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The History of St. Augustine ChurchPage 2: 1887 to end of Century - Bell tower plans. |
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Photo of St. Augustine Church as it looked before being demolished to make way for the Route 9 Realignment. Date of Photo unknown. |
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The bell tower plans were exhibited at the church door Sunday, January 9, 1887 by Father Patrick W. Tandy, who served as Pastor from 1880 to 1890. The tower was to be 100 feet high, fifty feet of brick and fifty feet of wood; it was to be erected in the center of the front of the church and to serve as the main entrance. On Sunday, March 6, 1887, it was announced by Father Tandy that the bell would be available at the railway station March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. He asked every man of his congregation to join in escorting the bell from the railway station to the church. Also, a committee was formed to devise a way the bell could be rung as it was paraded through Sing Sing.
The following accounts appeared in the Daily Register: "March 14, 1887 - The bell for St. Augustine Church arrived last week, and is now at the station, where it is to remain till next Thursday, the 17th, St. Patrick's Day, when it will be brought to the Church by men of the congregation, in procession. The line is to be formed at 2 o'clock and the start is to be at 2:30 sharp..." "March 16, 1887 - The line of procession has been changed by Rev. Father P. W. Tandy so as to pass by the different churches of the village in order to pay respect by passing..." "March 17, 1887 - All Sing Sing turned out yesterday to witness the reception of the new bell for St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church and everyone pronounced it a fin one. It was made by Maneely and Company of West Troy, New York and has a soft tone of E natural. Its weight is a trifle short of 3000 pounds. On one side of it are raised letters and its name 'St. Patrick' and the words, 'St. Augustine Church Sing Sing, N. Y., 1887.' On the other side were the words 'Patrick Evers, Marshal, John Howard, Assistant Marshal, Thomas Gamble, Maria Connelly, Mrs. Dennis McCathy, Bridget Carroll...' The bell had been placed on a truck by the committee appointed for the purpose...it was drawn by eight horses. The original arrangement contemplated its being rung at intervals by Miss Connelly and Mrs. Dennis McCarthy, but they were absent, and stout men found it no easy job to swing the heavy bell over by aid of its wheel. The order to start was given by Father Tandy by one loud stroke of the bell. ...and thence to St. Augustine Church, where it will remain until the tower is ready to receive it." |
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Continued on Page 3 From 1900 to our move to Eagle Park. |
