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. Mary, Indian River
Towards the close of the last century the tide of emigration flowed steadily from the "misty isles of the north" to the "Sandbank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence". The years 1790, 1792, and 1796, saw the arival of many hardy clansmen. Of these several families, chiefly McLellan, Gillises, MacMillans, and Morrisons, settled in Malpeque in Prince County.
Malpeque, or as it was more usually spelt, Malpec, was the name then given to all the district surrounding the large sheet of water now known as Richmond Bay, from Darnley on the North East to Low Point on the North West. Before the conquest by England this large district was supplied by a chief or parish church at Low Point, and possibly by a smaller one at French River, New London, where the remains of the old cemeteries are still plainly discernable, that at Low Point being on Mr. H. Newcombe's farm, that at New London on the property of Mr. McLeod.
Upon the return of the Acadians to Prince Edward Island, they did not settle in their former names, but clustered upon the southern shore of the Bay near St. Eleanor's and River Platte. A few years later when the immigrants from the Western Highlands arrived in the district, they established themselves in localities which had been evacuated by the French. Many of them took up land upon the North eastern side of Malpec Bay on the shores of a small but beautiful stream called by the French "Riviere des Sauvages" or Indian River, from which the settlement derives its name.
In early days of this settlement the people had mass but twice a year, that being as often as the Rev. Aeneas McEachern could visit that part of his vast field of labour. The station was held, and confessions heard usually at the house of Mr. John McLellan, Indian River, or that of Mr. Roderick Morrison of Darnley. It was the missionary's custom to drop in when passing the house of members of his flock, he also visited the Protestant settlers with whom he lived on the most amicable terms, indeed many of these good people would bring their children to him for baptism, there being at that time but one Protestant clergyman on the Island, the Rev. Theophilus DesBrisay from Thurles, Ireland, whose visits like those of his close friend Father McEachern, were necessarily rare.
Sometimes in case of urgent need a French priest from Riviere Platte or from Rustico would be sent for by the Scotch Catholics, of Indian River, for from 1800 to 1804 the Abbe de Calonne ministered to his countrymen on the seigneur of Colonel Compton, and after his departure, there was a French priest at Rustico until the year 1823.
When the first church at Indian River was built in 1814, there were about twenty seven Catholic families in the mission. The size of the church was about forty feet by thirty, it was framed by Isaac Newton of Charlottetown, and finished by the parioshiners themselves. It first stood down near the bay, on land given by John and Angus McLellan, where an old burying ground still marks its site. This church was afterwards hauled to the spot occupied by the present one, and later was moved in to Summerside to become the first church of that mission.
The present church which was built by Alexander McLellan in 1843 is ninety feet in length by fifty in width; from its tower may be had a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The interior of the church is very delicately painted, the prevailing tint being a pale peach colour. The ceiling is frescoed fairly well. The former pastor, the Rev. Doctor O'Brien erected a handsome altar, to the Blessed Virgin: it is carved in black walnut, and above it stands her statue richly crowned. At the gospel side of the altar is a bracket holding a statue of the Sacred Heart. This church of St. Mary at Indian River is well appointed and is one of the finest wooden sanctuaries of the diocese.
Until 1824 Indian River was served only by the occasional visits of Bishop McEachern, from 1824 to 1838 the Rev. B. D. MacDonald, afterwards the Second Bishop of Charlottetown attended the mission from 1838 to 1842 it was attended by various priests, then the Rev. James MacDonald took charge until 1869: he was followed by the Rev. James McKenna who in 1874 was succeeded by the Rev. C. O'Brien. When Dr. O'Brien was called in 1882 to the Archipiscopal See of Halifax, a place at Indian River was taken by the present pastor, The Rev. D. Chaisson who entered upon his duties on the 18th January 1883.
If one credit the words of the old folk at Indian River, the worst enemies they had to contend with during the early days of their immigration were grass hoppers; these insects in clouds ravaged the fields but were finally driven away by Bishop McEachern.
Here, as in other Highland settlements legends are plentiful. One tells how a Mr. M. of Darnley who was concerned in building the first church in 1814, had an adventure with his Satanic Majesty. On a very dark night, preceding the day on which the frame of the church was to be raised, M. worked until very late. At length laying down his tools he prepared to go home to Darnley, the way was long as he would have to be back the next day, the people of Indian River tried to dissuade him from going, telling him he would be sure to meet with ghosts or goblins. The brave M. replied that he "was not afraid of all the devils in hell", and went his way.
Next morning he arrived on the scene somewhat lame and bearing a black mark on his leg which he carried to his grave. His story was that when on the previous night, he had reached a small stream on the shore of Darnley Basin, he saw a dark figure standing on the bank. In answer to M.'s friendly greeting the figured turned, disclosing itself to be a malicious fiend. It sprang on poor M. who bravel resisted; the battle was fierce and the mortal only escaped after being severely wounded. So goes the story. An explanation offers itself in the fact that between Indian River and Darnley in those days stood a distillery. In any case the spirit story better be taken Cum grano salis.
The chief feature of the scenery around Indian River church is the number of grand old pine trees; in some parts the forest is really dense and the wind sobs through the cone laden branches with a cadence not easily forgotten. Under the frowning pines, beautiful wild flowers bloom and here and there on the banks of the stream is still seen one of the traditional wigwams of the Mic-mac.
This quiet home at Indian River was very dear to the Rev. D. O'Brien, who when leaving it to assume the dignity and responsibility of the Archbishop of Halifax, expressed his sentiment in a sonnet which by his grace's kind permission we affix to this paper:
"St. Mary of the Pines"
Sweet restful spot, embossomed in thy pines.
Earth holds no fairer in its boundless range.
All hearts beneath its subtle magic change.
Like rays through tinted glass o'er holy shrines.
Or as a cloud when sun's last beam declines,
So gently come transitions new and strange,
Till weary souls their sombre hues exchange,
And gird them with the light that round thee shines.
Sweet, restful spot, by Mary's shrine endeared.
I love thy lichens, mosses, sweet wild form;
Thy leaves by Autumn's loving touch now seared,
And voiceful pines whose words I try to learn.
My thought, when severed as I long have feared,
Shall rest my soul mid duties high and stern.
First Catholic Settlers of the Mission of St. Mary
Indian River
John McLellan - from Uist - 1790
Angus McLellan - from Uist - 1790
Roderick McIsaac - from Uist - 1792
M. McIsaac, Tailor - from Uist - 1792
Roderick Morrison
John McMillan - from Barra - 1796
Roderick McMillan - from Barra - 1796
Angus Gillis - from Barra - 1796
James Gillis - from Barra - 1796
Delaney
Duggan
McPhee
Bresnor
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