The following is from Col Frederick L Hitchcock's 1914 A History of Scranton and its People.1
The following history of the Catholic church and Catholic institutions in the city of Scranton and vicinity is by the Rev J W Malone, JCD:
"The history of the Catholic church in Scranton and its environs affords a striking example of the possibilities of wonderful development when an earnest, self-sacrificing people, imbued with the proper religious spirit, find the proper guidance to religious zeal and enthusiasm. It is a record abounding in numerous examples of heroic self-sacrifice on the part of Catholic laity and clergy in their united efforts to build up a religious structure that not only compares favorably with any other but it is no exaggeration to state that the numerous churches, asylums, institutions and homes constitute nearly one-half of the religious institutions of the city.
"It was on a bright , happy Sunday morning in June of 1840 (sic) that the first mass was celebrated in this part of Pennsylvania by Rev James Sullivan, a missionary priest. The little house in which this memorable event took place was on Shanty Hill, which received its name in consequence of the number of small rude shanties that were erected there. This same house still stands to brave the storms of time, to bring back the memories of other days when men struggled hard against the reverses and inconveniences of life. Its number is 522 Front street, and it overlooked the Roaring brook and the old rolling mills. This was the hallowed ground on which the first Catholics of this city met in unity and peace to give glory and thanks to God. In the course of time the little shed, where Father Sullivan had taught his people their duties to God and to their fellow men, became too small. A committee, of which William Hawks, father to the present Colonel Hawks, was the head, selected a place on the corner of Hemlock street and Stone avenue as a site for the new church. It was begun and finished in 1847. It was a plain structure, and contained neither pews nor gallery. This was one one of the first churches in northeastern Pennsylvania, and in the absence of any other bishop, the venerable and lamented Bishop Kenrick, of Baltimore, dedicated the new edifice and celebrated the first mass in ti. It may be here remarked that this little church, when its frame work was well completed, was carried away and demolished one night by a sudden and terrible hurricane that swept through the entire valley. This, however, did not dismay the faithful people, who set to work again as earnestly as ever. In those democratic days there were no specialists, and everyone contributed his part by actual work.
"A little before this time, in 1845, the luxury of saw mills was introduced, and the erecting of buildings was thereby facilitated. The day this new church was dedicated crowds came from far and near, both out of curiosity and from motives of religious zeal, to see this strange yet loved ceremony. Of this church Father Fitzsimmons was soon afterwards made pastor. About once or twice a month he used to come from Carbondale -- he sometimes rode on any conveyance whatever, and more frequently walked -- and slept while here in what was called 'The White Tavern,' in Hyde Park, on the corner of Main and Jackson streets. This same 'White Tavern' was a fitting prototype of the country hotels of the 'wild and wooley west,' or of the distant south of the present time. It was chiefly remarkable for its total lack of all conveniences. Nevertheless, it was here that the early apostles of the infant church on Shanty Hill were compelled to lodge. For five years Father Fitzsimmons attended this little settlement till he was superseded by Father Cullen in 1852.
"The first Catholic school, strictly speaking, was the same as the 'hedge school' of the penal days in Ireland. People sat down on the green sward beneath the shade of a stately tree, and here the young were taught the first impressive lessons of religion, of fairy lore, of half-true history, and the simplest rudiments of education. In 1850 the first Catholic school was erected, and it may be interesting to know that it was from the top of this rudely constructed, primitive institution of learning that the first American flag ever seen in Scranton waved its folds to the breezes. This school was forty by twenty feet, and was situated on River street, between Pittston and Prospect avenues.
"As history is a record of past events, much though we would like to pass in silence the efforts made by bigoted fellow men to interfere with the worship of this little congregation, it is my duty as an impartial historian to make this record permanent. The early Catholics were not allowed to worship their creator in peace and according to the dictates of their own consciences. An organized band of Know-Nothings, who held their meetings where the telephone exchange now stands on Adams avenue, then known as Peabody street, made frequent visits to the struggling church on Shanty Hill during the night time, and windows were broken, railing and doors were smashed, firearms were discharged, in the stupid and vain effort to intimidate these hardy pioneers who had suffered so much for the faith in the old land. From a distance of over half a century we look back on such scenes and write them down as caused by ignorance and misunderstanding. It is absolutely and entirely unfair to judge the doings of one century by the standards on another.
