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 S. S. Peter and Paul, Summerside
In the year 1850 the busy little town of Summerside did not exist. The marshy district where it now stands and which was then known as "Greens Shore", was occupied by farms cultivated by the descendants of U. E. Loyalists, while a few handsome dwelling houses had been erected by gentlemen who, concerned in ship building, found it to their interest to reside in this village. Upon the northern shore of Bedeque Bay, a flourishing ship yard gave employment to many men, who every spring would come in great numbers from the country districts to obtain work which they found more renumerative than farming or fishing.
Of these men several were Catholics and as the demand for labour increased in the brisk little sea board village, they came with their families to reside permanently in the vicinity of the ship yard. In the year 1853 so many Catholic families from different rural districts, had settled at Jame's Shore that it was found necessary to open a mission there. This mission was attended by the Very Rev. James McDonald V. G. pastor of Indian River, who interested himself to obtain a church for the new settlement.
The people of Indian River had just completed their new sanctuary, and generously made a present of their old one to their pastor, who superintended its removal to "Greens Shore", or Summerside, as it began to be called. The church was placed on the corner of Fitzroy and Summer Streets, and dedicated to St. Charles; a sacristy was added to it, and the whole building put in thorough repair. Besides the dwellers in the village at Green's Shore, a number of wealthy Scotch farmers, living in Bedeque and what is called the "new village" were included in the mission of St. Charles.
Father McDonald built himself a house on Fitzroy Street, which is now occupied by Mr. Robert Holman. In 1859 the old convent of Notre Dame on the corner of Summer and Convent Streets was opened. It was built and furnished by Father James McDonald at his own expense, and given a free gift to the mission. Father James also built a hall, in which a Catholic teacher had a school for many years. In this hall the old Temerance Society, of which the present Archbishop of Halifax was one of the earliest members, held its weekly meetings.
In 1865 Father McDonald purchased on behalf of his congregation, a building lot upon the corner of Central Street and Notre Dame Street, and in 1866 the work of excavating the site of the new church was commenced. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop McIntyre in July 1869. Owing to unforeseen hindrances this church was many years in building. In September 1869 the Very Rev. James McDonald was appointed rector of St. Dunstan's College. He had been for twenty seven years pastor of the missions of Indian River, Seven Mile Bay and Summerside, and it was with great regret that his people witnessed his departure from among them. He was succeeded in the charge of Summerside and Indian River by the Rev. James A. McKenna.
In 1872 the parish houses of Mount Carmel presented the mission of Summerside with a large house which had been built for a school by their late pastor, Father Quivillon. This building was hauled to Summerside and placed upon a corner of the church lot fronting upon Notre Dame Street, and came the parochial residence of the mission.
In October 1874, the Rev. Patrick Doyle, pastor of Kinkora and Seven Mile Bay, was given the charge of Summerside, in addition to his other missions, and went to reside in that town. He took active measures to hasten the building of the church which was completed in 1876, and was consecrated by Bishop McIntyre, in October of that year. The Right Reverend Dr. Rogers, Bishop of Charlottetown [that should probably read "Bishop of Chatham" - DLM], and the Right Reverend Dr. Cameron, the co-adjutor to Bishop McKinnon of Antigonish, took part in the ceremony of the formal dedication on the 21 October 1876 when the church was placed under the dedication of S. S. Peter and Paul. Almost all the clergy of the diocese were present, and the spectacle was imposing.
Pontifical High Mass was sung by Rt. Rev. Dr. Rogers, the sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Dr. Cameron. The Rev. Dr. O'Brien (now Archbishop of Halifax) was master of ceremonies. Mr. Landry, organist of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. John, N. B. came to open the new organ. On this occasion every seat in the church was filled, and many persons were forced to remain standing in the aisles for want of accomodation. All who were present expressed themselves much pleased in the music as rendered by the fine choir, which is justly celebrated throughout the diocese. In the evening a concert was given by the choir, after which the Bishops and Clergy were entertained at dinner by the late Judge Pope at his residence Fernwood, St. Eleanors.
St. Paul's church is of brick, it is built in the Gothic style and is ninety feet long, by forty five wide, with a tower twelve feet by twelve. From the floor of the nave to the apex of the ceiling measures thirty seven feet.
