Our Lady of the Visitation Parish
South Gloucester, Ontario, Canada
January 17, 2006:
Our Lady of the Visitation Church was built in the late 1840's. It became
the centre of a large Irish Catholic community in Gloucester and Osgoode Townships.
Mr. Michael Daley has written a 140th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet, 1845-1985.
South Gloucester was settled beginning in the early 1830's. Many of the pioneers
had come to the Ottawa area to work on building the Rideau Canal between 1826
and 1832. When the canal was finished, many of the young workers moved inland
from the lockstations along the Canal (Hog's Back, Black Rapids and Long Island),
took up new land around South Gloucester, Bowesville, Enniskerry and Manotick
Station.
The church, located on Bank Street just north of the Mitch Owens Road was originally
called St. Mary's.
Thanks to Mary Quinn and Michael Daley for the following:
Hi Al & Mike - I found in the bottom of a trunk today (which belonged to my
Grandmother) some very interesting letters etc. One envelope had 77 old negatives
in it. The envelope says Mr. Foran ~ The Huber Studio, 127 Bank Street Ottawa.
Based on the other stuff in the trunk I think these are from around 1913-1916 or so.
One negative is a picture that has been taken of Gloucester Church as the photographer
is standing in the graveyard. There is a huge tree directly behind the church
(which I don't think is there anymore?) and the number of gravestones is extremely
limited by comparison to today. Off to the right (which would be beside the church)
is what looks to be a home. It has a verandah, dormer windows, a chimney etc.
It looks to be near where the old red shed used to be when I was a kid but it
does not look like the building I remember. Could this be a photo of the first
presbytery that burned? Have either of you ever seen a picture of it before?
I am going to have it and the others developed and I'll make sure and email a copy.
Interesting stuff.
... Mary
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From Mike Daley:
HI Mary, if you check , the 140, anniversary booklet, on the backcover,
you will find the picture, of which you describe, it looks ike the present house,
if you go to page 41 in that booklet . picture taken in 1890, of the church, and
to the left of the church is the house that would have been built,. after the
the fire of 1869, in which Father O'Brien lost his life, I stand to be corrected ,
was this building moved back, to become the parish hall, and replaced in 1914,
with the big house, ??, built in Father Prud'home time [1914 ] picture on
page , [44] Mary , check with your dad , or your , Uncles,
... Michael
_______________________
Mike you are absolutely right about the negative being the picture on the back
page of the booklet.
The Forans must have supplied the original picture for the booklet?? Check page
50 which says the house was again destroyed in 1914 but I suspect you are right
about it being the present day house in the photograph. It just looked different
to me. I'll double check with Dad and Uncle Carl about the red building which
was to the right. The shed was further back ~ where you used to get supper at
the church picnic. Another question Mike ~ when playing cards was wondering how
old is the church hall at Enniskerry ~ any idea?
... Mary
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MARY , I should have checked that story , page 50, after all i did compile
those pages , your hall ?, THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF MY MIND ABOUT
THAT BUILDING SOMETHING BEING MOVED THERE, BUT I'VE BEEN WRONG BEFORE,
St, John's Hall was built in the year 1900, Mary do you have a copy of the 150th
anniversary booklet we put out last year,on our parish (St. John's and St. Brigid's)
you might find it interesting,
that picture you speak ,came from either my sister Edna , or your Uncle Carl,
... Mike
January 22, 2006:
A Brief History of the Parish of Our Lady of the Visitation
by Michael Daley
The parish was established as a mission by the Bishop of Kingston, Monsignor Remi
Gaulin, 1n 1845 even though a report by Father Dandurand ,registered in the
Cathedral Registry [archives] stated that a chapel existed in Gloucester as early
as 1830, In 1848, when Monsignor Guigues made his tour of the country, the
Catholics asked if they might have a priest. The Bishop promised them one if
they would restore the chapel and build a presbytery, which they did very quickly.
