Edward J. Buckley

14

THE FIRST PASTOR

On Allguc;t 28th, 1829 tlw Rev, Michael Brennan 08S

ordained by Bishop Macdonell to take charge of the mis-sion at the "Bay of Quinty", and so the founding date forwhat became St. Michael's was the date of ordination forMichael Brennan.

Father Brennan is believed to have been born inMooncoyne, Kilkenny, Ireland in 1796. Information on hisearly life is non existent, but the fact thathe was thirty-threeyears of age when ordained indicates some earlier careerprior to entering Macdonell's seminary. However, fromthe date of his ordination on he was a most visible andeffective personality around the Bay of Quinte.

On September 15th he was given a letter to take to thepastor at Montreal which read as follows:

St. Raphaels 15th Sept. 1829

"Rev and Dear Sir:-

The Rev. Timothy O'Meara arrived here this morningand informed me that you have succeeded my worthy andexcellent friend Mr. LaSaulnier in the charge of the parishofMontreal, and I trust you will also succeed to his zeal andcharity for the propagation of the Catholic Religion inUpper Canada.

The bearer the Rev. Mr. Brennan is appointed to themission of the Bay of Kenty. I have been doing every thingin my power for several years past to afford him and othersnot only education and board but also clothing and everyother necessity and by the great exertions, I have madealready to support my ecclesiastics and finish their educa-tion, I find myself so completely run aground that I am notable to fit them out for the missions as they require and Iwould wish.

I have therefore given the bearer permission to visitMontreal in hopes that the zeal of pious Catholics of thatcity especially of the Seminary and nunneries, would lendhim some aid to procure him some vestments and otherarticles equally necessary.

I beg that you would have the goodness to give him allthe aid and assistance in your power by introducing him toall the nunneries and wherever you think he might receiveanything to make up his chapel. What is most indispens-able is a chalice. Iwould not have used so much liberty withyou were I not well aware of your solicitude for thepropagation of the Catholic Religion in the Province and asDivine Providence has been pleased to deprive me of thepowerful assistance of my excellent friend the Superiorand Mr. LaSaulnier, you are the next to whom I think havea right to look for aid.

I remain with best wishes to all your gentlemen

Rev. and Dear SirYour very humble servant

+ Alex Mcdonell Ep.R" '

Rev. Michael Brennan

Whatever vestments or other assistance he received as aresult of his tour at Montreal, Fr. Brennan returned to St.-r-c 't . 11 'J1 - -.: JJ1 ....•-...,~,-l~'c •. ~-c~~I-,-.'""IV':, .....••1-A11:~ .l"\.d.f)llL~~l.:) L~li.L':' Ul....;J..~ ILL- ....•.\ ,..:U lJ.l .•........L L •. ......, .....•.~J..l AlL01..-liV L !'

setting out for Belleville.The one was a certificate of ordination which, translated

from the Latin, read as follows:

We, Alexander Macdonell, by the grace of God and thefavor of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Kingston -

To all and singular to whom these present letters maycome, we make note that in the year of Our Lord, 1829, onthe 28th day of August, in the church of St. Raphael's wehave ordained our beloved son in Christ.

MICHAEL BRENNAN

a graduate deacon of our seminary, after having beenexamined and approved, and having fulfilled all spiritualexercises according to the sacred council of Trent, andaccording to the latest apostolic decrees, SpeculataresDomus Israel and Apostolici Administerii, and also inaccord with the highest ecclesiastical regulations consti-tuted by the Roman Pontiffs, Innocent XII, Innocent XIIIand Benedict XIIIof happy memory, and after examinationaccording to the rite and canons We have decided topromote, and do promote to the order of holy priesthood,under title of service to the Church of Upper Canada.

In which case we have caused these letters to have beendrawn up under our hand and seal and countersigned byour secretary.

Given at St. Raphael's this Fourth day of October 1829.+ Alex. Macdonell

By command of the most illustrious and most reverendAlexander Macdonell, Bishop of Kingston

John Cassid y - Secretary

The second document was an outline of the facultiesgranted to him for the administration of his priestly office.

