Rare Architectural Drawing

Donated To Historical Society

By Nancy K. Crevier

At the Woodbury Flea Market last September, a drawing caught the eye of John Renjilian, local antiquarian book and print expert.

“I had no idea what it was, but I recognized it from the distance as an architectural drawing. I like prints and drawings of recognizable places, so I was attracted to it.”

The discovery of the architectural scale drawing of the 1883 St Rose Catholic Church, replaced by the present building in 1969, is a welcome addition to the collection of Newtown Historical Society, said Town Historian Dan Cruson. Donated by Mr Renjilian to the society, the drawing, with its original frame and glass, is a valuable documentation of an increasingly little known piece of Newtown history, said Mr Cruson.

“Anyone who is under the age of 40 doesn’t even remember that this building was there,” he said. The old St Rose Church was a better example for the many similar ones of that time period, said Mr Cruson, when the European stone Gothic style was interpreted in New England wood. That type of construction involved ornamentation not usually seen anymore, and the rendering of the building has details not always as visible in any existing photographs of the church, he said.

The 1/4-inch scale drawing shows the front elevation of the church to be built, and is signed by architect James Murray, with notation that it was “Designed for Rev Jas. McCarten [sic], Newtown, Ct.” Rev James McCartan began serving St Rose in 1873, commissioning the drawing in 1882 as the need to accommodate an ever-growing congregation became apparent.

There was no question in Mr Renjilian’s mind when he picked up the large, four by three foot drawing that it was St Rose, and this was confirmed by the dealer, who said he had come into possession of the piece several years ago at a sale in Brookfield. That, however, is as far back as Mr Renjilian has been able to trace the drawing’s travels since it was presented to Rev McCartan over 100 years ago.

“It was really filthy, but I realized it was a valuable piece,” Mr Renjilian said. “To have a drawing of that size is amazing. How it survived is beyond me.”

The piece has been cleaned and photographed by Jack DeStories of Fairfield Auction and will soon find a permanent home at the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street, said Mr Cruson. It is the only architectural drawing of the old St Rose Church that exists, to his knowledge, he said, and depicts the church as it was actually built.

 “We’re very happy to get it,” Mr Cruson said, “and from a conservation standpoint especially, are pleased that John donated it to the Historical Society.”

The Historical Society hopes to hang the drawing in the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street within the next several weeks. For information on dates that the Matthew Curtiss House is open to the public, check NewtownHistory.org.