A Statement written September 19, 1851 by Bishop Guigues relating to his visit
to Gloucester three years earlier [1848] stated , I was shocked to see such
a Miserable chapel, a shaky wooden building opened to all wind, a very sad wooden
altar, the only piece of furniture in the place. Now the Oblates have a new
Rectory and are ministering in a beautiful spacious church built of stone, and
when finished will be one of the most beautiful churches of Upper Canada.
NOTE, Ontario Land Records, June 23, 1819. By Order in Council, free grant of land,
lot 28, con. 4 to Philip Empey, Residence Williamsburg, son of a United Empire Loyalist, (UEL)
Indenture of Bargain and sale [ in part ] made the twenty-first day of February
in the year of Our Lord , one thousand and forty-six, by and between Patrick O’Dougherty
of the Township of Gloucester in the district of Dalhousie and Province of Canada,
yeoman of the first part and Charlotte ,wife of the said party of the first part,
of the second part, and the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of
Kingston in the Province of Canada of the third part, whereby the said party of
the first part for and in consideration of the sum of five pounds of lawful money
of the Province of Canada, convey that certain parcel or tract of land situated
in the Township of Gloucester, in the County of Carleton, containing by measurement
four acres, more or less, being composed of part of lot number twenty-eight in
the fourth concession of the Township of Gloucester, Rideau Front,
This indenture was witnessed by Father Dandurant, O, M, I, and Father Frances
Clement, O,M, I, and Father Patrick Phelan , Bishop of Carrhol .
On October 26, 1842, Father Patrick Phelan was sent to Bytown by Bishop Bourget
of Montreal with two temporary assistants. In the summer of 1843, Father Phelan
accompanied Bishop Gaulin of Kingston in his Pastoral visit right up to the
Allumettes. They confirmed the scattered Catholics of the two Provinces, thus
dispensing Bishop Bourget of a long hard journey ,at this time Father Phelan
was named Co-Adjudicator of Kingston. He regretted having to give up his parish
of Bytown, He called in the Oblate Fathers, who had recently arrived in the
country from France , to take over his parish of Bytown.
On February 26 ,1844, Father Adrian Telmon, O,M, I, Superior of the New
Foundation, arrived in Bytown as Pastor. He was responsible for Osgoode, Gloucester,
and March Township.Each had a very simple ,poor wooden chapel. Other missions
mentioned under his supervisions were Nepean, Huntley, Richmond, Fitzroy,
Black Rapids and Long Island. September 1st, 1848 Father Thomas H , Clement was
sent to establish a residence in South Gloucester. Father Clements signature
appears for the first time in the Parish registry. September 24, 1848; however
in the Diocesan Registre des letters it is noted that Father Clement blessed a
wedding in South Gloucester ,dated 19 , September 1848, Father Clement was
not to remain long in South Gloucester, before being transferred to Maniwaki,
Father Deleage served the Parish from 1848 to 1853,he also was transferred to
Maniwaki, shortly after establishing a residency in Maniwaki he returned to
South Gloucester and unscrupulously interested 17 families in moving to his new
parish to populate a new land.
Building of the church was begun in 1849, The stone was Quarried on the McGee
Properties. The pillars, made of square timber, were according to stories
told, were hauled from the farm of Thomas Daley &his wife ,Mary McGee, on the
old Prescott Road, and were an Occasion for a contest, there was quite a
controversy as to who should have won the prize, Mr Smith or Mr Powers, because
of their expertise with a broad axe. A superb church of Gothic Architecture
was built. It resembles the monumental churches of France, The estimated cost
was 28,000 france, in 1852 , the church was formally blessed . The Bell Tower
was put up in 1854 under the guidance of Father Coopman, The High Altar was carved
by Mr, Flavion Rochon in 1861. The Pews , built in 1874, by Mr, Terence Fagan
are of the old box type.
