Remembering 150 Years...

Remembering 150 Years...

1852 to 2002

Edition 5

Reflections... St. Francis Xavier Parish

Our stories. Our people. Our history.

Breakfast anyone? Jock Castonguay and Wilf Vincent team up in this August 1989 photo as part of the Knights of Columbus Pankake Breakfast. The breakfast is held as part of the annual Renfrew Lumber Baron Festival. P Rt. Rev (Msgr.) Raymond M. Clarke Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish from 1952 to 1965 P His first year at SFX was the 100th Anniversary of the Parish. (Centenary) P Born in Arnprior in 1898, he died on June 23, 1967 and was buried in Killaloe, his final posting as a Parish Priest.

“ The interior was that of a splendid Gothic church such as would do credit to a large city and the like to which, in modern times, has hardly, if ever, been seen in a village the size of Renfrew.” Excerpt from the Renfrew Mercury describing the new St. Francis Xavier as it neared completion in 1874.

“It will be more than a building of stone and wood and iron. It will be a monument of hearts and minds erected to the glory of God; remaining long after efforts have ceased, paying is finished, and this generation has gone.”

Rev. T.J. Raby in a letter to Msgr. R.M. Clarke shortly after the 1964 fire that destroyed St. Francis Xavier Church.

P Church is extended to 150' and redecorated by Father C.J. Jones. It now has three altars and two transepts. The sacristy alone is 50' x 38'. P Basement heating is installed and a tower is begun. P A new presbytery and cemetery vault are built. P Property across from the church is purchased. P During renovations, Mass is held at the Armory or Argyle Street Skating Rink. P In March 1920, a $12 heating bill was paid out for the firing of the stoves at the Armories on February 14th. Rev. Charles J. Jones Administrator Rev. Jones was born in Carleton Place and was ordained in October of 1910. He came to St. Francis Xavier in 1918 as Administrator in the absence of Father Francis L. French, who was serving as a military chaplain overseas in World War I. Father Jones presided over a flurry of construction and renovation activity during his two years in the Parish. He left Renfrew in June, 1920. Father Jones died January 21, 1965 at the age of 83. He is buried in the family plot in Pembroke beside his twin brother, Dan.

On Friday evening, February 16th, the Renfrew Sodality of the Children of Mary held its annual sleighing party. It proved an evening of rare delight for all the participants. Upwards of 100 members took their places on the numerous sleighs which set out from the Separate School grounds. Others joined them in the social evening which followed. Throughout the town and and nearby countryside they drove, singing to the accompaniment of sleigh bells, spreading their cheer to all.

Editorial from the Renfrew Mercury, March 15, 1872 “Our Roman Catholic Friends of Renfrew have cause of congratulation from the flattering accounts that have reached them of the flavour with which the tickets in aid of the building of their new church have been received throughout the country. This does not surprise us, as their just and forcible appeal to all good Christians, as published in their circulars, cannot fail to meet a hearty response in this liberal and enlightened community. No doubt their own liberality in aiding others in the erection of churches has had its effect in gaining them the cordial support which they are now receiving.”

P Tickets were sold as part of the fundraising drive to build a new church. P Tickets were $1 each. P There were 300 cash prizes, ranging from $1 to $300.

Edition 6

Reflections... St. Francis Xavier

Our stories. Our people. Our history. This photograph, taken in the late 1800's or very early 1900's, shows the Separate School that was located where the late Mrs. J.L. Murray’s house stands today. The buildings next to it were the O’Brien horse stables.

“How many old men look past the ashes of the altar and see themselves as altar boys kneeling in another time, before another scene? Mothers and fathers don’t see the burned rubble, but the altar decorated for their Wedding Mass. The blackened spot that was the baptistry is silent only in reality. In memory, it echoes to the cry of children.” Rev. T.J. Raby in a letter to Msgr. R.M. Clarke shortly after the 1964 fire that destroyed St. Francis Xavier Church.

Rev. Michael Byrne

Originally from Ireland, Father Byrne served as Pastor at St. Francis Xavier for five years from 1854 to 1859. He then entered the Oblate Order but eventually returned to the Diocese at the request of the Bishop to become Parish Priest of St. James Parish in Eganville. It was during his tenure that Renfrew gained official village status in 1858.

Knights of Columbus Renfrew Council 1989-90 Front row, left to right, Les White, Earl Bennett, Rev. M.P. Coulas, Ed Lee, Larry Hebert, Jock Castonguay, and Basil Cybulski. Standing, left to right, Ray Kane, S. McCallum, Gilbert Godin, Pat Barry, and Al Chaput, and two gentlemen not named in the newspaper caption. Missing from the photo are Don Brisson and Bob Quinn.

Rev. J.J. McGarry S.J. A native of Renfrew, Father McGarry was the son of the Hon. T.W. McGarry and Mrs. McGarry. In 1942, he became Assistant Pastor of St. Francis Xavier for a period of one year.

