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The Scottish Catholics in Prince Edward Island 1772 - 1922
Chapter XI


In a preceding paragraph mention was made of the discontent, that prevailed amongst the early settlers at Scotchfort.

Besides the hardships and inconvenience incidental to life in a new country, they were greatly dissatisfied with the system of land tenure, that obtained upon the Tracadie Estate, and grievously disappointed in the fact that the expectations they had formed and the roseate dreams they had caressed when leaving Scotland showed no signs of realization. Hence it was that many, as already stated, took advantage of the first opportunity to leave the neighborhood of Scotchfort, and go elsewhere in search of homes. This movement began almost immediately after the coming of the first immigrants, some of whom crossed over to Cape Breton Island, whilst others not wishing to go so far from their kindred took up lands on Lots 37 and 38, in places contiguous to Scotchfort.

In a short time Lot 37 attracted a considerable population, and its steady growth seemed to indicate that it would eventually surpass in importance the original settlement. This fact did not escape the keen vision of Father MacEachern, who was alive to every interest of his flock, and as the almost ruinous condition of the primitive Chapel at Scotchfort made it imperative, that it should be replaced by a larger and better edifice, he made up his mind that the original site should be abandoned and the new Church erected at a place more to the Eastward, where it would be convenient to a greater number of people.

This plan however, did not please all concerned.

Captain John MacDonald of Tracadie was strongly opposed to it. He did not wish to have the Church any farther from his home, and he had sufficient influence with his tenants to bring many of them around to his way of thinking. Personal considerations entered thus into the matter, and as often happens in such cases, the interested persons were not sufficiently unselfish to appreciate aright the real motives of the change. But Father MacEachern was not a man to take hasty action. He patiently left the matter in abeyance till the coming of Bishop Denaut of Quebec, who made a Pastoral visitation of Prince Edward Island in the year 1803. His Lordship, when seized of all the facts, saw the wisdom of Father MacEachern's contention and accordingly gave it his entire approbation.

He forbade the further use of the Chapel at Scotchfort, as a place of worship, and selected a site for a new Church farther up the river and near the Eastern boundary of Lot 37. He directed Father MacEachern to commence building operations without delay, and chose for Titular of the new Church the National Patron of Scotland, St. Andrew the Apostle. In the following year the Church was built and put in shape for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, and for upwards of fifty years it served the people of the neighborhood as a house of worship, and at the same time gave its name to the entire settlement. [This Church was hauled down the river ice to Charlottetown in the month of March 1864.]

A separate Mission was subsequently established at Tracadie a little to the West of Scotchfort. About the year 1838 ground was broken for a Church near the Head of Tracadie Bay, on the Old Glenaladale Estate. This building having been in use as a house of worship for upwards of sixty years was converted into a Parochial Hall, while close by was raised an imposing edifice, the present beautiful Church of St. Bonaventure.


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