os’r or ”II 11: liARLlliST Catholic settlers in this area came from Ireland and would have gone to Indian River

for liturgical services.

In 1865 they began construction of their first church which opened for worship the following year under dedication to the Holy Magi. For quite some time the people

I!

referred to it as the "Freetown church . Even with their own church, this community still remained a mission oflndian River for over

fifty years.

In 1918 this area became a parish ofits own and the following year the people built a new rectory. Needing more worship space, the parishioners erected the present beautiful church which opened in 1929 and which they dedicated to St. james the Apostle. This structure is truly a gem among our rural

churches. From 1918 the parishioners here had

their own resident pastor until 1972, shortly after which they sold their parish house.

90 6» OUR PARISHES

3U MM EBB ELF?” ,

Since the 19705 the pastor at Hope River for a number ofyears had responsibility also for Summerfield Parish. In more recent times the parish priest at Kelly's Cross exercises pastoral care here where some sixty

families now live.

Rich farm lands extend throughout the parish and the pleasant inland scenery especially from the church hill is very grand.