TRAVCADI E

(St. Bonaventure ’5 )

Haw FRI-INCH I-‘AMiulis lived in this area

as early as the 1720s and others

graduallyjoined them. By 1751 they had a small church at Scotchfort dedicated to St. Louis‘ The deportation in 1758 unfortunately brought an end to their presence there.

In 1772 some 200 Scottish settlers arrived in the Tracadie Bay and Scotchfort area‘ sponsored by Captain john MacDonald. The same year at Scotchfort they erected a modest church which they dedicated to St. john.

Fatherjames MacDonald came out with these immigrants and served the pioneer people all over the Island with true missionary zeal until his death in 1785. For many of

these years he was the only priest on this Island.

The parishioners constructed a new

church at Tracadie around 1840 and finished it over the years. In 1903 the present day large and imposing St. Bonaventure's (Zhurch opened for worship. Designed by a Quebec architect and built by the Bradleys ofl’.E.I., this impressive structure deserves a close up look. For visitors along here this church is a delightful surprise.

The Sisters ofSaint Martha came to this parish in 1942 and eight years later moved into their new convent Over the years they have been an influential presence within the school system and in the parish.

1n the 1970s the old rectory, of age unknown, was moved away and a new one built. From 1860 to the present there has been a resident priest at Tracadie.

Today 165 families live in St. Bonaventure's Parish. Excellent farm lands extend throughout and a pleasant backdrop is beautiful Tracadie Bay.

OUR PARISHES 93