Church closure brings end to 300 years of Roman Catholic worship in Bridgetown

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Bridgetown, N.S., is preparing to hold its final mass this coming Sunday, marking the end of over three centuries of Roman Catholic worship in the community. The church building, which has been a cornerstone of Catholic presence since 1690, is closing its doors due to declining attendance.

Lynn Main, a devoted parishioner at the church since 1992, shared her sentiments about the closure with CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova Scotia. Main’s family has deep ties to St. Alphonsus – her daughter was married there, her granddaughters baptized, and she even renewed her wedding vows there on her 50th anniversary.

The history of St. Alphonsus dates back to the Acadian Mission of St. Laurent in 1690, serving Acadian and Mi’kmaw families from Belleisle to Paradise in Annapolis County. The original chapel was destroyed by English forces in 1736, and after the Expulsion of the Acadians, the Catholic presence in the area was sustained by mostly Mi’kmaw and Irish families, holding mass in private homes.

The current church building, erected in 1874, was a testament to the determination of parishioners, notably Euphenia Bonnett, who championed its construction but passed away before its completion. In 1986, as church community activities increased, parishioners decided to expand the church, leading to the building being relocated to accommodate the expansion. Congregation volunteers worked tirelessly to build a basement, kitchen, and Sunday school space.

Despite the closure of the building, the faith community will endure, as Main emphasized that they will remain members of the parish of Corpus Christi. The fate of St. Alphonsus mirrors a larger trend across the province, with many Catholic churches facing closure due to dwindling attendance.

As a longtime choir member, Main expressed her sadness at the loss of the music, noting that singing is a form of prayer. The final mass on Sunday at 4 p.m. AT will serve as a celebration of the church’s significance to the community over the years.

In conclusion, while the physical church may be closing its doors, the memories and impact of St. Alphonsus will continue to live on in the hearts of its parishioners.