Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-06

turing industry hereabouts in those i days. and these devout people would | hour to attend divine service. And in 1 this day when the church here in Danielson is celebrating So joyously it's golden anniversary, there is still numbered among the older members of [ the parish. persons of 80 years of age and upwards. a few who will tell you. with the fond memory of having serv- ed God so faithfully. of walking 12 and even 15 miles on a Sunday morn ing to attend the holy sacrifice of the mass gathering to themselves addi- tional numbers as they trudged along the highways from far back in the them toiled so industriously and so lahoriously.
 In those early days. the Catholic 1 population herea bouts was almost ex- clusively of Irish birth, and to them goes the credit for the esta blish ng of St. James parish. Tn later years there was heavy influx of Canadians, to whom the greater growth and ex- pansion of the parish is due. and still later came other nationalities, until at tion to those who founded the parish and those who have made possible de- development to its present splendid state, many Poles. Italians. Belgians and a sprinkling of other peoples. all harmoniously united Tn congregation. that serves God and nation Loyalty.
 One of the greatest sources of pride of St. James parish Is that it sent 157 young men into the service in the world war. and that most of them were volunteers. Placed at a special service under the protection of the Sacred Heart. every one of them re- turned. though many of them fought in the fierciest actions participated in by American troops overseas and suffered priva tions that never will be af- faced from their memory.
 It is this unity and loyalty among the members of the parish that makes it such a great power here for the good of all. ard adds interest to the early beginnings of the parish, a half century ago.
 The first missionary priest to exer- else his ministry permanently in Windham county was Rev. Michael McCabe. a Franciscan friar from Ire land. Previous to his advent, Jesuit priests from Worcester, Mass, visit ed this section of the state a irreg- ular intervals. perhaps semi-annual- ly. or at most, quarterly, and min istered to the wants of the people whom they found in their missionary journeys. Father McCabe entered up on the ministry here in 1850 and of fered the holy sacrifice of the mass for the first time in a private resi- dence Franklin street. Bacon's hall was afterwards secured for di- vine worship. Father McCabe's pas torate in Danielson terminated with his death in 1859. and he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Philip B. Daily, whose period of service was of short duration.
 Rev. James Quinn succeeded Fath- CT Daly. taking up his residence at pendency. On August 29. 1884. Fath CT Quinn purchased an old Adventist chapel. with the lot on which it stood of Sally D. Brown. This. the
 
 came afterwards the transept of an enlarged edifice. Father Quinn added the front part of the edifce and also secured additional property on the north of the church from Elisha Chamber7in. July B. 1866. On this land Father Quinn erected the paro- chial residence.
 In September, 1869. Danielson again became the residence of a pastor in the person of the Rev. A. Princen. Father Princen enlarged the church again by the addition of the sanct- uary and vestry His pastoral rela- tions were severed by death in April, 1883.
 Rev. Thomas j. Preston began his administra tion of St. James upon the death of Father Princen. The works which marked his pastorate were the renovation and remode1ing of the church; the liquidation of the $6 900 indebtedness and the erection of parchial school at an expense of s11.- 900. including the lot. which compris- two and one-haf acres. purchase March T. 1877. of Betsy H. Ely. The school. an attractive structure. was opened in September. 1889. It then accommodated about $50 pupils. It is conducted by the Sisters of St. Jo- seph. Instruction Is imparted in the modern languages. and also in music, drawing and fancy work.
 At the time St. James parish count
 
 Canadians and 800 Irish and their scendants.-History of the Catholic Church in New England States by Rev Jas. H. O'Donnen.
 Father Preston's administration closed in 1895, when St. Ja mes pass ed under the Jurisdiction of the Mis- sionary Fathers of Our Lady of Le Salette. Hartford. Conn, with Rev. c. F. Soquet NJ. S.. as pastor.
 In 1898 Father Soouet gave way to Rev. J. P. Guinet, NJ. S., who. during his very successful pastorate, was able to build on Franklin street the new church at the very low hgue Of SPA 900. The church was dedicated by Der 16 1900. Before the church was completed. he built also the rectory which was later on to be occupied by the Sisters. When called to Hart ford to be superior of the La Salette college. and then provincial of tn" Missionary Fathers of La Salette. he was succeeded in 1905 by Rev. c. Cro- get D. D.. NJ. S.. who completed the parochial buildings by the erection Of a well planned rectorv, over the site of the old convent These four build ings. facing on Franklin street, form one of the best appointed parochia1 plants in the diocese and also one of the most attractive pieces of prop erty in Danielson. Tn 1907 he bought from Mrs. T. Quinn a piece of land for a new cemetery which was blessed October 21. 1910. by Right Rev. J. J. Milan, D. D.
 Tn July. 1912. Father Crozet was transferred to St. Joseph's. Fitchburg. Mass, and was replaced by Rev. M. J. Ginet NJ. S.. the present pastor and to better labor conditions and to the hearty cooperation of all the parish toners. he has been able, not only to remodel the school at cost of over g 900. the church at a cost of over s3. 900. to purchase new church or h11t al fn