Meriden’s first Roman Catholic Mass was celebrated in 1843 or 1844 for the community’s growing Irish community. St. Rose of Lima became a parish in 1851. A new parish church, built on Center Street, was dedicated on July 31, 1859. The church‘s front facade once had a single steeple. It was later removed and replaced by the current facade, which has two matching towers. The church was formally consecrated in 1926. Since 1998, the parish has been staffed by by Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province of St. Francis of Assisi.

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St. Rose of Lima Church, Meriden (1859)
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3 thoughts on “St. Rose of Lima Church, Meriden (1859)

  • January 2, 2013 at 11:31 am
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    I would like to make a recommendation of including Meriden’s EZZO BUILDING as part of the historical buildings. I saw an article a couple years ago about plans to demolish the now Run-Down structure as it was considered beyond repair.

    If the building was indeed demoloished, are there any vintage photos of the building that could possibly be put up? I remember visiting the duckpin bowling alley in that building in the early 1970’s. It was my first time bowling in my entire life – I was only a little boy at the time…

    Thank you!

  • January 11, 2013 at 12:58 pm
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    Good morning!

    The Ezzo Building was sadly demolished in 2009. I am currently trying to find any history of the structure and would be willing to share my findings!! I have only been able to find one photograph online and a copy of an early advertisement. I will be heading to the Meriden library this weekend and am hoping to find more information and photographs.

    Best,

    Ali

  • February 18, 2013 at 1:23 pm
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    I have looked through “150 Years of Meriden” (1956) and “Meriden: Connecticut’s Crossroad” (1988) but neither have photographs of the old bowling alley. It’s demolition was truly a shame, as it was one of the last Art Deco buildings in the Meriden.

    If you’re interested in learning more, I hope you will visit the Meriden Historical Society at http://www.meridenhistoricalsociety.org or http://www.facebook.com/meridenhistoricalsociety. You can also make an appointment to visit us on Wednesdays from 2-4PM and search our collection of historic photographs.

    Brian

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