Recently I took Rev. Sylvia Dyer (a family friend visiting the Island from Scotland) to see this magnificent church in Tignish!! She's has been to the Island many times but never had the opportunity to see the church. Her great-grandfather Rev. R.W. Dyer wrote in his journals 154 years ago telling of his visit to the new church with the Anglican Bishop - see excerpt below.
During the 1990's the parishioners of this parish, under the direction of Father Albin Arsenault, carried out an extensive restoration of the exterior and interior of the church.
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During the 1990's the parishioners of this parish, under the direction of Father Albin Arsenault, carried out an extensive restoration of the exterior and interior of the church.
Below are excerpts from Anglican Missionary Rev. R. W. Dyer's 1859-1884 Journals.
July 4, 1860
Went in company with Mrs. Fife Brickerfield, Sr., E. Brickerfield and Mr. H. Cundall to meet the Bishop (Anglican) at Louis Ferry. Arrived just in time to meet him and to return. We all passed on down to Mrs. Woodman's. Resting a few minutes, went to see the parsonage and the glebe (Anglican). The Bishop likes both the glebe and the house and site. We then were driven home by a bad storm. Stopped in upon Mrs. Dyer and her little family just as she was taking her dinner., Left for the point. Took dinner there with the Bishop and the Venerable Archdeacon Read Fife and the Woodman family. Dinner over, we all hastened to the Temperance Hall, which was crowded. Mr. Read prayers, I read the Lessons and the Bishop preached an excellent sermon from the 'Syrophenician Woman', which gave great satisfaction. After the sermon and address was presented to his Lordship, read by Mrs. Buckerfield, to which the Bishop replied immediately. Thank God all seemed to have gone off well. The Lord bless us and keep us, for Christ's sake.
July 5, 1860
All started this morning for Tignish Church to hold the Confirmation there. It being a very fine day, the assembly was large, to see the ceremony. Many, very many Presbyterian were present. I am thankful to say that all the candidates came with the exception of one (Simmonds, Mary) who did not come, I believe, for want of clothes. There were 44 confirmed, 28 females and 16 males. They were, I believe, deeply affected. Many of them shed tears. O: may the Holy Spirit sanctify them all and ever be with them to support them in all dangers until their lives' end. The Bishop gave them, the candidates, a very solemn address, besides giving us a good sermon from the words: "Our conversation is in Heaven..." It was a long and solemn service. After the service was ended, we went to Mr. Caie's to luncheon and then went to see the new Roman Catholic Cathedral with which the Bishop was highly delighted. I then drove the Bishop in my waggon round to Kildare Capes to see the new church being built expressly for ourselves. He was pleased with it. He liked the roof and the appearance altogether. We went in to Mr. Traver's and took some cake and a glass of wine, and then we came on to Mr. Hochin's where the Rev. Mr. Read was waiting for the Bishop to take him to Mr. Warburton's to tea that night. We all returned home quite pleased. Praise the Lord for His unnumbered mercies to us all, no and ever, Amen.
Note the Wallace Sandstone steps at the South Entrance.
Below is a photo of the church taken by Henry Cundall, possibly taken the day Rev. Dyer and the Anglican Bishop visited here.
I will post photos of the interior tomorrow.