History

Father Bernard Tevin of St. Mary, New Haven celebrated the earliest documented Mass in Cheshire at the Booth homestead on Meriden Road.

Cheshire passed to the care of St. Rose, Meriden, whose pastor, Father Hugh O’Reilly, said Mass on Main Street at Baldwin Hall.

Father O’Reilly bought an acre of land on Highland Avenue for $200 and presented it to Bishop Bernard J. O’Reilly “in trust for the Catholics of Cheshire.”

In July, the cornerstone of the St. Bridget mission church was blessed. The first mission Mass was offered by Father Charles McCallion of Meriden on Christmas.

The church was built adjacent to the Cemetery and was dedicated on September 29.

Father Thomas Drea was appointed by Bishop Francis P. McFarland as Cheshire’s first resident pastor.

Despite the early promise of economic growth and likely Catholic migration to Cheshire, only about 100 Catholics (25 families) resided in the town.

The first decades of the 20th century, however, witnessed a Catholic migration to Cheshire that resulted in the appointment of Father Patrick A. McCarthy.

Father McCarthy then refurbished the original church and bought 7.5 acres on Higgins Road for a new cemetery.

With the help of James H. Darcey, Father McCarthy raised money to purchase an 11.5 acre tract on Main Street.

The Ladies’ Guild at the parish was founded.

The Santa Fe Council of the Knights of Columbus formed at the parish.

Father McCarthy retired and was succeeded by Father Arthur P. Hanley. An auditorium complex was dedicated on the parish’s Main Street property.

Father Hanley opened a Catholic Junior High School staffed by the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis. The school closed after 20 years of serving children.

Mr. Ricciuiti, Archbishop O’Brien, James Darcey, and Rev. Fr. Hanley break ground for Cheshire Catholic Middle School.

Epiphany Church was established as the first daughter parish of St. Bridget on September 28 by Archbishop J. O’Brien. Father Eugene Torpey was appointed pastor.

On October 19 the Church of the Epiphany was dedicated by Archbishop John F. Whealon.

St. Thomas Becket began as a mission of St. Bridget Parish with about 385 families. Father Kenneth J. Frisbie was appointed mission pastor.

Father Torpey was succeeded by Father William F. Lynch as the pastor of Epiphany Church in June.

The first ministry team was appointed consisting of Fathers Neil F. Fitzgerald and Daniel James Sullivan. They began immediate renovations of the church.

A new parish center for Epiphany Church with a capacity of some 500 was added to the property and solemnly blessed by Archbishop Whealon on October 17.

Fathers James B. Gunnoud and Brian W. Monnerat were named co-pastors in August.

St Bridget School reopened on August 30 as an elementary school, initially serving pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and first grade.

All grades up through Grade 8 were opened and the first 8th grade class graduated.

Father Gunnoud retired and was succeeded as pastor by Father Robert Ricciardi who had been Parochial Vicar for several years.

As pastor, Father Ricciardi continued to minister to the parish with great care for all. When Father Ricciardi passed in November, people far and wide mourned.

In May, after a brief period of temporary leadership, Father Jeffrey V. Romans was installed as Pastor. Father Roberto McCarthy was assigned to assist him.

At Father’s request, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus assigned Sister Patricia Cigrand, ASCJ, as the new Pastoral Associate for Saint Bridget Parish.

In June, we welcomed newly ordained Father Philip T. O’Neill as our new Parochial Vicar to replace Father McCarthy.

St. Bridget, Epiphany and St. Thomas Becket Churches merged into Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish.

We celebrated the 175th anniversary of the first Mass ever said in Cheshire!

In July, we welcomed newly ordained Father Anthony J. Federico, III as our new Parochial Vicar.

We celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Catholic Faith’s official presence in Cheshire! We are proud to represent the Catholic community in our town.

After Sister Patricia left to do retreat ministry in Higganum, we welcomed Sister Mary Rose Irvine as our new Pastoral Associate.

We welcomed Father Piotr Buczek (who we warmly refer to as Fr. Peter) as our Parochial Vicar after Father Federico was assigned to Saint Mary’s in New Haven.