The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-08-06

nifty about once a year and it is claim
ed that this priestly man also offered
mass in the house now occupied by
Mrs. David Clukey on French Street
Father Nicola came from Wateryille
next to ofiiciate at the services of this
little band of Catholic people. 1t
seems that by this time French fami-
lies had arrived here from Quebec,
many walking through from that pro-
vince the entire distance. They sup
ported themselves by working on
these people were Enos Ayore, the
father of John B. Avore, who now
lives in Skowhegan; John b. Morris
cite. the father of Arthur Morrisette,
who was formerly a clothier here;
Gaspard Tantsh, father of Thomas
Tantish, of this town; David Dulac
and Gaspard Yeilleux. The increased
numbers in the followers of the belief
necessitated that the priest be with
them more and Father Nicola came
about once a month according to the
records He offered his fcryent sup
plications for his people in different
locations about the town. among them
being the hall over the present office
of the American Express Co. on Wat
er Street and it also appears that he
held services at one time in build
ing upon the present site of the Hes
elton block on Water Street. He is
now deceased.
Succeeding Father Nicola sometime
in the sixties was Father L'Hiyer of
Waterville He said mass at the diff
ferent homes of his people. those hav-
ing the larger rooms appearing to
have offered them for these public
services In about 1870 Father Halde
of Wateryile, undertook the religious
work fer the Catholics of the town
and his stay was marked with con-
siderable importance, as it was dur
ing his pastorate that the church
property was bought At first the
reverend gentleman conducted the
services at the different homes of his
followers, but later he conceived the
idea and necessity of purchasing a
church home and this he succeeded
in accomplishing by buying of the
AIaf Iirt ~, 81,
Water Street Thus was founded the
parish of Our Lady of Lourdes''
which today bears the same name The
church edifice was burned in 1880, but
in 1881 the building was rebuilt along
practically the same dimensions as of
old. Father Halde died at Upper
Lake, n Y, several years ago.
Father Edmund Genereux succeeded
Father Halde and came to Skowhegan
in about the year 1880. He was the
first permanent priest to take up his
residence here and for a time boarded.
1t was under his direction that the
new church was erected and he later
removed to the house west of the
church proper, which was formerly
the Methodist parsonage, but which
had been purchased by the Catholic
NAMED in Skowhegan until November
1883. He is now located in Canada
and is a professor in Lewis College.
From indications it appears that the
parish of Our Lady of Lourdes" was
greatly increased during his stay al
the head of that body.
In 1889 one of the notable events
in the history of the church occurred
and that was the blessing of the bells
upon October IA of that year. Many
elaborate ceremonies were held en-
HANGED by the presence of FIR. Char
land of Wateryille, and FIR Fortier
also of Wateryille Special services
also marked the blessing of the school
bell at later date.
Father Fl. II. Hanakers of Orono. in
November 1888. came to preside over
the faithful band His health was
somewhat undermined at that time
and he only remained until August
1889, when he gave up work for a
time and went back to Holland for a
rest, that country having been his
birthplace He has since returned to
America and is once more established
in Maine, being at present Chaplain
for the Sisters of Mercy in Portland
In recent letter from Father Hama
kers, he mentions his stay in Skowhe-
gan which was however so brief. that
he recalls not many incidents worth
relating
In August 1889, Father A. 0. La
croix was appointed to the Parish and
through his fundamentally in 1897 a
parochial school was opened here.
The Burrill property adjacent to the
church on the east was purchased,
which included several small houses,
the commodious Burrill residence,
and stable The smaller houses in
the rear were re-arranged for school
accommodations and the Burrill
homestead with some remodeling be-
came the Convent. Six nuns, Ursu-
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