FQXLEY RIVER (St. Brigid’s)

RISH IMMIGRANTS began settling this area

as early as the mid 1820s and for many

years travelled to Cascumpec nine miles away for their liturgical services. In 1868 they built a neat little churclL dedicated to St. Brigid‘ one, of the patron saints oflreland. This church continues to adequately serve the sixty families there. Later additions included interior finishing‘ a new vestry and a spacious rectory.

Often referred to simply as ” Lot 1 1 Parish". St. Brigid's is among the smallest parishes in the diocese. Over the years its pastors usually had spiritual care as well for one or two other parishes. Still, from the early 1940s until 1967 the people had their own resident pastor.

Changes in recent years saw the sale and removal of the rectory and the purchase of the nearby vacated school which serves nicely as a parish centre.

The parish includes the narrowest point of the Island (3 miles) and one ofits communities is conveniently called Portage. Across the parish’s northern border is a pretty little finger of water called the Narrows. Farther north lie the broad waters of the Gulf ofSt. Lawrence.

Situated in a quiet wooded section and with the charming Foxley River spreading across its brow. the church of St Brigid is a proud and prayerful place of worship for the parishioners and visitors alike.

OUR PARISHES 61