Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-08-27
Observation-Disclosures 20, So 81, SEPTEMBER l,
WATERVILLE--STYLE CENTER IN CLOTHING
andW

fell into the hands of the English, and
later still in 1882 was restored to
France, giving the Jesuits another
opportunity to spread their gospel
wide throughout the new country.
In the autumn of 1916 the Jesuit
Father Gabriel Druilletts came from
Quebec up the Chaudiere, across
through the Carry ponds to the Ken
nebcc, thence down its bounding wa
tiers to tarry at Pentegoet, where he
desired on carry on from there as
center, in his further conversion of
the American Indian. \ copper plate
uncovered in the nineteenth century
bears witness to the fact that in 164S
a foundation was laid marking the
conservation of the spot to Catholic
benedicton Inscription on the plate
testifies that "164S, June s, Friar Leo
of Paris, Capuchin Missionary. laid
! this foundation in honor of Our Lady
of Holy Hope" The capture of the
French settlements by the English in
1854 brought the fruitful days of the
Capuchin missions on the coast of
Maine to a sad close. In 1872 the
French again took possession and
were able to send some priests to
cover the New England region but
the territory was large, the aids few
and hardships many. English infiu-
ences continually crept in to fight the
faith SO carefully founded, and Pente-
goet ceased to be Catholic mission
shortly after the departure of the
Fathers in 1904. This the brief tale Of
the religious history, if it may be So
called, of the PentaSoet site.
Its trading history follows a similar
rise and fail, the origin as a trading
post occurring in the winter of 1913
1914, with a life of varying prosperity
, through nine changes of regime and
of successive but continuous occupa
ton. 1t is claimed that it was the
first permanent settlement in New
England and its actual political and
commercial beginning. 1t has under
gone capture, transfer, restoration,
reconstruction. change of dominion,
assault raid, besiegement, under the
shifting rules of French and English.
Its final establishment was in 17l5
when sons OF the French Castin de-
stroyed it to prevent its coming under
English control. England held it dur
ing the greater part of the War for
Independence until finally it was ced-
cd TO the U. s. A. The Rt Rev. Louis
s. Walsh who is to perform the dedi
cation exercises on Sunday says of it:
During the one hundred and
thirty-one years of its existence as
trading post. its strength. strategic
position, and enormous revenues com
manded constant old and new world
reckoned with in Inter Colonial Polit-
ical and Commercial affairs. It's
story is the most varied and dramatic
Of any American fortress of Colonial
Days"
| And now the chapel, an ancient
! building which stands on the Fort
lands. purchased a year ago through
| the agency of Bishop Walsh for the
| Catholics of the vicinity is to again
consecrate the spot where so much OF
historical and religious import has
occurred. The Rt. Rev. Bishop will
oficiate, the sermon will be preached
BY q Jesuit father. Rev. Thomas j..
Campbell of New York City, and In
dams and priests and people from all
the towns of the PenobScot and the
Kennebec will be at hand to revive
the scene and story of the past ana
render it sacred for the future.