Saint Michael’s Church – Chris Randall

Saint Michael’s Church is on Wooster Place right in the heart of Wooster Square and it’s iconic gold dome makes the church visible and recognized from many vantages. The building dates back to 1855 and was originally a Congregationalist Church. Back then you could have been on the steps of the church and looked out into New Haven Harbor!

The Catholic Church bought the building in 1899. The current Italian Renaissance Church you see today was built in 1904 and after a major fire. The side walls of the church with their tall arched window frames are the only features of Saint Michael’s that date back to the original church from 1855. Saint Michael’s Church is the oldest Italian Catholic Church in Connecticut.

Statue of Saint Mary Maddelena (center) is carried through Wooster Square during an annual procession and subsequent four day feast which dates back to 1898 & 1914. More info about that at the end*

* From the Saint Mary Maddelena Website “Immigrants from the Italian town of Atrani in the Salerno Province, south of Naples, who settled in the Wooster Square area in New Haven, founded the Society of Santa Maria Maddalena on May 1, 1898. Named for the patron saint of Atrani, this mutual aid society assisted Atrani immigrants with housing, employment, English translating, and legal matters. Over the years, the society’s purpose has become more community oriented, helping any worthwhile cause or individual regardless of ethnic background. It has donated in excess of $124,000 to numerous causes, charities, and organizations, which include St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in New Haven, the Salvation Army, Columbus House (for the homeless), Connecticut Hospice, and Iwo Jima Survivors. The society has also provided scholarships for inner city youths.

The Santa Maria Maddalena Society preserves the traditions, heritage and culture of its members’ ancestors, and also maintains ties to Atrani by providing assistance to the Santa Maria Maddalena Church in Italy and the society’s Italian sister organization for its annual Festa to Santa Maria Maddalena which coincides with the feast day in Connecticut. During the week of July 22, a replica of the original statue of the saint, which was brought to the United States in 1914, is carried through the streets of Wooster Square. The saint is adorned with jewelry provided by the original members of the society. The feast procession culminates at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where a high mass is celebrated. The feast celebration extends for four days with Italian music and food, and on Saturday evening, Neapolitan music is featured.”