"We, Alex Macdonell, by the Grace of God and thefavour of the Holy See, Bishop of Regiopolis, bestow onRevd. Michael Brennan health and Benediction."Beloved Son:

Owing to our great esteem for your piety, prudenceand learning, we have entrusted to you in the Lord thecare of the Mission of 'The Bay of Quinty' as it is calledand comprising Belleville, Hallowell (now Picton),Marmora and their surrounding territories with othercentres of our Diocese which have no Pastor. We herebygrant you the faculties of performing the customaryspiritual functions in these centres until they are re-called.

These faculties are:1) The power to absolve a penitent straying from the

faith through the sin of heresy schism or apostasy.2) Dispensation to matrimonial impediments involv-

ing the third and fourth degree of consanguinity oraffinity.

St, Michael's Parish 1829-1993

mond had built a house upon it for the accommodationof the pastor.

Secondly, that a park Lot was granted in the Town ofPerth for the use of the Catholic missionary, but wasgiven away to others.

Thirdly, that four Lots were granted in the Town ofPeterboro to assist the Catholics to build a Church there,and the Letters, R,C. Roman Catholic written on the planof the Town, yet a patent Deed was issued for those Lotsto a person who has since left the province, and removedto the United States.

Fourthly, that a Lot of one hundred acres in the Town-ship of Tyendanague «SIC» was petitioned for by theCatholics of that Township, a petition laid before HisExcellency Major General Sir John Colborne in Council,and a favourable answer given by the Hon. PeterRobinson to Mr. John Sweeny who presented the peti-tion, one of the Church Wardens for the Catholic Con-gregation of that place, and he (Mr. Robinson) assuredMr. Sweeny that the prayer of the petitioned would begranted.

That the Catholics confiding in this favourable prom-ise of Mr. Robinson have gone to the expense of gettingthe materials for building the Church on the site and,although nine or ten months have elapsed since thatpromise was given there is no appearance yet of theDeed being issued, -and the Catholics seeing the ob-stacles so generally opposed to the issuing of patentDeeds for Lands promised to their Church, are discour-aged from proceeding in the building of the Church tillthe Lands are secured to them.

You Petitioners therefore pray that your Excellencywould be graciously pleased to order a patent Deed to beissued for the five acres above stated, and also for the Lotin the Township of Tyandanague.

Your, Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Alex. Macdonell Bishop of Regiopolis"

It was this petition which finally started some movementon the issue. Special reports from Samuel Wilmott, Sur-veyor General, and A. McDonnell of Peterboro who auc-tioned off the land in question, were forwarded to RobertB.Sullivan in an attempt to outline the whole complicatedproblem.

A. McDonell reported to Robinson that just prior to the15th of June, 1836 he had received from the Commissionerof Crown Lands and from Deputy Surveyor Wilmott a listof lots in the town plot which had been recently surveyedat the mouth of the Trent. These were to be offered for saleas advertised. On the day of the sale the Catholics of ther0,':;rr~C1tif)n inforrr"Arl J..,;", tbar spvprC110fHlP Jots that hewas about to offer for sale formed a portion of the five acresof land which had been reserved for their church by anorder in council. The auctioneer refused to sell those uponwhich the church stood or on which graves were found, butdid sell the others. As the sale came to an end Father

23

Brennan arrived and informed the agent that he had soldlands claimed by the parish. Thereupon the purchasers,were immediately informed that their ownership wouldhave to be confirmed.

Wilmott's report, while quite factual, did become defen-sive since it was he who, had provided the list of lots to besold to the agent. Wilmott claimed that the town site hadnot been secured by the government for it had grantedaway all the central land on both banks of the river. Hereprimanded the clergy for seizing the best and central partof the site, and pointed out that if the church of England,and the Catholics received five acres each side by side, andthe Kirk of Scotland was equally awarded since they hadnow asked and were equally entitled, there would be littlespace left for houses. Wilmott's defence seems weak andbumbling and certainly not in keeping with his usualbusiness-like efficiency.

