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. / THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOUC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA JANUARY 26. 1946 SEVENTEEN History of Catholicity in Goldsboro Had Its Beginning When Cardinal Gibbons [fas Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina (Special to The Bulletin) GOLDSBORO. N. C.—The his-- lory of Catholicity in Goldsboro N. C., as near, as can be ascertain ed. dates back to the time when the late James Cardinal Gibboi ■, the Vicar Apostolic of North Caro lina. came through town on horse back. Mass was celebrated in a private home, that of Mrs. Hannah E. Freeman, on North William Street (on the site now occupied by the U. S. O. Club.) The his tory of those days is very sketchy, chiefly because of the fact that the only available sources of informa tion are the older members of the parish. Some time during the year 1886, the Rev. Thomas Frederick Price, the first parish priest to be in Goldsboro, began collecting funds for the erection of a future church. The lot for the church was pur chased by Father Price in that year from Mr. J. J. Street, his wife, Josephine Strauss, and Hen ry and Solomon Weil, for $1,250. In order to obtain the finances necessary for erecting a church, Father Pric> held a'fair or bazaar. Mrs. T. F. McCarthy, of New Bern, N. C., (which was at that time the residence of the priest in charge of-Goldsboro), Godmother of the present Administrator of the par ish, donated a diamond, which was raffled at this bazaar. “The fair,” says Monsignor A. R. Free-' man, “was in the old Arlington Hotel, now demolished. Mrs. Georgia Raine Freeman served as general manager of the undertak ing. She procured a contribution from Grover Cleveland, who was then finishing his, first term as President of the United States. Special assistance to the strug gling congregation came from the Jewish community of Goldsboro, particularly the Weil family, one member of which jestingly re marked from the predominance of Jews in attendance. ‘It seems more like a Jewish fair than a Catholic fair.’ ” The amount obtained from the bazaar . as $1,60.0, a very re markable figure for those days. Father Price went North to pro cure additional funds, but the to tal amount obtained was insuffi cient to build the church as he had planned it. According to his plans, there was to have been a large sacristy in the rear and fly ing buttresses between the win dows. In some later year, the iron rods connecting the side walls were added to the church for the purpose of tying the walls togeth er and supporting the roof. From the funds which he obtain ed, Father Price began to build his church. The first spadeful of dirt was thrown up by Arthur Raine Freeman, the present Vicar General of the Diocese, in 1889, and the cornerstone of St. Mary’s was laid and the church completed and dedicated the same year by the Rt. Rev. Leo Ilaid, O. S. B„ Ab bot of Belmont and Vicar Aposto lic of North Carolina. Father Price donated the 'windows of the original church. Me received the offer of a marble altar on the con dition that the donor might assign a name for the church, but he was steadfast in refusing to change the name of the church from the one which he had chosen—St. Mary’s. A wooden altar was accordingly obtained from a church in Balti more, and still stands today as a monument to Father Price's de votion to Our Lady. Mrs. Emma Dunkel Traylor gave the holy wa ter font and made the carpet for the altar. Some years later she also donated the statues of St. An thony. the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin. Monsignor Wil liam F. O’Brien (who had supplied for Father Whearty, then pastor of St. Mary’s, for four months in 1904 while the latter was ill. tells this story about the erection of the Shrine of the Blessed Vir gin Mary: “St. Mary’s Church i Goldsboro, at that time, did not have a Shrine 'of the Blessed Vir gin. I interested myself in get ting a Statue of the Blessed Vir gin for St. Mary’s. Miss Emma Dunkel, now Mrs. .Traylor, still living in Goldsboro, donated the funds for the beautiful Statue. “Being connected with Nazareth, I had a goodly number of the orphans, together with a band of Sisters of Mercy to come to the celebration. Father Price preach ed a beautiful sermon on the Blessed Vergin. The children of the Missions, as well at the orphan children of Nazareth, marched in and around the church, joyously singing the praisess cf Mary. The services ended by Father Irwin, now Monsignor of New Bern, and my assisting Father Price in giving Benediction to the tried and faithful Catholics of the city and their many friends." The bap tismal for.', for the new church was donated by Miss Sudie Gris-i wold, of Goldsboro, N. C. Father Price’s parish comprised everything east of the Wilming- ton-Weldon Railroad, including such towns as Edenton, Elizabeth