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Apr. 29,
1877
Cornerstone laid by Bishop Galberry.
Feb. 10,
1878
Basement of the Cathedral dedicated and opened for worship by Bishop
Galberry.
May 1881
Work begun on the superstructure.
May 8, 1892
Dedication and consecration of the Cathedral by Bishop Lawrence
S. McMahon, culminating two decades of planning and building by
three bishops. Approximate cost of $500,000 paid by this time. The
architect was Patrick C. Keely of New York.
1937-1939
Work done to sink a new foundation made necessary for the safety
and security of the building. The interior of the Cathedral, both
upper and lower church, was completely redecorated. Many alterations
were also made, including changes in the arrangement of the choir
loft and sanctuary.
Dec. 31,
1956
Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the Cathedral, leaving nothing
to be salvaged according to experts.
Spring 1957
Fundraising campaign launched with Chief Justice Edward J. Daly
of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors as general chairman and
E. Clayton Gengras as chairman of the special gifts committee. Contributions
were made principally by Catholics, though Protestants and Jews
also gave.
Aug.-Dec.
1957
Eggers and Higgins, New York architects, submitted designs and a
contemporary design with a flavoring of the traditional was chosen.
1957-1959
In the beginning Sunday Mass was celebrated in the State Armory
made available by Governor Abraham Ribicoff. Later, parishioners
attended Sunday Masses in the auditorium of the Aetna Life Insurance
Company building, directly opposite the cathedral site.
Sep. 8, 1958
Groundbreaking for the new Cathedral by Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien.
Dec. 24,
1960
Blessing of lower church by Auxiliary Bishop John F. Hackett. Midnight
Mass celebrated by Archbishop O'Brien.
Feb. 10,
1961
Consecration of 12 carillon bells by Archbishop O'Brien.
Oct. 3, 1961
Cornerstone laid by Auxiliary Bishop Hackett.
Apr. 3, 1962
Cross for tower blessed by Archbishop O'Brien.
May 15, 1962
Consecration of the completed Cathedral of St. Joseph by Auxiliary
Bishop Hackett.
Some Significant
Events
Since the
dedication of the first Cathedral in 1878, the Cathedral of St.
Joseph has been the scene of many important and historic events
in the life of the Church in Connecticut. It has witnessed
- the consecration
of Bishops Lawrence S. McMahon, Michael Tierney, John J. Nilan,
Maurice F. McAuliffe, Henry J. O'Brien (both as bishop and first
archbishop), John F. Whealon as second archbishop, and Daniel
A. Cronin as third archbishop;
- the consecration
of Auxiliary Bishops John G. Murray (later Archbishop of St. Paul,
Minnesota), John F. Hackett, Joseph F. Donnelly, Peter A. Rosazza,
Paul S. Loverde and Christie Macaluso;
- the consecration
of Missionary Bishops Paul J. Girouard, M.S. and Edward A. McGurkin,
M.M.;
- the ordination
of priests for the archdiocese;
- investiture
in the religious habit and the taking of vows by the Sisters of
Mercy; and finally,
- religious
services for numerous church organizations. It has hosted Bishop
Desmond Tutu of South Africa, in an ecumenical prayer service.
Rectors of
the Cathedral include Reverends Joseph B. Reid, E.M. Hickey*, Michael
F. Kelly, William A. Harty, Philip J. McCabe, Walter J. Shanley,
Thomas S. Duggan, D.D., V.G., William H. Flynn, William J. Collins,
V.G., John S. Kennedy, Denis P. Ferrigno, Charles B. Johnson, Christie
A. Macaluso, Daniel J. Plocharczyk and Robert Bergin.
* From
Msgr. Wm. Kearney's notes: When Rev. Joseph B. Reid, Secretary to
Bishop McFarland, became the first rector of the Cathedral, he was
assisted in the administration of the parish by Rev. E.M. Hickey.
Fr. Hickey came to Hartford from the Newark Diocese and after leaving
here joined the Diocese of Wheeling, West Virginia.
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