Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-05
JEWETT CITY
Demolished Catholic Church Had Cor nerstone Laid in 1823-copper Plate Now Owned by Norwich Lodge of Masons - Monument Committees Progress.


 Now that the old Catholic church has been removed so completely that hardly a trace remains, from the site it has occupied for the past century, an interesting aftermath appears. There was considerable interest dur ing the demolition as to what had been deposited under the cornerstone by the builders of so long ago.
 Father Hayes gave instruction that the front cornerstones be removed with great care, but nothing was found Investigation has proved that while nothing was deposited under the original cornerstones laid in the stren- uous times of the war of 1912, yet, dur ing additions and alterations. in the year 1928. a new cornerstone was laid on the south side of the edifice by the worshipful master of the lodge of Ma sons of Preston. Under this corner stone was deposited a copper plate which bore on one side the names of the minister and the officers of the Congregational church; on the reverse was a list of the officers of the Ma sonic body which officiated.
 Later when the church had passed into the hands of the Catholics. and some time after the war, further all
  during the process of which Rev. Fa- ther Russell found it necessary to re- move the south cornerstone and the plat was taken out. Without knowing positively that there was a box depos- tied in the cornerstone it seems prob able that there was, as the plate had small hole in each corner, which suggested that rivets were inserted. Father Russell gave the plate to his friend, the late F, P Partridge of this place, probably because as an interest ing relic 1t appealed to him.
 Some years before Mrs. Partridge left Jewett City to reside in Hartford there was to be an anniversary cele- bration of St. James lodge, No. 23, F. A. M. of Norwich The master of l that order, accompanied by the late A. l c. Ladd, then master of Mt. Vernon lodge, No. 75, of this place, called on Mrs Partridge, and asked for the loan of the plate for that anniversary 1 exhibit. Afterwards Mrs. Partridge gave the plate to the lodge, deeming l it more appropriate that it be their property than hers.
 The plate is laid up in the archives | of the Masonic temple in Norwich to- l day, which fact clears up something | of a mystery about the cornerstone.
 Where the English Windows Went.
 An interesting fact regarding the building of the church in 1872, as shown by old papers in the possession ] of E. F. Burleson, is that the first ! old mullion windows were purchased i in England. They were held up In the blockade off our coast. The rec 1 ords state that the matter was spe- | cially brought to the attention of the | king and they were allowed to come ] through. There is also 8 number ot 1 interesting narratives relative to the | first Episcopal rector of the church | whose name was Ami Rogers. The l historic muIlion windows were taken l out during the alterations in 1928, and ! relegated to menial service in hen coops and the like, and today two or l three may be seen in an old hothOuse | built half century ago by the late l Israel Mathewson.