A brief look at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Bartibogue Bridge

In charming surroundings on Moody’s Point where the Mighty Miramichi and the serene Bartibogue rivers converge, stands the historical church of Saints Peter and Paul. It is the fourth known church to have been built at Bartibogue Bridge.

The first church (1685) which served as the Headquarters Chapel of the First Nations and French people is thought to have been built at a different location, perhaps closer to where MacDonald Farm now stands; however, sources differ on the precise location.
The second church (1783) was built by John Murdoch on land donated by John English.
The third church (1800) survived the Great Miramichi Fire of 1825. This church was called Saint Peter’s and was the first English speaking mission on the Miramichi. It was demolished in 1853 and replaced by the present structure which is of Neo-classical and

Gothic design, built by William Murray, an architect who emigrated from Scotland.. This church, the oldest church on the Miramichi River is believed to have been erected in 1850, but was not consecrated until September 18, 1853. St Peter’s Church was renamed Sts Peter and Paul in 1927 by Bishop Thomas Barry.
The church bell, weighing 750 pounds was installed and blessed August 23, 1874. It came from Memeely’s Foundry in West Troy, New York

On this site we may also admire the historical, quaint church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Little Bartibogue which was closed in 1960 and is nestled next to the community center since the 1980s.
The rectory, constructed in 1856 by Joseph Couglan has now become Moody Point Cottage. The new residence was built in 1992-1993 by local carpenters Robert (Bobby) Savage and Richard Bowie. The parish borrowed $105,000 and under the excellent financial expertise of Father Maurice Swift, it was paid within 5 years.
Camp Sheldrake was constructed in 1999 using the existing barn as the main building with cabins, shower stalls, a chapel/meeting place added as the years went by. This camp was the inspiration of Bernard Dempsey who, as he was walking along the banks of Saints Peter and Paul grounds, envisioned a group of young people praising God in song, dance and play. The idea to name it Camp Sheldrake was decided by the initial committee in honour of Sheldrake Island that can be seen from the site, itself steeped in history, mainly known for housing the lepers that were brought there July 19, 1844 as a result of the outbreak of this dreaded disease that afflicted many families along the Miramichi river as far as Caraquet to the north.

Many priests and sisters have come from this parish and its missions of All Saints and Our Lady of Perpetual Help:
Sister Elizabeth Davidson SCIC; Sister Isabella (Mary Genevieve) Burchill SCIC; Sister Sarah ( Mary Beatrice Burchill), SCIC; Sister Margaret O’Keefe, RHSJ; Sister Ellen Delaney (O’Keefe), RHSJ; Sister Elizabeth O’Keefe, RHSJ;Madame O’Leary (O’Keefe) MSC (Madames of the Sacred Heart) Rochester, NY; Sister Alice MacDonald, RHSJ; Sister Mary Edith Wallace,; Sister Kathleen Corcoran (Doyle), RHSJ; Sister Alice Smith, RHSJ; Sister Josephine Fox, CSJ; Sister Margaret Kenna, CND
Msgr. Michael A. O’Keefe (Big Bartibogue); Father Arthur Scott, STD; Father James Smith; Father Leon Creamer; Father William Nugent (All Saints, Millbank); Father Allison Mahoney, CSC; Father Daniel Mills.
The parish cemetery which pre-dates the church indicates that this location existed as a Roman Catholic mission-base not only for the parishioners of Bartibogue Bridge, but for the entire Miramichi region. The first burial on record is that of Anne Henderson, dated January 11, 1801. Saint Peter’s as it was then named, was the only Catholic cemetery on the Miramichi until 1815 when St. Patrick’s in Nelson was opened. This cemetery is widely recognized as one of the oldest in the area where many notable ancestors lie in eternal rest.

The church hall, officially named the Father Morriscy Center was constructed in 1972 and serves as a meeting place for social and some religious activities. It is there that we held the celebration of the 225 years of religious and cultural heritage during the weekend of July 12 to 14, 2013 which we named Our Beginnings.
Saturday June 3, 2017 we celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Saint John on the grounds of Saints Peter and Paul, since this is the oldest church in the Diocese of Saint John. The Knights of Columbus were important contributors to this celebration that began in the morning with our neighbours from Esgenoopetitj leading us in a sunrise ceremony.

The former parish of Saints Peter and Paul has been part of several dioceses over its existence:
Diocese of Quebec from the 17th century to 1829
Diocese of Charlottetown 1829 to 1842
Diocese of New Brunswick 1842 to 1848
Diocese of Saint John 1848 to 1859
Diocese of Chatham 1859 to 1938
Diocese of Bathurst 1938 to 1959
Diocese of Saint John 1959 to the present

This tranquil and peaceful setting is further enhanced by a tastefully arranged garden, with benches where one may pause to reflect and meditate.
The site of Saints Peter and Paul church at Bartibogue Bridge was declared a historical site April 4, 1981 and formally recognized April 26 1981. It is considered to be the cradle of our faith, the birth place of Christian worship in the Miramichi area.