CHEPACHET — Nestled along tree-lined Rte. 44, St. Eugene Church has undergone several changes over the past five years, with the pastor, Father TJ Varghese, making steady improvements at the rural parish to enhance its accessibility to its congregation.
A red brick memorial walkway, lined with benches, leads parishioners to the church’s front door, while a complete repaving and upgrade of the parking lot can more easily accommodate the steady stream of the faithful supporting the parish.
But the most recent improvement makes an indelible impression not only on the parishioners of St. Eugene, but also the entire community and anyone traveling through it.
Standing at nearly 20 feet tall, a tower supporting two venerable brass bells catches the eye of approaching motorists on the busy regional transit route, and the bells’ melodious sound resonates as a reminder of the power of faith.
“When you hear the bells, you know the church is here,” said Rita Thomas, a St. Eugene parishioner for the last 25 years. “It’s wonderful to have them and to listen to them. We’ve never had bells here before.”
The bells, which previously had graced the grounds of the former Mother of Hope Novitiate in Portsmouth, were offered to the diocese by the developer of the property.
Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia, diocesan secretary for Planning and Financial Services, took notice of the bells while surveying the property last spring. “I noticed two bronze bells and I realized there must be a church that could use them,” Msgr. Bastia said.
Although the bells appeared to be in need of rehabilitation, he felt they would be worth saving.
Father Varghese’s parish came to mind,” he said. “I knew they didn’t have any bells and I felt he would be able to provide the funding for the cost to remove them and rehabilitate them.”
Father Varghese said he was thrilled at the offer of the bells, and quickly launched an effort to secure the necessary financing to bring them to St. Eugene. The pastor noted that no parish funds were used to bring the bells to St. Eugene. Rather, parishioners, business people and others raised the $10,000 to have the bells moved and affixed to a new bell tower in front of the church, and another $7,500 to have the corroded strikers sent to Holland so new ones could be cast..
“I?hope the parish will enjoy the bells for years to come,” Father Varghese said.
Bishop Robert C. Evans blessed the bells following Mass on Nov. 27.
“The donation of the bells, which Father Varghese had restored, is yet another symbol of the vitality of the parish and its important role in the life of the local community,” Bishop Evans said.
“It’s wonderful, it just lifts us up,” parishioner John Keach said of the new bells at St. Eugene. “It’s breathing new life into the parish.”
There is a true family-like atmosphere at St. Eugene's and Father Varghese is an important part of this family.
As in my past visits to St. Eugene's, I found the congregation very supportive of Father Varghese and very proud of all that he is doing, both to the physical plant and for the spiritual, liturgical and educational dimensions of parish life.