McDonell's report was dated August 4, 1836 andWilmott's August 8, 1836 and on August 18, 1836 thecouncil minutes record:

"The council conceives that it is now too late to enterinto the question of expediency or inexpediency of theappropriation for the respective churches. They con-sider the faith of the Government as pledged for the fiveacres originally ordered. It seems, however, that it willbe more beneficial to the petitioners if the present surveybe adhered to as far as the streets are concerned and it istherefore respectfully recommended that the two blocksof ground, being lots numbered 1,2,3 and 4 on DundasStreet and the twelve lots in the rear, be granted asprayed for and that the commissioner of Crown Landsbe directed to return the first instalments paid by pur-chasers on any of these lots which have been sold and thecouncil further respectfully recommends that if the peti-tioners desire it, the street between the two blocks ofground comprised in this present order be also grantedto them, the whole to be in trust for the purpose prayedfor."

Hence some six years after the first request, River Trenthad deeds to its church site which it still enjoys. FatherBrennan, served as pastor for Trenton from 1829 until theappointment of Trenton's first resident pastor, Rev. F.P.McEvoy, in 1847.

Brennan did not allow the problems of Tyendinaga orriver Trent to overshadow those of other locations.Macdonell's commission to him specifically mentionedMarmora, and for good reason. This community had grownup around the iron deposits found there and because theearly settlers had need for so many items made of iron, theSOl1TCP of the Taw material was an important spot. Patentsfor land holdings relevant to mine surveys were issued in1824 and it is believed that smelting operations wereunderway shortly thereafter. In 1825 an Irishman by thename of Anthony Monahan was appointed manager of themining operations. About the same time several Irish

24

immigrants settled in Jhe area and need for a house ofworship was established. A site was chosen by Mr. Monahanand Lduglllin dugilt:~~,whicn was uonateu by 1 ionaiiau asmanager of the mine, but as no deeds were issued, disputesover possession of the land arose in later years.

Monohan was certainly a prime mover in the undertak-ing and advertisements appeared in area papers solicitingassistance [or the project, similar to the one which ran in IheKingston Chronicle on May 30, 1829.

Roman Catholic Chapelat

The Marmora Iron Works

The su bscriber is now building a Roman Ca tholic Chapelat these works, to complete which a considerable sum isyet wanting. He therefore respectfully addresses himselfto the inhabitants of Kingston, begging their contribu-tions in aid of this laudable undertaking.

Subscriptions will be gratefully received by MessersWaiter McCunliffe, Wm. Driscoll. Mich. Brennan, Mich.Moran and James Lynch.

A. Monahan

Lore has it that all dominations assisted in the construc-tion of the church. The original building was of stone andapproximately 43 by 25 feet on the outside with the en-trance on the north side and above the entrance in the gablewas a round window. The east wall was 20 feet high andhad three gothic windows each six feet wide. The glass wasplain with four panes in the lower section and three fanshaped panes in the top section. The south wall had a panelin its centre on the outside, inset about three inches and

A picture of the ruins of the first Catholic Church at Ivunrnora.

Rev. Michael Brennan

conforming to the lines of main windows. Above this paneland reaching almost to the gable, was a long narrowwindow sunirar 111~lyle to the orners.

On each side of this central window were two othersclose to the roof and resembling the top part of the sidewindow. The sills of all three windows were in alignment.The west wall was identical to the east one. There was astone chimney on the extreme south west corner and theroof had a low pitch almost Spanish in atmosphere. Overthe peak at the front entrance there was an iron cross set inthe stone work with another one on the rear peak.

