“CATHOLIC INTELLIGENCE”
“The ardor with which the Catholics of the fifth ward entered upon their new church enterprise a day or two ago has just received a somewhat sudden though perhaps not serious check. Their earnest desire for a suitable house of worship has developed into vigorous efforts to build one with the active cooperation of their young pastor, Rev. Father Ryan recently appointed to that church. Having some reason later to anticipate his removal in the midst of their good work, a resourceful and numerously signed petition was forwarded to the Bishop of the diocese asking him to continue their beloved young pastor with them at least for the present. Other counsels, however, seem to have prevailed. Two days ago he received a summons from his Bishop to report to Buffalo. His late flock are very much disappointed at this turn of events. Rev. Father McManus, late of Watkins, has been transferred to this parish and assigned today as the successor of Father Ryan. Mr. McManus is an energetic and talented gentleman and sometimes high in the estimation of hi ecclesiastical superiors.
“Yesterday Rev. Father Ryan preached at St. Peter & Paul’s church. He announced that his sermon was to be his last one to that congregation as he was about to leave this parish. His first experience in the ministry took place among his hearers in this city. Here he said his first Mass and preached his first sermon about six months ago. It was but natural that his experiences in Elmira and the circumstances should make strong impressions on his mind. Assigned to the work of building the new church in the fifth ward, he had been brought into intimate contact with the Catholics of that locality. Their religious zeal and their liberality was an honor to their faith and made them worthy desciples [sic] of Ireland’s great apostle, St. Patrick. Toward him they had always exhibited uniform kindness and sincere courtesies and wherever he should be hereafter, he would alway [sic] cherish with the deepest gratitude the remembrance of their sympathy and good feeling for him. He concluded by asking their prayers for his future success. During his sermon, many of his hearers were affected to tears. During his brief sojourn here, the Reverend gentleman had endeared himself by his many excellent personal qualities to his people.”
Rev. James McManus
First Pastor of St. Mary's
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The taking over of St. Mary’s by Father McManus is announced in an article in the Daily Advertiser, dated Monday, March 4, 1872 under the heading “New Catholic Clergyman.”
Yesterday at the church of St. Peter & Paul’s, Rev. Father McManus formally announced his new relationship to the recently organized Catholic congregation in the fifth ward. He read a letter from the Bishop of Buffalo investing him with the requisite authority and instructing him in the duties of his position. Were he guided by other than supernatural motives, he said he would not now be in this place. Had he consulted his own comforts and preferences, he should have remained in his more pleasant position at Watkins. His faith, however, enjoined upon him the duty of implicit obedience. In compliance, therefore, with the obligations of his sacred calling, he came among them in obedience to the instructions of his Bishop. He would discharge the duties of his new position to the best of his ability.
The Reverend gentleman is a graceful and pleasing speaker and made a very favorable impression upon his hearers. His late flock at Watkins is parting with him with much regret. They sought to retain his services by a numerously signed petition to their Bishop to permit him to remain there a little while longer, but it is not the usage of Catholic prelates to recognize such appeals in their administration of their church affairs. Under his energetic auspices, Catholic interests flourished remarkably in Watkins. From the impression this gentleman has made among the people of his new charge, it is reasonable to expect that like success will crown his administration in Elmira.
Rev. Father Ryan, late of this place, has been appointed as Assistant Clergyman at St. Bridget’s church in Buffalo, which is under the charge of Rev. Father Gleason, the Vicar General of the diocese. This is one of the wealthiest Catholic parishes in Buffalo.
That Father McManus began construction on the temporary Church at once is evidenced from his journal where there are notations beginning March 29, 1872 for the purchase of stone, lumber and carpenter work. It may be of interest in passing to note that the receipts for this first year totaled $7,050.00. At the dedication of the church on May 12, the collection amounted to $337.00 a subscription on June 30th brought him $523.00 and a picnic and festival on August 15th netted $1,300.00. It is also interesting to note that the rectory must have been started this year. Under the date of October 31, there was a subscription for the presbytery which totaled $1,890.000 [sic]. In December, of the same year a Fair and Festival, the Christmas Collection, Pew Rents and other collections netted a total of $3,000.00.
St. Mary's Rectory
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The next article is from the Daily Advertiser under the date of May 13, 1872. This was the dedication of the temporary church.
If one would know with what rapidity this city of ours is growing, he has but to spend a few hours in and about the suburbs over in the fifth ward where the heretofore vacant space between the river and the Northern Central shops has thickened up with houses and much population. Meeting the wants of the people of that new neighborhood who have been obliged to come a long distance to the church on High Street, the Catholics at the corner of Franklin and Fulton Streets have put up a new church. It is as it stands now but a temporary structure, but it is a nucleus around which will hereafter grown an edifice that will be a pride to the people and a source of pleasure and satisfaction to the residents of that part of the city. To Father McManus, a newcomer in this locality – a thriving busy driving man – is due this new enterprise, and under his guidance without the shadow of a doubt, his church will increase and multiply and grow strong.
Yesterday morning a new church under the name of St. Mary’s was dedicated. It was not entirely finished, but enough of it is to accommodate with comfort the large crowd that jammed its way through the portals to witness the solemn ceremony. The Bishop of this diocese (Buffalo) was expected to be present and deliver the address, but he could not come an in his stead sent the Very Reverend Dr. Quigley, his Vicar General. To assist him in the ceremonies besides Father McManus, the clergyman of the parish, there were Father Clark of Sts. Peter and Paul’s and Father Bloomer of St. Patrick’s. The address was delivered by Vicar General Quigley. It was pointed and apt for the occasion, the main idea running throughout the discourse being the holy character of the building dedicated to the service of the Lord. Mass was celebrated by Father McManus. The services were all of that impressive character that marks the ritual of the Romish Church whether observed in the humblest of buildings or the grandest cathedrals.
They were rendered if not the more striking – at least more inspiring and satisfactory to one not of the congregation – by the exquisite singing of Miss Butler, the soprano connected with the “Mirror of Ireland” lately exhibiting at the Opera House in the city. She sang the “Ave Maria” with expression and feeling that touched one’s sensibilities very strongly, and her rich full voice in the choruses made the hearers involuntarily remember all of those beautiful things that have been heard of the music of the Catholic Church. Mr. O’Connell, the pianist of the troupe, presided at the organ and did it in a masterly manner. The whole ceremony connected with the dedication, the bright beautiful day, the devout manner of the attendants and the great crowd struck this observer as an auspicious beginning of the new church, and that the need in this quarter of the city had been fully met.
The first baptism in St. Mary’s Parish took place May 19th, 1872. Mary Liddy, born May 15, 1872, the daughter of Michael Liddy and Catherine McCormack, his wife. The sponsors were Francis Riley and Many Monaghan. She was baptized by Father McManus.
The first marriage in St. Mary’s Parish was solemnized August 11, 1872, between Peter French and Emma Smith. The witnesses being Patrick Daly, and Anna Daly. This marriage was performed by Father McManus.
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