The presbytery was destroyed by fire March 9 ,1869, Father O’Brien lost his life
in that fire . The Presbytery was replaced by Father Francoeur in 1871.
By an old picture, it would seem that this building was removed to the back after
1890, and used as hall .and a new brick house was built to replace it ,
which in its turn, was destroyed by fire December 28 , 1914 . To be replaced by
the present day structure. The vestry was erected , and a steam furnace
installed in 1908.
The Parish Cemetery , nestled behind this beautiful Gothic-style stone church,
with its towering steeple, reaching as it were for the skies, stands as a monumental
memorial to our forefathers,.High above the main entrance of the church in a niche
in the façade is a statute of the Virgin Mary, faded and worn with the mist of
time, like a sentinel she stands overlooking all who enter and leave, all those
being carried to their to last resting place. The last resting place for many of
our Pioneer families , mostly of Irish nationality who settled in Osgoode Township,
and in the Southern part of Gloucester Township. As early as 1834, the Bytown Prescott
Stage coach passed this way, Gone are the horse and buggy days The Post Office ,
and Blacksmith shop are no more , this once quiet , little hamlet is now surrounded
by a thriving industrial area, modern stores,etc. Highway 31 , now a major
Highway stretches from the St, Lawrence Seaway, into the heart of our
Nations Capital. The City Ottawa ,
compiled June, 1985,
... by Michael Daley
January 25, 2006:
At South Gloucester, just down the road from the large stone church, there was
(and still is) an elementary school called St. Mary's. Our Lady of the Visitation
Church was originally called St. Mary's.
Mary Quinn has sent the following rules of behaviour for teachers in the schools
in 1872. Teachers were expected to set high standards of behaviour for their pupils.
Rules for Teachers in 1872
1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the
day's session.
3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of
the pupils.
4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two
evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
5. After ten hours in school, the teacher may spend the remaining time reading
the Bible or other good books.
6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings
for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden
on society.
8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls,
or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth,
intention, integrity and honesty.
Note: The teacher who performs his labour faithfully and without fault for five
years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay,
providing the Board of Education approves.
____________________
Mary - were these rules for teachers in your Catholic Schools? My mom was a teacher
and so I find this very interesting - but quite dictatorial. I wonder what the
teachers today (at least in the US) would say to rules like that? What on earth
would shaving in a barber shop hurt?
Al or Michael - do you know?
... Mardelle
_____________________
It's possible that getting a shave in a barber shop was considered frivolous
and wasteful and as such would reflect on weakness in a teacher's character
and personal judgement. According to the rules for the teachers, they were
expected to lead a very spartan life.
... Al
From Michael Daley:
The PARISH,of Our Lady of The Visitation was not without its behaviour problems.
In 1903 Father J,C, Dunn, parish, priest ,complained to the Bishop ,” that the
principal disorder here consists of coming to and from what are known as
public balls, advertized as euchre parties. I had them stopped in this parish,
but my people go to a neighbouring parish where the pastor built a hall and
holds balls regularly. Rather a difficult position ,for one who tries to serve
the youth.
Let us for a moment, as it were turn back the pages of time. June 22, 1898, Father
McCauley, resident pastor of St, John’s (at nearby Enniskerry) informed Archbishop
Duhamel that the people of St, John’s of Osgoode, had fully agreed upon banking
money with a view to building a new stone church on the same site as the present
frame building, It took 20 years to realize this dream.
In 1900 St ,John’s Hall [St, John’s Temperance Hall ] was built, The interior of
this building consisted of one large assembly floor and stage. In cold weather it
was heated by a monstrous wood stove. Like country schools, it had an outhouse
at the back, the hall was the scene of socials, euchre parties, dances ,
concerts, political rallies ,and silent movies.
The Archbishop spoke of building a new church, but before this a new presbytery
was required. September 1903, Father McCauley , reported that he had the house
[built in 1859] inspected and it was found to be beyond repair.
