An early picture of Old St. James’. Note in the foreground the rail to which horses were tied during services.

The first resident missionary, Rev. William Roche, was not satisfied with his appointment. The Parish had no rectory, and although the people offered to provide accommodation for him, he chose to live in Charlottetown and make the journey each weekend by horseback. In little more than a year, Rev. Roche resigned and the mission came to an end. Services were held at intervals following his resignation, but it was not until 1846 that the mission was reopened with Rev. W.H. Cooper as resident missionary. The first Parish meeting

of Rev. Cooper’s incumbency was held on May 25, 1847. Following are the minutes of that

meeting: