Norwich bulletin., 1909-04-21

With all but a few minor details
finished on the new parochia1 residence
for st. Mary's parish in Greeneville,
and these to be completed today this
fine addition to the parish property is
all ready for occupancy, and on Thurs
day the rector, Rev. James J. Smith,
and the curate. Rev. William A. Keefe,
will move in from the present resi-
dence close by at No. So Central ave-
nue.. This change into the model "a
rcchial residence, which has been in
course Of construction since May, 1908,
comes just about at the midway point
| OF Father Smiths twelfth year as rec
tor here, and is an added indication of
the progressive and advancing policy
that has been carried on with success
since he addressed his first sermon to
his parishioners on Advent Sunday,
November 2S. 1897.
Adapted to Needs.
In the plans for the new building,
every effort has been made to secure
building exactly adapted to the needs
of the parish. and it Is doubtful if a
better result could have been achieved.
Besides furnishing a commodious and
! comfortable residence, the location of
the building in this spot at the cor
ner of Central avenue and Convent
street transforms what was once an
unsightly spot. and in future years,
with the growth of the parish, 1t is
hoped there will be still further i'm
| provements. This means by the cree
ton of a church on the adjoining 100
foot lot at the corner of Central ave-
nue. and Prospect street. The resi-
dence itself stands on lot of 95 feet
frontage on Central avenue and with
a depth on Convent avenue running
| back to connect with the considerable
| property Of the parish which extends
through to Hickory street. where the
parochial school is located. This gives
| a solid block Of large extent although
somewhat irregular in shape, and in
| time all the buildings will be connect
| ed by a system of walks.
The new residence is pleasantly To-
Gated on a lot rising somewhat above
the street and commanding a view of
| the Shetucket river 1t is three stories
high of brick with slate roof. In out
/ side appearance no distinctive style
/ has been aimed at, but the idea has
| been to build so that it might har-
monte with any style of church which
! might be put up. Without exterior or
namentation, its general appearance is
pleasing and well suited to the end
| aimed at.
Its general dimensions are 62 feet !
/ inch in depth over all and As feet II
! inches in width, the widest point being
at about the center of the house. where
| there is a bay window. There are also
! bay windows on both sides of the main
| entrance door, which is in the middle
of the front of the house. There are
fifteen rooms in all. not counting the
| bath rooms.
Two Distinct Houses.
The general plan divides it practi-
/ cally into two distinct houses, by a
| lateral hallway and doors, which shut
off the front from the back part. In
| the front part are the rooms for the
use of the parochial family, and in the
rear are the housekeeper's and serv-
| ants rooms. The kitchen on the main
floor and the servants rooms above
are contained in an ell which is not
as wide as the main part of the build
| ing.
In the main part of the house, the
| hall and stairways as well as the
| rooms on the first floor are all finished
| in oak, while the bedrooms and other
| parts of the house except the Kitchen
| which is in southern pine, are in cy-
/ press. all finely selected wood and pre-
| senting a most attractive appearance
! The floors are of maple or oak
! Entrance through the front door
/ which is Of oak with stained glass, and
| stained glass panels by the side, leads
| three doors. the one directly ahead adj
/ hitting to the large hall, the one to
| the right into the reception room
| 14.1x149, and the one to the left into
| the parlor, 14.1x16.7. Both rooms con
meet again into the main hall by doors
| without re-entering the vestibule, but
| the reception room, where the priests
! will receive the calls of their parish
! toner's, has no connection with any
! other room. Directly in the, rear of the
reception room, which is on the
! Greeneville side of the house, is the
large dining room, 19.10x14.s. At the
rear end of the dining room. by a
! swinging door, the buffers pantry is
| reached after crossing the lateral hall
way which extends on this floor from
| side to side Of the house.
| The kitchen is a fine large room
! 17.2x15.1, supplied with range, large
| copper hot water boiler and two tubs
! and adjoining 1t are the sink room re-
| frigerator room, and the hallway to the
back door. A stairway leads to the
| cellar from the kitchen, and there is
also a stairway to the apartments UP
! stairs.
In the rear Of the parlor, which is
on the front on the side of the house
toward the city, is the main study
| 20.1x15.2, a delightful room, in which
! is a bay window, and where will be
/
ranged for them. On this floor also
and at the rear Of the main hall is a
small room for the telephone, close to
the hallway which runs from side to
side Of the house. This hallway leads
! to the two piazzas, the one on the
/ Convent street side being % feet long.
and making a pleasant sunshiny spot
where the priests may say their offices,
while that on the other side is 81 feet
| long. 1t can only be reached through
the house. while the small piazza has
walk leading up to it from the side.
On the Second Floor.
On the second floor at the front on
| the city side is Father Smiths own
bedroom, 14.10x14.1, a fine. well lighted
room, and connected with his study di-
rectly in the rear. which is 15.2x20. 2
| In size. One Of the pieces Of furniture
| to be found in Father Smiths room
will be an armchair 120 years old,
which has been presented to him by
Mrs. Felix AcKenna, and will have
| an honored place. From his study.