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St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Deseronto, Ontario  “For those who pray and worship from the heartWhose acts and gentle deeds reflect a Christian way: There stands a church of such a noble start; Our heritage in this town upon the bay. Though she’s been ravaged low by raging fire, Though economic loss has cut into her veins, She stands with pride, from altar up to spire, Where charity and faith remain her finest claims” Wayne Cassidy 1840 – 1878 The first Catholics in the area of Deseronto, our ancestors in faith, arrived in the 1840’s. Their spiritual needs were served by the pastor of Marysville, Father Charles Bourke, who visited them periodically. These faithful Catholics would walk over six miles or drive to Marysville each Sunday to attend Mass. Around the same time, H. B. Rathbun, from Auburn, New York, visited the area and quickly recognized its potential as a timber port. By 1849 a sawmill was in place and the area was known as Mill Point. The settlement soon grew into a booming timber town attracting workers from far and wide. As the Catholic population grew, Mass was frequently celebrated in Mill Point in the home of Tobias Butler, one of the parishioners, by Father Michael Mackey, pastor of Marysville. This home is the present day home of Vera Dowling. 1878 Bishop John O’Brien placed Mill Point under the care of Father John McDonagh, pastor of Napanee where a church had been established in 1856. Mass was celebrated once a month in the village. 1879 With the growing population in Mill Point more space was needed. The Rathbun Company allowed the use of the hall above their store on Main St. for Mass. It was here that plans for a real church took shape. 1882 Construction of a church began on October 18 on land donated by the Rathbun Company. The land was situated on the north side of Dundas St. at the east end of the village, now known as Deseronto. The new church was to be fifty feet long by thirty-five feet wide and built of brick. The building committee was comprised of Chairman: Thomas Roach Jr. and Members: John Edwards, Richard Daverne, John Marrigan, Edward Gaulin, Edward Bruyea, Joseph Houle, Patrick O’Connor, Jacob Breault, Tobias Butler, William Wilson. 1883 The church was completed at a cost of $4,021.84. On November 11 Father McDonagh celebrated the first Mass in the new church. 1884 On September 15 Bishop J.V. Cleary blessed the new church and dedicated it to St. Vincent de Paul. It is said that the Bishop spoke to the large and enthusiastic congregation for more that two hours. 1889 Father J. T. Hogan was installed as pastor of Napanee and Deseronto. 1895 On April 9 a deed was drawn for the cemetery, 40 rods in length by 72 feet in width. The cost was $950. The names of all those who subscribed to the purchase of the cemetery are listed in the church records. Altogether, approximately 156 parishioners donated $528. 1896 On May 25 a fire that also destroyed the whole eastern part of the town destroyed the church. In the aftermath of the fire, Callaghan’s Hall on George St. was used for Mass. Bishop Cleary, Father Hogan and the families of St. Vincent de Paul met to formulate a plan for a new church. This new building committee consisted of Chairman: Father Hogan, Members: John Callaghan, M. J. Hynes, M. Marrigan, P. J. Wims, F. Audis, J. St. Louis, L. Duquette, M. Breault, J. S. Meagher, R. Dowling, Ed Gaulin, and Robert Adams. The plan was put into the hands of Thomas Hanley, an architect from Belleville. The church was to be made of pressed brick, and far larger than the previous edifice. The main building of the church was to be 38 feet by 112 feet with an adjoining tower that was 14 feet square and 72 feet high. Seating capacity was for approximately 400 people, to allow for not only the current parishioners but new ones as well. Frank Dolan Construction of Belleville was hired to build the church. The Rathbun Company once again donated a parcel of land in exchange for the original site. This parcel was at the west end of the town of Deseronto on the north side of Dundas St. On September 1 the first sod was turned and on September 20 Archbishop Cleary laid the cornerstone. So momentous an occasion was this that the Bay of Quinte Railway ran a special train from Tweed through to Deseronto, and the Steamer Varuna left Trenton to pick up all those who wished to share in St Vincent de Paul’s happiness. Just three months later, on November 29, Father Hogan celebrated Mass in the new church at the beautiful altar donated by the Deseronto Branch of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. 1897 On September 12 Archbishop Cleary dedicated the new church to St. Vincent de Paul. 1906 The parish house was built. St. Vincent de Paul was no longer a mission of Napanee but was now a parish with Father P. J. Hartigan as its first resident pastor. The parish had 165 families. 