"It may be of interest to see how history repeats itself on this point, for that very spot, rendered sacred as the site of the first Catholic church in Scranton, was purchased by Bishop Hoban in 1902, and the beautiful new Church of the Nativity, one of the finest parish churches in the whole country, will be dedicated here in September, 1914.
"At the time of the building of the first church the Catholic population of Slocum Hollow was scarcely one-seventh of the entire population of the village, but in the course of the last seventy years we have increased from one-seventh to one-half of the entire population of Scranton and its environments. In a very short time the little structure on the corner of Stone avenue and Hemlock street became too small for the worshipers, and Father Cullen selected a new and more central site for the second Catholic church in Scranton, on the corner of Franklin avenue and Spruce street. This second church was also a frame building forty-five by 100 feet. Before its completion Father Cullen was removed to Philadelphia, and was succeeded by Rev Moses Whittey, than whom no man played a more important part in the early building of our city. None enjoyed more the confidence of all classes of people than he did.
"The cornerstone of the present cathedral was laid in 1864.(sic - see below) At that time most of the business places were in Hyde Park and the Flats, and it was considered very bad judgment to build 'in the woods,' as Wyoming avenue and Linden street were considered at that time. A little later the wisdom of selecting such a place was shown; for after fifty years of development the present cathedral is fairly centrally situated for the Catholic population of this city. The cornerstone was laid by Archbishop Wood. The architect was Mr Amsden. The cathedral was originally called the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul, 60 by 150 feet, with a seating capacity of 1,500. It was looked upon in these early days as a wonderful church building. When we consider the financial condition of the people who gave from their poverty to erect this temple of the living God, we must admire the spirit that made the erection of such a building possible. The laying of the cornerstone took place in 1865 (sic), and was attended by people from all over the Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys. More than $8,000 was collected at the cornerstone laying. The new cathedral (sic - was not yet a cathedral) was consecrated and opened for worship in March, 1867. The church was consecrated by Archbishop (??) Wood, of Philadelphia, July 12, 1868(??). On the 27th of the following September, Rt Rev William O'Hara, pastor of St Patrick's Church in Philadelphia was formally installed as the first bishop pf Scranton. On the occasion of the installation of Bishop O'Hara, the students of St Charles Borromeo Seminary of Philadelphia, where Dr O'O'Hara had formerly been rector, were present and sang mass. On the occasion, the Archbishop of Philadelphia preached the sermon. After him Dr O'Hara delivered a touching discourse on the aims and obligations of a true bishop, and foretold the effect of the erection of Scranton into a new diocese would have on the people of this valley. Since then Scranton has become a center of business activity. Business has flourished, riches have accumulated, the Catholic population has greatly increased, churches, schools and convents have been erected. How much of this is due to the happy erection of this city into a new diocese and to the efforts of the worthy first bishop is evident. Under his care, religion and morality have taken a mighty onward sweep.
"In 1884 the church of St Vincent de Paul was completely remodeled and embellished, under the supervision of Bishop O'Hara, by Architect Durang, of Philadelphia, and the famous painter Scitaglia, who did the frescoing. The strength, beauty and general appearance of the interior and exterior were improved. When this work was completed, the church of St Vincent de Paul was no longer known. It was consecrated on 18th of September, 1884, and its name changed to that of Saints Peter Paul Cathedral. At the morning services, Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, preached, and in the evening, at pontifical vespers, Bishop Becker, of Wilmington, Delaware, delivered the sermon.
