Northampton's 300th Article, Sacred Heart- ifirs'l, -,Mass For r -Saer'ed Heart
At Cit 'Hall On Jan. 1 1886,
By a Member
Protestantism remained the
�predominating faith.. in North-
ampton for more than two cen..
Curies: About the middle of the
19th century *. the ` number . of 4 p� s
Catholic holic constituted rhore than
one-fifth of th&, city's. population.
St. Mary's, parish was I organ -
ed to cater to the :spiritual
needs of these immigrants. Rev.
P. V. Moycei was the -dirst resi-'
dent pastor: in this locality. The
R R
church, a. - small wooden struc-
'ture, was Iodated off mhg'St.
By ' - 1886 the congregation had
go. increased that it was I cons
ered opportune: tb form anbtl
parish. Thus . the F renchmspez
ten" His,...Excell&ncy., '6s t '. lev.
Bishop: O'Reilly; "see Zatca. W�
done with them, - and, for them:" -
" The . first Mass was.'offered in
the city hall on Jan. 1 1886.,
i.s,h, , which ..at th
no . more_ jh4n,;
pastor' 1 role we
a
o f.
, I
He soon
urgent needs. o
Parish Recited
By Father Mo C,e(
Y
to raise the . n e6essari lundg; Eh-'
thusia - smz on I tlie , p art 6f! the. par,-
A, i Moners si�ffilhiit sum L ro` "E
s the:s
Of $9,000— �
those quite - c in
-day's--wa I s , �,raise_d - by sub-...
scription and by outright gifts, "' set about beautifying the certain festive` occasions. thron
A'. chapel
as constructed A
4891 flo or : .�'.6f, the -e 11 di-. n - c;
and shrubbery n conspicuous p interested. 'the�: edu
_7�1� main .
served as the church, 'while: the 'of
lower story or. basement, iVag-. di :
vide d' into � classrooms:: Thus the
buildihg served ' the-doubld pur.-..
pose of its pastor.--,the,*,,preservaw
' t � t he !French' language
tion , of
-.
among, his, people and U6 fostprm,
ing. of and, p'ri
cation , si among. . the youth of 'the
parish.
. sisters of j8seph�,
y.,
the property.
It is difficult to. realize today
the trei�6ndous amount.of labor,
involved. in altering'the appear-
ante of this once swampy site to
it present.aspect_of:.well-kept
lawns*, stately : trees, clean-cut
hedges, colorful. flowers.
-solicitude. follows them paterna
ly throughbut� the �krades. ims. 61
courag6ment is a factor .in lea
ing the children to put forth''the:
best efforts.', The' school is . nio
:ernly equipped and the -diocesa
Program of studies is '-followe
The pu pils receive instructioii' '1'
both the English, and French la:
:guages.
The: the League
'Li t I - &r '
A n IeS
whose l.mother .house was located
: This' is the -final 0hurch his.
the Sabred :Heart have organizE
at Chdnrib Franc% .' took
e s published.,by
tory'in. the series
a " well-equipped ' playgroun,
charge . . of ' the . school.: classes
the. Gazette during.. Xortho..
:much to the delight of the youn
'to
(
op ened 1h, September 1891� -with
amptows, Terc6n.tenary year.
ster8. The men �. plan exter
7 ;,an,.'enr6Hffient of 951 ils. They
D�p. _�
-
their activities in• favor of - tl
.
r: 'A the ele-
were distributedn all
children as occasion permi ts.71
I ntary 'through the
me
In June 1931 the. sisters Of St..
school receive projector fro:
ive a. projec o-
ninth- Sister. Margaret. was es-
won
Joseph, whose devotion had' . .
a friend of ..education.
'
ignated as fir s u-perior .
the admiration: and appreciation
From its Inception,. the peop.
