Parish House /Pastors

The parish house in Iona was built around 1870 and apart from minor changes remains on the exterior similar in appear- ance to what it was in the beginning. When compared to recto- ries around the diocese, ours was of very practical construction, similar in size and style to many farm houses of the area. A verandah all across the front of the house gave the building a neat setting and inviting appearance. Inside the front door and on either side of the stairwse lay two front rooms, one of which was the main parlor. Farther along the hallway a dining room to the east and an office to the west completed the main house downstairs, with a kitchen and porch forming a built-on south wing. Upstairs were four bedrooms, one of which, in keeping with other diocesan rectories, was labelled the “bishop’s room”, somewhat larger and on the front.

My earliest recollection of being inside the rectory is of the late 30s when Father McCarthy used to invite the people in to hear the radio just after the Wednesday evening Lenten devo— tions in the side chapel. Many came in on these visits which were twofold. One was to hear the Lenten sermon, delivered by a special outside preacher and broadcast live from St. Dunstan’s Basilica. The other, immediately following the sermon, was to listen to the “Merrymakers”, an old-time fiddle team of Al Dowling and Hilaire Gallant that was a real hit during its years on CFCY with Kelly and Mclnnis as sponsor. These Wednesday evenings were much looked forward to and the blend of church devotions, semen and fiddle music was good for mind and body.