"The history relating strictly to the present cathedral site is most strange and peculiar. What is now Wyoming avenue, between Hotel Jermyn and Mulberry Street, was in 1857 a swamp, covered with moss, long grass and shrubbery. All the land belonged to Mr Sanderson, who had it cleared and the knolls leveled by a number of men, giving them fifty cents a day. The clay was used to fill the swamp in the direction of the present cathedral the Episcopal residence and Saint Cecilia Academy. No sooner was the ground completely cleared and leveled than the first circus that ever came to Scranton pitched its tents there, covering from the corner of the Windsor to the cathedral lot. All who had enough money and who were curious to see the circus thronged eagerly to catch a glimpse of it, and this fact decided the site for the new church, for amongst the curiosity seekers were Colonel Hawks, Edward Mellon, Michael O'Boyle and a few others. All were impressed with the beautiful location of the circus grounds, and after consultation with Father Whittey, three lots on the corner of Linden street and Wyoming avenue were bought some time in 1858 for the small sum of $2000.
"During the thirty-five years of his Episcopate, besides remodeling the cathedral, Bishop O'Hara built Saint Thomas College, Saint Patrick's Orphanage, and purchased the House of the Good Shepherd. Under his direction there were founded the following parishes: Holy Rosary, North Scranton; St Mary's, Dunmore (sic - St Mary's was renamed in in 1874, but established as a pastorate in 1856); St Joseph's, Minooka; St Patrick's, West Scranton; St John's, South Scranton; Holy Cross, Bellevue; the German parishes, St Mary's (sic -- renamed in 1874, but established as a pastorate in 1865 and founded earlier still) and St John the Baptist; the Polish parish, S S Hearts of Jesus and Mary; Lithuanian parish, St Joseph's; Italian parish, St Rocco, Dunmore. During his administration he saw the diocese increase until it numbered 121 churches and 152 priests. He died on February 3, 1899, and is buried under the main altar of the cathedral of Scranton.
"Rev Michael J Hoban, who was pastor of St Leo's Church, Ashley, having been appointed coadjutor bishop of Scranton, was consecrated March 22, 1896. During his administration, since the death of Bishop O'Hara, he has enacted important legislation with regard to the internal affairs of the diocese, and, under his inspiration, the present beautiful and well equipped St Joseph's Infant Asylum and also the Maloney Home for the Aged have been added to the institutions of the diocese, the latter being the gift of the Marquis Martin J Maloney, in honor of his parents. Since the death of his predecessor, the diocese has grown from 152 priests, 121 churches, and a Catholic population of 135,000 to 275 priests, 237 churches, and a Catholic population of 278,000.
"Rectors of the Cathedral -- The first rector, Rev Moses Whittey, was pastor of the congregation of Scranton when Bishop O'Hara was installed as first bishop in 1868. In 1871 he was removed to Providence and his place taken by Father Hennessy. He was succeeded by Rev N J McManus, who in 1877 was appointed pastor of Archbald. Then came Dr Dunn, who was in charge from 1877-1883. His successor, Father McAndrews, the rector from 1883 to 1888, when Rev J V Moylan was appointed. In 1890 Father Moylan was succeeded by Rev James O'Reilly. Father O'Reilly, having been appointed in 1903 to the newly-erected parish of the Nativity, Rev J W Malone, JCD, the present rector, was named as his successor.
"There are twenty-two Catholic churches in the city of Scranton, with a membership of over 65,000. Holy Rosary parish was founded in 1873, and its first pastor was Rev Moses Whittey. The present pastor is Rev N J McManus. Church property consists of a new stone church, one of the finest in the city, convent, school and residence. St Patrick's, West Scranton, is next in order of foundation, with splendid church, convent, school and residence. Rev George J Lucas, DD, is the present rector. St John's, South Scranton, has a brick and stone church, convent, school and residence. Rt Rev Mgr McAndrews was the first rector; Rev E J Melley is the present rector. Saint Mary's Parish, Dunmore, was founded in 1846 (sic -- became a pastorate 1856), Rev Edmund Fitzmaurice being the first pastor. The present pastor is J J Ruddy. Saint Joseph's, Minooka, was established in 1872. (sic -- became a pastorate in 1875. I'm not certain when it may have begun as a mission.) Rev J J Loughran was the first pastor. Rev P E Lavelle is now in charge. Saint Paul's, Green Ridge, was founded as a separate parish in 1887. First pastor, Rev P J McManus; present rector, Rev P C Winters, LL D. Property consists of temporary church, school, convent and parochial residence. The parish of Holy Cross, Bellevue, was established in Jun 1896, and Rev W P O'Donnell was appointed its first rector. Plans are prepared and found available for a new church, which will replace the present temporary structure. The parish of Nativity of Our Lord was established in October, 1903, and Rev J A O'Reilly was made its first rector. At his death, Rev J J Loughran, STD, was appointed to the vacancy. The new stone church, the finest in the whole diocese, is now completed and will be dedicated in September, 1914.
