REV. J. DENIS GALLANT 1963 - 1975

Father J. Denis Gallant was born at Rustico on February 26, 1923, the son of Joseph Gelase Gallant : and Marguerite Gallant. He attended school at Doiron's Creek until his eighth grade. At the time of the centennial of St. Augustine’s Church in 1938, he was offered a scholarship at Le College St. Laurent near Montreal. He was a very successful student at this College. He graduated from the University of ‘ Montreal with a Bachelor of Arts degree at the end of June 1947. He studied theology at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax and was ordained on June 3, 1951.

His first appointment was to St. Simon and St. Jude's in Tignish. This was followed by a year of study at the St. Pius X School of Music in New York in 1956. Father returned to the Diocese in September 1957, and for the next five years organized parish choirs on P.E.I.

From the Spring of 1962, he served in the Armed Forces and then came to St. Ann's, Hope River. He remained Pastor at St. Ann's for twelve years. During this time he was instrumental in the building of St. Ann's Consolidated School, established St. Joseph‘s Chapel in Cavendish; he was also the chief promoter of St. Ann's Church Lobster Suppers and through much hard work on his behalf and on the behalf of the parish community, he was able to pay off the mortgage on both the church and the property.

During Father Denis' pastorate, St. James Parish, Summerfield, was served from St. Ann's and this continued in the time of Father van de Ven and Father J. Leo Trainor.

In the fall of 1975 Father Denis left St. Ann's to become Pastor of the Parish of St. Philippe and St. Jacques at Egmont Baie. Father Denis is at present Chaplain at the Sacred Heart Home where he ministers and brings consolation to the community of senior citizens. We, at St. Ann's, are still enjoying the fruits of Father Denis Gallant's efforts in that our

Lobster Suppers have become world renowned.

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