Saint Elizabeth Seton is a parish community founded on faith, nurtured in love, and dedicated to stewardship that returns God’s gifts in a spirit of thanksgiving. It was established on May 17, 1984 by Archbishop John F. Whealon, Archbishop of Hartford, as a mission of Saint James Church (established 1880). Father Robert Burbank, Deacon Richard Santello and Pastoral Minister Gail Thibideau Bellucci were appointed as a “collaborative ministry team” to minister to the growing number of Roman Catholics in Rocky Hill. The official appointment of a priest, deacon and lay woman to work together proved to be a first not only for the Archdiocese of Hartford but for the United States as well.
Forty people gathered for an initial meeting and made the decision to begin worshipping together as soon as possible. Quickly bonded into a faith community, they celebrated their first masses on June 23-24, 1984, the feast of Corpus Christi. The masses were held in space loaned to them by the Wiremold Corporation on Brook Street in Rocky Hill. Though in the beginning seating consisted of metal folding chairs and a converted drafting table served as an altar, just one year later the Mission was welcoming more than 200 registered families from Rocky Hill and surrounding towns. The idea of a collaborative ministry team, good liturgy and preaching and a sense of social justice attracted many from outside the territorial guidelines originally established including many from surrounding tows, including some from the neighboring Diocese of Norwich.
As the community grew, and a sense of ownership developed the time arrived for the selection of a permanent name when the community moved beyond “mission status.” A time of prayerful discernment enabled the parishioners to narrow the field to names, which included Kateri Tekawitha, Holy Eucharist, Joseph the Worker and Elizabeth Seton which were submitted to Archbishop Whealon. In the fall of 1985, the new parish was designated Saint Elizabeth Seton in honor of the first American born person to be canonized.
The building of the parish worship space proved to be as unique as leadership and founding of the community. While masses and sacraments were celebrated at “Saint Wiremold” –as it was known – for three-and-half years, parish members and friends were busy days, nights and weekends literally building the church structure with their own hands. The new building at 280 Brook Street was situated on 8 ½ acres of land purchased with funds from Saint James Church; and the structure was built with the assistance of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Modeled in part on Vermont’s Weston Priory, a large open room with exposed trusses was enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows in the sanctuary enabling splendid views of God’s creation. A large, plain rugged cross stands behind the windows in front of a semi-circle of evergreen bushes. One main entrance reinforced the feeling of unity and collaboration. Parishioners of all ages and abilities worked side-by-side to provide oversight, labor and logistic support and were able to complete the structure were also includes offices and classrooms as well as a kitchen and hospitality area. We hired a concrete contractor to build a beautiful patio when you enter.
On September 5, 1987, a procession down Brook Street marked the move to the community’s new home. The worship space was formally dedicated by Archbishop Whealon two years later on October 13, 1989. Additions of stained glass panels on the side upper windows, a handmade glass and wood baptismal font, an altar and ambo of similar proportions, Stations of the Cross and contemporary statues of Saint Elizabeth Seton and the Holy Family have insured a reverent, welcoming and almost “homey” atmosphere. A dilapidated house on the property was also renovated as the rectory.
Parishioner Steven Weaver was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1990 and began serving the community. A now established tradition of an annual fundraising event called “Trifles and Treasures” was a successful endeavor. The Archdiocesan Synod took place with representation from many different parishes.
The following years of 1991 and 1992 brought many changes to the Archdiocese with the sudden and unexpected death of Archbishop Whealon and the subsequent appointment of the Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, Bishop of Fall River as the new Archbishop of Hartford.