The parish of which Father Dunn referred to was no doubt St. John’s with its
newly-built hall [1900 ]. The euchre parties were held as “ fund raisers”,
after a few games of euchre , the floor was cleared of tables and chairs and the
place came alive with music, square dancing, waltzing and stepdancing — fun for all ,
the young and the old .
... Michael Daley
_____________________
Too funny that the euchre parties are still going on there! Many of the good
Catholics, I know, would not have been considered such good Catholics back then as
there are not too many of them who don't enjoy a good game of euchre. Also what
would the church picnics have been without square dancing, waltzing and step dancing?
Times have changed, as I remember Gloucester Church had regular euchre parties on
the third floor of the presbetry when Father Tompkins was there.
Also I'm sure the teachers of today would flip out at the list of rules in 1872!
... Mary
December 15, 2006:
Hi Guys!
Does there exist today a cemetery for Our Lady of the Visitation church?
My ancestor, Charlotte Sparrow, wife of John O'Doherty was buried there in 1883.
Many thanks!
Lynn
__________________
Hi Lynn:
Thanks for your e-mail regarding John O'Doherty and Charlotte Sparrow.
I believe that John Doherty donated the land for the church at South Gloucester
(formerly St. Mary's and now called Our Lady of the Visitation).
Do you know if Charlotte Sparrow was a sister of Charles Sparrow who was a
Mayor of Ottawa, I believe?
The Sparrow family was in the Ottawa area by the early 1830's. Here's a record
from Notre Dame Cathedral in downtown Ottawa:
10 Feb 1834
Bytown
Marriage of Thomas Donnelly, native of the parish of Magheraculmoney,
County Fermanagh, and Margaret Burke, native of the City of Cork, Ireland
Witnesses: Charles Sparrow, Charlotte Sparrow & Ann Tormay (wife of William Tormay)
I'd like to set up a new web page on our web site for John O'Doherty and Charlotte
Sparrow, based on your e-mail and Michael Daley's reply to you (thanks, Michael).
Please let me know if this is OK with you. We may then hear from other researchers.
I'll also have a look for other material here.
Thanks again for this.
... Al Lewis
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Hi LYNN.
Yes there is a well populated cemetery ,at Our Lady of The Visitation , Many of our
of our pioneer families are buried there, if there ever was a tombstone for John,
and Charlotte, it is not there now,?? her date of death would still be registered
in the Parish register,
[ thanks for the info, ]
... Michael Daley
______________________
Hi Al! Many thanks for the reply!
I believe that John O'Doherty did donate the land for the church. Charlotte is
indeed the brother of Charles, siblings with my great-great-great grandmother Elizabeth
who married first Robert Snaith and after his death James Lupton. Please feel free to
set up a new web page for Charlotte and John O'Doherty!!
Many thanks!
Lynn
______________________
Lynn and Michael:
I believe that there are some records for your Lupton family also at Our Lady of the
Visitation. I've come across the name spelled as "Lepton".
Charles Sparrow was the mayor of Bytown in 1851.
... Al
______________________
December 16, 2006:
Good evening AL, Lynn,
I read with interest your comments, question is John O'Doherty husband of
Charlotte Sparrow , one and the same as indicated on the indenture,of Bargain and
sale [in part only], Dated the twenty-first day of February in the year of our lord,
one thousand, eight hundred and forty-six by and between ," Patrick O'Doughtery,
his wife Charlotte Sparrow, and the Roman Catholic Episcopal corporation of the
Diocese of Kingston,in the province of Canada and whereby, the said party of the
first part in consideration of the sum of five pounds of lawful money, convey
that certain parcel or tract of land, contains by measurement four acres, more or
less, situated on part of lot 28 , concession 4 in Gloucester Township to the
Episcopal Corporation of Kingston, for religious purpose.
