1902, the pastor, Reverend Patrick Doyle, purchased on behalf of the parish, this elegant pipe organ. It is one of the few to be found on the Island today. The occasion was marked in the parish register by the fol- lowing entry:

On 'the 17th of August, 1902, I have solemnly blessed the new pipe organ for the St. Joachim’s Church, Vernon River, and dedicated it to the service of God. in the presence of the following clergy and a great concourse of the laity.

J. C. MacDonald, Bishop of Charlottetown

It was soon decided that since Vernon River covered such a large area it was necessary to build a smaller mission church. In 1897, an attrac- tive edifice was built at China Point on a quarter of an acre of land which was purchased from Walter and Catherine Morrissey. The church over- looking the Bay, was appropriately named the “Star of the Sea”. On November 1, 1899, the new church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by the Reverend James Charles MacDonald, Bishop of Charlottetown. The celebrant of the Mass was Father Clarke, C.S.P. Reverend Martin Monaghan delivered the sermon. In 1970, the church was closed and the parishioners from that area now attend St. J oachim’s.

‘ In past years the church of any parish was much more than a re- ligious centre. It was also a place to exchange news, to do business, as well as to meet your neighbour, a veritable social centre. As time passed, people wanted to have a hall where they could hold activities such as plays, dances and parish suppers. In 1900 a commodious building was erected and was known as the parish hall. It was built across the road from the church on property owned by the parish. The Christian Members Benevolent Association paid for the construction of the building. It was

bought by the parish in 1941 for the sum of two hundred and ninety-nine dollars.

From 1907 to 1912 the pastor of the parish was Reverend James Morrison who later became Bishop of Antigonish. After a one-year interlude by the venerable Reverend James Phelan, Reverend P.D. MacGuigan became pastor and continued as such for the next twenty-four years. In 1908, a new steam heat system had been installed. From the ledgers we know that it was paid for by taking a collection from each family. The collection was taken several times a year until an adequate amount was raised. In 1915 the inside of the church was redecorated. This was done again in 1935. From the years 1917-1920, a painting fund was set up. Collection for the fund amounted, in 1917, to $1,483.00; in 1919, it totalled $2,478.28, and, finally in 1920, it amounted to $3,448.48 — a considerable amount for war time. It must also have been sufficient because in 1920

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