
have  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  offered  up  in  it  the  following  April." 
Father  Fitton  paid  a  missionary  visit  to  New  London  on  April  9,  1832. 

From  the  marriage  register  preserved  at  St.  Patrick's  church,  Hartford, 
we  take  the  following  additional  entries. 

"  New  London,  Conn. 
Peter  Whitten     '\  iSjs,  Sept.  21  :     Married  Peter  Whitten  to  Ann  Phalen. 

AND  y  Witnesses,  Jas.  Rargen  and  Elizabeth  Crandell. 

Ann  Phalen.       J  Jas.  Fitton." 

' '  Sept.  22  :  Married  John  Barry  to  Margaret  Donoghue.  Witnesses,  Jas.  Fitzgibbons 
and  Bridget  Ford.  Jas.  Fitton." 

' "  Historical  Sketches." 


406  .  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IS-  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Upon  Fatlier  Fitton's  transfer  to  Worcester  lie  attended  New  London 
from  that  place  at  monthly  intervals,  saying  Mass  in  an  upper  room  of  a 
small  building  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Long  Bridge.  Tiie  growth  of 
the  Catholic  population  soon  made  more  ample  accommodations  necessary, 
so  that  a  lot  was  purchased  by  Father  Fitton  on  Jay  street  in  January, 
1843.  The  work  of  constructing  a  church  was  l^egun  immediately,  and  so 
vigorously  was  it  pushed  that  the  building  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  the 
following  April.  Of  this  little  church  Father  Fitton  wrote :  "  Although  it 
was  anticipated  at  the  time  that  this  edifice  would  prove  too  limited  for 
increasing  numbers,  yet  it  was  considered  that  the  fact  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  houses  right  and  left  being  good  Protestant  fellow-citizens,  would  be 
the  best  insurance  against  casualties  that  otherwise  might  happen."  Bishop 
Fitzpatrick,  of  Boston  dedicated  the  church  on  May  13,  1850,  and  adminis- 
tered Confirmation  on  the  day  following.  Among  those  confirmed  on  that 
occasion  was  Lieutenant  Deshon. 

In  1852  the  church  had  become  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the  parish; 
it  was  determined  to  erect  a  more  commodious  hou.se  of  worship.  A  site 
on  Truman  street  was  obtained,  and  the  work  of  building  was  begun  with- 
out delay.  This  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  O'Reilly  on  May  13,  1855, 
the  Bishop  also  preaching  the  sermon.  "The  church  was  well  filled," 
wrote  the  bishop,  "and  the  ceremony  most  edifying."  In  June,  1 860,  the 
church  was  furnished  with  an  organ.  Its  seating  capacity  was  700,  and  the 
whole  property  was  valued  at  $12,000. 

In  the  meantime  New  London  had  been  attended  by  a  number  of  priests. 
In  August,  1S45,  it  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Rev.  John  Brady,  of 
Hartford,  who  remained  in  control  until  September,  1848,  when  tlie  Rev. 
James  Gibson  assumed  charge.  He  attended  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
Catholics  here  until  1850,  when  they  began  to  be  served  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers 
from  Holy  Cross  College,  Rev.  William  Logan  and  Rev.  Peter  Blenkinsop. 
Father  Logan  died  here  in  1850,  a  victim  of  .smallpox. 

The  first  resident  pastor,  Rev.  Peter  Duffy,  came  in  185  i,  but  remained 
only  for  a  brief  period.  His  successor,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Stokes,  officiated 
until  October,  1852.  Rev.  Thomas  Ryan  followed  as  pastor.  During  his 
pastorate,  which  was  of  six  years'  duration,  St.  Patrick's  church,  on  Truman 
street,  was  built  and  dedicated.  The  original  church  on  Jay  street  still 
remains  the  property  of  the  parish  and  was  used  for  Sunday-school  purposes. 

The  ne.xt  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  parish  was  the  Rev.  P.  J.  Gaynor,  who 
came  in  1858.  He  administered  the  affairs  of  the  parish  for  eight  years, 
having  been  transferred  to  St.  Francis'  parish,  New  Haven,  in  1866.  Then 
the  Rev.  Bernard  TuUy  came,  and  during  a  short  pastorate  of  a  few  months 
jmrchased  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Huntington  streets,  on 
which  the  present  church  edifice  stands.  Father  Tulh-  was  followed  in 
Augu.st,  1867,  by  the  Rev.  Philip  Grace,  D.D.,  who  began  the  erection  of  the 
present  church. 

In  1867,  Dr.  Grace  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Ednnind  A.  O'Connor, 
who  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  church  under  the  title  of  St.  Mary's,  Star  of 


REV.  FRANCIS  P.   O'KEEFE 


REV.  THOMAS  JOYNT. 


REV.  PATRICK  J.   KENNEDY. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  407 

the  Sea,  August  15,  1870.  The  exterior  of  the  church  had  been  almost  com- 
pleted when  the  clerestor)'  fell,  entailing  a  great  financial  loss.  Father 
O'Connor  died  here  in  1871,  the  Rev.  John  Furlong  succeeding  temporarily 
to  the  pastorate.  In  May,  1872,  the  Rev.  Michael  A.  Tierney  took  up  the 
reins  of  government,  and  remained  as  pastor  until  late  in  1873.  Father 
Tierney  organized  the  Star  of  the  Sea  Total  Abstinence  Society,  and  con- 
tinued the  work  of  the  construction  of  the  church.  About  January  i,  1874, 
his  successor,  the  Rev.  Patrick  P.  Lawlor,  became  pastor.  Resuming  work 
on  the  church,  he  brought  it  to  a  successful  completion.  The  solemn  dedi- 
cation took  place  on  Sunday,  May  7,  1S76,  with  elaborate  ceremonial. 
After  the  ceremonies  of  dedication  Solemn  Pontifical  Mass  was  celebrated  by 
Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Galberry,  the  orator  on  the  occasion  being  the  Rev.  Michael 
O'Farrell,  of  St.  Peter's  church,  New  York.  In  the  evening  Solemn  Pontifi- 
cal Vespers  were  sung  by  the  above-mentioned  prelate,  and  the  Rev.  Father 
O'Farrell  again  pronounced  the  discourse  before  an  audience  that  taxed  the 
seating  capacity  of  the  church  to  its  utmost.  Father  Lawlor  remained  pas- 
tor of  St.  Mary's  until  June,  1879,  when  he  was  transferred  to  St.  Mary's 
parish.  New  Haven.  A  local  historian  says  that  "  Father  Lawlor  was  a  verv 
popular  man,  and  had  a  high  reputation  for  executive  ability." 

Father  Lawlor' s  mantle  fell  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  W. 
Broderick.  Among  the  works  which  signalized  his  administration  of  four 
years  was  the  reduction  of  the  parish  indebtedness  by  over  $10,000,  and  the 
artistic  grading  and  beautifying,  and  otherwise  improving,  the  valuable 
property  about  the  church  and  parochial  residence.  On  May  28,  1883,  the 
present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Joynt,  assumed  pastoral  charge  of 
St.  Mary's.  Father  Joynt  has  continued  the  excellent  work  of  his  predeces- 
sors, manifesting  great  zeal  and  priestly  activity  in  promoting  both  the  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  interests  of  his  people.  In  July,  1891,  he  purchased  a 
beautiful  residence  on  Franklin  street,  which,  suitably  remodeled,  has  become 
the  home  of  the  Sisters  who  are  the  teachers  of  the  children  of  his  parish. 
This  purchase  was  made  at  the  expenditure  of  g6,ooo.  In  May,  1892,  the 
Young  Ladies'  High  School,  contiguous  to  the  church,  was  secured  at  a  cost 
of  $10,000.  In  addition  to  these  works.  Father  Joynt  has  reduced  the  in- 
debtedness every  year,  so  that  the  financial  condition  of  St.  Mary's  is  sur- 
passed by  few  parishes  in  the  diocese.  Father  Joynt  is  assisted  in  his  paro- 
chial labors  by  the  Rev.  David  O'Donnell  and  the  Rev.  John  F.  Quinn.  St. 
Mary's  school  is  taught  by  nine  sisters  of  Mercy,  of  the  Meriden  community, 
Sister  M.  Xavier,  superioress,  who  began  their  efficient  labors  in  New  London 
in  August,  1 892.  The  school  is  attended  by  369  girls.  A  new  parochial 
school  is  in  the  course  of  construction  and  will  be  ready  for  the  ceremony  of 
dedication  on  Sunday,  September  3d,  of  the  present  year. 

Attached  to  New  London  is  the  mission  of  Rocklawn,  whose  church  is 
dedicated  in  honor  of  Our  Lady  of  Good  Counsel. 

On  Sunday  April  30,  1893,  the  Catholics  of  New  London  observed  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  erection  of  their  first  church  in  that  city.  The 
Solemn  High  Mass  on  the  occasion  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  Michael  Tier- 


408  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  EX  GLAND. 

ney  assisted  by  Rev.  John  Lenelian,  deacon;  Rev.  Timothy  R.  Sweeney, 
sub-deacon  ;  the  Rev.  Michael  H.  May,  master  of  ceremonies.  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  McMahon  occupied  a  throne  in  tlie  .sanctuary  with  the  Rev.  J.  P. 
Dougherty  of  New  York  and  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Broderick  of  Hartford  as 
attendants.  The  oration  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  \'.  A.  Higgins,  O.P., 
S.T. M.,  of  New  Haven.  His  subject  was  "The  Benefits  Conferred  by  the 
Church. "  The  day's  celebration  was  fittingly  closed  by  Solemn  Vespers  sang 
coram  ipiscopo^  with  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Furlong  as  celebrant,  Rev.  J.  H.  Fitz- 
maurice  as  deacon,  the  Rev.  M.  Cray  as  sub-deacon.  Rev.  M.  H.  May,  master 
of  ceremonies.  The  chaplains  to  Bishop  McMahon  were  Rev.  T.  W.  Brode- 
rick, Hartford,  and  Rev.  J.  E.  Leonard  of  Troy.  The  discourse  was  pro- 
nounced by  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy  of  Waterbury.  At  the  close  of  the  ser- 
vices Bishop  McMahon  in  a  felicitous  manner  addressed  words  of  congratula- 
tion to  the  congregation.  Among  those  present  on  this  joyous  occasion,  who 
attended  the  first  church  a  half  century  before,  were  Michael  Gaffe\-,  Stephen 
Hayes,  William  Sheridan,  Mrs.  Daniel  Hogan,  Mrs.  Edmund  Sweeney,  Mrs. 
Maurice  McDonald  and  Mrs.  John  Ferguson. 

IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION    PARISH, 

Baltic. 

.■\LTIC  is  located  in  the  town  of  Sprague,  and  is  built  on  both  sides 
of  the  Shetucket  river.  Besides  the  village  proper,  the  parish  com- 
prises the  outlying  villages  of  Franklin,  Scotland  and  Hanover. 

As  early  as  1840,  a  small  band  of  Irish  Catholics  located  in 
Baltic  and  vicinity,  and  were  generally  occupied  in  farm  work.  Among  the 
early  settlers  we  note  Denis  P.  Sheahan,  Jeremiah  Donovan,  Jeremiah  Curtin, 
and  Peter  Hartnett.  Their  number  was  increased  by  the  building  of  the  Provi- 
dence and  Hartford  railroad.  It  was,  however,  the  building  of  a  large  cotton 
mill  by  the  Spragues  of  Rhode  Island,  which  brought  the  first  great  influ.x  of 
Catholics  to  reside  at  Baltic.    This  necessitated  the  speedy  erection  of  a  church. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Catholics  of  Baltic  experienced  the  happiness  of 
a.ssistingat  the  Holy  Sacrifice  for  the  first  time  in  the  .summer  of  1852,  the  Rev. 
Michael  McCabe  being  the  celebrant.  When  Father  McCabe  a.ssumed  charge 
of  Danielson  his  jurisdiction  included  also  Willimantic,  Baltic,  Colchester, 
Stafford  Springs  and  Putnam.  The  successors  of  Father  McCal)e  to  attend 
Baltic  were  Rev.  H.  O'Reilly,  i860  to  1863;  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen,  January  7, 
1863,  to  May,  1S63;  Rev.  Flor.  De  Bruycker,  May,  1863,  to  September  1,  1869. 

The  first  Catholic  church  in  Baltic  was  built  in  1S60,  during  the  pa.stor- 
ate  of  Father  O'Reilly.  It  was  ^^  x  38  feet.  Father  O'Reilly  also  purchased 
the  cemetery  in  i860,  which  was  blessed  on  November  1,  1S61.  Father 
O'Reilly's  successor  was  the  Rev.  Flor.  De  Bruycker,  as  when  Willimantic 
received  its  first  resident  pastor  Baltic  became  a  dej^endency.  During  his 
administration,  Father  De  Bruycker  enlarged  and  renovated  the  church  at  an 
expenditure  of  $15,000.     The  enlarged  structure  was  120x60  feet. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  Baltic  was  the  Rev.  O.  Joseph  Van  Laar,  who 
entered  upon  his  duties  in  September,  1869.     Zealous  to  a  great  degree,  reli- 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  409 

gion  made  rapid  strides  during  Father  Van  Laar's  pastorate.  St.  Joseph's 
school  was  opened  on  May  15,  1870,  with  70  pupils.  To  meet  pressing 
spiritual  needs,  he  purchased  in  1871  a  piece  of  ground  upon  which  he  in- 
tended to  erect  a  convent,  school  and  chapel;  but  the  sweeping  away  of  the  mill 
dam  delated,  but  did  not  prevent  the  continuance  of  the  work.  In  the  erec- 
tion of  the  convent,  which  contained  four  stories,  Father  Van  Laar  devoted 
not  only  his  time,  but  contributed  $8,000  from  his  personal  income  towards  its 
completion.  It  was  completed  in  1 874.  In  the  spring  of  i  S76,  Father  Van  Laar 
resigned  his  charge  and  entered  the  Congregation  of  the  Oblate  Fathers. 

His  successor  was  Rev.  John  Van  der  Noort,  who  took  up  the  great 
work  left  by  his  predecessor  and  brought  it  to  a  successful  completion. 
Under  his  guidance  religious  education  began  to  show  forth  its  fruits.  The 
school,  erected  at  such  sacrifices,  abundantly  proved  that  it  had  not  been 
built  in  vain.  Though  the  number  of  children  attending  the  school  had 
become  reduced  from  240  to  30,  owing  to  a  large  number  of  people  leaving 
the  town  on  account  of  the  freshet,  yet  the  Sisters  persevered  and  God  so 
blessed  their  labors  that  it  became  necesssary  to  build  an  addition  to  the 
school.  A  fine  chapel  was  also  added  to  it.  Other  works  did  Father  Van 
der  Noort  accomplish  which  made  for  the  honor  and  glory  of  God  and 
His  church.  With  him  were  associated  in  parochial  labors,  Revs.  James 
Lancaster,  John  T.  McMahon,  John  Synnott  and  James  Degnan.  Having 
served  with  signal  success  in  Baltic  until  October,  18S9,  Father  Van  der 
Noort  was  promoted  to  Putnam,  and  Rev.  John  Synnott  was  appointed 
his  successor.  Father  Synnott's  labors  in  this  field  as  pastor  were  those 
of  a  priest,  zealous  and  single-minded,  one  whose  sole  ambition  is  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  his  parishioners.  For  this  were  his  labors 
unremitting  and  productive  of  excellent  results.  On  September  i,  1897,  his 
ecclesiastical  superior  called  him  to  a  higher  sphere  of  labor  and  appointed 
him  President  of  St.  Thomas'  Preparatory  Seminary,  Hartford.  His  suc- 
cessor is  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  Terrance  Dunn. 

When  the  first  INIass  was  celebrated  in  Baltic  in  1852,  there  were  in  the 
vicinity  300  or  more  Catholics,  laborers  on  the  Providence  and  Hartford  rail- 
road. When  the  church  was  built  in  1S60,  the  number  had  increased  to  800. 
But  the  temporal  status  of  Baltic  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  years.  Thirty- 
six  years  ago  the  Catholic  population  was  about  2000  souls ;  at  present  it  num- 
bers about  500. 

ST.  ANDREW'S  PARISH, 

Colchester. 

(51  HE  first  settlement  of  Colchester  began  about  1701.  Its  average  leiigth 
*  I  from  east  to  west  is  about  nine  miles,  about  four  miles  in  breadth,  and 
comprises  an  area  of  about  forty-three  square  miles.  The  first  Cath- 
olic settlers  to  reside  here  were  Patrick  Gardland,  John  Murphy,  Patrick 
Henry,  Thomas  Sheridan,  John  English  and  James  Kelleher  and  families. 
As  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  first  Mass  celebrated  in  Colchester,  was  said 
in  1 85 1  at  the  residence  of  John  Murphy,  by  the  Rev.  Christopher  Moore. 
About  fifty  Irish-Catholics  were  present  at  that  Mass.     The  first  pastor  who 


410  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

attended  to  tlie  wants  of  the  Catholics  here  was  the  Rev.  Michael  McCabe, 
of  Danielson,  coming  once  a  month.  Rev.  Hngli  O'Reilly  of  Willimantic 
was  his  successor,  and  visited  C<jlcliester  also  at  monthly  intervals  The  Rev. 
Patrick  Creighton  was  the  first  resident  pastor.  Following  him  came  in  suc- 
cession Re\-.  James  McCarten,  Rev.  Patrick  Fa)-,  Rev.  John  Duggan,  Rev.  B. 
W.  Bray,  Rev.  John  Cooney,  and  the  present  rector,  Rev.  Michael  H.  May. 

St.  Andrew's  church  was  built  about  1854,  by  the  Rev.  Michael  McCabe. 
The  first  Catholic  marriage  solenmized  in  Colchester  was  that  of  Martin 
Minnick  and  Ann  Kearns,  Rev.  Christopher  Moore  performing  the  cere- 
mony. The  school  was  erected  during  the  administration  of  Father  Fay,  and 
is  conducted  by  lay  teachers,  whose  salaries  are  paid  by  the  town.  The  school 
is  under  the  full  control  of  the  pastor  of  St.  Andrew's,  and  has  at  present 
145  chiUiren.  The  present  population  of  St.  Andrew's  is  600  souls,  all  Irish 
and  their  descendants.  The  priests  who  have  labored  in  Si.  Andrew's  parish  in 
the  capacity  of  assistants  are  the  Rev.  J.  Winters,  the  Rev.  J.  Lee,  Rev.  D.  Bai- 
ley, Rev.  P.  McClean,  Rev.  J.  Sheehan,  Rev.  P.  Daly  and  Rev.  C.  McCann. 

Within  the  jurisdiction  of  St.  Andrew's  are  three  out-missions,  St. 
Bridget's,  Moodns,  ten  miles  distant.  The  church  was  built  in  the  seventies 
and  is  attended  by  about  400  souls,  for  whom  Mass  is  celebrated  every  Sun- 
day. The  Catholic  population  is  chiefly  Irish,  though  there  are  some  Poles. 
Attached  to  St.  Bridget's  is  a  cemetery. 

St.  Mary's  church,  Bozrahville,  was  built  in  1880,  six  and  a  half  miles  from 
Cc'"hester.  i\Iass  is  also  .said  here  every  Sunday.  The  estimated  number 
of  Cacholicsofthis  mission  is  200  souls.  St.  John's  church,  Fitchville,  was  built 
by  Rev.  John  Cooney  in  1S94,  and  is  ten  miles  from  the  ]iarochial  residence. 
The  population  here  also  is  chiefly  Irish,  and  numbers  300  souls.  They  also 
receive  every  Sunday  the  benefits  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice.  At  the  ceremony 
of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  St.  John's,  the  Rev.  Michael  Sullivan  preached 
the  sermon.  The  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Tierney,  the  Rev.  John 
Winters  preaching  the  di.scourse. 

The  marriage  and  baptismal  records  of  the  mission  churches  are  pre- 
served in  the  registers  of  the  mother  parish.  The  first  recorded  marriage  is 
the  following  :  "  November  i,  i860,  married,  James  Fenton  and  Anna  Sullivan. 
Witnesses,  John  Murphy  and  Mary  Shea.     (Signed)    P.  J.  Creighton." 

The  first  recorded  baptism  is:  "  October  25,  i860,  baptized,  Timothy,  born 
ijtli  October,  of  John  Sullivan  and  Mary  O'Kiely.  Sponsors,  Michael  Gorm- 
ley  and  Julia  Sullivan,  by  proxy  for  Catherine.     (Signed)    P.  J.  Creighton." 

PARISH    OF   OUR   LADY   OF   THE   ROSARY, 
Jkwett  City. 

(^  I  HE  first  Catholics  to  reside  in  Jewett  City  were  John  Dolan  and  Philip 
^  I  O'Reilly,  in  whose  houses  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Ma.ss  was  offered 
about  once  a  month.  The  first  Ma.ss,  however,  offered  within  the  bound- 
aries of  Jewett  City  was  celebrated  in  1857  by  the  Rev.  Michael  McCabe, 
pastor  of  Danielson.  At  this  time  the  Catholic  population  numbered  25 
families,  all   Irish.      After  the  organization  of  Moosup  into  a  parish.  Rev. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  411 

Fathers  Daly,  Quinn  and  Belanger  made  frequent  visits  to  Jewett  City.  Be- 
coming too  numerous  to  have  divine  service  in  private  houses,  the  Rev.  Father 
Quinn  purchased  from  the  Congregationalists  in  1864  their  house  of  worship, 
remodeled  it,  and  suitably  prepared  it  for  Catholic  worship.  In  1868  and  1869 
the  Catholics  of  Jewett  City  were  attended  by  the  Rev.  Father  Mullen  of  Nor- 
wich. Soon  after  it  passed  again  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Moosup.  The  first 
resident  pastor  of  Jewett  City  assumed  charge  in  1872,  and  was  the  Rev. 
James  B.  Reynolds  appointed  by  Bishop  McFarland.  His  parish  embraced  also 
the  missions  of  Taftville,  Occum  and  Voluntown.  Father  Reynolds  remained 
here  until  his  death  in  1875,  having  in  the  meantime  secured  the  Samuel 
Cole  estate  for  a  pastoral  residence.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Russell, 
who  seiA'ed  from  February,  1875,  to  June,  1878.  His  administration  was  marked 
by  the  enlargement  of  the  seating  capacity  of  the  church  at  Jewett  City,  and 
by  the  erection  of  churches  in  Taftville  and  Occum.  Following  Father 
Russell  came  the  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Joynt,  whose  period  of  service  here  began 
in  June,  1878,  and  terminated  in  June,  1883.  Father  Joynt  built  the  church 
at  Voluntown  and  the  rectory  in  Jewett  City. 

In  June,  1883,  the  mission  relationship  that  existed  between  Taftville  and 
Occum  and  Jewett  City  ceased,  and  the  two  former  places  were  erected  into 
independent  parishes.  The  Rev.  Francis  P.  O'Keefe  at  this  time  began  his 
pastoral  labors  in  Jewett  City,  having  within  his  jurisdiction  Voluntown  and 
Glasgo.  Recognizing  that  the  future  would  bring  new  and  greater  needs. 
Father  O'  Keefe  with  wise  foresight  purchased  the  Enoch  Hawkins  estate, 
which  will  be  used  as  the  necessities  demand.  The  church  at  Glasgo  was 
built  during  his  pastorate,  mainly  through  the  financial  and  other  assistance 
of  Mr.  Lucius  Briggs  of  the  town,  who  donated  the  land  and  contributed 
$500  to  the  building  fund.  In  February,  1892,  Voluntown  and  Glasgo  were 
separated  fronr  Jewett  City  and  elevated  to  the  parochial  dignity,  with  Volun- 
town as  tiie  place  of  residence. 

The  assistant  priests  who  served  at  various  times  in  Jewett  City  were 
Revs.  Thomas  Broderick,  Joseph  Foues,  John  Synnott,  Daniel  M.  Lawlorand 
Patrick  Kennedy.  When  the  parish  was  formed  in  1872,  its  population  was 
estimated  at  80  families,  chiefly  Irish;  at  present  there  are  550  Irish  people, 
and   1, 100  Canadians. 

The  cemetery  owned  by  the  parish  was  blessed  in  1883. 

ST.   JOHN'S    PARISH, 

MONTVILLE. 

v5|  HE  Rev.  James  P.  Connolly  was  the  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  John's 
'u;  church,  Montville.  He  began  his  parochial  labors  hereon  March  i, 
1887.  Prior  to  this  date  the  Catholics  of  this  town  were  served  by 
the  clergy  of  St.  Mary's  parish.  New  London.  Father  Connolly's  pastorate 
terminated  by  death  in  October,  1890,  and  his  successor  was  the  Rev.  Charles 
E.  McGovvan,  serving  until  December  10,  1894.  Father  McGowan  gave  way 
to  Rev.  James  P.  Ryle,  who  assumed  charge  on  that  date.  Shortly  after  his 
arrival  here  he  remodeled  the  rectory,  renovated  and  re-furnished  the  church, 


41-2  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  /.V  NEW  ENGLAND. 

erected  horse  sheds  and  a  barn,  liquidated  the  mortgage  indebtedness,  and 
paid,  moreover,  $i,ooo  of  floating  debts.  After  a  successful  pastorate  of 
nearly  four  years,  he  was  transferred  to  Westport  on  October  15,  1898.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  Morrill,  who  died  here  in  Jugie,  1899.  His 
successor,  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Patrick  J.  Kennedy,  immediately 
followed  in  succession  on  June  14th. 

The  parochial  residence  was  built  by  the  first  resident  pastor,  and  the 
church  was  enlarged  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick,  of  New 
London,  by  the  addition  of  a  transept.  Originally  a  part  of  Xew  London, 
Montville  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1876.  It  was  noted  as  the  home  of 
the  famous  Pequot  chief,  Uncas. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  PARISH, 

Mystic. 

(5  I  HE  first  Catholics  to  reside  in  Mystic  were  exiles,  being  eight  of  the 
*  I  four  hundred  Acadians  who  were  landed  at  New  Loudon  and  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  State  in  1756.  No  trace  of  Catholics  is  dis- 
covered after,  until  the  ship-building  interests  brought  some  Irish-Catholics 
hither.  Among  the  first  Irish  people  to  settle  here  were  James  Brahan 
and  Denis  Cradie.  The  few  Catholics  in  Mystic  attended  divine  worship  at 
Stonington  until  September,  1870,  when  St.  Patrick's  church  was  purchased 
by  Rev.  Patrick  Sherry,  of  Westerly,  from  the  Methodists.  After  making 
necessary  repairs,  the  church  was  dedicated  ou  October  30,  1870,  by  Bishop 
McFarland.  In  November,  1871,  Father  Sherry  was  called  to  his  reward. 
Mystic  and  Stonington  were  then  erected  into  a  parish  on  December  19,  1871, 
with  the  Rev.  Patrick  P.  Lawlor  as  resident  pastor. 

At  this  time  the  Catholic  population  numbered  about  450  souls  ;  at  the 
time  of  the  first  Mass  in  Mystic,  there  were  about  fifty  members  of  the  an- 
cient faith  in  the  town.  Father  Lawlor's  pastorate  ended  on  November  18, 
1872,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  Hart.  On  April  9,  1873, 
the  Rev.  John  Flemming  assumed  charge,  continuing  in  oflSce  until  his  suc- 
cessor, the  Rev.  J.  B.  Dougherty,  came  on  September  11,  1881.  Rev.  John  F. 
Murphy,  the  present  rector,  began  his  pastorate  on  September  19,  1895. 

St.  Patrick's  church  has  a  .seating  capacity  for  400  people,  its  original 
dimensions  being  50  ,by  35  feet.  The  splendid  organ  which  adorns  the 
choir-gallery,  was  put  in  during  the  administration  of  Father  Dougherty. 

Father  Murphy's  jurisdiction  embraces,  besides  Mystic,  Stonington,  West 
Mystic,  and  Noank.  The  entire  churcli  propert\-,  church  rectory  and  ceme- 
tery has  been  free  from  financial  encumbrance  for  many  years.  Writing  in 
1871,0!  Mystic,  the  Rev.  Father  Lawlor  said,  "  The  only  other  fact  of  interest 
that  strikes  me  often,  is,  that,  while  almost  every  other  place  is  prospering 
and  increasing  in  population,  this  is  decreasing.  Six  months  ago  there  were 
450  Catholics  in  Mystic,  to-day  there  are  about  300." 


REV.  J.  F.  MURPHY. 


REV.  AMBROSE  BRISCOE. 


REV.  MICHAEL  H.  MAY. 


(STThe 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  413 

ST.  MARY'S  (MISSION), 
Stonington. 


HE  first  Catholic  settlers  in  Stonington  were  all  Irish,  and  bore  the 
jl  familiar  names  of  McCarthy,  Sullivan,  Kirby,  Gilmore  and  Carr. 
The  three  first  came  here  about  1829,  and  the  other  two  in  1836. 
Kirby  was  a  brother  to  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Kirby,  late  rector  of  the 
Irish  college  at  Rome.  Kirby  taught  a  select  school.  Mass  was  first  said  in 
Stonington  by  Rev.  Father  Fitton,  about  1840,  offering  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
frequently  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Kirby.  The  first  resident  pastor  of  Stonington 
was  the  Rev.  Patrick  Duffy.  Prior  to  his  arrival,  the  people  were  served  by 
the  Rev.  John  Brady  of  Middletown.  St.  Mary's  church  was  erected  by  Father 
Duffy  in  185 1 ;  its  dimensions  were  60  by  40  feet,  and  it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop 
O'Reilly,  on  October  5,  185 1.  On  October  the  loth.  Bishop  O'Reilly  sent  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Ryan  to  Stonington,  giving  him  $425,  to  pay  the  mechanics  who 
did  the  carpenter  work  on  the  church.  On  the  i6th  of  the  same  month, 
the  Bishop  sent  the  Rev.  Father  O'Dowd  here,  as  we  gather  from  his 
journal.  Following  these  clergymen,  came  in  succession,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Drea,  Rev.  Peter  Kelly,  Rev.  John  Sheridan,  and  Rev.  Michael  O'Reilly. 
The  term  of  Father  Drea's  pastorate  was  about  five  years,  that  of  Father 
Kelly  a  few  months  only.  Father  Sheridan  assumed  charge  in  November, 
1858,  and  served  until  1859.  Father  O'Reilly  removed  the  pastoral  residence 
from  Stonington  to  Westerly  in  1861,  with  which  Stonington  assumed  mis- 
sion relations.  Thereafter  for  ten  years,  until  the  death  of  Father  Sherry, 
and  for  a  brief  period  by  Father  Fitzpatrick,  Stonington  was  attended  by 
the  clergy  of  Westerly.  In  December,  1871,  Stonington  was  attached  to 
Mystic,  and  since  then  has  been  served  by  the  pastors  thereof. 

During  Father  Dougherty's  pastorate  the  church  was  partially  destroyed 
by  fire,  but  was  rebuilt  and  beautifully  renovated.  The  Stations  of  the  Cross 
were  erected  and  a  fine  organ  placed  in  the  church,  also  by  the  Rev.  Father 
Dougherty.  Like  their  brethren  of  Mystic,  the  entire  church  property  of  the 
Catholics  of  Stonington  is  free  from  indebtedness. 

It  will  not  be  without  a  degree  of  interest  to  append  herewith  a  list  of 
the  contributions  paid  to  Bishop  Tyler  on  January  14,  1848,  as  a  nucleus  of 
the  building  fund : 

John  Goniian $1  00  Margaret  McMahon....$i  00     John  Drinen $\  00 

James  O'Brien i  00  John  Keegan i  00      Peter  Ducey i  00 

Felix  McCarth}' i  00  Thomas  Gihnore i  00      Ann  Gearm i  00 

John  Corcoran i  00  Thomas  Donnelly i  00      Owen  Hore i  00 

Eliza  Gorman i  00  Walter  Simons 25      Thos.  Cosgrove i  00 

John  McCarthy i  00  Bridget  O'Neil 50      Charles  Mealy ...  i  00 

John  Murphy i  00  Jnlia  Shaw 50     Jas.  Gilmore 1  00 

Catherine  Cune i  00  Thomas  Fay i  00      Owen  McCloskci' i  00 

Richard  Lynch i  00  Ellen  McDonald i  00      Ann  Burns i  00 

Patrick  Murphy i  00  Patrick  Carpenter i  00 

Patrick  Maher i  00  Edward  Cox i  00 


414  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  PARISH, 

Norwich. 

"I^TNORWICH,  like  many  of  her  sister  towns  in  Connecticut,  had  Catholic 
I  ^=M  people  residing  within  her  limits  in  the  last,  as  well  as  in  the  begin- 
_Ls  \^  "i"g  of  tlie  present  century.  Though  such  names  as  Tracy 
(1687),  Kelly  (1716),  Kirby  (1721),  and  Kennedy  (1730)  appear 
on  the  town  records,  there  is  no  evidence  that  their  owners  professed  the 
Catholic  faith.  In  January,  1756,  the  first  Catholics,  certainly  known  to  be 
such,  came  here,  not  voluntarily,  but  by  virtue  of  legislative  enactment. 
They  were  a  part  of  the  400  Acadians  who  were  landed  at  New  London. 
Nineteen  were  assigned  to  Norwich,  but  as  240  of  these  exiles  were  taken 
back  to  Quebec  in  1767,  it  is  probable  they  were  among  the  number  returned. 
The  historian  of  Norwich,  Miss  M.  F.  Caulkins,  asserts  that  a  priest  was  with 
the  Acadians  at  Norwich,  and  returned  to  Canada  with  them;  if  .so,  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  was^ probably  offered  by  this  faithful  .sliepherd  for  his  e.xiled  flock. 