This indenture was signed by Father Dandurand, O.M.I, and Father France
Clement.O.M.I.- Patrick Phelan, Bishop of Carrhol
question ?? were John, and Patrick brothers ,?? did Patrick pass away and John
marry his widow , ???? for what its worth, Michael
P.S. You will find the above lines in the story of "Our Lady of the visitation,"
... Michael Daley
December 18, 2006:
Good evening ,Al & Alice,
In regards to the very impressive article, E-mail dated December 16 2006. I would
like to refer to my e-mail to Al Lewis, Lynn Malwyn dated December 15 , 2006 11.11 p.m .
Al to the many readers of your very informative web site, I did not make that article up,
This parcel of land referred to in that document. four acres more or less, for religious
purpose was not donated but , paid for, five pounds of lawful money, by the Roman
Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Kingston.
There are various reports as to when the first chapel was built, a report by Father Dandurand
registered in the Cathedral register [Archives] that a chapel erected in Gloucester may date
back to 1830, this is most logical and coincides with a statement written Sept. 19 ,1851 by Bishop
Guigues relating to his visit to Gloucester three years ago [ 1848] and I quote, " I was shocked
to see such a miserable chapel, shaken wooden building open to all winds, and a very sad wooden Altar,
the only piece of furniture in the place, now the Oblates have a new rectory and are ministering
in a beautiful spacious church built of stone, and when finished will be one of the most beautiful
churches in Upper Canada,"end of quote
In the beautiful publication "PLANTED BY FLOWING WATERS," The Diocese of Ottawa , 1847--1997
on page 56 in regards to" Our Lady of the Visitation," a line reads , In February 1846 Patrick O'Dougherty
and his wife Charlotte transferred four acres of land to the Diocese of Kingston for religious purpose.
Al I was checking my basement and I came upon an 1863 map of Gloucester,
[ [guess I forgot I had one, I'll get some copies and give you one,] on that map
in my view it reads John P. Dougherty, with Rev. I. O'Brien also listed, Father
O'Brien was burnt to death in the house in 1869 .
Just to put another potato in the pot, April 18. 1858, Margaret, [ O'Dougherty,]
Doherty, from O'Dougherty homestead, became my, Great , step grandmother ,
Margaret born June 15, 1820 of Ireland, immigrated to Canada in 1857.
Note, In our Lady of Visitation church register, dated April 18 ,1858 reads ,
2nd marriage of Thomas Keough, son of James Keough,and Catherine Ryan to Margaret
Doherty, daughter of Neil Doherty and Margaret Foley of Ireland . Thomas and
Margaret , farmed where the largest barn sale in eastern Ontario is held twice a
week at Greely Ontario,
Thomas Keough died 1902 . Margaret died December 12 , 1904 .
My grandmother Catherine Keough was the daughter of Thomas Keough and his first
wife ,Elizabeth Shanahan, daughter of Patrick Shanahan ,and Catherine Murphy, from county Carlow.
If anyone has documents in regard to land transfer from Dougherty to the church,
I would appreciate a copy of the same , thank you .
sincerely
Michael Daley
January 28, 2007:
To-day was a sad day for many long time Parishioners, of Our Lady of the
Visitation parish , of South Gloucester, as the former rectory, the once
beautiful 3 story brick building was demolished, in the name of being old
and decrepit.
This beautiful building, built in 1915 to replace the disastrous fire
of December 28 1914 which destroyed the former rectory, which was built
to replace the disastrous fire of March 9, 1869, which took the life of the
parish priest, Father O’Brien.
This old house, the stories it could tell, faded and worn with the mist of
time, like a sentinel it stood, for four score, and twelve years overlooking ,
the countless number of parishioners of the past and present generation ,
those who entered and left , those who entered, to plan; to participate
in the many church picnics, church socials, card parties, church suppers etc.
have striven, to maintain a rectory ,and a place to worship their God,
Turning a page in the book of time, as it were, many events of the past,
like the closing of a book are now but a memory.
