On A.pril 19th., 1948, the cleaning up of the land at the site began. After the completion of this task, the digging of the basement began. This was no easy task because of the presence of shell rock. The sand required was delivered from Shaw’s shore, DeSable, by Wilfred Conway. The forms were started, under the supervision of John Toole, on July 9th., and two weeks later were ready for the pouring of the cement.

A cement mixer was borrowed from N. Gillis and power for its operation was provided by Father Keefe’s engine. Although most of the men of the District worked hard, none worked harder than Father Keefe, and no doubt his efforts contributed to the early completion of the Chapel.

The summer of 1948 was very wet which held back the farm work, and also held up the work on the building. So it was only in September that the work began again in real earnest, under the supervision of Walter Toole, who acted as foreman during the construction.

On September 25th., 1948, the first wall was completed, and on October 19th. the rafters were raised, and nothing more was done until a meeting was held November 7th., when work was reorganized under Father Keefe. It was decided at this meeting that each man of the Dis- trict spend two days a week working on the construction until completed. Each and every individual did his share of the work, some giving more of their time than that required of them. As a result, progress was quite evident, and within a short period the building was almost completed.

On December 2nd., 1948, the cross was erected, and the chimney was completed December 4th. By this time the weather was quite cold making it almost impossible to complete the outside work. Consequently a little work on the tower and eves had to be completed next year.

In order to finish the interior of the Chapel in time for Midnight Mass, December 24th., Father Keefe had an electric plant temporarily installed to provide the light to work at night.

On December 24th., 1948, cleaning of the chapel took place, and an altar was set up. Everything was in readiness for the celebration of the Mass on Christmas Day.

On December 25th., Father Keefe celebrated the first High Mass in the new Chapel. The Kelly’s Cross choir, under the direction of Mrs. Bennett Trainor, sang the Mass. The altar boys were St. Clair Trainor and Carl Molyneaux.

Father Keefe celebrated Mass each Sunday during the winter of 1949-50. The Chapel was kept warm and comfortable by an oil furnace in the basement. Chairs were borrowed from Mr. J. Beaton, Charlottetown, and were returned in May. The pews were donated by Father Phelan McKenna, Pastor of Morell. These pews were rebuilt and varnished and are still in good condition.

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