Eleven  years  after  the  return  of  the  refugees  to  their  former  home  we 
note  the  presence  of  a  large  body  of  Catholics  in  Norwich.  In  1778  a  detach- 
ment of  the  French  army  spent  fifteen  days  here  on  account  of  illness  that 
had  broken  out  among  them.'  "  They  had  their  tents  spread  upon  the  plain, 
while  the  sick  were  quartered  in  the  court-house,  .\bout  twenty  died  and 
were  buried  each  side  of  the  lane  that  led  into  the  old  burying  ground.  No 
stones  were  set  up,  and  the  ground  was  soon  smoothed  over  so  as  to  leave  no 
trace  of  the  narrow  tenements  below."  Lafayette  and  De  Lauzun  were  here 
during  the  Revolution,  and  the  former  visited  Norwich  on  August  21,  1824. 

The  Rev.  John  Thayer,  former]}'  a  Congregationalist  minister,  now  ap- 
pears upon  the  scene.  He  came  hither  as  a  missionary  priest,  seeking  the 
few  Catholics  who  were  scattered  throughout  the  State.  His  visit  to  Norwich 
is  thus  described  by  a  local  newspaper  of  November  14,  1793  : 

"On  Friday  last,  Mr.  John  Thayer,  Catholic  missionarj-,  delivered  to  a  large  aud- 
ience at  the  Rev.  Joseph  Strong's  meeting-house  in  this  city,  a  learned  and  ingenious 
discourse,  in  which  he  undertook  to  prove  that  tlie  Catholic  church  was  the  only  true 
church  of  Christ.  On  Sunday  evening  following,  at  the  same  place,  he  delivered  a  dis- 
course on  the  propriety  and  true  piety  of  invoking  departed  saints  and  the  utilitj*  and 
efficiency  of  addressing  prajers  to  them." 

The  Catholics  who  next  entered  Norwicli  came  like  the  Acadians,  under 
compulsion.  They  were  refugees  from  San  Domingo  and  were  brought 
hither  as  prisoners  of  war. 

"In  September,  iSoo,  the  U.S.  ship  '  Trunibull,'  Captain  Jewett,  returning  from 
a  cruise  against  the  French,  came  into  New  London  harbor  with  a  prize  vessel  of  ten 
guns,  called  '  La  Vengeance,'  which  had  been  taken  near  the  port  of  Jacqueniel  in  the 
West  Indies,  with  140  persons  on  board.  These  were  delivered  over  to  the  authorities  as 
prisoners  of  war,  and  seventeen  of  them  sent  to  prison,  where  they  remained  about  six 
months.' 

'  Historv  of  Norwich. 

'Eighty-four  were  sent  to  Hartford  ;  the  rem.^inder  were  retained  in  Xew  London. 


REV.  JOHN  SYNNOTT. 


REV.  HUGH  TREANOR. 


REV.  JAMES  J.  SMITH. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  415 

"The  terrific  war  of  the  races,  French,  Spaniards  and  Africans  struggling-  for  dom- 
inion, had  made  fearful  havoc  in  St.  Domingo,  and  at  this  period  Gen.  Rigaud  was  at  the 
head  of  one  party  and  the  African  chief,  Toussaint  of  the  other.  The  latter  had  laid  siege 
to  Jacquemel,  which  was  about  to  surrender,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants,  apprehensive 
that  an  indiscriminate  sack  and  slaughter  would  follow,  fled  with  what  little  property 
they  could  carrj-  with  them  to  the  vessels  in  the  harbor  for  safety.  It  was  one  of  these 
vessels  endeavoring  to  reach  Cuba  with  its  throng  of  exiles  that  was  taken  by  the 
'  Trumbull.' 

"  The  prisoners  were  natives  of  St.  Domingo,  partly  of  French  origin,  but  with  a 
large  admixture  of  African  blood.  Thej'  were  mostly  civil  officers,  captains  of  barges, 
merchants  and  their  servants,  and  though  nominally  of  Rigaud's  party,  thej-  had  taken 
no  active  part  in  the  contest,  and  might  reasonably  have  expected  that  an  American  ship 
would  humanely  favor  their  flight,  rather  than  plunder  them  of  their  goods  and  carry 
them  into  captivity. 

"  The  prisoners  sent  to  Norwich  were  treated  with  compassionate  kindness.  They 
had  the  privilege  of  the  gaol  limits  and  were  allowed  to  stroll  from  house  to  house. 
Wholesome  food  and  comfortable  winter  garments  were  provided  for  them.  Dr.  Philemon 
Tracy,  who  attended  them  as  their  physician,  apprehending  that  they  would  suffer 
from  the  rigors  of  a  cold  climate,  made  great  exertions  to  procure  their  immediate  release. 
It  was  not,  however,  till  March,  iSoi,  that  the  government  virtually  condemned  their 
capture  by  ordering  their  free  discharge  and  furnishing  them  with  transportation  home. 

"  Some  of  these  exiles  were  men  of  education  and  ability.  One  of  them  had  been  a 
justice  of  the  peace:  another,  a  young  mulatto  of  manly  and  dignified  deportment,  was 
afterward  the  able  and  discreet  President  of  the  Republic  of  Hayti.  He  was  then  about 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  having  already  attained  considerable  rank  in  the  order  of 
Freemasons,  he  was  boarded  while  in  Norwich,  at  the  expense  of  the  JMasonic  I^odge,  in 
a  private  family.  Most  of  his  leisure  time  he  emploj'ed  in  perfecting  himself  in  the 
English  language,  and  at  his  departure  he  cut  from  a  piece  of  his  linen  his  name,  marked 
at  full  length, /t'(7«  Pierre  Boyer,  and  gave  it  to  one  of  the  young  members  of  the  family 
that  had  assisted  him  in  his  lessons.  '  Keep  this,'  he  said,  '  and  perhaps,  some  day,  j'ou 
ma}'  send  it  to  me  in  a  letter,  and  I  will  remember  you." 

"The  lad  lost  his  mark,  but  nearly  twenty  years  afterward.  President  Boyer,  then 
at  the  head  of  the  Haytien  Republic,  made  inquiries  of  certain  Norwich  ship-masters 
respecting  his  former  friends,  and  sent  a  handsome  gratuitj-  to  the  two  families  in  which 
he  had  been  treated  with  special  kindness."  ' 

Thenceforth,  we  find  no  trace  of  Catholics  in  Norwich  until  1824,  when 
we  discover  the  name  of  Edward  Murphy,  the  only  Irishman  in  a  population 
of  4000.  Probably  he  was  the  first  of  the  Catholics  of  later  days  to  come  to 
Norwich. 

It  is  traditional  that  the  Rev.  James  Fitton  paid  a  missionary  visit  to 
Norwich  in  1831.  The  tradition  places  no  strain  upon  our  belief,  as  the  ener- 
getic priest  visited  this  section  of  the  State,  New  London,  on  October  19, 
1 83 1,  and  on  September  21,  1835.  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  infer  that  on  one, 
and,  perhaps,  on  all  of  these  visitations.  Father  Fitton  sought  out  the  few 
Catholics  of  Norwich  also.  However,  there  are  records  extant  which  prove  the 
presence  of  Fatlier  Fitton  in  Norwich  in  1838.  The  first  record  of  baptism 
administered  here  is  that  of  Catharine,  daughter  of  John  and  Eleanor  Con- 
nolly, born  June  8,  1835,  and  baptized  May  15,  1836,  Father  Fitton  perform- 
ing the  ceremony.  The  sponsors  were  Thomas  Connolly  and  Judy  Donnelly. 
The  first  male  child  to  receive  bajDtism  was  James,  son  of  David  and  Johanna 

'  History  of  Norwich. 


416  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Shaughnessy,  born  on  August  i8,  1836,  and  baptized  on  the  21st.  The  first 
marriage  ceremony  performed  by  Father  Fitton  liere  was  on  June  30,  1840, 
the  contracting  parties  being  John  Savage  and  Mary  Melvin. 

Upon  the  transfer  of  Father  Fitton  to  Worcester  in  1836,  Norwich  was 
attended  from  there  by  this  pioneer  missionary.  He  came  at  stated  intervals, 
saying  Mass  and  otherwise  ministering  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  his  flock.  The 
building  of  the  Norwich  and  Worcester  railroad  considerably  augmented  the 
Catholic  population  here.  Father  Fitton  informs  us  that  he  held  religious 
services  on  the  Norwich  road  "in  shanties  or  in  groves  and  but  few  per- 
manent stations  were  established." 

In  1843/  the  number  of  Catholics  had  so  increased  that  Father  Fit- 
ton  determined  to  erect  a  house  of  worship.  He  selected  a  lot  "mid- 
way between  "  Norwich  and  Greenville  in  order  to  accommodate  the  people 
of  both  places.  The  foundations  were  laid  in  September,  1844,  and  the  building 
was  sufficiently  completed  to  permit  the  offering  of  the  Holy  .Sacrifice  of  tlie 
Mass  on  December  25th,  of  that  year.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  persons  assisted 
at  this  service.  Work  on  the  church  was  continued,  and  its  permanent  occu- 
pancy began  on  March  17,  1845.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  honor  of  the 
Mother  of  God,  under  the  title  of  St.  Mary's. 

In  May,  1845,  Father  Fitton  severed  his  relations  with  Norwich,  which 
again  passed  under  the  care  of  Hartford,  Rev.  John  Brady,  pastor,  who  at- 
tended it  until  184S,  when  Bishop  Tyler  came  in  person  for  a  brief  period. 
The  Bishop  relinquished  personal  care  of  Norwich  in  November  of  that 
year,  and  Rev.  William  Logan,  S.  J.,  and  Rev.  Peter  Blenkinsop,  S.  J.,  of  Holy 
Cross  College,  received  charge  of  St.  Mary's,  the  former  serving  until  May, 
1850,  the  latter  from  this  time  until  August,  1851.  In  the  meantime,  the 
Catholic  population  was  increasing  rapidly,  so  that  when  Rev.  Daniel  Kelly 
succeeded  Father  Blenkinsop  as  the  first  resident  pastor,  the  Catholics  num- 
bered well  nigh  3000  souls.  In  1854,  Father  Kelly  enlarged  the  church 
which  had  been  erected  in  1843.  On  June  26,  1853,  Bishop  O'Reilly  made  a 
visitation  of  Norwich  and  administered  confirmation  to  190  persons.  In  the 
following  year,  April  22,  the  Bishop  arrived  at  Norwich  for  another  visitation, 
of  which  he  thus  wrote  in  his  journal:  ".?jrrt',  Tuesday:  Confirmed  at  Norwich 
75  and  preached  four  times ;  succeeded  in  settling  diflSculties  between  the 
pastor  and  a  few  of  the  people  ;  all  reconciled.  Was  much  pleased  with  this 
visitation  ;  a  pa.storal  residence  has  been  purchased  since  the  last  visitation  at 
the  expense  of  $900;   debt  on  church  about  $1300." 

The  difficulties  mentioned  by  Bishop  O'Reilly  were  renewed  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  with  greater  intensity  of  feeling.  Visiting  Norwich  on  May 
15,  1855,  the  Bi.shop  again  became  involved  in  the  controversy  between  the 
pastor  and  a  few  of  the  parishioners.  We  quote  again  from  his  journal  : 
'■'■  i6lh:  Wrote  a  petition  to  the  legislature  adverse  to  the  prayer  of  seven 
poor  Catholics  who  petitioned  for  a  change  in  the  tenure  of  the  church  prop- 

'  Tlie  building  of  tlie  Norwich  and  Worcester  road  brought  the  first  pennanent  set- 
tlers to  Norwich,  who  built  settlements  of  shanties,  the  ruins  of  which  are  yet  to  be  .seen 
on  the  line  of  the  road,  the  extrcma  vcstii^ia  of  the  first  sad  exodus  of  the  famine  days. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  417 

erty."  The  trouble  had  its  origin  in  the  disposition  of  the  moneys  received  from 
the  sale  of  lots  in  the  cemetery  which  was  contiguous  to  the  church.  Like 
church  i^roperty  in  general,  this  burial  ground  was  purchased  with  money  con- 
tributed by  the  parishioners.  The  price  of  lots  four  feet  wide  by  eight  feet  long 
was  gS.oo,  except  the  purchaser  was  one  of  the  original  contributors,  in  which 
case  he  was  entitled  to  a  reduction  of  gi.oo  on  the  price  mentioned.  The  pas- 
tor. Rev.  Father  Kelly,  used  a  portion  of  the  money  thus  received  for  legitimate 
church  purposes,  but  the  seven  malcontents — none  others  gave  countenance  to 
their  protest — sought  to  control  this  money  in  ways  conformable  to  their  own 
ideas.  Another  source  of  the  difficulty  was  the  renting  of  pews  at  the  two  Masses. 
Bishop  O'Reilly's  counter  petition  to  the  lyegislature  was  as  follows: 

To  THE  Honorable  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  now  in 

SESSION  AT  Hartford  : 

The  undersigned,  citizens  of  Norwich,  and  members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  in  that 
city,  have  been  apprized  through  the  newspapers,  that  a  petition  is  now  pending  before 
your  honorable  bod}',  signed  by  William  T.  Brown,  and  six  other  persons,  stj-ling  them- 
selves Catholics,  and  praying  for  the  enactment  of  a  law  changing  the  tenure  b^'  which 
the  property  of  that  Church  is  now  held  in  this  State  :  and  they  take  this  method  to  re- 
monstrate against  the  granting  by  your  honorable  body  of  the  prayer  of  said  petition. 

The  signers  of  said  petition  are  nominally  members  of  the  Catholic  denomination, 
but  are,  we  conscientiously  believe,  hostile  to  its  best  interests  and  inimical  to  its  pros 
perity  and  advancement.  It  is,  we  think,  in  that  spirit,  and  not  from  any  sincere  regard 
for  the  Catholic  religion  or  the  welfare  of  the  Catholic  Church,  that  they  have  brought 
their  petition  before  j'ou.  Excepting  them,  we  know  of  no  person  calling  himself  a 
Catholic,  in  this  city,  who  does  not  deprecate  the  attempt  which  they  are  making  to 
procure  through  your  interposition,  a  change  in  the  tenure  by  which  the  property  of  the 
Catholic  Church  is  now  held. 

We  would  also  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  notwithstanding  the  said  petition 
prays  for  legislative  action  in  regard  to  the  entire  property  held  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Catholic  Church  in  this  State,  even  to  the  extent  of  vacating  the  titles  under  which  the 
same  is  held,  no  notice  of  the  intention  to  prefer  the  petition  was  ever  given  to  the 
public,  nor  was  the  sariie  ever  served  upon  an}-  of  the  parties  whose  rights  are  b)'  the 
petitioners  sought  to  be  invaded,  if  not  entirely  destroyed.  It  seems  to  us  that  such 
notice  ought  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  have  been  given  in  order  that  those  who  are  in- 
terested in  the  question  might  have  appeared  before  you  in  a  suitable  state  of  prepara- 
tion, to  show  reasons  whj-  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  should  not  be  granted.  And 
we  think,  moreover,  that  the  tenth  section  of  "  An  Act  relating  to  the  General  Assembly," 
requires  such  notice  to  have  been  given.  In  this  state  of  things  we  cannot  believe  that 
3'our  honorable  body  will  take  cognizance  of  a  petition  like  the  one  under  consideration, 
signed  as  it  is,  by  only  seven  persons,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  and  feelings  of  the 
great  body  of  our'Church,  especiallj' as  by  doing  so  a  serious  wrong  will  be  inflicted 
upon  us. 

We  believe  that  the  change  in  the  law  contemplated  by  the  petitioners  would  be 
productive  of  no  good,  but  would  work  serious  injury  to  us  as  a  religious  bod}\  This  is 
the  view  entertained  by  every  member  of  our  communion  who  has  the  good  of  our 
Church  at  heart  and  claims  to  be  called  a  Catholic.  In  remonstrating,  therefore,  a^-ainst 
the  granting,  by  your  honorable  body,  of  the  passage  of  said  petition,  we  ask  nothing 
more  than  that  we  may  be  permitted  as  heretofore  to  manage  our  Church  affairs  in  our 
own  way,  and  in  the  manner  which  we  may  deem  most  beneficial. 

Norivich,  IMay  i6,  1855. 

This  remonstrance  was  signed   by  several   hundred  parishioners,    thus 
II — 27 


418  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

showing  that  the  great  majority  of  the  members  of  the  parish  were  not  in 
sympathy  with  the  alleged  reform  movement. 

Father  Kelly  remained  at  Norwich  fifteen  years,  leaving  in  August,  1866, 
having  been  transferred  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  exchange  with  the  Rev. 
Peter  Kelly.  Father  Kelly's  death  occurred  at  Thomasville,  Georgia,  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1877.  "To  say  that  Father  Kelly  was  universalh'  beloved  by  the 
people  of  Norwich,"  wrote  a  contemporary,  "who  were  for  years  under  his 
charge,  is  to  express  but  feebly  and  imperfectly  the  affection,  veneration  and 
esteem  with  which  they  regarded  him.  During  his  long  residence  here  his 
existence  was  completely  merged  in  that  of  his  people.  Their  welfare  was  his; 
their  interests  his ;  their  sorrows  his.  He  never  complained  of  too  great 
or  of  too  onerous  labors,  although  he  frequently  undertook  more  than  one 
mortal  could  possibly  accomplish  in  a  life-time.  While  his  inclination  often 
out-stripped  his  strength,  he  was  never  wholly  baffled.  His  hands  were  ever- 
tendered  to  lift  his  people's  burdens  ;  his  sympathies  were  ever  ready — 

'To  fly  I':ast  or  West 
Which  ever  way  besought  them.' 

"His  actions  were  constantly  characterized  by  that  sincere  charity  which 
is  ever  indissolubly  allied  to  kindness.  To  elevate  and  refine  his  congrega- 
tion, religiously  and  socially,  was  through  life  his  highest  aim.  He  con- 
stantly endeavored  to  appreciate  and  suitably  reward  the  meritorious,  while 
his  benevolent  aid  was  never  withheld  from  any  person  by  whom  it  was 
sought.  In  his  exhortations  to  his  people,  mildness  and  force  were  invariably 
mim'-led.  Towards  offenders  his  deportment  was  so  firm,  but  withal  so  tender, 
that  even  his  checks  and  frowns  had  grace  and  favor  in  them."  ' 

Shortly  after  Rev.  Peter  Kelly's  arrival  in  Norwich  he  purchased  two 
lots  on  Church  street  commanding  the  Thames  river,  paying  therefor  g  10,000. 
Intending  to  erect  a  suitable  church  for  the  growing  needs  of  his  congrega- 
tion, he  broke  ground  on  March  17,  1867  ;  but  as  the  ecclesiastical  authorities 
deemed  the  site  unsuitable,  it  was  abandoned.  Father  Kelly's  pastorate 
ended  on  July  27,  1867. 

Though  Father  Kelly's  administration  in  Norwich  was  but  of  a  year's 
duration,  he  had  gained  the  profound  affection  of  all  his  parishioners. 
"  Ovid's  line, 

'  Non  illo  melior  quisquam,  nee  Amantior  aequi  et  \'ir  fuit,' 

most  appropriately  defines  Rev.  Peter  Kelly's  character  in  life.  Love  of  jus- 
tice and  right  were  the  distinctive  qualities  of  all  his  deeds.  A  kind  and 
genial  disposition,  unsullied  purity  and  simplicity  of  manners  ;  unaffected 
wisdom  and  inward  greatness,  combined  with  the  most  persuasive  eloquence, 
won  for  him  subtle  influence  over  all  hearts,  which  rendered  his  mission  in 
Norwich  so  satisfactory  and  successful." 

After  the  retirement  of  Father  Kelly  he  was  succeeded  for  brief  periods 
by  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tully,  whose  pastorate  was  of  a  few  months'  duration 
only,  and   the  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  then  Chancellor  of  the  dioce.se,  who 

>  Connectiait  Catholic  Year  Book,  1877. 


ST.    PATRICK'S   CHURCH, 
Norwich,   Conn. 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  419 

remained  in  charge  until  January  20,  1868,  when  the  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen  suc- 
ceeded to  the  administration.  Father  Mullin  had  been  chaplain  for  a  time  of 
the  Nintli  Regiment  of  Connecticut  Volunteers. 

The  erection  of  a  new  church  was  the  all-absorbing  topic  among  the 
parisliioners  Project  after  project  was  abandoned  and  the  people  began  to  lose 
hope  of  witnessing  the  fulfillment  of  their  desires.  Father  Mullen,  however, 
having  given  the  matter  mature  consideration,  and  acting  for  the  best  interests 
of  tlie  parish,  made  selection  of  a  lot  on  Broadway,  which  jvith  the  buildings 
on  the  premises,  was  secured  for  5i7)000.  "This  location  was  chosen,  not 
only  on  account  of  its  beautiful  surroundings,  but  also  because  of  its  being  so 
near  the  centre  of  the  scattered  parish,  which  extended  from  the  village  of 
Yantic  on  the  north  to  Thamesville  on  the  south  and  west,  and  Greenville 
and  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Creston  on  the  east." 

Work  was  begun  immediately  by  the  breaking  of  ground  on  March  17, 
1870,  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  A\G.,  taking  out  the  first  shovelful  of  earth 
in  the  presence  of  the  pastor,  the  city  and  town  officials,  and  a  large  concourse 
of  people.  A  building  fund  was  then  established  in  order  to  render  more 
certain  a  continuation  of  the  work,  and  on  Good  Friday,  April  7,  1871,  the 
men  of  the  congregation,  preceded  by  a  band  of  music,  with  horses  and  carts, 
shovels  and  picks  and  other  implements  of  labor,  marched  to  the  site  of  the 
church  and  commenced  the  work  of  excavation.  The  work  on  the  cellar  was 
completed  after  three  days  of  unremitting  toil.  Work  on  the  foundations  now 
began,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Patrick,  on 
July  13,  1873,  in  the  presence  of  the  civic  dignitaries  and  many  thousands 
of  spectators.  The  contributions  on  this  occasion  realized  over  $10,000,  the 
largest  ever  received  at  a  similar  ceremony.  The  work  of  construction  was 
pushed  vigorously  until  the  death  of  Father  Mullen,  which  occurred  on  March 
3,  1878.  The  funeral  services  were  held  in  St.  Patrick's  church,  Hartford,  on 
Tuesday,  the  5th,  the  following  clergymen  officiating:  Celebrant  of  the  Mass, 
Very  Rev.  James  Hughes  ;  deacon,  Rev.  P.  Fay,  Colchester ;  sub-deacon.  Rev. 
T.  Coleman,  Norwich  ;  master  of  ceremonies,  Rev.  M.  Galligan,  Hartford. 
The  Right  Re\'.  Bishop  of  Springfield  pronounced  the  funeral  oration  from 
the  text — "Lord,  the  servant  whom  Thou  loved,  is  dead."  The  absolution 
was  pronounced  by  Bishop  Galberry.  Previous  to  the  celebration  of  the  Mass 
a  delegation  from  Norwich  waited  on  Bishop  Galberry,  expressing  the  desire 
of  their  congregation  to  have  Father  Mullen's  remains  interred  in  their  cem- 
etery. The  bishop  replied  that  it  was  Father  Mullen's  expressed  wish  to  be 
buried  in  Hartford.  Father  Mullen's  remains  rest  among  those  of  his  rela- 
tives in  Mt.  St.  Benedict's  cemetery,  Hartford. 

The  Rev.  P.  P.  Shahau  then  became  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  and  took 
charge  of  the  parish  on  Sunday,  March  17,  1878.  When  Father  Shahau 
became  pastor  the  church  walls,  roof  and  towers  were  completed  to  the 
ridge-pole.  He  immediately  entered  upon  the  work  of  completing  the  entire 
church.  The  first  Mass  offered  up  in  the  new  temple  was  celebrated  upon  St. 
Patrick's  day,  1879,  and  the  solemn  ceremony  of  dedication  was  performed  on 
September  28th  of  the  same  year.    The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by 


.^ 


420  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Bisliop  McMahon,  assisted  by  Very  Rev.  T.  Walsh,  V.G.,  and  Very  Rev.  P.  \. 
Kavanagh,  C.  M.  Solemn  Pontifical  Mass  was  celebrated  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
with  the  Re\s.  James  Campljell  and  T.  P.  Joynt  deacons  of  honor,  Very 
Rev.  Tliomas  Walsli,  V. G.,  assistant  priest;  Revs.  Denis  Daley,  Suspension 
Bridge,  N.  Y.,  deacon;  Peter  Kennedy,  Birmingham,  sub-deacon;  Fathers 
Murphy  and  Farrell,  masters  of  ceremonies;  Father  Ru.ssell,  Nor\vich,  censer- 
bearer.  His  Eminence,  Cardinal  Gibbons,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  preached 
the  sermon,  taking  his  text  from  the  fourth  chapter  of  St.  Paul's  epistle  to  the 
Ephesians.  Solemn  Pontifical  \'espers  were  celebrated  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
and  the  discourse  was  pronounced  by  Bishop  Shanahan,  of  Harrisburg 

During  tlie  evening  services.  Rev.  James  Fitton,  the  missionary  pioneer, 
gave  some  interesting  reminiscences  of  the  early  growth  of  Catliolicity  in 
Norwich,  a  part  of  which  we  herewith  append  : 

"A  pastor  (himself)  once  had  for  his  parish  the  districts  lying  between  Bos- 
ton and  New  York,  and  was  occasionally  called  to  visit  the  sick  iu  New  Hamp- 
shire, Vermont,  and  Rhode  Island,  and  while  thus  traveling  abroad  in  1S33  he 
discovered  two  or  three  Catholics  in  Norwich.  It  was  not  so  encouraging 
then  to  build  a  church  as  now.  But  I  notice  that  where  you  find  one  Cath- 
olic, you  will  soon  find  another,  and  so  here  they  went  on  increasing  until 
there  were  twelve,  when  a  prie.st  first  came  here  and  offered  Mass  in  a 
house.  The  first  Mass  was  said  in  the  third  story  of  an  old  Ijuilding  so 
weak  that  the  weight  of  the  congregation  gave  rise  to  apprehensions  that 
we  should  all  fall  through  to  the  cellar,  and  this  fear  prompted  us  in  buying 
a  lot,  and,  that  there  might  be  no  jealousy,  we  secured  it  in  the  middle  of  the 
parish.  We  paid  $300  for  the  lot  and  put  up  a  shanty  with  the  earth  for  the 
floor,  and  then  there  was  no  danger  of  falling  through.  This  was  in  a  place 
now  called  Tourney  town.  The  subscription  books  were  opened,  and  $163  was 
subscribed  the  first  day.  William  Touniey  was  a  devoted  Irish  Catholic,  the 
richest  among  tlie  first  congregation.  He  subscribed  $30;  the  ne.xt  in  wealth 
$10,  and  some  $1  each.  The  church  and  lot  cost  $1,300.  We  had  shutters 
to  the  windows,  and  there  was  no  danger  of  the  gla,ss  being  broken.  On 
December  25,  1842,  the  first  holy  Mass  was  offered  in  a  church  in  this  town, 
and  it  was  not  much  like  the  present  edifice,  yet  we  were  glad  that  we  had  a 
church  ;  and  from  that  date  Catholicism  has  gone  on  spreading  itself,  not  by 
the  power  of  wealth,  but  by  the  grace  of  God." 

After  Vespers  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  and  the  visiting  prelates  were 
serenaded  at  the  pastoral  residence  by  the  Norwich  City  Band,  and  an  address 
of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Judge  Shields. 

Other  works  than  the  completion  of  the  magnificent  church  edifice  sig- 
nalized the  pastorate  of  Father  Shahan,  such  as  the  purchase  of  the  present 
parochial  residence,  the  transforming  of  the  old  rectory  into  an  academy,  the 
erection  of  St.  Patrick's  parochial  school  and  convent  at  an  outlay  of  $43,000, 
the  grading  of  the  church  grounds  and  the  laying  of  walks,  which  contribute 
materially  to  the  beauty  of  the  parochial  property. 

After  a  pastorate  of  fourteen  years  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Peter 
M.  Kennedy  on  February  i,  1892.     Father  Kennedy  converted  the  old  pas- 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  421 

toral  residence  that  adjoined  St.  Mary's  church,  in  Greenville,  into  a  primary 
school,  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  over  150  children.  The  church 
indebtedness  was  reduced  during  his  administration  many  thousand  dollars 
The  old  historic  church,  vSt.  Mary's,  was  served  with  two  Masses  every  Sun- 
day, and  the  succursal  chapel  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  in  Norwichtown,  was  also 
attended.  Fatlier  Kennedy's  assistants  were  Rev.  John  Neale,  Rev.  F.  M. 
Murray,  Rev.  R.  J.  Fitzgerald,  D.D.  The  present  assistants  are  Revs.  John 
P.  Neale  and  W.  Bellerose.  Father  Kennedy's  successful  pastorate  of  over 
five  years  expired  on  November  21,  1897.  The  present  rector,  the  Rev.  Hugh 
Treanor,  assumed  control  of  the  parish  on  November  26th,  of  the  same  year. 
Since  Father  Treanor's  advent  the  Sacred  Heart  chapel,  Norwichtown,  which 
was  begun  under  the  pastorate  of  Father  Kennedy,  was  dedicated.  It  is  an 
attractive  edifice  of  pressed  brick  and  is  adorned  with  a  beautiful  marble 
altar,  the  donation  of  a  lady  of  St.  Patrick's  parish. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S   (MISSION)   CHURCH, 

OCCL'M. 

fHIS  mission  comprises  the  two  villages  of  Occum  and  Versailles,  the 
former  being  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Shetucket  river,  and  the  latter 
on  the  left.  Occum  is  located  in  the  town  of  Norwich,  and  Versailles 
in  the  towns  of  Lisbon  and  Sprague. 

In  1845  four  or  five  Catholics  came  to  labor  on  a  dam  which  was  being 
built  at  Occum,  but  remained  only  a  short  time.  At  this  period  an  inexcus- 
able prejudice  against  Catholics  existed  here,  and  though  few,  and  as  intelli- 
gent and  loyal  as  their  tormentors,  they  were  given  to  imderstahd  that  their 
departure  would  be  a  boon  highly  prized. 

The  earliest  Catholics  to  settle  in  Occum  were  John  McCarthy  and  Mrs. 
Margaret  Reilly,  who  came  in  1847.  With  their  families  they  came  to  labor 
in  a  small  cotton  factory,  which  had  been  built  in  Versailles  about  this  time 
by  a  Mr.  Bachelor.  In  1864  a  cotton  mill  was  built  in  Occum,  and  soon  after- 
wards Catholics  came  here  and  established  homes. 

The  first  Mass  said  in  this  mission  was  celebrated  at  Versailles,  in  the 
town  of  Lisbon,  in  the  residence  of  J.  McCarthy,  by  Rev.  Father  De  Bruycker, 
of  Willimantic,  early  in  January,  1867.  About  fifty  persons  were  present  at 
this  Mass.  For  some  time  after  this  Mass  was  said  here  every  three  months 
by  the  pastor  of  Willimantic.  On  the  intervening  Sundays  the  faithful 
assisted  at  divine  worship  at  Baltic. 

The  first  Mass  offered  up  in  Occum  was  celebrated  by  Rev.  J.  Reynolds 
in  Parent's  hall,  in  January,  1873.  Mass  was  said  in  this  hall  afterwards 
every  two  weeks  until  the  erection  of  the  church.  When  Father  Russell  was 
appointed  pastor  of  Jewett  City  he  began  preparations  for  the  erection  of  a 
church  in  Occum.  The  people  were  unanimous  in  declaring  for  the  project, 
and  contributions  of  the  most  encouraging  kind  began  to  flow  in.  The 
church  was  completed  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Galberry  on  September  22, 
1878,  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Joyut  preaching 
the  sermon  in  French,  and  Rev.  Flor.  de  Bruycker  in  English.     At  this  time 


422  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Occum  had  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Baltic,  Rev.  Father  Van  del 
Noort,  pastor.  The  extreme  length  of  the  church  is  78  feet;  the  distance 
between  the  altar-rail  and  the  inner  door  is  55  feet ;  the  extreme  width  is  39 
feet. 

The  first  resident  Catholics  of  Occum  were  under  the  spiritual  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  pastor  of  Norwich.  When  a  resident  pastor  was  appointed  to 
Willimantic,  Occum  was  assigned  to  his  care.  It  was  detached  from  Willi- 
mantic  and  added  to  Jewett  City,  when  the  first  resident  priest  of  the  latter 
place.  Rev.  Father  Reynolds,  was  appointed  on  January  15,  1873.  Father 
Reynolds  died  on  January  i,  1875. 