Submitted by Michael Daley
March 21, 2007:
Good Morning,
I recently read the entries on the bytown.net site with reference to the
Dougherty family. I am wondering if I could correspond with someone about
the possible connection I have to this family. I am descended from Ellen
Teresa Dougherty who is buried in the St. Ann cemetery in Merrickville,
Ontario. I believe her father was George Dougherty. My mother who died in
1993 had relayed to us the story of the ancestor who had donated land for
a church and in the 1980's on two trips back to Ontario had tried to locate
this cemetery but we were unsuccessful. I am wondering if by chance I have
stumbled across the connection. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who
may be able to shed some light.
Thanks,
... Della
_______________________
Good evening Della, Al
The church & Cemetery of which you speak is Our Lady of The Visitation,
South Gloucester. Question , do you have a Patrick O'Dougherty , or
John P. O'Doughtery , in your ancestry, [ hope this helps ]
sincerely
... Michael Daley
________________________
Good Afternoon Mike,
Thank you so much for your follow-up.
I will be in Ontario in June and hope to spend a few days in Ottawa with
long time friends. I would like to visit the Our Lady of Visitation Church –
would you have directions to the church by any chance (I just ask on the off-chance
you are living in the Ottawa area). I lived in Ottawa in the ‘60’s but
unfortunately at that time I did not take advantage of the fact I was
living so close to all my ancestral history.
Looking forward to many hours of research,
Della
June 17, 2007:
Our Lady of the Visitation now has its own web site at http://www.olvis.ca/
June 25, 2007:
HI AL. the following relates to Our Lady of the Visitation:
Souvenir Post Card returns to its Roots
A letter dated Feb.20. 2007 reads:
Good morning Michael. Sometime what I find on the internet amazes me. Today is
one those times. I am writing to you from Midland where I'm going through
my deceased father's papers and found a postcard of the "Private Office, St.Mary's
Presbytery, South Gloucester, Ont. It is a very spacious Victorian room
[ fireplace,bay windows. potted plants,carpets,leather arm chair etc.] and in the
far corner behind a desk sits a priest.. would your group like to have it? I have
no idea why it is in my father's collection. Certainly the Delaneys were Irish
and they did live in Ottawa after WW1 .. But my Grandfather was an Orangeman.
On the other hand my Anglican grandmother writes about taking my dad to the opening
of a new Catholic Church , and how friendly the priest was. My father became an
Anglican priest.
... Paul Delaney
Michael writes , Hi Paul. Yes I would love to have that picture. as that
Rectory was demolished on the 27 of January 2007.
Paul writes The post card will be in the mail today,I had just read your
account of the demolitation of the old rectory when I wrote to you.
My dad became an Anglican priest. Grandfather Delaney [the Orangeman and a
Mason] was a RSM from WW1 who came to Ottawa right after the war, and dad
started school there. I've just found my father's notes and I quote .
Next door to us on the Richmond road was the toll-gate keeper's on the way to
Westboro. In the evening one could hrar the curfew bell ringing from out there
in the distance, The Merrifield family lived there , Then Father Prudhomme came
and the ST.George's R.C.Church was built up Piccadilly Avenue and hill, just
beyond the Cowan house. Mother took me to the impressive opening service.
The cleric assistant invited and took me to the Circus . [end of quote ]
He also mentions that on Sundays his mother took her kids to St. Matthias
Church Hintonburg .? It would be the church of England It was my grand mother
who did the religious upbringing, and she was Anglican and a very tolerant person,
My grandfather Delaney grew up in a mixed situation, in Sterling near Belleville.
The women were Catholic and the men were C. of E. I don't think we are connected
to any Delaneys in the Ottawa arear. interesting though . I'm sure in your
history you mention, Fr. Prudhomme. Does dad have the name of the church wrong,?
he made those notes in his 80.s .
Michael Daley , writes . Your Dad was right, Father Prudhomme was the Parish
Priest in South Gloucester , St George's parish was established in 1923.
