The cemetery, however, will likely continue in use for many years to come. When the first chapel was built in Rollo Bay in 1804, a cemetery was established beside it, both being much closer to the shore, south of the present church and cemetery. The 1853 church was built at the location of the present church, with the cemetery likely being established at that time. In the 168 or so years of its existence, the cemetery has accepted many burials, numbering several hundred. Recently dated headstones indicate that it was still in use at the time of the church's closure.
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.
St. Alexis Roman Catholic Church
The first little log chapel was built in the year 1804 under the direction of Father McEachern, afterwards Bishop McEachern.
At this time there were but eighteen families in theparish and they all assisted in the building of the little church which was but thirty feet in length by twenty in breadth and twelve feet high. It was iedicated to St. Alexis by Bishop Flessis July 17th, 1812. It stood down close to the shore, beside the old burying ground where sleep the pioneer settlers of Rollo Bay. There are no very old toombstones to be seen in this ancient cemetery, those placed there in early days were made of old red sandstones and have crumbled away. A tall cross and a neat white fence mark it off as a place consecrated to the faithful dead. The second church of the mission was built in 1824, the builder was one Bartlett Dumphy.
The cemetery of Rollo Bay is by some persons considered to be more beautiful than any in the Island. It faces to the east of the church and is shaded by many graceful white birch trees. In the centre is a cross in memory of the mission of 1844.
The third and present church of Rollo Bay was built in 1853 by Lawrence Murphy and Lawrence Peters. It stands on rising ground overlooking one of the fairest landscapes of Prince Edward Island. Here the const line is broken by two beautiful bays, the points of land which separate them being high and well wooded in parts, while the farms theron give evidence of careful cultivation and great fertility. The church is sixty-feet in length by forty two in width; Vie height of the wall is twenty one feet. In 1870-2 a chancel and tower were added to it. The High Altar, which came from Montreal, is delicately though profusely coloured in blue and gold with touches of pink, grey and brown. The frontal is of carton pierre, a representation of the Last Supper in bas relief. Upon the altar are statues of Our Lady and St. Joseph which are painted to harmonize with their background, and on either side brass brackets support adoring angels.
From Island Lives, Page 22