ORMERLY A PART of the cathedral parish,

the Southport Catholic community

came together in 1950 with the purchase of the vacant Southport school which then became a mission chapel for the area. That same year the Assumption of Mary was proclaimed a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII.

In 1963 Southport officially became a parish, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption with Monsignor McMahon as first pastor. A modest attached rectory and additions to the small church satisfied the needs of the parishioners for awhile.

In 1989 the present beautiful church opened its doors and was blessed by Bishop james MacDonald on the feast of the Assumption. Painted in Marian blue, it contains a large worship area with moveable chairs, a spacious foyer, parish offices and an attached hall. A neat new cemetery lies beside the church and in the 19905 a new rectory was

erected nearby.

In 1995 the name Southport was changed to Stratford. That year through amalgamation it became a town, with its boundaries being almost identical to those of the parish.

88 OUR PARISHES

STRATFO RD (Our Lady ofthe Assumption)

Washed on three sides by beautiful

waterways, the Assumption Parish area probably contains the Island's choicest residential locations and scenic lookouts. The view of Charlottetown across the Hillsborough River is among its striking

features.

The parish today has 650 families who are active in many works of the local church and diocese. One of these has been providing weekly Mass on television for the whole diocesan community over the past twelve years. With great potential for growth, parishioners take pride in their parish community, striving to live the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and looking forward with enthusiasm.