In  succession  to  Father  Reynolds,  Rev.  Joliu  Russell  was  appointed  pas- 
tor of  Jewett  City  on  January  20,  1875.  After  the  transfer  of  Father  Russell 
to  Norvvalk,  Occum  reverted  to  the  care  of  Father  \'an  der  Noort,  the  pastor 
of  Baltic. 

On  February  8,  1886,  Occum  was  made  a  parish  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
who  apj)ointtd  Rev.  John  Synuott  pastor.  In  the  same  year  an  attractive  and 
substantial  parochial  residence  was  erected.  Owing  to  the  closing  of  the 
Versailles  woolen  mill,  and  the  consequent  loss  to  the  parish,  Occum  was 
again  united  to  Baltic  in  October,  1889.  The  Rev.  John  Synuott  was  then 
transferred  to  Baltic  and  the  re-united  churches  were  placed  under  his  charge. 

Revs.  M.  McCarten,  M.  H.  May  and  F.  J.  O'Neil  assisted  Father  Syn- 
uott in  his  parochial  labors. 

On  September  i,  1897,  Rev.  T.  Dunn  succeeded  Father  Synuott  as  pastor 
of  Baltic  and  Occum.  Mass  is  said  in  the  latter  place  on  Sundays  and  holy- 
days  of  precept. 

The  Catholic  population  of  Occum  is  about  400  .souls. 

SACRED  HEART  PARISH, 
Taktville. 

fHE  earliest  Catholics  to  settle  in  Taftville  were  both  Irish  and  French, 
namely,  Thomas  Kelly,  Hugh  McLaughlin,  John  Sullivan,  Michael 
Clifford,  Patrick  O'Neil,  Daniel  Day,  Nazaire  Lafleur,  Joseph  Masse, 
Keavn  Nolan,  Jo.seph  Marsin. 

The  first  Mass  said  in  Taftville  was  celebrated  in  the  school-house  by 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen,  of  Norwich.  From  that  time  until  the  appointment 
of  Rev.  James  B.  Reynolds,  as  pastor  of  Jewett  City,  the  people  attended 
Mass  at  St.  Mary's,  Greenville,  when  it  was  not  celebrated  in  Taftville. 
Father  Reynolds  was  appointed  pastor  of  Jewett  City  in  May,  1872,  at  which 
time  Taftville  became  one  of  his  dependencies.  After  the  death  of  Father 
Reynolds,  which  occurred  in  January,  1875,  the  Rev.  John  Russell  attended 
Taftville  as  pastor  of  Jewett  City.  From  that  time  Mass  was  celebrated  at 
.stated  intervals  in  the  school-house,  and  occasionally  at  Occum. 

In  the  fall  of  1875  work  on  the  church  was  begun.  It  was  completed  in 
1876  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Galberry  March  24,  1877.  Upon  his  removal 
to  Norwalk  Father  Russell  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Joynt, 
v;ho  also  attended  Taftville  until  June,  1883,  when  Taftville  and  Occum  were 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  423 

separated  from  Jewett  City,  and  the  Rev.  Jaines  J.  Thompson  appointed 
first  resident  pastor  of  Taftville.  A  census  taken  at  that  time  disclosed  a 
Catholic  population  of  1630  souls,  whereas  the  census  of  1887  showed  a  mem- 
bership of  2340.  In  January,  1885,  Rev.  Maurice  J.  Sheehan  was  appointed 
assistant  to  Father  Thompson.  Tlie  convent  and  school  were  commenced  in 
April,  1886,  and  completed  in  March,  1887.  Father  Thompson's  period  of 
service  terminated  with  his  death,  in  January,  1894,  his  successor  being 
the  Rev.  Terrence  Dunn,  who  remained  till  the  May  following. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  John  Syuuott,  began  his  labors  here  on 
May  16,  1894.  Among  the  achievements  that  distinguish  Father  Synnott's 
administration  are  the  liquidation  of  the  parish  indebtedness  of  $7, 100,  the 
erection  of  a  chapel  and  community  room  for  the  sisters,  the  renovation  of 
the  school,  the  purchase  of  a  tract  of  land  on  October  30,  1897,  200  by 
512  feet,  and  the  building  thereon  of  a  handsome  parochial  residence.  This 
new  propert)-  and  rectory  are  valued  at  $15,000.  Father  Synnott  also  put  in 
a  metal  ceiling  in  the  church.  The  entire  parish  property  comprises  church, 
convent,  school,  rectory,  about  254^  acres  of  land  on  Providence  street  and 
about  two  acres  on  School  street,  and  a  cemetery  which  was  purchased  in 
1886  and  blessed  by  Bishop  McMahon  in  May  of  the  same  year.  The 
Catholic  population  of  Taftville  is  2,300  souls,  one-third  of  whom  are  Irish 
and  the  remainder  French. 

The  Sacred  Heart  school  is  conducted  by  ten  Sisters  of  Our  lyady  of 
Charity,  Mother  of  Mercy,  Sister  M.  Benoit,  Directress.  When  opened  300 
children  presented  themselves  for  enrolment.  There  are  now  in  attendance 
400  pupils  distributed  through  eight  grades. 

The  clergy  who  assisted  the  pastors  in  parochial  work,  were  the  Rev. 
Fathers  Fones,  Sheehan,  Cartier,  Mailhot,  Senesac,  Chapdelaine,  and  Per- 
rault.    Rev.  Father  Synnott  is  a  member  of  the  Diocesan  School  Commission. 


W\ 


ST.  THOMAS'    PARISH, 

VOLUNTOWN. 

HEN  the  Rev.  James  B.  Reynolds  was  appointed  pastor  of  Jewett 
City,  in  1872,  Voluntown  was  assigned  to  him  as  an  out-mission. 
St.  Thomas'  church  was  built  during  the  administration  of  the 
Rev.  Father  Joynt,  ^yho  succeeded  Father  Russell  as  pastor  of  Jewett  City. 
Voluntown  remained  a  dependency  of  the  latter  place  during  this  and  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  F.  O'Keefe,  until  February,  1892,  when,  with  Glasgo,  it  was 
organized  into  an  independent  parish,  with  the  Rev.  Edward  Chapdelaine  as 
first  resident  pastor.  The  duration  of  his  pastorate  was  sixteen  mouths.  The 
next  pastor  of  St.  Thomas'  was  the  Rev.  L.  Mayenr,  who  remained  in  office 
two  years  and  a  half,  receiving  as  a  successor  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Senesac,  whose 
pastoral  labors  terminated  six  months  later.  The  Rev.  J.  L.  Desaulniers 
administered  the  parish  for  eighteen  months,  when  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Chapdelaine 
was  appointed.  During  the  last  illness  of  the  first  resident  pastor.  Rev. 
Edward  Chapdelaine,  the  parish  was  in  charge  of  the  Rev.  Pierre  Cardin, 
from  Canada.     The  cemetery  attached  to  St.  Thomas's  was  purchased  and 


424  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

blessed  in  1895.  The  present  population  of  the  parish  is  about  thirty  families, 
mostly  French,  with  three  Irish  and  one  American  family. 

Since  the  orjjanization  of  the  parish  the  sacrament  of  baptism  has  been 
conferred  on  88  persons;  the  number  of  marriages  within  the  same  period 
being  17.  The  first  baptism  in  the  newly-formed  parish  was  that  of  Ovila 
Russi ;  the  first  marriage,  February  28,  1892,  was  that  between  Napoleon 
Jacques  and  Amelie  Coutu.  The  first  death  recorded  occurred  on  July  27, 
1894,  and  was  that  of  Rosa  DeLina  Grenier. 

Father  Chapdelaine  attends  St.  .Ann's  church,  Glasgo,  every  .Sunday, 
where  the  Catholic  population  is  about  200  souls.  From  1892  to  1898,  exclu- 
sive, the  number  of  baptisms  here  were  80,  and  the  marriages,  14.  The  first 
baptism  recorded  in  St.  Ann's  is  that  of  Eva  Daigneault.  The  first  marriage 
ceremony  was 'performed  on  October  i,  1892,  the  contracting  parties  being 
Arthur  Pepin  and  Amanda  Labarre.  The  first  death  occurred  on  the  24th 
of  March,  1894,  that  of  Adeline  Jolicoeur. 


TOLLAND  COUNTY. 


OIvLAND  COUNTY  was  formed  from  Hartford  and  Windham 
Counties,  and  was  incorporated  in  1876.  Its  form  is  irregular,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Massachusetts,  on  the  east  by  Windham 
County,  on  the  south  by  New  London  County,  and  on  the  west  b}-  Hartford 
County.  Its  greatest  length  is  thirty  miles  ;  its  northern  breadth  is  twenty 
miles  ;  while  its  extreme  southern  breadth  is  only  five  miles.  The  cities  and 
towns  in  which  there  are  Catholic  parishes  are : 

RocKViLLE,  South  Covk.ntrv,  Stafford  Springs. 

ST.   BERNARD'S  PARISH, 

KOCKVILLE. 

(5  I  HE  first  Catholic,  as  far  as  is  known,  to  .settle  in  Rockville  was  James 
*  I  McAvenney.  He  came  in  1842,  but  afterwards  wandered  into  a  strange 
fold.  In  1848,  about  fifteen  Catholics  assembled  at  the  first  Mass  cele- 
brated in  Rockville.  The  place  where  divine  services  were  conducted  was  a 
house  owned  by  the  paper-mill  company,  then  occupied  by  Christopher  Car- 
roll and  family.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  the  Rev.  John  Brady,  of 
Hartford.  Among  the  attendants  at  that  first  Mass  were  Christopher  Carroll, 
Patrick  Ouinn,  PMward  Gorman,  Thomas  McDonnell,  Denis  O'Donnell,  James 
Conner,  Philip  Kiernan,  Alatthew  Fay,  Eugene  Kiernan,  Patrick  Duffy,  Mar- 
tin Flood,  John  Moore  and  Michael  Lawlor. 

It  was  deemed  advisable  afterwards  in  i  .S49,  that  regular  visitations  should 
be  made.    This  dutv  devolved  on  the  Rev.  James  Smyth,  one  of  the  patriarchs 


DIOCESE   OF  HARTFORD.  425 

of  the  diocese.  He  officiated  liere  at  nioiithh-  intervals  at  tlie  Albert  Lamb 
house,  where  Patrick  Quinii  resided.  He  said  Mass  also  in  the  Dean  house  on 
Mountain  street,  where  Martin  Flood  and  fanrfly  then  lived. 

In  185  I,  more  commodious  quarters  being  necessary,  a  large  room  was 
secured  in  the  "  Brick  Tavern  "  up-stairs  on  the  west  side.  The  altar  used 
here  was  in  the  keeping  of  Michael  Refgau  in  1888.  Father  Smyth  also 
organized  a  Sunday-school  at  which  both  old  and  young  were  obliged  to 
assist.  Mass  was  said  in  the  "  Brick  Tavern  "  for  a  couple  of  years,  wlien  a 
hall  was  secured  on  Market  street  over  the  Rockville  meat  market.  This 
hall  was  used  in  later  years  by  the  St.  John's  Young  Men's  society.  It  was 
afterwards  destroyed  by  a  conflagration.  Mass  was  said  here  by  Father  Smyth 
and  others  until  March  15,  1854,  when  the  Rev.  Peter  Egan  assumed  charge 
as  the  first  resident  pastor,  with  Manchester,  Stafford  Springs,  Broadbrook 
and  Mansfield  as  dependencies. 

In  the  course  of  time,  the  arrival  of  strangers  in  quest  of  employment, 
made  it  evident  to  the  Catholics  that  a  site  and  a  building  of  their  own 
would  become  a  necessity.  But  the  financial  means  of  the  Catholics  were 
meagre  ;  moreover,  a  deep-rooted  prejudice  existed  in  Rockville  against 
Catholics  and  Irishmen.  However,  by  a  strict  adherence  to  the  teachings 
of  their  church,  they  gave  evidence  of  the  possession  of  Christian  charity, 
and  this  overcame  existing  prejudices.  A  more  friendly  disposition  soon 
became  manifest.  One  of  the  first  to  evince  freedom  from  prejudice  was  Hanly 
Kellogg,  a  druggist,  who  conducted  his  business  on  the  terrace.  He  offered 
his  entire  property  to  the  Catholics  on  terms  satisfactory  to  them,  and  they 
quickly  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  presented.  The  store  on  the 
premises  was  moved  back  to  School  street  and  was  known  afterwards  as  the 
Blake  house.  Work  on  the  new  church  was  at  once  begun  and  rapidly 
advanced.  Before  its  completion.  Father  Egan  removed  to  Lee,  Mass.,  on 
November  12,  1856.  Father  Egan  purchased  also  the  cemetery  on  the  Tol- 
land road  consisting  of  five  acres  in  September,  1854.  Owing  to  the  death  of 
Bishop  O'Reilly,  who  was  lost  with  the  ill-fated  steamer  Pacific^  the  corner- 
stone of  the  new  church  was  laid  by  a  priest,  probably  Father  Egan,  assisted 
by  Fathers  Daly,  Smyth  and  O'Brien. 

The  Rev.  Bernard  Tully  was  Father  Egan's  successor,  coming  in  Decem- 
ber, 1856.  During  his  administration  the  church  was  finished  and  embel- 
lished. It  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  McFarland.  After  a  pastorate  of  six 
years  Father  Tully  was  transferred  to  Thompsonville  in  January,  1863. 

The  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly  became  the  third  pastor  of  Rockville,  imme- 
diately following  Father  Tully.  He  enlarged  the  sanctuary,  had  the  church 
beautifully  frescoed  and  built  the  main  portion  of  the  rectory.  The  Rev. 
John  Rogers,  the  present  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  Bridgeport,  was  Father 
O'Reilly's  assistant  and  remained  with  him  until  February  26,  1868.  After  a 
pastorate  of  five  years.  Father  O'Reilly  went  to  Valley  Falls,  R.  I.,  where  he 
labored  until  his  death. 

To  the  great  gratification  of  the  Catholics  of  Rockville  Father  Tully 
returned  to  his  former  charge  February  20,  1868.     His  second  pastorate  was 


426  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEIV  ENGLAND. 

of  brief  duration.  While  on  a  journey  to  Ellington  he  expired  suddenly  in 
his  carriage  on  July  20,  1869.  In  testimony  of  the  love  and  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held,  a  splendid  marble  monument,  whose  estimated  cost  was  $1,600, 
was  erected  by  the  people  of  Manchester  and  Rockville  over  his  grave  in  front 
of  tlie  church.  Father  Tully's  assistant  was  the  Rev.  William  Halligan,  who 
died  recently  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

The  Rev.  James  Quinn  beg;an  his  labors  as  the  fifth  pastor  of  Rockville 
in  September,  1869.  He  died  December  i,  1872.  He  was  assisted  for  a  few 
months  prior  to  his  death  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Lynch.  His  remains  rest 
in  the  cemetery  at  Rockville. 

Rev.  Patrick  P.  Lawlor  succeeded  Father  Quinn  in  November,  1872.  He 
re-organized  the  parish,  liquidated  the  indebtedness,  and  built  an  addition  to 
the  vestry  at  an  expense  of  $1,700.  After  the  shortest  period  of  any  of  his  pre- 
decessors, having  remained  but  one  year,  he  was  transferred  to  New  London. 

The  Rev.  John  J.  Furlong  assumed  charge  of  St.  Bernard's  parish  Janu- 
ary 24,  1874,  though  he  was  appointed  on  December  25,  1873,  an  illness  pre- 
venting an  earlier  assumption  of  the  reins  of  authority.  In  the  meantime,  the 
affairs  of  the  parish  were  administered  by  the  Rev.  T.  L.  Lynch.  Father 
Furlong's  first  work  was  to  improve  the  cemetery.  In  1875  he  placed  a  new 
altar  in  the  church.  To  provide  better  accommodations  for  his  people  the 
church  was  moved  back  forty  feet  and  raised  six  feet,  while  a  new  front  with 
a  tower  was  added.  The  interior  was  handsomely  decorated,  a  new  organ  put 
in  the  choir  gallery,  new  pews  placed  in  the  body  of  the  church  and  beautiful 
stained-glass  windows  inserted.  Among  the  benefactors  at  this  time  mention 
should  be  made  of  the  Hon.  E.  S.  Henry,  who  contributed  $500.  The  reno- 
vated church  was  re-dedicated  on  January  20,  1878,  Bishop  Galberry  officiating. 
Rev.  Father  Rvan,  C.  S.  P.,  of  New  York,  preached  at  the  morning  service, 
and  Rev.  Father  Deshou,  C.  S.  P.,  in  the  evening.  At  both  morning  and 
evening  ceremonies  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  was  the  celebrant.  In  February, 
1886,  Father  Furlong  purchased  the  Johnson  site  on  Park  street,  paying  there- 
for $8,000.  The  house  was  fitted  up  for  a  convent  and  a  chapel  was  arranged 
therein.  To  this  eligible  property  was  soon  added  the  Cogswell  lot  adjacent. 
The  school  lot,  on  which  the  present  handsome  school  building  stands,  was 
also  secured  by  p-ather  Furlong  for  $16,500.  On  this  lot  was  the  old  building 
which  Father  Egau  had  removed  to  make  room  for  the  church.  This  was 
remodeled  for  the  Sisters,  who  moved  thereto  from  Park  street  May  15,  1895. 

In  October,  1895,  Father  Furlong,  in  recognition  of  his  successful  labors 
in  Rockville,  was  transferred  to  the  permanent  rectorship  of  St.  Mary's  Nor- 
walk.  His  successor  is  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  John  Cooney,  who 
is  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Murray. 

The  Rev.  Arthur  O'Keefe  was  the  first  native  of  Rockville  to  be  elevated 
to  the  priesthood  ;  he  was  ordained  on  December  18,  1883. 

Father  Furlong  introduced  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  into  Rockville  on  No- 
vember 3,  18S6.  Four  constituted  the  first  band.  Sister  M.  Columba,  Sister 
M.  Clara,  Sister  Mary  Alphonsus  and  Sister  M.  Ursula.  The  basement  of  the 
church  was  fitted  up  for  school  purposes  and  opened  on  May  2,  1887,  with  five 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  427 

grades  and  over  300  children.  In  1894,  Father  Furlono;  began  the  erection 
of  the  new  school  building,  which  is  65  by  68  feet.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  on  August  11,  1895,  by  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  V.  G.,  on  which 
occasion  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  William  Rogers,  of  Stamford.  On 
September  loth,  the  same  year,  the  new  school  was  opened.  Its  entire  cost 
was  ;$22,ooo.  There  are  eight  Sisters,  Sister  M.  Gabriel  Superior,  with  156 
boys  and  163  girls.  The  success  of  the  pupils  in  the  annual  examination  for 
the  High  School  is  evidence  of  the  excellence  of  the  course  of  studies  and 
the  proficiency  of  the  disciplinary  management. 

ST.  MARY'S  PARISH, 
South  Coventry. 

IN  1859,  Jeremiah  Crowley  had  the  distinguished  honor  of  having  said 
within  the  walls  of  his  home  the  first  Mass  celebrated  in  South  Cov- 
entry. The  celebrant  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  the  Rev.  Michael 
McCabe,  under  whose  jurisdiction  were  the  three  counties  of  Tolland, 
Windham  and  New  London.  Upon  the  accession  of  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly 
to  the  pastorate  of  Willimantic,  South  Coventry  came  under  his  care.  Father 
O'Reilly  served  this  mission  at  occasional  intervals,  offering  the -.Holy  Sacri- 
fice in  private  houses,  as  the  Catholics  here  were  few  in  number  and  poor  in 
the  goods  of  this  world.  Early  in  1863,  Father  O'Reilly  was  transferred  to 
Danielson  and  was  succeeded  in  Willimantic  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen, 
afterwards  of  Norwich.  Father  Mullen  remained  in  Willimantic  only  three 
months,  during  'which  period  he  made  about  three  visits  to  South  Coventry. 
His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Florimond  DeBruycker,  who  began  his  admin- 
istration on  May  11,  1863.  Within  his  jurisdiction  were  Stafford  Springs, 
Baltic  and  South  Coventry.  The  Catholic  population  of  South  Coventry 
was  increasing  and  Father  DeBruycker,  anxious  to  secure  for  them  a  public 
house  of  worship,  purchased  the  old  Methodist  church  on  Monument  Hill, 
near  Lake  Wangombog.  In  this  humble  edifice  the  Catholics  attended  divine 
services,  until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Shahan,  as  first  resident  pas- 
tor of  Stafford  Springs  in  1872.  Father  Shahan  purchased  the  site  known  as 
the  Wilson  property  and  began  excavations  for  a  new  church  on  Good  Friday, 
1877,  the  men  of  the  congregation  coming  in  a  body  to  assist  in  the  laudable 
work.  Work  progressed  so  rapidly  and  auspiciously  that  the  corner-stone 
was  laid  amid  impressive  ceremonies,  by  Very  Rev.  Thomas  Walsh,  V.G.,  on 
June  10,  1877.  The  church  was  dedicated  under  the  title  of  St.  Marj-'s  on 
Thanksgiving  day,  Nov.  29,  1877.  The  officiating  prelate  was  Bishop  Gal- 
berry,  assisted  by  the  Revs.  P.  J.  Garrigan,  D.D.,  of  Fitchburg  Mass.,  Denis 
Desmond  of  Portland,  Thomas  Smith  of  Thompsonville,  John  Russell  of  Taft- 
ville,  Thomas  Broderick  of  Meriden,  J.  J.  Keegan  of  Harrisville,  R.  I.,  J. 
Van  den  Noort  of  Baltic,  R.  Van  Wersch  of  Willimantic,  J.  Furlong  of  Rock- 
ville,  and  the  pastor  Rev.  P.  P.  Shahan. 

Solemn  High  Mass  was  celebrated  after  the  dedication,  with  Rev.  Thomas 
Broderick,  celebrant  ;  Rev.  Denis  Desmond,  deacon ;  Rev.  J.  Russell,  sub- 
deacon  ;  and   Rev.  J.   Keegan,    master  of  ceremonies.     The   orator   of  the 


428  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

occasion  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Garrigan.     St.  Mary's  church  is  75  feet  in  length 
and  33  feet  in  width. 

On  the  promotion  of  Father  Shalian  to  St.  Mary's  parish.  Norwich,  he 
was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Broderick  as  pastor  of  Stafford  .Springs. 
Serving  only  eighteen  months,  during  which  he  regularly  attended  this 
mission,  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  P.itrick  Donahoe,  who  resold  the  old 
Methodist  church  which  had  been  used  for  many  years  by  the  Catliolics,  to 
the  Methodists,  who  transformed  it  into  a  rectory  for  their  mini.ster,  the  Rev. 
J.  O.  Dodge.  This  building  has  a  curious  history  ;  first,  a  Methodist  meet- 
ing-house, afterwards  a  Catholic  church,  then  a  Methodist  parsonage;  finally 
it  was  rented  by  the  Catholics  of  South  Coventry  for  a  parochial  residence, 
until  the  construction  of  a  new  and  permanent  rectory  in  1887,  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  J.  Quinn.  The  Rev.  M.  McKeon  succeeded  to  the  pa.s- 
torate  of  Stafford  Springs  in  November,  1881,  and  continued  his  attendance 
upon-  South  Coventry,  and  liquidated  the  parish  indebtedness. 

After  many  years  of  mission  relationship.  South  Coventry  was  honored 
with  parochial  privileges  on  January  2,  1886,  with  the.Rew  J.  J.  Quinn  as 
first  resident  pastor.  Beside  South  Coventry,  Father  Quinn  had  within  his 
jurisdiction  Eagleville,  ]\Iansfield,  Merrow  Station,  South  Willington,  An- 
dover  and  Hop  River.  The  Catholic  population  of  all  these  missions' was 
about  85  families  at  the  formation  of  the  parish.  As  stated  above,  the  pastoral 
residence  was  erected  during  Father  Quinn's  period  of  service,  and  after  three 
years  of  faithful  administration  he  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzmaurice, 
•who  purchased  a  tract  of  land  for  a  cemeter\-.  Five  years  later,  in  February, 
1894,  Rev.  W.  H.  Gibbons  became  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  and  on  the  9th  of 
September  of  the  .same  year  the  cemetery  was  blessed.  The  Rev.  M.  H.  May 
became  Father  Gibbons'  successor  in  September,  1895,  and  he  in  turn  gave 
way  to  Rev.  T.J.  Dunn  in  October,  1896.  After  a  pastorate  of  a  year's  dura- 
tion, Father  Dnnii  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Cronan  on  Septem- 
ber 1,  1897.  Father  Cronan  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Richard  Carroll  who 
is  at  present  in  charge.     Father  Carroll  attends  Hop  River  as  a  station. 

ST.  EDWARD'S  PARISH, 
Stafford  Springs. 

(5  I  HE  first  Catholic  settlers  to  arrive  in  Stafford  were  Stephen  Jackson, 
'  I  Jeremiah  O'Brien,  Thomas  Hassett,  Timothy  Desmond,  Daniel  Hur- 
ley, William  Tracy  and  tlieir  families.  They  came  in  1S49.  ^'i 
November  of  this  year  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly  said  the  first  Mass  in  Stafford,  and 
a  second  was  celebrated  by  the  same  missionary  on  March  2,  1S50.  In  1851 
the  small  congregation  was  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  Stephen  Collins, 
Wm.  D.  Brennan,  Wm.  I.  Brennan,  Peter  Murphy,  Thomas  Warren,  John 
Stewart,  John  Swanton,  with  tlieir  fiimilies.  In  this  year  the  Rev.  Michael 
IMcCabe  visited  Stafford  as  often  as  the  opportunity  permitted,  and  ministered  to 
the  wants  of  the  Catholic  people.  In  1853  the  Rev.  Father  Smyth,  of  Windsor 
Locks,  began  to  look  after  the  spiritual  interests  of  Stafford,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  do  at  quarterly  intervals  for  two  years.     His  successor  here  was  the 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  429 

Rev.  Peter  Egan,  of  Rockville,  who  for  two  years  served  Stafford  bi-weekly. 
Father  Egan  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  preached  and  administered  the  sacra- 
ments in  Oronoco  Hall.  Previous  to  this  Mass  was  said  in  the  district  school 
house,  and  in  private  dwellings.  In  1857  the  Rev.  Bernard  Tully  began  his 
service  of  six  years,  offering  the  Holy  Sacrifice  once  every  two  weeks  in  the 
above-named  hall.  The  Rev.  H.  J.  O'Reilly  in  1855  took  charge  of  this  por- 
tion of  Rockville's  jurisdiction  and  attended  it  for  one  year  and  seven  months, 
making  his  visits  as  did  his  predecessors  every  fortnight.  When  the  Rev.  F.  L. 
De  Bruycker  became  pastor  of  Willimantic,  Stafford  Springs  became  part  of 
his  charge.  In  October,  1S66,  he  began  the  construction  of  a  church  in  which 
his  people  here  could  gather  for  divine  worship.  The  land  upon  which  the 
church  was  subsequently  built  was  purchased  from  Lewis  Parkess  for  $100  by  a 
committee  consisting  of  Daniel  Hurley,  Stephen  Jackson  and  William  Brennan. 

The  church  was  completed  in  November  following,  and  the  first  Mass 
offered  up  within  its  walls  was  said  on  the  24tli  of  that  month.  It  was  dedi- 
cated on  March  10,  1S68,  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Edward. 

The  increase  of  the  Catholic  population  in  twenty  years  may  be  seen 
from  the  following  brief  table : 

1851 — 40  persons.     1857— 200  persons.     1871,  Sept.  15— 550  persons. 

Up  to  this  date  (September  15,  1871,)  the  benefactors  of  St.  Edward's 
parish  were  the  following  : 

E   A.  Converse  and  Sons      ....  $  50  00  G.  M.  Ives I50  00 

Charles  Fox 100  00  Lieut. -Gov.  Hyde 25  00 

Howe  &  Converse 75  00  M.  B.  Harvej' 20  00 

P.  P.  Corner,  Ridgefield,  Ct  .    .    .    .      50  00 

In  1872  the  first  resident  pastor,  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Shahan,  began  his  six 
years  administration  of  St.  Edward's  parish.  In  this  period  Father  Shahan 
made  notable  improvements  in  the  church's  surroundings,  remodeled  the  edifice 
itself,  erected  a  pastoral  residence,  founded  the  parochial  school,  over  which 
he  placed  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Hartford,  purchased  a  tract  of  land,  con- 
sisting of  30  acres,  a  part  of  which  belonged  to  the  Parley  Converse  estate, 
which  was  blessed  and  set  apart  for  cemetery  purposes.  Father  Shahan  built 
also  the  chapel  in  Staffordville.  All  these  works  entailed  an  expenditure  of 
over  $15,000,  yet  his  successor,  the  Rev.  T.  W.  Broderick,  found  an  indebted- 
ness of  only  $8000.  Father  Broderick's  labors  of  eighteen  months  resulted 
in  a  marked  diminution  of  this  debt ;  his  successor,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Dona- 
hoe,  also  reduced  the  financial  burden,  purchased  a  fine  residence  on  High 
street,  which  the  Sisters  have  since  used  as  a  convent.  During  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Rev.  M.  McKeon,  which  began  in  November,  1881,  the  entire 
indebtedness  was  liquidated,  and  a  thousand  dollars  left  in  the  treasury  to  his 
successor.  Rev.  John  D.  Coyle,  who  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  from  the  posi- 
tion of  assistant  at  St.  Edward's  for  four  years,  on  January  i,  1886.  Among 
the  first  works  that  engaged  Father  Coyle's  attention  was  the  erection  of  the 
present  commodious  school,  with  which  is  connected  a  hall  having  a  seating 
capacity  of  400.     In  1887  he  began  the  construction  of  the  present  St.  Ed- 


430  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ward's  church,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  on  November  6,  1887.  The 
Rev.  Thomas  W.  Broderick  pronounced  the  discourse  at  this  ceremony.  The 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  McMahon  presided  at  the  service  of  dedication  on  October 
14,  1888,  the  sermons  being  delivered,  in  the  morning  by  Very  Rev.  A.  V. 
Higgins,  O.  P.,  S.  T.  M.,  and  in  the  evening  by  the  Rev.  James  Coyle,  of  New- 
port, R.  I.  The  next  work  accomplished  was  the  construction  of  the  rectory. 
Father  Coyle  closed  his  pastorate  in  Stafford  Springs  in  May,  1895,  and  was 
followed  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  H.  Lawlor,  on  the  20th  of  that  month.  Father 
Lawlor  died  January  1 1,  1897,  and  the  Rev.  Richard  C.  Gragan  was  appointed 
his  successor  on  February  i,  1897.  During  his  pastorate  thus  far  Father 
Gragan  has  reduced  the  parish  indebtedness  $1500,  besides  laboring  with  zeal 
to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  flock.  The  clergy  who  served  in  the 
capacity  of  assistants  in  this  parish  are  the  Revs.  John  O'Connell,  Edward  P. 
McGee,  John  Donahoe,  John  D.  Coyle,  M.  P.  McCarthy,  and  A.  Dykmans. 

When  St.  Edward's  parochial  school  began  its  educational  career,  the 
names  of  75  children  were  enrolled  ;  at  present  there  are  four  Sisters  teaching, 
whose  Directress  is  Sister  Marie,  with  four  grades,  and  190  children. 

The  population  of  St.  Edward's  parish  is  estimated  at  1750  souls,  com- 
prising 750  Irish,  900  Canadians,  and  100  Italians. 

The  baptismal  register  of  St.  Edward's  parish  from  1864  to  1897,  inclu- 
sive, discloses  1603  baptisms.  Tlie  marriage  records  inform  us  that  338  mar- 
riages were  solemnized  between  1865  and  1898. 

Father  Gragan  attends  also  St.  Joseph's  mission  church,  Staffordville, 
where  Mass  is  said  every  Sunday. 


WINDHAM   COUNTY. 


-J'rYC\ASSACHUSETTS   bounds  Windham  County  on  the  north,   the 

L  I  w     State  of  Rhode  Island  on  the  east.  New  London   County  on   the 

Jel|[s  (^  south,  and  Tolland   County  on  the  west.     Its  average  length 

from  north  to  south  is  twenty-six  miles,  and  it  is  about  nineteen 

miles  in  width. 

Windham  county  was  originally  a  part  of  Hartford  and  New  London 
counties,  and  received  its  incorporation  as  a  county  in  May,  1726.  In  1820 
its  population  was  31,684;  in  1830  it  had  decreased  to  27,077.  The  Catholic 
parishes  of  Windham  county  are  the  following  : 

WiLLIMANTIC.  DaNIELSON.  Da\'\-ILLE.  GrOSVENORDALE. 

Moosup.  Putnam.  Wauregan.         West  Thompson. 


REV.  FELIX  J.  O'NEILL 


REV.  JOHN   H,   BRODERICK. 


REV.   FLOR.   DE  BRUYCKER. 


REV.  ARTHUR  OKEEFFE. 


REV.   EUGENE  O'CONNELL. 


