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In 1847, St. Malachi's Chapel was the only Catholic Church within Saint John. During that period of time, there were only 50 families on the West Side of Saint John of Catholic faith. As there was no bridge to cross the Reversing Falls, those that did attend masses at St. Malachi's did so by boats and ferries.
Irish immigrants came to Saint John in droves during 1846-1848. This caused an increase in the number of Catholic families that existed on the West Side of Saint John thus increasing the need for a Catholic Church in that area. A meeting was held at Peter Fagan's house to discuss this possibility.
) Bishop William Dollard (Bishop of N.B. 1842-1851) |
Bishop William Dollard gave his blessing, and he began searching for a piece of property to purchase. The property was purchased from the Honorable John Robertson. The property spread across two acres and cost the sum of $560.00. This marked the beginning of "The Little Chapel", which was the first Catholic Church on the West Side known as Carleton at that time. "The Little Chapel", built under the shadow of Martello Tower, measured 54 feet by 60 feet. It was described as "a building sadly lacking in appearance that architectural proportion which now almost invariably marks the artistic workman." |
) The Original Assumption Church "The Little Chapel" from a photo taken in 1863. |
The construction of "The Little
Chapel" took place a half-dozen years before the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception. By 1849 "The Little Chapel" had been erected on what is now Dufferin Row, site of the present Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. |
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College - Saint John.