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St. Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church in New London began in the 1840s, serving Irish workers from a storefront on Bank Street. It is a wonder that in 1843, a turbulent year marked by strong anti-Catholic sentiment in Connecticut, Father Fitton managed to establish a small Catholic chapel in New London. The humble little structure of Saint John Church was on Jay Street. In 1851, the community was granted a resident pastor, Father Peter Duffy. Father Duffy was succeeded by Father Thomas Stokes, Father Patrick Gaynor, and Father Bernard Tully. As the congregation grew, a church was raised on Truman Street in 1855, this time with Saint Patrick as the patron.
The parish acquired a large lot at the corner of Washington and Huntington Streets in 1866 and the following year Father Philip Grace announced the ambitious plans to build an imposing structure on Huntington Street designed by Patrick Keely of New York. The next pastor, Father Edmund O’Connor, would have the cornerstone blessed in August of 1870. Unfortunately, as the building began to take shape, the clerestory collapsed, seeming to shatter the dreams of the parish. Father Michael Tierney, a future bishop, was assigned as pastor in May of 1872. He gave assurance that the work of the new church would continue. Father Tierney was succeeded by Father Patrick Lawlor, who saw the beautiful Church to completion. The parish was renamed St. Mary Star of the Sea in 1874 and dedicated by Bishop Galberry in the spring of 1876. In 1891, Father Thomas P. Joynt invited the Sisters of Mercy to open a parish school. Bishop Michael Tierney returned to his old parish for the festivities and dedication of the new school in 1899. The iconic church tower of the New London skyline was added in 1911. Today, the parish is home to generations of families of Irish, Italian, and other European heritage. It is also home to a significant number of parishioners from Latin America, as well as African Americans, Haitians, and many other ethnic groups. Saint Mary, Star of the Sea continues a long tradition of outreach, emphasizing the multicultural nature of the parish and special ministry to the numerous Hispanic families of the area. |
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Understanding the needs of New London and the growth enjoyed by the community there, Bishop Tierney chose in July of 1907 to separate Saint Mary, Star of the Sea, and establish Saint Joseph. Father William Fitzsimons was named pastor of the new parish. He rented a house at 151 Montauk Avenue and shortly thereafter purchased a home at 17 Squire Street, making plans to build a chapel. From the very beginning, there was a strong Italian ethnic presence in the parish. After a temporary chapel was in place, plans immediately began for a more permanent and beautiful church. The present gothic church, constructed of granite from Waterford and roofed in Spanish tile, was ready for dedication in May of 1910. Bishop John J. Nilan celebrated the solemn ceremony and congratulated the parishioners for their generosity and self-sacrifice. Father Fitzsimons remained pastor until his death in 1934. Though he had dreamed of building a parochial school, that was left to Father Denis A. O’Brien, the third pastor of Saint Joseph. The new school was dedicated in September of 1937.
Saint Joseph has been blessed by the ministrations of extraordinary priest throughout the years, both in the person of pastors and associates. Father John Carey was pastor from 1944 into the 1960s, followed by Msgr. St Onge and Father Joseph Castaldi, beloved by the community. |
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In the early 1960s, Father Kenneth Flint was asked to form a new parish from a group of Catholics who had worshipped at Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Saint Joseph, Saint Agnes in Niantic, and Saint Matthias in East Lyme. The first gathering for Mass took place at Saint Bernard High School in New London. The parish of Saint Paul Church was off and running.
Almost immediately plans were prepared for the new church. Organizational meetings were held throughout Waterford, and soon desirable land was purchased, along with an older residence for a rectory. In 1964 St Paul in Chains Church was completed. Later the stunning structure of New England architecture would be renamed St Paul Church. Father Flint remained as pastor until 1978 when he was suceded by Father Richard Roughan. The impressive steeple (towering 126 feet above ground) and carillon system were installed under his direction in 1998. The sound of church bells complements the charm of the grounds and parish. As is true for so many parishes in the Diocese of Norwich, the architectural beauty of this church is well matched by the genuine spiritual beauty of the community. |