THE CHURCHES BUILT IN KELLY’S CROSS

The First Church constructed in 1848, finished inside in 1859. and demolished in 1968, after serving as a hall for many years.

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In 1839, a large number of Irish immigrants, mostly from County Monaghan, Ireland, were invited to settle on the north side of Lot 29, at DeSable, by William W. Lord, who owned the land. For the most part

it was well wooded with heavy timber. Mr. Lord exported the lumber, to Ireland, and the people worked for him.

As time went on the settlers cleared some of the land and started to grow vegetables, potatoes and other crops. As they progressed mater- ially, they realized that very little spiritual progress would be made until they had a church that would serve their needs. This church would hasten the day a missionary would take up residence in their midst. Their spiritual needs up until this time were attended to by Father Malachy Reynolds who made infrequent Visits to their settlement.

So in 1848, with the encouragement of Father Reynolds, and the donation of a piece of land for a church and cemetery by Patrick McMur- rough, they began to gather the materials necessary for the construction of a church. When the materials had been located on the site, and the plans prepared, they hired four or five carpenters from Crapaud, under the direction of Mr. Best. The construction had not proceeded too far until there was a serious accident. In trying to raise the frame, with the help of unskilled workers, some of the fastenings gave way and beams and braces and other timber fell upon the people working below. Some twenty men were injured, but unfortunately Mr. Best, the head carpenter, was killed. This regrettable accident caused a pall of gloom to settle over the community, but the work continued and the church was built. It was not completed inside until 1859. It had no pews, the people had to stand.

There was a gallery in the church which seemed to be the style in those days.

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