P.E.I. church celebrating strong connections to the past
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N 46° 25.400 W 063° 17.059
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The first Catholic church built in Rustico, a log building, was erected in 1792. This church, built in 1838, was the third St. Augustine to be built on the site, replacing a second built in 1807.
Waymark Code: WMR2JN
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Date Posted: 05/03/2016
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Now 178 years young, when the church was coming up on its 175th birthday, church members planned a series of events to celebrate. The Charlottetown Guardian got wind of the story and ran an article on the upcoming festivities on December 5, 2013. It is reproduced in part further below.
For the first 22 years of its life, St. Augustine was the Cathedral of the Diocese of Charlottetown, from 1837 until 1859.
At the church is a very nice and informative sign apprising visitors of some aspects of the history of St. Augustine. Given that the sign knows much more than do I about the church and Pro-Cathedral, I'll let it edify you:
Augustine's Church of Rustico, P.E.I., is the oldest Catholic Church in the Diocese of Charlottetown. The present church replaced the first log church built around 1792 near the Pioneer Cemetery and a second church built in 1807. In 1834, the parishioners and the pastor, Rev. Bernard Donald MacDonald, drew up plans for a new church which was completed in 1838. It is said that the first service held in the new church was the Midnight Mass of December 25, 1838. As Bishop MacDonald decided to remain in Rustico on his appointment as bishop in 1837, St. Augustine's Church became the pro-cathedral of the diocese for a period of twenty-two years from 1837 to 1859. During that time, eight ordinations to the priesthood for the diocese took place in the church.
The church, built entirely of wood, has twelve paired multi-paned windows in a Gothic architectural design. Two stained glass windows in the sanctuary commemorate the parents of two native sons of the parish, Cornelius O'Brien who became Archbishop of Halifax in 1883 and James Charles McGuigan, Archbishop of Regina and Toronto and who in 1946 was elevated to the College of Cardinals. The interior of the church was completed in 1845, and contains ten columnar pillars surrounded by a gallery and a choir loft. The main altar, beautiful in its design and simplicity, is flanked by statues of Saint Augustine, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The massive tower with its decorative quatrefoil trim on all sides also houses a carillon of three bells.
The community of Rustico prospered greatly under the leadership of Father Georges-Antoine Belcourt, parish priest from 1859 - 1869. Among his many achievements, Father Belcourt founded the Farmers' Bank of Rustico, organized the first Acadian model school on P.E.I., established a large library and operated a steam driven automobile on June 24, 1867 on the church grounds. The parishioners of St. Augustine's in Rustico are very proud of their church and are very grateful to their ancestors who erected such a beautiful temple consecrated to the worship of God.
Designated a Provincial Heritage Place on November 1st, 2004, the Statement Of Significance for St. Augustine, from the Province of Prince Edward Island, is included below.
P.E.I. church celebrating
strong connections to the past
Sally Cole
Published on December 05, 2013
Carmelle Doucette has a deep connection to St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Rustico. She was baptized there and took her first communion there, attending mass with her family each week.
“My parents were devout Roman Catholics, so it was a big focus. I also attended the Rustico convent (school) where I was taught by the sisters of Notre Dame, so religion was a big part of our lives,” says Doucette.
Like many others, she went off-Island to find work after graduation, returning in 2006 to live and to reconnect with the friendship and fellowship of her home church once again.
“I’m very proud of our church,” says Doucette, who is one of the people co-chairing celebrations for the 175th anniversary of the Rustico place of worship.
Marlene White is the other. She began attending the church shortly after moving to the community six years ago.
“What I’ve learned since I’ve come here is that loyalty to the church and the Acadian culture is extremely strong in Rustico.... So I’m really excited about co-chairing the event,” says White, adding celebrations begin Dec. 24 with midnight mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard Grecco.
“This marks the 175th anniversary of the first mass being said in the church, which has been going since 1838. It’s an important occasion,” says White.
That night, there will be special music before the service.
“The singing should start around 11 p.m. We advise people to come early to get a good seat. Everyone is welcome,” says White.
To mark the anniversary, those in attendance will be given a little memento.
“Each person will receive a postcard showing the interior and exterior of the church and the nativity scene,” says White.
It’s the first of many activities that are being planned for the anniversary year.
Read on at the Charlottetown Guardian