Chapter 6

 

Entering the 20th. Century

On Sunday, August 12, 1900 Bishop James Charles
McDonald laid the cornerstone of the new St. Malachy’s
church; and, although the building was not completed, he
administered Confirmation to eighty—eight children in it}
On July 21, 1901 the church was officially opened.2 The
following description of the church is compiled from two
reports of this event written in 1901.

Standing on the high ground from which the old
church was some time ago removed, and comman-
ding a magnificent View of a surpassingly beautiful
section of the Province, of which it is the landmark
for many miles on all sides, is the new church of St.
Malachi, (sic) Kinkora ..... It is certainly a gem
among the Island churches, and it is a fit setting for
its lovely surroundings. Such a structure is a credit to
the diocese, to the zealous and popular pastor, Rev.
John .I. MacDonald, and to the people of Kinkora,
who are to be congratulated upon having such a fine
place of worship .....

The new church is cruciform in shape, and twelfth
century Gothic in style of architecture. It is 118 feet
in length, 65 feet in width across the transept, and 45
feet across the nave, with a sacristy 36 by 20 feet on
the western side of the sanctuary. There is a basement
under the whole building, with walls of Island sand-
stone .....

55

The large central entrance in front has traceried
windows above, while on theleft is a square tower with
round buttresses carried to a height of 20 feet; and
surmounting it is the spire, tipped with a Celtic cross
finished in gilt. In contrast to the square tower on the
left of the entrance is a round tower to the right, about
30 feet high. At the bottom of this tower is the bap-
tistry, and above it the book room .....

The features that first strike one on entering are the
spaciousness and brightness of the interior. On each
side of the nave is a row of very handsome cluster
pillars, finished in birch, with carved white wood
capitals. The roof is a grained canopy, finished in oil—
ed birch, with ash trimmings and bosses at intersec-
tion of arches, and the effect is indeed most pleasing.
The walls are finished with light tints. Immediately
over the main en trance is a roomy and well arranged
choir gallery, reached bya stairway in the tower. . . . .

The transept is octagonal, with a high dome, and
alternating traceried windows and panels; the latter
of which will be finished with large oil pain tings of
sacred subjects. . . .

The chancel, which is large and beautifully finished
and lighted, and which has a hardwood floor, is one
of the finest we have seen anywhere. It is a seven-sided
apse 28 X 28 feet, with stained glass figured windows.
The sanctuary is lofty in design and beautifully finish-
ed throughout; and over the high altar is a dove, a
most artistic specimen of Mr. Antoine Vincent’s car-
ving. The altar rail is a fine piece of work in walnut,
cypress and whitewood. In each wing of the chancel
is a side-altar, with very pretty carving, done by Mr.
Clovis Arsenault, of Miscouche, and with arching
which will admit of effective decoration .....