■#**tfMfc\»>;**r SOME Catholic settlers lived in Montague and along the Sparrow's Road ( Greenfield ) as early as the 1850s. The people erected their first church, St. Mary's, in 1872 and two years later they built a parochial house. Served for most of its earlier years by the priest living at Georgetown , St. Marv's TOO / welcomed its first resident pastor in 1950. In 1972 the old church and rectory, both a full century old, were demolished and a new church-rectory complex was erected in their place. In 1997 a new and separate priest's dwelling was built, leaving the space of the former one for other parish activities. The town of Montague is a bustling community, cut in half by the scenic river of the same name which is busy with fishing and other seagoing boat traffic. Surrounding the town, the parish contains an abundance of fertile farm lands, among the best anywhere on the Island. St. Mary's, Montague is a lively and growing parish with 420 households as shown by last year's census. The Spirit of the Lord continues to animate the people, many of whom are actively involved in the life of the parish. Catechetics, Social Justice, Liturgy, Family Life, RCIA, Knights of Columbus, CWL, RENEW, small faith sharing groups and lay pastoral visitation are some of the ministries and committees in which the parishioners are able to participate. One of the most prominent parishioners is Hon. Pat Binns , Premier of Prince Edward Island . Since the late 1980s St. Mary's Parish , Montague and St . Pauls Parish , Sturgeon have 'II been sharing the same pastor. First St. Mi Church 18, •TT 74 Our Parishes