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CHURCHES

St. Columba Church

Towards the close of the 18th. century several Roman Catholic families from the Highlands of Scotland, settled on the

north-eastern shore of Prince Edward Island.

In 1806 these people built their first church building, a log structure. It was built by John Campbell. As there were no saw mills at this time, the boards were prepared by hand, and in place of shingles, two tiers of boards covered the roof.

The first cemetery was on the farm of Duncan Campbell.

The second church edifice was erected between the years 1822 and 1825. This was a frame building fifty feet long by thirty feet wide, also built by John Campbell.

In 1846 it became evident that a larger church was needed

and this work was commenced during the pastorate of Rev. Pius MacPhee. Ronald MacDonald of Big Cape was the builder and it was

eighty feet long by fifty feet wide.

The bell at St. Columba Church weighed 1345 lbs. and its tones could be heard within a radius of seven miles. On December 28, 1863 a new bell had been consecrated for the use of this

church.

The vestry was enlarged in 1885 and 22 new pews were added to the church at this time (during Rev. D. J. Gillis pastorate).

The church which was built in 1846 was completely destroyed by fire on January 30, 1917. A new brick building was begun in 1918 during the pastorate of Rev. Ronald J. MacDonald and opened

for service in 1919.

The present parochial house was built in 1880 and remodelled in 1927.

The present modern church structure was dedicated in 1966.

The following priests, all deceased, were natives of the parish: