St. Brigid's Church, Prince Edward Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Town or city | Foxley River, Prince Edward Island |
| Country | Canada |
| Construction started | 1868 |
| Completed | 1873 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John McLellan |
St. Brigid's Church is a special Roman Catholic church located in Foxley River, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It's part of the larger group of churches known as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown. This beautiful church has a long history and unique design.
Contents
History of St. Brigid's Church
Before 1870, people living in the area called Lot 11 had to travel a long way to attend church. They went to St. Anthony parish in Cascumpeque. This trip involved crossing a river by ferry and then traveling nine miles over land. In winter, they would ride a horse and sleigh across the ice.
Building the Church
In 1868, the Catholic settlers in Lot 11 decided to build their own church. Their first priest, Rev. James Aeneas McDonald, helped guide them. The church was mostly finished by Christmas Eve in 1870. On that night, they held their first midnight mass on a temporary altar. The entire church was completed in 1873.
The church was named St. Brigid's because many of the first settlers in the area were from Ireland. St. Brigid was a very important Irish saint from the 5th century.
Changes Over the Years
In 1914, a new room called a sacristy was added to the church. A sacristy is a room where priests prepare for services and where church items are kept.
In 1931, lightning struck the church's tall spire. During the repairs, a new copper cross was placed at the very top.
Since 1982, St. Brigid's Church has not had a priest living there full-time. Services are now led by Father Danny Wilson, who is also the pastor of St. Anthony's Church in Bloomfield, PEI.
In 2003, the church received special recognition. It was officially named a Registered Historic Place under the Heritage Places Protection Act of Prince Edward Island. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected for future generations.
Annual Summer Picnic
Since 1870, the church has held an annual summer picnic. This tradition has continued for over 150 years, bringing the community together every summer.
Architecture and Design
The architect who designed St. Brigid's Church was John McLellan. He also designed other important buildings in Prince Edward Island, like St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church and St. Joseph's Convent in Charlottetown. The builder for St. Brigid's was Jeremiah Dalton.
Gothic Revival Style
The church is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often includes pointed arches, tall windows, and a strong, vertical look. St. Brigid's has a central tower with a tall, pointed spire on top, crowned with a cross. The spire's roof has decorative, narrow windows called dormers on each of its four sides.
Church Dimensions and Interior
The church is about sixty feet long and thirty feet wide. Its walls are 22 feet high. Inside, the church is completely covered in wood paneling, giving it a warm and natural feel. Two beautiful stained glass windows decorate the altar area. One window shows St. Brigid, and the other shows St. Patrick, another important Irish saint.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of St. Brigid's Church
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The choir loft inside the church
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The altar area of St. Brigid's Church
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A closer look at the altar