STThe 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  43] 

ST.  JOSEPH'S  PARISH, 

WiLLIMANTIC. 


HE  historian  of  Windham  county,  writing  of  the  early  Catholic  settlers, 
jl  said:  "  The  first  colony  of  Irish  Catholics  came  to  locate  in  Willim- 
antic  in  the  summer  of  1S47.  But  few  representatives  of  that  nation 
were  then  living  here,  and  the  little  band  of  twenty  foreigners,  with  but  lit- 
tle of  this  world's  goods  to  incumber  them,  was  visited  with  much  curiosity, 
and  their  coming  was  the  subject  of  considerable  excitement.  They  came 
at  the  instance  of  the  Windham  Manufacturing;  Company,  who  sent  for  five 
persons,  but  their  call  was  responded  to  by  four  times  that  number.  The 
greater  part  of  them,  however,  were  employed  by  the  company,  while  the 
balance  readily  found  work  at  the  other  factories  in  the  village.  This  was 
the  opening  wedge  of  Irish  labor,  which  has  grown  b)-  frequent  accessions 
to  be  one  of  the  most  powerful  elements  in  the  industry'  of  this  community." 
Catholicity  in  Willimantic  had  an  humble  beginning,  as  its  history 
elsewhere  frequently  began  amidst  humble  surroundings.  When  the  first 
Mass  was  ofi'ered  here  by  Rev.  John  Brady,  Jr.,  of  Middletown,  in  March, 
1848,  about  twenty  Catholics,  the  entire  number  in  the  town,  gathered  before 
an  humble  altar  in  a  kitchen  of  the  Lathrop  house,  which  stood  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Washington  and  Main  streets,  and  was  occupied  by  Arthur  McDonald 
and  his  family.  Among  the  pioneers  present  at  that  first  Mass  were  Owen 
Thompson,  John  Gates,  Thomas  Anderson,  Arthur  McDonald  and  their  fami- 
lies. In  the  fall  of  1849  Franklin  Hall  was  secured  for  divine  services,  and 
the  Rev.  Father  Brady  and  his  successor.  Rev.  Michael  McCabe,  at  monthh- 
intervals  until  1857  occupied  the  same  building  for  public  worship.  In  the. 
meantime.  Father  Brady  had,  in  1848,  secured  a  tract  of  land  on  Jackson 
street,  upon  which  the  present  church  was  subsequently  erected. 

During  Fatlier  McCabe's  attendance  upon  Willimantic  he  and  his 
devoted  people  were  annoyed  by  exhibitions  of  bigotry  which  all  good  men 
to-day  disavow.  Intolerance  was  prevalent  at  that  time  in  many  places  in 
Connecticut,  and  both  priests  and  people  were  made  to  feel  the  heav)'  hand 
of  fanaticism.  On  one  occasion  Father  McCabe  went  as  usual  to  Franklin 
Hall  to  celebrate  the  Divine  Mysteries,  and  found  the  door  locked  against 
him.  But,  determined  upon  offering  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  he  led  his  little  con- 
gregation to  the  lot  which  Father  Brady  had  previously  purchased  on  Jack- 
son street,  and  upon  a  rudely-constructed  altar  offered  the  Divine  Victim. 
At  another  time,  having  ministered  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  his  little  flock, 
he  started  to  drive  for  Baltic,  which  was  in  his  jurisdiction,  but  had  gone  but 
a  short  distance  on  his  journey  when  one  of  the  carriage  wheels  came  off, 
throwing  the  priest  to  the  ground.  Investigation  disclosed  the  fact  that  the 
bolts,  screws  and  nuts  of  the  carriage  had  been  removed,  with  the  intention, 
evidently,  of  causing  serious  injury  to  Father  McCabe.  Realizing  the  serious- 
ness of  the  case  Father  McCabe  remarked  to  a  by-stander,  "The  one  who  did 
this  will  come  to  an  untimely  end."  '  Verified  soon  after  was  the  prophecy, 
as  the  guilty  person  was  suddenly  killed  in  a  railroad  accident. 


432  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

In  1857  Father  McCabe  purchased  an  old  Baptist  meeting-house,  and 
removed  it  to  the  lot  purchased  in  1848  by  Father  Brady.  Tiiis  building  was 
60  by  32  feet.  Later  additions  enlarged  it  to  75  by  50.  Having  remodeled 
it  as  far  as  the  means  of  the  congregation  would  permit,  and  arranged  it  in  a 
manner  suitable  for  Catholic  worship,  Father  McCabe  blessed  it  and  placed 
it  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph.  At  this  time  there  were  about  eight 
Catholic  families  in  Willimantic,  and  as  an  instance  of  their  poverty,  as  well 
also  of  the  anti-Catholic  spirit  then  prevailing,  an  attachment  was  ser\'ed  on  the 
building  for  a  debt  of  a  few  dollars  only,  before  the  blocks  were  removed  from  it. 

Upon  the  death  of  Father  McCabe  in  Daniel.sou  in  i860,  the  Rev.  Hugli 
J.  O'Reilly  became  the  first  resident  pa.stor  of  Willimantic.  His  first  work 
was  the  erection  of  a  parochial  residence,  and  in  1863  he  secured  a  tract  of 
land  for  cemetery  purposes.  Upon  Father  0'Reill)'s  appointment  to  Daniel- 
son,  his  successor  became  the  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen,  who  labored  here  only  four 
months,  when  his  successor,  the  present  incumbent,  assumed  charge  on  May 
1 1,  1863.  When  Father  De  Bruycker  .succeeded  to  the  pastorate  of  Williman- 
tic Stafford  Springs,  Baltic  and  South  Coventry  were  also  assigned  to  him, 
and  faithfully  and  with  signal  success  did  he  discharge  his  duties  to  these 
missions,  all  of  which  have  had  resident  pastors  for  some  years.  In  1864 
Father  De  Bruycker  secured  about  thirty  acres  of  land  for  a  new  cemetery, 
the  old  burial  place  having  become  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  the  congrega- 
tion ;  the  remains  of  those  who  reposed  in  the  first  cemetery  v.ere  reverently 
and  with  due  solemnity  transferred  to  the  new  one  on  Good  Friday  of  the  same 
year.  The  new  tract  of  land  received  solemn  blessing  in  November,  1875,  a 
portion  of  it  only  having  been  previously  set  apart  by  private  blessing. 

In  the  meantime,  the  growth  of  the  congregation  rendered  the  repairing, 
refitting  and  enlarging  of  the  church  necessary,  but  nevertheless,  it  soon 
became  inadequate  to  accommodate  the  congregation.  Accordingly,  in  1892, 
Father  De  Bruycker  took  the  first  step  towards  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice 
that  would  meet  all  future  demands.  He  purchased  a  house  and  lot,  west  of 
the  old  church,  and  having  removed  both  church  and  rectory  in  May,  1873, 
from  Jack.son  to  Valley  street,  began  immediately  to  lay  the  foundations  for  a 
new  structure.  As  evidence  of  the  progress  made  on  the  work  of  construc- 
tion, it  may  be  stated  that  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  August  17,  1873,  by 
Bishop  McFavland,  which  was  the  last  public  act  of  this  prelate.  Assi.^ting 
Bishop  McFarland  were  Rev.  Fathers  Walsh,  Schale  and  Dent,  of  Hartford; 
Van  Laar,  of  Baltic;  Mullen  and  Desmond,  of  Norwich;  Lawlor,  of  Rock- 
ville  ;  Desoulniers,  of  Canada;  Campbell,  of  Manchester;  Reynolds,  of  Jewett 
Citv.  The  address  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh,  of  Hartford.  The 
contributions  realized  $3,000.  On  November  17,  1S74,  the  church  was  dedi- 
cated by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McQuaid,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

St.  Joseph's  Church  is  Gothic  in  design  ;  length,  156  feet;  width.  64  feet; 
and  from  the  floor  to  the  highest  point  of  the  ceiling,  75  feet.  From  the  curb- 
stone it  is  175  feet  to  the  top  of  the  spire.  The  high  altar  is  of  Munich 
construction,  and  a  notable  work  of  -art.  The  church  will  accommodate 
1,200  people,  and  when  completed  cost  over  $80,000. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  433 

ST.  JAMES'  PARISH, 
Danielson. 

HE  first  missionary  priest  to  exercise  his  ministry  permanently  in  Wind- 
ham county  was  the  Rev.  Michael  McCabe,  a  Franciscan  friar  from 
Ireland.  Previous  to  his  advent  Jesuit  priests  from  Worcester,  Mass., 
visited  this  section  of  the  State  at  irregular  intervals,  perhaps  semi-annually, 
or  at  most,  quarterly,  and  ministered  to  the  wants  of  the  people  whom  they  , 
found  in  their  missionary  journeys.  Father  McCabe  entered  upon  his  minis- 
try here  in  1850  and  offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  for  the  first  time 
in  a  private  residence  on  Franklin  street.  Bacon's  Hall  was  afterwards  secured 
for  Divine  Worship.  Father  McCabe's  pastorate  in  Danielson  terminated 
with  his  death  in  i860,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Philip  B.  Daly, 
whose  period  of  service  was  of  short  duration.  The  Rev.,  James  Quinn  suc- 
ceeded Father  Dal)-,  taking  up  his  residence  at  Moosup,  Danielson  becoming 
a  dependency.  On  August  29,  1S64,  Father  Quinn  purchased  an  old  Second 
Adventist  chapel,  with  the  lot  on  which  it  stood,  of  Sally  D.  Brown.  This, 
the  first  Catholic  church  in  Danielson,  became  afterwards  the  transept  of  an 
enlarged  edifice.  Father  Quinn  added  the  front  part  of  the  edifice  and  also 
secured  additional  property  on  the  north  of  the  church  from  Elisha  Chaniber- 
lin  on  Jul  \-  3,  1866.  On  this  laud  Father  Quinn  erected  the  parochial  residence. 
In  September,  1869,  Danielson  again  became  the  residence  of  a  pastor  in  the 
person  of  the  Rev.  A.  Princeu.  Father  Princen  enlarged  the  church  again  by 
the  addition  of  the  sanctuary  and  vestry.  His  pastoral  relations  were  severed 
by  death  in  April,  1883.  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Preston  began  his  administration 
of  St.  James'  upon  the  death  of  Father  Princen.  The  works  which  marked 
his  pastorate  were  the  renovation  and  remodeling  of  the  church  ;  the  liquida- 
tion of  the  g6ooo  indebtedness  and  the  erection  of  a  parochial  school  at 
an  expense  of  $11,000,  including  the  lot,  which  comprises  two  and  one- 
half  acres,  and  purchased  on  March  7,  1 877,  of  Betsy  H.  Ely.  The  school  is 
a  spacious  and  an  attractive  structure  and  was  opened  in  September,  1 889.  It 
will  accommodate  about  350  pupils  and  is  conducted  by  the  Sisters  of  St. 
Joseph.  Instruction  is  imparted  in  the  modern  languages,  and  also  in  music, 
drawing  and  fancy  work.  The  present  enrolment  of  pupils  is  245,  with  four 
sisters,  of  whom  Sister  M.  Theophane  is  tlie  Directress. 

At  the  time  St.  James'  parish  was  organized  a  census  of  the  Catholic 
population  gave  800  souls,  Irish  and  Canadians.  During  Father  Preston's 
administration  the  estimated  number  was  about  1300  French-Canadians  and 
500  Irish  and  their  descendants. 

Father  Preston's  administration  closed  in  1895,  when  St.  James'  passed 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  missionary  Fathers  of  Our  Lady  of  La  Salette, 
Hartford,  with  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Socquet,  M.S.,  as  pastor.  In  1898  Father 
Socquet  gave  way  to  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Guinet,  M.S.,  who  is  still  in  charge. 

The  priests  who  served  here  as  assistants  are  the  following  :  Revs.  John 
Van  den  Noort,  T.  J.   Preston,   Father    Finnegan,  Joseph    Gleeson,  James 
Thompson,  Andrew  Haggarty,   Arthur  O'Keefe,   P.   Fox,  A.  L.  Dusablon, 
11—28 


434  THE   CATHOUC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

F.  Bedard.  The  present  assistants  are  Rev.  J.  Blanc,  M.S.,  and  the  Rev.  T. 
Ronx,  M.S. 

Besides  the  chnrch,  rectory,  school  and  convent,  tlie  parish  possesses  a 
tract  of  land  on  which  it  is  the  intention  to  build  a  new  church  and  parochial 
residence. 

The  diflficnlties  which  existed  between  the  pastors  and  parishioners  of  St. 
James'  and  to  wliich  the  English-speaking  portion  of  the  congregation  were 
no  party,  and  which,  furthermore,  may  have  been  the  result  of  a  lack  of  proper 
appreciation  of  the  genius  of  our  institutions,  are  now,  we  trust,  happily 
adjusted,  and  that  the  memory  of  them  will  never  again  arise  to  disturb  the 
peace  of  the  parish.  Refusal  to  acknowledge  legitimate  ecclesiastical  author- 
ity, especially  when  such  refusal  leads  to  seeking  relief  in  the  civil  courts, 
cannot  but  exercise  a  deleterious  influence  upon  those  not  of  the  household 
of  the  faith,  while  at  the  same  time  it  tends  to  weaken,  if  not  to  utterly  destroy, 
the  faitli  of  those  who  claim  the  Catholic  church  as  their  mother. 

In  the  early  days  of  Catholicity  in  this,  as  in  other  dioceses,  difficulties 
between  bishops  and  priests  and  people  were  not  of  infrequent  occurrence  ;  but 
they  sprang,  not  always  from  a  desire  to  rebel  against  their  lawful  superiors, 
but  were  rather  the  outcome  of  the  un.settled  condition  of  ecclesiastical  laws. 
Moreover,  priests  and  people  came  not  so  frequently  into  contact  with  one 
another  as  at  present,  owing  to  widely-separated  missions  and  the  scarcity 
of  priests.  The  people,  therefore,  were,  to  a  certain  extent,  under  tlie  influ- 
ences of  designing  men  who  sought  the  advancement  of  self,  and  who,  there- 
fore, endeavored  to  curtail  the  power  of  the  priest  with  his  people,  and  some- 
times to  destroy  it  altogether.  Tliis  was  a  potent  factor  in  many  quarrels, 
the  memory  of  wliich  is  becoming  dim  as  time  advances.  But  at  present, 
with  our  means  of  enlightenment,  with  our  numerous  priests  and  Sisters, 
with  our  bishops,  who  are  no  respecters  of  per.sons,  ever  active  and  willing 
to  conserve  the  spiritual  interests  of  all  their  flocks,  irrespective  of  race 
conditions,  resistance  to  legitimately  establi.shed  authority,  under  what  pre- 
text soever,  seems  an  anachronism,  is  utterly  to  be  condemned,  and  to  be 
repudiated  by  all  who  have  the  welfare  of  the  church  and  the  honor  and 
glory  of  God  at  heart. 

During  the  three  decades  of  the  pari.sh's  existence  the  sacrament  of  Bap- 
tism has  been  conferred  335  times ;  in  the  same  period  72  marriages  were 
solemnized. 

The  clergy  of  St.  James'  attend  also  one  mission,  Hampton,  where  Ma.ss 
is  said  every  other  Sunday,  and  two  stations,  Brooklyn  and  Chestnut  Hill, 
which  are  attended  once  a  month.  Hampton  was  incorporated  in  17S6.  In 
1720  it  was  known  as  Kennedy,  or  Winiiltant  Village,  so  called  from  a  Mr. 
Kennedy  who,  with  his  flxmily,  were  the  first  .settlers  here.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  Hampton  church  of  Our  Lady  of  Lourdes  was  laid  on  Thursday, 
the  istli  of  November,  1877,  by  Bishop  Galberry,  during  the  administration 
of  Rev.  Father  Princen.  The  priests  assisting  the  bishop  were  the  Rev. 
Fathers  De  Bruycker,  as  deacon  ;  Rev.  Daniel  Mullen,  of  Norwich,  as  sub- 
deacon  ;  and   Rev.  Thos.  J.  Preston,  of  DanieLson,  as  master  of  ceremonies. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD ^  435 

Other  priests  present  were  Fathers  Van  den  Noort,  Van  Oppen,  Martial,  Van 
Wersch,  Shahan,  Russell,  and  Kennedy.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Father  De  Bruycker. 

An  acre  of  ground  had  been  donated  to  the  Catholics  of  Hampton  for  the  site 
of  a  church  by  ex-Governor  Cleveland.  The  church  was  dedicated  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  The  cost  of  the  building  when  completed  was  about  ^4,000. 
At  that  time  there  were  thirty-four  families  professing  the  Catholic  faith  in 
Hampton.    The  number  has  decreased  to  eighty  souls,  the  present  population. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S    PARISH, 

Dayville. 

-r^^\  ESIDES  Dayville,  St.  Joseph's  parish  embraces  within  its  jurisdiction 
I V^^  Williamsville,  Attawangan  and  Ballonville.  Dayville  was  formerly 
(-y^^^  attached  to  Danielson  as  an  out-mission,  and  for  some  years  the 
Rev.  A.  Princen  said  Mass  in  Sayles  Hall.  In  1873  St.  Joseph's 
church  was  built,  and  was  dedicated  by  Very  Rev.  Jas.  Hughes,  V.G.,  Admin- 
istrator, in  j\Iay,  1875.  The  lot  on  which  the  church  stands,  containing 
about  three  acres,  was  donated  by  Sabin  L.  Sayles.  Dayville  remained  a 
;nission  of  Danielson  until  September  i,  1S81,  when  the  Rev.  Theodore 
Ariens  was  appointed  first  resident  pastor.  Father  Ariens  built  the  paro- 
chial residence,  and  also  the  cliurch  of  the  Five  Wounds,  in  Ballouville. 
Father  Ariens  served  five  years,  when  the  Rev.  Terrence  J.  Dunn  was 
appointed  his  successor.  On  February  7,  1894,  the  present  incumbent,  Rev. 
Jas.  H.  Fitzmaurice,  was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's.  In  1898  the  Day- 
ville Woolen  Co.  became  a  benefactor  of  the  parish  by  the  generous  donation 
of  a  tract  of  land  to  serve  as  an  addition  to  the  cemetery,  which  had  been 
previously  given  by  Mr.  Sayles. 

The  site  on  which  the  church  of  the  Five  Wounds,  Ballouville,  stands 
was  presented  by  the  Attawangan  Company.  The  estimated  number  of 
Catholics  in  Dayville  at  the  present  time  is  1,400,  of  whom  the  majority  are 
French  Canadians,  the  remainder  being  Irish  and  tlieir  descendants. 

ST.  JOSEPH'S  PARISH, 

Gkosvenordale. 

(5  I  HE  early  Catholic  residents  of  the  two  Grosvenordales  attended  divine 
*  I  services  at  Putnam  and  Webster,  Mass.  The  first  priest  to  minister 
to  their  spiritual  wants  was  the  Rev.  William  E.  Duffy,  of  Pascoag, 
R.  I.,  who  had  Putnam  in  his  jurisdiction.  When  Putnam  received  a  resident 
pastor  in  September,  1866,  Thompson  was  attached  to  it  as  a  mission,  with 
the  Rev.  Eugene  J.  Vygen  as  pastor.  Father  Vygen  purchased  in  1872  twelve 
acres  of  land  between  Grosvenordale  and  North  Grosvenordale,  and  imme- 
diately began  preparations  for  tlie  erection  of  a  church.  Having  matured  his 
plans,  St.  Joseph's  church,  a  frame  structure  of  Gothic  design,  was  built  at 
an  outlay  of  $10,000.  The  church  was  dedicated  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
IMcFarland,  on  September  29,  1872,  the  Rev.  Father  Martial,  of  Putnam, 
delivering  the  address. 


436  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

In  January,  1873,  St.  Joseph's  was  elevated  to  the  parochial  dignity,  having 
in  its  jurisdiction  the  whole  town  with  the  exception  of  Mechanicsville,  West 
Thompson,  and  Qiiaduc  or  Qiiandiic.  The  estimated  population  of  the  parish 
at  that  time  was  about  900  souls.  The  first  resident  pastor  was  the  Rev.  H. 
Martial,  and  the  lay  trustees  were  Patrick  Kelly  and  Louis  P.  Lamourex. 
Father  Martial  built  the  parochial  residence  in  the  same  year,  and  in  the  year 
following  the  cemetery  was  blessed  by  Ver)'  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  Admin- 
istrator, on  June  15th.  Six  years  later  the  limits  of  the  parish  were  extended 
to  embrace  the  whole  town,  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Haggarty  was  appointed  assistant. 
During  this  year  the  church  of  tlie  Sacred  Heart  at  West  Thompson  was 
erected,  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  McMahon.  Upon  the  death  of  Father 
Martial  the  affairs  of  the  parish  were  administered  by  Rev.  Father  Flannagan 
until  February  14,  1883,  when  Rev.  Thos.  Cooney  began  his  administration. 
Soon  after  entering  upon  his  labors  Father  Cooney  extended  his  mis- 
sionary sphere  to  New  Boston  and  Quinnebaug.  Mr.  Ebcn  S.  Stevens,  of 
Ouinnebaug,  moved  by  generous  impulses  and  desirous  of  advancing  the 
interests  of  religion,  donated  a  piece  of  land  for  church  purposes,  and  added 
$300  to  this  donation.  The  church  was  erected  in  New  Boston  and  dedi- 
cated in  honor  of  St.  Stephen  by  Bishop  McMahon  on  March  30,  1884.  The 
edifice  cost  $3,000.  St.  Joseph's  parochial  school,  an  attractive,  substantial 
and  commodious  structure,  embracing  also  the  convent  and  hall,  was  erected 
in  1881,  at  an  expense  of  $12,000.  The  school  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  and  of  the  Seven  Dolors,  and  was  opened  for  the 
reception  of  pupils  on  January  2,  1882.  On  that  day  300  children  presented 
themselves  for  enrolment.  At  present  473  pupils  are  taught  by  nine  sisters, 
whose  Directress  is  Sister  M.  St.  Beatrice. 

The  Congregation  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  was  founded  in  the 
city  of  Mans,  France,  in  1837,  by  the  Very  Rev.  Basil  Moreau,  C.S.C.  The 
Congregation  is  at  present  divided  into  three  branches,  each  having  a  superior 
and  a  government  of  its  own.  The  l\Iother-hou.se  of  the  Mariauites  of  Holy 
Cross  is  the  cradle  of  the  institution  of  Mans,  France.  The  American  branch 
has  its  Mother-house  at  Notre  Dame,  Ind. ,  the  title  of  the  communit\  being 
Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cros.s. 

The  Canadian  branch  to  which  the  Sisters  of  Grosvenordale  belong  has 
its  Mother-house  at  St.  Laurent,  near  Montreal,  and  the  official  title  of  the 
community  is  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  and  of  the  Seven  Dolors.  In  April, 
1 88 1,  Rev.  Father  Martial,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's,  first  broached  the  question 
of  a  parochial  school  to  his  parishioners.  Generous  subscriptions  were  offered 
immediately,  the  St.  John  Baptist  society.  Cadets  of  Temperance,  the  Dra- 
matic Club,  and  the  parishioners  vying  with  one  another  in  their  contribu- 
tions. Encouraged  by  these  marks  of  good  will  on  the  part  of  his  people, 
Father  Martial  visited  Montreal  during  the  same  month,  and  through  the 
intervention  of  the  Bishop  of  that  See,  secured  the  services  of  six  Si.sters 
of  the  Holy  Cross  from  the  Mother-house  at  St.  Laurent.  On  his  return  to 
Grosvenordale,  Father  Martial  began  the  building  of  the  convent  and  school, 
which  were  completed   in  November  of  the  same  year.     The  convent  is  a 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  437 

substantial  wooden  structure,  48  by  39  feet,  and  three  stories  high.  The 
school  adjoins  the  convent,  is  two  stories  high,  98  by  29  feet,  the  largest  por- 
tion being  used  as  a  public  hall.  The  Sisters  arrived  in  Grosvenordale  on 
December  21,  1881,  and  were  cordially  received  by  the  ladies  of  the  parish. 
On  Sunday,  Christmas  day,  Mr.  Joseph  Magnan,  at  an  assemblage  of  the 
parishioners,  addressed  the  Sisters  in  behalf  of  the  French-Canadians,  and 
Mr.  Patrick  Kelly,  in  behalf  of  the  Irish  members  of  the  congregation. 

Of  late  )ears,  the  building  has  been  enlarged  and  improved,  and  the 
work  begun  by  Father  Martial  is  continued  by  his  zealous  and  energetic 
successor.  Father  Cooney. 

ALL  HALLOW:S  PARISH, 
Moosup. 

BOUT  si.xty-six  years  ago  (1833),  the  first  little  band  of  Catholics 
settled  in  Moosup  in  the  persons  of  Michael  Smith,  Sr.,  Andrew 
Smith,  James  McCaffrey,  and  James  Meehan.  Like  their  fellow- 
countrymen  of  those  trying  days,  whom  immigration  brought  to 
our  shores,  they  yearned  for  the  presence  of  those  who  could  administer 
to  them  the  consolations  of  religion  and  dispense  the  graces  of  the  sacraments. 
Though  deprived  of  priestly  ministrations  for  some  years  they,  nevertheless, 
held  fast  to  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints  and  rejoiced  when,  about 
1848,  the  first  Mass  in  Moosup  was  offered  up  in  the  house  of  Michael  Smith, 
Sr.,  now  occupied  by  Terrence  Coughlin.  The  celebrant  of  this  historic 
Mass  was  the  Rev.  William  Logan,  S.J. ,  of  Holy  Cross  College,  Worcester, 
who  about  this  time  had  charge  of  New  London,  Norwich  and  several  adjoin- 
ing stations.  On  his  way  from  Worcester,  he  may  have  heard  of  the  pres- 
ence here  of  some  Catholics  and  sojourned  amongst  them  to  offer  up  the 
Holy  Sacrifice.  About  this  time  there  were  between  twenty  and  thirty  Irish 
Catholics  in  Moosup.  Following  Father  Logan,  Moosup  was  attended  at 
intervals  of  three  mouths  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Blenkinsop,  also  of  Worcester, 
until  the  appointment  of  Rev.  Michael  McCabe  to  the  pastorate  of  Daniel- 
son.  Father  McCabe' s  visits  were  made  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  months, 
and  on  these  occasions  he  said  Mass  in  private  houses.  His  services  con- 
tinued until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Philip  Daly,  whose  pastorate  ter- 
minated in  June,  1861,  when  the  Rev.  James  Quinn  succeeded  him.  Father 
Quinn   served  until  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  J.  J.  McCabe  in  October, 

1869.  The  next  jmstor  was  the  Rev.  Ferdinand  Relanger,  who  came  in  April, 

1870.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Quinn,  who  received  his  appoint- 
ment in  November,  1872.  Rev.  Denis  Desmond  then  followed  in  July, 
1874,  and  remained  until  October,  1876,  when  Rev.  P.  M.  Kennedy  took  up 
the  reins  of  government.  His  pastorate  terminated  in  October,  1878,  and 
the  Rev.  John  A.  Creedon  became  pastor  of  All  Hallow's.  Upon  the  trans- 
lation of  Father  Creedon  to  Windsor  Locks,  in  January,  1896,  the  present 
incumbent.  Rev.  John  H.  Broderick,  became  his  successor. 

All  Hallow's  church  was  built  in  1859-60,  by  Rev.  Philip  Dal}'.  So 
enthusiastically  did   the  people  set  about  to  witness  the  realization  of  their 


438  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

hopes  thai  the  site  of  the  church  and  parochial  residence  was  soon  purchased 
from  M.  S.  Bennett.  The  corner-stone  of  the  church  was  laid  by  Bishop 
McFarland  in  the  same  fall,  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn  delivering  the  address.  The 
same  prelate  dedicated  it  under  its  present  title  in  the  following  spring.  Dur- 
ing the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Father  Belanger  the  old  pastoral  residence  and 
lot  were  secured.  All  Hallow's  parish  embraced  at  one  period  the  towns  of 
Sterling,'  Plainfield,  Griswold,  Canterbury,  Hampton  and  a  part  of  Killingly. 
When  the  parish  was  organized,  the  population  was  estimated  at  about  500 
souls,  chiefly  Irish.  At  present  it  numbers  about  1,500,  comprising  Irish  and 
French  Canadians.  During  Father  Creedon's  period  of  .service,  in  18S9,  the 
church  was  practically  rebuilt,  extensive  improvements  having  been  made 
both  within  and  without.  A  conflagration  in  May,  1893,  destroyed  the  old 
rectory,  and  the  present  attractive  and  spacious  parochial  residence  arose 
from  its  ashes.  Since  the  arrival  of  Father  Broderick  the  reduction  of  the 
debt  has  been  steady  and  gratifying,  both  to  pastor  and  people,  new  land  has 
been  acquired,  the  grounds  about  the  church  and  rectory  have  been  greatly 
improved,  and  hopes  are  entertained  of  beginning  the  erection  of  a  new 
church  in  the  near  future. 

The  old  cemetery  is  in  the  church-yard,  and  was  first  used  in  1861,  but 
it  has  ceased  to  be  used  as  a  place  of  burial  for  well  nigh  fifteen  years. 

The  priests  who  have  served  All  Hallow's  as  assistants  are  the  following: 
Rev.  A.  Bernard,  from  July,  1869,  to  September,  1869;  Rev.  T.  Sweeney, 
from  November,  1880,  to  January,  1882;  Rev.  T.  J.  Dunn,  from  March,  1882, 
to  June,  1886;  Rev.  T.  H.  Shanley,  from  November,  1886,  to  October,  1890. 
The  present  assistant  pastor  is  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Broderick. 

The  baptismal  records  disclose  5,402  baptisms  from  1869  to  1898;  in  the 
same  period  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  773  times. 

Oneco,  a  town  on  the  N.  Y.,  N.  H.  and  H:  R.  R.,  formerly  the  New 
England  railroad,  is  attended  from  All  Hallow's  as  a  station. 

"  The  pari.sh  is  prosperous,  its  numbers  on  the  increase  and  the  Catholic 
portion  of  the  community,  with  its  usual  generous  and  self-sacrificing  spirit, 
is  determined  to  keep  fully  abreast  of  the  times." 

PARISH  OF  ST.  xMARY'S  OF  THE  VISITATION, 

Putnam. 

tS  far  as  can  be  ascertained  from  existing  records,  the  first  Catholic  in 
Putnam  was  a  French-Canadian,  Peter  Donough,  who  came  in  1843^ 
with  a  large  family.  After  the  opening  of  the  great  factories,  in 
1848,  other  Canadians  came  and  soon  formed  a  comparatively 
numerous  colony.  Among  the  other  early  Catholic  §ettlers  of  this  mission, 
were  Nicholas  Cosgrove,  James  Raff'erty,  Francis  Madden,  James  Bracken, 
Matthew  Ragan,  John  Conway,  Jean  Baptiste  Lapointe,  Francois  Piche, 
Menis  Bibeault,  M.  Champeau,  Ambrose  Lapointe,  and  Thomas  Luby. 

'Sterling  was  named  after  an  Irishman,  Henry  Sterling,  M.D.,  who  was  a  resident 
of  the  State  during  the  Revolution. 


REV.  JOHN   H.  FITZMAURICE. 


REV.  JOHN  VAN   DEN   NOORT. 


REV.  THOMAS  COONEY. 


REV.  J.  P.  GUINET.  M.S. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  439 

The  Rev.  William  Logan,  .S.J.,  of  Worcester,  celebrated  the  first  Mass 
said  in  Putnam,  in  the  residence  of  Nicholas  Cosgrove,  on  July  8,  1849.  His 
successor  was  also  a  Jesuit  priest  of  Holy  Cross  College,  Rev.  Peter  Blenkinsop, 
who  celebrated  Ma.ss  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Ambrose  Lapointe.  The  Rev.  Michael 
McCabe  came  next  and  celebrated  his  first  Mass  here  in  a  private  house,  but 
afterwards  secured  Morse's  Hall.  The  presence  of  Catholics,  however,  in  this 
hall  was  displeasing  to  the  Know-Nothing  element,  and  Father  McCabe  and 
his  congregation  were  ordered  to  discontinue  their  services  there.  Determined 
to  build  a  church  for  his  people,  if  possible,  Father  McCabe  purchased  an  acre 
of  ground  from  Edward  Wilkinson.  But  the  financial  means  of  the  people 
not  corresponding  to  their  own  nor  to  their  pastor's  desires,  they  secured 
Quinnebaug  Hall,  where  divine  services  were  held  once  a  month.  In  1858, 
Putnam  was  attended  from  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  wliose  pastor  was  the  Rev.  William 
E.  Duffy.  In  the  year  following  he  began  the  erection  of  the  first  church  in 
this  section  of  Connecticut.  It  was  a  small  frame  building,  and  cost  when 
completed  and  furnished  about  $2200;  its  dimensions  were  60  x  24.  Father 
Duffy  was  succeeded  in  1866  by  the  Rev.  Eugene  J.  Vygen,  who  became  the 
first  resident  pastor.  When  Bishop  McFarland  appointed  him  to  this  mission 
he  said  to  hiin  :  "  Putnam  is  a  poor  missionary  field,  and  will  not  be  able  to 
support  you  ;  but  go  there,  board  at  the  hotel  and  do  the  best  you  can." 
"Sent  to  administer  the  sacraments  at  Putnam,  he  was  greatly  moved  by  the 
spiritual  destitution  of  the  people  without  resident  priest,  schools  or  burial 
ground ;  it  was  no  marvel  that  '  scandals  became  frequent  and  the  church  of 
God  suffered.'  The  keen-eyed  young  missionary  saw  at  a  glance  the  great 
capabilities  of  the  field.  Some  half  dozen  large  manufactories  in  Putnam 
and  Thompson  were  bringing  in  hundreds  of  Catholic  families.  Putnam 
village  gave  promise  of  becoming  an  important  business  centre,  and  was  a 
natural  church  home  of  this  increasing  Catholic  population.  With  much 
earnestness  Father  Vygen  laid  the  need  and  opportunity  before  the  Bishop 
of  the  diocese,  and  was  allowed  to  enter  upon  the  Putnam  pastorate." 