Father Prudhomme of South Gloucester, was appointed the first pastor. the first
Mass was held October 1. 1923 in the chapel of visitation Convent on the
Richmond Road ., The land was purchased on Piccadilly Avenue. A brick Church
was built, it was blessed Sept. 21, 1924, this would be the new church Your
Grandmother took your dad to ,on Sept 21 1924. At some point in time Father
Prudhomme must have passed this picture post card of his former resident to your dad.
Feb.22 Paul writes,
Thanks Mike. Now everything fits together ,Doesn't it? Dad was born 1917 so he
would have remembered the event as a six year old . Is St. George.s still standing ,?
I enjoyed your posted historical pieces
... Paul Delaney
August 10, 2007:
The early settlers in the parish of Our Lady of the Visitation were mainly Irish and French.
In 1906, the Morozuk family arrived from the Ukraine.
August 31, 2007:
Shirley Morozuk has sent along a class picture of St. Mary's School at South
Gloucester in the 1940's. Can you identify any of these keen students?
November 19, 2007:
Hi All,
Just a note to say that Alec Ball has finished his cemetery listing
on "Our Lady of Visitation Cemetery" and it is available at the OTHS
museum in Vernon at a cost of $7.00.
Regards,
Jim Stevenson
E-Mail Osgoode Township Historical Society
August 2, 2008:
Thanks to Michael Daley for the following:
Father Patrick McGOEY
(buried at Our Lady of the Visitation, South Gloucester)
Hi Linda.
Father Patrick McGoey, a brief review from his Biography. Patrick born 2 March 1817,
County Longford, Ireland, no mention of his parents, or brothers or sisters.
Ordination May 6 1849 in Ottawa by Mgr. uigues,
Appointments:
10 of June 1849 missionary in Plantagenet ,
1849-1853 pastor of Saint Luke, Curran ,
1854 -1859 pastor of St.Camille, Farrelton,
April 1859 officiating minister of St. Etienne of Chelsea. (St. Stephens)
1868 first resident pastor in St. Etienne serving Wakefield
1869-10 October 1877 first pastor of St. Elizabeth of Cantley and serving Wakefield .
1879-1888 Pastor of St. John the Evangelist of Dawson, (Osgoode) St.Bridget of Manotick .
1888 retirement , death date ,on his tombstone , Our Lady of the Visitation cemetery reads,
Nov. 6 1890.
His works:
Farrelton. construction of church and rectory.
Cantley, construction of a chapel seeing to all necessary objects of cult all thanks to
collections he made.
N.B. One finds his name on the Decree of erection of the diocese of Ottawa.
In answer to your question, no he was not appointed to Our Lady of the Visitation.
Could he have retired there, ?? yes a big house,? or did he have family in that parish.??
Here is a story, that has been passed down, through the years, my grandfather's
(Michael Daley), Uncle John, married a woman by the name of " Kate McGoey", they owned
a store in South Gloucester, where Kate died in child birth, years later John returned
to the homestead , after their mother, Elizabeth (McGuire) Daley died, January 18 .1888,
to live with his "single" brother Michael. When Michael died the farm was left to John,
who in turn sold it to his nephew , my grandfather ,Michael Daley ,
John's health had been failing for some time. He had to spend 20 weeks in the Ottawa
General Hospital, in a private room, at $10.00 a week, a letter written by Sister Mary
Redemption, "it was shortly after May the 30 that we noticed his mind got disturbed,"
further, April 4th 1899, Received payment in full. $185.00" at home, in fit of anger,
he threw a chamber pot and it struck a beautiful hand carved corner post on the stairway
railing, splintered and chipped , [the post remained there until 1969.]
On the afternoon before his death, his last words , "What a beautiful day to be going to hell".
In the dark of that night , Feb .13 , 1901 the family all in bed, my teenage Aunt, awoke
from a sound sleep to see, "Like in a dream," a vision, a beautiful woman in white glide,
silently into John's room, the next morning they found John dead.. Kate McGoey "noted for
her beauty" had returned to take her beloved husband with her.
