The Basilica Recreation Centre — Before and After

CIIAPTER 2: THE NIGHT ST. DUNS MN’S DIED

This section is taken from Fr. Blair Bernard’s book, Things That Are Above. Although the fire has nothing to do with the Basilica Recreation Centre directly, it is a very interesting story, and the reason St. Dunstan’s needed temporary space. The Diocese was fortunate enough to be able to obtain the Presbyterian Church for its use until the Basilica was rebuilt. On the morning of March 8th, 1913, Island Catholics awoke to unbelievable news. The Guardian headline read:

Zion Presbyterian Church, circa 1895. (Courtesy of Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office.)

“ST DUNS TAN ’S CATHEDRAL TODAY NOTHING BUTA PILE OF RUINS: UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE! "

St. Dunstan’s, the crown jewel of Island architecture, was reduced to smouldering ruins. This, after a mere six years of operation. Even the Bishop’s Residence across the street suffered severe water damage in the melee that followed. The cathedral’s pastor, Fr. Gregory MacLellan, was so badly shaken

he had to be walked

to the Victoria Hotel, formerly located on the

corner of Great George and Water streets. Fire inspectors discovered that the fire had begun in the sanctuary, and without ever arriving at a definitive cause,

suspected an electrical malfunction.