Mentioned in Tour 8 of my new book, A Guide to Historic Hartford, Connecticut (which is now available on Amazon’s Kindle e-reader), is St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 7 Clark Street in Hartford. Originally serving Irish-Americans, St. Michael’s parish was created out of the northern portion of St. Anthony’s parish in 1900. That year, a basement chapel was dedicated, with the upper portion being dedicated in 1906. The Renaissance Revival-style church, designed by Irish American architect John J. Dwyer, today serves a predominantly African American and Latino congregation.
St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Hartford (1906)
Please send a brief history of St. Michael Church, 7 Clark Street, Hartford, CT.
Attended St Michaels Catholic Church & school in the 50’s. Made my Confirmation there. Travelled to Hartford in the late 1900’s & was so heart broken to see all the windows of the school destroyed.
I lived in Stowe Village when it first opened. Attended Bracket School & transferred to Barbara School.
Has St Michaels school been restored?
Attended St Michaels Catholic Church & school in the 50’s. Made my Confirmation there. Travelled to Hartford in the late 1900’s & was so heart broken to see all the windows of the school destroyed.
I lived in Stowe Village when it first opened. Attended Bracket School & transferred to Barbara School.
Has St Michaels school been restored?
Thank you!
Graduated from St Michael’s in 1950 and moved shortly thereafter. Fr Bannon was pastor.
What is current status of church/school??
I was baptized, received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Michael’s. I attended the Brackett Elementary School, however I remember attending my Catholic lessons at the St. Michael’s school 2/3 times a week in the afternoon after school. I remember one of the beautiful and young nuns Sister Regina. She was so nice. Sorry to hear that St.Michael’s is closed. Would love to visit it.
I was baptized, received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Michael’s. I attended the Brackett Elementary School, however I remember attending my Catholic lessons at the St. Michael’s school 2/3 times a week in the afternoon after school. I remember one of the beautiful and young nuns Sister Regina. She was so nice. Sorry to hear that St.Michael’s is closed. Would love to visit it.
My Mother and Father were married at Saint Michael’s Church in May of 1950 and I was baptized at at Saint Michael’s in 1957.
My Mother and Father were married at Saint Michael’s Church, in May of 1950 and I was baptized at Saint Michael’s in 1957.
My Mother and Father were married at Saint Michael’s Church , in May of 1950 and I was baptized at Saint Michael’s in 1957.
Reading others comments here brings back so many memories. I too remember Fathet Bannon ; we were so afraid to go and confess with him as he was so strict. We always wanted to go and confess to the other priest.. I don’t remember his name. This summer we drove up to Hartford and we did pass by the Church. And the school seemed closed. Does anyone know anything about St. Anthony’s? My brother was baptized there 1953-1954. Sometimes we would go to Mass there; I don’t know why… maybe for the different Mass hours, also a lot of Italians going there.
I graduated in 1950, brother Albert in 1951 and brother Michael in 1952 – remember Fr Bannon and Fr Cunningham –
My brothers and I all went to St. Michaels School for most of our elementary years. We received a very solid education ( except for science). The Sisters of Mercy were wonderful to us . They were very helpful to our family and were sensitive and supportive to us. I truly think that they sought out what was special about each of us. All six of us who lived through those years in the 50’s were baptised, and made our communion and confirmation at the Church. The Church had beautiful windows, stations of the cross and some memorable statures. The Michael the Archangel crushing Lucifer was a favorite , as was a very strange Saint who had her eyes plucked out and displayed on a plate Only kids could appreciate such vivid imagery. We loved our Church, and the School and the Priests and nuns. Fr Bannon, Monseigneor Lacey and Father Iaolo were all approachable and were very helpful to our family when we had some serious family problems, The fifties were simple and so were our beliefs. I hope that the building is being lpved by the new parish. Very few of
my siblings are practicing Catholics now but we all have very positive memories of St. Michael’s and the positive influence it had on us . We love to read and we love to learn and actually give back to our communities. I wish right now I could go into the choir loft and sing, or eat some pie at the last day of school fair. or play some baseball with the nuns out on the back field. St. Michael’s gave us friendships and faith and security. What more could you ask for from such a stripped down, no frills , education and Church.
Thank you so much so sharing your story. You brought back to me many of my own memories. I did not attend the school but the Catechism lessons in the afternoon 2-3 times a week. Yes, I remember Father Bannon and also I remember few who didn’t want to go and confess with him as he has considered to be strict. Also I remember one of the sisters teachers for Catechism lessons. If I remember right her name was Sister Regina; she was so nice and sweet besides being beautiful. How sad when she told us she was being transferred. And yes our Church was so beautiful- I was baptized, received Holy Comunion and Confirmation in that church . I remember a statue of a Saint dressed as a nun; I guess it might have been Saint Rita or Saint Theresa. Yes, the ‘50’s everything was simple and easy.
Thank you