The interior was plain. The stone walls were coveredwith a putty coat of white plaster, the ceiling was lathedand plastered along the roof line except at the peak whereit was rounded off, the floor was of wide tongue andgroove pine plank about three inches thick with a narrowbase-board joining the walls and floor. The altar stood atthe south wall under the three windows already described.It was about five feet long and sat on top of the usual threesteps. The altar was enclosed with a plain communion railextending from wall to wall. The seats were described assimple in construction and made of pine. On the left sidethe pews extended from the front to the north wall, whileon the right side a space was left at the north wall possiblyfor a stove. The iron works supplied the crosses from thefoundry and probably the money for the wood-work andfurnishings. The entire cost was supposed to have beenabout £200. The burial ground was opposite the church.

This modest little building was probably the second everbuilt for Catholic worship in the vast territory Brennan hadinherited to be known as St. Michael's. To it Brennan wentshortly after landing at Belleville and he served it as part ofhis parish until Marmora became a partner, in that combi-nation comprising Marrnora, Madoc, Tweed and Stoco tobe served by Rev. Dionysius Begley after 1851.

St.'Michael's Parish 1829-1993

Irish immigrants moved steadily into the mid-HastingsCounty area during the 1820's and 30's with pockets ofpopulation developing around,Marmora, Madoc, Tweedand Stoco. For some thirty years Father Brennan maderegular rounds to these communities to say Mass, baptizeand marry the members of his far-flung congregation. AtMadoc he is reported to have had built a small framechurch sometime around 1832and had a cemetery laid out.The largest group of people seemed to collect around whatbecame known as Sugar Island which developed into theStoco parish. This interesting location is a spot of landsurrounded by the Moira River. In the spring of the year, atthis site, the Mississauga Indians would congregate andmake maple sugar which they in turn took down river totrade with the settlers of Meyers Creek, as Belleville wasthen called.

The early Irish settlement of the 1820's was soon en-larged by a group of settlers from around Sorel, Quebecwho took up land around present-day Tweed. These twowaves of immigration developed a rather large Catholiccommunity in the Sugar Island area.

The first Masses there were said by Father Brennan at thehome of Owen Durkin, the same man who donated threeacres of land for a cemetery and church site. The popula-tion of the area grew steadily and Father Brennan' s respon-sibility to the parishioners of the entire mid-Hastings areacame to an end in 1851 when Father Begley was givencharge of the territory.

The parish records at St.Michael's include the baptismsand marriages and some of the funerals attended to by Fr.Brennan as he made his rounds. It is of note that he neverindicated the location and the reader at first is unable toidentify the various locations of his mission. However, analertness to local family names frequently enables thereader to identify the date of some of his parish visits. Hisearly visits after 1829 to the outlying communities weremarked by numerous marriages all performed within afew days of one another and in some cases all on a singleday. Baptisms covering a whole family of children rangingfrom teenagers to the new born indicated the absence ofclergy for long periods. One can imagine the joy experi-enced by the devout upon Fr. Brennan's initial arrival andhow eagerly he was looked for on subsequent occasions.He was not only their priest, but friend and advisor. Mostof the early settlers were illiterate and like Macdonell atGlengarry, Brennan found that many of them had notacquired clear title to their land even though they thoughtthat they had. He personally undertook to resolve thesematters when they came to his attention.

Brennan readily identified with the settlers. He waspersonally a tall, bony individual of quite homely features.His physical strength was that of a lumberjack with whomhe could easily relate. He carried a black thorn cane ofsturdy dimensions which gave him the nickname of Black-thorn Brennan. His presence in the town streets was com-mon and he was noted for his ability to force the peacewhen local inebriates or others resorted to fisticuffs. Many

25

a saloon he cleared when trouble demanded. His friendsand he played shinny (an early form of hockey) and he wasregarded as a rough and rugged player in a tough andrugged game.

While he spent much time tending his far flung flock henever seemed to neglect the requirements at Bellevilleitself. Where he lived after his arrival in October, 1829untilMarch, 1836 is not clear, but on March 17, 1836 he pur-chased a house and lot from Ruben Fields for fifty pounds.This house was located on the south end of the presentparking lot at St. Michael's on the west side of ChurchStreet and known as lot number thirty-three.

