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MELROSE
St. Bartholomew
English-speakingClosed parish
MELROSE
St. Bartholomew
English-speakingClosed parish
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History
Established around 1820
First church 1826
First parish priest 1926
Melrose, or "Emigrants' Route," as it was once known, was established around 1820 by Irish families who migrated to Canada. Approximately sixty families from this first group of Irish settlers established themselves permanently in this part of the country. Among them were descendants of some of the most prominent and distinguished Irish families of the time—such as the Lane, Carroll, Harnett, Hickey, Savage, Burnes, and Noonan families.
The first church built in Melrose in 1826 was constructed entirely of logs. It was located on the land of John Roach's farm. The church was built by Father John Cummis, and the old cemetery, where the remains of most of Melrose's first inhabitants rest, marks the exact spot occupied by the original church. A few years later, Father Edward Savage, a direct descendant of the pioneer family of the same name, purchased the lot and erected a monument to the early settlers. Father Savage also had a wooden cross built in the present-day cemetery.
The small log church was demolished a few years later, and Eucharistic celebrations were held for over ten years in James Carroll's own home. A new place of worship was then built directly opposite the site now occupied by St. Bartholomew's Church in part of the present-day cemetery. It was a wooden structure, built in 1838 under the spiritual direction of Father Antoine Gagnon de Barachois. For approximately 65 years, the parishioners of Melrose attended religious services at this church, during which time the mission was served by revered clergymen such as Father John Sweeney; the Bishop of Saint John, Bishop Thomas Connolly; later the Vicar General, Father John Mooney; Fathers F.-X. Babineau and Patrick Bradley; and Father F. Collerette. Father Collerette, originally from Cap-Pelé, actively contributed to the completion of his predecessor's plans for a new church in Melrose, the construction of which was finished in 1902. The building was blessed by Father Arthur Meahan in 1903.
Until 1907, both Melrose and Port Elgin were missions served by the parish of Cap-Pelé, but later became part of Sackville-Centre. In 1926, Father R. B. Fraser, then parish priest of Sackville, took up residence in Port Elgin, where he remained until 1932, becoming the first parish priest of Port Elgin. Upon assuming his duties as parish priest, Father Fraser purchased Frank Mitton's property as his primary residence.
Due to declining religious practice, St. Bartholomew's Parish ceased its worship activities on September 16, 2018.
First church 1826
First parish priest 1926
Melrose, or "Emigrants' Route," as it was once known, was established around 1820 by Irish families who migrated to Canada. Approximately sixty families from this first group of Irish settlers established themselves permanently in this part of the country. Among them were descendants of some of the most prominent and distinguished Irish families of the time—such as the Lane, Carroll, Harnett, Hickey, Savage, Burnes, and Noonan families.
The first church built in Melrose in 1826 was constructed entirely of logs. It was located on the land of John Roach's farm. The church was built by Father John Cummis, and the old cemetery, where the remains of most of Melrose's first inhabitants rest, marks the exact spot occupied by the original church. A few years later, Father Edward Savage, a direct descendant of the pioneer family of the same name, purchased the lot and erected a monument to the early settlers. Father Savage also had a wooden cross built in the present-day cemetery.
The small log church was demolished a few years later, and Eucharistic celebrations were held for over ten years in James Carroll's own home. A new place of worship was then built directly opposite the site now occupied by St. Bartholomew's Church in part of the present-day cemetery. It was a wooden structure, built in 1838 under the spiritual direction of Father Antoine Gagnon de Barachois. For approximately 65 years, the parishioners of Melrose attended religious services at this church, during which time the mission was served by revered clergymen such as Father John Sweeney; the Bishop of Saint John, Bishop Thomas Connolly; later the Vicar General, Father John Mooney; Fathers F.-X. Babineau and Patrick Bradley; and Father F. Collerette. Father Collerette, originally from Cap-Pelé, actively contributed to the completion of his predecessor's plans for a new church in Melrose, the construction of which was finished in 1902. The building was blessed by Father Arthur Meahan in 1903.
Until 1907, both Melrose and Port Elgin were missions served by the parish of Cap-Pelé, but later became part of Sackville-Centre. In 1926, Father R. B. Fraser, then parish priest of Sackville, took up residence in Port Elgin, where he remained until 1932, becoming the first parish priest of Port Elgin. Upon assuming his duties as parish priest, Father Fraser purchased Frank Mitton's property as his primary residence.
Due to declining religious practice, St. Bartholomew's Parish ceased its worship activities on September 16, 2018.
