A flurry ofhigh class educational institutions opened in the parish within a short time frame. First came St. Dunstan's College in 1855 and two years later a convent school in the city's east end conducted by the Sisters ofNotre Dame. St. joseph’s Convent school on Pownal Street opened in 1863‘ again conducted by the Notre Dame Sisters. In 1870 a new three- storey St. Patrick's School for boys (later Queen Square) began classes and the same year the new four-storey N otre Dame Academy on Sydney Street commenced its long and illustrious career.

In the same time period efforts to combat the evils ofliquor resulted in the founding of the St. Dunstan's Total Abstinence Society (1841). St. Patrick's Temperance Society (1874) the Catholic Total Abstinence Union (1877) and the League of the Cross (1888).

One ofthe bright lights ofthe cathedral parish was the Charlottetown Hospital. Founded in 1879 in the former bishop's residence on Dorchester Street, where the basilica sacristy now stands, it began under the direction of the Grey Nuns of Quebec. By 1890 it had moved to new quarters on Haviland Street (Dundas Esplanade) where a new wing was added in 1903. A new hospital in 1,925, plus a major addition in 1950. served the people admirably until its closure in 1981.

In 1925 the old hospital was reassigned to become a residence for elderly people under the In 1962 this

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name of ”Sacred Heart Home”.

across H. viland Street which continued its dedicated service until its closure in the mid 1990s.

Another institution within the parish was St. Vincent's Orphanage which began in 1910 and operated until the 19605, for most of these

52 OUR PARISHES

later/Dr offirst stone cathedral

years under the management ofthe Sisters ofSaint Martha.

In 1962 the parish constructed the Basilica Recreation Centre which continues its operation on Richmond Street.

The cathedral parish has been a real mother in giving birth to four new parishes: Holy Redeemer (1929), St. Pius X (1956). Southport/Stratfiird (1963) and Cornwall (19,78) .

St. Dunstan's l’arish has had a long line of truly dedicated lay men and women who worked hand in hand with competent religious sisters and an impressive group of dedicated priests. The bishops have certainly added their own special presence. One parishioner. Dr. \‘v”. j. l’. MacMillan, was premier of P.E.I. from 1933 to 1935. Another was \Villiam (Billy Archie) MacDonald who was Lieutenant Governor from 1963 to 1969.

The cathedral parish today counts 1,000 families, despite having had its boundaries gradually reduced over the years. The long tradition ofdevoted ministry continues.

First stone cathedral, burned 7973