Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-22
Work of Pioneer Catholics

The advent of Roman Catholics in this city was contemporary with the starting of the brass industry At first the little band encountered many trials and tribuations but they persevered in their fith and many difficulties A number of thA pioneers of that faith in the city lived to se" the Catholic church grow large, influential and prosper ous Waterbury,
 The Rev James Fition of Boston is S,id to have been the first priest that visited Waterbury. ThN :nte of his visit is unknown. To tho Roy Fa h-r James T. McDer1not of New Haven i5 given the honor of celebrating th" first mass in this city, The precise date of the celebration of the mass. which was held in the dwelling of Cornelius Donrelly in the west end is also unknoWn Father Mcl}ornoott paid several visits long intervals this rity. but prevented from cont1ins the visits by his val Lowell, Mass ill 1887. The Rev Father OItpill; succeeded Father McDermott in visiting Waterbury, The number of his visits, however. were few. Dur ing the period 1S37-47 the needs the small stru@ ging band of Catholics in this city were attcndc to by the Rev James Smyth, pastor of St Nary'S parish New Haven. with which the Waterbury Catholics then connected. Services were held at that time the home of Michael Neville on East Main street The building which is glorious land mark to the Catholics of this city is still standng It is known the Pagan property, almost directly opposite the Hendricken school.
 In 1S45 the rental of Washington hall, occu~ pied by the Western Union Telegraph Co SO cured from pr Jesse Porter. Her" services were" held until church built The constant aim of the Catholics had been to church of their own, and their fidelity in their purpose and their perse- verence were rewarded in about 1S4G. At that tim" the old church of the Fpiscopalians who seek ing larger and better quarters. was purchased and removed to the lot which St katrick'S hall stands. The lot purchased for S';2o from Eli gear D. Pritchard by Michael Neville. acting tho agent of the Catholics. Prominent among the Cnth- ocs of that period Timothy Corcoran. Mi chael Donahue John Calvin, James Burns, William Moran, Patrick Delaney and his brother. Andrew Moran, Thomas Matthews, Finton Riley J"hn Burns Patrick Martin, Captain Ramon and John Reid Among the earliest marriages recorded are the following: Patrick Delaney and Mary Delaney, April 8, 1887; William Moran and Bridget Neville. The first children of Catholic parents to be baptized in this city were, it is believed. Thomas Donalue and James H. Riley. For many years the Catholics buried in New Haven In 1S47 ground south of Grand street adjoining the City cemetery was purchased for a cemetery. In 1890 it con- demned by the city it was desired for public pur- poses
 The first resident pastor in this city was the Rev Michael ONeile, who here in October, 1S47. He placed the church recently bought, pat ronage of St Peter. Mass celebrated in this church for the first time Christmas day. 1S47 Services were held in this church until 1859
 About 1852 Father ONeile purchased the property on which now stands the Immaculate Conception church now stands, and occupied of the old houses it until July, 1855, when he was transfer red to East Bridgeport. A handsome monument the grave of the Rev Father O'Neile in St Jo- sephs cemetery erected by the Catholics of this city
 He succeeded by the Rev Father Hendricken, who came here from Winsted in 1S0,. For seven teen years Father Hendricken labored unceasingly to build up his parish in this city and well did he succeed. He built the present church and parocal residence, established parochia school in tho oll church, purchased the property of the Convent de NOtre Dame erected the hall and bought the magnificent property which MarvS school stands. On December l. 1857. he purchased St Josephs cemetery for $2OO0. The first person buried there was John Rice, October 17. 1858 Dur ing his successful pasorlte the Immaculate Concep- ton parish became one of the leading parishes in the