Saint Sylvesters Church
Encyclopedia
Saint Sylvesters Church is a Jesuit Mission on the Red Rock Indian Band
on section Lake Helen Reserve 53A. It was established in 1852, and is locally called Opoo-gan-asin (pipestone). The first mass was held on February 29, 1852, in the Hudson Bay barn. Father D. Duranquette (Waiashtestkang—Gives Light) accompanied by the local Indians selected the spot on which the church was built. Jesuit Brothers decided to have this church built along their water route, which served as a rest stop before going to the Jesuit Missions at Gull Bay, White Sand, Nipigon House, Grand Bay
and McIntre Bay on Lake Nipigon
.
Duranquette started building the mission church in 1877. The living quarters (Priest House) adjoined the Church was built in 1878 by Father Joseph Hebert (Natainabow—Leader) The Church was built using hewn logs cut from the nearby forest. The work was done by the local Indian
s and the Priest and who ever was able to donate their time. Also, at the same time the brass bell was erected in the belfry
.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery was on October 3, 1880. The cross was blessed by the Reverend Joseph Specht, SJM, on October 7, 1880.
Red Rock Indian Band
The Red Rock Indian Band is an Ojibway First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Their territory is located on the Red Rock 53 and Lake Helen 53A Indian reserves in Ontario...
on section Lake Helen Reserve 53A. It was established in 1852, and is locally called Opoo-gan-asin (pipestone). The first mass was held on February 29, 1852, in the Hudson Bay barn. Father D. Duranquette (Waiashtestkang—Gives Light) accompanied by the local Indians selected the spot on which the church was built. Jesuit Brothers decided to have this church built along their water route, which served as a rest stop before going to the Jesuit Missions at Gull Bay, White Sand, Nipigon House, Grand Bay
Grand Bay
Grand Bay is the name of more than one place:Communities*Grand Bay, Alabama, United States*Grand Bay, Dominica *Grand Bay, Mauritius*Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick, CanadaWater bodies...
and McIntre Bay on Lake Nipigon
Lake Nipigon
Lake Nipigon is the largest lake entirely within the boundaries of the Canadian province of Ontario . It is sometimes described as the sixth Great Lake. Lying 260 metres above sea level, the lake drains into the Nipigon River and thence into Nipigon Bay of Lake Superior...
.
Duranquette started building the mission church in 1877. The living quarters (Priest House) adjoined the Church was built in 1878 by Father Joseph Hebert (Natainabow—Leader) The Church was built using hewn logs cut from the nearby forest. The work was done by the local Indian
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
s and the Priest and who ever was able to donate their time. Also, at the same time the brass bell was erected in the belfry
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery was on October 3, 1880. The cross was blessed by the Reverend Joseph Specht, SJM, on October 7, 1880.