Canal Days

Saint Jerome Churchyard

Jeremiah O’Callaghan was the first priest and when he died the next year he was buried alongside the east wall of the young church. He was the first priest buried alongside his church in Holyoke. Father Michael Howard was buried alongside Rosary Church and Father Andre Dufresne was buried alongside the Precious Blood Church.  Father Sullivan served for 5 years and started Saint Jerome Cemetery.  Then came the Builder – Father Patrick Joseph Harkins.  He started many institutions and had built many structures.

For more on the gravestones and burials that were moved from the Congregational Cemetery of Ireland Parish see stops 1, 4, and 8 at the Forestdale Cemetery LINK. The cemetery was moved in 1888 mostly into Forestdale.

Saint William’s Church

The church burned to the ground in the period from 1928 to 1936.

Agawam Congregational Church is at 745 Main Street in Agawam

It was made in 1800 in the Federal style.

Its web site is HERE and its external history is HERE

Churches on Bridge Street in Agawam

Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church

Saint Teresa’s Church

Saint William’s Church

There are three major churches on Main Street in Agawam. This is a grouping of those churches for a walking tour.

Agawam Congregational Church

Agawam First Baptist Church

Saint John Evangelist Roman Catholic Church

Brainard Church in Belchertown at 12 Park Street. The church was built in 1836 when it separated from the First Congregational Church of Belchertown. Henry Fox was the maker of the stained glass.

It would become a Baptist Church from 1842 to 1913.

It would be a community hall from 1913 to 1923.

It would then become the Saint Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in 1923 until 2004. It would then become a parish office. A new church was made in 2004 and is at 24 Jabish Street.

Saint Francis Roman Catholic Church Rectory is at 20 Park Street. It was built in 1922.

Old Hampden Cemetery is on Chapin Road.

It is from 1755.

The tomb is in the NW corner.

CORBIN collection has a lot of data on the burials.

Adams Cemetery is on Tinkham Road off of Main Street.

It is from 1736 and was originally in Springfield’s Fourth Precinct.

It was at first called Wilbraham Old Yard – Center Cemetery.

The Adams Cemetery Hearse House is now at 450 Main Street.

The Adams House (for the deacon) is at 685 Main Street.

Elizabeth Cockril was the first burial – FINDGRAVE

In the Afro-American section there is Caesar Mirick and Joseph Cutt

Second District Schoolhouse

Built in 1855 to replace the wooden school.