From the Very , beginning, Fr. �of_jhe
,
*people,- withdrew from
7 ate.
of this parish taken an a
hville realizedthiil.th 86ho
lt, e
' h ti : a
Northampton. They still f
tive�part in-re iousi and politi ,
g
.01
facilities.,-were not - .adequate _to
fectiollately .. And gratefully re-
.. .
affairs of the locality. At in ear.
the "require rri . ents - 'of. the children. ,membered
by their forrHer. p Li-
'stage, of its history -the -Freia
But because of - the�'limitedjndm-
pils, _wh& bear witness, to the, ex-
Civic Assn.!� catered to the nee(
bei of Iiis--parishiotus, - and :
cellent received under
of.the newcomers. Its . . aim w as; - '
-
Of financial'.pentiry,: nothing ..fur-
their care.
acquarint.thein.with the .A'
mericz
ther could. be �.accomplished for
- -To fill the,vacancies. caused by
'Fir
way of life and to prepare. the
the .'.moment. '
their departure, Guillette so-
to become intelligent citizens
By'the end. of the century, the
I
licited and obtained sisters of the
our country.
population - of �.the ; parish hEid,'Presentation
of Mary, -whose
Several relijiou�s eivic.wl
increased`' considerably.
mother house in Ameri d. a was,
f are s ocieties- - exigt. in the ails
p a
an Both
church.and.. school ,nedded exp-at
that time, located, at St. Hya-
They have generously cohtribi
'
The pastor- fully realized
that the edtication and religious
cint A P.Q.
0 . .
t, nuns were assigned to
ed their fair share of co-op ei
*
tion in:all.local actiVitieg.
:-
training of the, children were. ., fat
Sacred Heart School the au-
Priests, -religious, men aj
more urgent. than 'the erection, o f
turnfi of .1931,, Sister Mary Ar-
woni6n in, the medical coif
a - Inew church. , acquire
uire.c
thur -being design ted as direc-
and 'in I I the. i ndustrial, I I t*
pg�s g,�
Parish,
Ihu 's: the k'rencti -speax 1
ng ,population obtained- permis "''gip 3
sion to have its own church! Rev F z d
Noel, Rainville .was nominated as .,. �
their first - pastor. "Go/ had writ '
ten His Excellency, Most Rev
Bishop "see what can be rte,
p "
done. with them and, for them." M
The first Mass ,was offered in
the city hall on Jan. 1, 1886. 3
The pastor was received with
open arms by his flock who soon;
learned to know, love•and res ect �: ; f
him. St. Mary's little wooden'
church: was ceded to. the new par
ish, which at that time numbered'' y3 3` +'
no more than, -6Q families.' • The
pastor's role was practically that zk x
of a missionary:
He soon recognized the most
urgent` needs of his ; .people: and '
made `'haste to acquire. a large
'plot of: land upon which to erect
a chapel.. A_ drive was organized.
to raise: the necessary funds. En
thusiasm on. the part of the . par -
ashioners was
such that the sum Sacred Heal t Church, 99 IKing. Sf: $uiltr 1912,'Rev. E.
of,.. $9,000 —quite considerable, m Leroux
!
those days —was raised by "Sub.
pastor
scriptian and by outright gifts set : about beautifying the certain festive occasions through
A chapel was constructed in •grounds, .planting trees,: flowers out the year:::
1891. The main floor :of, the• edi- and shrubbery :m conspicuous Deeply interested. in the educa
fice, which is still standing today, places, thus enhancing -the aspect, tion of the children, the priest's=
served as the church, while the; of th
`e property: follows dm ie paternal j,
lower. story or basement;" was - di- It is . difficult to realize today ly throughout. the grades. His ern li
vrded into classrooms.: Thus the the tremendous amount of labor, couragement: is a, factor in lead
building served- the .double pur• involved. in altering the appear= ing the children to put forth their.;
;pose of its pastor: ahe preserva .ante of this once :swampy site,to best• efforts. The school is:.
pose
.'.tion o, the :'French ` language its' present aspect of well ernly; equipped and the diocesan y
: ..among his people and . the.foster - lawns, stately trees, clean -cut program of,<studies is followed
ing of religious and priestly:vo- hedges 'arid colorful flowers The pupils receive instruction mi
cations among' the youth of the both the English and French lan .�
parish. guages
Four` .sisters of St. Joseph, Y��St �e>�geS The members of tkie League of'I
whose .mother : house was loca ted This is the final church lns• the Sacred Heart have organized
at Chambery,.. France;, ''took. tort' iii the series published by a =well - equipped playground,;
charge 'of the school , . Classes the Gazette :during North- much to the delight of the young ,
opened. in September 1891 . with ampton's tercentenary' year.: sters. The men, plan. to extend j
an enrollment ".of 95 pupils. They : their:. activities in: favor .of the:A
were distributed. in all .the . ele .
