Catholic Parishes in PEI (c. 1885) by Rev. Alfred E. Burke
Please see the Contents page for information on this and other historical sketches of PEI Roman Catholic parishes, as compiled by Father Alfred Burke circa 1885.
The Mission of the Sacred Heart, Alberton
This mission is composed of part of old Cascumpec and part of Tignish, and is quite of recent date. The town of Alberton, a busy little place, had its first beginning in the house and store of Mr. Herbert Bell. To the cross roads, where the store was situated, the country people would come to buy groceries and articles of wearing apparel and the spot became generally known as Bell's Cross. Here a village gradually grew up, and as it increased, the ideas of its inhabitants kept pace until, at a meeting, convened in the town hall, some years ago, they decided to call their town Alberton in memory of the late Prince Consort. To Mr. Bell's country store succeeded many business establishments, some on a large scale, such as those of Keefe and Co, Michael Foley, Reid Brothers and the Hon. Senator Howlan, now so famous as the originator of the great subway scheme, by which he hopes to see Prince Edward Island connected with the mainland.
At a little distance from Alberton is Cascumpec Point where, at one time, the late Hon. J. C. Pope had a large ship yard. Here in the beginning of the century, an Englishman named Hill, carried on an extensive business in timber. He induced some of the Highland emigrants lately arrived in Prince Edward Island to come here and work for him, and he also gave employment to the French settlers in the adjacent settlement of Cascumpec Village. These French residents eventually removed to the newly formed mission of Bloomfield, while the Irish and Scotch workmen of the Point, drifted to Alberton. Thus out of one mission two were formed. The Hon. Lemuel Cambridge who succeeded Mr. Hill in the timber business of Cascumpec Point employed a large number of workmen of different nationalities who settled in the environs of Alberton.
About the year 1877 the first church of this mission was built, it was, unfortunately blown down in the autumn of that year. A new frame was erected on the same site, and various differences of opinion arose, respecting the finishing of it, so that the work was stoped for a while and the outlook for the new church of Alberton was not at all bright.
This matter being brought to the notice of his Lordship, the Bishop he bethought himself of his friends, the zealous workers, who had constituted the building committee of the Tignish church.
Proceeding to Tignish, his Lordship asked these worthy men if they would give him a days work on the Alberton church, for the sake of old times. To this request they cheerfully acceeded, and going in a body to Alberton they shingled the entire church in three days. They were entertained by the Bishop who can never forget the cheerful generosity with which they came to his assistance.
The church which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart is ninety feet in length by forty feet in width, the height of wall is thirty feet. The present pastor Rev. S. L. Phelan has had it plastered and fitted with pews of pine and walnut. He has also added a spire in which has been placed a fine bell. The altar in use at present is a temporary one, which will shortly be replaced by one more in keeping with the style of the church.
The presbytery was built at Cascumpec village by Bishop McIntyre during the time of his pastorate at Tignish. When the parishes were divided the house was given to the Bishop who presented it to Alberton, where it was hauled in the winter of 1879. The mission of Alberton includes the beautiful and fertile district of Kildare which was settled by Irish and French farmers in the beginning of the present century.
The scenery in the vicinity of the Kildare River is considered as fine as any that Prince Edward Island can show.
First Catholic Settlers of the
Sacred Heart Mission
Alberton
Alexander McKinnon
John Keefe
Edward Rose
Thomas Cochrane
Angus McLellan (ruagh)
Maurice O'Connor
Mrs. Mara
John McAlduff
William O'Mara
Quinlan
Patrick Cunningham
Welcome | Genealogy | Books | Services | Photography | Poetry | Links | Contact