(Posted 7:30 a.m., May 23)
Archbishop helps St-Joseph parish celebrate 150th anniversary
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Archbishop Terrence Pendergast waves to the crowd from his horse-drawn landau after arriving at Hiawatha Perk in Orléans by boat as part of the 150th anniversary of St-Joseph d'Orléans. Fred Sherwin/Photo

150 years ago Ottawa's first Catholic bishop, Joseph-Bruno Guigues, travelled by boat to the small village of Orléans to establish the parish of St-Joseph d'Orléans.

On Saturday, Archbishop Terrence Pendergast travelled the same route from the Ottawa Boat Club in Rockcliffe to the landing at Hiawatha Park in Convent Glen North where he was greeted by about 70 people, including about 20 well-wishers dressed in period costume to.mark the milestone celebration of the historic occasion.

As he arrived by pontoon boat, Archbishop Pendergast was met by Msgr. Peter Schonenbach. After posing for a number of photos, the two proceeded up the pathway to a waiting landau.

On the way the Archbishop, took a moment to shake hands with some of the sisters from the Résidence St-Louis through a chain link fence.

After the two gentlemen took their seats in the landau, the procession slowly made its way to the Orléans Town Centre led by two mounted RCMP officers. Once there they took their place at the end of a long parade which proceeded down St-Joseph Blvd. to the church where the Archbishop performed an early evening mass.

The parade included members of the Knights of Columbus; MPP Phil McNeely on a horse drawn wagon; MP Royal Galipeau at the head of 33-seat bicycle; and the City of Ottawa float with local councillors Bob Monette, Rob Jellett and Rained Bloess on board along with Mayor Larry O'Brien.

While the landing and procession were largely symbolic, they were a reminder of the original roots of the Orléans community and the importance earliest French settlers had in establishing what would become a thriving suburb of Ottawa with over 85,000 residents.

After landing at Hiawatha Park, Archbishop Pendergast was asked what the voyage was like. "Wonderful," he said. "The only difference between my trip and the one Bishop Guigues took was that I didn't have to row,"

After the parish was founded in 1860, it took 10 years before the original church was completed. Fifty years later, however, it had to be torn down because of structural problems and work on the existing church began.

Because of rules which dictate that a church has to be debt free before it can be consecrated, St-Joseph d'Orléans was never officially blessed until this year when Archbishop Pendergast performed the ceremony on March 19 before the entire congregation.

The 150th anniversary celebrations will continue in the fall with a special exhibit of church artifacts, the launching of a book and an historical play.

Archbishop Terrence Pendergast walks up a pathway with Msgr. Peter Schonenbach after landing at Hiawatha Park. Fred Sherwin/Photo

Archbishop Terrence Pendergast takes a moment to pose for some photographs after landing at Hiawatha Park. Fred Sherwin/Photo

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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