The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-08-13

The first Catholic service at Wood
 mont was held over two years ago. Up
 to that time the Catholics either went
 to Milford or West Haven to church.
 and the trolleys were crowded and
 there were many inconvenience. It
 was then suggested by Senator Will
 liam Kennedy of Naugatuck, a summer
 resident at Woodmont, that 1t would be
 well to rent a place and have mass in
 Woodmont, and if the services were
 well attended to start fund for the
 building of 6 chapel. From the start
 the services which were held in the
 Woodmont engine house were success
 in the matter of attendance. The little
 place was crowded to the door every
 Sunday and then came trouble.
 The engine house in Woodmont is
 used as a club house like most volun-
 teer fire company houses, and the hold-
 ing of church services prevented the
 meeting of the firemen during services
 for a social chat. There was a clash. and as an outcome the privilege of us- ing the fire house was withdrawn. For several Sundays the cottagers were again compelled to make the journey to West Haven or Milford to worship on the Sabbath. While this was going on Former Mayor Driscoll of New Haven, Senator Kennedy J. A, Jackson of New York and others visited Bishop Tlerney and Father Mclean advocating the building of Catholic chapel at Wood mont The opposition to the plan was that it seemed impracticable to build a church which was to be used but three months in the year. Repeated calls from these Woodmonters resulted in victory and sanction for the building of the chapel was obtained,
 Following this, and during the contro- versy with the firemen the Catholics were aided to great extent by E. A. Blackhall of New York and John W. Merwin of Woodmont These men, al- though not Catholics, believed that it was unfair of the fire company to with draw the use of the clubhouse until the Catholics had been given a chance to obtain another place of worship in the vicinity. MT. Merwin showed his feel ing in a substantial way by selling the St. Agnes corporation, as the organiza- tion became known, a lot on New Ha- ven avenue, considerably under the amount which he had refused to take from people who desired to buy this lot for a summer home. MT. Blackhall also by contributions aided the church and his acts have been appreciated by the 
 Former Corporation Counsel Denis J. Walsh of Ansonia had charge of the ushers, The alter society is composed of Mrs. William Kennedy, president; Mrs. J. A. Jackson of New York, sec- 'etary; Miss May Newcomb, treasurer: Mrs. Bolan and Mrs William A. Quiz ley. The trustees of the church are for ner Mayor c. T. Driscoll and E. M. Farley
 The plans for the church were the work of J. A. Jackson of New York and the building stands out as an ex- mple of his splendid workmanship. Everybody is pleased, which Is a great leal when so many are to be satisfied. t is the claim of many parishioners hat they have the finest chapel in Con lecticut. The arrangements of the in- erior and the appearance of the exter- or has pleased the most fastldious. Even MT. Jackson has had to admit hat he was satisfied that he did pretty we'll. The lot and the cost of the chapel over $7,O00, and the burden accepted y this cottage settlement is being grad | tally paid and each season two social are held.