The chancel is eighteen feet by twenty three, and the side chapel thrity by eighteen. The ceiling is grained, the church is furnished with pews of ash and black walnut which were made in Quebec. The altar was made in Montreal from a design by Adophe L'Evesque Esq. Architect, and cost four hundred and fifty dollars. Above the altar is a stained glass window, from the Studio of Messrs. Spruce and Son, Bleury Street, Montreal. This window cost five hundred dollars, and is considered a very fine one. The organ was built by Messrs. L. D. Landry and Co. of St. John, N. B. at a cost of eight hundred dollars. Over the doors which lead to the side chapel and vestry are two very rich statues of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and of St. Joseph, these are from the studio of Mr. Burlac, Montreal.
At the base of the Sanctuary Arch, over each end of the Communion Railing, stand brackets supporting Statues of the Sacred Heart and of the Good St. Anne. Above the altar is a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, given by the women of the congregation. The Communion Railing is of black walnut and brass; it, like most of the other furnishings of the church, is from Montreal. The pulpit of ash and black walnut, which cost one hundred dollars and is the work of Mr. Matthew Dempsey of Summerside, was given by Mr. Donald McDonald who also gave the Stations of the cross, rich oleographs in black walnut frames.
In the vestry is a fine old oil painting of St. John leaning upon our Lord, this picture was bought in France. The church of S. S. Peter and Paul possesses an exceptionally fine bell, a gift from the late Francis Malone Esq. of DeSable. This bell, which weighs six hundred and five pounds, was cast by J. W. Shane of Baltimore, and bears the inscription:-
"Presented to St. Paul's Church, Summerside,
by
Francis Malone Esq. 1876"
It was blessed and placed in the steeple in 1877. The sponsors on the occasion were:-
Mr. and Mrs. John Gaffney of Summerside
Mr. and Mrs. John Hughes of Freetown
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. MacDonald of Point Pleasant, Bedeque
The bell of the old church is largely composed of steel and very clear in tone, was originally the church bell of Rustico. It was purchased by the town and serves as a fire bell.
The old church of St. Charles was sold as soon as the new sanctuary was ready for use, but the vestry, which was of more modern date, was retained for parochial purposes and is now the hall, in which are held the meetings of the St. Charles Total Abstinence Society. This Society was established in 1873. John Gaffney Esq. was the first president. It meets every Sunday, and in the winter every Thursday evening the members have a reunion, devoted to music, readings and debates.
The Summerside Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was inaugurated by Father Doyle in 1882, and has been the means of effecting much goods. The confraternity of the Sacred Heart was established among the congregation the same year.
The first Convent of Summerside having become old and unsuitable for the requirements of the school, the idea of building a new one was suggested to the congregation. While others were thinking about it, Mr. Donald McDonald, always prompt where the performance of a generous action is concerned, purchased a large new house on the corner of Church and Summer Streets, which he presented the nuns for a convent. The building not being suitable for that purpose was lotteried and brought eighteen hundred and twenty three dollars. It was won by Austin C. McDonald Esq. M.P.
With the proceeds of the lottery a new Convent was forthwith commenced, for which the building contract was given to Pierce Doyle Esq. This Convent was opened on the 12 May 1885. It is sixty six feet in length and forty five feet in width, and forty four feet from the ground floor to the apex of the roof. It is surmounted by a cupola and a gilt cross.
A broad veranda runs along the front of the house, which is a very bright and cheerful looking convent. The interior arrangements are very complete and reflect great credit on the Sister who directed the work. The chapel is a gem, a most tastefully furnished. Besides beautiful statues of Our Lady of Lourdes, of St. Jospeh and of St. Anne, here is to be soon one of St. Aloysius, which was given to the chapel by the boys of the congregation. That of Our Lady of Lourdes was given by the Society of the Children of Mary. The neatness, order and good taste displayed in St. Paul's Church and in the adjacent Convent is the subject of favourable comment on the part of all visitors to Summerside.
In the church the ceremonies are carried out with a decorum and strict adherence to pubrics, seldom seen in so small a country town, and which reflects great credit upon the esteemed and energetic pastor, the Rev. Patrick Doyle.
First Pew Holders in the Old
St. Charles Church
Summerside
Donald McDonald (Bedeque)
Angus McDonald (Bedeque)
Patrick Gaffney
Martin O'Halloran
Mrs. O'Connor
M. M. Power
James Keough
Owen McNeill
Malcolm McNeil
Peter McNeil
Longhan McInnis
Martin Keonghan
Alexander Campbell
John Costler
Ronald MacDonald
James Brazil
Welcome | Genealogy | Books | Services | Photography | Poetry | Links | Contact