City. Washington, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, Kinston, Greenville and New Bern. The present par ish of St. Mary’s is small com pared to that of Father Price’s to day: It is bounded on the east by a part of Greene County; on the south by about one-half of Duplin County; on the north by the boun dary lines between Wayne and Wilson counties, and on the west by the boundary line between Wayne and Johnston counties and by that between Wayne and Samp son counties. From an old Baptismal Register in the archives of St. Mary’s rec tory we have obtained some rather meager information about the va rious priests who attended the parish. Of these very little infor mation is available, with the ex ception of Monsignor Freeman and the present pastor. After the entry of a Baptism in June, 1895, the name of Father Price disap pears from the Register. He was succeeded in 1895 by the Rev. N. P. Scshill, who remained about a year at St. Mary’s Church, leav ing in June of 1896. The Rev. Patrick F. Quinn, the next pastor (July, 1896-1901, had the present church windows installed. The Rev. Michael A. Irwin (now the Rt. Rev. Msgr.) Pastor of St. Paul’s Church, New- Bern, N. C.) sup plied for Father Quinn for three months in 1901. Upon the depar ture of Father Quinn, the Rev. Thomas W. Stapleton t ••came pas tor of St. Mary’s (October, 1901- December, 1910). The ■ last non resident pastors of the parish were the Rev. Charles S. Harri- gan (1911-1912) and the Rev. Francis J. Gallagher (October, 1912-1915). Father Gallagher built the sacristy and the base ment of the church. Prior to his time, two small rooms on either side of the altar served as sacris ties. All the priests, up to the time of Father Stapleton, stayed at the home of Mrs. Hannah K. Free man, on North William Street, while they were in Goldsboro, for most of them came from New Bern each week-end to care for their congregation in Goldsboro. Mrs. Freeman was an exemplary Cath olic and her home was the home of priests for many years. It was her hospitality that was enjoyed by Cardinal Gibbons in the early days of the Church in North Caro lina; it was likewise her hospital ity which was extended to every Catholic priest who visited Golds boro up to tlie time of her death. In June, 1915, a native son of Goldsboro, his hands fresh with the holy oils of ordination, Father Arthur Raine Freeman, became the first resident pastor. Father Freeman, during his sixteen years as paster of St. Mary’s Church, made many improvements. He built the rectory, in 1917, buying the rest of the lot adjacent to the Church property for this purpose. The gas heat currently used in the Church was installed by Fath er Freeman, as were the present pews, organ and church bell. Dur ing Father Freeman’s pastorate also, the original churches in Wil son, Kinston and Mount Olive were built as missions of St. Mary’s Church. At that time there were also missions in Scotland’s Neck, Roanoke Rapids, Halifax, and Dnplin County; of these, Dup lin County is the only one new part of St. dary’s parish. About this time also the original Stations of the Cross were replaced by some imported from Germany, do nated by the Sunday school class taught by Miss Allie Freeman. These Stations were erected by Father Freeman in 1928. The first assistant pastors ar rived in ‘he time of Father Free man. They were the Rev. John P. Manley (1922-1927) and the Rev. Phillip O’Mara (1927-19301. Dur ing this time, also, the Diocese of Raleigh was erected. About 1927. Falher F-eeman began raising funds for a future school. Toward this work Mrs. Emma Dunkel Traylor was a generous contribu tor. Another donation for the school was given by the National Convention of the Catholic Daugh ters of America. Later, in 1930, the Catholic Church Extension So ciety gavea substantial sum to S'.. Marys’ Church. St. Mary’s School opened in September, 1927. There were three Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (from Scranton, Pa.,) here at that’ time: Sister M. Kathleen, the Superior; Sister M. Maurine and Sister M. St. Clair. The school building, which afforded accom modations for the Sisters on the , second 'floor, was* a large frame building, which had once been a private residence, at one time the residence of the Weil family. Father Freeman bought this prop erty in 19.