Extent: 14 boxes, and 4 volumes bound separately
Linear feet: 14.4 linear feet
Other Storage Formats: 4 volumes bound separately (BS) and housed next to the rest of the collection.
Language: English and French
Provenance: Father Steven LaBaire, then Pastor of Holy Family Parish at St. Joseph Church, donated the archives in 2018 with the bishop’s approval. The records were created and kept by the four original Worcester parishes: St. Joseph, Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens (which was the largest for many years), St. Anthony of Padua, and Holy Name of Jesus. Eventually all four parishes were combined into one- Holy Family Parish, which is how they came under Father LaBaire’s purview.
Ownership and Literary Rights: The Worcester Parish Archives is the physical property of the French Institute, Assumption University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns.
Preferred Citation: Worcester Parish Archives, French Institute, Assumption University
Restrictions on Access: The collection is available to researchers and other interested parties. Permission for use or reproduction can be obtained from the director of the French Institute, and is subject to the Institute's user polices.
Scope & Content: This collection documents the history of Worcester’s four historic Franco-American parishes: Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens, St. Joseph, Holy Name of Jesus, and St. Anthony of Padua.
With the exception of two ledgers from the early years of Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens Parish, there are few records in this collection regarding the first twenty to thirty years of the four parishes. There is an extensive transcribed list of marriages at Notre-Dames-des-Canadiens Parish, which was taken from the original, inaccessible record.
Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens Parish was the oldest and largest of Worcester’s Franco-American parishes, and as such is best represented in this finding aid. The strengths of the Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens records lie in its later years, particularly a scrapbook/album documenting the history of the parish from foundation through 1986, images, and a sign from the 2017 candlelight vigil protesting the church’s demolition. Additionally, there are the nine volumes of research materials regarding Richard Gagnon’s history of Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens parish.
The series regarding St. Joseph Parish, the second oldest of Worcester’s Franco-American parishes, includes very little before 1928. The strengths of the collection lie in its nearly complete collection Parish Bulletins, 1955-1995; a list of the marriages held in the church; and newspaper clippings and photographs, particularly related to the attempted closing of St. Joseph’s church in 1993. Additionally, there is a 1950 school scrapbook, two VHS tapes, and three volumes of Ken Desautel’s research materials regarding his history of St. Joseph Parish.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish records are at Worcester Historical Society, so this collection includes only one item from the parish: an album of class photographs from Holy Name Elementary School, 1912-1963.
St. Anthony of Padua, the final parish, is only represented by a few records, notably a booklet from their 40th anniversary, as well as records regarding the sale of the parish buildings in 1976.
The albums and scrapbooks in this collection all have condition issues and have been housed accordingly.
Series Outline: The collection is separated into four series; one pertaining to each of the four historically Franco-American parishes in Worcester. The four series are presented in the order of their founding. During the donation process, Father Steven LaBaire painstakingly went page-by-page identifying items in select scrapbooks. That information is available in spreadsheet form, upon request.
Series 1 : Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens Parish, The bulk of the materials in this series are contained within a large scrapbook, which traces the entire history of the church through original documents and images. It was compiled in 1983 for an exhibit at Worcester Public Library. Also included are: a ledger kept by Fr. Jean-Baptiste Primeau, the first pastor at Notre Dame des Canadiens, of purchases made for the church between 1869 and the late 1880s; a list of marriages, 1869-1930; a second purchase ledger covering the years 1888-1905; a yearbook from the Holy Family School class of 1930; and a handmade sign held at the public vigil that occurred on March 28, 2017 in front of the church to protest the imminent demolition of the building.
Series 2 : St. Joseph Parish, This series includes several programs from church dinners and functions; published articles and newspaper clippings about the church; interior and exterior photographs of the church; and a sizeable run of the St. Joseph parish newsletter, 1955-1993; and the pastoral assignment sheet of the church recording priests from 1922-1988. There is the silver jubilee scrapbook (1950) and the school scrapbook (1925-1977). Of particular interest is three volumes of Ken Desautel’s research for his work, St. Joseph’s Parish 100th anniversary history, 1891-1991.
Series 3 : Holy Name of Jesus Parish, The smallest series in this collection, the most notable item is an album of class photographs from Holy Name Elementary School, 1912-1963. Most images are accompanied by a list of the students present in each photograph. Two additional items, a program and a history of the parish, are also included.
Series 4 : St. Anthony of Padua Parish, This series is largely comprised of photographs, both exterior and interior, of the church and its related buildings. The series also contains financial documents, including a report from 1970 on the state of parish at the time, as well as documents pertaining to the sale of parish properties in the 1970s. A program from the Jubilé paroissiale held on October 22, 1944, is also included.
Full Finding Aid:
This is a Certificat d'Admission for the Association Universelle de la Ste. Famille. It was made out to Mr. Germain Leblanc and his family at Notre Dame in Worcester, Massachusetts, on March 5, 1893.
Règlement de la Société de la Sainte Famille, érigée dans l'église des Canadiens à Worcester, Mass. This rules booklet was published in Montréal by the the Institution de Sourds-Muets, in 1918.
This is a complete list of the priests that were assigned to St. Joseph Parish, 1922-1992. The list includes names, dates, and position held.
