History

Our Lady of Lourdes

In the early days of Catholicism in Eastern Connecticut, Jesuit priests from Worcester, Massachusetts attended to the spiritual needs of people in Hampton.  In the autumn of 1850, Father Michael McCabe a native of Dublin, Ireland, was appointed the first resident priest and pastor of St. James Parish in Danielson.  His jurisdictional territory consisted of Baltic, Putnam, Hampton and Willimantic.
Father McCabe passed away in 1860 and was succeeded by Father Tomas Preston.  It was under the leadership of Father Preston and a group of Catholic men that land suitable for a church building was sought.  Governor Chancey Cleveland heard about the planned church and donated an acre of land surrounded by a row of evergreen trees on Cedar Swamp Road.  It was on this site that the church was build and completed in the early spring of 1877.  The church served Catholics from parts of Canterbury Scotland, Brooklyn, Chaplin and Pomfret.  
The church was completed int he early spring of 1877.
Today, we are a small congregation with a big heart.  We sponsor many fundraising events at our church hall and welcome all newcomers to the area.  Ours is a quaint church with architecture dating back the late 1800's.

Our Lady of La Salette History

Our lady of La Salette Parish was originally a mission served by the La Salette priests from St. James Parish in Danielson.  Mass was first offered in private homes, but as the number of Catholic families increased, a large room in the Brooklyn town Hall was leased on an annual basis.  When space in the Town Hall become too cramped, Father Martel initiated a drive to build a new chapel.
A barren lot that was once a golf course was purchased on September 9, 1933 by J. Carlton Witter.  He then sold it to Father Millard, pastor of St. James church in Danielson and construction of the church of our Lady of La Salette began soon afterward.  Local stone was quarried and hauled to the church on wagons where the men of parish set it in place.  Father Martel said the first Mass in the new church on Christmas Day, 1935 before the dedication.
Our Lady of La Salette Church is a beautiful edifice of native stone.  Entering the church, one is impressed by the beauty of its sanctified simplicity.  Prominent over the white and gold altar is a statue of the crowned Virgin of La Salette, brought from Lyon, France.  Placed in a niche with daylight filtering through from a concealed window above, the effect is inspirational.  The altar, statues, golden candlesticks and crucifix, stations of the cross and stained glass memorial windows are all gifts of devoted parishioners and friends.
The church is airconditioned during the summer and cozy during the winter.  We expect the installation of new pews to be completed in the spring of 2024.  The congregation is warm and welcoming to new parishioners and to visitors.  We consider ourselves to be a very special open and loving family.