Catholic Community of Windsor Locks - St. Mary & St. Robert Bellarmine Churches at 42 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 US - History of St. Mary Parish

History of St. Mary Parish

In August of 1827 the first Mass in the Windsor Locks area was celebrated by Father John Powell, Vicar General of New York. This Mass was attended by the Irishmen working on the Windsor Locks Canal and from 1829 until 1852 priests from the Hartford area continued to travel to Windsor Locks to say Mass.

Father Hugh Carmody was appointed to serve the area on February 9, 1852, but the organization of St. Mary Parish really began with Father James Smyth, who was named pastor on June 24, 1852 after two years of ministering to the faithful of Windsor Locks. Father Smyth quickly purchased land on which to build a church (for the sum of $1!) and ground was broken on August 27, 1852. Bishop Bernard O'Reilly blessed the cornerstone of the new church building on September 14 and on January 2, 1853 Patrick Quirk became the first infant baptized in the new parish. On Easter Sunday, March 27, 1853, the first Mass was celebrated in St. Mary Church, which was officially dedicated later that same year.

In 1854 St. Mary's parishoners already numbered 400. On May 11, 1855 the pastor purchased the dwelling on the site of the present rectory and on June 9, 1856 he also acquired the cemetery land on Spring Street for the rapidly growing parish. Early in 1866 a parish school opened to 100 students. The parish was incorporated later that same year. Father Smyth, whose labors on behalf of St. Mary Parish have been lauded as "many and arduous," died on May 16, 1874. Succeeding Father Smyth as pastor was Father Michael McCauley, who in turn was succeeded by Father Michael Kelly, who built the present rectory, in 1878. In 1884 Father James O'Reilly Sheridan came to St. Mary as pastor, initiating the church's first major renovations and eventually building a new brick school on Grove Street.
The church was rededicated by Bishop Lawrence S. McMahon on July 5, 1885 and in 1886 a large bell was installed in the previously empty bell tower. The inscription on the bell was: ANGELUS BELL - THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, WINDSOR LOCKS, CONNECTICUT, BLEST AUGUST 15, 1886. Today this bell is housed in the lobby of the Parish Center at 45 Church Street.

In 1892 the Sisters of St. Joseph graduated St. Mary School's first class of junior high school students. By the turn of the century Windsor Locks was a prospering mill town and St. Mary Parish had grown to about 1,900 people, including about 300 Italians and French along with 1,600 Irish parishioners. Father John Creedon, appointed pastor in 1896, made numerous improvements, including the building of a new convent, during his 31 years as leader of St. Mary. Father John Conlan, serving as pastor for from 1927 until 1936, expanded St. Mary School. The church was beautified by Father Conlan's successor, Father Michael J. Lynch, and rededicated on August 31, 1937. During this year a lightning strike destroyed the church steeple and for nearly 65 years the building would remain without this traditional feature. A growing number of Italian immigrants filled out the parish ranks by the mid-1930's, resulting in some cultural clashes. From 1947 until 1952 Father Hugh Carrig served as pastor, succeeded by Father August Finnance, who led the parish from 1952 until 1962. The parish's centennial celebration was actually held two years late, in 1954.

In 1960 construction began on St. Mary's first and only mission church, and in September, 1962 St. Robert Bellarmine Church was created by Archbishop Henry O'Brien. After Father McQueeney was appointed pastor of St. Mary in September, 1962 the parish continued to grow and change. The Parish Council was established in 1969 and in 1972 St. Mary School closed its doors. After Father McQueeney's retirement in 1980, town authorities permitted the renaming of the park opposite St. Mary Church as "John McQueeney Park". Father McQueeney's successor, Father Lawrence LeClair, established a fund and embarked upon another renovation of the church, which resulted in some heated disputes over decor. These differences were eventually resolved and the church was again redidicated on October 18, 1987. This year also marked the beginning of St. Mary's first team ministry, with Father Timothy Meehan and Father Robert Grace serving as co-pastors until 1991, when they were succeeded by Father William Hilliard. Father Hilliard's installation Mass was the last public appearance of Archbishop John F. Whelon before his death.

Under Father Hilliard's direction the parish flourished: the old Saint Mary School building was sold, the debt on St. Mary Parish Center, which had been purchased from the Dexter Corporation by Fathers Meehan and Grace, was paid off, and new land was acquired to expand St. Mary Cemetery. After Father Hilliard's transfer in 1996 Father Robert A. O'Grady became pastor of St. Mary Parish, having previously served 15 years at St. Thomas Seminary. Assisted by Father Francis McDonnell and Deacons John McInnis (now retired), Donald Norton, and Benedict Winiarski, and Summa, his beloved German Shepard, Father O'Grady has continued St. Mary's tradition of growth and improvement. In preparation for the parish's 150th anniversary celebration in 2002, Father O'Grady raised enough money to replace the church's steeple and renovate the interior of the church. By 2004 the thriving parish counted about 1,700 families as members. On March 1, 2007 St. Mary Church and St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Windsor Locks' two Catholic parishes, were yoked under the leadership of Father O'Grady. Masses are held at both churches, which maintain their separate identities while sharing staff and resources. 

In June 2008 the Rev. Francis McDonnell retired but remained "in residence" at St. Mary.  Father George Vellaplackil, originally from India, joined the parish family that same year, as did Nathaniel (Nate), Father O'Grady's new German Shepard puppy.  In 2009 renovations began on St. Robert's and were completed in mid-2009.

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