SUMMERSIDE (St. Paul’s)

Y 'I'HIS 18405 a few Catholic families

lived here and in 1853 they moved the

vacated Indian River church to Summersidet placing it under the patronage

of St. Charles Borromeo.

In 1869 the parishioners began construction ofa new brick church which Bishop MacIntyre consecrated in 1876‘ assisted by Bishops Rogers and Cameron. This one was dedicated to St. Paul. In 1872 the people moved a new but unused building from Mont Carmel which became a roomy parish

I'CCCOI‘y.

Fire all but destroyed St. Paul's brick church in 1946. By shrewd reconstruction parishioners ended up with a church, good classrooms and a fine basement hall.

In 1961 the present magnificent stone church opened its doors. giving the parish probably the largest worship space in the diocese‘ as well as an attached rectory. A classic style Casavant pipe organ is also a feature of the church.

The Sisters of Notre Dame have been a strong presence in the parish since their arrival in 1868 when they opened their first convent. /\ new and much larger convent replaced it in 1885. The great work these sisters accomplished in the field of education for over a century is beyond measure.

In the mid 1990s the parishioners removed the old church/hall and developed a nice parish centre out of the former attached rectory plus a new basement section. At the same time they purchased a house up the street fora rectory.

St. Paul’s Parish today is the second largest in the diocese with over 2300 families. the majority of whom are of Acadian descent. Each Sunday there is one Mass celebrated in French. This busy parish includes the new city of Summer-side, as well as farmlands to the east.

OUR PARISHES '«t 91