Promotional Advertising Bank"Westerly Savings Bank,Westerly,Rhode Island"Circa 1900

Good Afternoon CW Members--- 4:30 pM)2016-8-5
I want to share with you another Promotional Advertising Bank from my collection, this particular model and shape was manufactured by"Lodi Steel Box Maker,Mfg, Lodi, Ohio(later move to Defiance,Ohio), promoted by the "Westerly Savings Bank, Rhode Island" Incorporated 1854, in 1904 Westerly Savings Bank liquidated and accounts transferred to Washington Trust

Extremely rare to find promotional bank with the original key, effectively over number of years collecting those bank I have 5 only with this kind of key.
The reason is the teller of the assuming bank branch keep the key, only the bank was supply to the account owner, the owner return the bank when is full for deposit the content to there account.
The picture 3 show a close up of the key, depicted "2- Dolphin holding a vase" Art Nouveau theme, time to time use late 1800 early 1900.

This Steel bank stand, 3.50 inch tall, 4.50 inch wide, on 2 inch deep.

Thanks Everyone for Viewing.
Alan

Westerly is a town on the southwestern shoreline of Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1669 by John Babcock, it is a beachfront community on the south shore of the state.

The Beginning

Although officially founded on January 21, 1886, our roots go back much further than to St. Michael’s in Pawcatuck—the first spiritual home to many of our church founders—to Ireland, Italy and Quebec. Although thought of as a predominantly Italian Parish today, the first founders, forced to leave their native country due to famine and persecution, were from Ireland. In 1870, 18% of the population was Irish. They worked in the granite quarries, as did many other immigrants upon their arrival here. By the time the Italians had arrived, the Irish had accumulated much wealth. Those who did not, resented the arrival of the new cheaper labor, and considerable animosity developed between the two groups, often handed down through successive generations.
While Irish immigrants dominated the mid 1800’s, the Italians began arriving in Westerly shortly after the Civil War. During the 1890’s, many northern Italians fled Italy due to political unrest. Many stonecutters emigrated to Barre, Vermont, and later Westerly. The first decade of the 1900’s saw an influx from southern Italy, mainly Calabria, and in particular from the mountainous region of Acri. Many of them found jobs in the quarries and settled in Westerly’s north end and in Bradford. They came to America seeking prosperity. In Italy they worked the land for others, not owning land themselves. This agricultural experience stood them in good stead. Upon their arrival, they planted large gardens to sustain their families, allowing them to save their wages and to reach their goal of prosperity.

The arrival of the French Canadians from Quebec was the final ingredient making up our early parish. After the French lost to the English in the Battle of Quebec in 1759, all French in North America were stripped of economic means. They were forced into becoming small farmers, a role for which many were untrained. In the mid 1800’s many immigrated to New England because of economic pressures.

After 1840 textile mills began to thrive and the French were welcomed with open arms, working 12 hour days, six days a week. During this migration, the people tended to settle in an area and stay together—in Westerly near the mills in White Rock, Potter Hill, Ashaway, and other textile areas, taking over the menial jobs once held by the Irish before them.

Although these three groups, the Irish, the Italians, and the French-Canadians differed in customs, language, and appearance, they all had a deep and abiding faith in the Roman Catholic Church.

During most of the 19th century Westerly’s Roman Catholics attended Mass at St Michael’s Church in Pawcatuck. St Michael’s was founded in 1858 with its church finished in 1861. The parishioners were mainly Irish-born. There were so few Catholics in Rhode Island and Connecticut that there was one diocese located in Hartford, then transferred to Providence.

In 1872, however the Connecticut and Rhode Island districts divided. Bishop Thomas F. Hendricken became head of the Rhode Island district. On April 19, 1885, he announced that the Westerly side of the river would have its own parish. Rev. William Pyne, formerly of Fall River, Massachusetts, was to lead the parish. The services were held in Hibernian Hall on High Street, which later burned down. It is now occupied by the Barber Memorial Building. After three Sundays they were held in the Wells Block, the site of the former McCormick’s Department Store.

Father Pyne’s job was not an easy one. Many of the parishioners were not behind him. Westerly received no compensation from St. Michael’s, even though many Westerly people had helped build and support the Church. Many of the registered parishioners of Immaculate Conception continued to attend and support St Michael’s. Father Pyne led the parish alone. He lived in a house owned by Mr. Patrick Burke and his family on Granite Street. Only his perseverance and zeal allowed him to prevail, organizing a parish, building a church, and gaining appreciation and loyalty from his flock.

Father Pyne purchased the land for the Church on March 1, 1886, a year after he arrived, for a price of $3,000. The foundation was begun almost at once, under the supervision of Patrick Holliday. The cornerstone was laid and blessed on September 26, 1886 with more than 2000 parishioners and friends in attendance. In a cavity in the stone was placed a copper box containing the currency of the day, notes concerning the church, and a parchment sheet containing an account of the building and the exercises and the names of the clergymen present. Three months later, the basement was ready for use and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1886. The services were held in the vestry, the only part completed. Masses were held there daily until the church was completed three years later.

The Church was dedicated at a service on Sunday October 19, 1890 in the midst of a driving rainstorm by the Most High Rt. Rev. Bishop Matthew Harkins. He addressed the people first in English then in French. Later that evening, a vesper service was held, during which confirmation was administered to about 40 people, and several young women were received into the sodalities of the Sacred Heart and Children of Mary.

In 1894, Father Pyne was transferred to St. Edward’s Parish in Providence, a church with nearly twice the communicants as Immaculate had. The parishioners were sad to see him leave, for they had come to appreciate all that he had done in his 10 years as pastor, and to love and respect him.

The Rev. William J. Galvin became his successor. Although he left his former parish, St. Michael’s in South Providence free from debt, he was not able to handle the financial matters in Westerly. He did manage to buy a lot on Clark Street for a burial ground, later becoming St. Sebastian’s Cemetery. At this point, in 1906, the Marist Fathers entered the scene.