2014.025

Kiernan, Mel

Gift

Gift of Mel Kiernan.

1941 - 1941

Date(s) Created: 1941 Date(s): 1941

Notes: Archives 2014.025.0006 ==== ==== Text on pp. [9-11] is an unsigned parish history, but authorship can likely be attributed to the then current pastor, Reverend Monsignor William B. Masterson. ==== Parochial History This brief historical sketch of the Church in general leads us to the annals of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken. The Scriptural growth of the great tree from the mustard seed characterizes the small beginning of our Church in the march of progress as time comes to our own age. The Catholics of Hoboken, in the beginning, received the administration of divine rites in St. Peter’s, New York City. Later priests from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, came to Hoboken at various times. Later, St. Peter’s in Jersey City mothered the infant Church in Hoboken from 1834-1844. On this latter date Reverend Walter Quarter inaugurated the establishment of a Parish Church in Hoboken and Reverend John Rogers was made first Pastor on December 6, 1845. Father Kelly of St. Peter’s, Jersey City, visited Hoboken at intervals, until Most Reverend Archbishop Hughes, of New York, appointed Reverend Anthony Cauvin, July 1851, to minister to the Catholics in the district between the Five Corners, Hudson City and Fort Lee. On the 24th of June 1855, the edifice, under the title of Our Lady of Grace, was blessed and dedicated to God with great solemnity. As early as 1859 a school was begun and later a three-story building was completed in 1864. The Sisters of Charity of Convent Station were chosen as teachers in charge. Father Cauvin thus writes of his departure: “After twenty-six years of uninterrupted labor in this country, twenty-two of which were spent in Hoboken, I determined to resign. On the ninth of August, 1873, I left Hoboken for France.” The records of the apostolic zeal of this untiring priest are many and complete and are a lasting memory of his sacerdotal labors for his flock. Reverend M. C. Duggan was appointed in September 1873 and planned at once the erection of the present large and beautiful Church. The interior is considered the finest specimen of pure Gothic Architecture in this country. This work was completed by Reverend Patrick Corrigan, the successor of Father Duggan. On Sunday, July 4th, 1875, Bishop Corrigan blessed the cornerstone. The discourse was preached by Bishop Spalding of Peoria. On November 10th, 1878 the great edifice was solemnly dedicated to the service of God. During Father Corrigan’s pastorate the new large school buildings were erected. Father Corrigan died January 9th, 1894. Right Reverend Msgr. Charles J. Kelly succeeded. At once he reopened the school, established an orphanage and decorated the Church. The Stations of the Cross were placed and solemnly blessed. A magnificent organ, the largest in the country, at the time, was erected and dedicated to the divine praise of God in liturgical melody and harmony. He died on the 16th of November 1911. His pupilt eloquence, his devotion to the Passion of Our Lord, his attachment to the orphans of the parochial institution, his charity and zeal live in memory as testimony of his noble priestly work. In token of this was the Monsignor Kelly Chapel added to the Church building to stand as a perpetual Memorial of the love of his flock for him. The Pastorate of Monsignor Carroll began on the 4th day of January, 1912 and continued until his death on the 16th day of October 1938. Under his administration the New Convent was built in 1915 to accommodate the thirty Sisters who taught in the school. His labors in the interest of the poor, the sick and the orphans will be remembered as a precious heritage and as a lasting tribute to his steriling priestly character. He celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Priesthood in the year 1935 and on this occasion was raised to the dignity of Prothonotary Apostolic by Pope Pius XI. The rectorship of Reverend William P. Caffrey was brief. Appointed by Archbishop Walsh to succeed the late Monsignor Carroll he came to the parish after a fruitful span of twelve years in the guidance of boys at the Catholic Protectory in Arlington. His death occurred most unexpectedly on January 13, 1939 after he had served as Pastor for a period of twenty-one days. The appointment of Reverend William B. Masterson to continue the labors was announced January 25th, 1939. In the interval, repairs and improvements have been made to the various buildings. The Church has been redecorated, new heating plants installed and up-to-date electrical equipment provided for all needs. The works above enumerated, praiseworthy and necessary though they be, would be as dross, as mere materials, were they not beautified and enlivened by that spiritual life and glory which make them acceptable in the sight of God. All these material things are but helps to grace and spiritual advancement. When a congregation flocks to the Church, fills the way to the confessional and crowds around the altar-rail, all know that there is spiritual power in that mission; when homes are Christian, when father, mother and children kneel in prayer, when the sanctuary of the home is as sacredly guarded as the sanctuary of the Church, then a race of Christian people is preserved. From such Christian homes come forth priests for the altar, brothers and sisters for the schools and missions. It is a withered and dead parish that yields no laborers for the Lord’s vineyard. For the work accomplished, for blessings received, for a growth and prosperity wonderful to behold, it is our duty not to forget those who were men of mercy, whose Godly deeds have not failed. It is a joy for us and our children, to show forth the wisdom and declare the. praise of those who built so well the Parish of Our Lady of Grace. ==== ==== page [24] Deceased Priests of the Parish Reverend Anthony Cauvin Reverend Michael C. Duggan Reverend Patrick J. Corrigan Reverend Patrick Treacy Reverend Louis D. Senez Reverend B. J. Mulligan Reverend Dr. A. Bettoni Reverend Robert E. Burke Reverend John Baxter Reverend John J. Tighe Reverend John P. Callaghan Reverend John F. Boylan Reverend James A. Kelly Reverend Francis DeFabris Reverend George Brown Reverend Robert Freeman Right Reverend Charles J. Kelly Right Reverend J. J. Cunneely Right Reverend Eugene P. Carroll Right Reverend George L. Fitzpatrick Reverend Henry A. Beale Reverend C. A. Lawless Reverend John J. Devlin Reverend William J. Caffrey Reverend George I. Fitzpatrick ==== ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-06-19