On the road in front of the church and the grounds surrounding it were hundreds of teams from the surrounding country. It is estimated that there were not less than five hundred, about fifty of which were from the city.

The church was filled to its utmost capacity with a congregation

composed of all denominations. The collection taken at the door amounted to five hundred and twenty dollars.

At ten o’clock a Pontifical High Mass was celebrated. The following clergymen took part in the service: Bishop Peter MacIntyre, celebrant; Rev. James MacDonald, assistant priest; Reverend Allan MacDonald, deacon; Reverend Charles MacDonald, sub-deacon; Reverend Dr. Edward Walker, thurifer; Reverend Stephen Phelan, first master of ceremonies: Reverend William Phelan, second master of ceremonies.

When the church was erected the cost was over thirty thousand dollars, a large sum for those times, indicating the importance the people placed on their faith and their desire for a suitable place of worship. Its situation — a commanding position on a piece of rising ground not far from the old church — was visible throughout the surrounding country for miles and it was consid- ered to be one of the most handsome churches on the Island.

The building itself is of the Gothic order of architecture and is con- structed of brick on a stone foundation. The original spire of the church rose to a height of one hundred and fifty feet and was surrounded by a large copper gilt cross. In 1964 is was necessary to take a loan of fifteen thousand dollars from the Provincial Bank to replace the spire. Through the years the stately spire had been falling away and something had to be done. Replacement was the decision and the old spire went.

Apparently the spire had served as a landmark for many woodsman. It was not uncommon if a woodsman were lost to climb a tree and try to spot the spire. Woodsmen never considered themselves lost if they could see the spire from a tree-top.

Many additions as well as changes have been made in the church since 1879. Father Phelan, ever alert and busy, realized the necessity of a bell in order to summon the parishioners to worship. No ordinary bell would do, so in 1886 the parish of Vernon River purchased a bell that weighed 1,513 pounds. It was blessed by the Bishop of Charlottetown on Sunday, July 11th, and named, “St. John”. A large number of persons from the neigh- bouring parishes congregated at Vernon River to witness the ceremony and the church was filled to overflowing. Mass was sung by Reverend J. C. MacDonald, Rector of Saint Dunstan’s College, who also preached an appropriate sermon. '

Anyone who visits the church will note another object of interest besides the bell, and that is the pipe organ at the rear of the church. In

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