children'as occasion, permits The
mentary - grades through" ' the In June'1931 the sisters of St. school received a•.prolec'tor'fiom.j
ninth. `Sister Margaret was des Joseph, whose devotion had won a friend of education
the admiration and appreciation From its inception, the people
ignated as first. superior.. ,i
From the very beginning, Fr. .of: the ;people, withdrew from of this parish have; taken an ac
realized that the school Northampton � -They still are of tive part in religious and pohtical'�
Rainvil1e
facilities were "not .adegirate,.to 'fectionately . and gratefully re affairs of the locality At an early
the requirements of'the children• membered by their; former. pu stage of its history the French;
But, because of the'limited.mem- `A?fs,, who;bear witness to tYie ex Civic Assn. catered .to the ;needs
bership .of his parishioners, 'and cellent training - received under of the newcomers. "Its aun was to
of financial enury, nothing 'fur- their care. acquaint them with the American
ther :could.be .accomplished' for To fill ;the vacancies caused by way :of life :And to prepare them;
the moment. ;their. departure, :Fr. Guillette so to become intelligent citizens of;�
By :the end'; -of the century, the ; licited and obtained sisters of`the our couhtry
population. of ':the ; ;parish ::had Presentation of, Mary' whose Several religious : and civic wel
increased , considerably., " Both mother house in America was, fare 'societies exist in the 'parish
church and .school needed expan- at that•. time, located at St Hya- They have, generou sly contribut a
lion. The : pastor frilly" realized 'cinthe, P.:Q. ed them fair share of co' -opei a , 11
that the .education -and religious Eight nuns' were assigned to 3h in all ocal '
training of.,the chiidren.were,.far. Sacred Heart School in the .au Priests, rehgrous, men and'
tumn of '1931
, ' Si�er . Mary Ar women in ::the irmedical � °corps, ,
more` urgent.,thali the erectio }z of thur bean design ated.:as direc and 'in the industrial; le , sltivP"
a new church So she r acgired . g + a r ax
�ni�otYser piece of Idnd on „w,lu h tras� Sclioal opend un,.h nn end b�1,uY� �ci S liiaiclies tira.cli
rohrnent';of 207 `p pals • ` brought honor anT' glory to this ::
the actual Sacred Heart- School n
was: constructed This , btrildmg From •the ouuse the newcom fair city. So; though most of the
contains six spacious classrooms .ers found themselves 'the object Frenchspeakiiig .population of
capable' of accommodating all the 'of. great benevolence on the .part Northampton belong to: the la
children of 'the parish from the . of , the :,pastor,- and of genuine .iioring class, they are well, repre
y first to the ninth, grade. kindness and generosity from sented in 'positions of 'response 't
the arishioners. That fine spirit bility.
The new, school was opened P .
September 1911 Though,'it has of co- operation; has ,ever re- b%
The. whose beneficial,.(
been standing for more than 40 ....rained the most characteristic influence is still felt; include.:��
years; the structure is still in •Fait of the people of the parish The, founding fathers, Rev. Fe
very ;;good condition.'. It is well The application of the children Noel I
Rainville, Messrs. Adolphe !I �
equipped to cater' the needs brought consoling results at the Menard Dr., L. B. Niquette, Oli r
of .the juvenile population it har- end. of , the year, due. m, large vier: Dragon, Felix Latrainboese
hors': As Sacred Heart School ear- measure'. to- the' solicitude of Fr. and Alfred'Parenteau.
