User:Slugger O'Toole/John H. Fleming

John H. Fleming (1849-April 24, 1923) was an American priest of the Archdiocese of Boston noted for his eloquence. As pastor, he completed the construction of St. Mary's.

Personal life
Fleming was born in Boston in 1849 and attended Boston Latin School before the College of the Holy Cross. Fleming studied for two years at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal and then two years at Saint-Sulpice Seminary in Paris, where he was ordained in 1874. He then traveled through Europe for several months before returning to Boston. These experiences, it was said, gave him "graces and accomplishments" not held by others who had not traveled as widely.

Fleming was described as "a man of large experience, rare culture, and varied attainments." His other qualities included "scholarship, eloquence, faith, [and] piety." He was said to have "abilities of the highest order, and his zeal is correspondingly warm." He had a conservative disposition and was described as "a gentleman of the old school." He was renowned as a scholar  and often used his "tongue, pen, [and] purse" to support good causes.

While in Dedham, he also played a role in the affairs of the town. Fleming was a supporter of the temperance movement and served as vice president of the Massachusetts Catholic Total Abstinence Union. He had two sisters, Louise Fleming and Hannah Carney.

Ministry
Fleming was an eloquent speaker. He had an "unusual gift" of being able to put speak in a manner where words became "gems of thought." On Sundays, the quality of his preaching was such that other priests would come to St. Mary's to listen.

As a pastor, he was known to be an "able and efficient" manager."

Early ministry
His first assignment was at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross before moving to St. James the Greater Church on Harrison Avenue in Boston. He served as curate in both churches. While at St. James, he was sued by the parents of Lizzie Gordon, a teenage girl who claimed to have visions of the Virgin Mary and her dead brother. The case, which garnered national news, was eventually decided in favor of the girl but the jury only awarded $0.01 in damages.

After Fr. Henry J. Madden left St. Mary's Church in Ayer, Massachusetts in 1884, Fleming took over for him as pastor. He remained there for five years until being transferred to St. Mary's in Dedham in June 1890.

Dedham
Fleming arrived at St. Mary's in Dedham on June 2, 1890 and began a 33-year tenure as pastor. He dedicated himself to finishing the church that his predecessor, Fr. Robert J. Johnson, had started, making it "his life work." He contributed financially to the church construction as well, "dollar for dollar," with his parishioners. He adopted a "pay as you go" policy to construction.

After 20 years of working, praying, and fundraising from the meager immigrant wages of many of the parishioners, the upper church was finished during his pastorate. It took so long that another architect had to take over but was, according to Fleming, "almost too beautiful for ordinary use." One critic said that though some parishes in the area have more people than did the entire town of Dedham, "few parishes in Boston can boast of a more impressive Church" than St. Mary's. Another said it was second to none in the archdiocese. A local newspaper called it "an ornament and a credit to the town."

The parish cemetery in West Roxbury was also purchased during his tenure and the old wooden rectory next to the church was torn down so a new rectory could be built of Dedham Granite in 1913.

Death and legacy
The stress of World War I weighed heavily upon Fleming, taking a toll on his physical and mental health. Likewise, the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 took such a toll on him that he was unable to read all the names of all those from St. Mary's who had died, as was the custom.

He died suddenly on April 24, 1923 at the Ambassador Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He had been sick for a few months and traveled south to try and regain his strength. His body was transported to Boston, and then to Dedham, where he lay in state, first at the rectory and then in the church.

On April 28, 1923, the morning of his funeral, St. Mary's Church was packed with "throngs" of people, including scores of priests, and dignitaries from the church, state, county, and town, as well as representatives from fraternal societies. A low mass was said at 8 am for the children of the parish, and a solemn Requiem Mass was said at 10 am. He is buried with his mother in the Forest Hills Cemetery. It was said that "St. Mary's Church, one of the finest edifices in New England, stands as a lasting memorial to Father Fleming's work."

His estate totaled $85,000, of which he left $40,000 to the Carney Hospital to pay for four private rooms for St. Mary's parishioners who may become ill. His will stipulated that the parishioners using the rooms should be recommended by the pastor of the church and that preference should be given to people of humble but decent circumstances. His music machine, worth about $2,000, was left to St. John's Preparatory School.

He also left $1,000 for the sexton of the church and a large sum to both his sister and the parish. There were also bequests of $5,000 to Boston College and Emmanuel College. The educational funds were for scholarships for students from the parish who were recommended by the pastor. Any books not taken by his family were also left to Boston College. Fleming had previously donated books to the Boston College library.

Bequests were also made to a Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged in Roxbury, Home for Destitute Catholic Children, St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, St. Mary's Infant Asylum, and St. John's Industrial Home in Newton. He also left funds to supports the missions. The executors of his will were Fr. Charles A. Finn, Fr. Timothy C. Maney, and James. R. Flanagan.