St. Anne’s Parish in Waterbury was organized in 1886 to serve the city’s French and French-Canadian Catholics. The parish’s first church was built in 1888-1889 on Dover Street. In 1906,
work began on
a much larger church, with
the exterior being completed in one year. In 1912, the basement was finished and used for services while the rest of the interior was being worked on. It took several years to accumulate the necessary funds and there was also a delay due to the First World War, but the finished church was dedicated in 1922.
The Gothic-style church has a structure of steel and brick with
an exterior of granite and Vermont blue marble.
The church survived fires in 1971 and 1978 and work was also undertaken in 1979 to repair the two great spires and dome. These signature features continue to impress motorists traveling through Waterbury on I-84.
UPDATE: Sadly, the condition of the two towering spires continued to deteriorate and they were removed in August, 2019.
I have discovered that the architect for this church was Chickering and O’Connell from Manchester, NH and later Boston MA.
I was told that my grandfather louis bernier was one of the founders of the church. Been trying to get more information. About the family. My father name is Leo bernier He married my mother their at the church. Could you help me get the rest of the family names for me. thank you claudia bernier zwiebel
You could try contacting the church to see what records they have.
My parents were married at St Anne’s on Sept 1 1947. Iwas baptized on February 22 1950. My grandparents belonged to St. Anne’s since 1926 It is a magnificent Shrine and Iam honored to be a parishoner Thank you, Raymond Perro’
Returning from Maryland yesterday, we drove by your stunning church–I had never seen it. That evening, I watched a show about an exorcism in Connecticut, and near the end they included an aerial photo of your church…the coincidence was breathtaking.
I was born and raised in Waterbury, Ct. My parents went to school in the old wooden church and the brick school, and so did I. I am 70 years old and our 8th grade class was the last graduating class fom the old brick building and the old wooden church. I was Baptised in the Gothic church. I made my 1st Communion and Confirmation at the Gothic church. My husband, now deceased also did all of which I described at the same school and churches. We were married on 5-29-1965, at St. Ann and my husband’s cousin officiated. He was a LaSalette Missionary priest. It was wonderful gazing back in time to remember the wonderful Memories of the past. The Sister’s of the Holy Ghost were our teachers and I believe we had the best education in the city for that time.
It is a thrill to see the name of a second
cousin in the postings. I, too, was born &
raised in Waterbury and attended St. Anne
school (wooden & brick). My husband & I were
married at St. Anne on Nov. 7, 1964. We moved away from the city in 1966, but have
been in the church a number of times since,
sadly, mostly for funerals of members of my
father’s family.
Lorraine, I think of you every Oct. 18 because your birthday is two days before mine!
I just found my father’s records from St Ann’s. Joseph Andre Veillette. Did anyone know him or his parents Benjamin Veillette and Beatrice (Arcand) Veillette?
AS TH ELDEST OF 5 I WAS BORN IN THE BRONX N Y C ON ST ANNES FEAST DAY , JULY 26,1934-MY DADS PATRON SAINT WAS ANNE-HE TOOK US TO THE BEAUPRE, CANADA SHRINE WHEN I WAS A TEEN- AFTER MY MOM PASSED I TOOK HIM WITH MY LATE HUSBAND & HE CLIMBED ALL THOSE STEPS ON HIS KNEES! I EVEN WENT TO THE STE ANNE SHRINE THE GERMANS BUILT IN ISRAEL- ALTHOUGH WE MOVED TO CT IN THE LATE 50S I NEVER HEARD OF THIS CHURCH TILL I MOVED FROM STRATFORD TO OXFORD- & I REALLY WANT TO VIST THERE- I KEEP HINTING TO FAMILY BUT NO TAKERS AS YET-
WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO CARRY THE STE ANNES HLY CARD WITH ATTACHED MEDAL THAT HAS THE PRAYER THAT STARTS WITH” REMEMBER OH GLOROUS & GOOD STE ANNE” I DO GIVE TO PREGNANT MOMS & MANY OTHERS- I WOULD SO APPRECIATE A RREPLY – GOD BLESS
My grandmother was born in Waterbury in 1903. My GG Father was born in Quebec City and St. Ann’s was their Parish. I’m going to Waterbury tomorrow to take photos of my Grandmother Evelyn LaPlante’s grave in Pine Grove Cemetery for Geneaology purposes and hope to see St. Ann’s while I’m there.
