NORTH KINGSTOWN — St. Bernard Church wrapped up its yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary on December 15 with a closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Tobin, who consecrated the current church in the Wickford section of town, some 15 years ago.
In summing up the 150th celebration, the pastor, Father David Gaffney, concluded: “At the beginning of our anniversary year, I stated that in our origin as a mission church and throughout the past 150 years we’ve focused on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and its importance in all of our lives. As we enter our 151st year, I feel energized and even more committed to this mission as we pass-on the faith to our younger generation.”
“Mission 150” was the celebratory theme that set the tone for close to 20 diverse events and programs throughout the year that included religious and social gatherings, memorials, reunions, raffles, a golf tournament, and commemorative gifts.
“When we started the planning process in 2023, we focused on creating monthly events that would appeal to parishioners of all ages and interests,” said Father Gaffney. “The result was that we reached deep into our parish family.”
Mission Church Beginnings
St. Bernard began as a Mission Church following the Civil War. Reverend William Halligan would make the approximately seven-mile, horse and buggy trip from the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in East Greenwich (today, Our Lady of Mercy Church) to Wickford to celebrate Mass in the homes of residents as there was no Catholic church in the area.
“By my rough calculation, that trip would have taken about two hours, one way, back in the 1800s; hard to believe today,” the pastor said.
Father Gaffney said that as French-Canadian and Irish immigrants settled in the Wickford area to work in the mills, the Catholic population grew to a level that warranted their own church. In 1874, Father Halligan purchased a half-acre of land for what would become St. Bernard Church.
“During the late 1800s, Father Halligan saw the spiritual and material needs of the community and responded accordingly,” said Father Gaffney. “Over the past 150 years, that baton has been passed on and remains our focus today.”
12-Month Celebration
Remaining true to its humble beginnings, St. Bernard kicked-off its 150th anniversary in January 2024 with a “soup supper” that was aligned with its annual “Soup-er Bowl” collection of cans of soup for the poor. This was followed by a Lenten Mission in February led by Reverend James Quigley, O.P., from Providence College.
What followed was a whirlwind of activities that included historical presentations by Father Robert W. Hayman, Ph.D., diocesan archivist and professor emeritus at Providence College, and North Kingstown historian Tim Cranston. To satisfy taste buds throughout the year, parishioners enjoyed a family pasta luncheon, a beer tasting evening, the annual parish cookout and a “Mother’s Tea.”
One of the highlights of the anniversary year was the Parish Dinner Dance held at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown, which was held in June. This popular event included the awarding of the annual “St. Bernard Award” to long-time parishioners Arlene Gardiner and Dotty Madusky, and the raffling-off of an original painting of a local scene donated by Artist/Designer Thomas H. Lynch.
Memorial opportunities included the planting of ten trees throughout the St. Bernard Church grounds, liturgical items, refurbishing historical Stations of the Cross, and the installation of a beautiful Marian statue in front of the church.
Known as “Madonna of Bruges,” the original sculpture was created by Michelangelo and resides in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium. St. Bernard had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. The statue was blessed following the parish’s 150th Anniversary Mass in October by Archbishop Richard G. Henning, S.T.D., who was the principal celebrant at the Mass.
“This is the place where for 150 years, neighbors have come together to give glory to God…This is the place where neighbors and friends come together to help one another along the journey of life…This is the place where people have come for generations to find strength and wisdom, consolation, love,” Archbishop Henning said during his homily. He challenged all to honor the legacy of those who came before by continuing to serve one another.