1907 Canonical erection of the Stations of the Cross by Archbishop C. H. Gauthier. 1908 In October Archbishop C. H. Gauthier made a four-day canonical visit to the parish. It is recorded that more than 400 persons approached the holy sacraments during that time. Archbishop Gauthier also “visited the poor and the afflicted throughout the parish.” 1912 On September 20 Archbishop M. J. Spratt made his first canonical visit to the parish. Below is a copy of a newspaper clipping highlighting this visit. “Sunday was a high day for our Roman Catholic Fellow-citizens, the occasion being the first official visit of Archbishop Spratt since his consecration. The eminent prelate came in on Friday evening and was met at the station by Rev. P. J. Hartigan, parish priest. A large class had been prepared for confirmation by the archbishop, which sacred rite was performed at the morning service at the Church of St.Vincent de Paul. A large congregation had assembled, which included a number of the adherents of the Protestant denominations in town. Father Hartigan conducted the opening service. After the large number of boys and girls had been confirmed, Archbishop Spratt delivered a very earnest and pointed address bearing upon home life. All who heard the ringing words of the Archbishop must have been convinced that he got right down to the root of the thing. His admonition to parents to be ever watchful of the morals of their children must bear fruit. He lamented the laxness of parents who allowed their daughters of tender years to go out with young men – their admirers, as they were called –without the presence of a third party. His Grace is a firm believer in corporal punishment, if necessary. He admonished parents not to punish their children in anger, but to do it at a time when they could calmly counsel the child and give the reason why the punishment was inflicted. The whole address was characterized by wise counsel, which would very opportunely be given in every pulpit in Deseronto. During the service an address was read to His Grace by Mr. James Gaulin on behalf of the congregation.” 1922 A hall on Green St. was purchased for $300 and renovated for $2200 to be used as a parish hall. 1928 May 23, St Vincent de Paul parishioners welcomed the Most Rev. Andrea Cassulo, Apostolic Delegate to Canada and Newfoundland. November 4, the church and rectory were repaired and updated with an official reopening of the church with great ceremony. 1932 On Friday morning, June 24th Archbishop M. J. O’Brien assisted by Msgr. J. F. Nicholson, Vicar General, Belleville, Msgr. M. McDonald, Napanee, Rev, C. F. O’Gorman, Marysville, Rev. S. A. Corrigan, Rev. F. Whalen, Picton, Rev. De. L. J. Byrne, Diocesan Chancellor and Rev. E. M. Leacy, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, blessed the newly acquired addition to St. Vincent’s Cemetery and at the same time dedicated the large granite cross which stood in the centre of the cemetery and which had been erected to the memory of the late Owen Foley whose mortal remains are buried in the Roach Plot No. 9 & 10. 1934 September 20, St. Vincent de Paul celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Monsignor J. F. Nicholson, Vicar General, assisted by former pastors, celebrated a solemn mass to mark the occasion. Present also were Archbishop M. J. O’Brien, Bishop P. J. Monahan, Bishop of Calgary, and numerous clergy from the Archdiocese as well as from the USA. 1937 The stained glass window with St Joseph beside the baptistery was installed. It is probable that the other two windows in the sanctuary were installed at this time also. 1939 – 1962 Sometime in the early 50’s, while Fr. G.T. Martin was pastor, the church was once again repaired and repainted. New stained glass windows were installed in the body of the church and in the vestry. A new tabernacle was also installed having been donated by Father Martin and Charles and Margaret Doran. 1961 New lighting was installed in the body of the church. 1962 A sound system was installed in the church. 1969 The Mill Hill Missionaries from Holland were invited by Archbishop J. L. Wilhelm to establish their Canadian Headquarters in the parish of St. Vincent de Paul. 1978 On November 19, Ryan James Owen Dowling was the first infant baptized at the new baptismal font donated by Edmund and Vera Dowling, Tom and Patricia Dowling (his parents) and John and Teresa Dorey. Mr. Bill Durkin of Read, father of Patricia Dowling, handcrafted the stand upon which the font sits. Previous baptisms took place at one of the large holy water fonts at the entrance of the church. 1981 The Mill Hill Missionary fathers left due to lack of personnel. St. Vincent de Paul became a mission of Holy Name of Mary Parish in Marysville. 