The house was a small one-and-a-half storey framewhich stood on the site until the late 1930's when it wasremoved to make a parking lot. The last tenant in the housewas thejack Chapelle family. It was an ideal purchase forBrennan as it adjoined the lot granted the congregation forchurch and burial ground, and upon which the framechurch had been placed. The site had not only the smallhouse but also a stable and attendant outbuilding, a gardenplot, and a well.

Susannah Moodie in her book "Life in the Clearing"gives us a glimpse of the generosity and kindness of FatherBrennan.

"In the December of 1840we had the misfortune to beburnt out, and lost a great part of our furniture, clothing,and winter stores. Poor as we then were; this could notbe regarded in any other light but as a great calamity.During the confusion occasioned by the fire, and owingto the negligence of a servant to whose care he wasespecially confided, my youngest child, a fine boy of twoyears old, was for some time missing. The agony Iendured for about half an hour I shall never forget. Theroaring flames, the impending misfortune that hungover us, was forgotten in the terror that shook my mindlest he had become a victim to the flames. He was atlength found by a kind neighbour in the kitchen of theburning building, whither he had crept from among thecrowd, and was scarcely rescued before the roof fell in.

This circumstance shook my nerves so completelythat I gladly accepted the offer of a female friend to leavethe exciting scene, and make her house my home untilwe could procure another.

I was sitting at her parlour window with the rescuedchild on my lap, whom Icould not bear for amoment outof my sight, watching the smoking brands that had oncccomposed by home and sadly pondering over our unto-ward destiny, when Mrs. -'s servant told me that agentleman wanted to see me in the drawing-room.

With littleJohnniestill in my arms Iwent to receive thevisitor, and found that Rev. Father B--, the worthyCatholic priest, waiting to receive me.

At that time I knew very little of Father B-. Callshad been exchanged, and we had been much pleasedwith his courteous manners and racy Irish wit. I shallnever forget the kind, earnest manner in which he con-

26

soled with me on our present misfortune. He did not,however, confine his sympathy to words, but offered methe use of his neat cottage until we could provide our-selves with another house.

"You know," he said, with a benevolent smile, "I haveno family to be disturbed by the noise of the children;and if you will accept the temporary home I offer you, itis entirely at your service; and," he continued, loweringhis voice, "If the sheriff is in want of money to procurenecessaries for his family, I can supply him until suchtime as he is able to repay me."

"This was truly noble, and I thanked him with tears inmy eyes. We did not accept the generous offer of thisgood Samaritan; but we have always felt a gratefulremembrance of his kindness."

The small frame building which Fr. Fraser had locatedon the lot for church purposes had been temporary at bestand Brennan, almost from the day he arrived, devoted hisattention to the erection of a more suitable and permanentbuilding as a church for the growing congregation.

It was not until 1836 that Brennan took firm steps to dosomething about a more permanent building. On Sunday,August 27, 1836 a meeting was called to consider whatcould be done. Those attending that meeting were FatherBrennan, Donald McLellan, Martin Ryan, Peter O'Reilly,John O'Carroll, Patrick Simon, Hugh McGinnis, JohnDonague, Francis McConnaughy, [ames Spence and [o-seph Champagne. By the end of that year plans were takingshape and the following advertisement appeared in areapapers:

NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH

At a meeting held by the Roman Catholics of the Townof Belleville and its vicinity on Monday the 26th, day ofDecember, 1836, for the purpose of taking into consider-ation the building of a new Catholic church-

Moved by Peter O'Reilly, Esq. and seconded byMartin Ryan that the Rev. Michael Brennan do takethe chair and that John O'Carroll act as secretary.

Resolved that the building be 100 ft. in length, by 50 ft.in width and that the same be built of stone.

Resolved that a voluntary subscription do commencein the church on the first Saturday in January, 1837 anddo continue monthly until the above work shall becompleted and that each subscriber's name be entered ina book held by the Secretary exclusively for that pur-pose.

