New Britain herald., 1923-04-20
Catholics in All Parts of City to Take Part in Oh. serving Occasion Next September.

St. Mary's parish, the largest Cath. olic parish in the city, will round out the three quarter century mark Of us existence in September of this year, and an appropriate observance Of the event will take place with the other Catholic parishes in the city, orig nally a part of the mother parish, taking part.
 The parish was instituted in Sep tember, 1S4S, with the appointment of the late Rev. Luke Daly as pastor. It was at that time mission station in a district comprising Pennington, Plainville, Bristol the Mines, Forest vile, Coilinsville, New Hartford, Tarriffvillc, S!msbury and Rainbow. The Catholic population numbered about 1oo people.
 Father Daly first said mass, which according to all records was also the first service of it's kind in this city. in the Glynn house on Main street, aiDl for several months after the Sunday services were conducted there. The second Christmas services were cele- brated in Humphrey hall, now known as Hadley hall, near the triangle m the center.
 Father Daily, although appointed pastor of the parish in 1S4S, did not take up his permanent residence in this city until May g, 1S49. When ne arrived, he lived at the Cassidy fo.ne and conducted week day services in the Skelly home on. Beaver street.
 Later on, the number of attendants at these services became so large that mass meeting of the parishioners was called and plans for the erection of church were made. The mem- Ecrs of the parish pledged their sup pert to the undertaking and on March 21, 1850, a plot of land at the corner of Myrtle and High streets was bought of Peter Slain for $225.
 The ground was staked out in Aug ust of that year and work on the construction of the edifice was begun. By Christmas, the building had pro- gressed so far that tho services were held in the church. Upon its com- pletion, it was dedicated on August II, 1853. the second brick church in the state of Connecticut, the other be- ing the old St. James church in Bridgeport.
 Tn 1851, the finances of the parish had become so strong that the pas tor purchased land on what was then known as Dublin Hill for cemetery purposes. This plot consisted of 30 acres and was bounded on the north by I.aSalle tsreet with main en- trance on Sexton street In 1857, a pastoral residence at the corner of High and Lafayette streets was bought, and on the grounds surround ing the house the parishioners held church socials, as+is the custom today.
 Parishioncrs Dig Foundation.
 In September, 1862, an addition of 32 by 75 feet was added to the church, and later another addition measuring 42 by 30 feet was put on. It is notable feat to recall that the men of the parish did all the prelim- mary work of digging for the foun- Gations and other work in the even ings after their days work was done.
 In 1885, St. Patrick's society was formed and also St. Mary's Temper ance society, now known as the Y. M. T. A Sl E. society. In 1862, a two story frame building near the church was purchased and converted into a school. In few years the number of pupils outgrew the space and ad- ditions were made. The school be- came known as the Old Town School, and still bears that name when spok- ell of today.
 
 In 1866, Father Daly purchased a new bell for the church, and when the old quarters were abandoned, the bell was removed to the cupola of St. Mary's school on Beaver street, where it remains today. In 1877, the erec- ton of St. Thomas convent on La- fayette street was commenced. Before this was finished, the pastor died, and In his memory, so well was he re- vered by all creeds. that business ceased until after his funeral, flags were flown at half mast and persons of all crecds attended the last service. He was buried in the parish cemetery on Sexton street.
 Coming of Father Carmody.
 Rev. Hugh Carmody, D. D.. was ap- pointed to New Britain as a successor to Father Daly. He arrived in this city on July 16, 1878. and assumed charge of the parish on Sunday July 21.
 His first act as head of the par ish was to form the Y. NJ. T. A. & E. society. and many of the present day members can recall that first meeting inthe basement of the Old Town School. Through his efforts the so- ciety grew until it was found neces- sary to build a building on Beaver street as a club room. This was the beginning Of the parent home of the society.
 The new convent was soon opened up and on August IS, 1878, eight sis ters of mercy came here to take over the task of. teaching in the schools. Up to this time, the teachers In the town school had been paid by the city, but the advent of the sisters stirred up one of the most bitter po- litical fights ever experienced here,