♦ Censer Bearer Rt. Rev. J.C. McLean Also present in the sanctuary were: ♦ Rt. Rev. Maurice McDonald , DP ♦ Rev. F. McQuaid ♦ Rev. J. McGreel , CSSR of Holy Redeemer Parish, Charlottetown ♦ Rev. F.L. Connolly ♦ Rev. M.J. Rooney (Curate of the Parish) ♦ Rev. L.P. Callaghan ♦ Rev. Basil Croken Choir for the mass was under the direction of Dr. A. A . 'Gus' MacDonald, nephew of Rev. D.R MacDonald . After the ceremony, the clergy were guests at a banquet at the parochial house. That afternoon, confirmation was performed on 93 children. As well, Pontifical Benediction was given by Rt. Rev. J.C. McLean . Other significant dates in the early history of this new church included: ♦ September 24, 1930 The first funeral was held in the new church. Funeral mass was celebrated for Frank MacVarish . ♦ July 5, 1931 Installation of the pulpit ♦ September 13, 1931 The main altar and the bell were blessed by Bishop O'Sullivan ♦ August 15, 1934 Eucharistic congress was held in Souris . ♦ November 19, 1938 Rev. Ignatius R . A. McDonald passed away. His Body was interred in St. Mary's Cemetery. Over the period of the next thirty-five years, St. Mary's Church underwent many structural changes. In the late 1950s, under the direction of Monsignor J.A. Murphy , the interior was extensively redecorated. In 1959, a German painter painstakingly depicted many religious events through murals and stencils. Many of these remain to this day on the walls and ceilings. After the Vatican II Council in 1962, many changes were brought about, not only in ceremonial rites, but also in the sanctuary of the church. Mass was celebrated in English for the first time. As well, mass was celebrated on Saturday evenings to accommodate people working shift work in the factories. Under his pastoral charge, Fr. Roche had the railing removed, as well as the pulpit. In 1975, the slate shingles on the roof were replaced with asphalt shingles. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, another major phase of renovations took place. The interior of the church was completely repainted and rewired. As well, the sanctuary was enlarged by eighteen feet, new furniture for the sanctuary was purchased and a new altar was installed, allowing the mass celebrant to face the congregation. While all of these renovations were occurring, the congregation worshipped at Souris Regional High School. Again in the 1990s, the church and parochial house underwent many necessary renovations and repairs. The parochial house was fitted with vinyl siding and a new roof, a garage was built adjacent to the parochial house, a new church sign was erected, the church parking lot was repaved, and the pews were refinished. During this same period, St. Mary's Hall also received a major facelift, having been repainted and remodeled.