LITTLE POND (St. Francis de Sales ) A few Acadian families settled in this area in the late 1700s and these were followed by Scottish settlers who moved there in the early 1800s. In 1863 the present church was built and dedicated to St. Francis de Sales . From early historical notes it appears that Father Francis MacDonald , the pastor over that wide area, was not in favor of putting a church there but Bishop Maclntyre , a builder of note, agreed with the parishioners and so it was done. A large rectory stood for many vears beside the church and used for weekend visits by the priests. In the 1940s it was removed. Over the years has been served by the pastors at Souris , , St. Charles and . George's. Around 1900 the parishioners of , along with their Baptist and United Church neighbors, invested in an impressive summer-winter hearse which all three congregations used until 1951. This was an example of practiced ecumenism before its time. One of the most prominent natives of is Bishop Faber MacDonald, Bishop of Saint John since 1999. Prior to that he was Bishop of Grand Falls, Newfoundland . Three other priests and four religious sisters came from this small church community. Today St. Francis de Sales Parish has forty families. The little church and cemetery present a charming picture while all around thrive excellent farms. Several bays lap its pretty shore while farther out lie the immense waters of the Northumberland Strait . Our Parishes 71