The First Church of the Assumption

In 1864, the year Ansonia was charted as a borough of the town of Birmingham, Rev. John Sheridan of St. Mary’s Parish conceived the idea of erecting a church in Ansonia. To that end, in 1866, Fr. Sheridan purchased a parcel of land from Phelps, Dodge and Company on the southeast corner of Main and Cheever Streets, which extended east to Factory Street. Fr. Sheridan died before he could erect a church, and the task fell to his successor, Rev- Patrick J O’Dwyer.  Much of the digging for the foundation of the church was done by men of the parish who worked days in the mills and then gave their evenings to work with pick and shovel.  On the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1867, the Most Rev. Francis P. McFarland, Bishop of Hartford, laid the cornerstone for the new church which was completed toward the end of 1868.  The white frame structure, which seated 800, cost nearly $20,000 and was given the name “The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”  On June 25, 1870, Fr. O’Dwyer severed relations with Birmingham (Derby) and became the first resident pastor in Ansonia.

Fr. O’Dwyer remained in Ansonia until January 1876 at which time he was succeeded by Rev. Hugh T, Brady, who was pastor until 1886. During his tenure, Fr. Brady enlarged the church building, but it still was too small for the Catholic population of Ansonia which had grown from 1,000 souls in 1870 to nearly 4,000 souls by 1890.

The first Church of the Assumption was a white frame building with a projecting vestibule and tower, which supported a spire.  The interior was very modest, the ceiling being in blue half-gables. The altar was wooden, painted white and gold. A large rose-window was at the rear. The first Church of the Assumption was used exclusively until 1900. At that time the Sacred Chapel of the present Church went into use, and consequently the first Church continued to be used only on Sundays at 8:00 in the morning for a Mass for the children of the parish. It seems that the old Church was also used for religious instructions, particularly for preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.

On October 7, 1909, the Italian Catholics of Ansonia organized their own parish which was to be called Holy Rosary. Since the present Church of the Assumption was completed in 1907, from 1909 until August 16, 1955, Holy Rosary Parish used the first Church of the Assumption as its place of worship, although the 8:00 am Mass each Sunday was reserved for parishioners of the Assumption Parish. In 1955, the church was sold to Holy Rosary. The Church was badly damaged in the August and October floods of 1955, but each time was restored. Finally, in 1967, the first Church of the Assumption was demolished after Holy Rosary Parish dedicated its new Church on May 28th.