|
1915
A handful of Catholics resided in Farmington. Some of the founding families were
Peter Lepene, George Mooney, the Francis Mooneys, George Pelletier, Mr. Tuenick, and William Belanger. They acquired
the present rectory and a connecting building which they used as a chapel.
1919
The ownership of the property was officially transferred to the Diocese of Manchester under Bishop
Guertin and St. Peter's became a mission of St. Anthony Church in Sanbornville. Fr. O. Desmarais
offered mass and sacraments weekly.
1920
St. Peter Parish was established; the first pastor was Fr. Pierre Gamache
who also cared for the Milton and Alton communities.
1923
The new church was dedicated on December 2nd, with Bishop Guertin presiding.
1926
Rev. Paul Desaulniers was made the second pastor.
1932
Rev. Robert Bellefeuille was made the third pastor.
1937
Rev. E. Bussiere was made the fourth pastor.
1941
Two pastors were appointed-Frs. Hogan and McCarthy.
1945
Fr. Drapeau was appointed pastor.
1947
Fr. Dufour was named pastor and Alton became the only mission of St. Peter's.
1948
The Ladies' Guild was established, with Geneva Mooney as the first president.
1951
The convent was purchased in anticipation of
the coming of the Sisters of Atonement.
1952
The convent was blessed.
1952
The sisters began formal religious education classes and taught them in the parish classrooms.
1955
The land next to the convent was purchased and construction began on the parish hall/gym and classrooms.
The total cost was $75,000 with the dedication in May 1956. The parish CYO was organized.
1961
St. Joan of Arc became its own parish.
1964
Rev. Albert Gagnon became the next pastor of St. Peter Church.
1965
Because of the increasing size of the parish and its inability to build a new church, the current parish
hall was converted into the "new parish church." It was blessed in 1966. (The old church was
removed in 1972.)
1970
Fr. Gerald Chalifour became pastor. At this time the parish was 50 years old.
It had over 200 families with an elected parish council, liturgical and Christian formation, financial, community affairs,
and social committees
1976
Fr. E. Duval became pastor until 1981.
1980
The first Penny Sale was organized by Jeanne Radcliffe.
1981
Fr. Donald Martineau became pastor.
1988
Fr. Adrien Longchamps became pastor.
1991
Fr. R. Fortier became pastor and the St. Peter Knights of Columbus Council
was established. Ronald Chagnon was the first Grand Knight.
1997
Fr. E. Bisson became pastor until 2002.
2002
Fr. Pierre Baker, the pastor of St. Mary, also became the pastor of St. Peter's. Father
resides in Rochester and Sr. Madonna Marie Kling, a sister of Divine Providence of Kentucky, took residence
in the former rectory and became the first Pastoral Associate.
2005
The parish is 85 years young with approximately 300 families, an active parish council, a religious
education program, a reinvigorated Ladies Guild, and enthusiastic Knights of Columbus Council, and numerous liturgical ministers.
The parish is noted for its support of the staff and participation in parish activities.
|
