Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-05
MEMBERS ST, JOSEPH'S tender
RECEPTION TO FATHER REARDON

attended Togus. Richmond, VIM
throp, Leeds Junction, Monmouth
and Readfield. He was succeeded by
Rev. jeremiah McCarty on Jan. IL.
1880, who remained at Gardiner I'M
til Nov. 2, 1900.
An old time worn baptismal reg
istar gives in the hand writing OF
Dennis Ryan, the first priest ordain-
ed in the New England, the entry
of the birth of Bernard Esmond, the
18th, of Martin and Jean Esmond,
sponsor, Elizabeth Boyle. This indi
Gates that there was one Catholic
family in Gardiner as early as 1920.
DIR. George w. Alexander gave
brief history of the parish from the
time of Father Reardon's arrival I'M
til the resent day, bringing to the
minds Of the people assembled the
progress and accomplishment which
has been achieved by the hard work
of FIR. Reardon, and the cooperation
of bis parishioners and the aid of
non Catholic friends.
FIR. Reardon was born at Bangor
Me-, the son of jeremiah and Nose
Reardon in the year 1860. Hes at
tended the schools of his native city
and after his high school courses at
tended college at Mt. Milroy college.
Ire. Following his college course he
returned to this country, and enter
ed the Grand Seminary. at Quebec.
He was ordained on Pentecost Sun
day at the Bascillia, Que, and said
his first mass at st. Marys church,
Augusta, Me-, where his friend, FIR.
Murphy, was pastor. He was curate
at Calais, Me-. for year when ne
was sent to st. Domonic's parish at
Portland under FIR. Murphy, who at
the time was Vicar General of the
Maine diocese. After leaving Port
land he was transferred to st. Marys
parish at Bangor, where he served as
curate under Ed. O'Brien for three
years, when he was given the parish
OF Benedicta, Me-, as pastor. tr.
Reardon remained at Benedicta sew
en- years and was then transferred to
Gardiner at st. Joseph's parish. Nov.
| ., 1900, where he is still pastor.
Since coming to Gardiner Father
| Reardon has done wonderful work,
clearing the parish from debt. He
at once saw the need of new GEM
etery and purchased a lot of land
next to Oak Grove cemetery. He
improved it, lots were built. graded
walks built, and other details cared
for, and now the Catholics of Gardi-
HcT udNC IL DCdulllot Jul alb ShoAiAh
with ample room for a number of
years. His next project was the
gathering together Of funds for a
new church. as the old church was
far too small for the growing par
ish. After buying the Cusick and
Ring property and moving the hou-
ses to different spots, in the fall OF
! 1914 work was begun on the founda-
ton of what was to, be one of the
most beautiful churches in the
state. The corner stone of the new
church was laid by the late Bishop
Walsh on Sunday, July 4, 1914 and
the ceremonies were attended by
clergy from all parts of the state.
and large gathering of people from
Gardiner and surrounding towns. On
June 4th, 1915, the church was ded-
icated by the late bishop assisted by
several priests from all parts of the
state. The windows, pulpit, stations
of the cross, and numerous other
statues were mostly the gift OF par
ishioners and friends of the pastor.
The cost of the bare church without
the windows and fittings at the time
OF building was approximately $50.
, 600, the fittings bringing the total
cost to around $4,000. The parish
is entirely clear of debt and has a
goodly balance to its credit in the
banks. The pews costing $4,000 were
gift of the pastor to the church.
A new organ Of the latest type is to
be installed during the winter with
money raised by the parishioners by
entertainments and other means,
this is to cost $4,000 st. Joseph's
church has an attendance each Sun
day at the both masses of between
100 and 1900 persons.
On behalf of the members OF the
Parish and other interested friends,
w. T. Demeres, treasurer of the
committee presented Father Rear
don with a check exceeding $1,000
as a testimonial from his many well
wishers The priest was taken by
surprise but responded in a few
heartfelt and we'll chosen words,
thanking them for their generosity.
pledging to them his all with firm
determination to carry on.
After an informal reception Jew
ett's six piece Collegiate Orchestra
furnished music for the dancing.
Elvin A. Leighton was chairman
of the committee in charge, and it
was through the generosity of the
trustees of the Gardiner Shrine Club
that the beautiful Shrine building
was available for the occasion. The
committees consisted of r. Frank
Brann. David +. Kelley, Mary Nc
Donald, Mary Hamilton, David +.
Kelley was chairman of the enter
tainment committee, while Mrs.
George Mcdonald and Miss Mary
Hamilton was in charge of the re-
freshments. The ward icommitte
chairmen were as follows: Ward /,
Joseph V. Faulkner; Ward ., Paul
F. Fitzpatrick; Ward 3, Mrs. Stephen
D. Monaghan; Ward 4, William T.
Gingrow; Ward 5, Miss Nora o.
Common. Farmingdale; Thomas
Hikcye. Randolph; Mrs. Melvin
Downing, residents of the different
wards assisted. The Knights of Col
umbus committee was. comprised of
Stephen d. Monhagan, John Z. Cum
bingham, and John A. Mcdonald.
Among the out of town guests
who were present were Mr.. and Mrs
Walter Allen Ranger. Miss Anna