Early 1840's and 1850's - The Catholic Society of
The first Catholic settler in
Fr. Putnam, continued to make regular visits to say Mass for the faithful. He stimulated plans for a church (according to a brief parish history written by Father Nicholas J. Horan, the visiting priest who came to
In 1853 the Society leased the vacant
On July 6, 1854, political agitators from the national party called the "Know-Nothings" incited a riot in the holiday crowd in
Oliver Moses, a member of the
From the Moses residence, the Society's services were moved to Corinthian Hall (formerly at
1855-1856 - Construction of the Original St. Mary's Church
Reverend Peter McLaughlin was assigned as the first resident priest of
The church property included the famous old Isaiah Crooker house (1753) which was moved to the rear of the property to make room for the new church and then served as a rectory for Fr. McLaughlin for many years. It became a home for the aged of the parish until its destruction by fire in 1898.
The blessing of the bell in the tower did not take place until January 23, 1910.
In 1865, under the direction of Rev. Daniel W. Murphy, a new rectory was built just north of the church and remained in service until a new one was constructed in 1912 to the south of the church. The old one then became the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy and was used by the Sisters of Mercy for decades thereafter. (see 1879 photos on Additional Photos page) In 1873, all debts were paid, and the church was considerably remodeled.
1899 -
Turn of the Century - A Parochial School and a New Rectory
The Bishop wanted a parochial school in
By 1917 there were six sisters and 125 pupils. The former Clifford house, containing the parochial school, was destroyed by fire on January 20, 1943. The parochial school ceased to exist until 1964.
In 1905, plans for a new rectory were drawn up. This second Rectory on High Street was erected immediately south of the church, next to Morse High school, on the site of the house of James W. Wakefield. Monsignor M.C. McDonough was responsible for the construction. A spacious and elegant dwelling, it was described in the 1917 Parish Reference Book as "one of the finest church residences in
1917 - A Moment in Time
Thanks to the Catholic Guide and Reference Book" (see front cover and excerpts on Additional Photos page) published by Rev. Nicholas J. Horan in 1917, we know that St. Mary's Parish was a busy place. The new school, open 8 years, had 125 pupils, instructed by six Sisters of Mercy. The Parish Reference Book tells us that numerous Catholic Societies were flourishing, including the Boys Sacred Heart Sodality, Girls Sacred Heart Sodality, Children of Mary, Sodality of Married Women, and the Holy Name Society. The parish maintained two libraries. Members of the parish paid pew rent in November, February, May, and August, and their names were on the pews.
1923 - KKK in
The Ku Klux Klan was very active in the City of
1929-1955 - The Maney Years
In 1928, George Davenport bequeathed $1500 to St. Mary's Church. During the following year, Rev. Timothy C. Maney was assigned to this parish and made needed repairs and alterations to the church. He was known for his long sermons and big, loving heart. Even today when people remember "Father Maney", they tell of how he always had a pocket full of dimes, and whenever he saw a child, he would slip a dime into the child's hand. He walked extensively in
1955 - Rev. Francis E. Morrissey and the New Saint Mary's School and Convent
Rev. Morrissey came to
On June 4, 1969, the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools notified the parish that St. Mary's School, in existence for only five years, would be closed for good as of the end of June. This news was a great disappointment to members of the parish as it served 140 children in grades one through eight. It was staffed by four Sisters of Mercy.
The school building was offered to the City of
1967 - Rev. Joseph H. Butler and the New Saint Mary's Church and Rectory
Rev. Morrissey initiated plans for the new church and rectory and instituted semi-annual fund-raising field days which eventually provided a considerable share of construction costs. Unfortunately, he passed away in April 1967, leaving to Rev. Butler completion of the building of the church and the rectory. He was instrumental in obtaining another strip of land added to that which was bought in 1960. His Associate Pastor, Rev. Carrigan, assumed responsibility for many details of the construction of, and move to, a new church. In August 1968, the last service was held at the old church. The City of
The church belfry and the church bell were bought by Harry C. Crooker and taken to
The pipe organ was sold to a collector. Many statues, pictures, and church assets were auctioned or sold. Some of those items are now owned by members of the parish. During the eight months before the new church was completed, Sunday Masses were held at the former Winter Street Congregational Church. Weekday Masses were held in a corner of the parish hall in the school, and funerals were held at the Episcopal Church.
In the years since the "old" Saint Mary's Church was torn down, former parishioners have contributed their Memories of the
1969 - The
On Sunday, May 4, 1969, the new church opened its doors for
Adapting to Changing Times - 1969 to the Present
Over the years, St. Mary's Church has successfully evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. The hand-carved crucifix which originally hung above the main altar was moved to the rear wall, stained to highlight its features, and floodlit. The console of the Baldwin Model N organ has been moved several times, and the organ itself has been updated. A piano has been added. Four communion stations enhanced by a simple wheat design which were originally spaced around the altar have been removed to allow for distribution of communion at the end of the middle and two side aisles. The altar area has been enlarged to provide additional choir space.
The front rows of pews in all three seating areas have been removed to permit ceremonial functions around the altar. One of the two original confessionals have been converted to a storage area for the video Mass equipment. The baptismal font has been moved from the former baptism room to the main altar; the room is now a "quiet room" for active families during
Concerned that the church had no outward visible sign of our Blessed Mother, whose name it bears, a group of similar-minded women banded together to propose a Statue and Memorial Garden Project. The project was cleared by the Worship & Spirituality Commission and the Parish Council and approved by Father Rice in May 2002. A year of fundraising culminated in the purchase of a five-foot white marble statue from Carrara, Italy, a landscape design, and the hiring of a landscape company to place the statue and install the garden during the summer of 2003. Dedication of the Statue and Garden took place on October 4, 2003.
On July 1, 2009, Saint Mary's Parish ceased to exist. St. Mary's Church became part of the new All Saints Parish comprised of St. Mary's Church,