The  first  work  accomplished  by  Father  Vygen  was  the  purchase  of  a 
residence  from  a  Mr.  Tanner ;  he  then  secured  five  and  a  half  acres  of  land 
which  he  laid  out  for  cemetery  purposes,  and  had  it  consecrated  by  Bishop 
McFarland  in  1868.  He  then  added  to  the  church's  possessions  by  purchas- 
ing additional  property,  and  soon  after  erected  a  pastoral  residence  near  the 
church  at  an  expense  of  about  $4,000.  But  Father  Vygen's  ambition,  and  a 
laudable  one  it  was,  was  directed  to  the  building  of  a  church  more  adapted  to 
the  growing  importance  of  his  congregation.  Before  entering,  however,  on 
the  project  he  visited  the  various  capitals  and  other  cities  of  Europe,  making 
a  tour  of  inspection  of  the  chief  church  edifices.  With  this  experience  and 
having  secured  financial  aid  among  his  European  friends,  he  returned  with  a 
determination  to  begin  and  prosecute  the  work  to  a  successful  completion.  To 
this  end  he  purchased  additional  property  from  Messrs.  Morse  and  Wilkinson, 
and  removed  the  old  church.  The  new  edifice,  an  impressive  brick  structure, 
was  dedicated  by  Bishop  McFarland  on  November  24,  1870.  The  dimensions 
of  this  church  were  160  by  93  ;  transept,  90  feet.     But  Father  Vygen's  labors 


440  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

were  not  yet  finished.  Early  in  1873  he  began  the  erection  of  a  school  and 
convent,  and  in  April,  1874,  the  former  was  opened  nnder  the  direction  of  the 
Sisters  of  Mercy. 

But  Father  Vygen  and  his  devoted  people  were  to  be  tried  in  the  crucible 
of  affliction.  On  February-  6,  1875,  a  conflagration  destroyed  the  church,  and 
what  had  been  "  the  pride  of  the  Catholics  of  Putnam,  was  a  charred  and 
blackened  mass  of  ruins."  The  fire  spread  so  rapidly  that  the  sacred  vessels,  the 
vestments,  the  altar  and  organ,  and  a  valuable  library  of  a  thousand  volumes 
— in  a  word,  all  the  treasures  of  the  church  were  consumed.  Among  the 
precious  articles  destroyed  was  a  gold  clialice  presented  to  Father  Vygen  by 
his  parents  on  the  day  of  his  ordination.  The  church  with  its  treasures  was 
valued  at  $85,000,  and  was  insured  for  $48,000.  Of  this  amount  $32,000  was 
spent  in  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  on  the  school  and  convent.  Undismayed 
by  this  severe  loss.  Father  Vygen  began  immediately  the  erection  of  a  chapel, 
his  people  worshiping  in  the  meantime  in  Quinnebaug  hall.  Within  a  year 
after  the  conflagration  St.  Joseph's  chapel  was  dedicated,  on  November  i, 
1876,  by  Bishop  Galberry.  The  dimensions  of  the  chapel  were  95  by  60 
feet,  and  it  had  a  seating  capacity  of  800. 

Father  Vygen  celebrated  his  silver  jul^ilee  in  March,  1889.  He  was  sum- 
moned to  his  reward  in  October  of  the  same  Near.  His  had  been  a  most  useful 
and  active  life,  and  his  memory  is  honored  by  Protestants  and  Catholics  alike. 
A  contemporary  paid  him  this  tribute:  "Father  Vygen  is  much  beloved  by 
his  people  and  respected  bj-  all  for  his  consistent  Christian  character,  and 
faithful  labors  in  behalf  of  temperance,  morality  and  all  salutary  enterprises." 

The  present  rector  of  St.  Mary's,  the  Rev.  John  Van  den  Noort,  became 
his  successor. 

In  1849,  when  the  first  Mass  was  said  in  Putnam,  about  thirty-five  persons 
were  present.  When  the  first  church  was  built  the  Catholic  population  was 
estimated  at  1,000,  probabh-  a  high  estimate.  When  the  church  which  was 
destroyed  by  fire  was  completed,  a  census  showed  the  presence  in  Putnam  of 
2, 500  Catholics.  The  present  population  of  the  parish  is  3 ,400  souls,  of  mi.xed 
nationalities. 

In  1874  when  the  school  was  opened,  400  pupils  asked  for  admission. 
The  present  number  of  pupils  is  586,  taught  by  nine  sisters,  whose  Superioress 
is  Sister  M.  Paula. 

The  assistants  who  served  in  St.  Mary's  at  various  periods  were  the  Revs. 
H.  Martial,  T.  Joynt,  A.  Van  Oppen,  T.  Cooney,  W.  F'iannagan,  T.  Cronan, 
E.  Broderick,  E.  Chapdelaine  and  J.  Papillon. 

Among  the  special  benefactors  of  the  parish  mention  should  be  made  of 
Bi.shop  McFarland,  Rev.  Eugene  Vygen,  Rev.  F.  DeBruycker,  Rev.  Van 
Laar,  and  Rev.  A.  Princen,  Michael  McGnirk,  Maria  McDerby,  Wm.  Mul- 
len, Augustin  Iv'Espcrance,  Misael  Desros-rrs,  Francois  Bihcault. 

The  most  remarkable  conversion  to  Catholicism  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  Putnam  was  that  of  ]\Irs.  Clara  Thompson,  of  Pomfret,  the  authoress  of 
several  Catholic  works  of  great  value.  She  had  formerly  professed  the  Epis- 
copalian faith. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  441 

SACRED   HEART   PARISH, 
Wauregan. 

fHE  earliest  known  Catholics  to  settle  in  Wauregan  were  Thomas  Gib- 
bons, P.  Flanagan,  James  Riley,  Louis  Charon,  Pierre  Girard  and 
Alexis  Jette.  To  them  belongs  the  distinction  of  keeping,  alive  the 
sacred  flame  of  faith  in  this  vicinity  at  a  period  when  a  Catholic  was  scruti- 
nized as  the  representative  of  a  foreign  despot,  whose  ambition  it  was  to  en- 
slave the  human  family,  and  as  the  embodiment  of  superstition,  idolatry  and 
disloyalty.  Of  inferior  clay  he  was  supposed  to  be,  and  as  "  an  ignorant 
foreigner,"  was  held  in  contempt,  a  sentiment  which  in  this  enlightenment 
age  provokes  rather  pity  than  anger.  Sons  of  the  Emerald  Isle  and  children 
of  France,  the  fervent  disciples  of  St.  Patrick  and  of  St.  Louis,  of  Columba  and 
of  Genevieve,  came  hither  to  cast  their  lot  with  others  more  prosperous  in 
the  goods  of  earth  and  to  assist  in  laying  strong  and  deep  the  foundations  of 
the  Church  in  this  portion  of  our  beloved  land. 

Missionary  priests  from  Holy  Cross  College,  whose  jurisdiction  ex- 
tended as  far  south  as  New  London,  exercised  their  ministry  here  between 
1848  and  1850,  consoling  the  faithful  by  the  graces  of  the  Mass  and  the 
sacraments,  and  strengthening  them  against  the  spiritual  dangers  which 
are  ever  present  to  the  soul  when  deprived  of  the  holy  ministrations  of  God's 
anointed. 

The  Rev.  Michael  McCabe,  a  pioneer  missionary  of  north-eastern  Con- 
necticut, visited  Wauregan  in  the  early  fifties.  When  the  church  of  All 
Hallows  was  built  at  Moosup  in  1859-60,  by  Rev.  Philip  Daly,  the  Catho- 
lics of  Wauregan  attended  divine  services  there,  many  of  them  making  the 
journey  on  foot.  But  the  inconvenience  attendant  upon  these  journeys  was 
eliminated  when,  in  1870,  Rev.  Ferdinand  Berlanger,  pastor  of  Moosup,  began 
the  erection  of  a  church  at  Wauregan,  which  was  completed  by  his  successor, 
Rev.  John  Quinn.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes, 
V.  G.,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  by  Bishop 
McFarland.  The  church  property,  which  is  situated  in  West  Wauregan  in 
the  town  of  Brooklyn,  was  purchased  from  Mr.  James  Atwood,  manager  of 
the  Wauregan  Mills,  for  $1000. 

The  priests  who  attended  Wauregan  in  succession  to  Father  Berlanger 
were  Revs.  John  Quinn,  Denis  Desmond,  Peter  M.  Kennedy,  John  Creedon. 

The  jurisdiction  of  Moosup  over  Wauregan  ceased  on  May  20,  1889, 
when  Bishop  McMahon  organized  the  latter  into  a  parish  and  appointed  Rev. 
Arthur  A.  O'  Keefe  the  first  resident  pastor.  Father  O'Keefe  entered  upon 
his  new  sphere  of  labors  with  characteristic  activity,  and,  his  parishioners 
cheerfully  co-operating,  has  accomplished  results  that  make  for  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people  and  the  honor  of  the  church.  Among 
other  material  works,  mention  may  be  made  of  the  erection  of  a  parochial 
residence,  and  other  buildings,  barn,  horse-sheds,  etc.  A  new  cemetery  was 
purchased  and  blessed  on  May  17,  1891,  the  grounds  about  the  church  and 
rectory  have  been  improved  and  beautified,  and  an  abundant  water  su23ply 


442  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

introduced  into  the  parochial  residence  and  outer  buildings.  The  total  ex- 
tent of  the  church  property  is  twenty-five  acres. 

\yhen  the  parish  was  organized,  its  population  was  estimated  at  1350 
souls,  of  whom  iioo  were  French  and  250  Irish;  the  latest  census  gives  1200: 
French  Canadians,  1000,  Irish,  200. 

The  baptismal  register,  beginning  in  18S9,  discloses  452  baptisms  to  have 
been  administered  to  1898;  while  97  marriages  were  solemnized  within  the 
same  period.  The  first  birth,  as  well  as  the  first  baptism,  was  that  of  Mary 
Ellen  Fallon.  The  first  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  on  June  24,  1 8S9, 
the  contracting  parties  being  Joseph  Lefevre  and  Aglae  Boivin.  The  first 
death  was  that  of  Ludger  Gauthier,  a  child  of  two  years. 

SACRED   HEART   PARISH, 
West  Thcmpson. 

jECHANICSVILLE  began  its  existence  as  an  independent  parish 
on  February  2,  1886,  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Flannagau  having  been  ap- 
pointed by  Bishop  ]Mc^Iahon  its  first  resident  pastor.  The  pas- 
toral residence  was  built  in  1887,  at  an  outlay  of  $3,000.  In 
1880,  Mechanicsville  and  West  Thompson  were  assigned  as  dependencies  of 
Grosvenordale.  In  that  year  the  church  of  the  Sacred  Heart  was  built,  the 
principal  benefactor  being  Mr.  Thomas  D.  Sayles,  who  donated  the  site  and 
$500  additional  to  insure  the  inception  of  the  edifice. 

The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  James  Cunningham. 

Attached  to  West  Thompson  is  the  mission  of  Pomfret,  church  of  the 
Holy  Trinity. 

First  se^itled  in  1686,  Pomfret  was  granted  the  privileges  of  incorpora- 
tion in  1713.  In  this  vicinity  is  Putnam's  "Wolf  Den,"  famous  in  Connecti- 
cut history,  as  the  scene  of  the  great  American's  encounter  with  a  she-wolf  in 
which  the  former  was  victorious. 

Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  church  divine  services  were  held  in  Pom- 
fret Hall.  A  class  in  Christian  doctrine  was  also  conducted.  Work  on  the 
construction  of  the  church  was  begun  early  in  1885,  and  Mass  was  said  in  it 
for  the  first  time  on  Easter  Sunday,  1887.     Shortly  after  it  was  dedicated. 

An  efficient  auxiliar\-  to  the  clergy  in  religious  and  charitable  work,  a 
munificent  benefactor  to  the  parish,  Mrs.  Clara  Thompson,  a  convert  from 
the  Episcopal  faith,  was  a  power  for  good  among  her  co-religionists,  devoted 
and  zealous,  withal  prudent,  enjoying  the  confidence  and  affection  of  all  classes. 
She  passed  among  them  a  striking  example  of  the  sweet  and  precious  influ- 
ence of  the  Catholic  religion  upon  a  .soul  who  realizes  its  relationship  with 
its  Creator,  who  recognizes  that,  not  earthly  pleasure,  nor  preferments  nor 
wealth,  is  the  goal  towards  which  man  should  tend,  but  that  his  destiny,  a 
supernatural  end,  is  the  eternal  possession  of  God,  and  who  from  a  heart 
craving  for  divine  love,  cries  out  with  St.  Augustine  :  "  Our  hearts  know  no 
rest,  O  God,  until  they  find  rest  in  Thee." 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  443 

ST.  MICHAEL'S  PARISH, 
Westerly,  R.  I.  (P.  O.)- 

fHE  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  was  first  offered  up  in  Westerly  in  1835, 
by  the  Rev.  James  Fitton,  in  the  house  of  a  railroad  contractor  which 
was  situated  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Pawcatuck  bridge.  After 
this  visit  Father  Fitton  returned  to  this  neighborhood  twice  each  year  to  offer 
the  Holy  Sacrifice  and  otherwise  minister  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Catho- 
lics engaged  on  the  railroad.  But  in  1837,  when  this  work  was  completed, 
these  sturdy  laborers  sought  homes  elsewhere,  so  that  in  1838  only  two  Catho- 
lics remained  in  this  vicinity,  namely,  John  Ryan  and  Andrew  Lahey.  Besides 
these  mentioned  other  Catholics  were  here  early  in  Westerly's  history,  among 
wliom  we  notice  the  Celtic  names  of  Murphy,  Keegan  and  Fay. 

After  Father  Fittou's  transfer  to  Worcester  he  continued  his  visits  through 
this  section  of  Connecticut,  and  about  the  year  1845  ^^^^  Mass  on  one  occasion 
in  what  was  known  as  Babcock's  Woods,  under  a  spreading  oak  tree.  During 
his  subsequent  visits  for  some  time  thereafter  Mass  was  said  in  the  open  air. 
Recognizing  the  devotion  of  the  apostolic  missionary  and  of  his  little  congre- 
gation to  their  faith,  who  were  willing,  if  needs  be,  to  worship  God  beneath 
the  azure  sky,  the  trustees  of  the  Union  meeting-house  finally  offered  him  the 
use  of  this  building  for  divine  worship. 

The  Rev.  John  Brady,  of  Hartford,  succeeded  Father  Fitton  in  his  attend- 
ance upon  Stonington,  Westerly  and  adjoining  stations,  and  served  them  as 
well  as  his  manifold  labors  would  permit. 

The  Rev.  Patrick  Duffy  became  the  first  resident  pastor  of  Stonington, 
and  Westerly  was  assigned  to  it  as  a  dependency.  During  his  visits  here  he 
offered  the  Holy  Sacrifice  and  performed  other  priestly  functions  in  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  John  Murphy,  as  did  also  his  successor,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Drea. 
Owing  to  the  steady  increase  of  the  Catholic  population  of  Westerly,  Father 
Drea  visited  this  place  at  monthly  intervals. 

In  1857  the  Rev.  Peter  Kelly  assumed  charge  in  succession  to  Father 
Drea,  and  shortly  after  his  assumption  of  the  pastorate  purchased  the  property 
on  which  St.  Michael's  church  now  stands,  as  further  use  of  the  Union 
meeting-house  was  denied  him.  After  a  pastorate  of  brief  duration  in  Ston- 
ington, Father  Kelly  was  succeeded  by  the  Re\'.  John  Sheridan,  who,  serving 
but  a  short  time,  was  followed  in  the  same  year  by  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Reilly. 
Immediatiately  upon  his  accession  to  the  pastorate  Father  O'Reilly  began 
preparations  for  the  erection  of  a  church,  and  the  first  step  to  this  end  was  the 
purchase  of  a  piece  of  land  in  Pawcatuck,  upon  which  the  church  was  built. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  August,  i860,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  in 
May,  1 86 1.  The  dimensions  of  this  building  were  40  x  60.  At  this  time  the 
Catholic  population  of  Westerly  numbered  about  100.  After  the  erection  of 
the  church  in  Pawcatuck  Father  O'Reilly  disposed  of  the  rectory  at  Stoning-' 
ton  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Pawcatuck.  Attached  to  Pawcatuck  at  this 
time  were  Mystic  and  Stonington,  in  Connecticut,  and  Wakefield  and  Caro- 
lina, in  Rhode  Island. 


444  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

In  succession  to  Father  O'Reilly  came  the  Rev.  Patrick  Sherr>-,  in  the 
fall  of  1863,  and  five  years  later  he  repaired  and  enlarged  tlie  chnrch  sufficiently 
to  accommodate  1250  persons.  Father  Sherry  died  here  in  1870,  and  in  Decem 
ber  of  this  year  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Fitzpatrick  assumed  charge.  Shortly  after 
his  arrival  the  mission  dependencies  were  separated  from  the  mother  church. 
In  1873  Father  Fitzpatrick,  having  .secured  an  eligible  site,  built  thereon  a 
convent  and  parochial  school.  Father  Fitzpatrick  was  transferred  to  St.  Pat- 
rick's, New  Haven,  in  December,  1876,  and  his  successor  became  the  Rev. 
Thomas  L.  Lynch. 

In  the  meantime,  the  diocese  of  Providence  had  been  erected  with  the 
Right  Rev.  Thomas  Hendricken  as  its  first  bishop.  Though  Westerly  was 
a  part  of  Rhode  Island,  which  was  within  the  new  See,  the  bishops  of  Hart- 
ford and  Providence  mutually  agreed  that  it  should  remain  a  part  of  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  former. 

Father  Lynch's  relations  with  Westerly  ceased  in  1883,  but  during  his 
administration  the  old  rectory  was  di.sposed  of  by  sale,  moved  elsewhere,  and 
the  present  parochial  residence  was  commenced,  but  not  completed.  His 
successor  was  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Walsh  of  Waterbury,  who  came  in  August, 
1883.  Father  Walsh's  pastorate  was  of  brief  duration,  ending  after  five  months 
by  death. 

His  successor,  the  present  rector,  Rev.  Ambrose  Briscoe,  assumed  charge 
on  January-  19,  1884.  In  May,  1885,  Father  Briscoe's  parish  was  divided,  the 
Westerly  portion  passing  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Providence. 

In  1893,  Father  Briscoe  built  St.  Michael's  school,  a  wooden  structure 
having  six  spacious  rooms.  The  school  is  taught  by  five  Sisters  of  Mercy, 
of  w-hom  Mother  M.  Ambrosia  is  the  Directress,  with  259  pujjils. 

The  parish  cemetery  was  purchased  in  1856. 

Free  from  financial  burdens,  the  pastor  zealous  and  the  parishioners 
generously  co-operating,  St.  Michael's  parish  is  fulfilling  its  mission  :  Ad 
Majorem  Dei  Gloriani. 

SACRED  HEART  (GERMANS  PARISH. 

Hartford. 

(5  I  Hp;  Rev.  Joseph  Schale  was  the  first  German  priest  to  reside  in  Hartford. 

'  I       He  came  in  the  summer  of  1872,  at  the  invitation  of  Bishop  McFar- 

land,  with  whom  he  resided,  attending  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 

German   Catholics  on  Sundays  at  St.  Peter's  church.     In   August  of  1872, 

Bishop  McFarland  organized  the  Germans  into  an  independent  parish  under 

the  title  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  and  purchased  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Winthrop 

and  Ely  streets.     Business  depression  followed,  and  the  project  of  building  a 

church  was  abandoned  for  the  time.  In  1874  Father  Schale  was  given  charge 

,  of  tlie  German  Catholics  of  New  Haven  and  Bridgeport. 

On  Pentecost  Sunday,  i88g,  Bi.shop  McMahon  reorganized  the  parish  in 
St.  Peter's  school  hall,  and  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Schneider,  of  New  Britain,  was 
appointed  pastor.  As  soon  as  circumstances  permitted,  the  erection  of  the 
church  was  commenced,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  September  4,  1892, 


DIOCESE   OE  HARTFORD.  445 

by  Bishop  McMahon.  The  same  prelate  dedicated  the  present  basement  on 
April  9,  1893.  Father  Schneider  continued  to  attend  the  German  Catholics 
of  Hartford  until  January  i,  1897,  when  the  Rev.  H.  Dahnie,  the  present 
rector,  assumed  charge.  The  present  rectory,  a  brick  building  with  brown- 
stone  trimmings,  was  completed  on  November  i,  1S98.  Services  are  held  for 
the  present  in  the  basement,  and  it  is  expected  to  have  the  superstructure 
finished  in  about  two  years. 


In  tlie  preceding  sketches  mention  is  made  particularly  of  the  labors  and 
successes  of  the  clergy  in  the  temporal  order.  There  is  no  intention  of  exalt- 
ing the  temporal  above  the  spiritual,  nor  of  conveying  the  impression  that  a 
pastor's  success  is  solely  to  be  measured  by  the  amount  of  property  pur- 
chased or  indebtedness  paid.  But,  circumstanced  as  the  Catholics  have  been 
(and  as  they  are  still  in  many  places)  their  pastors  were  obliged  to  exhibit  in 
some  degree  tlie  qualities  that  lead  to  success  in  temporals,  as  well  as  those 
of  faithful  shepherds  of  souls.  At  the  same  time  it  is  gratifying  to  place 
on  record  the  fact  that  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  people  have  always  been 
faithfully  conserved.  For  this  priests  were  ordained,  and  for  this  placed  in 
their  responsible  positions.  That  in  the  midst  of  so  many  and  so  trying 
difficulties  their  spiritual  labors  have  been  crowned  with  success  is  a  source 
as  well  of  wonderment  as  of  joy  and  thankfulness.  To  implant  the  seeds  of 
strong  faith  and  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ  among  men  was  the  goal  of 
their  ambition,  and  their  divine  Master  has  bestowed  the  reward. 

If  the  historical  details  of  some  of  the  parish  sketches  appear  meagre,  it 
is  because  they  were  inaccessible  ;  or  in  a  few  instances,  having  been  leceived, 
were  found  untrustworthy  and  were  rejected.  In  other  cases,  repeated  at- 
tempts to  obtain  information  having  failed,  the  writer  was  obliged  to  make 
use  of  the  data  at  his  disposal. 


THE  INSTITUTIONS  OF  THE  DIOCESE. 


ST.   FRANCIS  ORPHAN  ASYLUM, 

New  Haven,  Conn. 

Established  1852,  incorporated  1865. 

fTS  PROPERTY. — The  AsyUim  consists  of  a  large  brick  building,  three  stories 
high,  whicli  contains  the  dormitories,  school  rooms,  recreation  halls,  refectories 
and  chapel,  and  of  out-buildings  used  for  laundry,  bakery,  barn  and  storage 
purposes.  Surrounding  these  it  owns  about  thirteen  and  one-quarter  (i3/4^) 
acres  of  excellent  land,  so  that  there  is  sufiicient  room  for  all  its  needs.  The 
building  prof)er  is  well  heated,  lighted  and  ventilated;  and  provided  with  baths 
and  all  else  necessary  or  conducive  to  cleanHness  and  health.  The  various  depart- 
ments of  the  asylum,  even  to  the  small  farm,  gardens  and  grounds,  are  kept  in- 
perfect  order  and  cleanliness,  and  bear  marks  of  excellent  management. 


44U  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Objects. — To  support,  maintain  and  educate  orphan,  half  orphan,  homeless, 
destitute  and  indigent  children. 

Governing  Authority. — This  body  consists  of  a  Board  of  Trustees  origin- 
ally named  in  the  charter,  and  authorized  thereby  to  appoint  associates  and 
successors. 

Members. — The  members  of  the  corporation  are  :  First,  the  pastors  of  all  the 
Catholic  parishes  of  the  St.  Francis  orphan  asylum  district  and  their  successors 
in  the  pa.storate;  second,  three  laymen  from  each  of  the  Catholic  parishes  of  the 
City  of  New  Haven.  The  original  St.  Francis  orphan  a.sylum  di.strict,  outlined 
at  the  time  of  its  incorporation  in  1865,  has  never  been  changed.  As  appears 
from  the  records  of  the  orplianage,  all  that  portion  of  the  original  Hartford 
diocese,  which  after  the  division  of  1872,  comprises  the  present  diocese  of  Hart- 
ford, constitutes  the  aforesaid  asylum  district.  From  the  parishes  formed  within 
said  territory  the  orphans  have  constantly  been  sent,  many  of  the  parishes,  too, 
having  been  assessed,  as  they  might  be  assessed  again,  if  necessary,  to  help  it 
in  its  work,  and  the  asylum  lias  always  depended  on  its  said  district  for  support. 
Thus  fostered,  therefore,  and  supported  by  the  bishops,  priests  and  Catholic  laity 
of  the  present  diocese  of  Hartford,  the  orphanage  from  a  private  parish  charity' 
has  not  only  grown  into  an  excellent  diocesan  asylum,  but  has  become  one  of  the 
most  attractive  charitable  institutions  in  this  State. 

Ofkicers. — President,  vice-president,  .secretary,  treasurer  and  fifteen  mana- 
gers, whose  duties  are  prescribed  in  the  by-laws  of  the  corporation.  The  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  of  the  diocese  is  ex  officio  president  of  the  corporation  ;  the  vice-presi- 
dent, secretary  and  treasurer,  each  elected  annually  by  ballot,  are  ex  offirio  members 
of  the  board  of  managers  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  managers  above  provided  for. 

Presideiit. — Right  Rev.  M.  Tierney,  D.  D.,  140  Farmington  avenue,  Hartford, 

Vice-prcside7tt. — Rev.  John  Russell,  640  Grand  avenue.  New  Haven. 

Secretary. — William  M.  Geary,  479  Orange  .street,  New  Haven. 

Treasurer. — Rev.  John  F.  Corcoran,  who  resides  at  the  asylum. 

The  Board  of  Managers. — The  managers  are  selected  bj-  the  trustees;  and 
they  attend  to  the  financial  and  .secular  affairs  and  details  of  the  orphanage. 

The  internal  management  of  the  asylum  is  intrusted  to  the  Sisters  of  Mercy, 
whose  practical  knowledge  of  institutional  hou.sehold  duties  and  domestic  economy 
along  the  line  of  what  is  useful,  comfortable  and  necessary,  without  luxury,  is  onlj- 
surpassed  by  their  methodical  system  of  training  and  educating  children,  both  boys 
and  girls  and  young  ladies,  in  the  religious  and  secular  departments  of  education, 
which  make  for  soul  and  body,  and  by  example  and  precept  teach  their  pupils 
to  keep  the  commandments  of  God  and  to  practice  the  Christian  virtues.  The 
Sisters  of  Charit}'  had  ably  managed  the  institution  for  about  eighteen  j-ears — 
from  June  2,  1864,  to  July  i,  1882  — when  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  re-assumed  charge 
of  the  work  which  they  had  so  favorably  begun  in  1852,  and  so  creditably 
continued  till  June  2,  1864.  On  January  i,  1899.  the  Sisters  of  Mercj'  had  spent 
more  than  twenty-eight  j-ears  in  the  management  of  the  orphanage,  and  tliey  are 
still  doing  their  good  work  for  their  liltle  charges. 

The  Schools. — The  children  attend  school  in  the  main  building,  where  they 
enjoy  the  advantages  of  six  large  and  well-appointed  school  rooms.  They  are 
taught  by  the  sisters,  and  the  schools  are  under  the  direction  of  the  local  Board  of 
Education.  The  classes  are  graded  in  the  same  manner  as  the  pul)lic  .schools,  and 
the   Sisters  who   teach    are   paid   by  the    Board   of  Education.       The   children, 


ST.  FRANCIS  ORPHAN  ASYLUM. 
New  Haven. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  447 

sccording  to  their  age  and  capncity,  are  also  taught  to  make  themselves  generally 
useful  about  the  house,  farm,  garden  and  grounds.  As  soon  as  funds  permit, 
manual  and  industrial  training  especially  adapted  to  the  inmates  will  be  supplied 
by  the  establishment  of  two  trade  schools,  one  for  the  boys  and  one  for  the  girls, 
wherein  such  as  cannot  be  provided  with  suitable  homes,  ma}'  be  taught  some 
useful  trade  or  handicraft  by  which  they  may  earn  an  honest  livelihood  after 
leaving  the  institution. 

The  number  of  children  cared  for  from  May  12,  1852,  to  September  17,  1898, 
is  3,763,  of  whom  2,162  were  girls  and  1,601  boys;  the  orphanage  from  1852  to 
1875  admitted  girls  only,  but  from  that  year  the  institution  has  taken  care  of 
both  boys  and  girls. 

The  number  of  children,  representing  about  twelve  nationalities,  cared  for 
during  the  year  1S98,  was  517;  remaining  January  i,  1899,  312  — boys,  197,  and 
girls,  115. 

Admissions  in  1898. — New-comers,  141;  previous  inmates,  77  ;   total,  218. 

Qualifications  for  Admittance.— Orphans,  half-orphans,  homeless,  des- 
titute, indigent,  or  dependent  children,  healthy  and  of  sound  mind,  between  the 
ages  of  two  and  twelve  years,  are  received  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  Unless  for 
special  reasons,  those  living  outside  of  Connecticut  are  not  eligible.  As  the  laws 
of  Connecticut  do  not  permit  children  of  tender  years  to  be  kept  in  almshouses, 
many  such  children  (none  under  two  years  of  age  being  received  up  to  the  pres- 
ent") belonging  to  parents  of  the  poorer  classes  are  sent  to  the  asylum  if  Catholic, 
and  there  provided  for  hy  the  Board  of  Managers.  Children  suffering  from  conta- 
gious or  infectious  diseases  are  not  admitted.  Epileptic,  idiotic,  insane,  crippled, 
blind,  deaf,  and  dumb  children,  as  well  as  all  vicious,  incorrigible,  or  ungoverna- 
ble boys  or  girls  are  not  eligible  for  admission. 

Application. — In  regard  to  "church  children,"  that  is,  such  as  are  subjects 
of  Catholic  charity  in  the  various  parishes  throughout  the  asylum  district,  appli- 
cation is  to  be  made  to  the  pastor  of  the  child  or  children  deserving  the  care  and 
protection  of  the  asylum,  or  to  the  Receiving  and  Dismissing  Committee,  residing 
at  the  asylum,  every  application  to  be  passed  or  acted  upon  by  the  foregoing 
Committee,  in  accordance  with  the  asylum's  charter  and  rules,  and  the  authority 
of  the  Committee  on  Admission  and  Discharge  of  Children. 

The  institution  is  empowered  bj'-  its  charter  to  place  out  the  children  on  its 
"disposable  list"  in  families  or  homes  by  legal  adoption,  indenture,  or  special 
contract;  but  the  usual  practice  is  to  place  its  disposable  children  out  in  good 
Catholic  families  or  homes,  according  to  opportunity,  on  terms  and  conditions 
deemed  just  and  reasonable,  expedient  for  the  best  interests  of  the  child,  and  agree- 
able to  its  intrustee,  every  child  thus  disposed  of  being  subject  to  the  supervision 
of  the  pastor  in  whose  parish  the  little  one  has  found  a  home.  The  priests  of  the 
asylum  district  have  always  been  interested  in  finding  good  homes  for  the  asylum's 
charges,  in  recommending  the  most  respectable  applicants  of  their  parishes, 
and  in  reporting,  when  requested  to  do  so,  the  condition  of  the  asylum's  little  peo- 
ple living  in  their  parishes.  The  asylum  also,  in  every  case,  reserves  the  right, 
whenever  its  officials  shall  think  proper,  to  have  any  placed-out  child  returned  to 
its  care,  or  removed  from'any  family  or  home  at  anytime.  All  children,  more- 
over, whether  sent  to  the  orphanage  by  counties,  cities,  towns,  parishes,  or  guard- 
ians, are  committed  subject  to  the  charter  and  rules  of  the  institution. 