... Michael Daley
February 2, 2009:
On a vacation in Rome , I noticed a marble column in St. Peter's with a golden telephone
on it. As a young priest passed by, I asked who the telephone was for. He told me it was a
direct line to Heaven, and if I'd like to call, it would be a thousand dollars. I was
amazed, but declined the offer.
Throughout Italy , I kept seeing the same golden telephone on a marble column. At each, I
asked about it and the answer was always the same: a direct line to Heaven and I could call
for a thousand dollars.
On the way homeward, I stopped in Ireland . I decided to attend Mass at a local village
church. When I walked in the door I noticed the golden telephone. Underneath it there was
a sign stating: "DIRECT LINE TO HEAVEN 25 cents". "Father", I said , "I have been all
over Italy and in all the cathedrals I visited, I've seen telephones exactly like this one.
But the price is always a thousand dollars. Why is it that this one is only 25 cents"?
The priest smiled and said, "Ah! But you're in Ireland now! It's a local call".
(Thanks to Jerry Tierney for the above story)!
June 9, 2010:
Hi Al.
for your info, this refers to the entry on your site, dated January 28 2007.
The Rectory at our Lady of the Visitation, that was demolished ,January 28,2007 has been replaced
with a beautiful 5500 square foot, parish hall on that site. includes, reception centre,
meeting room, Office and industrial kitchen, etc,
Official opening , after 11,O'clock Mass Sunday June 13, 2010
Michael
February 8, 2011:
Hello - Happy New Year!
I am wondering if any of you can identify the Priest in the photo. I found it on a facebook group called "St. Mary's School."
Thank you
Shirley Morozuk
____________________________
Hi Shirley , great to hear from you, I stand to be corrected, that priest is Father Tompkins, Parish Priest at
Our Lady of the Visitation, South Gloucester from 1945 to October 1966.
... Michael
____________________________
Hi everyone:
Thanks for the e-mails and the confirmation that the priest in the picture is Father Tompkins. Michael, was this man a local home-grown priest?
I think that there were a couple of Catholic Tompkins families from Gloucester Township.
Shirley, can you tell me how to get at the photo at the facebook group “St. Mary’s School”?
... Al
_______________________________
Hi Al Father Tompkins was born 1896 son of Patrick Joseph Tompkins & Mary Ford, he died
in the General Hospital Sept, 8 1969 buried in St.. Joseph's cemetery ,Orleans he had one brother
Joe, and four sisters -Lizzie. Sarah,[ nun ]. Theresa. -- Frances [Mrs Thomas McCaffery ] of ST.
John's Parish , Enniskerry ,Osgoode,
Frances was a School teacher and was hired by school board near Venosta ,or Low, Quebec?? She Married Thomas McCaffery ,
they eventually bought a farm in Snake Island raised a fine family ,
AL , I am presume that Father Tompkins was born Orleans or Sarsfield area,???
... Michael
_______________________________
February 9, 2011:
Hi Al and Michael,
I was looking at your page on Our Lady of the Visitation parish this morning, and the mention of Canon Tompkins.
I’ve often wondered if that Fr/Canon Tompkins that I sometimes saw mentioned in wedding announcements, etc. in the
digital Citizen was one of the County Wicklow Tompkins. He is. Here’s his baptismal record, and he was a grandson of
John Tomkins/Tompkins and Elizabeth Traynor, who were married in Carnew. They came to Bytown about 1844, and later
settled in Orleans (They were cousins of all those Bytown Kehoes.)
1896 baptism record of Father Tomkins
Source: Drouin Records at ancestry.ca
Very nice report on the naming of Enniskerry, Michael.
... Anne Burgess
E-mail Michael Daley, Mary Quinn, Mardelle Considine, Lynn, Della, Shirley Morozuk, Anne Burgess and Al Lewis
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