L} 43. {4; Venue“

MlSSlON or sr~rRANCIs

LiTTifi'ééfin This mission was detatched from that of old Launching in the year 186“. upon the erection of St. Francis Church. This church which is fifty feet by thirty ‘six and twenty feet post. was built by Mr. Joseph McDonald; he was assisted by all the heads of families then resident in the mission. who were very happy at the prospect of being relieved from the necessity of a difficult. and often dangerous Journey” across Grand River. every time they assisted at mass. or required the services of a priest. The Scottish Highlanders. whose fine farms are spread over the district known as Little Pond settled there in the year 1876. but they were not the first occupants of that country side. So far back as the year 1782 the father of Mr. John Cleiverie of Souris. fled from Savage Harbour to take refuge in then unexplored district of Little Pond. He and his fellow Acadians in after years. often spoke of the visits ~of the Abbe' Champion and the Abbe' De Celonee to their settlement. long_ before the Scottish emigrants had Veilded‘the axe or thehoe'in the forests of Little Pond. Soon after the arrival of the Scotch in their vicinity. the Acadians moved away to Souris. leaving their clearings for the new comers. As has been stated above. the mission of St. Francis was in 186M detatched from that of Old Launching. It was formed into a separate mission and then attached to Souris. From 186“ to 1866 it was served by Rev. Dugald MacDonald. and from 1866 to '1880 by Rev. Donald Francis MacDonald. The mission Was then detached from

Souris and annexed to that of St. Alexis. Rollo Bay, since which time it has

been attended by Rev. Dr. Walker.