could this be your missing James Princen
this church is in Killingly,ct
St. James\' Roman Catholic church had its beginning here in the labors of Father McCabe, a Franciscan monk from Ireland, who was the pioneer priest of this county. Jesuit missionaries from Boston had visited this region occasionally, passing through perhaps two or three times a year, and saying mass in the towns on the way. The mission of Father McCabe extended beyond this county as far as Colchester. He began his work here in 1851. The first mass said by Father McCabe was in a house on Franklin street, by Five Mile river. Afterward services were held in Bacon\'s Hall. Father McCabe died in Danielsonville, about 1863. John Quinn succeeded him as pastor of this church. Father Quinn made his residence at Moosup, and this church then became a mission. The Second Advent chapel, and the lot upon which it stood, were private property, and were now purchased by Father Quinn, of Sally D. Brown, August, 29th, 1864, and that became the nucleus of St. James\' church, as it is to-day, the Advent chapel being the transept of the present structure. The front part of the building was added during the pastorate of Father Quinn, who also bought additional land adjoining on the north, of Elisha Chamberlin, July 3d, 1869. This extended to the corner of Hutchins and Mechanic streets, and the parochial residence was soon after built upon it by Father Quinn. In September, 1869, Father Princen, a Belgian priest, followed as parish priest of St. James. The cemetery ground, comprising several acres, a short distance northwest of the church, was bought by Father Quinn, and in November, 1870, this and the church lots were transferred by him to St. James\' Catholic church. Father Princen built the sanctuary and vestry to the church. He remained here until his death, which occurred in April, 1883. Father Preston (Thomas J.) began his pastorate-in 1883, and is still in charge. He has had the church remodelled and renovated, and in 1886 cleared of a debt |
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