Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-07-17

We're Mystic and Stonington in Con-
necticut. and Wakefield, Carolina and
Westerly in Rhode Island
Late in 1853. Rev Patrick Sherry
succeeded Father Reilly, and five
years later he repaired and enlarged
the church sufficiently to seat 1850
persons. Father Sherry died in 1870:
a monument marks his grave in front
of the church. In December, 1870, Rev.
jeremiah Fitzpatrick assumed charge
of the parish AMI shortly thereafter
the mission dependencies were sepa-
rated from the mother church. In
1873 Father Fitzpatrick purchased the
sites and had buiIt thereon the pres
He was transferred to New Haven and
was succeeded by Rev. Thomas L.
Lynch.
In the meantime, the diocese of
Providence had been erected with Ri.
Rev. Thomas Hen dricken as it's first
bisnop. Though "A esterly was within
the rev see, the bishops of Hartford
and Providence mutually agreed that
it should remain in the Hartford ju-
risdiction. Father Lynch's pastorate
ended in 1888, but during his admin
lstration the old rectory was disposed
of by sale and moved away, and the
present parochial residence was COM
menced but not completed. His sue
cess 0r was Rev. Lawrence Walsh, who
was in falling health and transferred
from Waterbury in August, 1883. Fa-
ther Walsh died five months later.
Rev. Ambrose Br1scoe became pas
tor of St MichaePs church January 10,
1884. In May. 1885. Father Briscoe' S
parish was divided, the Westerly por-
ton Passing under the jurisdiction of
the bishop of Providence. In 1903,
Father Briscoe built the present ST.
Michaefs school. Father Briscoe was
succeeded by Rev. Francis P. O'Keefe,
who died about three years ago, and
he was succeeded by Rev. James W.
Cunningham, who died recently in Wa
terbury.
Rev. DIR. John NeaIe. the present rec
tor of the church, took charge the first
of last August, not a year ago. but
during that time he has accomplished
more than has been done in many
years All the church property, the
scnoe1, the convent. the rectory and
the church structure have been put in
first class condition and the church
has been practically rebuilt, hence the
rehabilitation, Sunday. which was done
by Ri. Rev. john Milan, bishop of
Hartford, with imposing ceremony,
just preceding the solemn high mass.
he decoration of the interior of ST.
MIchaePs, just completed, has trans
formed it, by warm, quiet coIors and
lines, into a church which impresses
by its charm of color and design The
nave ceiling is divided into panels of
warm cream, surrounded by lines in
darker tones, enriched with d little
sparkle of gold. Dividing these pan
els on perpendicular band is an or
nament in mellow brownish green. A
note of interest is added to the panels
by quiet touch of color in the form
OF symbolism. In the design of the
walls, the windows with the pointed
arch have been emphasized: the walls
are of Pompeiian suggestion, the
ground of the border being a creamy
green overlaid with a grape motif or
nament in deeper green and brown. a
CLINT of gold in the form of a cross
is seen at the junction of the horizon
tai and perpendicular band and again
at the spring of the arch. by the deep
brownish staining of the seats and
Wainscot an excellent foil has been OBJ
ta1ned. The sanctuary ceiling and
walls are simple in design, but rich in
the effect obtained BY the panels and
border of deep gold, over which in soft
brownish green is painted a flow
ing grape pattern Of conventional de
sign. The wall of reddish buff makes
good background, for the creamy
white altar. The whole effect of dec
GRAFTON is one of rich, quiet dignity
Perhaps the most notable feature of
the entire decoration Is the Rose Win
dow over the altar, genuine work of
art. representing The Last Supper,
which was the gift of Rev DR.. Neale
The memorial windows We're not
changed, but new windows were placed
in the Vestry, the gift of the Ladies'
Catholic Benevolent association. The
new altar rail is the gift of the Tooner
family and the altar chimes We're do
mated by the Society of the Children
OF Mary. The new stations of the
cross were furnished by Louis A. Celia
Miss Bridget McGlynn. Miss Annie
O'Connell, Kate Lynch. Mrs Day Glib
erty street,, Mrs. Bridget Kelley. Miss
Annie Kelley. Miss Annie Sullivan and
Miss Mary Sullivan. Rev. Dr. Neale
has had the hearty cooperation of his
parishioners in the general work of
Improvement and the amount accom-
plished during the first year of his
pastorate is especially noteworthy
The ceremony of rededication of the
church by Rt. Rev. John r. Milan,
bishop of Hartford, was witnessed by
large assen1blage. and the church
was filed at the solemn high mass