The  asylum  is  supported  chiefly  from  pensions  paid  for  the  care  of  a  number 


448  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

of  its  children.  Other  means  of  support  are  derived  from  the  school  sisters'  sal- 
aries, from  the  annual  appropriation  of  $2,000  from  the  city  of  New  Haven,  in 
return  for  the  good  work  done  by  the  orphanage,  which  cares  for  a  number  of 
children  committed  to  it  by  the  city  authorities,  from  the  income  of  its  invested 
funds  received  from  time  to  time  in  the  ff)rmof  bequests',  from  occasional  legacies, 
from  the  surplus  cemetery  moneys  of  tlie  St.  Bernard  and  St.  Lawrence  Cemetery 
Association  of  New  Haven,  and  from  its  yearly  "  donation  day"  subscriptions  of 
cash  and  contributions  of  generous  gifts. 

History. 

The  institution  whose  property,  objects,  officers,  work,  etc.,  are  thus  narrated 
had  its  beginning  on  Friday,  May  12,  1852.  On  that  day,  four  Sisters  of  Mercy 
from  Providence,  R.  I.,  arrived  at  New  Haven.  The  Rev.  Edward  J.  O'Brien, 
pastor  of  old  St.  Marj^'s  parish,  New  Haven,  had  concluded  arrangements  with 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  O'Reillj'  and  Rev.  Mother  Xavier  Warde,  Superior  of  the 
Convent  of  Mercy,  Providence,  to  establish  a  convent  of  the  order  in  his  parish, 
and  having  accompanied  the  Sisters  from  Providence  to  New  Haven,  conducted 
them  to  their  new  home. 

The  building  first  occupied  hy  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  who  were  the  first  of 
any  religious  sisterhood  to  settle  in  the  Elm  City,  was  a  handsome  brick  private 
residence,  with  brownstone  trimmings  and  imposing  entrance,  situated  near  Broad 
street,  on  George,  convenient  to  St.  Mary's  church  and  school.  It  was  in  this 
temporary  convent  that  on  May  12,  1852,  the  verj-  day  of  the  arrival  of  the  Sisters 
of  Mercy  in  New  Haven,  two  little  orphan  girls  put  in  an  appearance.  They  had 
come  to  live  in  this  new  convent  home,  where  they  were  kindly  welcomed,  as  the 
Sisters  themselves  had  been  welcomed  but  a  short  hour  before. 

The  nucleus  of  the  first  Catholic  orphan  asylum  in  the  City  of  Elms  thus 
formed,  the  Catholic  orphan  children,  pending  the  erection  of  St.  Mary's  new  con- 
vent, directly  north  of  and  adjoining  old  St.  Mary's  church,  on  Church  street, 
were,  for  about  two  years,  cared  for,  under  the  direction  of  Father  O'Brien,  by  the 
Sisters  of  Mercy,  till  they  and  their  little  charges,  in  1854,  vacated  the  George 
street  house,  and  removed  into  the  new  St.  Mary's  Orphan  Asylum,  on  Church 
street,  the  convent  and  the  asylum  both  being  in  the  one  new  brick  building. 

There,  in  the  heart  of  the  cit^',  the  asylum  existed  as  a  private  parochial 
institution  until  the  year  1864. 

The  location  of  the  convent  and  asylum  on  Church  street,  a  very  busy  portion 
of  the  city,  though  the  best  that  could  then  be  selected,  was  found  in  the  course 
of  time  to  be  ill-adapted  to  the  purposes  of  a  growing  institution.  The  Sisters' 
work  becoming  daily  more  extensive,  they  needed  the  spacious  rooms  of  the  con- 
vent ;  the  number  of  orphan  girls  was  steadily  increasing,  and  the  accommodations 
grew  so  limited  that  a  new  site  for  the  a.sylum  became  a  pressing  necessity. 

Accordingly,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1S64,  the  land  together  with  all  the  build- 
ings thereon,  on  which  the  asylum  now  stands,  running  300  feet  ea.st  on  Whitney 
avenue,  300  feet  west  on  Prospect  street,  and  1,900  feet  south  on  Highland  street, 
was  purchased  from  the  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Bond,  by  Rev.  E.  J.  O'Brien  and  Rev. 
Matthew  Hart,  for  the  sum  of  $19,500.  The  cottage  which  stood  on  the  grouuds 
was  enlarged,  and  the  building  made  ready  for  the  use  of  the  orphans.  The  in- 
stitution was  now  called.  "The  St.  Francis  Orphan  Asylum  of  New  Haven,"  in 
honor  of  Rt.  Rev.  Francis  P.  McFarland,  D.D.     In  the  adniini.stration  of  Bishop 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  449 

McFarland,  the  foundations  of  the  asylum's  present  main  building  were  laid.  It 
was  Bishop  McFarland  also  who  authorized  the  purchase  of  the  Whitney  avenue 
propertj',  and  who,  in  1873,  approved  the  erection  of  the  first  brick  structure  on 
its  newly  acquired  grounds.  St.  Francis,  the  Seraph  of  Assisi,  selected  as  the 
patron  .saint  of  the  new  orphanage,  and  all  things  prepared,  the  institution  was 
placed  under  the  charge  of  three  Sisters  of  Charity,  from  Mount  St.  Vincent,  on 
the  Hudson,  New  York. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Sisters,  June  2,  1864,  the  orphan  girls,  forty-four  in 
number,  were  transferred  from  their  old  residence,  St.  Marj-'s  Orphan  Asylum,  to 
their  new  abode,  the  successor  of  their  former  temporarj^  home  on  Church  street. 

In  the  May  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1865,  the  petition  of  the  Rev.  Ed- 
ward J.  O'Brien  and  others,  praying,  for  reasons  therein  stated,  for  an  act  incor- 
porating the  St.  Francis  Orphan  Asylum  of  New  Haven,  was  presented  to  the 
General  Assembly;  and  on  June  22,  1865,  the  act  of  incorporation  was  approved, 
whereby  Francis  Patrick  McFarland,  Edward  J.  O'Brien,  Matthew  Hart,  Hugh 
Carmody,  Thomas  F.  Hendricken,  Thomas  Synnott,  John  vSheridan,  Charles  At- 
water,  Jr.,  Edward  Downes,  Patrick  Morrissey,  Thomas  W.  Cahill,  William 
Geary,  Bernard  Reilly,  William  Downes,  John  Starrs,  and  their  associates  and 
successors,  were  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate  by  the  name  of  the  St. 
Francis  Orphan  Asylum  of  New  Haven. 

The  number  of  the  orphans  constantly  increasing,  and  room  for  male  orphans 
for  whom  no  provision  had  hitherto  been  made,  being  very  much  needed,  the 
corporation,  at  a  meeting  held  in  February,  1873,  determined  on  the  erection  of 
the  first  new  main  brick  building,  which  when  completed  would  provide  ample 
room  for  both  boys  and  girls  for  many  years.  Rev.  Dr.  Carmody,  the  pastor  of 
St.  John's  parish.  New  Haven,  was  charged  with  the  supervision  of  the 
work,  and  under  his  direction  the  foundations  were  laid,  in  the  year  1874.  In 
the  spring  of  1875,  Dr.  Carmody  having  resigned  his  charge  on  account  of  a  neces- 
sary absence  from  home,  the  Rev.  Matthew  Hart,  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  parish, 
took  charge  of  the  building  of  the  new  asj-lum.  He  pushed  on  the  work  of  con- 
struction, and  had  brought  the  edifice  nearly  to  completion,  when  his  death 
occurred  in  July,  1876.  Rev.  Father  P.  A.  Murphy,  pa.stor  of  St  Mary's,  was 
substituted  in  his  place,  and  the  building  was  made  ready  for  use  in  Novem- 
ber, 1876. 

From  1876  to  1896,  owing  to  the  steady  increase  in  the  number  of  its  inmates, 
the  asylum  again  became  so  inadequate  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  home  that  it  was 
found  necessary  to  enlarge  the  house  by  the  addition  of  another  large  wing.  Plans 
were  submitted  and  approved  early  in  1894  for  this  enlargement  of  the  institution; 
and  in  the  .spring  of  1896  this  new  "South  Addition,"  built  of  red  brick,  with 
brown-stone  trimmings,  at  a  cost  of  about  $40,000,  with  a  capacity  for  200  children, 
extending  nearly  180  feet  along  Highland  street,  was  completed  and  occupied,  Rt. 
Rev.  M.  Tierney,  D.D,,  Bishop  of  Hartford,  afterwards  blessing  the  new  struc- 
ture, on  the  afternoon  of  June  7,  1896. 

The  whole  brick  asylum  building,  a  substantial  structure,  with  appointments 
most  complete,  beautifully  situated,  is  most  favorably  located  for  the  health, 
training,  occupation  and  recreation  of  its  inmates.  It  stands  on  an  elevated 
ledge  of  rock,  commands  an  extensive  view  of  the  eastern  portion  of  the  cit)',  and 
from  the  summit  of  East  Rock,  on  which  its  neighbor,  the  soldiers'  monument,  is 
erected,  it  presents  a  very  imposing  appearance, 
II — 29 


450  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  fN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  institution  is  prosperous,  its  inmates  happy,  and  its  trustees  gratified 
with  the  work  accomplished.  The  Sisters  of  Mercj*,  likewise,  who  for  so  many 
years,  have  without  worldly  recompense,  given  their  life  and  labor  to  the  work  of 
the  orphanage,  though  they  look  for  a  higher  reward,  may  not  disdain  the  testi- 
mony of  the  Board  of  Trustees  concerning  the  admirable  manner  in  which  they 
perform  the  onerous  duties  devolving  upon  them. 

In  this  noblest  of  charities — the  care,  protection  and  education  of  the  poor 
orphan — St.  Francis'  Orphan  Asylum  is  a  splendid  monument  to  the  Catholics  of 
Coiniecticut,  as  well  as  a  beautiful  memorial  of  the  grateful  and  generous  people 
•who,  without  distinction  of  religion,  as  friends  of  its  little  helpless  ones,  have 
their  names  associated  with  a  great  work,  and  whose  countless  deeds  of  true 
charity  are  written  by  angelic  instead  of  human  pen. 

The  first  resident  chaplain  of  the  asylum  was  the  Rev.  James  Hilary  Harding, 
who  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  on  January  6,  187S.  During  his 
period  of  .ser\'ice  here,  Father  Harding  had  the  spiritual  charge  also  of  the  jail  and 
of  "  Springside  Home."  Father  Harding  was  a  native  of  Kilkenny,  Ireland,  and 
was  born  in  181 2.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  his  native  town,  and  after 
a  period  of  study  and  travel  in  France,  came  to  this  countrj',  where  he  completed 
his  theological  studies  at  Villanova  College,  near  Philadelphia.  Thenceforth  he 
labored  in  the  archdiocese  of  Dubuque,  Iowa,  until,  having  obtained  the  requisite 
permission,  he  became  affiliated  with  the  diopese  of  Hartford. 

Among  the  works  that  absorbed  most  of  the  time  and  all  of  the  fortune  of 
Father  Harding  was  the  construction  of  the  Protectory  for  wayward  boys  on  Fair 
Haven  Heights.  The  corner-stone  of  the  building  was  laid  by  Bishop  McMahon 
on  June  12,  1881.  The  site  of  the  Protectory  was  purchased  in  .\pril,  1S79,  from 
Francis  Donnelly  and  a  Mr.  Shipman,  and  conipri.sed  three  acres.  The  building, 
however,  was  never  completed.  Father  Harding  died  at  the  asylum  on  May  25, 
1889,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  His  remains  rest  in  the  priests'  lot, 
St.  Bernard's  cemeterj-,  New  Haven.  The  funeral  .ser\-ices  were  held  at  St.  Mary's 
church,  where  a  Pontifical  Mass  of  Requiem  was  celebrated  by  Bishop  McMahon, 
assisted  by  the  following  clergymen  :  Assistant  priest,  Rev.  John  Furlong  ;  deacons 
of  honor.  Revs.  John  Cooney  and  M.  McKeon  ;  deacon.  Rev.  M.  A.  Tierney  ;  sub- 
deacon.  Rev.  F.  O'Keefe.     The  panegyric  was  preached  by  Rev.  \V.  J.  Slocum. 

The  successor  of  Father  Harding  as  chaplain  of  the  asylum  was  the  Rev.  John 
Franc:*.  Corcoran,  who  is  still  in  charge,  and  is  also  the  treasurer  of  the  corpora- 
tion. Father  Corcoran  had  been  an  assistant  for  nearly  six  years  to  \'en,-  Rev. 
James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  Hartford,  when,  at  the  urgent  request  of  Bishop  McMahon, 
he  gave  up  the  parochial  work  of  the  ministry  to  assume  that  of  the  chaplaincy  of 
the  asylum.  Father  Corcoran  began  his  successful  career  in  this  field  of  sacerdotal 
zeal  on  October  9,  1889.  The  new  south  addition  was  erected  and  dedicated  during 
Father  Corcoran's  tenure  of  office,  on  June  7,  1897.  The  new  chapel,  .school  rooms, 
chaplain's  apartments,  and  dormitories  for  the  Sisters  and  children  are  in  thisaddi- 
tioii,  which  cost  $50,000. 

The  first  regular  attending  physician  was  Charles  A.  Gallagher,  M.  D.  He 
held  this  position  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  May  9,  1878.  Dr.  Gallagher's 
succes.sor  is  the  present  attendant  pliysician,  Matthew  Charles  O'Connor,  M.D. 

The  principal  benefactors  of  St.  Francis'  Orphan  Asylum  were  Philip  Marett 
and  the  Hon.  James  Edward  English,  formerly  Governor  of  Connecticut. 

The  hislorv  of  the  Asylum  would  be  incomplete  were  the  names  of  the  zealous 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  451 

Sisters  of  Charity  and  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  who  labored  to  care  for,  protect  and 
educate  the  orphans,  omitted. 

The  following  Sisters  of  Mercy  were  superiors  of  St.  Mary's  Orphan  Asylum, 
from  1852  to  1861  :  1852,  Sister  M.  Camillus;  1854,  Sister  M.  Josephine  Lombard; 
1859,  Sister  M.  Liguori ;   1861,  Sister  M.  Borgia. 

On  June  2,  1864,  the  Sisters  of  Charity  assumed  charge.  They  came  to  St. 
Francis'  Orphan  Asylum.  Sister  M.  Ulrica  was  the  first  superior,  and  associated 
with  her  were  Sister  Stephen,  Sister  Zita  and  Sister  Inez. 

Sister  Felicita  was  the  second  superior,  and  her  companions  were  Sister  Agnes, 
Sister  Edwin,  Sister  Josephine,  Sister  Corsina,  Sister  Victor,  Sister  Bernardo, 
Sister  Everilda,  Sister  Ann  Alexis,  Sister  Ferdinand,  Sister  Vincenti,  Si.ster  Maria 
Bernard  and  Sister  Anthony.  Sister  Ulrica  was  superior  for  about  three  years. 
Sister  Felicita  was  superior  for  about  fifteen  years — to  July  i,  1882,  when  the 
Sisters  of  Mercy  re-assumed  charge  of  the  institution. 

Mother  M.  Rose  was  superior  during  the  months  of  July  and  August  till  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mother  M.  Angela,  who  from  August  16,  1882,  continued  in  office  until 
her  death,  February  8,  1888.  She  was  succeeded  by  Sister  M.  de  Sales,  who  remained 
in  charge  till  August  15th,  of  the  same  year,  when  Mother  M.  Agnes  was  appointed. 
Mother  M.  Agnes  continued  in  control  for  three  years — till  August  15,  1891,  when 
she  was  succeeded  by  Mother  M.  Rose,  whose  term  expired  September  2,  1893. 

Sister  M.  Borromeo  became  superior  September  2,  1893,  and  remained  in  ofiice 
till  September  2,  1898. 

Sister  M.  Dionysius  succeeded  Sister  M.  Borromeo  on  September  2,  1898,  and 
is  the  present  superior. 

The  names  of  the  other  Sisters  of  Mercy  who  were  stationed  at  different  times 
at  the  Asylum,  are  here  appended: 

Sister  M.  Colette,  Sister  M.  Jerome,  Sister  M.  Euphrasia,  Sister  M.  Athana- 
sius.  Sister  M.  Julianna,  Sister  M.  Margarita,  Sister  M.  Borgia,  Sister  M.  Alice, 
Sister  M.  Mark,  Sister  M.  Adrian,  Sister  M.  Cletus,  Sister  M.  Winifred,  Sister  M. 
Matthew,  Sister  M.  Catherine,  Sister  M.  Euphemia,  Sister  M.  Eleanor,  Sister  M. 
Mildred,  Sister  M.  Aquinas,  Sister  M.  Sylveria,  Sister  M.  Chrysostom,  Si.ster  M. 
Pauline,  Sister  M.  Geraldine,  Sister  M.  Louis,  Sister  M.  Augustine,  Sister  M. 
Clare,  Sister  M.  Francesca,  Sister  M.  Christina,  Sister  M.  Calasanctius,  Sister  M. 
Gervase,  Sister  M.  Eucharia,  Sister  M.  Veracunda,  Sister  M.  Cephas,  Sister  M. 
Irmine,  Sister  M.  Laura,  Sister  M.  Bennett,  Sister  M.  Kotska,  Sister  M.  Florentine, 
Sister  M.  Macarius,  Sister  M.  Alcantara,  Sister  Margaret  Mary,  Sfster  M.  L'Es- 
perance.  Sister  M.  Carmelita,  Sister  M.  Andrew,  Sister  M.  Rufina,  Sister  M.  de 
Monfort,  Sister  M.  Emeline,  Sister  M.  Evangelista,  Sister  M.  Xavier,  Sister  M. 
John,  Sister  M.  William,  Sister  M.  Gertrude. 

ST.  JAMES'    ORPHAN   ASYLUM, 

Hartford. 

'T.  JAMES'  Asylum  for  boys,  situated  at  93  Church  street,  was  founded 
by  the  late  Very  Rev.  James  Hughes,  V.G.,  on  May  6,  1864.  In  the 
beginning  of  its  career,  and  for  many  years  afterwards,  it  had  the 
names  of  over  a  hundred  boys  on  its  rolls ;  but  the  founding  of  St. 
Francis'  Orphan  Asylum  of  New  Haven  has  diminished  this  number  considerably, 
so  that  the  average  number  of  boys  at  present  cared  for  at  St.  James'  is  about 
thirty.     The  institution  is  in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy. 


452  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Connected  with  St.  James"  is  St.  Catharine's  Asylum  for  girls,  also  founded 
by  Father  Hughes.     About  thirty  girls  here  find  shelter. 

ST.  THOMAS'   PREPARATORY  SEMINARY, 
352  Collins  St.,  Hartford,  Conn. 

II H  Preparatory  Seminary  of  St.  Thomas  of  Aquin,  founded  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Michael  Tieniey,  D. D.,  Bishop  of  Hartford,  is  the  youngest 
Catholic  seminary  or  college  in  New  England.  It  was  a  long 
cherished  desire  of  Bishop  Tierney  that  there  might  be  established  in  his  dio- 
cese an  institution  wherein  the  highest  grade  of  education  .should  be  fur- 
nished, and  where,  at  the  same  time,  the  principles  of  religion  .should  be 
made  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  students'  ambitions  and  efforts.  He  was 
enabled  to  realize  this  wish  by  securing  the  estate  located  at  352  Collins 
street,  Hartford. 

This  property  was  purchased  from  Patrick  B.  Donovan,  by  Bishop  Tier- 
ney, on  the  Feast  of  the  Presentation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  November 
21,  1896.  The  land  measures  one  hundred  and  forty-six  (146)  feet  on  the 
north,  two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  (299)  feet  on  the  ea.st,  one  hundred  and 
ninety  (190)  feet  on  the  south,  and  three  hundred  and  seventeen  (317)  feet  on 
the  west- 

Besides  the  fact  that  a  sufficient  tract  of  land  was  at  his  disposal  in  his 
episcopal  citv,  the  healthfulness  of  the  location,  and  the  beautiful  and  retired 
section  of  the  city,  in  which  it  is  situated,  were  controlling  factors  in  inducing 
the  bishop  to  have  his  seminary  in  Hartford. 

The  building  is  a  large  brick  structure  erected  according  to  the  ideas  of 
modern  architecture,  and  is  admirably  adapted  for  college  purposes.  The 
first  floor  is  taken  up  with  the  study-hall,  class-rooms,  refectory  and  parlors. 
The  chapel,  dormitory  and  professors'  quarters  are  on  the  second  floor.  On 
the  third  floor  are  the  large  dormitory,  infirmary,  library  and  private  rooms. 
The  domestic  department  and  the  infirmary  are  under  the  efficient  care  and 
direction  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph. 

The  bishop  called  the  diocesan  clergy  to  take  charge.  At  first  there 
■were  but  three  resident  professors  :  Rev.  John  Synnott,  president  and  bursar ; 
Rev.  Robert  F.  Fitzgerald,  D.D.,  vice-president,  and  Rev.  F.  X.  Mullville, 
prefect  of  studies.  Besides  these  the  following  professors,  who  resided  in  the 
city,  attended  :  Revs.  Paul  E-  Roy,  Hubert  V.  Dahme,  D.  J.  Crleason,  D.D., 
and  John  Ryan.  On  February  23,  1898,  Dr.  Gleason  was  appointed  rector 
of  the  Italian  church,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  B.  F.  Broderick,  D.D., 
who  took  up  his  residence  at  the  seminary.  On  September  6,  1898,  Mr.  A.J. 
Plunkett  was  called  to  the  seminary  as  prefect  of  discipline  and  librarian. 

Classes  were  organized  in  St.  Thomas'  Seminary  on  September  7,  1898, 
when  thirty-.seven  students — fifteen  boarders  and  twenty-two  day-scholars — 
were  entered  on  the  roll. 

On  the  following  day,  September  8th,  after  the  celebration  of  Mass,  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Bishop,  a.ssisted  by  the  Rev.  President  and  the  Chancellor,  Rev.  J.  P. 
Donovan,  D.D.,  blessed  the  chapel  and  seminary.  Others  who  were  present 
at  the  blessing  were  Rev.  W.  J.  Shanley,  Rev.  T.  S.  Duggan,  Rev.  E.  A. 
Flannery,  Rev.  B.  Broderick,  D.D.,  and  the  whole  student  body.  The  chapel 
is  located  in  the  west  side  of  the  seminary,  and,  besides  its  altar  of  white  and 


ST.  THOMAS'   PREPARATORY  SEMINARY, 
Hartford    (Front  view). 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  453 

gold,  possesses  a  fine  painting  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  statues  of  the  Blesseci 
\'irgin  and  St.  Aloysius,  which  have  been  donated,  and  an  organ. 

On  April  i,  1S98,  the  Rev.  President  erected  canonically  the  Stations  of 
the  Cross,  in  accordance  with  the  beautiful  ceremonial  j^rescribed  by  the 
Roman  Ritual. 

Before  stating  the  special  object  of  the  preparatory  seminary  it  may  be 
well  to  relate  briefly  the  history  of  seminaries  and  the  attitude  of  the  Church 
towards  them.  The  history  of  seminaries  may  be  divided  into  two  periods, 
one  prior  and  the  other  subsequent  to  the  Council  of  Trent.  Some  canonists 
trace  episcopal  seminaries  to  the  very  beginning  of  the  Church  ;  some  to  the 
Council  of  Nice  (a.d.  325),  and  some  to  St.  Augustine.  It  cannot  be  dis- 
puted that  seminaries  existed  in  the  6th  century,  for  the  Council  of  Toledo 
(a.  d.  531)  ordained  that  boys  dedicated  by  their  parents  to  the  service  of  the 
Church,  should  be  brought  up  under  the  tuition  of  a  director,  in  a  house 
belonging  to  the  cathedral,  and  under  the  eye  of  the  bishop.  Nor  was  eccle- 
siastical education  confined  solely  to  seminaries.  Many  of  those  destined  for 
the  Church,  as  early  as  the  6th  century,  received  their  education  in  the  houses 
of  the  clergy.  About  the  8th  century  universities  began  to  take  the  place  of 
seminaries.  The  Council  of  Trent  re-established  seminaries  and  placed  them 
on  a  more  solid  basis.  The  following  are  some  of  the  enactments  of  this 
council  in  regard  to  seminaries:  i.  A  bishop  is  bound  to  have  at  least  one 
seminary,  unless  the  poverty  of  the  diocese  makes  it  impossible.  2.  Those 
only  should  be  received  into  seminaries  whose  character  and  inclination  afford 
a  hope  that  they  will  always  serve  in  the  ecclesiastical  ministry.  3.  Not 
only  students  of  theology,  but  also  of  classics,  should  be  admitted. 

In  our  own  time  the  Fathers  of  the  Councils  of  Baltimore  promulgated 
many  canons  respecting  seminaries  in  the  United  States.  The  Third  Plenary 
Council  of  Baltimore  decreed  that  every  diocese  should,  if  possible,  have 
its  own  major  and  minor  seminary  set  apart  exclusively  for  the  educa- 
tion of  ecclesiastical  students.  Where  this  is  impossible  one  higher  and  one 
preparatory  seminary  should  be  established  in  each  province.  How  important 
preparatory  seminaries  appeared  to  the  Fathers  of  the  Third  Plenary  Council 
is  apparent  from  the  fact  that  they  allow  aspirants  to  the  priesthood  to  study 
the  classics  in  secular  schools  and  colleges  only  in  places  where,  owing  to 
lack  of  means,  preparatory  seminaries,  exclusively  for  clerical  students,  can- 
not as  yet  be  established. 

Inspired  by  the  wise  and  weighty  words  of  these  Councils,  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Tierney  planned  to  found  in  his  diocese  a  preparatory  seminary  de- 
voted exclusively  to  the  training  of  youth  destined  for  the  priesthood. 

In  his  circular  to  the  clergy  the  Right  Rev.  founder  announced  the 
object  of  St.  Thomas'  ;  he  said,  "  We  have  always  looked  forward  to  the 
time  when  we  could  have  a  seminary  in  our  own  diocese,  where  candidates 
for  the  priesthood  would  grow  up  under  the  eye  of  their  bishop,  and  be 
trained  to  meet  the  especial  wants  of  the  field  in  which  they  are  called  to 
labor."     Other  inducing  .motives  were  : 

I.  That  boys  having  a  vocation  to  the  priesthood  may  immediately  enter 
the  seminary  after  completing  the  course  of  studies  in  the  parochial  school  in- 
stead of  entering  the  high  school,  where  their  vocation  may  be  endangered,  and, 
as  experience  proves,  is  often  lost.  For  a  vocation,  however  true  it  may  be,  is 
no  guarantee  that  a  youth  may  not  fall  into  sin,  contract  evil  habits,  and  event- 


464  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ually  lose  his  calling.  For,  once  the  character  of  a  boy  is  formed,  no  discipline 
can  produce  any  lasting  results.  This  formation  of  character  takes  place  during 
the  period  of  transition  from  youth  to  young  manhood, — from  the  thirteentli  to 
theseventeentli  year  of  a  boy's  life.  Just  then  a  boy  is  apt  to  enter  a  secular  school 
or  college,  where  he  will  mingle  with  others,  wlio  are  led  on  b\'  mere  worldly 
motives,  and,  as  a  result,  in  his  tastes  and  enthusiasm  he  will  imbibe  a  spirit 
wholly  alien  to  the  prie.stly  character.  The  Fathers  of  the  Council  of  Balti- 
more had  this  fact  in  mind  when  they  said  :  "  These  seminaries  are  to  shield, 
from  tlieir  earliest  years,  boys  against  tlie  influence  of  bad  example  and 
mingling  with  the  world  during  the  time  in  which  they  prepare  them.selves 
for  tlie  tlicological  seminary." 

2.  Tliat  the  dispositions  and  habits  of  the  young  men  may  be  carefully 
studied ;  that  tho.se  whose  habits  unfit  them  for  the  priesthood  may  become 
known  to  the  bishop,  and  may  thereb\'  be  prevented  from  entering  the  sacer- 
dotal state,  wliere  tliey  would  likely  do  nuicli  harm  to  souls. 

3.  That  judgment  may  be  passed  upon  the  capacity  of  the  students,  in 
order  that  they  who  may  be  deficient  in  the  abilities  requisite  for  tlie  priest- 
hood, may  be  informed  as  soon  as  possible  and  permitted  to  withdraw  from 
tlie  seminary,  ere  tliey  have  wasted  several  years. 

The  cost  of  maintaining  a  seminary  is  naturally  very  great.  The  necessity 
of  meeting  it  generally  falls  upon  the  students  who  are,  for  the  most  part, 
poor.  Bisliop  Ticrney,  in  founding  his  seminar)',  resolved  to  cliange  this 
method,  and  to  reduce  to  a  minimum  the  expenses  to  be  incurred  by  the 
students.  In  this  he  has  been  successful.  Matters  have  been  so  arranged 
that  the  day  scholars  receive  their  tuition  free,  while  the  resident  students 
pay  but  a  small  sum — one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars — for  board,  tuition,  etc. 
So  that  poor  boys  need  no  longer  feel  that  they  are  debarred  from  studying 
for  the  ministry  on  account  of  lack  of  means. 

The  course  of  studies  embraces  a  period  of  five  years.  The  course  is  strictly 
classical,  including,  besides  a  thorough  grounding  in  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Eng- 
lish languages,  a  systematic  training  in  French  and  German  ;  a  complete  course 
in  mathematics  and  the  natural  sciences,  Christian  doctrine  and  history. 

Each  student  is  required  to  pass  an  entrance  examination,  after  which 
he  will  be  assigned  to  the  class  for  which  he  is  fitted.  No  ^pi)licant  will  be 
admitted  who  has  not  made  some  progress  in  study,  and  who  has  not  success- 
fully completed  his  studies  in  what  is  connnonly  known  as  the  "Grammar 
Grade."  Thence  he  will  pass,  by  graduation,  to  the  higher  classes  through- 
out the  remainder  of  the  course. 

There  are  three  examinations  a  year — the  first,  before  the  Christmas  holi- 
days ;  the  second,  before  the  Easter  recess  ;  and  the  third,  immediately  before 
the  close  of  the  academic  year  in  June. 

The  first  examination  was  held  on  the  20th,  21st,  22nd  and  23rd  of  De- 
cember, 1897  ;  the  second  included  the  first  five  days  of  April,  1898  ;  and  the 
third  examination  was  held  in  June,  from  the  22nd  to  the  27th,  1898.  On  the 
28th  of  June,  189S,  the  first  annual  counnencement  of  seminary  was  cele- 
brated, and  it  will  be  remembered  by  those  participating  as  a  most  happy 
and  auspicious  day  for  the  young  .seminary. 

On  September  7,  1898,  the  portals  of  St.  Thomas'  were  again  thrown 
open  to  receive  a  body  of  students  to  the  number  of  38 — 22  boarders  and  16 
day-scholars.     It  is  evident  from  the  increase  of  resident  students,  that  the 


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DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  455 

boys  appreciate  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  living  at  the  seminary, 
where  the  kind  treatment  they  receive  and  the  regularity  of  life  enable  them 
to  progress  more  easily  in  their  studies. 

The  library,  which  at  present  contains  over  700  volumes — all  donated  by 
Bishop  Tierney — was  opened  for  general  use  on  November  4,  1897.  Efforts 
are  being  made  to  increase  the  number  of  books  by  securing,  by  gift  or  pur- 
chase, all  the  best  modern  works  in  literature,  science,  history,  philosophy, 
and  theology.  It  is  also  desired  to  make  of  the  seminary  library  a  diocesan 
institution,  in  which  may  be  deposited  old  documents  and  manuscripts  and 
such  old  additions  of  books  as  are  of  value  when  deposited  in  such  a  place,  but 
which  are  almost  worthless  when  relegated  to  trunks  and  attics. 

On  November  4,  1898,  a  literary  society  was  organized  by  the  students. 
The  object  of  this  society  is  to  promote  a  deeper  interest  in  the  study  of  the 
English  classics,  and  to  cultivate  a  high  literary  spirit  among  the  students. 
Bishop  Tierney  was  chosen  first  honorary  president,  the  prefect  was  selected 
as  moderator,  while  all  the  other  offices  were  filled  by  the  students. 

That  the  students  may  be  rounded  into  good  strong  men  is  a  wish  dear  to 
the  Bishop  and  faculty.  For  this  purpose  the  best  possible  facilities  have 
been  furnished.  A  brick  building,  30  feet  high,  25  feet  wide,  and  40  feet 
long,  has  been  fitted  out  with  modern  gymnastic  apparatus;  a  double  hand- 
ball court  has  been  built  close  by  the  gymnasium,  while  the  grounds  around 
the  seminary  are  extensive  enough  to  afford  the  students  ample  opportunity 
for  tennis,  cricket,  and  the  more  vigorous  games  of  base  ball  and  foot  ball. 
These  sports,  however,  are  never  encouraged  to  the  extent  of  injury  to  studies. 

