The evening world., 1888-02-06

REV. NJ. c. o'FARRELL. handsome and impos-
ing structure, was reftted for Catholic wor-
ship and solemnly dedicated by the Arch
bishop June 81, 1868.
The administration of Father Boyce was SO
energetic and vigorous that the new parish
began to prosper from the start and soon it
was able to dispute the very first place of i'm
portance among the Catholic churches of the
city. His first work was to increase the edu-
cational facilities Of the parish, and to this
street, was established, and two years later
the Parochial School of the Christian
Brothers in East Broadway. The girls
school in Henry street was established in
1872. It is under the charge Of the Ursuline
nuns The parochial school for girls was
opened a year later and is also directed by
the Ursulines. Both have q very large at
tendance.
Father Boyce's health began to fail in
1869, and although he travelled in the hope OF
regaining it, it gave way again just as soon as
he returned to his labors. He died July 9,
1875, and the solemn requiem mass which
was offered was attended by over one hum
bred priests.
He was succeeded in the following month
by the Rev. Michael @. O'Farrell. who is
still the pastor of the church. Under his
Father Boyce has been carried steadily for
ward, and the debt which rested upon the
parish at his installation, the church and its
various school buildings having cost nearly
$3.50, oOo, has been wholly, eItinguished.
Over $685. 900 of this debt was paid off by
Father O'Farrell. He has also improved the
condition of the schools and academies in
many important particulars. These are now
in a thriving condition and the average daily
attendance at present aggregates between
1000 and LOO pupils.
Among the associations connected with the
parish are the Rosary and Altar societies,
Children of Mary, the Confraternity of the
Sacred Heart, Christian Doctrine Society. st.
Teresa's Mutual Benevolent Burial Society
and a conference of the Society of st. lin
cent de Paul.
The pastoral residence of st. Teresa's is one
of the handsomest in the city and its collec-
ton of sacred paintings is probably unsur-
passed by any public or private gallery in
this country. The works are principally by
Italian artists, many of them being so old
that their history is unknown. 1t also in
f~rescoes, mosaics and paintings of the old
masters to be found at Rome, nearly every
room in the house being beautifed by one or
more of these gems Of art. The collection
is q connoisseur in art matters, during his
visit to Rome several years ago.
st. Teresa's Church was consecrated Oct.
Is. 1882, by Cardinal McCloskey. The occa-
sion was one of the most interesting that &C.
CURED in the history Of the parish, seven
bishops participating in the ceremonies.
The Rev. Michael G.. O'Farrell was born
Dec. 10, 1874, in Waterford County. Ireland.
He received his early education from the
Cistercians. Afterwards he spent three years at
st. Patrick's College, Carlow, when he cam
to America and entered the Provincial Sem.
mary at Troy in 1866: He was, ordained by
Bishop Mcfarland, of Hartford, for the Do
cese Of New York June 6, 1868. He was for
five years assistant pastor at st. Peters
Church under the Rev. DR.. Quinn.
In 1873 he was tranferred to Rondout,
where he had charge of the parish of ST.
Mary's. The zeal and energy which he dis
played in his work at st. Mary's led to his
selection as pastor Of 80 important "a city
parish as that of st. Teresa. He is assisted
in his pastoral labors by the Rev. Francis P.
Moore, the Rev. Thomas F. Cusack, and the
Rev. James Il. Mcintyre.