Description
This card is in decent condition, but does have age related wear as expected for vintage items of this age. Please see the images for condition & ask If you have questions about the item. Unposted. Bridgeport, CT, split back card.. From the web: 359 Washington Street Bridgeport, CT Fairfield County Historical Significance The precursor to the cathedral was Saint James the Apostle Church, dedicated on Arch Street by Bishop Benedict Fenwick of Boston on July 24, 1842. The Catholic population of city at the time was estimated at 250 souls. The first Catholic church in Fairfield County, Saint James predated the establishment of the Diocese of Hartford (now an Archdiocese) by four months. It served a congregation made up almost exclusively of Irish immigrants from surrounding towns & from as far away as Norwalk, under the pastorship of Father Michael Lynch. The cornerstone was laid in August 1864, & the church was completed in 1869. Hailed by The Bridgeport Standard as "the largest church edifice in the state," it was built of stone from the abandoned Pequonnock quarry in Black Rock that had been purchased for the parish by its pastor. Huge stones were dragged to the site by parishioners - Irish immigrants known as much for their ability to do back-breaking manual labor as for their deep dedication to the Catholic faith. The cathedral was opened for public worship on Saint Patrick's Day, 1868, & rededicated to Saint Augustine. PC_11072021_0015 PC BOx Bridgeport, Ct, 1950S Postcard St. Augustine Cathedral, Connecticut