Guillette: and to the. intelligent Among the first: • professors in '
ly stressed ahe study, of French co -o eration `.of' the arents.
well as of English
both 'la - P P the` old school were Mr: and Mrs.
as
guages •are taught rn all the During the summer of 1935, ill Theodore IDesrosiers; the first or
grades: health' forced the devoted pastor Ado
anist,. Mrs: l he Menard; the: ,
The venerated pastor spared no to retire from active "service. His' first superior of the sisters ofs;
administration had been most del- St. . Joseph, . Sister Margaret, f
effort to promote the welfare of while Sister Marie' Arthur was
his' people.; During his adminis• :icate: and difficult due; ,to the` fi-
tration the chapel and 'school nancial collapse of - the period. He the first directress of the sisters ^
- were erected and the parish flour- could not realize his ambitions of'th6 Presentation of Mary t
in favor of the. faithful because Several: priestly and religious
ishea .:under his able manage. he would not impose upon them I vocations; have” been fostered :in.l.
anent.
.thP hbrdp -n of added:: expenses.; the, - "parish, and many ,of the y
_ .... --
l V rollment' of 207 pr Ails.;` brought honor arid: glory ,to this
the actual Sacred `Heart � School
was. :'constructed This biiiLding From ;the outset the newcom fair.' city So, though .most` of tae
six spacious classrooms ers found themselves the object French= speaking • ;population ;of-, �
capable' of accommodating all the :of. great. benevolence on the part Northampton belong to the la-
children of the parish from the of. the .pastor, and of genuine "boring class, they are well repre
kindness. and generosity from seined in 'positions of ;responsi: f
first to the m cho grade. the parishioners. That fine spirit bility. ,
The new school was opened rish. P • ' '.._
Some ' ioneers whose beneficial
September 1911 Though it has of co- operation has ever re,
been'standing for more than 40 mained the most characteristic influence is still, felt include
years; the! structure is still in ,trait of the people of.the pa The, founding fathers, Rev.. Fi.:
very good condition. It is well The application of the children Noel' Rainville,, Messrs. Adolphe ;
equipped to cater to <the needs brought consoling" results 'at, the"'Menard, :Dr. L. B. Niquette, Oli- j
of the juvenile population it har- end. of the year, due in' large vier. Dragon, Felix Lafram,boise
born: As; Sacred Heart School ear- measure. to• the solicitude, of Fr. and Alfred Parenteau.
ly stressed. the study. of French Guillette . and. to the intelligent. Among .the -.first' professors. hl:
as , well g as of: English, both lan- ; co- operation of the parents. the old school were Mr. and WTI t
guages are taught in all the During the summer of 1935; ill Theodore Desrosiers; the.fimt or - -;
grades. health the, devoted pastor ganist,'Mrs. Adolphe Menard; the''
The venerated pastor spared no to. retire from active service. His first superior of the sisters i of
eff ort. to promote, the welfare of administration had been most del- St. , Joseph; Sister : Margaret,,'
his people.'.' During his adminis icate:, and difficult due to the fi- while. Sister, .Marie Arthur was
tration the_ chapel` 'and` school nancial collapse of the period: He the `first directress of .the sisters
were erected and the parish lour- . 9' d not realize his 'I ambitions of the Presentation of Mary,.
fished under. his . able manage "m favor of the. faithful because Several, priestly- ,and religious;,
ment. .
he would. not impose upon them vocations,have'.been fostered in
But, under such strenuous la the burden of added: expenses; . the parish; and . many:- of : the
burs his health was impaired. S. n O .leaving the Sacred Heart 'Sacred Heart boys have taken
'in 1912, he set sail for Europe to Church .he carried with him the part in either one or the otherl
take a well finer "ited;.rest. Great `:regrets and gratitude of •the world' war: Some:; are still in ac- I
was consternation and grief- parishioners who, understanding tive service 'both; at home and
of hi people, who 'so cherished the difficulties' under Which he abroad.
