History of St. Francis of Assisi


In September 1977 the first Catholic Church in Cornwall had its beginning with the purchase of approximately 4 acres of land from George Lowther. On January 1, 1978, Father Clare MacDonald was appointed priest in charge. An area bounded by the North River, West River and the Clyde River was cut from St. Dunstan's Basilica and designated as the Cornwall and Area Catholic Church.

Previous to this the spirtual needs of the Catholics in the area were looked after by St. Dunstan's Parish. Beginning in the late 1960's, under Monsignor William Simpson, separate religious services were held in the area. These were first held at the Cornwall United Church and later at the Cornwall Civic Centre (Lions Club Hall at the time).

In June 1977 a Steering Committee under Eric MacDonald was established and a year later a Building Committee chaired by Leonard Gallant was established. Within a short time a preliminary design for a church complex by Architect George Guimond was accepted. As one of the first, solar heated churches in North America, it received much media attention at the time.

In September 1977 the name St. Francis of Assisi was chosen as the patron of the parish. The first mass was celebrated in the new church in August 1980 lead by Father Clare MacDonald who was appointed the first pastor of St. Francis of Assisi.

In June 1989 Father Eric Dunn was appointed pastor at St. Francis of Assisi and Administrator of St. Martin of Tours, located in Cumberland. During this period he was also Vicar General for the diocese. In June 1995, Father Leo Trainor succeeded Father Eric and remained as pastor until June 1999 when he was replaced by Father John Lacey. Father Lacey, who was transferred from Summerside, is the 5th, and current pastor of St. Francis of Assisi / Administrator of St. Martins of Tours.

Over the past 25 years the parish has been generously assisted by the late Sr. Winnifred McIver csm, the late E.J. Roche, Fr. Thomas Maclellan, Donnie MacKinnon and Sr. Georgina Hughes. As well, Sr. Catherine Smith faithfully served the parish as Pastoral Associate from 1987-2000. From 1994-2000 Sr. Patricia Smith took over the duties as parish secretary from resident Judy Richard. Sr. Gemma Dunn has been the pastorial associate since September 2000.

The parish has been enriched over the years by the presence of a number of seminarians; John Keizer, Gerard Chaisson, Raymond MacDonald, Samuel Paquet and Floyd Peters.

As we proceed beyond our first 25 years of growth, we express deep gratitude to GOD for his many blessings of faith, friendship, and involvement of the many who built our Christian faith community. In the spirit of St. Francis, the patron of parish, we pray that HIS peace may continue to flow, not only, across our own parish community but to all parts of the Island.

Last updated September 2009.

HISTORY OF ST. MARTIN'S

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