Father French bids farewell In an emotional sendoff at the Renfrew C.P.R. station, over 100 parishioners, gathered to say goodbye to their beloved Pastor as he headed off to the Front. After an earlier Mass, Mr. J.L. Murray made a presentation to Father French. “As an evidence of our appreciation, and a small token of esteem of your parishioners, we ask you, Reverend Father, to accept the accompanying cheque, and with it the expression of our deepest and truest sentiments. Signed this 27th day of February, Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen, on behalf of the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church, Renfrew.”

J.J. McFadden M.J. O’Brien W.B. Rouselle Frank Coulas T.M. Costello

P Rev. French received a Purse of $1,000. P Father French was born in Renfrew on September 5, 1868.

Edition 7

Reflections... St. Francis Xavier Parish

Our stories. Our people. Our history. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Stephen P. Owens Pastor of St. Francis Xavier 1965 to 1981

Msgr. Steven P. Owens P Ordained June 11, 1936 in St. Louis de France Parish, Chiswick, Ontario. P Died January 5, 1985 at Marianhill, Pembroke. He was 74. P Buried St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

Born December 19, 1910 in Chisholm Twp., Msgr. Owens arrived in Renfrew in September 1965 to become Pastor at SFX. As fire had destroyed the church the previous December, Owens’ term would begin with several large programs including construction of a parish hall out of what remained of the old stone church, a new rectory, and a new modern church in keeping with the new liturgy. Construction of the new hall began late in 1965 and was completed in September of 1966. The hall then served as a temporary church until the new church was completed in June 1968.

Even in the early 1840's, Renfrew was seen as a pretty significant place, situated as it was in the geographic centre of the Ottawa Valley and along the Opeongo Trail into the interior of the province. The Bishop of the Diocese, thinking that this seemed a logical place to establish a new parish, sent Father John McNulty to do just that. It seems that Father McNulty felt he had quite a bit of latitude as to the location of the church itself as he ended up establishing the parish out of Mount St. Patrick. This just happened to be where his mother lived.

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Rev. Joseph E. Gravelle Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gravelle, Father Joseph was born in Renfrew on October 21, 1892. He died September 3, 1973 and is buried in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

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Rev. Felix M. (Phil) Devine Society of Jesus Born in Renfrew August 21, 1901, Father Devine served as Assistant Pastor at St. Francis Xavier in 1930 and again in1942.

Renfrew’s first school, this log structure was built around 1852.

A familiar sight upon entering Renfrew from any direction, the bell tower of the modern St. Francis Xavier Church supports the bell consecrated by Bishop Lorrain back in 1882. This bell, purchased at that time for $700, weighs 2,005 pounds.

Reflections...

Edition 8

St. Francis Xavier Parish

Our stories. Our people. Our history. Most Rev. Joseph Raymond Windle

Sweaters, sweets, and cuddly friends at SFX bazaar In this January 1988 photo from the Renfrew Mercury, Elizabeth Ramsden of Carleton Place puts the squeeze on a new cuddly snowman bought for her by her grandmother Gen Ramsden at the St. Francis Xavier C.W.L. Christmas tea and bazaar.

This picture shows Bishop Windle in January 1967 when he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Pembroke with right of succession. He would become Bishop of Pembroke upon the retirement of Bishop W.J. Smith. Born in Ashdad, Ontario, in 1917, Bishop Windle was ordained in Calabogie in 1943.

“Sure it was a beautiful church, filled with memories of past generations; the men and women who were the nucleus of the parish when it was established in 1852; the ones who started the stone church in 1873 and their children who added to it in 1919. But a new and greater church will take its place.” Rev. T.J. Raby in a letter to Msgr. R.M. Clarke shortly after the 1964 fire that destroyed St. Francis Xavier Church.

The summer camp at Lake Clear, under the auspices of the Renfrew C.W.L., opened on Friday, June 30th, with twenty-nine girls attending. The following Friday, sixteen new girls arrived, including three from Ottawa. This year the camp is under the supervision of Mrs. Harry LaClaire (sic), with Mrs. Wm. Grace as cook, assisted by Mrs. Mary Grogan. Anne Kenopic is junior assistant. Friday proved to be a big day for the campers. Dr. W.A. Brown arrived in the evening and gave an interesting lecture on First Aid. Later he conducted a quiz, awarding prizes to all contestants. The same evening, the girls were entertained by an instructive movie on the Prevention of Forest Fires, Professional Diving, and the Art of Angling. Other pleasant activities of the week were the popular campfires and treasure hunt. Prizes for the latter were won by Anna Mae Lisinski and Helen Cruise. Catherine Lemenchick and Mary McDonald carried off the prizes for being the “most useful campers.” The weather has been perfect for all camping activities. Article from the Canadian Register July 15, 1944

Rod Cameron, pictured with Father J.J. Quinn sometime around 1930 at SFX Youth Camp, Lake Clear.

Rev. John J. Quinn

The St. Francis Xavier Youth Camp was established at Lake Clear some time in the late 1920's. It was closed September 1, 1980 and the land was sold to the McCanns of Eganville.

P Born January 9, 1902. P Ordained August 10, 1928. P Assistant Pastor of St. Francis Xavier from 1928-1937. P Died July 17, 1937. P Buried in Eganville.

In this 1957 photo, a group of campers is shown with Lynn McDougall.