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As countless immigrants from European cultures infiltrated our shores during the late eigh- teenth and early nineteenth centuries, each individual endeavoured to retain those ideals which had been remembered as a natural part of a former heritage. However, early pioneer life uti- lized all their intuition and ability to stave ofi‘ starvation. A number of years elapsed in the new land before groups organized to make plans for their social existence and religious teachings. Some people considered symbolism and ritual to be of prime importance, while for others, sim— plistic form with song was the accepted structure for recognition of the Christian faith.

St. Ann’s Church, Hope River Church built in 1876 — picture taken in 1902

The VESTRY part of the 1876 church is believed to be St. Joseph’s Chapel, Cavendish.

Diversified groups of Protestant and one Catholic church were established in this community. Five will be dealt with in this summary. The local Anglican residents travelled by boat in the summer or across the ice in the winter to the church of St. Thomas, in Spring Brook. Thus no Anglican church was established in the Stanley area. The five churches are as follows: Bible Christian Mission (prior to 1883), Methodist Church (1880-1925), Presbyterian Church, (1800-1925), Roman Catholic Churches (1843-1996), United Church of Canada (1925-

1996), which resulted from a Union of churches.

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