Father Mullowney a bit of a Renaissance came to the Parish of Trepassey in 1948
My sister Annie Cecilia was the first baby that he Baptized.
Not only a man of the Cloth.But also a Builder,A Politician with an interest in most activies
of the Parish.
The Old Church was badly in need of some Major Repairs.The Old Wooden Structure was not holding u well to the damp Climate.It was decided it would be more wise to build a New Church.A few of the Parishors with most Sunday morning Sermons being about money to raise to build the new Church.
Mass was said in Latin then and the Priest recited Mass with his Back to the Congregation.
After modernization with Vatican two.The Priest could face the people and say mass in English.
It was rumored some Old fellas left the Church because they did not like having to look at the Priest face.
Many of the locals were involved in building the new Church.Paddy McNeil a Carpenter who started his Career working in a Meat Factory with the famous Schneider factory in New Jersey.I believe the called him Jersey Tommy.Mr.Brendan Curtis who made a fortune in the States was the money man who loaned the Parish a down payment to get the project started.Mr.Alex Sullivan,Jim Shea from Biscay Bay.My Uncle Vince Brien and Leo Butler also lent a helping hand.The exterior was entirely made of Concrete trucked in from the Backside.Once the Church was completed in 1962.The next project for Father Frank and his Parishioners was a New High School.It was mid 60’s I believe when this job was finished.
My dates may not be accurate.Kind of like having an Old Calendar on the Wall and throwing a Dart at it.Where it stops is the Date I am going with.Close enough though.
In walks my Hero Mister Ig Evans who married my Cousins Rays Aunt Kitty O’Brien from the Lower Coast in Trepassey.My Dad’s first Cousin.Ig worked on the New School as a Electrician.I believe they lived in St John’s.While working in Trepassey Ig stayed with Ray’s Aunt Mae and Uncle Lar.
There was an Open Door policy at that time where you could visit with a friend or relative.
Ray liked to take me down and visit with Aunt Mae who usually had some fresh Baked treats for us.
Now Ig was probably middle age and had a bit of a tummy when he took a evening nap on the Kitchen daybed after work.He was a Pleasant Man with no kids.He seemed to really enjoy seeing us and would always ask me to sing a song.My go to song was Now I’m 64 and he would pay me with some loose change he always seemed to have a supply in his pocket.In hindsight I believe he got a kick out of a kid singing for now I’m 64. Uncle Vince had that song on a Record he had and he played it on the light Blue Record Player.Mullowney my Brother In Law Paddy called him when he did some handy work for him.Our Parish even had a Small Dump Truck for hauling sand and gravel for Cement.You know the Old 1940’s Dodge with the round mirrors sticking out on the sides.Chocolate in Colour.Later on in the Early 70′ a New Elementary School was built.Both Schools combined had about 735 Children.Today the Elementary is Closed and less than 40 Pupils remain.One result of the Cod Moratorium.Have to go now as we our expecting Company and I have to scrub the Hard Wood Floors with a Tooth Brush.