The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic church located at 74 West Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut. History Early accounts say that the first priest to visit Waterbury was one James Fitton of Hartford. He was followed by Rev. James McDermot of New Haven, who said Mass in the house of Cornelius Donnelly. McDermot was transferred to Lowell in the summer off 1837, and Waterbury became a mission station of St. Mary's in New Haven. Rev. James Smyth served the community for the next ten years. On his first arrival, Smyth thought to say Mass in the same house frequented by McDermot but was told be the tenant that the landlord had threatened eviction if he entertained anymore priests. He then said Mass at the home of Michael Neville on East Main Street. In 1845, Washington Hall, on the corner of Exchange Place and West Main Street was rented from Dr. Jesse Porter. In 1847, the Catholic community purchased a former Episcopal church and sought to move it to a lot on the corner of East Main and Dublin Streets. However, on approaching the desired location, the contractor, Major D. Hill of Hartford, was convinced that he could not get the structure safely over the high ground, so Neville, acting as agent for the Catholics, purchased a second, more accessible lot. Accept for when Smyth visited Waterbury, baptisms, Marriages, and funerals took place in New Haven. Bishop Tyler of Hartford purchased a lot south of Grand Street through John Galvin for use as a burying ground. In October 1847, Rev. Michael O’Neil became the first resident pastor and dedicated the parish to St. Peter. Initially O'Neil resided with the family of Michael Neville, on Dublin Street opposite the cemetery gate. In 1850, he rented a house on East Main Street from John Sandland. In December 1854, a fire broke out in the church, but managed to be extinguished by those present before it got out of control. In 1855, O'Neil was sued for trespass by the Protestant husband of a Catholic woman for administering last rites pursuant to the woman's wishes. O'Neil was fined $150 plus costs. O'Neil stated the under no circumstances would he divulge the content of the woman's confession. The judge said that it was not essential to deciding the case, but if it had been, he would have required it of the priest.