Education,  rightly  understood,  means  not  alone  mental  and  physical 
development,  but  also  moral  training.  And  while  every  effort  is  being  made 
to  educate  tlie  mind  and  to  strengthen  the  body,  a  much  greater  care  is  exer- 
cised over  the  moral  culture  of  the  students.  In  an  institution  of  ecclesiastical 
lore,  the  moral  development  is  considered  of  most  importance,  and  at  St. 
Thomas'  it  holds  the  first  place,  as  it  should  in  every  well-arranged  system  of 
education.  Tlie  students  are  expected  to  approach  the  sacraments  once  a  week, 
and  to  attend  High  Mass  and  vesper  service  on  Sundays  at  the  cathedral,  where 
they  cannot  fail  to  imbibe  a  love  for  the  beautiful  ceremonial  of  the  church. 

Instruction  in  Christian  doctrine  is  given  daily.  Private  devotion  is  like- 
wise encouraged,  and  sodalities  exist  for  fostering  it. 

The  League  of  the  Sacred  Heart  was  established  i>j  the  seminary  on  the 
1st  of  October,  1897. 

The  Society  of  the  Holy  Rosary  was  organized  on  the  feast  of  the  Holy 
Rosary,  October  2,  1897.  Its  object  is  the  fostering  of  filial  devotion  to  the 
Mother  of  God,  and  the  practice  of  virtue  and  piety  among  its  members. 

SEMINARY   OF  MT.   ST.  JOSEPH, 
Hartford. 

|T.  ST.  JOSEPH'S  SEMINARY  was  founded  in  1873  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Bishop  McFarland.     His  purpose  was  to  provide  a  school  in  which  the 
young  ladies  of  the  diocese  might  perfect  themselves  in  the  higher 
branches  of  a  liberal  education  hallowed  by  religion. 
The  seminary  is   situated  on  one  of  the  most  beautiful   sites  in  Hartford  on 
Farmington  avenue,  adjoining  St.  Joseph's  magnificent  cathedral.     The  buildino-, 


456  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH,    IX  NEW  EXGLAND. 

a  massive  one,  possesses  much  architectural  beauty,  and  was  erected  with  a  special 
view  to  tlie  wants  of  a  first-class  boarding-school.  The  grounds  are  extensive  and 
laid  out  with  much  taste.  Every  incentive  is  oflfered  to  induce  sufficent  exercise 
in  the  open  air.  In  their  system  of  education  the  Sisters  endeavor  to  combine 
mildness  with  firmness,  and  their  constant  aim  is  to  instill  into  their  pupils  those 
principles  of  religion  which  are  the  only  safeguard  through  life.  The  Sisters  re- 
quire from  the  pupils  an  exact  observance  to  the  rules  of  the  school,  as  they  are 
convinced  that  submission  to  lawful  authority  and  respect  for  the  rights  of  others 
are  as  necessarj-  for  the  good  of  the  individual  pupil  as  for  that  of  the  entire  insti- 
tution. The  course  of  studies  embraces  all  grades  from  the  primary  to  the  acade- 
mic, and  a  careful  training  in  the  French,  German  and  Latin  languages  is  received. 
There  are  also  musical,  business  and  art  departments. 

"  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  have,  in  all  their  teaching, 
pursued  a  systematic  course  of  instruction  leading  up  to  practical  results.  They 
aim  to  instruct  their  pupils  so  they  can  utilize  their  knowledge  in  practical  pursuits. 
The  result  is  that  many  j-oung  ladies  from  this  seminary  are  now  engaged  in 
business  offices,  and  also  as  successful  teachers,  while  many  have  been  prepared 
here  for  higher  colleges.  At  the  Normal  .schools  of  the  State  the  certificate  of 
Mt.  St.  Josejih  is  accepted  in  lieu  of  an  entrance  examination. 

"  That  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  have  taken  a  foremost  part  in  the  educational  work 
of  Hartford  no  one  familiar  with  its  hi.storj'  will  deny.  They  have  taught  in  every 
grade  from  the  alphabet  of  the  English  language  to  the  most  advanced  classics. 
Their  teachings  hallowed  by  religion  have  been  productive  of  much  good,  and 
fortunate  is  he  or  she  whose  education  is  wholly  or  in  part  received  under  their 
guidance." 

ACADEMY  DE  NOTRE  DAME- 

Watkkiukv. 

05  I  HE  fame  of  this  educational  institute  is  not  Contlned  to  the  limits  of  the  city 
'  I  in  which  it  is  located,  but  has  gone  throughout  the  diocese  and  beyond. 
'^-L  To  the  late  Bishop  of  Providence,  Right  Rev.  T.  F.  Hendricken,  D.D.. 
then  pastor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  parish,  Waterbury,  is  due  the  honor  of 
introducing  the  Si.sters  de  Notre  Dame  from  the  mother-house,  \'illa  Maria,  Mont- 
real, into  Waterbury,  where  thej- arrived  in  1869.  The  foundation  of  the  convent 
occurred  during  the  episcopate  of  Bishop  McFarland,  and  on  the  occasion  of  his 
last  visit  in  1873,  he  remarked  to  the  sisters:  "  The  day  is  not  far  distant  when 
the  little  liouse  on  the  hill  will  spread  its  wings  to  shelter  hundreds."  The 
bishop's  prophtcy  has  been  fulfilled.  A  handsome  and  stately  edifice  has  replaced 
the  humble  building  in  which  both  Sisters  and  pupils  spent  many  happy  and  pro- 
fitable years.  The  new  building  has  been  justly  designated  as  "one  of  the  orna- 
ments of  the  city."  It  was  erected  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  John  A. 
Mulcahy,  who  supervised  its  construction. 

Before  the  si.sters  arrived  in  Waterbury  no  little  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
.securing  a  suitable  house  which  would  become  for  them  a  convent  home,  owing 
to  the  anti-Catholic  prejudices,  tlien  prevailing  in  certain  quarters.  However, 
they  purchased  through  the  agency  of  a  third  party  a  dwelling-house  from  An.son 
G-  Stocking,  for  which  he  received  $11,000.  The  Sisters  had  not  been  long 
established  before  their  ser\'ices  to  the  community  were  recognized  with  the  result 
that  more  pupils  asked  for  admission  than  they  could  adequately  accommodate. 
Accordingly  the  convent  was  enlarged  by  the  erection  of  what  has  since  become 


DIOQESE  OF  HARTFORD.  457 

•known  as  Commenceineiit  Hall  ;  at  the  same  time  the  grounds  were  beautified  by 
the  planting  of  shrubs  and  the  laying  of  concrete  walks. 

As  to  location  the  Academy  de  Notre  Dame  is  highly  favored.  It  is  built  on 
an  eminence  in  an  elevated  portion  of  the  city  and  its  pupils  enjoy  the  salubrious 
air  for  which  this  part  of  Connecticut  is  famous.  The  course  of  studies  is  thorough 
and  complete  ;  its  studj'-halls  and  class-rooms  are  equipped  with  every  aid  for  the 
acquisition  of  knowledge,  and  not  only  can  those  who  aspire  to  the  acquisition  of 
a  solid  and  refined  English  education  attain  the  goal  of  their  ambition,  but,  as 
well  also,  those  who  seek  to  become  proficient  in  music,  both  vocal  and  instru- 
mental, drawing,  painting,' sewing,  etc.  The  pupils  are  also  taught  French,  and 
as  it  is  the  language  of  the  house,  soon  become  proficient  in  its  use. 

The  first  Directress  of  the  convent  was  Madame  St.  Cecilia.  Her  successor 
was  Madame  St.  Gabriel.  She  was  followed  by  Madame  St.  Mary,  who  in  turn 
was  succeeded  bj'  the  present  Superioress,  Madame  St.  Stanislaus. 

"  A  prominent  trait  in  the  management  is  the  deportment  and  behaviour  of 
the  young  ladies  who  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  spend  some  time  at  this  school ; 
and  so  conspicuous  is  this  feature  that  an  eminent  educator  who  usually  spends 
his  summer  vacation  in  this  beautiful  town,  and  who  once  had  ample  opportunity 
for  forming  a  correct  judgment,  said:  'For  true  lady-like  bearing,  for  that  easy 
and  refined  yet  unaffected  manner  which  should  be  one  of  the  chief  aims  of  a  polite 
education,  the  pupils  of  Notre  Dame  are  the  peers  of  any  in  the  land.'  " 

NOTRE   DAME  ACADEMY, 

^^^  Putnam. 

(5  I  HIS  institution  of  learning,  the  fame  of  which  is  well  known,  is  situated  in 
<  I  the  most  beautiful  part  of  Putnam,  on  a  rising  eminence,  which  insures 
-*-  pure  air  and  commands  an  extensive  and  superb  scenery.  This  fine  edifice 
has  been  erected  with  a  special  view  to  the  wants  of  a  first-class  boarding  school, 
well  heated  by  steam  and  supplied  with  hot  and  cold  water,  and  all  modern 
improvements  and  conveniences  The  building  is  of  pressed  brick  with  elaborate 
granite  trimmings;  the  water  tables,  the  buttress,  caps  and  belts  are  also  of 
granite,  thus  showing  the  solidity  of  its  character.  A  graceful  tower  with  chime 
of  bells  rises  on  its  side;  the  distance  from  base  to  apex  being  112  feet. 

The  exterior  surrounding  corresponds  well  with  the  interior.  Beautiful 
grounds,  evergreen  shrubbery,  marble  statuary,  circular  concrete  walks,  fountains 
sending  up  their  sparkling  jets  and  surrounded  by  flower  beds,  draw  the  attention  of 
all  who  have  any  love  for  the  beautiful.  On  the  right  of  an  extensive  avenue  is  the 
Grotto  of  Lourdes,  an  excellent  imitation  of  the  French  original.  Pleasant  verandas 
shrines,  summer  houses,  form  a  delightful  resort  for  pupils  during  leisure  hours. 
Electric  lights  enhance  the  beauty  of  the  evening  scene.  The  beautiful  shrine  of  St. 
Ann  in  front  of  the  fagade  has  become  a  centre  of  attraction  for  pilo-rims  far  and 
near.    Besides  this  favorite  park  the  young  ladies  may  also  enjoy  the  woodland  dale. 

About  a  mile  distant  is  a  shady  grove,  on  the   banks  of  the  Quinnebaug 
known  as  "St.  Joseph's  Island."     Here  is  a  lofty  retreat,  a  seclusion  for  the  tired 
students,  and  a  charming  spot  for  the  merry-hearted  school  girl. 

The  past  history  guarantees  the  promise  for  the  future.  The  Alumnse  have 
added  lustre  to  the  reputation  of  Putnam.  The  moral  and  intellectual  education 
of  the  pupils  is  attended  to  with  the  greatest  solicitude,  and  the  most  devoted 
attention  is  paid  to  their  domestic  comforts.     While  the  solid  studies  are  regarded 


458  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

as  the  more  important,  great  attention  is  given  to  the  graceful  accomplishments- 
which  throw  a  charm  over  domestic  life  and  tend  toward  elevating  society. 

ACADEMY  OF  THE  HOLY  FAMILY, 
Baltic. 

HLS  academy  holds  high  rank  among  the  educational  institutions  of  Con- 
necticut.    It  is  under  the   supervision   of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  of  Our 
Lady  of  Mercy,  who  were  introduced  into  Baltic  by  Rev.  Father  Van  Laar, 
at  the  request  of  Right  Rev.  Bishop  McFarland,  on  October  15,  1874. 

Situated  in  a  beautiful  location  in  Baltic,  the  academy  aifords  a  most  pictur- 
esque view  of  the  surrounding  country,  and  on  account  of  its  high  and  beautiful 
position  is  admirably  adapted  for  educational  purposes.  The  extensive  grounds 
of  the  institution  afford  every  facility  for  open-air  exercise,  which  the  pupils  are 
required  to  take  at  all  seasons.  The  curriculum  of  the  academy  embraces  all  the 
studies  generally  followed  in  schools  of  the  highest  rank.  Six  Sisters  formed  the 
first  community  in  Baltic. 

The  object  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  of  Our  Lady  of  Mercy  is  the  santifica- 
tion  of  its  members  by  the  practice  of  works  of  charity.  These  include  the  educa- 
tion of  young  girls  in  boarding  schools,  orphanages,  public  and  private  schools, 
hospital  work,  care  of  the  aged  of  both  sexes,  and  of  the  deaf  and  dumb,  and 
blind.  The  care  of  male  insane  persons,  and  the  education  of  boys  beyonc  the 
primary  grades  are  the  only  works  of  charity  forbidden  by  the  Congregation. 
Dispensation  to  teach  boys  in  grammar  grades  has  been  granted  to  tlie  Congrega- 
tion in  England  and  America  The  constitutions  and  general  rules  of  the  Con- 
gregation were  approved  by  his  Holiness  Pope  Gregory  XVI.,  on  December  18, 
1843,  and  five  years  later,  in  1848,  the  Congregation  itself  was  approved  by 
his  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.  The  mother-house  is  in  Tilburg,  Holland,  in  the 
diocese  of  Bois-le-Duc.  The  chief  direction  of  the  Congregation  is  confided  to  a 
Mother-General  and  four  sisters.  The  Congregation  has  ninety  five  convents. 
The  greater  number  are  in  Holland  and  Belgium  ;  three  in  England  under  tlie 
patronage  of  the  Earl  of  Denbigh ;  three  in  America,  two  in  the  East  Indies,  and 
one  in  South  America.  This  last  foundation  was  due  to  the  efforts  of  Bi.shop 
Wulfiiigh,  C.SS.R.,  of  Paramaribo,  Dutch  Guiana.  Being  anxious  to  obtain 
Sisters  to  care  for  the  lepers  of  his  dioce.se,  the  bishop  laid  the  matter  before  the 
Holy  Father,  Pope  Leo  XIII.  His  Holiness  expressed  the  wish  that  the  Sisters 
of  Charity  of  Our  Lady  of  Mercy  should  take  charge  of  the  leper  colony.  Con- 
sidering the  self-abnegation  necessary  for  .such  a  sphere  of  labor,  Mother  Geiieral 
Smarius  declined  to  appoint  Sisters  for  the  work.  Consequently  a  circular  was 
sent  to  the  different  convents  of  the  Congregation  asking  for  volunteers.  Three 
hundred  applications  were  immediately  received.  From  this  number  six  Sisters 
were  chosen  to  form  the  necleus  of  the  South  American  colony.  They  arrived  at 
Paramaribo,  on  September  29,  1894. 

The  academy  at  Baltic  opened  with  two  teachers  and  two  ]ni]Mls.  At  jiresent, 
there  are  twelve  teachers  and  seventy-five  pupils.  The  Alumnie  number  about 
one  Innidred. 

The  Directress  of  the  convent  and  academy  is  Mother  M,  Aloysio. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD,  ^  459 

ST.  AUGUSTINE'S  VILLA, 
Hartford. 

C5  I  HIS  institution  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  and  is  in  a  beau- 
<  I  tiful  and  healthful  location.  The  Villa,  an  attractive  and  substantial  struc- 
-^  ture,  was  purchased  by  the  Sisters  for  its  present  purposes  in  September, 
1877,  and  in  1883  a  wing  was  added  to  the  main  building  to  accommodate  the  in- 
creasing number  of  pupils.  On  Thanksgiving  day  of  the  same  year  the  school  was 
blessed  with  impressive  ceremonies  by  Bishop  McMahon,  assisted  by  a  number  of 
clergymen.  The  Villa  stands  on  an  eminence,  is  commodious,  thoroughly  venti- 
lated, and  furnished  throughout  with  all  modern  improvements.  The  grounds 
are  extensive,  and  afford  ample  means  of  exercise.  The  school  has  accommoda- 
tions for  about  seventy  boys,  who  are  received  between  the  ages  of  four  and  fourteen. 
The  curriculum  followed  is  preparatory  for  entrance  either  to  High  school  or  col- 
lege. '.'Everything  conducive  to  the  health,  happiness  and  advancement  of  the 
pupils  receives  constant  and  conscientious  attention.  The  discipline  is  maternal  and 
uniform  and  the  course  of  instruction  thorough  and  extended.  In  such  a  healthful 
atmosphere  as  this  the  boy  gains  in  physical  vigor  and  at  the  same  time  has  his 
mind  cultivated  by  a  carefully  planned  system  of  education.  That  St.  Augustine's  is 
capable  of  turning  out  boys  thoroughly  prepared  for  their  after-work  is  proved  by  the 
many  who  have  gone  from  here  to  higher  institutions  and  have  graduated  with  honor. " 
St.  Augustine's  school  was  founded  by  Mother  M.  Angela,  and  the  present 
Superioress  is  Sister  M.  Genevieve. 

ST.   MARY'S   HOME   FOR  THE  AGED, 

>  Hartford. 

(5  I  HIS  most  worthy,  charitable  and  benevolent  institution  was  founded  on  Oc- 
'  I  tober  18,  1880,  by  the  Rev.  Mother  Angela  Fitzgerald.  Three  Sisters  of 
-*-  Mercy  took  possession  of  the  building  which  had  been  purchased  in 
November,  1880.  Two  men  and  three  women  were  the  first  recipients  of  the  charity 
of  the  Sisters.  Now  sixteen  men  and  sixty-five  women  receive  the  gentle  minis- 
trations of  seventeen  Sisters. 

The  increase  in  the  number  of  inmates  made  the  construction  of  another 
building  necessary,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  on  May  19,  1895.  The 
building,  a  handsome,  commodious  and  substantial  structure,  was  completed  and 
dedicated  on  April  8,  1896,  by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney. 

Since  its  foundation,  St.  Mary's  has  registered  about  1 20  inmates.  The  Home  is 
beautifully  situated  on  a  farm  of  1 16  acres  near  the  city  line  of  Hartford.  The  farm  is 
well  stocked,  and  is  well  cultivated,  yielding  nearly  the  full  supply  of  vegetables  used 
in  the  institution.  It  was  formerly  the  property  of  Mr.  Terr}-,  father  of  the  gifted 
poetess.  Rose  Terry  Cooke. 

ST.    FRANCIS'    HOSPITAL, 
Hartford. 

^T.  FRANCIS'  HOSPITAL  was  founded  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney, 
and  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  patients  on  September  i,  1897. 
With  the  exception  of  contagious  and  infectious  diseases  all  classes  of 
disease  are  received  here.  During  the  first  3'ear  of  the  in.stitution's  ex- 
istence, i.e.,  from  September  i,  1897,  to  September  i,  1898,  314  patients  were 
treated ;  the  mortality  was  14,  making  a  percentage  of  deaths  to  the  whole  num- 


400  rilE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

ber  received,  d^Yz  per  cent.  Of  the  14  patients  who  died,  10  were  incurable  when 
received.  Of  the  need  in  Hartford  of  .such  an  in.stitution  of  Cliristian  charity  and 
benevolence,  the  President  of  the  Medical  Staff  said  in  his  first  annual  report: 

"The  wisdom  and  urgent  need  of  such  an  institution  as  St.  Francis'  Hospi- 
tal, I  think,  is  established  beyond  any  question  of  doubt,  from  the  loyal  support 
and  cordial  endorsement  it  has  received  from  the  majority  of  the  profession  in  our 
own  city  and  from  those  in  surrounding  towns  in  the  county,  and  as  it  is  not  in- 
tended to  antagonize  in  any  particular  way  with  the  work  of  the  older  hospi- 
tal, but  is  supplying  a  long-felt  void  in  our  city,  I  feel  assured  that  it  will  grow 
in  favor  and  receive  the  support  and  endorsement  of  the  profession  at  large, 
and  the  approval  of  the  vast  majority  of  the  best  people  of  our  citj'  and  State." 

The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  St.  Francis'  Hospital  are:  President, 
Rt.  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  D.D.  ;  Vice  President,  Very  Rev.  .John  A.  Mulcahy, 
V.  G.  ;  Secretary,  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley  ;  Treasurer,  Mother  Valencia. 

Board  of  Directors. — Rt.  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  D.D.,  Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mul- 
cahy, V.G.,  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley,  Rev.  Thos.  W.  Broderick,  Rev.  James  Smith, 
John  O' Flaherty,  M.D.,  George  C  Bailey,  M.D.,  Daniel  F.  Sullivan,  M.D.,  Hon. 
Thos.  McManus,  Hon.  Patrick  Garvan,  James  Ahern,  John  W.  Coogan,  Capt.  Cor- 
nelius Ryan,  Matthew  Hogan. 

Hospital  Staff. 

Officers  of  the  Medical  Board. — President,  John  O'Flaherty,  M.D. ;  Vice-presi- 
dent, John  Dwyer,  M.D.; '  Secretary,  Wm.  J.  Lynch,  M.D. ;  Consultants,  W.  F.  Bacon, 
M.D.;S.  B.St.  John,  M.D.  Medical  Board— Nathan  Mayer,  M.D.,  John  O'Flaherty, 
M.D.,  John  Dwyer,  M.D.,'  and  Joseph  H.  Cahill,  M.D.  Surgical— P.  P.  Carlan, 
M.D.,  M.  M.  Johnson,  M.D.,  O.  C.  Smith,  M.D.,  D.  F.  Sullivan,  M.D.,  J.  F.  Dowling, 
M.D.,  M.  A.  Bailey,  M.D.,  and  J.  A.  Boucher,  M.D.  Gynaecologists— G.  C.  Baily, 
M.D.,  and  A.  J.  Wolff,  M.D.  Neurologist— T.  D.  Crothers,  M.D.  Bacteriologist- 
John  B.  McCook,  M.D.  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery — James  McManus,  D.D.S. 
Oculist  and  Aurist — F.  T.  Waite,  M.D.  Visiting  Physicians — John  O'Flaherty, 
M.D.,  Nathan  Mayer,  M.D.,  P.  P.  Carlan,  M.D.,  Jo.seph  H.  Cahill,  M.D.,  and 
William  J.  Lynch,  M.D.  Visiting  Surgeons — M.  M.  Johnson,  M  D.,  D.  F.  Sulli- 
van, ALD.,  O.  C.  Smith,  M.D.,  J.  F.  Dowling,  M.D.,  J.  A.  Boucher,  M.D.,  and  M. 
A.  Bailey,  M.D.  . 

The  hospital  is  in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  from  Chambery, 
France,  and  true  to  their  exalted  vocation  are  angels  of  mercy  to  their  stricken 
brethren  who  come  under  their  influence  and  care.  Imitating  Him  whose  spouses 
they  are,  they  go  about  doing  good ;  healing  the  sick,  strengthening  the  weak, 
consoling  the  sorrowing,  imparting  cheerfulness  and  warmth  and  happiness  in  the 
midst  of  the  gloom  that  often  attends  illness,  carrying  heavenly  favors  everywhere 
with  their  presence  ;  a  noble  vocation  is  theirs  and  thrice  holy. 


SUMMARY. 


Institutions  in  Charge  of  Secular  Clergy. 
Hartford. — St.  Thomas'  Preparatory  Seminary — Very  Rev.  John  Synnott, 
rector;   Rev.  R,  F.  Fitzgerald,  D.  D.,  vice-rector;   Revs.  B.  Broderick,  D.  D.,  J.  F. 
Ryan,  Hubert  Dahme,  Frank  Mulville  and  Mr.  A.  Plunkett,  professors. 

'  Deceased. 


a. 
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DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  461 

Institutions  in  Charge  of  Religious  Orders. 
Hartford. — Missionary  College  of  Our  Lady  of  La  Salette  atid  Theological 
Seminary — Both  conducted  by  the  Missionary  Fathers  of  L,a  Salette. 

Religious  Communities  in  the  Diocese. 

ORDERS    OF   MEN. 

Dominican  Fathers  (Eastern  province). 
Franciscan  Fathers  (Friars'  Minor). 
Jesuit  Fathers  (New  York ;  Maryland  Province). 
Missionaries  of  La  Salette  (Grenoble,  France). 

ORDERS    OF   WOMEN. 

Sisters  of  the  Assumption  (Nicolet,  P.  Q.). 

Sisters  of  Charity  (Convent  Station,  New  Jersey). 

Sisters  of  Charity  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  (Mt.  St.  Vincent,  on  Hudson). 

Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  (Chambery,  France). 

Sisters  of  Charity  of  Our  Lady,  Mother  of  Mercy  (Tilburg,  Holland). 

Sisters  of  St   Francis  (Allegany,  N.  Y.). 

Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  (Flushing,  L.  I). 

Sisters  of  Mercy  (Hartford,  Mother-house). 

Sisters  of  Mercy  (Meriden,  Mother-housej. 

Sisters  of  Mercy  (Middletown,  Mother-house). 

Sisters  of  the  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame  (Villa  Maria,  P.  Q.). 

Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  and  of  the  Seven  Dolors  (St.  Laurent,  P.  Q.). 

School  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame  (Baltimore,  Md.). 

SOCIETIES. 

HE  oldest  society  of  Catholics  in  Connecticut  was  the  Hibernian  Provident 
Society  of  New  Haven,  incorporated  in  1841  for  benevolent  purposes  by 
Bernard  Riley,  Michael  Coogan,  Michael  Martin,  and  others.  The  next 
in  order  of  time  was  St.  Patrick's  Society,  Hartford,  incorporated  in  1842  by 
Rev.  John  Brady,  Thomas  Keeney,  John  Hickey,  James  McManus  and  Michael 
Byrnes.  St.  John's  Sick  and  Burial  Society,  Hartford,  followed  in  1848,  with 
James  McManus,  Edward  McGuire,  John  Lake  and  James  Mulligan  as  charter 
members.  The  Montgomery  Benevolent  Society  of  New  Haven  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1849  by  William  Downes,  James  Reilly,  and  others,  but  it  does  appear 
to  have  been  a  religious  organization. 

THE  ANCIENT  ORDER  OF  HIBERNIANS. 

(^  I  HE  first  Division  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians  in  Connecticut  was 
*  I  organized  on  March  6,  1869,  at  Bridgeport.  James  Davitt  was  the  first 
J-  President,  and  the  records  show  that  seventeen  members  enrolled  them- 
selves on  that  occasion  under  the  white  banner  of  Friendship,  Unity  and  Christian 
Charity.  The  present  membership  is  5,600,  an  increase  of  105  from  January  i, 
1898,  to  January  i,  1899.  The  present  State  officers  are:  State  President,  James 
P.  Bree ;  State  Secretary,  John  D.  Ctinningham  ;  State  Treasurer,  P.  D.  Ryan  ; 
State  Chaplain,  Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan. 

The  principles  of  the  A.  O  H.  are  embodied  in  the  motto  of  the  order.  The 
intent  and  purpose  of  its  members  is  to  promote  friendship,  unity  and  charity. 
They  maintain  the  aged,  the  sick,  the  blind  and  the  infirm.  The  Golden  Rule 
receives  practical  illustration   in  the  charity  the  order  dispenses,  in  the  intimate 


462  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

bond  of  union  which  exists  among  its  members,  and  in  the  good-will  which  the 
sons  of  this  organization  have  for  their  brethren  of  what  race  or  creed  soever. 
Practical  Catholics  only,  that  is,  men  who  comph-  with  the  religious  obligations 
imposed  bj-  the  church,  are  eligible  for  membership ;  and  should  a  member  fail  in 
this  necessary  requirement;  should  he  fail  to  give  edification  and  become  a  rock 
of  offence,  he  becomes  amenable  to  the  law  which  decrees  expulsion  as  the  penalty. 
The  rules  of  the  order  call  for  a  chaplain  in  each  count}-,  who  will  be  named  by 
the  Bishop,  and  to  him  must  all  questions  pertaining  to  morality  or  religion  be 
submitted  before  action  is  taken. 

Faithful  is  the  A.  O.  H.  to  the  divine  injunctions: 

"  Let  love  be  without  dissimulation,  hating  that  which  is  evil,  cleaving  to  that 
which  is  good. 

"  Loinng  one  another  with  the  charity  of  brotherhood,  with  honor  preventing  one 
another." — Romans  xii.  9,  10. 

"But  above  all  things  have  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfection." — Colos- 
sians  iii.  14. 

"  Let  the  charity  of  the  brotherhood  abide  in  you.  And  hospitality  do  not  for- 
get."— Hebrews  xiii.  i,  2. 

THE   KNIGHTS   OF   COLUMBUS. 

HIS  organization,  named  in  honor  of  the  immortal  discoverer  of  America, 
was  organized  at  New  Haven  on  February  8,  1882,  by  the  Rev.  Michael 
J.  McGivney,  assistant  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  parish,  New  Haven,  and 
incorporated  on  March  i,  1882.  Its  first  officers  were  :  Supreme  Knight,  James 
T.  Mullen  ;  Deputy  Supreme  Knight,  John  T.  Kerrigan  ;  Financial  Secretary, 
Rev.  Michael  J.  McGivney  ;  Recording  Secretary,  William  H.  Sellwood  ;  Lecturer, 
Daniel  Colwell  ;  Chancellor,  James  T.  McMahon  ;  Physician,  Matthew  C.  O'Con- 
nor, M.D  ;  Treasurer,  Michael  Curran. 

The  order  was  founded  upon  Union  and  Charity.^  Unity  in  banding  Catholics 
togethei  for  mutual  comfort  and  aid  in  time  of  sickness  and  at  death,  who  are 
physically  and  morally  fit,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five,  and'  for 
the  highest  development  and  elevation  of  its  members  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  best 
in  moral,  social  and  literary  acquirements.  Charity,  in  causing  a  keener  interest 
in  the  attainment  of  all  commendable  undertakings,  and  by  force  of  precept, 
example,  or  other  proper  means,  to  enable  each  to  share  in  the  world's  prosperity. 
and  to  become  of  the  best  a;id  noblest  in  morals  and  citizen.ship  ;  by  administra- 
tion of  Christian  consolation  to  those  bereft,  in  time  of  sickness  and  death  ;  by 
lawful  contributions  to  the  order  for  the  benefit  of  the  beneficiaries  of  decea.sed 
members,  thereby  in  life  assuring  each  of  fraternal  brotherhood,  and  in  death 
appeasing  the  pangs  of  poverty  and  despair  consequent  upon  its  visitation.  The 
order  is  Catholic  throughout,  and  has  (although  not  a  church  society)  the  sanction 
of  the  clergy  and  bi.shops  of  the  diocese  where  the  same  exists. 

The  membership  for  Connecticut  is  5,750.  The  order  is  now  established  in 
all  the  New  England  States,  and  also  in  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Minnesota,  District  of  Columbia, 
Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  the  Province  of  Quebec. 

There  are  two  classes  of  members,  insured  and  associate.  The  membership 
of  the  former  is  22,005;  of  the  latter,  20,257—42,262. 

'  Prospectus. 


DIOCESE  OF  HARTFORD.  463 

The  national  officers  are  Supreme  Knight,  Edward  L.  Hearn,  Boston,  Mass.; 
Deput}'  Supreme  Knight,  John  J.  Cone,  Jersey  Citj-,  N.  J.;  National  Secretarj', 
Daniel  Colwell,  New  Haven,  Conn.;  National  Phj'sician,  Wm.  T.  McMannis,  New 
York  City;  National  Treasurer,  P.  D.  Ryan,  Hartford,  Conn.;  National  Advocate, 
P.  J.  Markley,  New  Britain,  Conn.;  National  Chaplain,  Hugh  Treanor,  Norwich 
Conn.;  National  Warden,  M.  McNamara,  New  London,  Conn.;  National  Organizer 
and  Director  of  Ceremonies,  Thomas  H.  Cummings,  Boston,  Mass. 

When  Cardinal  Satolli  was  at  the  head  of  the  Apostolic  Delegation  at  Wash- 
ington, the  ritual  of  the  order  was  submitted  to  him  for  inspection.  In  his  letter 
of  approval  the  Cardinal  said:  "We  also  wish  to  express  our  great  pleasure,  after 
learning  the  merits  of  this  great  Catholic  organization,  that  in  the  present  active 
period  of  social  and  practical  alliance  in  America,  there  exists  a  society  of  practical 
Catholics,  which  offers  them  the  best  advantages  of  insurance,  benevolence  and 
fraternity  professed  bj'  the  most  popular  secular  societies  without  any  of  the  disad- 
vantages of  prohibited  companionship." 

THE  CATHOLIC  BENEVOLENT  LEGION. 

fHE  first  Council  of  the  Catholic  Benevolent  Legion  in  Connecticut  was  insti- 
tuted on  October  15,  1883,  in  St.  John's  parish,  Stamford.  The  officers 
chosen  were:  President,  John  Conniff;  Secretary,  F.  W.  Herrgen ;  Treas- 
urer, Edward  Duffy  ;  Collector,  John  White. 

The  Connecticut  State  Council,  Catholic  Benevolent  Legion,  was  instituted  on 
March  i,  1892,  at  Hartford,  with  the  following  oflScers :  President,  Jeremiah  J. 
Desmond,  Norwich ;  Secretary,  James  Scanlon,  New  Britain ;  Treasurer,  P.  Han- 
rahan,  Stamford. 

The  present  ofiicers  of  the  Connecticut  State  Council  are  :  President,  John  F. 
O'Brien;  Secretary,  James  Scanlon;  Treasurer,  Miles  McNiff. 

The  Connecticut  membership  of  the  Catholic  Benevolent  Legion  is  about  i,  100. 

