New-York tribune., 1902-10-26
MANY YEARS BUILDING.
ANSONIA ROMAN CATHOLIC
CHURCH APPROACHES
COMPLETION.
WORK BEGUN ON THE PAY-AS-YOU-GO
PRINCIPLE-SUCCES OF INDEFAT-
IGABLE EFFORTS OF THE
PASTOR

Ansonia. Conn. Oct 25 (speciaD.-A feature in
modern church building is presented by the impos
ing structure which the four thousand Catholics OF
this city have been rearing for the last thirteen
years and which is nearly completed The
building itself of the largest and most stately
church edifces n all New England. and occupies
broad corner area on the summit of a steep height.
its situation enhancing its inpressveness and max
ing it visible for miles up and down the Naugatuck
and HOusatonic valleys. But the structures most
positive claim distinction is the pay-as-you-go
principle upon which it has been built. When the
Rev Joseph Synnott who has been the pastor OF the
parish since 1856. bought a site for church. in
August, 1855. it with the resolve that not
shoveIfuI of earth should be dug and stone
laid IN place which the parish did the
money pay. Thus it has taken thirteen years to
realize an ambition which could have been gratihed
a decade earlier but for the unselhsh determination
of the debt-lOathing pastor.
The old Church Of the Assumption was built IN
1861 three years after Ansona became borough
the site being bought from Anson G. Phelps and
William E. Dodge, New-York business men who
had large manufaotUrng interests here. The rapid
growth of the parish made enlargement of the
church building necessary in 1879 IL then was
thought that the enlargement had made the church
commOdious enough To accom- nOdate the congre-
cation fof at least quarter of century but soon
after his coming Father Synnott found the neces-
sity for either a further enlargement new
church The cramped conditions in the old church
were relieved two years ago by the opening of the
basement in the church as a chapel Father
Synnott had scrUples against tbs. for the rea-
that everything pertaining to the basement. ex-
terror and interior had been paid for.
On the lot which Fa her Synnott bought for the
new house OF worship stood the old Hill mansion
and two double houses. The latter were sold and
removed, but the mansion was converted into
parOchial residence. the pastors house connected
with old church becoming a convent Ground
for the church broken April 4, 1889. and
the first stone placed in position September ID
following. The laying of the cornerstone toos
place Sunday September g. 1891, with elaborats
ceremonies. which conducted by the Very Rev.
James Hughes V. c.. assisted by Fathers Peter
Kennedy and Thomas J. Finn. of Derby, and
Father Mu4holiand, of New-Haven, and the sermon
was preached by the Rev Walter Elliott. There
Was idrse procession of church societies
In ali The thirteen years of building Father Syn
mott has practically superintendent every detail OF
the structure Steadily and surely he has laid
hands on the r-slEs edince year after year untl
practically finished. and the interior will be com
tWo ears @ T IL Is 56u6J In nor ali sgS6 has been
spent on the building and il is estimated that the
and enterfafTrnent afTar srteTfSi1ment have beer
given, and, Incidentally. dramatic and Operatic tai
ent OF merit has been developed
built Ansonia granite in its lower courses
and of Monsoon granite in its upper levels Its cut
on the eplste corner of the facade tower with rear
Itself aoGyS the edlHce To neisnt OF 156 feet The
tower VII oe 4clasohaI ana surmounleG oy cross.
! IL - fanked by TWO pinnacled buttresSeS and
the side Wall near the gospel end OF the facade
/ The tower displays of graduated corner
butresseS. and together with the disposition or the
tacade windows. which under a sweeping Gotnlc
gives all the opportunity for art glass enects
which could be desired. The interior VIII gladden.
I the hearts OF all lovers of church art, and Is
already showing prospective Beauties The
whole length OF the building is lSS feet while from
chdncel wall outer VeStibule IS las feet Ihe
is - wide and 6S feet high, supported ~
of high slender pillars of granite adorned WIN
Z capitals fine bronze gliding There is a width
of 9S feet in The facade and "a feet - the rdhSSp
buttrssses and 10 feet ut the vestr1es. Inc IN
fTriOr aTGiO OTS az
effects perspsCtiveS and color Is being USED with
careful consiGera ton. The ceilings IN dellcate
buff color. while the pillars are OF Niack walnut
we'll oiled. supporting the capitals The walls are
being wrought in bold panels of warm maroon
picked dead gold bits 1f quiet ornamsntation
The atars of the finest grade of marble, and
the altar spaces in full light from the side
nave windows. which rise a considerable height
divided by the galleries The upper chancel
wall is filled by large panel border in a fiat set
oak. and there Will be freScO. the subject
being unison with the name Of the church.
There be memorials. with pendants symbol
izng the crUcifXOn, resurrection and other sacred
themes. Statues of the adoring angels and saints
have been contributed by paTiShiOners, While the
front entrance is almost level with the street
there three floors below the vestricS at the
SO abruptly does the hill decline. These floors will
| serve only for the chapel but for the library
Sunday school rooms and meeting places for sodal-
| ties and societies
The parish of the Church of the Assumption has
had only three pastors, Fathsr SynnOtts prede-
cessors being the Rev. r j. O'Dwyer and the Rev.
| II. F. Brady. Father Synnott has two assistants
| the Rev William Fitzsimmons a-j the Rev.
i Thomas AlulVille.