c.¢holie gentleman took up the cause of his country men and interested himself

in the erection of a church in their locality.

He first obtained permission from the late Bishop McDonald. for them to separate themselves from Vernon River Parish and form a distinct mission. When after considerable debate a site for the proposed church was determined upon. Mr.

EStephens procured from the proprietor of the township. the late Earl of Selkirk.

a grant of the land selected.

Gatherings of the parishoners, called "frolics'. were then instituted. These frolics were in truth seasons of very hard woflk. in which the men felled the

crest trees and prepared them for the builders hands. Lotteries were held and ubscription lists opened; to these all the parishoners contributed. but none

0 generously as Mr. Stephens. who also gathered contributions from wealthy

riends of his who resided at a distance. Encouraged, aided and spurred on by

r. Stephens, the parishoners kept at work until the church was framed. rough- oarded, shingled. and in fact. completely finished exteriorly. A temporary

ltar was then erected and mass offered in St. Michael's church. At this mass.

r. Stephen's assisted: then. having had the pleasure of seeing his poor country- en worship God in their own church he withdrew from any further responsibility in onnection with the building. Foremost in contributing towards the erection of his church were the late William Cody. Patrick Power. John Roach, and Richard urran of Newton. the late Patrick O'Connell of Montague. the late A. McMillan

f Belfast. and Owen McKenna. now of Singy in Vernon River Parish.

e church of St. Michael was blessed and formally opened in 1852 by his Lordship ishop McIntyre.

t was for many years attended from Vernon River. the first pastor being the late ev. James Brady. the second Rev. F. X. deLaugie. the thifid. the Rev. James Phelan

ho had the church plastered and built a parochial house. The first resident