Horse-drawn wagons and trolleys share a busy intersection
in downtown Norwich around the turn of the century
From the collection of Donald L. Oat, Sr.

Catholicism in Connecticut can trace its roots to early Colonial times, but It was not until the nineteenth century that Catholic communities and parishes were established in the state. There was good reason for this. Prior to 1818, rigid anti-Catholic policies were followed throughout most of the United States.

Snow-covered unpaved roads at the corner of Broadway and Broad Streets
identify this photograph as a scene from a bygone era
From the collection of Faith Jennings

There were only a quarter of a million Catholics In all of the country before 1820. By 1865, that number had grown to three million. Much of this increase was due to Irish immigration before and after the Great Famine in Ireland, 1845 - 1849. In just one decade, 1846 - 1856, some one hundred and fifty thousand Irish immigrants arrived in Boston.

Many of these immigrants were attracted to Connecticut. The area was rich in farmland and cotton and wool mill industries, powered by the many waterfalls of Eastern Connecticut, were thriving. Other developing Industries offering employment to the newcomers were fishing, whaling, and trading.

The names of several missionary priests have been recorded as visiting in the New London Norwich region from 1793 to 1830, but it was Father James Fitton who began periodic visits here, beginning In October, 1830. Father Fitton celebrated the first Mass in Norwich in 1833 in a precarious third floor loft that nearly collapsed under the combined weight of the twelve Catholics in town."

The first building to serve as a church was a shed in Twomeytown. The first Mass celebrated there was in 1842. In 1843, Norwich became the jurisdiction of the newly erected Diocese of Hartford. The following year a small church was constructed at 192 North Main Street. It was dedicated on March 17,1845, under the title of St. Mary.

By the end of the 1850's, the little church was inadequate to accommodate the increasing Catholic population. The structure, originally built at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars, was enlarged at a cost of ninety-four hundred dollars in 1857-1858. It was rededicated on May 16,1858.

Artist's sketch of the Thames harbor, circa 1879
From the collection of Donald L. Oat, Sr.

It was a difficult period in the country's history. Events and incidents concerning states' rights and slavery increased and culminated in the outbreak of Civil War. Father Daniel Kelly, who was assigned resident pastor at St. Mary's in 1851, provided spiritual leadership and comfort to his parishioners during this divisive period. He served the parish for fifteen years until 1865 when he was succeeded by Father Peter Kelly

Father Peter Kelly soon became aware of the crowded conditions at St. Mary's, and the necessity for building a larger church. With this goal in mind, he bought property on Church Street and planted a cross on it - prophetically - on St. Patrick's Day, 1867. He was not at St. Mary's long enough to see the fruition of his plans, as he was succeeded that year by Reverend Bernard Tully, and then, Reverend Michael Tiernan. The new pastor, who arrived in 1868, was to be the founder of St. Patrick's Church - Reverend Daniel Mullen.