St. Lucy Parish, Middletown, RI

Catholic Diocese of Providence, RI

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History of the Parish

- About

A Parish History NarratiVe

Written by Francis Ferris and James Medeiros
on the occasion of the dedication of the new church, 1990

St. Lucy’s Parish History

St. Lucy’s Parish was established as the first Catholic parish in the Town of Middletown on May 23, 1951. Father James P. Casey, by way of LaSalle Academy (1916), Providence College (1922), Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada (1928) was named the Pastor on May 25, 1951 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney. Father Casey had been an assistant at St. Francis in Wakefield, R.I. and an assistant at Holy Name Church in Providence, R.I. before coming to St. Lucy’s.

On March 23, 1951 the Newport Daily News reported that the Diocese of Providence purchased a 32 acre plot at the cost of $30,000 from Dr. James C. Callahan of Newport to establish a church, or to relocate the Mercy Home. The February 12, 1951 purchase was then known as the Brookfield Farm formerly the estate of the late Edward C. Brown, a Newport banker, Bishop McVinney decided that the land was to be used for a “parish” (church, school, and convent) “of considerable size to accommodate the many Catholics in the housing projects nearby and in “Middletown” who were “taxing” St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Parishes in Newport.

The first Mass was celebrated by Father Casey on June 10, 1951 in the Anchorage School Hall on the West Main Rd. Middletown. Approximately 200 attended each of the two Masses. Father Casey continued his pastoral duties singularly until October 1, 1956 when Rev. Timothy P. Prendiville was appointed as the first assistant in the parish.

The much awaited groundbreaking for the new church was held on September 16, 1951. The contractor was Charles M. Sullivan (C & B. Construction Co.) of 15 Clinton Ave., Newport. The Newport Daily News reported the architect as Joseph M. Mosher of Providence who estimated a completion date of April 1, 19523 at a cost of $118,889. Fr. Casey meanwhile took up residence in the main house which was reported to be one of the only two houses, (the Prescott House, Portsmouth, R.I. being the other), left unburned on the island after the British Occupation of 1777. That original farmhouse was a “singular example of pre-revolutionary construction” During the construction of the church the Anchorage Hall served as the center for Sunday worship but Fr. Casey went about personally visiting the Tonomy Hill and Park Holm projects and all other parishioners. It was estimated that the parish contained 660 families and Father Casey visited 580 by November 19, 1951.

After ten months of construction, the dedication of St. Lucy’s Church took place on June 15, 1952. Fr. Casey celebrated an 8 a.m. Mass at the Anchorage hall while at 10 a.m. a low Pontifical Mass., attended by an estimated 100 parishioners and guests, was celebrated by Bishop McVinney. The dedication service was preached by St. Rev. Msgr. Charles Mahoney, Pastor of St. Mary’s in Providence a former Diocesan Chancellor and a Newporter who lived in the new parish. Assisting the Bishop were Rev. Msgr. William F. Murray, Diocesan Chancellor, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward A. Higney, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Newport, Rev. Joseph P. Gibbons, pastor of Holy Name Church in Providence and Rev. Plummer, State Rep. William Shepley, Councilman Ernest Carrellas and William Gosling, Town Clerk James Peckham, School Supt. Hayward Snell, Health Officer Harold Burdick, Newporters; Mayor Dean Lewis, Police Chief Samuel Dugan, Fire Chief Abel Eldredge and State Police Supt. John T. Sheehan. Fr. Casey celebrated and evening Mass in the new church.

The “basement” church was of Gothic design throughout, seating 650. The exterior was of brick with white limestone trim while the interior contained solid oak pews, confessionals and trim. The final cost was reported to be $120,089.

In 1963 the diocese gave permission to build a school and convent for approximately $725,000. R. Milton Kenyon was selected architect for the two buildings and C. & B. Construction Co. was named the builder. At the dedication time the school has six grades, 243 students, with a total of eight grades planned. Six sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA. And one lay teacher made up the opening day staff.

