Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Catholic Church in Northfield
By Kev. Z. Druon, V. G.
This place received occasional visits from the Rev. Fathers O'Callaghan, Daly, Drolet, Maloney and Coopman, O. M. I., before any permanent mission was established. Father R. J. Maloney purchased an old meeting-house in 1855, the old Yellow Union Meeting-house, which was the first meeting-house built in the town.
He had it removed to a lot which had been given by the late Gov. Paine for the benefit of the Catholics, and which has been and still is used as a burying-ground. Rev. Z. Druon, then of Montpelier, attended this parish every other Sunday from 1856 till 1864.
Father Druon commenced remodeling extensively the old church in 1863, which was finished by Rev. F. Clavier, and dedicated in Oct. 1870, under the patronage of St. John the Baptist.
This church was burned by lightning, entirely consumed, July, 1876: the loss, however, mostly covered by insurance. Father Clavier also purchased, immediately after his appointment as pastor of Northfield Catholic parish, a fine residence, on which, in 1875, he built a large chapel adjoining his own house for week day services. It is used now on .Sundays as a temporary church till the new church can be erected.
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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