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 Immaculate Conception, Wellington
Wellington was in the first years of its existence an Irish settlement. About the year 1843 a number of emigrants from the South of Ireland took up land in the vicinity of the present location of the village, and commenced farming operations. Owing to various causes these people ultimately dispersed to other districts and Highland farmers from Grand River moved down to the vacant farms so that Wellington became a scotch parish.
The settlers for over thirty years attended mass at the church of St. Patrick, Grand River West but on 1 May 1872 they purchased land from one Mr. Donald McDonald and took measures towards the building of a church for themselves. This church was begun in 1874 and was built under the direction of Rev. Father Ronald B. MacDonald now a member of the Society of Jesus, then pastor of the mission of St. John the Baptist, Miscouche and of St. Patrick's, Grand River.
Mr. Ewan McKinnon was the builder of the church which was completed exteriorly in the summer of 1875. A tea party was then given by the parishioners in order to raise some money to assist in defraying the expense of finishing the interior. Some years elapsed before a sufficient fund was raised, in the meantime the pastor, Father McDonald, resigned his charge and left the diocese of Charlottetown. In the year 1882, Rev. N. C. A. Boudreault, pastor of Miscouche brought the work of the church to completion. Mr. Peter Cameron was the carpenter employed and Mr. Gibson the painter.
The altar which is neat and tasteful was given to the mission by the late pastor Father McDonald S.J. and was made by Mr. Dempsey of Summerside. The church is fifty feet high by thirty five feet wide, the height of the wall is twenty feet. It is very neatly finished within and without. There is an entry in the register dated January 1877 which reads "Mrs. Alexander McKinnon generously presented this church with a chalice, May God reward her".
First Settlers of the Mission of
The Immaculate Conception
Wellington
John Kent
James Fitzgerald (Mount-Hemlock)
Philip Condon
Thomas Aelfer
John Ayres
Nicholas Kent
Peter Malone
John Larrisey
Michael Walsh
Hugh Gillis
Archibald Cameron
Donald McDonald
Welcome | Genealogy | Books | Services | Photography | Poetry | Links | Contact