Resolved that the Rev. Michael Brennan do act asTreasurer and that all money collected for the erection of

Rev. Michael Brennan

the said church shall be handed over to him and the sameentered in the church books and monthly examined bythe committee.

Resolved tha t tenders be recei ved on or before the 16thof January next for the quarrying of the stone by the cordby any of the following persons: Donald McLellan, P.O'Reilly, M. Ryan, Hugh McGinnis, and R. McMichaeland said tenders shall be opened on that day at 120'clockand the contract entered into. Sufficient securities will berequired for the due performance of the same.

Resolved that the Belleville Inielligencer, KingstonChronicle, Toronto Patriot and Montreal Vindicator give theabove six insertions and send their accounts to the com-mittee.

John a'CarrollSecretary

Michael BrennanPresident

The committee gave a Mr. Joseph German of Trenton thecontract for building the church itself, but on June 18, 1838the committee recalled the contract because of inferiorwork and tendered the remainder to Messrs. Matthewsand Duff who had built the Belleville Court House and Jail.As master carpenter they employed a local man, JohnCopeland, who had been born at Slachhead, Scotland, hisfather being also John Copeland and his mother a Johnston,a cousin of the late John [ohnston, long-time Public SchoolInspector at Belleville. In 1840, he was married by FatherBrennan to Jean Spence of Aberdeen, Scotland, a sister ofJames Spence who had come to Canada in 1835 and hadpurchased the Alexander Chisholm house and land on lot36 Thurlow. John Copeland came to Quebec in 1836 andafter short stops at Brockville and Kingston, moved toBelleville. He was an articled carpenter whose first em-ployment at Belleville was at the new County Court Housethen under construction. Work on the new church hadprogressed to the point where a cornerstone was placed onSeptember 7, 1837.

A memo was entered in the parish records by Brennan asfollows:

"The cornerstone of the new Catholic church was laid onthe 7th ofSeptember 1837by the Right Rev. Alex. Macdonellaccompanied by the Right Rev. Remigius Gaulin, the VeryRev. William P. McDonald, the Rev. Edward Cordon, theRev. Murt Lalor and the Rev. Michael Brennan in the firstyear of the reign of Queen Victoria, Sir Francis Bond Headbeing Governor of this province.

Michael Brennan"

St. Michaels Fansh 1'!jL':J-l ')');5

also had predeceased him. And one of this oldest associatesin the ma tters of grammar school educa tion Dunbar Moodiepredeceased Brennan by only eight days.

In retrospect, Brennan was a giant in his own right. Hehad worked alone for 30 years in the vast territory whichhad originally comprised St. Michael's Parish. He dividedthe parish to form others at Picton, Marysville, Trenton,Marrnora, Stoco, Tweed, Madoc, Read, and Stirling. Hehad fostered educational institutions, both public and sepa-rate, for the town and had taken a wide interest in all otherpublic activities affecting the citizens of the area. Brennanwas a Bishop's dream as a parish priest. He did his taskwith such firmness and efficiency that later writers re-ferred to him as one of the outstanding priests of UpperCanada. The surprising thing is that in spite of the highregard with which he was held by Bishop, clergy, city andtowns-people, he is never quoted and he left neither writ-ings nor monuments save a parish sound and secure.

A review of the early church records, all in his ownhandwriting, reveals a staggering devotion to his respon-sibility. Even though he had a curate for the ten final yearsin the person of his nephew, he did not assign to him thosetasks he perceived to be the personal responsibility of thepastor. In the matters of baptisms he performed the firstoneon October 13, 1829and his last one on October 11, 1869only twenty days before he died. In the meantime only 40baptisms were performed by other clergy. Similar sta tisticsapply to marriages and every funeral from October 17,1829 to July 22,1864 was conducted by himself. After thatdate the curate performed most funeral services but eventhen not all.

