At the time when services of the Roman Catholic Church were first held in Hingham, the town was within the limits of the Quincy parish.   This was soon after 1850.   Afterwards it was attended from Randolph, then from Abington, until 1867, at which time Weymouth became a separate parish.   Hingham was then attached to the Weymouth parish and so continued until it was itself made a separate parish in 1876.   The first organization of Catholics in Hingham was in 1850, when the "Hingham Catholic Association" announced a course of eight weekly lectures, beginning Feb. 5, 1850, upon subjects connected with the history of the Roman Catholic Church, by Rev. Mr. Roddan, of Quincy, "in the Society's rooms near the depot."   These lectures were favorably noticed in the "Hingham Journal."
   For about twenty years after the first services here, the Catholics of Hingham felt the great need of a suitable edifice in which to worship God after the form of their own religion.   During that time their religious services had been held in the Town Hall.   Efforts had been made from time to time to erect a church, but no progress was made in that direction until Rev. Hugh P. Smyth, the pastor of the Weymouth parish, which included Hingham, took the matter in hand.   Father Smyth determined to have a church in Hingham.   He bought a site for it in the commanding position on North Street opposite Broad Bridge.   He labored indefatigably to build a church for his congregation, and on June 12, 1870, the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies.   In the absence of the Bishop the Very Rev. P. F. Lyndon, V. G., officiated as celebrant.   The dedication sermon