Priests of the Diocese of Hartford present Francis McFarland with a gift

This is the earliest reference that I’ve found so far that the new cathedral would be dedicated to Saint Joseph.

The article in the Courant did not give the date of McFarland’s response to the gift.

1. The Courant reported that McFarland had bout a house on the corner of Collins and Woodland Streets on July 22, 1871.
2. On August 6, 1872, the Courant reported that McFarland had purchased property on Farmington Avenue as the location for a new cathedral.

At some point between September 10 and September 26, McFarland responded that the gift would “enable me to pay the debt on this house, and to convey it free of all encumbrance to the new cathedral of St. Joseph, and thus the episcopal residence will be the offering made by the clergy and their bishop to the diocese of Hartford”.

1. From the priests’ letter to McFarland

• “On the first occasion that the priests of Connecticut met after your advent to your new diocese, they unanimously resolved to testify their esteem and appreciation of their bishop in an appropriate and becoming manner.”
• “We thank God for having given us such a bishop, and earnestly pray Him to spare you many years to edify and bless your new diocese.”

2. From McFarland’s response:

• “I cannot say that you have taken me by surprise, for I have had some intimation of your kind intentions.”
• “Be the interpreters to our brethren of the clergy of our feelings of gratitude for the sacrifice they have made from their scanty means: I must acknowledge the feeling of pride which for a moment tempted me to reject this gift, however flattering.  But I know that the offering has been made to your bishop for the purpose of seeing him provided with a suitable residence.  I accept in the name of the diocese.”

In 2023, the gift of $15,375 is the equivalent of $386,928.26.

Unattributed.  “Handsome gift to Bishop McFarland,” Hartford Daily Courant, September 26, 1872, page 2.