The school and convent were blessed on the Feast of St. Lucy, December 13, 1964. Bishop McVinney was assisted by Rev. Daniel P. Reilly, Chancellor of the diocese, in the placement of the cornerstone. 300 were reported in attendance. Also assisting were Rt. Rev. Msgr. James T. Greene, St. Mary’s in Newport, as Deacon, Rev. Bart T Buckley, St. Anthony’s in Portsmouth, as Sub-Deacon, Rev. Daniel M. O’Grady, Secretary to the Bishop, and Rev. Daniel P. Reilly, Chancellor of the Diocese. The Crozier Bearer was Rev. George McCarthy of St. Mary’s, Newport. The Book-Bearer was Rev. Peter J. Maquire, Mary Immaculate Novitiate, Newport. The Mitre-Bearer was Father Edmund Prendiville, USN. Guests included Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister Superior Margaret Edward, Sister Robert Marie, and Sister Lawrence Margaret, and Mother Mary Borgia, General of the Order, Sisters of St. Joseph; also other nuns from Newport and Providence were in attendance as well as 30 priests. Representing Middletown were William Michael, President of the Middletown Town Council, Antonio Faria representing the town government and Middletown School Supt. Joseph Gaudet.

In 1971 Father Timothy Gillen was appointed pastor. During his term as pastor St. Lucy’s School became part of the Newport County Catholic Regional School System. In 1978 the diocese gave Father Gillen and the Parish Council approval to build a new rectory which was estimated to cost $125,00. It was said that the Revolutionary War dated farmhouse was in such a state of rot that heavy furniture has to be moved to prevent it from falling through the weak floors. A parcel of less than an acre, 0.92 acre, with frontage on West Main Road was sold for approximately $100,000 to defray the cost of building. The move into the new rectory took place on Memorial Day, May 30, 1979.

During May 1983, Father Eugene McKenna was appointed Pastor of St. Lucy’s. At this time, prompted by leaks in the roof, floor moisture, cracks in the interior floor and cracks in the exterior walls a structural investigation of the existing church building was conducted by R. F. Geisser, Consulting Engineers of East Providence, R.I. Assisting was Robert Lynch, P.E. who is a St. Lucy’s parishioner. A formal report was presented to the Parish Council. The recommendations included a new roof, perimeter drains, mortar patching and investigation of the ability to carry extra weight load of a second floor on the existing columns.

During September 1984, St. Lucy’s Parish leased the vacant convent to Lucy’s Hearth a non-profit organization developed to provide a temporary shelter to homeless women and children. An opening dedication was held on September 23, 1984 under the leadership of Rev. Robert P. Perron.
St. Lucy’s Parish Council and Property and Finance Committee, made up of members of the parish, began working on a plan to build a new church building. On March 24, 1985 an open parish meeting was held by Fr. Gene McKenna, Pastor, to discuss the future of St. Lucy’s Parish and the need for future planning in the area of parish property. The major issue discussed was the future plans for building a new church.

During April 1985 the Property and Finance Committee contacted and interviewed six different architects in order to select one to design and assist in the construction of the new church. A Letter of Agreement was signed between St. Lucy’s and David Presbrey of David Presbrey Architects, Inc. of Cranston, Rhode Island. Mr. Presbrey would receive assistance from Ade Bethune, Liturgical Consultant, of Newport, Rhode Island. The architect began doing research and studies for site planning.

Fund raising companies were contacted during June 1985, Appointments were made and interviews of the company representatives by the Property and Finance Committee took place. The Martin J. Moran Company of New York was tentatively selected to assist in the fund raising.

A survey of parishioners was conducted during the first weekend of March 1986. 19 Questions were asked about the existing church building. 932 Surveys were returned with comments from those that attended the weekend Masses. On 11 March 1986 a second open parish meeting was conducted by Fr. Gene McKenna and the Property and Finance Committee. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the parishioners of the status of the parish finances and the results of the reviews and studies being conducted by the parish committee and the architect. Mr. David Presbrey, Architect and Mr. Michael Cusanck of the Moran Co., Fund Raiser were in attendance and presented information to those in attendance. During April 1986 a formal proposal for the new church construction and conversion of the present church into a parish hall was prepared by the parish building committee and consultants for submission to the diocese for consideration and approval to continue with the project.

The fund raising program began during August 1987 with Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Corcoran agreeing to be the chairpersons of the St. Lucy Church Building Fund Drive. The Moran Company began to formulate a September 1987 Building Fund Drive to raise $750,000 towards the construction of the new church. During the months of September and October 1987 over 100 parishioners gathered to assist in the campaign. By the first campaign meeting 191 gifts of $403,746 were pledged with less than 24% of the parishioners contacted. 54% of the goal had been pledged. By the 4^th report meeting a total of 63% of the registered families. The goal was passed by approximately $50,000.

In September a purchase and sales agreement was signed for the undeveloped land at the rear of the parcel owned by St. Lucy Parish. During October 1987 approximately 12 acres of the rear acreage was sold and netted the parish $449,969 which was put towards the construction of the new church.