"In the early years of our city, the whole Catholic people worshiped in the English-speaking churches, but to accommodate the German-Americans the German congregation began the erection of a new church, St Mary's, in 1865. (Sic -- from other sources, the German community had mission status from at least 1853, perhaps earlier. First resident pastor in 1865.) Rev John Schelle was the first pastor. He was succeeded in October, 1885, by the present rector, Rev Peter Christ, VG. The church property consists of church, school, convent, parish hall and residence. Saint John the Baptist (German) parish was established in September, 1884 (sic -- according to Msgr Gallagher, became pastorate in 1885), and the present pastor, Rev Frederick Fricker, was installed as first rector. The church property consists of a new church to be dedicated this autumn, convent , school and parochial residence. The congregations of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Polish), Saint Joseph's (Lithuanian), Holy Family (Slovak), and Saint Lucy's (Italian) were all established in the early eighties (sic). All are fortunate in possessing all the requisites for religion and education.
"Saint Joseph's (Lithuanian) congregation has had a stormy career. For the past six years the title of the church property has been in litigation, and the church has been closed the greater part of the time. A recent decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania places the title with the bishop of Scranton, and now all is peace. Saints Peter and Paul (Polish), and Saint Anthony of Padua (Italian) congregations have been established within the past few years and are still in their infancy.
"Saint Cecilia's Academy, Scranton, Pennsylvania was opened on September 26, 1872. This academy comprised a boarding and a day school in which were trained many girls and young women from neighboring states as well as from Pennsylvania. Under the constant encouragement and able direction of the Rt Rev Bishop O'Hara, of holy memory, this school met with brilliant success. The excellent work done here entitles Saint Cecilia's Academy to a prominent place among the leading educational institutions of Lackawanna county. In 1883 it was chartered by an act of the State Legislature, and was empowered to grant the usual academic honors.
"The orphan children of the Scranton diocese are sheltered and trained in Saint Patrick's Orphanage, which was established at West Scranton in 1875. At present time there are 198 orphans in this institution.
"On September 8, 1892, Mount Saint Mary's Seminary was established at Seminary Heights, Scranton. Here are located the Motherhouse and Novitiate of the Order, as well as a boarding school for girls and young women. Through the guardianship of the Rt Rev Bishop Hoban and the zeal of the sisters, this institution has become a center from which the blessings of Catholic education are transmitted not only throughout the Scranton diocese, but also to the five other dioceses to which the sisters have been called. Mount Saint Mary's Seminary is affiliated to the Sisters College, Catholic University of America, Washington DC, and is rated by the Pennsylvania Board of Education as a first-class high school.
"The House of the Good Shepherd, Providence Retreat, was opened on January 23, 1889. The object of this institution is to afford a retreat to unfortunate females, without respect to nation or creed, who wish to reform. There is also connected with the institution, though an entirely separate department, an industrial school for orphans and destitute children. This school is conducted by the religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. Thirty-six sisters are employed there and there are 138 inmates.
"The College of Saint Thomas Aquinas is a classical English-scientific and commercial day college for boys and young men. It was established in 1887 by the Rt Rev William O'Hara, DD, bishop of Scranton, to afford the benefit of a thorough collegiate education, under Catholic auspices, to the young men of his newly organized diocese. The institution is under the direct supervision of its honorary president, the Rt Rev Michael J Hoban, DD, bishop of Scranton. The college is conducted by the brothers of the Christian schools, who assumed charge in the fall of 1897. The number of students in the classes of 1913 and 1914 was 298.