In 1956 Father O’Hanley took a year leave of absence when he was named to the staff of St. Thomas University as professor of philosophy and Latin. During that year, Rev. James Smith of Chatham, N .B., was appointed administrator of the parish. Father O’Hanley was transferred to Summer- side in 1958 and Rev. F.J. Corcoran came to Cardigan. Father Corcoran was very actively involved with the young people, and many activities were held for the entire deanery in Cardigan Parish Hall.
Father Corcoran left Cardigan in 1963, and was replaced by Father Preston Hammill. The following year, Father Hammill started the highly successful Christian Family Movement, which was comprised of groups of married couples. Father Hammill moved to Montague in 1966, and Rev. David MacTague took up duties in Cardigan. Due to ill health in the winter of 1972, Father MacTague was forced to slow down for a while and pass his duties over to Father Lee Gillis. That summer, Father MacTague came back to Cardigan and a celebration was held in the Parish Hall on his 25th anniversary. He then left once again to go to Ontario to study.
Father Reg Phelan was named administrator. During his year in Cardi- gan, Father Phelan reactivated the religious education program as well as other organizations in the parish. Father Phelan left Cardigan in May 1973, to study in Europe. Father MacTague returned to All Saints for four months until he was transferred to St. George’s Parish.
Father Louis Dooley came to Cardigan in 1973 and and stayed until 1983 when Father Charles MacDonald, formerly from Launching, became par- ish priest. Father MacDonald very soon began plans for major renovations of the church. This project is well under way at present.
Over the years, the church has had many renovations and additions. These can be found in a booklet written by Barbara MacDonald, A History of All Saints Church. This was written for the occasion of the 100th anni- versary of All Saints Church, held Aug.10-11, 1974.
Protestant
Until 1879, Presbyterians in Cardigan held their church meetings in two very small buildings located about three miles apart. The minister in charge was Rev. Mr. MacKinnon. The congregation, determined to erect one build- ing in which they could meet to worship, gathered approximately $1,000 towards the cost. Because of the rapidly growing population, this first church soon was too small. A new church was erected in 1888 and officially opened in January 1889.
The following is an account of the new Presbyterian Church at Cardigan Bridge which appeared in the Daily Examiner, Jan. 10, 1889:
On Sunday the 6th. inst. the recently built Presbyterian Church at Cardigan Bridge was formally opened and dedicated for religious purposes. This handsome structure is situated on the south side of the Cardigan River, about half a mile from the village, and standing on rising ground over looking the river and bridge, is a striking object in the landscape.
The main building is 60 feet long, 32 feet wide, with posts 20 feet high. To the south-west side, a wing is attached 26 x 22 feet. At the south-east comer of the main building a tower 10 feet square rises to the height of 40 feet, finished by a symmetrical octagon spire, 35 feet in length, thereby making the extreme height of the toWer and spire 75 feet. At the east end of the main building a large handsome Gothic
59