The church at Hope River was modest, by comparison, being 30 feet by 30 feet. According to historical notes written by Father A.E. Burke who served briefly as assistant at Rustico in 1888, the first church was built in 1843 but was soon blown down by a big wind. It was rebuilt, probably in 1844 under contract by Doyle and Tierney for 40 pounds. This primitive church was served by Bishop MacDonald who said Mass there three times a year.
Almost immediately, Bishop MacDonald built a parochial house at the site where the church now stands. This was a not too subtle hint of his intention to move the church closer to the centre of population and closer to Rustico.
After a few years this second church was moved to the present site. In 1873 Father Azade J. Trudelle was appointed the first Resident Pastor. Up until 1862, Hope River was served from Rustico by Bishop MacDonald and Father Belcourt. Fathers Delangie and Doyle served Hope River from Kinkora from 1862-1869. By this time Mass was being offered every third Sunday. In 1869 the mission of St. Ann's was again attached to Rustico and was attended by Father Rodolphus Peter
MacPhee. Since 1843, St. Ann's has been served faithfully by the following
priests:
1843-1862: Pastors of South Rustico (Bishop Bernard MacDonald and Rev. Georges Antoine Belcourt)
1862—1869: Priests from St. Malachy, Kinkora (Rev. F. Delangie and Rev. Patrick Doyle)
1869—1873: Rev. Rodolphus Peter MacPhee of South Rustico
1873-1881 : Rev. Azade Trudelle (First Resident Priest)
1881-1888: Rev. Rodolphus Peter MacPhee and Rev. A.E. Burke
1888—1891 : Rev. Francis Xavier Gallant (pastor)
1 891- 1903: Rev. James Aeneas MacDonald (pastor)
1903— 1912 Rev. Alexander MacAulay (pastor)
1912— 1921: Rev. John A. Gaudet (pastor)
1921-1937: Rev. William V. MacDonald (pastor)
1937-1961 : Rev. Earl J. Dalton (pastor)
1959-1960: Rev. Andrew P. Macdonald (assistant pastor)
Jan. - Aug. 1961: Rev. Arthur Pendergast (assistant pastor)
1961-1963: Rev. Joseph N. Trainor (pastor)
1963— 1975: Rev. Denis Gallant (pastor)
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