ST. BRIEUX 鈥� St. Brieux Catholic Church has passed its centennial date and is incredibly structurally sound, said parish council chair Bernard Ferre.
The church鈥檚 centennial anniversary on July 27 included a Saturday morning service, auction, cemetery blessing, children's activities and a presentation on the history of the church within the community.
The church was constructed in 1918, before it was blessed on July 27, 1919, said Ferre. Since then, it鈥檚 undergone a number of additions, including the eastern and western wings in 1950 and a rectory in early 1960.
In 1988 through 鈥�99, major renovations were required for the roof and foundation.
鈥淚t looked pretty scary鈥� at that time, Ferre said, 鈥溾�� like it was going to be condemned.鈥澛�
Yet both were fixed to near-perfect condition with the help of local labourers, he said.
Like with the renovations decades ago, St. Brieux鈥檚 church has a tradition of attracting help when it鈥檚 needed for a good cause, said centennial committee member Kristen Bertrand.
鈥淚f something needs to be done, you talk to the people who are at the church,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey come together and they rally, and they get things done.鈥�
Betrand has lived in St. Brieux for 11 years, but said she was immediately drawn to the community provided by the town鈥檚 church.
鈥淚t was wonderful to see how welcoming everybody was,鈥� she said.