By October 1987 the architect and consultants were about completed with the drawings and parish committee was pleased with the plans. Initial cost estimates were placed at approximately 1.6 Million for the new church and $288,000 for renovation of the old church in addition to fees.

The diocese reviewed plans for the new church and on March 14, 1988 St. Lucy’s received approval from the diocese to spend approximately 1.7 million for the construction of the new church and replacement of the roof on the old church. The Property and Finance Committee and the architect were putting interior and exterior finishing touches on the drawing and expected to have them out to bid by August 1988.

As of June 1988 the church building fund had a total of $1,041,000 in cash and investments to be used for the construction. On October 6, 1988 bids were received and reviewed by the Parish Property and Finance Committee and the Church Trustees. Bids exceeded the cost estimates. The Building Committee and the architect returned to the drawing board to find cost savings in order to meet the funding.

On November 1988 the diocese granted permission to certain conditions to raise the construction ceiling to 1.9 million. The Property and Finance Committee and the architect worked on modifications to cut cost. A letter of intent provided to O. Ahlborg Construction Company, Cranston, Rhode Island, who was to be the General Contractor, allowed them to assist in finding ways to cut the cost of construction of the building.

By December 1988 the Building Fund Drive had raised $790,830. To date the parishioners had contributed $421,166 in cash which indicated that over 53% of the pledged amounts had been received.

On May 24, 1989 St. Lucy Parish received approval from the diocese to proceed with the construction of the new church and repairs to the existing church roof.

On June 10, 1989 construction of the new St. Lucy’s Church officially got underway. Officials of the parish and O. Ahlborg and Sons signed the $1.6 million dollar construction contract after the 5 p.m. Mass. The Mass was dedicated to the health and safety of the construction workers. All parishioners including the children, were invited to bring a shovel to the groundbreaking ceremony.

Construction progressed rapidly with the project attracting much attention among those traveling along the West Main Road. In particular was the erection of the 40 foot high wood laminated beams used to hold up the roof. The beams which can be seen from inside the church were featured in a picture in the Newport Daily News. A Certificate of Substantial Completion was submitted by O. Ahlborg and Sons Inc. during February 1990.

Father McKenna surprised parishioners at the Saturday, March 8, 1990 and Sunday, March 4, 1990 Masses by starting the services in the old church and finishing in the new church. No announcement had been made that new church was ready but the word passed quickly through the parish. A picture appeared in the March 4, 1990 Providence Journal showing Father McKenna and parishioners bidding farewell to the former St. Lucy’s church and processing to the new. Church.
A TIme-Line History of Saint Lucy’s Parish, Middletown, RI

1951 February 21 - A 30 acre plot (Brookfield Farm) was purchased by the Diocese of Providence from Dr. James Callahan for the purpose of establishing a church, school, and convent.

1951  May 23 - St. Lucy’s Parish was founded and Rev. James P. Casey was appointed Pastor. June 10 - First Mass celebrated in the Anchorage Hall on West Main Road, now the site of the Middletown Public Library.
September 16 - Ground broken for the Church; Permission granted by Diocese to build a church for approximately $150,000. for an approximate 660 parish families.

1952  June - First Mass celebrated in St. Lucy’s Church

1963  November 20 - Diocesan permission granted to build a school and convent for $725,000.

1964  December 13 - The school and convent were blessed on the Feast of St. Lucy.

1971  July 4 - Rev. Timothy Gillen appointed Pastor.
September - School became a regional school, now a diocesan elementray school (K-8), All Saints Steam Academy.

1977  April 30 - Less than an acre (0.92) of land was sold to defray the cost of building the rectory. That parcel, with frontage on West Main Road, was sold for nearly $100,000.

1978  June 21 - Diocese approved building a new rectory at a cost of $125,000.

1979  May - The rectory opened for use.

1983  April 28 - Rev. Eugene J. McKenna appointed Pastor.

1984  September 23 - Convent converted to Lucy’s Hearth, a shelter for women and children.

1987  April 6 - Parish Council recommends construction of a new Church building and renovation of existing Church for Parish Center.

1989  June 10 - Ground breaking for the new St. Lucy’s Church.

1990  March 3 - First Mass in the new Church.
August 5 - Dedication of new Church.

2001  50^th Anniversary of St. Lucy’s Parish with Jubilee Year events, activities and celebrations.

2008  July 1 - Rev. Eugene J. McKenna, retired with the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.
Rev. John W. O’Brien appointed Pastor

2021  July 1 - Rev. John W. O'Brien, retired with the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus
Rev. John Codega appointed Pastor,
70th Anniversary of St. Lucy's Parish.