The following information is taken from
two sources: (1) History of Newark, New Jersey, Vol II 1913, and
(2) History of St. John's Church by Paul V. Flynn, 1908.
First of all, St. John's Church on Mulberry Street was the very
first Catholic Church here in Newark and was founded in 1826 by
the Irish. St. John's most famous pastor, it's Fourth Pastor, was
Rev. Patrick Moran who was appointed on November 3, 1833 and served
in that position until he died on May 26, 1893 in St. Michael's
Hospital. Over 20,000 people attended his funeral services - people
of all religious backgrounds.
From (1): In the 1860's the Italians began to appear, the first
little group arriving as early as 1866 and probably earlier. They
did the work of laborers the Germans and Irish had done before them,
although now forced to share it with the Russians, Poles, Romanians,
and other more or less kindred races; the Hungarians, and latterly,
the Greeks.
History is forever repeating herself. When the Irish and then the
Germans first came to Newark they were looked upon with something
akin to distrust by the descendants of the Puritan founders. As
had been said before (in the book) neither the native born nor the
Irish and German newcomers understood each other. The Italians were
received in much the same way by those already on the ground, and
much the same process of amalgamation was begun all over again.
The Italians have much to learn, and the born-and-bred Newarkers
have come gradually to change their view concerning the Italians.
The later often come from sections of Italy where they and their
people for generations have been forced to live lives almost diametrically
opposed to all that we of these United States consider essential
to good citizenship. They have had much to unlearn, and the native-born
have not always exercised the proper forbearance.
Today (1913), however, Newark has many Italian citizens of sterling
respectability, who in the passing of the years are growing to understand
true Americanism, and who in turn are coming to be better understood.
The Public Schools are now a powerful factor in the Americanization
of the children of the Italian immigrants. Another force, whose
breadth and potency is as yet but indifferently appreciated is that
of the city playgrounds. In the schools and playgrounds many young
Italian-Americans are rapidly grasping the true essentials of good
citizenship. Newark now has many Italian residents of means, and
many who are destined to take an active and praiseworthy part in
the advancement of the city in the immediate future.
It is impossible to tell when the first Italian immigrants took
up their abode in Newark. Some who came here as early as 1870 and
1871 tell of a family of the name of Catalana that had been residents
of Newark for some time before. The Newark Directory for the year
1864-1865 contains the name of one Angelo Cattaneo, a hatter, who
lived at 282 Mulberry Street. When a family of the name of Genelle
came to Newark in 1870 it found a number of Italian peanut vendors
and others, and one or more families whose members spoke English
frequently indicating that they had been residents of this country
for years. The oldest living Italian-born resident of Newark in
1913 was believed to be Angelo Maria Mattia, who came to this city
in 1871. It was late in the 1870's before Italian immigration found
its way to Newark in any volume, and it was not until nearly a decade
later that it assumed anything like its present proportions.
And from (2) Chapter XLIV: FIRST ITALIAN MISSION IN NEWARK
Converting St. John's School Hall in Mulberry Street into a temporary
Chapel in March, 1882, was a timely measure inaugurated by Bishop
Wigger (Rt. Rev. Winand Michael Wigger,Third Bishop of Newark -
1841 to 1901) to provide for the spiritual wants of the Italian
people. The Rev. Albergio Vitali, D. D., a zealous young Priest,
was placed in charge. He labored earnestly. Referring to the opening
of "The Italian Mission in Newark" the Newark correspondent
of the New York Freeman's Journal, under the date of July 2nd, 1882,
writes: "The Italians are a peculiar people, and the habits
and customs of their native land they would transplant in this country;
but in time they will learn better. They are not proverbial for
generously supporting the Church; and some seem to think that they
may at will discharge the Priest whom the Bishop has sent to them
and supplant him with another of their own selection. Shortly after
the Mission was opened, no less than three Italian Priests were
invited by their countrymen to come to Newark. These people would
like to own a Church edifice, to do with as they please, but they,
some of them, will hesitate long before undertaking a proper share
of the financial burden." Eighteen years ago there were in
the Diocese of Newark between 1,500 and 1,600 Italians, as the author
recalls from the Census of the Catholic Church which he complied
for the United States Government. What is the Italian population
now in the City of Newark? (1908). It is over 40,000. Italian Parishes
have been established, not only in Newark but elsewhere as the necessities
require. In these Parishes there are Parochial Schools. Rev. Father
Zuccarelli, Rector of St. Rocco's; Rev. Father Brown, Rector of
St. Philip Neri; Rev, Father D'Aquilla, Rector of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel (see my previous write up about him); and Rev. Joseph Perotti,
Rector of St. Lucy's; have placed their schools in charge of the
Sisters of Charity and these are the only Italian Parishes in which
the Sisters teach. The Italian population is becoming more and more
Americanized. Many of them are prosperous business men who are respected
by their fellow citizens. It is unfortunate, however, that so many
of the men are so lukewarm, indifferent to the practice of their
religion, and are seemingly contented to have their wives and daughters
do all the praying. Let us hope for better things.
JULIUS J. SPOHN
"Chronicler of Old Newark"
|
