ST. PETER'S MISSION

ST. PETER'S BAY

In the days when the Fleur de Lys waved over the old French fortress of St. Pierre, the Acadian population drew their chief means of subsistence from the

‘ blue waters of the Harbour. and the outlying gulf - but it is more than probable that some of them drifted up the Bay in their Chaloupes and. seeing the fair land that lay smiling before them, found it very good, and that in the intervals between their fishing trips. they reduced some of it to cultivation or made of it at least. a pasturage for their flocks and herds. After the abandonment of this part of Ile St. Jean by the French. the Micmae reigned unmolested on the shores of this noble arm of the sea until the year 1792 when a band.of Scottish Highlanders arrived in the good ship ”Queen of

Greenock' and settled along the North Shore.

These brave emigrants. who rather than sacrifice their religion and their loyalty, had decided to turn their claymores unto plow shares and their dirks into pruning hooks. had many difficulties to contend with. Part of their new settlement was cleared land. it is true. but Eggii were roads to be made. bridges to be constructed, and houses to be built. before they could feel that they had a home in this new country to which they had come as strangers and wayyfarers. When by their industry and thrift. they had raised up for themselves homes.

that although not luxurious nor ornate, were still weatherprofif and comfortable. they turned their attention to the building of a church. From the time of their first arrival they had had mass about twice a year. it having been offered up

in private houses. When it was decided to build a church. elders were chosen. who. to raise funds for the work, levied a assessment on'all householders. The building materials were rrnrured by the inhabit':ts of the parish, who all extirci

into the work with hearty good will and energy. they even saved by hand the boards