-6 for $14,750., and made alterations to the house and furnishing for the school and con vent. The building itself is much! older than the church, since it | dates back ,to Civil War days. -.In the first registration, there were j forty-five pupils. At the present there are about 160 pupils. The first year only the elementary de partment — seven grades — was taught. One year of high school was begun in 1929 or 1930; this was disco-tinued about 1933 or 1934, but was resumed in 1935. The second year (Academic course) of high school was added in 1936. In 1938, Father Denges was ap pointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids. The Rev. Francis J. Gor ham, who was at that time pastor of the latter church, was named pastor of St. Mary’s by the Most Rev. Eugene J. McGuinness, D. I)., Bishop of Raleigh. Father Gorham's pastorate at St. Mary’s dates from September 7, 1938. As pastor here, he had the church redecorated, a new altar rail and new carpets put in the cnurch. He also had the present sto m heating system (a coal-stoker) installed in the school. Under Father Gorham, the Rev. James J. Noonan came to Golds boro as assistant pastor and pas tor of the Missions. Two other assistant pastors came to St. Mary’s later; the Rev. Thomas Curran (1940) and the Rev. Charles B. McLaughlin (1941). On November 9, 1939, the Gold en Jubilee of the founding of St. Mary’s was celebrated. The Most Rev. Eugene J. McGuinness, D. D., Bishop ^.of Raleigh, offered the Solemn Pontifical Mass ,the first one ever sung in the fifty years of St. Mary's history. His Excel lency was assisted by priests who had bee.: associated with St. MaryT Church during some of the fifty years of its existence. Mon signor Freeman, Vicar General of the diocese, in his sermon at the Mass .spoke of the glorious his tory of St. Mary’s Church and parish and the achievements "of the early priests who had built and helped keep up the Goldsboro church. About 1939 or 1940, the flag pole in frent of the school was erected with the assistance of Father Curran and Mr. Conrad Dunkel, brother of Mrs. Traylor, the benefactress of St. Mary’s. In April, 1940, a glowing editorial appea.cd in The Goldsboro Herald commenting upon patriotism and the display of our national flag on public buildings. On June 19, 1942, the Rev. Hugh P. Kennedy was appointed assistant to Father Gorham. Short ly thereafter, with the opening of the Army Air Field, now called Seymour Johnson Field, in July, 1942, the influx of Catholic offi cers and men, a hew problem faced St Mary’s pastor. In August (1942) he and Father Kennedy were appointed Auxiliary Chap lains. Until the arrival of the first Catholic Chaplain—Lt. Bolc- slaus Karpowicz, Father Gorham had to call upon the priests from nearby parishes for assistance in Older that he could celebrate Masses at the Field. Even after the arrival of Father Karpowicz, he continued to say at least one Sunday Mass at the camp. Since the chapels were not built at that time, the Masses were celebrated in one of the barracks, which was filled to capacity. Father Karpowicz was at the Field during the month of Sep tember, 1942. After his departure, the two priests from St. Mary's again had complete charge of the Catholic personnel of the camp as well as of Goldsboro and its mis sions. About the end of October, 1942, Chaplain James M. Tainter, S. J., U. S. A., arrived, and was appointed Post Chaplain. Shortly after Father Tainter’s arrival, the Post Chapels were opened. In September, 1942, Father Gor ham opened his rectory to the sol diers each afternoon. The “open house” was conducted with the as sistance of the local chapter of the Catholic Daughters of Amer ica, who furnished both entertain ment and refreshments for the boys Tom the nearby camp. From November. 1942, until Jan uary, 1943, the Rev. Eugene Liv- elsberger was assistant to Father Gorham at St. Mary's. In thd spring of 1943, the Len ten course of sermons was given by Fisher Tainter, at St. Marys Church. In return, St. Mary’s Assistant Pastor Oblate Missionary St. Mary y s, Goldsboro j Assisting Pastor of Church in Goldsboro FATHER REGAN The Rev. John S. Regan, assis tant pastor of St. Mary’s Church. Goldsboro, N. C. Father Regan, a native of Long Island, N. Y., was ordained in December, 1943, after completing his theological study at Mount St. Mary’s Sem inary, Emmitsburg, Md. He has been stationed in Goldsboro sinei that time. choir sang the Easter Mass at Sey mour Johnson Field. About that time, April, 1943, the third Cath olic chaplain, Lt. Eugene C. Mc Guire, U. S. A., arrived to assist Father Tainter in the spiritual guidance of the soldiers of the field. Early in June, 1943, two new as sistants arrived—Chaplain Edward McCormick, and Chaplain Ed mund G. McGrath. Their arriv al came only a few days after Father Gorham bade his flock farev/ill anu, on June 3, 1943, de parted for Shenango, Pa., to don the uniform of the Chaplains Corps of the U. S. Army. On June 1, 1943, the Rev. Law rence C. Newman came from St. Patrick’s Church, Charlotte, to be Administrator of ‘St. Mary’s par ish during the temporary absence of Father” Gorham. Shortly after his arrival, on the Feast, of Corp.is Clnisti, an outdoor procession was held—perhaps for the first time in the history of St. Mary’s Church. After Benediction in the Church, all the members of the congregation, carrying lighted candles in their hands, marched in procession to the side yard of the rectory, and after the singing of “Tantum Ergo” again received the blessing of their Eucharist King. On the last Sunday of October, 1943, the Feast of Christ the King was solemnly celebrated at Si. Mai-y’c with a “Missa Cantata” in the morning, and a Holy Hour in the afternoon. Following a ser mon on the Kingship of Christ by i Father Newman, the Papal and) American flags, presented by the t children of St. Mary’s school, were solemnly blessed by Chaplain Jamcr N. Tainter, S. J., of Sey mour John-on Field. In order to care for '.hp. increas ed en.ollment at the school and to j provid: also a place of entertain ment for service men, the old j Westmoreland home on North j William Street, adjacent to the convent, was bought in October. 