The  objects  of  the  Legion  are  : '  ist.  To  unite  fraternally  for  social,  benevolent 
and  intellectual  improvement,  only  male  Catholics,  personally  acceptable,  of  sound 
bodily  health,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  fifty-five  years  at  the  time  of 
admission.  2d.  To  afford  moral  and  material  aid  to  its  members  and  their  depen- 
dents by  establishing  a  fund  for  the  relief  of  its  sick  and  distressed  members  3d. 
To  establish  a  benefit  fund  from  which,  on  the  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  death  of 
a  member  who  shall  have  complied  with  all  its  lawful  requirements,  a  sum  not 
exceeding  $5,000  shall  be  paid  to  his  legallj^  designated  beneficiary  or  beneficiaries. 
And  from  which  benefit  fund  a  sum  not  exceeding  $2,500  may  be  paid  to  a  member, 
who  shall  have  become  permanentl)'  disabled  from  attending  to  business  or  gaining 
a  livelihood,  and  who,  having  complied  with  all  its  lawful  requirements,  has  arrived 
at  the  age  of  expectancy  as  fixed  by  law. 

The  Catholic  Benevolent  Legion  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State 
of  New  York  on  September  5,  1881.  The  first  ofiicers  were  John  C.  McGuire, 
President ;  John  D.  Carroll,  Secretary ;  Thomas  Cassin,  Treasurer.  The  present 
ofiicers  of  the  Supreme  Council  are : 

Spiritual  Adviser,  Rt.  Rev.  Charles  E.  McDonald,  D.D.,  Brooklyn;  Presi- 
dent, John  C.  McGuire ;  Secretary,  John  D.  Carroll ;  Treasurer,  John  D.  Keiley ; 
Medical  Examiner-in-Chief,  George  R.  Kuhn,  M.D. 

'  Constitution  and  By-laws. 


464  THE   CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

THE   CATHOLIC  TOTAL  ABSTINENCE   UNION   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

fHIS  organization  was  founded  in  1870.  The  objects  of  the  Union  as  dLs- 
closed  in  its  Constitution  are  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  Total  Absti- 
nence by  united  effort ;  to  establish  and  maintain  Total  Abstinence  Societies 
in  every  parish  in  the  diocese  ;  to  develop  a  broad  spirit  of  co-operation  and  friendlj' 
intercourse  among  such  societies  and  their  members  ;  to  enlist  the  sympathy  and 
practical  aid  of  those  who  do  not  belong  to  the  movement  by  means  of  public 
meetings,  addresses  and  the  distribution  of  documents. 

The  officers  of  the  Union  for  1898-99  are:  Spiritual  Director,  Rt.  Rev.  M. 
Tierney,  D.D.,  Hartford  ;  President,  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley,  rector  of  St.  Joseph's 
cathedral,  Hartford;  First  Vice-President,  Edward  F.  Cavanaugh,  Wallingford; 
Second  Vice-President,  Mrs.  Harriet  Gragan,  Meriden ;  Secretary,  John  G.  Mc- 
Gowan,  New  Haven  ;  Treasurer,  Charles  Fitzgerald,  Middletown  ;  Editor,  Thomas 
F.  F'itzgerald,  Winsted. 

Board  of  Director.*  for  1898-99:  New  Haven  Count}-,  J.  Edmund  Miller.  New 
Haven;  Henry  A.  Hayden,  Waterbury;  New  London  County,  Felix  Callahan, 
Nor^vich ;  Hartford  County,  James  J.  Bohan,  Hartford ;  Joseph  M.  HoUeran, 
New  Britain;  Fairfield  County,  Paul  G-  Schultze,  Jr.,  South  Norwalk;  Tolland 
County,  William  J.  Devine,  Rockville;  Middlesex  County,  Patrick  Foley,  Port- 
land ;  Litchfield  County,  Walter  Peters,  West  Winsted  ;  Windham  County,  Rev. 
M.  P.  McCarthy. 

The  Catholic  Total  Abstinence  Union  of  Connecticut  has  entered  upon  the 
thirtieth  year  of  its  existence,  and  is  the  oldest  union  in  the  national  movement. 
Its  membership  as  reported  on  September  5,  1898,  was  6,699. 


ADDENDA. 


(^1 1  \\\'.  following  entries  are  taken  from  the  Record  of  Interments  of  Calvary  Ceme- 
tery Office,  New  York  City.  The  dates  given  are  those  of  the  day  of  burial. 
Elizabeth  Murphy,  May  31,  1S17,  born  in  Connecticut,  1778;  39  years 
old.     She  was  buried  from  Gould  street,  New  York. 

1825,  Deborah  Walker,  died  in  Cross  street;  born  in  Connecticut,  1779;  46 
years  old. 

May  8,  1821,  Ann  Hurley,  died  in  Chatam  street;  bom  in  Connecticut,  1782; 
39  years  old. 

November  19,  1823,  Elizabeth  Kernej',  died  in  Clark  street;  born  in  Con- 
necticut, 1790;  33  years  old. 

May  6,  1829,  Sarah  Rochelue,  died  in  Anthony  street;  born  in  Connecticut, 
1797  ;  32  j-ears  old. 

June  19,  1846,  Margaret  Welsh,  born  in  Ireland,  181 1;  died  in  Connecticut; 
aged  35  years. 

October  27,  1846,  James  Coughlin,  one  year  and  nine  months  old;  born  in 
New  York;  died  in  New  Milford,  Connecticut. 

December  i,  1846,  Thomas  Gibney,  born  in  Ireland,  1827  ;  died  in  New  Lon- 
don ;  aged  19  j'ears. 

December  3,  1846,  Lawrence  Kelly,  bom  in  Ireland,  1802  ;  died  in  New  Lon- 
don ;  aged  44  years. 

May  I,  1847,  Margaret  E.  Gently,  four  years  old;  bom  in  New  York ;  died 
in  Fairfield,  Connecticut. 

The  above  records  are  additional  evidence  of  the  presence  of  Catholics  in 
Connecticut  very  early  in  the  history  of  the  State. 


DIOCESE    OF  HARTFORD.  465 

ST.   MARY'S    PARISH. 1 
Norwich. 

V_i  HE  history  of  St.  Mary's  parish  is  the  history  of  Catholicity  iu  Norwich 
^J  down  to  September  aSth,  1879,  when  St.  Patrick's  Church  was  dedi- 
cated to  God  with  solemn  ceremony.  The  Norwich  land  records  show 
that  the  site  of  St.  Mary's  Church  was  purchased  from  the  Norwich  Water 
Power  Company  on  September  4th,  1844.  The  erection  of  a  church,  65  feet 
by  40  feet,  was  immediately  begun,  and  the  first  Mass  within  its  walls  was 
offered  on  the  feast  of  the  Nativity  of  the  same  year.  It  was  dedicated  on 
March  17th,  1845. 

After  the  occupancy  of  St.  Patrick's  Church,  an  effort  was  made  to  close 
St.  Mary's,  as  the  authorities  wished  all  the  parishioners  to  worship  in  one 
edifice  ;  but  the  people's  affection  for  the  venerable  building,  within  whose 
walls  they  were  united  in  holy  wedlock,  wherein  their  little  ones  had 
received  the  waters  of  regeneration,  and  through  whose  portals  their  beloved 
dead  had  been  borne  to  their  final  resting  place,  was  too  deeply  rooted  to 
brook  a  separation.  Accordingly,  they  petitioned  for  the  reopening  of  their 
church.  Their  prayer  was  finally  granted,  and  St.  Mary's  was  opened  in 
1883  as  a  mission  of  St.  Patrick's,  in  which  condition  it  remained  until  the 
appointment  of  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  James  Smith,  who  assumed 
charge  November  27th,  1S97.  His  first  assistant  was  the  Rev.  W.  Becker, 
who  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Culcowski,  February  ist,  1900. 

At  the  time  of  the  division,  the  district  which  comprises  the  present 
parish  contained  about  2500  souls,  mainly  Irish  people  and  their  descendants, 
with  some  French  and  Poles.  The  old  parochial  residence  was  converted 
into  a  primary  school  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Kennedy,  wherein  185  children  are 
being  instructed  by  three  Sisters  of  Mercy.  The  older  pupils,  to  the  number 
of  seventy,  attend  the  school  attached  to  St.  Patrick's  Church. 

The  first  marriage  to  be  solemnized  after  the  organization  of  the  new 
parish  was  that  of  Charles  McSheffrey  and  Rose  Ward.  The  first  child  to 
receive  baptism  was  Hanora  Alice,  daughter  of  Denis  and  Bridget  Driscoll. 

St.  Mary's  parish  is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  all  indications  point 
to  a  successful  future.  Many  improvements  are  contemplated,  among  which 
is  the  purchase  in  the  near  future  of  new  church  property. 

1  See  pages  414-421. 


APPENDIX. 

^^-^  INCE  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  this  History  many  religious 

si^    events  of  importance  have  transpired  in  the  diocese,  which  give  evi- 

-„     I    dence  of  the  virility  of  the  faith  among  us  and  speak  forcibly  for  the 

activity  of  the  diocesan  clergy  and  the  co-operation  of  the  laity  under 

the  fostering  care,  the  prudent  guidance  and  encouragement  of  the  Ordinary, 

Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney.      Every  section  of  the  diocese  has  contributed 

to  the  marvelous  results  accomplished.     All  have  responded  to  the  call  of 

the  bishop  for  earnest,  continued  and  unremitting  efforts  in  the  exalted  labor 

of  bringing  souls  to  Christ.     Village  and  city  have  witnessed  the  walls  of 

church  and  school  ascend  heavenward,   and  where  before  was  naught  but 

tree  and  shrub  and  rock,  the  cross,  the  symbol  of  man's  redemption,   now 

glistens  in  the  sunlight,  proclaiming  hope  and  salvation  in  the  Crucified. 

The  number  of  churches  and  schools  erected  or  in  course  of  construction, 
the  erection  of  our  diocesan  seminary  and  its  neighbor,  the  new  hospital, 
the  ordination  of  many  young  men  to  the  holy  priesthood  and  the  numerous 
solemn  professions  of  Sisters,  the  splendid,  undeviating  attendance  of  the 
faithful  at  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  and  their  edifying  reception  of  the 
Sacraments  —  all  testify  to  the  religious  devotedness  that  pervades  the  dio- 
cese ;  are  indubitable  signs  that  religion  forms  no  small  part  of  the  people's 
life,  and  that  the  ancient  faith  within  our  borders  is  still  pure  and  vigorous. 
Daily  proofs  are  not  wanting  to  show  that  this  portion  of  the  Lord's  \'ine- 
yard  is  tilled  by  earnest  and  skilled  laborers,  and  that  the  seed,  sown  in 
good  soil,  is  bringing  forth  abundant  fruit.  Two  hundred  and  seventy-two 
priests  are  active  in  ministerial  labors,  while  no  less  than  seven  hundred 
and  sixty  religious  women  are  devoting  their  lives  to  charitable  and  educa- 
tional work.  These  forces,  engaged  in  God's  cause  and  working  in  harmony, 
must  succeed  despite  the  obstacles  that  from  time  to  time  confront  them. 
Financial  difficulties  are  overcome  where  faith  is  strong  and  devotion  loyal. 
Sacrifices  cheerfully  made  are  abundantly  rewarded  by  Him  for  Whom  they 
are  made  ;  and  when  obedience  is  joined  with  sacrifice,  the  Heart  of  the 
Invisible  Head  of  the  Church  will  be  moved  to  shower  lavishly  His  bless- 
ings upon  His  people.  It  is  here  we  find  the  key  to  the  great  successes 
which  are  daily  chronicled  in  the  diocese.  "Sacrifice  and  Obedience"  is 
the  watchword  of  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  diocese  of  Hartford.  Inspired 
by  the  records  of  the  past  and  guided  by  the  sage  counsels  of  their  bishop, 
they  will  go  on  to  other  victories,  and  bring  grace  to  men  and  glory  to  God. 
In  brief,  the  record  since  August,  1899,  is  as  follows  : 

1899. 

August  27th.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the 
Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  Branford,  the  Rev.  Edward 
Martin  pastor.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev-  Walter  J. 
Shanlej',  rector  of  the  Cathedral,  Hartford. 

August  27th.     Celebration  of  the  forty-seventh  anniversary  of  the  founding 


DIOCESE    OF  HARTFORD.  467 

of  St.  Patrick's  parish,  Collinsville,  the  Rev.  John  Quiiin  pastor.  The 
Rev.  B.  O'R.  Sheridan  was  the  celebrant  of  the  Solemn  High  Mass,  the 
Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimnions,  deacon,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Quinn,  sub-deacon. 
The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  Father  Quinn. 

September  3rd.  The  dedication  of  the  new  parochial  school  of  St.  Mary's 
Star  of  the  Sea  parish,  New  London,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Joynt  pastor, 
Bishop  Tierney  officiating.  Solemn  High  Mass  was  celebrated  by  the 
Rev.  John  Russell,  P.  R.,  of  New  Haven,  assisted  by  the  Revs.  John 
Coyle,  New  Haven,  and  J.  F.  Quinn,  of  New  London,  as  deacon  and 
sub-deacon  respectively.  The  Rev.  David  O'Donnell,  New  London, 
was  master  of  ceremonies.  The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  the  Rev. 
James  J.  Dougherty,  LL.D.,  New  York. 

September  4th.  The  blessing  of  the  new  cemetery  at  Norfolk  b}^  Bishop 
Tierney,  the  Rev.  P.  Keating  pastor.  The  address  was  delivered  by 
the  Rev-  Edward  Brennan,  of  Torrington. 

September  8th.  The  Rev.  J.  C  Moussier,  M.  S.,  the  Rev.  C.  Glattigny, 
M.  S.,  the  Rev.  M.  E.  Michael,  M.  S.,  were  ordained  to  the  priesthood 
in  St.  Joseph's  Cathedral  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney. 

September  loth.  The  placing  of  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Francis'  parochial 
school,  Naugatuck,  Bishop  Tierney  officiating,  the  Rev.  James  O'R. 
Sheridan  rector.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Walter  Elliott, 
C.  S.  P. 

September  17th.  The  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  Church  of  the 
Assumption,  the  Rev.  James  Ryle  rector,  by  Bishop  Tierney.  Preacher 
of  the  day,  the  Rev.  Peter  H.  McClean,  S.  T.  L.,  Superior  of  the  Hart- 
ford Apostolate,  Milford. 

November  19th.  Bishop  Tierney  placed  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Michael's 
Church,  Beacon  Falls.  The  Rev.  M.  A.  Sullivan,  of  Kensington, 
preached  the  sermon.  Beacon  Falls  is  attended  by  the  Rev.  M.  F. 
Rigney,  pastor  of  St.  Augustine's  parish,  Sej'mour. 

November  19th.  The  dedication  of  the  Church  of  Our  Lady  of  Lourdes, 
Waterbury,  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  building  was  originally  a  private 
residence  and  is  situated  on  South  Main  Street.  The  church  is  attended 
by  the  Italian  Catholics,  who,  previous  to  their  occupancy  of  this  build- 
ing, assembled  for  divine  worship  in  a  hall  on  Canal  Street.  The  Rev. 
M.  A.  Karam  is  the  pastor. 

1900. 

March  nth.  The  dedication  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Beacon  Falls,  and 
the  blessing  of  its  bell  by  Bishop  Tierney.  Celebrant  of  the  Solemn 
High  Mass,  the  Rev.  Michael  F.  Rigney;  deacon,  the  Rev.  C.  McElroy ; 
sub-deacon,  the  Rev.  J.  Curtin.  The  discourse  was  pronounced  by  the 
Rev.  Joseph  A.  Rigney,  of  Washington,  N.  J. 

April  22nd.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  dedicated  the  Church  of  the 
Assumption,  Westport,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shanley  rector.  High  Mass 
was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Carroll,  of  Wallingford,  and  the 


468  THE    CATHOLIC   CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Rev.  William  Maher,  D.D.,  of  South  Norwalk,  preached  the  dedicatory 
sermon.  The  church  occupies  a  commanding  sight  on  Riverside  Ave- 
nue and  cost  upwards  of  $20,000. 

April  29th.  The  Rev.  Michael  J.  Daly,  formerly  of  Thomaston,  assumed 
pastoral  charge  of  the  newly  erected  St.  Joseph's  parish.  New  Haven, 
with  the  Rev.  John  F.  Donahoe  as  assistant.  The  parish  was  formed 
by  portions  taken  from  St.  Mary's,  St.  Patrick's  and  St.  Francis' 
parishes. 

May  14th.  The  appointment  of  Very  Rev.  John  Synnott,  President  of  St. 
Thomas'  Seminary,  Hartford,  as  Vicar-General  in  succession  to  Very 
Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy. 

May  30th.  St.  Joseph's  Church,  South  Norwalk,  dedicated  by  Bishop  Tier- 
ney.  Celebrant  of  the  Mass,  the  Rev.  John  Winters,  Hartford  ;  deacon, 
the  Rev.  Francis  P.  Havvey,  St.  Joseph's  Seminary,  Dunwoodie,  N.  Y.  ; 
sub-deacon,  the  Rev.  T.  Crowley,  Waterbury.  The  preacher  on  the 
occasion  was  Very  Rev.  William  O'Brien  Pardow,  S.  J.  Pastor,  the 
Rev.  William  Maher,  D.D. 

June  3rd.  The  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  Church  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  to  replace  the  building  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  preceding  January, 
the  Rev.  James  Cunningham  rector.  The  Rev.  John  F.  Boland,  of 
Chicopee  Falls,  Mass.,  preached  the  sermon. 

June  3rd.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  placed  the  corner  stone  of  St.  James' 
Church,  Danielson.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Vignon,  M.  S.,  preached  the  ser- 
mon in  French  and  the  Rev.  Arthur  O'Keefe  pronounced  the  English 
discourse. 

June  17th.  Bishop  Tierney  dedicated  the  chapel  of  the  new  Church  of  the 
Assumption,  Ansonia,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Synnott  rector.  Solemn  High 
Mass  was  celebrated  by  the  Rev.  John  Walsh,  of  Middletowu,  a.ssisted 
by  the  Rev.  James  Nihil,  of  Bridgeport,  as  deacon,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Kelly,  of  New  Milford,  as  sub-deacon,  and  the  Rev.  John  Flemming,  of 
Ansonia,  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  William  O'Brien  Pardow,  S.  J.  The  discourse  at  the  evening 
service  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Father  Valentine,  C.  P. 

July  ist.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  laid  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Michael's 
Church,  Hartford,  the  Rev.  John  J.  Downey  acting  pastor.  The  Rev. 
Walter  J.  Shanley,  of  Hartford,  was  the  preacher  of  the  day. 

July  4th.  The  placing  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  St.  Francis  hospi- 
tal, Hartford,  by  Bishop  Tierney,  the  Rev.  John  J.  Fitzgerald,  of  New 
Britain,  being  the  orator  of  the  occasion. 

July  7th.  The  Rev.  Andrew  J.  Plunkett,  the  Rev.  John  M.  Sullivan,  the 
Rev.  E.  X.  Cruveiller,  M.  S.,  the  Rev.  H.  Galvin,  M.  S.,  the  Rev.  A. 
R.  Chapignac,  M.  S.,  were  ordained  to  the  priesthood  in  St.  Joseph's 
Cathedral  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney. 

July  22nd.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the  mission 
Church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  Oakville,  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell 


DIOCESE    OF  HARTFORD.  469 

pastor.  The  preacher  on  the  occasion  was  the  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley, 
of  Hartford. 
July  22nd.  Mission  of  Noank  organized  with  John  E.  McDonald  and  John 
Fitzpatrick  as  trustees.  A  lot  was  secured  on  Spicer  Avenue,  and 
ground  was  broken  for  a  new  church  on  November  13th.  It  will  be  a 
frame  building,  67  feet  long  and  36  feet  wide,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
350.  When  completed,  the  edifice  will  cost  about  $8000.  The  Catholics 
of  Noank,  who  number  about  400  souls,  formerly  attended  the  parish 
church  at  Mystic,  the  Rev.  John  F.  Murphy  pastor. 

July  29th.  Bishop  Tierney  oflSciated  at  the  dedication  of  the  Church  of  the 
Sacred  Heart,  West  Thompson,  the  Rev.  James  Cunningham  rector. 
The  Rev.  John  J.  Fitzgerald,  of  New  Haven,  delivered  the  dedication 
address. 

July  30th.  The  Rev.  James  A.  Broderick,  the  Rev.  Bernard  Donnelly  and 
the  Rev.  John  Kennedy  were  ordained  to  the  priesthood  in  the  Cathe- 
dral, Hartford,  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  the 
Rev.  Felix  O'Neil,  of  Hartford. 

August  ist.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  blessed  the  bell  of  the  Church  of 
the  Sacred  Heart,  East  Berlin,  the  Rev.  M.  Sullivan  rector. 

August  5th.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Church  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Taftville, 
was  laid  by  Bishop  Tierney,  the  Rev.  Walter  J.  Shanley,  of  Hartford, 
preaching  the  English  sermon  and  the  Rev.  P.  Roux,  M.  S.,  of  Hart- 
ford, pronouncing  the  French  discourse.  The  Rev.  John  Synnott  is  the 
rector. 

September  2nd.  St.  Michael's  Church,  Hartford,  was  dedicated  by  Bishop 
Tierney,  the  Rev.  John  J.  Downey  pastor.  The  celebrant  of  the  High 
Mass  was  the  Rev.  P.  J.  Kennedy,  of  Montville  ;  deacon,  the  Rev.  R.  C. 
Gragan,  of  Stafford  Springs  ;  sub-deacon,  the  Rev.  C.  Leddy,  of  Bridge- 
port ;  master  of  ceremonies,  the  Rev.  C.  McCann,  of  Hartford.  The 
Rev.  John  T.  Lynch,  of  Wethersfield,  delivered  the  discourse. 

September  2nd.  Bishop  Tierney  laid  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Thomas* 
Seminary,  Hartford,  the  Rev.  R.  F.  Fitzgerald,  D.D.,  Vice-President  of 
the  Seminary,  preaching  the  sermon.  The  building  is  in  the  form  of 
the  letter  "  L."  The  longer  arm,  or  the  main  building,  is  150  feet  by 
50  feet,  and  the  shorter  arm,  or  extension,  is  85  feet  by  36  feet.  The 
Seminary  is  four  stories  in  height  with  a  basement. 

September  3rd.  St.  Francis'  parochial  school,  Naugatuck,  the  Rev.  James 
O'R.  Sheridan  pastor,  was  blessed  by  Bishop  Tierney.  The  oration 
was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  William  O'Brien  Pardow,  S.  J. 

September    23rd.       Bishop    Tierney    laid    the    corner   stone    of    St.    Mary's 

Church  and  St.  Mary's  parochial  school,  Greenwich,  of  which  the  Rev. 

John  J.  Fitzgerald  is  rector.     The  address  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 

Walter  J.  Shanley,  of  Hartford.     The  new  church  replaces  the  old  one 

destroyed  by  fire  on  May  i6th. 
October  7th.     Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  dedicated  the  Church  of  St.  Mary 


470  THE    CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IX  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Magdelene,  Oakville,  and  blessed  its  bell,  the  Rev.  James  H.  O'Donnell 
pastor.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Peter  McClean,  of  Mil- 
ford,  Superior  of  the  Hartford  Apostolate.  The  celebrant  of  the  Mass 
was  the  Rev.  E.  X.  Cruveiller,  M.  S. 

November  loth.  Dedication  of  St.  Mary's  Convent,  Bridgeport,  Bishop 
Tierney  officiating,  the  Rev.  John  Rogers  rector. 

November  i8th.  Dedication  of  the  chapel  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  Green- 
wich, the  Rev.  John  J.  Fitzgerald  rector,  Bishop  Tierney  officiating. 
The  celebrant  of  the  Mass  was  the  Rev.  John  J.  Elty,  and  the  Rev. 
James  C.  O'Brien  pronounced  the  discourse. 

November  25th.  The  dedication  of  the  Chapel  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Taft- 
ville,  the  Rev.  John  Synnott  rector,  Bishop  Tierney  officiating.  Celebrant 
of  the  Solemn  High  Mass,  the  Rev.  James  Smith,  Norwich  ;  deacon, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Joynt,  New  London  ;  subdeacon,  the  Rev.  U.  O.  Belle- 
rose,  Norwich;  master  of  ceremonies,  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Perrault,  Taftville. 
The  French  discourse  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  U.  O.  Bellerose,  and 
the  English  address  by  the  Rev.  Charles  McElroy  of  Derby. 

December  2nd.  Reopening  of  St.  John's  Church,  New  Haven,  the  Rev. 
John  D.  Coyle  rector.  The  Rev.  James  Coyle  of  Taunton,  Mass.,  pro- 
nounced the  oration  at  Mass,  and  the  Rev.  William  H.  Coyle,  S.  J., 
preached  the  sermon  at  solemn  vespers. 


APPOINTMENT   AND    TRANSFER   OF   PASTORS    IN    THE 
DIOCESE    SINCE    JUNE,    1S99. 

1899. 

Rev.  P.  J.  Kennedy  from  assistant  at  the  Immaculate  Conception,  Water- 
bury,  to  St.  John's,  Moutville,  June  14th. 

Rev.  Vittorio  Sovilla  removed  from  Our  Eady  of  Mt.  Caruiel,  Meriden,  to 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  July  30th. 

Rev.  Pamphilus  Ennis,  O.  F.  M.,  to  St.  Joseph's,  Winsted,  October  5th. 

1900. 

Rev.  Witold  Becker  from  assistant  at  St.  Mary's,  Norwich,  to  St.  Michael's 
(Polish),  Bridgeport,  February  ist. 

Rev.  C.  F.  Socquet,  M.  S.,  to  Our  Lady  of  Sorrows,  Hartford,  February'  2nd. 

Rev.  John  J.  Fitzgerald  from  St.  John's,  Cromwell,  to  St.  Mary's,  Green- 
wich ;   assumed  charge  February  7th. 

Rev.  Thomas  Dunne  from  St.  Catherine's,  Broadbrook,  to  St.  John's,  Crom- 
well ;   appointed  Februarj'  7th. 

Rev.  John  C.  Lynch,  assistant  at  St.  John's,  Stamford,  to  St.  Catherine's, 
Broadbrook  ;   assumed  charge  February  Sth. 

Rev.  Thomas  H.  Shanley  from  St.  Joseph's,  Poquonock,  to  the  Church  of 
the  Assumption,  Westport ;  assumed  charge  March  29th. 

Rev.  F.  Lally  from  assistant  at  St.  Peter's,  Hartford,  to  St.  Joseph's, 
Poquonock  ;  assumed  charge  March  29th. 


DIOCESE    OF  HARTFORD.  471 

*  Rev.  Michael  J.  Daly  from  Tbomastou  to  St.  Joseph's  (new  parish),  New 

Haven. 

*  Rev.  Timothy  M.  O'Brien  from  Noroton  to  Thomaston. 

*  Rev.   D.  O'Connor  from  assistant  at  St.  Francis',  New  Haven,  to  Noroton. 

*  Rev.  John  P.  Neale  from  assistant  at  St.  Patrick's,  Norwich,  to  Terryville 

(new  parish). 
Rev.  John  D.  Kennedy  from  assistant  'at  St.  Peter's,  Danbury,  to  St.  John's 

(new  parish),  Westville ;   assumed  charge  June  loth. 
Rev.    Hubert    Dahme    from    the    Sacred    Heart,   Hartford,   to  St.    Joseph's, 

Bridgeport,  July  ist. 
Rev.  M.  N.  Brommenschenkel  to  the  Sacred  Heart,  Hartford,  July  2nd. 
Rev.  Joseph  E.  Senesac  from  St.  Ann's,  Hartford,  to  St.  Ann's,  Waterbury, 

July  13th. 
Rev.    F.   Bedard   from    assistant    at    St.    Ann's,    Waterbury,    to    St.    Ann's, 

Hartford,  July  14th. 
Rev.  Father  Michael,  O.  F.  M.,  to  St.  Joseph's,  Winsted,  August  22A. 
Rev.  John  J.   Downey  from  acting  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's,  Hartford,  to  St. 

Michael's  (new  parish),  Hartford,  September  2nd. 
Rev.  Paul  F.  McAlenney  from  St.  Rose's,  Meriden,  to  St.  Peter's,  Hartford  ; 

assumed  charge  September  9th. 
t  Rev.    William    H.    Rogers    from    St.    John's,    Stamford,  to  St.    Patrick's, 

Hartford. 
t  Rev.  James  C.  O'Brien  from  the  Sacred  Heart,  Bridgeport,  to  St.  John's, 

Stamford, 
t  Rev.  Timothy  R.  Sweeney  from  St.  Mary's,  Portland,  to  the  Sacred  Heart, 

Bridgeport, 
t  Rev.  Richard  C.  Gragan  from  St.  Edward's,  Stafford  Springs,  to  St.  Mary's, 

Portland, 
t  Rev.  Felix  O'Neil  from  assistant  at  St.  Ann's,  Waterbury,  to  St.  Edward's, 

Stafford  Springs, 
t  Rev.  John  T.  Lynch  from  the  Sacred  Heart,  Wethersfield,  to  the  Sacred 

Heart  (new  parish),  Meriden. 
t  Rev.  Jeremiah  Duggan  from  assistant  at  St.  Patrick's,  New  Haven,  to  the 

Sacred  Heart,  Wethersfield. 

t  Rev.  John  Walsh  from  vSt.  Augustine's  Villa,  Hartford,  to  St.   Patrick's 

(new  parish).  East  Hampton. 
H  Rev.  John  Cooney  from  St.  Bernard's,  Rockville,  to  St-   Rose's,  Meriden. 
t  Rev.  Luke  Fitzsimmons  from  the  Immaculate  Conception,  New  Hartford, 

to  St.  Bernard's,  Rockville. 
IT  Rev.  Michael  J.  Cray  from  St.  Bernard's,  Tariffville,  to  the  Immaculate 

Conception,  New  Hartford. 
IT  Rev.  Richard  Carroll  from  St.  Mary's,  South  Coventry,  to  St.  Bernard's, 

Tariffville. 

t  Rev.    James   B.    Lawless  from   assistant   at  St.    Patrick's,    Waterbury,   to 
St.  Mary's,  South  Coventry. 


*  FormaUy  assumed  charge  of  their  respective  parishes  Sunday,  April  29th. 
t  Assumed  formal  charge  on  September  23rd. 
H  Assumed  formal  charge  on  September  30th. 


47. 


THE    CATHOLIC    CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 


**  Rev.    James    Cunningham    from  the  Sacred  Heart,  West  Thompson,  to 

Holy  Angels',    South   Merideu. 
*•  Rev.  Eugene  O'Connell  from  assistant  at  St.  Patrick's,   New  Haven,  to 

the  Sacred  Heart,  West  Thompson. 
*•  Rev.  Thomas    Kelly    from    St.    Francis    Xavier's,    New    Milford,    to    St. 

Michael's  (new  parish),  Bridgeport. 
**  Rev.  Thomas  Cronin  from  Holy  Angels',  South  Meriden,  to  St.  Francis 

Xavier's,  New  Milford. 


The  following  deaths  occurred  duri 

Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  at  Greenwich, 
January  9th. 

Very  Rev.  John  A.  Mulcahy,  V.  G., 
at  Hartford,  January  13th. 

Rev.  Henry  A.  Stokes,  at  Bridge- 
port, January  25th. 

Rev.  James  P.  Ryle,  at  Westport, 
March  23rd. 

Rev.  Maurice  J.  Sheehan,  at  Ken- 
ton, Ohio,  May  i6th. 


ng  the  j-ear  1900: 

Rev.  Terrence  W.  Dolan,  at  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  July  6th. 

Rev.  Thomas  W.  Broderick,  at  Hart- 
ford, August  i2th. 

Rev.  M.  P.  McCarthy,  at  Branford, 
September  19th. 

Very  Rev.  PampliilusEnnis.O.F-M-, 
at  Wiusted,  October  ist. 

Rev.  Joseph  O'Keefe,  at  West  Hart- 
ford, October  14th. 


**  Assumed  charge  in  first  week  of  October. 


DIOCESE    OF  HARTFORD. 


473 


An  old  Spanish  church  bell  cast  in  815,  probably  the  oldest  witness  of 
its  kind  to  the  antiquity  of  the  faith  in  the  United  States.  It  is  the  property 
of  .St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Church,  East  Haddam,  Conn.  It  was  part  of 
the  plunder  taken  from  the  churches  of  Spain  h\  Napoleon  when  he  devas- 
tated that  countrj^  It  was  brought  to  America  about  1S35,  with  many  other 
bells,  to  be  sold  to  bell  manufacturers  to  be  recast.  It  was  purchased  by 
William  Wyllis  Pratt,  a  New  York  ship-chandler,  and  by  him  presented 
to  the  parish.      It  now  stands  on  a  stone  wall  in  the  rear  of  the  church. 

The  following  is  the  inscription  incised  on  the  bell  : 


I  A  I xo  :       ;  DE  ;       ;  8  i 1 1 5 

CONCEPIT  DE   EsriRITV  .SANTO 

I  SI  I  EX  i    Do    PRIOR    ELV    PDn 
MiGVEL   Villa   Xlieva 

I'Rofj   ;ra;   IX ir  til  vi'  dh  .iosef 

estevan 
I  Cokrales  jie  I  H  I  i  T  G  I 


\