150 years as a Roman Catholic Presence in Bedford- Parish History
In 1866, St. Ignatius Church, the first Catholic Church in Bedford, began as a mission church of St. Bernard's Parish in Enfield. The land on which stands our current church was donated by David Cronan, a prominent businessman who had a summer home here in Bedford. According to Diocesan records, the original name of the Church was St. Anne's and it became St. Ignatius when it was no longer a mission of Enfield.On June 22, 1919, St. Ignatius became a separate Parish, with the appointment of Father Patrick MacQuillan, as the first Pastor. A glebe house was built that same year to house the priests and it burned down, was rebuilt, and in 1948 it became a convent to house the Sisters serving at the Parish School.
St. James Church in Hammonds Plains was founded in 1852, and although it became a mission of St. Ignatius, it actually existed as a parish before we did. Bishop William Walsh consecrated the building in 1852. Many years later it was destroyed by fire. The current building was finished in 1982 and it remained a mission of Bedford until the parish of Ste. Marguerite Bourgeois was established in recent years in Upper Tantallon. The building is now formally closed as the new parish facilities began operations the last Sunday in June of this year.
In 1922, Father Cyril Martin replaced Father MacQuillan as pastor and he served the parish in Bedford for 22 years. During his time in Bedford, the need for expansion became evident and Father Martin was responsible for building a new church around the old Church, to replace the one destroyed by fire. In September of 1929, Archbishop O'Donnell blessed the building that we use today.
During Father Martin's time, the Parish held an Annual Summer Picnic on the grounds of the Manor House, a property owned by a Mrs. Tolson. There were many weekly card parties, dances, plays and concerts at that time, as well. Recently, there was a picture of Father Martin in the Vintage Nova Scotia section of the Halifax newspaper, standing at the gate of Magazine Hill, at the time of the explosion in 1945 at the Magazine. Halifax and Dartmouth citizens were advised to evacuate the entire area for a few days until it was declared safe to return to their homes.
Father Lanigan was appointed to succeed Father Martin in 1945, and he was responsible for bringing the Sisters of Charity to St. Ignatius to establish a parochial school. In December of 1946, shortly after Christmas, the first Loyola Hall was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1948.
In 1952, Father John Hefler succeeded Father Lanigan, followed by Father William Pepper in 1962. Fire once again took its toll and in 1964 the Glebe and Loyola Hall were both rebuilt.
Father Anthony Laba replaced Father Pepper as Pastor in 1969. During his stay with us, the first Eucharistic Ministers were commissioned for this parish.
In 1978 Father Albert Cosgrove became the next Pastor, followed by Father Gregory Heenan in 1983, then Father John DeLouchry in 1990. Father David MacDonald joined us in 1995, Father Joseph MacKinnon in 2002, and our present Pastor, Father Patrick Cosgrove in 2006.
We have had a number of priests who assisted our pastors on a regular basis i.e., Father Robert MacDougall, RIP; Father Ed Grant, RIP; Father Tom Mabey; Father Lloyd O'Neill, RIP; and presently, Father John DeCoste. Each has contributed to the life of our parish in his own unique way.
The following Sisters of Charity served in our Bedford Parish over its history:Sr. Vivian Mancini, Sr. Pat Campbell, Sr. Catherine McGowan, Sr.Alice Mailman, Sr. Joan O'Keefe (presently Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity), Sr. Jeanne Cottreau, Sr. Timothy Marie Hogan, Sr. Anne Marie McKinnon, Sr. Anne Whalen, Sr. Robert Mullin, Sr.Phyllis Giroux, Sr. Nancy Fader, Sr. Ruth Kline, Sr. Anne Fleming, Sr. Marie McPherson, Sr. Maureen Regan, Sr. Cecilia Sacca, Sr. Margaret Harvey, Sr. Kerry Rowland, Sr. Jolaine States, Sr. Nuala Kenny, Sr. Judith Breen,Sr. Lorraine d'Entremont, Sr. Elizabeth McGrath, Sr. Elizabeth Forrestall ( Mrs. Eugene MacNeil); RIP Sr. Rita Agatha Doyle, Sr. Joseph Mildred Manning, Sr. Francis John Donovan, Sr. Francis Patrick McKenna, Sr. Mary Ralph Luedey, Sr. Francis Theresa, Music.
Support Staff in recent years:
Pastoral Assistants: Sister Mildred Chabassol, CND, Maryn Anderson, Claire Pottie, Paul Cantle - RIP, Rosaline Deveau
Admin. Assistants: Jean Shepherd, Betty Vaughan, Kelley Suillivan-Durnford
Religious Ed: Joanne MacCallum, Susan Kelly, Peggy Dupuy
Youth Ministy: Patricia Lefebvre, Diane Covey, Gisele Robitaille
Deacons: Jack Connolly, Tom Smith
Website content: Colin Pottie
Thank you to all our musicians and leaders of song and choirs without whom our liturgies would be lacking beauty, spirit and harmony.
Thank you as well to all members of St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Catholic Women's League, the Knights of Columbus, and all the volunteers who serve in our Outreach groups providing lunches, baskets, Communion to the Sick at home and at Parkstone Enhanced Care, Ivany Place, the Berkeley of Bedford and Bedford Manor.
We are truly grateful for all the pastors and assistant priests who have served us so faithfully over many years. Their zeal, spirituality, and leadership have contributed much to the faith community of Bedford. A sincere 'thank you' to the Sisters of Charity for their part in developing ourfaith community, as well.
Our "history" is by no means complete. Many of you will have personal memories and we encourage you to share these with others.