Our History

St. John's church 1854-1855 - 1919
St. John's church 1854-1855 - 1919

1854

Church Location

Wednesday, August 2, 1854
1879 Map of Enniskerry

The land for the church was donated by two families: one acre, part of Lot 19, Con. 3 by Patrick McEvoy and his wife Cecelia Doyle, and three acres, part of Lot 20, Con. 3 by John McEvoy and his wife Anastasia Powers.

Monsignor Guigues, then Bishop of Ottawa, came in person to choose a site on which to build churches in the communities of St. John's and St. Brigid's.

Source: 
H. Beldon 1879 Carleton County Atlas
St. John 150th Anniversary commemorative booklet

1856

Resident Priest

Tuesday, January 1, 1856

Leading Catholics in Osgoode petitioned Bishop Guigues for a resident priest, chiefly because they feared for the future of their youth. Thomas McEvoy and colleagues pleaded with the bishop by saying that many of the Catholics in this parish were young and in need of all the instructions they could get.

Source: 
St. John 150th Anniversary commemorative booklet

1858

Church Constructed

Thursday, June 10, 1858

The bishop solemnly blessed the church.

Source: 
St. John 150th Anniversary commemorative booklet

1859

Presbytery built

Saturday, January 1, 1859
Source: 
St. John 150th Anniversary commemorative booklet

1895

Father McCauley Sent To Osgoode

Monday, October 7, 1895
The Ottawa Journal October 07th 1895

In St. Patrick s church yesterday morning Father McCauley at the close of his sermon announced to the congregation that the sermon just preached would be the last one he would deliver in that church as he had received a letter from the archbishop telling him that he had been appointed parish priest at Osgoode. He said that he was sorry to leave St. Patrick’s church, but it was the will of the archbishop and must be acted upon accordingly.

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal

1896

AN Osgoode Pic-Nic

Thursday, June 18, 1896
The Ottawa Journal June 18th 1896

Rev. Father McCauley's pic-nic at Osgoode yesterday in aid of the Dawson Catholic church was attended by about six hundred people. Mr. C. Murphy of this city gave an address. Following him were political addresses by the political candidates, W. C. Edwards and E. N. Hurtubise.

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal

The Contest in Russell

Monday, June 22, 1896
The Ottawa Journal June 22nd 1896

The political contest in Russell is waxing warm. A big Catholic picnic was held in Osgoode township yesterday, and an array of speakers on each side were present. However, only Mr. Edwards and Mr. Hurtubise were alowed to speak. Both were given a good hearing

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal

1897

Osgoode Station

Friday, June 11, 1897
The Ottawa Journal June 11th 1897

St. John's church Dawson, intends treating the young folk to another pic-nic this year on June 17th.

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal

A Jubilee Picnic

Friday, June 11, 1897
The Ottawa Journal June 11th 1897
The Ottawa Journal June 11th 1897 part 2
The Ottawa Journal June 11th 1897 part 3
The Ottawa Journal June 11th 1897 part 4
Big Event Arranged to Take Place in Osgoode Next Week

Next Thursday will be a red letter day with the residents of Osgoode.

The members of Rev. Father McCauley's parish intend holding a monster jubilee picnic on that date, in the grove of Mr. Thomas Herbert, on the Prescott road, and if those who attend do not enjoy themselves it will not be through any fault of the committee in charge.

A splendid programme of sports has been provided, including 100 dash, amateur, first, second and third class; 222 yards dash, amateur, first, second class; high and broad jumps. putting 16 lb. shot and the hop, step and jump.

The events promise to be very closely contested, as entries have been received from Metcalfe, Manotick, North Gower and Kemptville, and from the Ottawa and McGill colleges.

There will be speeches during the afternoon, when it is expected the following gentlemen will give addresses: Messrs. W. C. Edwards, M.P., N. A. Belcourt, M.P., M. K. Dickenson, ex-M.P., G. L. Dickenson, ex-M. P., Geo. O'Keefe, M.P.P, P. Baskerville. ex-M.P.P., E. N. Hurtubise, J. L. Dowling, M. J. Gorman and Charles Murphy.

Music will be furnished by Valentine's orchestra, the Metcalfe silver band, and by Pipe Major T. Richardson of the Caledonian Society.

As the road out to the grove is in splendid condition. It is expected a large number of bicyclists will ride out from here. The distance is about 15 miles.

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal

Special Jubilee Church Service Held.

Thursday, June 24, 1897
The Ottawa Journal June 24th 1897

June 23. -- The picnic given by Rev. McCauley on the 17th inst., in Herbert's grove was a success finacially and otherwize. So also was the social the following evening in the same grove.

Rev. Clayton gave a very interesting address to a large audience in St. Paul's church on the life of the Queen, last Sunday. A special jubilee service was held that day.

The volunteers are home again after two weeks drill.

Source: 
The Ottawa Journal