1983 St. Vincent de Paul Church underwent major changes as the new rubrics of the Second Vatican Council were put into place. The communion railing was removed, as was the large pulpit. Some of the front pews were removed to allow for an expanded raised floor to accommodate an altar facing the people. New sanctuary furniture was purchased and a new side altar was installed with a mosaic above it. The CWL generously funded some of the renovations. Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Dorey donated a new votive stand. This was later moved to the back of the church. The sound system was updated. 1984 In June a set of white vestments was donated to the church by the family of Ernie and Carm Dorey on the occasion of their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. 1992 The rectory was made into a parish centre for meetings, religion classes, and social events. 1993 The parishioners established a parish council. 1994 A wheelchair ramp was installed on the east side of the church and two handicapped parking spaces were provided. A new flowerbed was formed and planted. 1996 The windows on the East side of the church were covered with Plexiglas for protection. Renovations and repairs were made to the parish house. A large glass window was installed in the door leading to the vestry to provide a crying room for children. On September 22, St. Vincent de Paul celebrated the centennial of the present church building with a solemn mass concelebrated by Archbishop Francis Spence and four former pastors – Fr. Cees Snoeren MHM, Fr. Gerald Scanlon, Fr. Pat Carty, Fr. Lloyd Cummings. Father Carty delivered the homily. A History of St. Vincent de Paul, researched and written by Bill Dowling, was published and sold as well as St.Vincent lapel pins. Presentations were made by municipal, township, county, federal and provincial dignitaries. Holy Name of Mary Parish presented a set of red vestments. The children of the parish presented an oil painting of the church. A reception was held at the Lion’s Hall after the service. There were 90 families in the parish at this time. 1998 Gravel was placed in the area behind the church to provide a driveway and more parking spaces. Windows on the west side of the church were covered with clear Plexiglas for protection. Masonry repair work was done on the church and the rectory. Deanery meetings were held to discuss the possibility of clustering. There were 88 families in the parish. 1999 Rosary in the cemetery was begun in October. St. Vincent de Paul Church joined with Marysville and Read and local churches of other denominations in an ecumenical visitation of all homes in Deseronto, Tyendinaga Township and the Mohawk Territory in preparation for the millennium of the birth of Christ. 2000 On January 30, St Vincent de Paul hosted an ecumenical service with all those who had participated in the home visitations. 2001 The pairing of St. Vincent de Paul and Holy Name of Mary, Marysville became a “cluster” with the addition of St Charles Borromeo, Read all under one pastor. 2002 A new steel door for the vestry entrance was installed and dedicated to the late Terry Whalen in gratitude for his years of faithful service to St Vincent de Paul. A new sign, sculptured by Roger T. MacMunn of Sharbot Lake, was erected on the front of the church thanks to the generous donations of the family and friends of the late Terry Whalen. 2003 The large candles on the main altar were refurbished and converted from wax inserts to oil thanks to the Houle family whose ancestors were members of the parish through several generations from the 1800s. 2006 An alb and sets of white and green vestments were purchased by Father Mark Chochrek with monies donated by the CWL. Priests who have served our Parish of St. Vincent de Paul, Deseronto from 1847 to the present time are: 1847 – 1856 Rev. Charles Bourke (pastor of Marysville) 1858 – 1878 Rev. Michael Mackey (pastor of Marysville) 1878 – 1889 Rev. Jack McDonagh (pastor of Napanee and Deseronto) 1889 – 1904 Rev. J. T. Hogan (pastor of Napanee and Deseronto) 1904 – 1921 Rev. P. J. Hartigan 1921 – 1923 Rev. J. J. O’Reilly 1923 – 1926 Rev. Michael Meagher 1926 – 1928 Rev. J. H. McDonald 1928 – 1939 Rev. E. M. Leacy 1939 – 1962 Rev. G. T. Martin 1962 – 1969 Rev. B. L. Farrell 1969 – 1972 Rev. C. Snoeren M.H.M. 1972 – 1977 Rev. G. van der Heijden M.H.M. 1977 – 1981 Rev. John Tysen M.H.M. 1981 – 1987 Rev. T. G. Scanlon (pastor of Marysville and Deseronto) 1987 – 1991 Rev. J. P. Carty (pastor of Marysville and Deseronto) 1991 – 2001 Rev. Lloyd Cummings (pastor of Marysville and Deseronto) 2001 – 2005 Rev. Michael Reed (pastor of Marysville, Deseronto and Read) 2005 – present Rev. Mark Chochrek (pastor of Marysville, Deseronto and Read) Vocations Sister Gracia SP (Catherine Whalen) Sister Monica Whalen SP |
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