Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present

Excerpts from:

Chapter Ten: Religion

Used with the kind permission of Mrs. W.M.
(Phyllis) Cosgrove October 10, 2001

For the purpose of brevity, only portions have been extracted
from the full text. For a genuine appreciation of Mr. Cosgrove’s
writings please read the entire work. The book is available
from the Kingston Public Library.

In times of sorrow as well as happiness the Islanders were ready to help one another, so when anyone crossed to the “Great Beyond” neighbors made a coffin of hewed boards and painted it with lampblack. On the day of the funeral, ropes binding tight the poles which projected at both ends, were tied around the coffin, four men placed the ends of the poles on their shoulders, and thus carried the coffin a distance of seven to ten miles through the woods. The proceedings were under the direction of a Captain, who, when the men got tired, shouted “Relieve.” Four others took their places, the first falling to the rear.

During the first half of the last century (1800s) there was no resident clergy, the people had to journey to Kingston when they wished any such religious ceremony as marriage or baptism. Roman Catholic priests held stations regularly in the houses of Mr. MacDonald and Mrs. McCrae.

In 1852 the Parish of Wolfe Island was formed as part of the Diocese of Kingston. Father Farrell, erected a substantial stone building which also provided living quarters for the priest. The church was dedicated “Church of the Sacred Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Sacred Heart RC Church,
erected 1917

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 35

When Father Foley was appointed pastor in 1854, he purchased a house and four acres adjoining the church where he lived until his death in 1861. In 1869 Father Edward Murray succeeded Father Stafford. On account of the growth of the Catholic population he opened a subscription for a larger and more beautiful church. By Christmas 1872 the structure was completed in the grove of eight acres where the present day church stands.

Father Spratt built the present rectory in 1901 and had plans drawn for the present day edifice but he took sick and died in 1915. In September Father Fleming proceeded with the building of the church at a cost of $80.000.

(Former) Sacred Heart Rectory built 1901

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 36

Parish Priests
Father Farrell 1852-1854
Father Foley 1854-1861
Father Stafford 1861-1868
Fatehr Graham 1868-1869
Fatehr Murray 1869-1874
Father Spratt 1874-1915
Father Fleming 1915-1923
Father McKiernan 1923-1928
Father Carey 1928-1935
Father Feeney 1935-1942
Father Shannon 1942-1948
Monsignor Ryan 1948 to present (1973)

RC Parish Priests
From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 36

Trinity Church was erected in 1848. The first resident clergy of the Church of England was the Reverend Mr. Bonsfield in 1851. The first marriage took place on July 7, 1852. William Percival of Goderich and Sarah Going being the contracting parties. The last resident clergy was Rev. Stanley Coleman who left in 1970. In 1973 a student minister William Bearance.

A second Anglican Church, Christ Church, was built at the foot in 1862.

Official declaration that St. Margaret’s Hall was free of debt was made at a mortgage burning ceremony in November 1937. Congratulations were brought to the parishioners of Trinity Church, who through the leadership inspired by their rector and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. James Dawe, had made the evening’s ceremonies possible. The mortgage was set alight by Col. The Hon. T.A. Kidd, M.L.A. of Kingston. Jack Elder, singing Scottish songs, highlighted the entertainment.

Trinity Anglican Church, 1848

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p 37

Christ Church, 1862

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 37

The first Methodist Church on Wolfe Island was situated on the East corner of the North half of Lot 3 in the 9th Concession. It was a frame structure and was built in 1857-1858 mainly through the efforts of the late George Keyes. Mr. Keyes was the first manager of the steamboat. He died in 1924 at the age of 86 and was buried in Point Alexander Cemetery. The frame structure and property was purchased by the late George Keyes In 1876 from the Montreal Conference. The church was taken down in 1930.

A Presbyterian Church was built in 1879 on the site of the new pubic school in the village. In 1886 a brick Methodist Church and parsonage was erected across the street. A union of the two churches took place in 1924 and in 1952 the Presbyterian Church was moved to its present site where it served as a Sunday School for the United Church.

Methodist Church, 1886

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 38

(New) St. Andrew's Hall

From "Religion"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 38

PHOTOS IN BOOK BUT NOT ONLINE:
Interior of R.C. Church erected in 1917 page 34

The Islands: Books: Winston Cosgroves Wolfe Island Past and Present: Religion

Winston Cosgrove's Wolfe Island Past and Present

Chapter Ten: Religion

Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present