Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 17.

[p. 6] the presence of Father O'Connell at that time and must have followed his very remarkable career. He remained but a few months in Medford after Father Donnelly's death, and then was sent as an assistant to St. Joseph's Church in the West End of Boston. After a few years he was chosen to be the rector of the American College of Propaganda in Rome, of which he is an alumnus. While there he was appointed Bishop of Portland, Maine, from which place he was sent on a papal mission to Japan. After his return he was appointed coadjutor to Archbishop Williams of Boston, and at his death succeeded him in the Archbishopric. This office he still holds, with the unique distinction of having been recently raised to the Cardinalate, the first Cardinal ever appointed for New England. His Eminence dedicated our new Catholic Church in Medford last June, and he spoke from the altar most feelingly of his admiration for the saintly character of Father Donnelly, of the privilege it had been to be associated with him, and also most appreciatingly of the kindness he had received from both Catholics and Protestants during the short term of his ministry in Medford.

Father Donnelly was succeeded by the Rev. Michael Gilligan, who labored most earnestly among us for fourteen years. The old church on High street had become inadequate to the needs of the congregation and was falling into decay, so Father Gilligan determined to provide for a new building. He bought property on the river side of High street, belonging to the Gray estate and adjacent to the priests' house. Building was immediately begun, and foundations of the new church were laid. Many problems arose on account of the formation of the ground and the unexpected development of springs of water. But Father Gilligan and his undaunted parishioners were not to be discouraged. The stately and noble church which we now occupy arose, and the congregation moved into the chapel in the basement, finding it most commodious and cheerful. Indeed, it was so much so that Father