To mark the inauspicious occasion, CBC news posted a short online news story, which can be read in full below.
After 203 years of service to the Catholic community of Rollo Bay, due to declining attendance and weakening finances the church held its final mass on August 9, 2015. Designed by
James Edward Harris, nephew of well-known PEI Architect
William Critchlow Harris, this would be the fourth church erected by the parish, the first a small log chapel erected in 1804, the second in 1824, the third in 1853 and this building in 1930, on the site of the 1853 church. When this church was built, the 1853 church was moved across the road and used for several years as the church hall. It has since been demolished. At the time of the construction of the first church, Rollo Bay was known as Anse a Matieu.
Incidentally, the
203 years mentioned in news articles concerning the closure of the church in 2015 would give a creation date of 1812. Indeed, the little chapel, though built in 1804, was dedicated to St. Alexis by Bishop Plessis on the 17th of July, 1812.
This building resembles that of
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Indian River, which had been designed by William Critchlow Harris in 1902, an indication of the relationship between the two Harrises and the fact that James had studied under William Critchlow for a time.
The building was given a pair of towers at the front, a smaller one on the right and the large bell tower and steeple on the left. Note that, somewhat unusually, the towers are both octagonal from the ground to the cross atop. In typical Harris style, the towers, especially, were given much attention to detail, including a double row of dentils at the belfry, hoods over the openings and decorative shingle work. Above the belfry are a total of sixteen small gable roofed Gothic arched openings, two on each of the eight faces.
One of the church's most prized possessions is the bell, buried at St. Pierre (now St. Peter's Harbour) by fleeing Acadians at the time of the Expulsion, or
Le Grande Derangement. This was done to prevent its falling into the hands of the English. The bell had been cast in Michelin, France in 1723 and brought to the new world by the Acadians about 1752. Discovered in 1870 by a farmer while ploughing a field, it eventually made its way to St. Alexis and was hung in the belfry of the 1853 church. Broken by overzealous use by the parishioners, it was recast by Meneely & Co. of West Troy, N.Y. and remains in the 1930 church. Whether or not it is in the tower, we don't know.
St. Alexis Church in Rollo Bay
prepares to mark last mass
A possible sale of the building to a community group is being explored
CBC News Posted: Aug 07, 2015 2:50 PM AT
An historic church in Rollo Bay is marking the end of its role as a place of worship.
A special last mass is being held Sunday at St. Alexis Church.
It was built by Island architect William Critchlow Harris in the 1930s,and is now being deconsecrated.
In the past few years, services have only been offered in the summer, after the church's furnace failed.
St. Alexis' priest says dwindling attendance and finances are forcing the closure, but it may not be the end of the church.
A possible sale of the building to a community group is being explored. The group in interested in doing something similar to Indian River.
St. Mary's Church in Indian River is another Harris church that has been repurposed into a performance space.
St. Alexis Church includes an almost 300-year old bell discovered in a farmer's field in 1870 and was thought to have been buried during the Acadian expulsion.
From CBC News