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 St. Francis, Little Pond
This mission was detached from that of Old Launching in the year 1864, upon the erection of St. Francis Church. This church which is fifty feet by thirty six and twenty feet post, was built by Mr. Joseph McDonald; he was assisted by all the heads of families then resident in the mission, who were very happy at the prospect of being relieved from the necessity of a difficult, and often dangerous journey across Grand River, every time they assisted at mass, or required the services of a priest.
The Scottish Highlanders, whose fine farms are spread over the district known as Little Pond settled there in the year 1876, but they were not the first occupants of that country side.
So far back as the year 1782 the father of Mr. John Chiverie of Souris, fled from Savage Harbour to take refuge in then unexplored district of Little Pond. He and his fellow Acadians in after years, often spoke of the visits of the Abbé Champion and Abbé De Calonne to their settlement, long before the Scottish emigrants had weilded the axe or the hoe in the forests of Little Pond. Soon after the arrival of the Scotch in their vicinity, the Acadians moved away to Souris, leaving their clearings for the new comers. As has been stated above, the mission of St. Francis was in 1864 detached from that of Old Launching. It was formed into a separate mission and then attached to Souris.
From 1864 to 1866 it was served by Rev. Dugald MacDonald, and from 1866 to 1880 by Rev. Donald Francis MacDonald. The mission was then detached from Souris and annexed to that of St. Alexis, Rollo Bay, since which time it has been attended by Rev. Dr. Walker.
First Catholic Settlers of the
Mission of St. Francis
Little Pond
Michael Chiverie
Donald Chiverie
Francis Chiverie
Peter Chiverie
Joseph Chiverie
Charles Mullin
Joseph Brown
John Blackett
Neil Campbell
Donald McDonald
Alexander McDonald
James McDonald
Angus McInnis
John Lawless
James McDonald
Archibald McDonald
Ronald McDonald
Angus McDonald
Roderick McCormack
Donald McCormack
Neil Steele
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