1942. The house was redecorated and renovated, and with the as sistance of the National Catholic Community Service opened to the servicemen on Sunday, November 29, 1943. The ladies of the parish Guild served breakfast to a num ber of soldiers and Marines. One side of the house was used during the week for the kindergarten children, but on Sundays the house was turned over for use by the military personnel. Enter tainment and refreshments were j provided without change by the I ladies of the Guild. The Service Center was closed j November, 1945, having served \ 5.000 meals to the men in the ser-' vice. Within the past two years the j school and church have been com-: pletcly renovated. The school ex-! torior was painted and the ceil- 1 (Special to The Bulletin) GOLDSBORO, N. C.—The Rev. Francis C. McCormack. O. M. 1., who is presently serving as one of the assistant pastors at St Mary’s Church in Goldsboro, has seen rather varied service in the thirteen years of his priestly ca reer. After having been stationed at the Sacred Heart Church, Lowell, Mass.,. Father McCormack was sent to Ottawa, Canada, to fill in for six months as a teacher of Re ligion and French. From Ottawa he went to the west coast of Can ada, where he served as a teach er, a misisonary, a hospitail chap lain, and as a parish priest. Re turning to Twekesburj, Mass., in his own Province, Father McCor mack spent several months pre paring for further missionary work. He next went to Moxee City, Wash., where he served for six years as assistant pastor of Holy Rosary Church and as a teacher in the parochial school. Upon the outbreak of the war, Father McCormack volunteered as an Army chaplain, holding a com mission in the Chaplains Corps tor two years, after which he was dis charged due to physical disability. He was next stationed in Toledo, O., as a hospital chaplain and mis sionary. After a year and a half, he returned to Tewksbury where he was engaged in missionary work until he came to the Diocese of Raleigh. RECORD ENROLLMENT AT SCHOOL IN GOLDSBORO (Special to The Bulletin) GOLDSBORO, N. C.—St. Mary’s School, conducted by Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is now enjoying the largest enrollment in its seventeen years^, of existence. Aiding the teaching staff of four Sisters to give St. Marys school one of the highest scholastic rat ings in North Carolina are the Rev. Francis McCormack, O. M. I., assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church, who teaches religion to pupils of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and Miss Eunice Freeman, who assists Sister Vir ginia, I. H. M., in t' ching one of the finest kindergartens in the Diocese of Raleigh. The current enrollment of the kindergarten is fifty pupils, with only two of the children being Catholics. Extensive improvements have been made at the school in recent months, both the interior and ex terior of the building having been renovate . A modern library is available to the students, and a public health nurse visits the school regularly to make physical chbck-ups on all the children. New equipment has been installed in the playground. The School Board of the City of Goldsboro has provided for teach ing the Bible in the public high school, and priests attached to St. Mary’s Church are conducting reg ular classes in religion for Cath olic students. In addition to the religious in struction that is giver, the pupils at the public high school and St. Mary’s So' ool, there are religious study clas. s in the evening in Goldsboro, Mount Olive and Dup lin County. CARDINAL-DESIGNATE Fran cis J. Spellman's contribution to the cause of racial tolerance arc underlined in a message sent to him by Maxwell Cohen national commander of the Jewish War Veterans. Expressing rongratular tion on the New York Arch bishop's nomination to the College of Cardinals, Mr. Cohen recalled “It was ray pleasure in ’940 to write to you thanking you for your truly p.Vrlotic and liberal sentiments expressed on racial tolerance.” ings and floors replaced. The church has been richly adornei with three new marble altars SACRED HEART CHURCH, GOLDSBORO—The Rev. Alphonse Noll, C. SS. R., is pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, which serves the Col ored parish in Goldsboro, North Carolina.