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History of St Mary of the Visitation Parish 

1849        July 8, the first Mass in the area was offered in the home of Nicholas Cosgrove by Rev. William Logan, S.J.  Rev. Philip Sacchi, S.J. assisted in ministering to the Catholics of the area.

Rev. Peter Blekinsop, S.J. succeeded Father Logan.  He was known to have offered Mass in the home of Ambrose Lapointe.

1852        In May, the care of the infant congregation was given to a Franciscan, Rev. Michael McCabe, who bought one acre of land from Mr. Smith Wilkinson for church purposes.

1858        Rev. William Duffy of Pascoag, R.I. became Pastor and erected the first church in Putnam on the corner of Marshall and Providence Streets.

1866         Saint Mary became a parish with Rev. Eugene Vygen as Pastor who built the first rectory.

1868        Saint Mary Cemetery was consecrated.

1870        Erection of the first brick church with granite trimmings, where the present church now stands.  Cost: $85,000.

1873         Arrival of the Sisters of Mercy.  Erection of the convent

and opening of the parochial school.  Two years later Notre Dame

Academy was established.

1875        February 6, the church was destroyed by fire.

1890         The cornerstone for the new church was laid.

1902        Rev. John Van Den Noort succeeded Father Vygen. 

The Catholic population of Putnam was at 3,160.

1904        Bishop Tierney of the Hartford Diocese dedicated the new church on April 10, 1904

1913        Rev. Charles Bedard became Pastor after Father Van Den Noort retired.  Father Van Den Noort returned to Holland where he passed away.  There were 4,300 members in the parish.

Daughters of the Holy Ghost undertook the work begun by the Sisters of Mercy.

1915        The present rectory was built.

1917        The church was renovated by Father Bedard.  New pews were installed.

1923        The school received a 12 room addition.

1927         Father Bellerose died and is buried in St Mary Cemetery.

1932        Father Bedard passed away and was succeeded by Rev. Ulderic O. Bellerose. His administration was marked by intense youth activities.  The first graduate of St. Mary School became a priest, Father Omer Mandler.                   

1933        Parish celebrated 75th "Diamond Anniversary"

1941        Rev. Charles H. Paquette arrived and continued the trend of youth activities.

1943        Pastor and Monsignor Jean-Charles Mathieu and his assistants, Father John Wodarski and Father Omer Mandler continued after the death of Father Paquette.

1950         Monsignor Mathieu died and is buried in the Parish Cemetery.  Monsignor Donat Jette arrived from New Haven and directed much needed repairs to Parish property.

1955        Parish had 6,000 members.  The old convent was torn down.

1956        St. Mary Church was renovated and the entire parish property was improved.

1962        The new convent was dedicated.

1964        Monsignor Jette retired.  Monsignor Paul Auclair arrived and took leadership of the Parish at all levels.  He directed the renewal of Parochial life initiated by the Second Vatican Council.

1966        One Hundredth Anniversary of the founding of the Parish.

1979        Monsignor Auclair retired and Father Richard LaRocque arrived as Pastor.  He initiated the Visitation Ministry, as well as the Liturgical Ministries.

1982        Father La Rocque renovated the church.  It was rededicated by Bishop Daniel Reilly.

1984        Father La Rocque was transferred to Stafford Springs.

1985        Father Francis O'Keefe arrived as Pastor.  He repaired the Rectory roof, enlarged the cemetery and strengthened the Ministries.  He was very active in Ecumenical activities, Hospice and Hospital Chaplaincy.

2000        Father O'Keefe left St. Mary and was replaced by Father Roland Cloutier.

2002        Father Cloutier initiated the painting of the interior of the church and other needed repairs of many Parish community buildings.

2010        Father Cloutier was transferred to Summers and was replaced by Father David Choquette.