him, 1 when• news ':of his death: ;had labored in their midst, had Though: a small,.parish,.the.peo =:{
readied Northampton. He ex- `appreciated his ; priestly, endeav- : pre; are very much, alive' to 'the-
just as he ,was preparing sors m their. behalf. : h
actuali ties' and eager ,to: up l
Aired
to return .to the United States. Rev.-- Hermenegilde ;Boutim `as to, ideals imbued ,in' their
.Though , his pilgrimage had `sumed. duties 'as .pastor under souls by. devoted; pastors.. Under 'l
ended, Fr; Noel `Rainville had so. more . favorable conditions. 'He heir, wise and' leader a
enshrined himself' in' the` hearts ,was a. man. of great personality ship Heart has succeeded
of his people `that they still cher•: and of: achievement. The fmancia111 in,;dearing its:.-,debts,. and in be
fish` "his memory. crisis "having disappeared; he was. stowing s all the
upon its member ;
When in 1913,: the Rev: Phil I able' to attend' to the:Ynost press- advantages offered, to larger par 7
Trottier assume - repairs of the parish :pr d pastoral ;duties `m ishes
here; he found the .parish well es, ;ties•
tablished on solid ":bases., Besides He" first gave his attention to
the principal building already ex- the ,church, which, was beautiful
• fisting, , there remained' ample ly. ,decorated. The convent chapel;.
space. on the vast' property ac was xenovated; while the parish j
quired by: his predecessor,:? in 1903 hall • underwent alterations fr.o
and' 1911,' on which, to ..construct and
, ;which. it ,emerged' a spacious: a
the new ' church ` deemed : neces- ;artistic meeting center-
sary for' the. tier ., gave lii ever increasing : The work on the chapel was; ex
flock. • Fr.- : `Trotmself ecuted by ; the same Joseph Gagne ;
to the task with,right. good will. -, who had supervised; its construe
An immense drive was organ tion under Fr: Ramvlle:
+zed: At the instigation., of their For 14 years the active ,pastor.;
spiritual 'leader ':the parish re -' ,Proved himself a :real ;,father,;
enthusiastically: Six friend '.in` need, and '.an efficient]
- sponded
teams were' organized under time:. leader, to his people - His popular• I
leadership, of A. J. Lamontagne; ity: coinxnended the esteem of all
as acting general. Each 'captain who came under. iris 'influence.'.'
was given nine auxiliaries.. The Great was the sorrow of his _ peo -
spirit, ve of friendly. ;:rivalry <,and 'of
effect Pre when, in' 1949; he was trans
i teamwork which ferred`to Worcester..:
ed' the • campaign was a factor f In his many activities `here, he
assuring ;its success.. The ener- had been aptly seconded by the;
getic drive netted $35,241, ,con devoted janitor, Isidore St. Pierre,;
the 300 familie
tributed .by s then, whose' labor and skill played an
comprising tht parish population:l important role in .the upkeep of
'The construction of the new the. parish buildings as well,as in
'+. church was executed by',Bernier. the grading, -and landscaping of ! i
& Vanasse on the site ;occupied the parish grounds. ;
by-, the chapel. The, building' is: a' Though the pastor, the?
beautiful work of "architecture of Rev.. Roy. E:; - Leroux; has been
which the' parishioners :are just - here but a short time .he,already
lyproud. -The former chapel.-now has.made his mark :in,the_parish.:
stands in back.:of the' school- In his unassuming, practicahway;:
house an serves as a social cen= he•soon discovered: of
aer: for parish activities;; repairing the roofs of various
Fr: Trottier gave I busy years. buildings. These . attended. to, he
of his life to Sacred Heart _par: undertook the renovation of the,
ish. These were fruitful; years., :school.- The ° convent ` itself felt
When, in 1928, the pastor• died- the benefi cent effects of. a com:
he was Mourned' his congre, plete rej;uvenation,; in every
gation, ,apartment.,:. >Today,` the sisters
The., parish was ic' confided home is a neat and cosy dwelli ng,;{
to: the pastorate of Rev. Stanislas 'thanks to the work ;accomplished!
.Guillette; who took charg& under under his direction.: I
:very unfavorable "circumstances As a fitting crowning of his
dine to n< 'the depressio of • 1927- endeavors: so far, rthe 'pastor had
1935.', The insecurity of the .times
the interior decorations., of the
naturally dampened a1P ardor for church .restored. . `The frescoes:
new enterprises as finances Were around the- nave and the ;sanctu -,
at an ebb. aryvat:it axe lined in gold leaf:
Nevertheless, the new pastor A beautiful display of colored:
left his mask in the parish. He , lights enhances the solemnity of; 1