St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-08-02

vice president, David Frechette, treasurer
and Louis l.emerise, secretary. The
other members were Narcisse Moreau,
Jerome Lemaire, Jovite Pinard, Jean
Lanctot, ]. o. Drouin, Joseph Gautllier,
Peter Provencal Frank Lacourse,
Hyancinthe Lanthier, Louis Gingras,
Philip Dupont, DR.. Provost. Rev. FIR.
Marceau, the assistant priest OF the
parish, was the general counsellor OF the
committee
The altar was decorated on Sunday
with the flowers which had been pre-
sented to FIR. Boissonnault the evening
previous and over the altar were the
words, "Ad majorem Del gloriam.
Gratias agamus domni Dec nostro."
This was Bishop LaRocque's first visit
to St. Johnsbury and he is sure OF
cordial welcome when he comes again.
He speaks English fuenty and early in
his pastoral career was missionary for
ten years in Florida. He was stationed
at Key West and among his duties IN
that period was the baptism OF Gen. W.
r. Sherman's family into the Catholic
faith.
SKETCH OF FIR. BoIssoNNAULT AND HIS
PARISH.
Rev. I. A. Boissonnaut was born at
st. Valentine, Province of Quebec, May
16, 1871. He was graduated from Mon
treal college in 1868, and the same year
, began his theological studies, which he
finished three years later. After his
ordination in 1866 he was named assist
ant pastor at Saut au Recollet near
Montreal and ordained to the priest
hood. In 1869 he came to Vermont and
was given charge of the new congrega-
ton at Rutland. After lew months he
was appointed rector at Fair Haven,
which comprised the missions of Castle
ton, Orwell, Shoreham and Proctorsville.
During that time he built churches at
Fair Haven and Shoreham.
In 1874 FIR. Boissonnault was APP
pointed pastor of Our Lady of Victory
church, known throughout the state as
the Notre Dame DIES VICTORIES church.
For many years his people worshipped
in the brick church on Cherry street,
now known as St. Agnes hall. But his
25 years of faithful service have wit
messed a marvellous growth along edua-
tional philanthropic and religious lines.
During his first year in St. ohnsbury he
huilt the poy's school where 100 boys
now receive their education. In 1876
he bought the Catholic cemetery, which
was located where the slightly residence
of Joseph Gauthier now stands. AS the
village grew it was found to be un
suitable for the needs of the parish and a
new cemetery was bought above Pad
docks village. The year that the Gene
terry was first bought he built the church
at Lyndonville. At the latter place new
church edfce was built about six years
ago and is under the charge of Rev. FIR.
Paquet.
The Sisters of Charity came here in
1867, and they have especial charge OF
the girls school, established in 1879, and
where 90 girls were educated the past
year. In 1876 the chime of three bells
was bought and blessed on July 4. This
was the first church in Vermont to have
chime OF bells.
In June, 1878 FIR. Boissonnault bought
fine residence for the nuns, and as the
first building was too small for the
growing needs OF the parish, a new con
vent was built in 1888. The slightly
, residence in which FIR. Boissonnault lives
was bought in February, 1884.
The new stone church was dedicated
I Jan. 6. 1889, with imposing ceremonies
} and it is one of the finest Catholi
I churches in New England. 1t cost abou
$40 900. 1t is built of isle la Motto lime
stone and surmounted by a tower 49,
feet high, the highest in town. 1t ha
4 seating capacity of 1900, and is hand
q somely finished in ash and beautiful
irescoed The colored glass window
: were given by members OF TIE arish.
d May &c. 1895, the cornerstone wa
:. laid for hospital, and this building wa
# completed that year and has been {
great use to this town and community
' 1t is three-story brick building an
a cost about 500, 600
n At the arrival OF FIR. Boissonnault
+. 1874 there were 900 families in h
parish. Now there are twice as man,
i and during his % years residence in
is Dohnsbury he has spent 100000 upo
r. buildings and real estate for churC
property.