Parish History

The history of Immaculate Heart of Mary goes way back, even prior to 1867.

St. Isaac Jacques and Charles Raymoe were among the earliest recorded around 1841 to work among the people of Garden River.

To attempt to put all the history in this booklet would be a great injustice to our past. Suffice to say these are just some excerpts from our very interesting past.

P.S. We are endeavouring to record our interesting history in the very near future.

In April 1852 land, donated by Pierre Tegosh was set-aside for the Roman Catholic Church. Construction began almost immediately under the direction of the Jesuit fathers of the Society of Jesus (S.J.). Father Joseph Hannipaux S. J. Superior and Father August Kohler S. J. were co-founders of the Garden River Missions with Father Kohler becoming the first Pastor. The Church named Immaculate Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, celebrated it's first mass on July 19, 1852.

The church burnt to the ground on January 11, 1942 after 90 years of service to the Native people in the surrounding area including Sugar Island.

Services then were held in the Store & Pool room, owned by Amable Boissoneau. Weddings, funerals and regular Sunday Masses were held in the makeshift Church in conjunction with community celebrations such as dances, parties and bingos.

A few years later the rectory was moved to the present site along the highway. Shortly after the old school house followed in 1946.

These facilities served for a number of years until the old school house was torn down followed by the demolition of the Old Rectory in 1973.

A new priest residence was built in 1973 by Father Fred Lynch.

In the early 1950's fundraisers were held such as; a concert by Joe Laderoute, a monster bingo organized by Father Hynes, and a boxing matches put on by the Nolan Boys Frankie and Richard to raise money for the construction of a new church.

Upon completion of the basement services were moved from the Store & Pool Hall to the newly completed basement.

Shortly afterwards the church itself was completed and services were moved upstairs, where it remains until the present day. The new church was officially opened on Christmas Day, 1952 by Father Tom Hynes.

The Jesuits served this Native Parish from its inception until 1987. The Diocese took over in 1988 and Father Rick Prashaw became the new Pastor.