Good morning.
I am Andre Vezina from Quebec City.Qc,Canada
Son of Lorenzo and Grand son of Donat Vezina Who was the brother of Alfred Vezina, Married to Amanda Frigon,Who were former Sainte Anne’s Church parishioner
Their daughters, Annette who died as a child,
Marie Emma (Roland Cheverette),
Corrine,
Irene Beatrice (Joseph John Wallace)
Their sons: Henri (Alice Bernier) and Arthur (Blandine Marcil)
All these peoples were living nearby in the 40’s.They might have died in Waterburry or else and have sons and grand son’s living in town.
Dear Mr.Mrs.
I would like to get in touch with at least one individual related to those couples.
I want to thank you for the attention paid to this letter.
My best regards.
Andre Vezina
I am very interested by the comments here referring to Berniers associated with St. Anne’s. Although my late grandfather, Joseph “Andy” Bernier, was born and raised in Granby, Quebec, his older siblings were born in the Waterbury area. Although he stayed in Canada, his siblings–older and younger–moved back to Waterbury in their twenties and made their lives there. Definitely interested by the connections here.
My mother was Olive Cecelia LeBrun, born 1905 in Naugatuck CT, Her parents were Henry and Eglantine Senesac LeBrun. Her uncle Joseph Senesac was pastor during building of the magnificent St Anne’s gothic style edifice. My mother,s best friend and class mate at St Anne’s School was Albertine Lecours (Dupont), whose parents took in my mother when her mother died in 1914. Their love for St Annes, and mine too because of my dear mother, was boundless. I am still , at 81, seeking info re deaths, burials, and cemetery locations for my grandparents and their 5 daughters who died in Naugatuck between about 1900-1917. some relatives per fotos incld Cantin, Massicotte, Ducette, et al. Any replies welcome!!!! Ann
Please Note to D.D Veillette
I knew your father Andy Veillette very well as he was my uncle and he was the very, very best too. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me at my email address dear.
Always loved St Annes Church and the magnificent architecture. My parents were married in the chapel approximatell 1948 then we went to Saint Johns in Watertown from then on.
I am still at 82 searching for death and burial records for parents and sisters of my mother, OLIVE C LEBRUN, born Naugatuck CT Jan 1905 and graduated from St Annes School with Albertine LECOURS DUPONT.My grandparents, EGLANTINE SENESAC and HENRY or HENRILEBRUNHad NINE DAUGHTERS and lived in Naugatuck I think. Eglantine died 1914, Henri in 1917, Daughters who died earlier were Henrietta, Eglantine, Eva, Roseannette and possibly Thelma.Four girls lived to adulthood, Alice Eglantine b 1902, Olive Cecelia b 1905, Esther Julie b 1908, and Marie b 1910 ( adopted by Crevier ???). I found that HENRI is buried in Bristol with LeBrun family. ANY info re deaths, dates, causes, and burial sites would be,greatly appreciated. Ann Keating Wehner, dgtr of OLIVE. (Pere Joseph Senesac was Brother of my grandmother, Eglantine. Please help if you can, or advise me where to search for the death info! Merci mille fois! ANN
CAN anyone tell me which Catholic cemeteries might have been in use for St Anne parihioners who died between 1890 and 1917?
Were there epidemics of influenza or other illnesses during those years in Waterbury area? To what office should I address my i qjuiries about deaths a d burials of my relatives in St Anne s? MERCI.
Dear members and friends and alumnae of St Anne’s beautiful Church and school, parish of the family of my MOTHER, OLIVE LEBRUN, born Hopeville (Wwterbury) CT Jan 1905, whose best school friend was ALBERTINE LECOURS DUPONT. my mother was one of nine girls, daughters of Eglantine Senesac (died 1914) and Henri or Henry LEBRUN (died 1917) of whom only Alice, Olive, Esther and Marie lived to adulthood. My grandmother’s brother, Father Joseph Senesac was pastor during the building of the Gothic Church, but became ill and returned to his Religious order in Canada where he died. I am still searching for info re births, marriages and deaths of my Lebrun family! Also can anyone tell about FIRES which damaged the Church and records? and any data re dreadful epidemics there between 1900-1917?
