FO RT AUGUSTUS ( St. Patrick’s)

Father Allan MacDonald was pastor of St. Patrick's Parish For 49 years (1877-1926)

N 1830 a group of Iriin immigrant families and his remains rest in the cemetery there.

settled here on lands owned by Father

john MacDonald who had inherited this In 1916 a mission church was erected at part this Father's estate. Soon they were johnston's River (Mount Ryan) and dedicated joined by other Irish immigrants who settled to the Sacred Heart. OFrather unique nearby and by some Scottish neighbors who architecture oI‘Spanish Revival style, the Front took up land generally around Glenﬁnnan. oI—this church in particular is worthy of pause

and reﬂection.

In 1837 the parishioners erected their

First church. dedicated to St. Patrick. and Today there are 260 Families in St. Patrick's replaced it with a beautiful brick one in 1870 Parish. This area was named by Fatherjohn which they Finished over the years. MacDonald, probably For Fort Augustus,

Inverness, Scotland. A Fire in 1897 did great damage to this church, requiring almost total reconstruction Sacred Heart Church with William Harris the chosen architect. It has been called ”the truest Gothic church on the Island" and has one oFHarris' most impressive interiors. Extensive maintenance of recent years

has preserved this architectural hilltop gem.

A large brick parochial house was built in 1875. From 1958 until 1985 it served as a convent For the Sisters of Saint Martha who taught in local schools and brought an extra dimension to parish life. In the 1990s this large house was transferred to a government agency For use as seniors’ apartments. The

present rectory was built in 1958.

60 2 OUR PARISHEs