St. George History

St. George Parish History

ST. JOACHIM PARISH

FOUNDER, REV. ALEXIS DELPHOS By 1893, there was a substantial number of Franco-Americans in the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee. They were attending mass at Assumption Parish. However, they were numerous enough to form their own parish. The Bishop of Springfield, Thomas D. Beaven, listened to their appeal, and named Rev. Alexis Delphos the first resident pastor of the new parish. Under the patronage of St. Joachim, the Blessed Virgin's father, the parish was officially erected March 9, 1893.

The first masses in the newly founded parish were said in a hall on Market Street (formerly off Church St). But Father Delphos and his parishioners were eager to have a proper church of their own. In planning the new church, consideration had to be given to a future school where the French language would be taught, and where the Canadian customs would be preserved. ORIGINAL CHURCH MAPLE ST. A wooden structure was erected on the land now occupied by St. George School. The church was a two-story construction, with the Church on the first floor, and a hall that could be converted into classrooms on the second floor. Bishop Beaven himself came to dedicate the new church on Nov. 18, 1894.

By 1895, a parcel of land on the corner of Belcher and Main Streets was purchased; this would later be the site of the permanent church. A few months later, the Coldwell mansion, a splendid colonial building, was acquired from Alfred Desautels. It has served as the rectory since that time.

In 1906, Rev. Paul Hanotel was assigned to St. Joachim as the curate to assist Father Delphos. At that time, Father Delphos was not only Pastor of St Joachim, but was also serving two missions, one in Willimansett, the other in Aldenville. These tremendous responsibilities and never-ending work taxed the health of Father Delphos. He was separated from his beloved parishioners when after a bout of ill health he died in February, 1911. The curate, Father Hanotel became administrator until 1913 when Rev. Georges Gagnon was named Pastor of St. Joachim.

Father Georges Gagnon was young, intelligent and distinguished. He soon had the confidence and respect of his parishioners. These were prosperous times, and by 1920, the parish saw the need of more permanent buildings. Father Gagnon and his parishioners decided to start with a new church. LAYING THE CORNERSTONE The property that the parish had acquired on the corner of Belcher and Main Streets seemed ideal for the permanent church.

George Fugere was chosen to be the architect of the new church. The plan he presented was met with enthusiasm by the pastor and all the parishioners. The magnificent church was completed and dedicated in 1922. INSIDE 1922 The ceiling in the nave was 68 feet high, and the main altar was marble with spires that extended nearly 30 feet above the altar. The stained glass windows, especially the huge window above the main entrance were among the most beautiful in the area. The Pulpit was on the gospel side, raised so that the preacher's voice could project to all corners of the church. Above the pulpit was a canopy to enhance the acoustics. The priest would climb a circular staircase to reach the pulpit. A chandelier descended from the ceiling, and was lowered by a wench so that the lights might be changed. A beautiful baptistery, finished in mahogany, was behind the main altar. The new church could comfortably seat 850 parishioners.