In a previous letter above from me, I mentioned other related names per
family phot o labels which I have. thank you so much for any assistance at all! ann K Wehner, daughter of OLIVE LEBRUN, alumna of St Annes.
To Andre Vezina,
My great-aunt was Alice Vezina wife of Henri.Uncle Henri died in 1933 or 34. He was buried in Calavary Cemetary in Waterbury. Alice outlived Henri by almost 70 years;she never remarried. There were no children.
Ann,
Some parishioners were buried at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. My great-grandmother, who was a victim of the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1917, was buried there.
Dear Mary Jean, I am only now, 12/12/16 seeinf
g your note about Calvary Cemetery….I will try there to find any records of my grandparents, Henry who died 1917, and Eglantine Senesac LeBrun who died in 1914, I hav not been avle ro find ANY further info re their deaths or cause of death, or burial data. I think Grandma was from Massachusetts ” Senesac family, her brother Joseph wqs pastor at St An e s Waterbury during consteuction, , my grandfather was Henry or Henri LeBeun possibly of BRISTOL CT. but they were raising 9 daughters in Waterbury or Naugatudk when in 1914 she died and in 1917 he died….I want to find death data, notices, burials, etc….and also for 5 girls who died. Thank you to anyone who can add data for me.
Ann….I have been reading your posts and it has given me alot of help. I was wondering if you found what you are looking for. I may have some answers for you. I am interested in Father Senesac and his sister. Do we know of their parents or other siblings? My great great grandfather was Cyprien Pierre Senesac and I understand Joseph visited him in either Illinois or Minnesota. Hope you have answers and I also hope I can be of help to you! Joni Senesac Felten
Ann…If you haven’t found Eglantine and Henry’s graves, I found them both. Eglantine is buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford, CT, and Henry is buried in St Thomas Cemetery in Bristol, CT. I hope that helps.
Ann, I have a question about Eglantine. Do you know what her middle name is and were Father Joseph and she blood brother and sister? I am trying to prove that and have been unable to do so. Joni
my name is sandy. my parents were married at st annes in 1952. my grandparents immigrated from Quebec and settled in Waterbury and were life long members of st annes. I spent many summers with memere on e clay st.
As of June 29, 2017, Saint Anne church will be renamed: All Saints. Five additional churches from Waterbury will close and consolidate or merge with Saint Anne including Saint Lourdes, Sacret Heart, Saint Lucia, Saint Margareth and Saint Stanislaus. Sad reflection of the economic struggles and a changing paradigm in the world’s religious destiny.
Ann Keating Wehner, I found Henri Le Brun’s Medical Certificate of Death on ancestry.com. I found a Lebrun family tree which does contain errors but the death certificate looks right
I graduated from grammar school there. i have a class picture if anyone wants a copy.
I went to Saint Ann’s School first grade to seventh. Started 1953. My sister Eva and myself Lorraine enjoyed the experience. We also went Saint Ann s Church. BEAUTIFUL, breathtaking!!!
St Anne church is presently closed due to structural problems. No masses are being said there. The cost to the necessary repairs are unknown but an article in the NCR from 2018 about the merger said the cost to repair the roof was over a million. To do all necessary repair will run into the millions. Spires will probably have to come down as there isn’t money to repair
Dear Ms Ann Keating Whener I stumbled across your messages today after researching the history of our great church after seeing an article this am about the spires having to come down. As I skimmed thru these messages I was amazed to see your as i am familiar with your mom’s story. My name is Richard Dupont and i am the eldest grandchild of Albertine (Lecours) Dupont. My grandmother and aunts often spoke of the friendship my grandmother had with Olive and if i recall correctly my aunt Theresa May have met you several years back. Although i can not answer the questions you have i am reminded today of all that is good in our world. Best and Happy Easter to all!
This church along with all gothic architecture dates back to likely the 12 to 15th century, hence why the claim is the church was ‘founded’ sometime in the 1800. Everything we have been told about history is a lie.