Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-07
~. WILLIAM a. aoGGIN.

pastorate of st. Bridget Catholic Church
here. When he came to Millbury the
parishioners rejoiced, and were confident
that their new pastor was a man whom
they could be proud Of Soon collec-
tions were taken up for the purpose of
decreasing the debt, also fairs and en-
tertainments were arranged for the pur-
pose of raising funds to decrease the
church debt of thousands Of dollars.
The church was also uninhabitable, and
under good management reconstruction
was commenced. The entire surface of
the church was remodeled,. the galleries
being demolished. A tower and spire
was built from the ground, giving am
pie belfry room The front portion of
the building and land also underwent
changes.
The lawn was graded, concrete
walk built and granite steps were
placed at the entrance. After these
changes came the stained glass win
dows, the terra Gotta frescoing, and the
introduction of electric lights into the
church. From the result of FIR. Goggin's
good work. the parishioners now own
a church worthy of mention and also
free from debt. Next came a new pipe
organ which added to the interior. After
these extensive repairs the church was
out of debt, and soon after the money
of the pensioners was placed in the
treasury for safe keeping. From time
to time the amount grew larger, and to-
day there is $2790 stored away.
A short time ago the pastor saw that
the little cemetery known as st.
Bridgets," was filling up, and pur-
chased 16 acres of land on Greenwood
street and presented it to his parish
toner's.
The town of Nillbury is regarded as
one of the oldest Catholic settlements of
the county In 1884, when the Rev FIR.
Fitton said his first mass in Worcester,
many Of Millbury's prominent Catholics
came to Worcester to hear him. Soon
AFTER the reverend father celebrated
mass in Millbury in the old Arcade
building on South Main street, and also
at the home of James Campbell in Bra
manYille. Later, Rev. Fr. Mathew W.
Gibson, pastor Of Christ Church, Wor-
cester. celebrated mass in the town hall
many of the Millbury Catholics attend
ed mass at the Holy Cross College, Wor-
ceSter.
On June 18th, 1850 a meeting of the
Catholics of the town was called for the
purpose Of purchasing land for the cree
ton of church. The land was pur-
chased from Michael Coogan, and a
house Of worship erected. Oct. 2, 1851,
ST. Bridget's Catholic Church was dedi-
assisted by - priests. The first mass
was celebrated on Christmas day by
FIR. Gibson. Bishop Fitzpatrick APP
pointed Zephenes PEveque as its first
pastor. Sept. 1, 1858, FIR. L'Fveque was
transferred and was succeeded by Rev.
E. j. Sheridan. Nov. %, 1858. Rev. FIR
John Power, now pastor of st. Anne's
local pastor. In June, 1869, Rev. FIR
NJ. J. Doherty was appointed as pastor
Fr. Doherty built the parochial resi-
dence. He remained pastor until his
death, which occurred in August, 1886.
The next pastor was Rev. William H.
Goggin, who remained as pastor up to
the present date.
BISHOP BEAyEN CONSULTED.
After the announcement Sunday
morning the parishioners, realizing that
they were about to lose faithful pas
tor, decided that a committee go to
Springfield to consult with Bishop Bea-
ven and endeavor to force him to rein
state FIR. Goggin. AT o'clock the fol-
lowing party departed on the electric
car Cor Worcester en- route for SPRING
field: Thomas H. Sullivan, Esq, Maurice
p. Sheehan, Daniel1J. Dempsey, Thomas
l.. Brown, John r. Cronin, Thomas l..
Dowd and John Clifford After explain
ing matters TO the reverend gentleman,
he replied that it was not his intention
to deliberately rob them of their pas
tor. but that the Catholic diocese was
in need of priest of great ability in
Pittsfield, and that after looking over
the diocese it was found that Fir. Cog
gin was the priest best qualified for the
position. Bishop Beaven said:
Father Goggin is a priest with too
much ability to allow him to remain in
4s,1, MI
under our control in the diocese parishes
which need priests of great personal
ability, and therefore we must put each
priest in his place"
After the Sunday morning service not
a dry pair Of eyes could be found in the