The demolition of Notre Dame church began in February of 1928.
The demolition of Notre Dame church began in February of 1928.
Interior photograph of St. Anthony Church, St. Anthony Parish, 1956. Photographer unknown.
Interior photograph of St. Anthony Church, St. Anthony Parish, undated. Photographer unknown. Based on the lilies in the photograph, it is likely that the image was taken around Easter.
Handmade poster, "La messe est le centre de la liturgie." Created by C.L.Y., date unknown. Pencil and ink on paper.
Notre Dame's upcoming 1996 closure lead to vehement protests in 1995. This is side one of a two-sided poster.
Notre Dame's upcoming 1996 closure lead to vehement protests in 1995. This is side two of a two-sided poster.
A ledger of income and expenses from Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens Parish, 1869-1877. The ledger was kept by Rev. Jean-Baptiste Primeau.
This is just a small selection of the pages within the ledger. Page 16.
This yearbook is from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) of Notre-Dame-des-Canadiens Parish, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The dédicace to Saint Anne from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The acknowledgments page from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The school song, "O mon école," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The "roll call," or class information, page from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The constitution from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The constitution from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
The history of the 1930 graduating class from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
A work of prose titled "The rose and the silver gray," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
A tribute to the school from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
A work of prose titled "je me souviens," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930. It was created by the students of the school.
A page dedicated to senior Antoinette Betourney, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Rolande Belisle, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Antoinette Constance Pothier, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Laurette Berube, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Irene Brodeur, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Rita Cotnoir, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Marthe Delorme, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A page dedicated to senior Clara Clairoux, from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class yell from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The graduation program from June 1930, included in the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The graduation program from June 1930, included in the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
Page 23 from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
Page 24 from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The school song from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class prophecy from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class prophecy from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The words to the song "They will miss us," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A debate page from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A debate page from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class will from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class will from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The class will from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
Newspaper clippings from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
Newspaper clippings from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The words to the song "God bless the friends we love," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A prayer, "God Bless our school," from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The words to the song "Stein song," written by senior C. Pothier. From the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
A prayer to Saint Anne from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
The table of contents from the École Sainte Famille (Holy Family School) yearbook, 1930.
This scrapbook, Vénéré Pasteur: Monsieur l'abbé W. H. Ducharme, album souvenir des classes graduéés depuis 1925, was compiled for Abbé W. H. Ducharme, of St. Joseph Parish in Worcester, MA.
Class of 1925, names.
Class of 1925.
Class of 1926.
Class of [1926], names.
Class of 1928, names.
Class of 1928.
Class of 1928, business class, names.
Class of 1928, business class.
Class of 1929, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1929, 8th grade.
Class of 1929, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1929, 8th grade.
Class of 1929, business class, names.
Class of 1929, business class.
Class of 1930, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1930, 8th grade.
Class of 1930, business class, names.
Class of 1930, business class.
Class of [1931?], 8th grade, names.
Class of 1931, 8th grade. Image missing.
Class of 1931, names.
Class of 1931.
Class of 1932, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1932, 8th grade.
Class of 1932, business class, names.
Class of 1932, business class.
Class of 1933, business class, names.
Class of 1933, business class.
Class of 1933, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1933, 8th grade.
Class of 1934, business class, names.
Class of 1934, business class.
Class of 1934, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1934, 8th grade.
Class of 1935, business class, names.
Class of 1935, business class.
Class of 1935, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1935, 8th grade.
Class of 1936, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1936, 8th grade.
Class of 1937, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1937, 8th grade.
Class of 1938.
Class of 1939, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1939, 8th grade.
Class of 1940, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1940, 8th grade.
Class of 1941, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1941, 8th grade.
Class of 1942, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1942, 8th grade.
Class of 1943, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1943, 8th grade.
Class of 1944, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1944, 8th grade.
Class of 1945, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1945, 8th grade.
Class of 1946, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1946, 8th grade.
Class of 1947, names.
Class of 1947.
Class of 1948, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1948, 8th grade.
Graduates of the centenary year of the Sisters of Ste-Anne, 1850-1950.
Class of 1949, 8th grade, names.
Class of 1949.
Class of 1951.
Class of 1950, names.
Class of 1951, names.
Class of 1952.
Class of 1952.
Class of 1955.
Choir boys on the steps of St. Joseph's, 1940.
Ducharme's installation as Monseigneur, 1950.
Interior of St. Joseph's, n.d.
This scrapbook documents the graduating classes from Holy Name of Jesus School, part of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, from 1912 to 1963. A selection of photographs from the scrapbook have been digitized, with the full run of originals available for in-person researchers.
Appointments recommended.
The French Institute follows the academic calendar of Assumption University. Exceptions to our regular hours may be found here.
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For reasons of preservation, French Institute collection materials do not circulate; however, non-rare materials are allowed to circulate through the d’Alzon Library or inter-library loan with the director’s permission.
It should be noted that the Institute’s collection includes a number of Franco-American newspapers from the New England region. Most consist of bound copies and nearly all have been microfilmed. To preserve the bound volumes, the Institute encourages scholars to consult the microfilm copies whenever they are available, for example, at the American Antiquarian Society or the Boston Public Library.