Apart from his rounds of visitation in the earlier days hewas almost never away from the parish except on churchbusiness. At letter on February 4, 1862 to Bishop Horanreveals that he had been ill for some weeks. He thankedHoran for sending another priest to assist, a Father J.Sauve,who incidentally conducted 13 of the 40 Baptisms per-formed by-others than Brennan himself. In it he apologizesfor inconveniencing the Bishop with his illness. His devo-tion to duty was heroic even for his own day, let alone ours.

The Daily Intelligencer of Monday, November 1st, 1869published a notice:

DEATH OF REV. MICHAEL BRENNAN

The Rev. Michael Brennan for 42 years the Pastor of theRoman Catholic Church of this town, died at his residencein Belleville on Sunday, October 31st, in his 73rd year. Thedeceased was one of the oldest residents of the town, andmuch respected by all classes of the community.

The remains of the Very Rev. Michael Brennan will becarried processionally from his late residence to St.Michael' schurch on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 2nd at 3 o'clock.The funeral obsequies will be performed at 9 o'clock onWednesday morning.

Daily Intelligencer November 2, 1869:

The funeral procession of the late Rev. M. Brennan tookplace today at 3 0'clock. The cortege passed through theprincipal streets of the town, followed by about 500people, comprising every class and grade. As a remarkof respect every shop in town was closed while theprocession passed. Few men have passed from amongstus more universally respected."

From a report of the funeral appearing in the CobourgSentinal, and reprinted in the Canadian Freeman onNovember 11, 1869, we learn of the funeral ceremonies.

"The funeral obsequies took place on Wednesday at10 o'clock. Rev. James Quinn of St. Peter's, New York,a nephew of the deceased, was the celebrant. Rev.M. Mackey of Tyendinaga was Deacon and Rev. PhilipBrennan, also a nephew, of Mount Carmel, Sandwich,was Sub Deacon. Rev. Father Howard of Kingston wasMaster of Ceremonies, Rev. 0 Kelly, V.G. of Peterbo-rough delivered the panegyric. Other clergy presentwere: V. Rev. James Farrelly, V.G. Administrator ofthe Diocese; V. Rev. J.M. Bruyere, V.G. Administratorof London; V. Rev. F.P. Rooney, Administrator ofToronto, Rev. Mr. Lalor of Picton, Rev. John Brennan,a nephew of the deceased, and now incumbent atBelleville; Rev. M. Timlin of Cobourg; Rev. B. Coyle ofEmily and Ennismore; Rev. E. Roche, Prescott; Rev. H.Brettargh of Trenton; Rev. John O'Brien of Belleville;Rev. M. Stafford of Lindsay; Rev. John Quirk, Hastingsand Asphodel; Rev. M. Lynch of Cornwall; Rev. Mr.Proulx, Chaplain to Her Majesty's Forces, Toronto; Rev.Joseph Brown, Port Hope; Rev. George Brophy, St.Charles and Richmond; Rev. ET. Leonard, Napanee;Rev. Ed. Murray, Wolfe Island; Rev. Mr. Gauthier,Gananoque; Rev. Mr. Keilty, Kingston, and Rev. Mr.Davis of Hungerford.

"The good and zealous priest was equal to the onerousduties imposed upon him. In frost and snow, in sun andshower, wherever duty called him, over rough roadsand through desolate forests, sometimes on foot, some-times on horseback, oftener the former, did the faithfuland zealous priest labour in the work of his Lord andMaster. How well he succeeded let the splendid monu-ment of his zeal, industry and perseverence, which arethe> glory and pride of Belleville, answer. One of the mostsplendid churches in the Province, a handsome conventfor the education of young ladies and two fine maleschools bear testimony to his perseverance and industryas well as to the generosity and religious spirit of hisfaithful congregation. Rev. Mr. Brennan was a man ofthe most stern rectitude in matters of justice and moralconduct, in truth he was immutable and ever loyal to his

40 Rev. Michael Brennan

God and Country. He was able to discharge the duties ofhis ministry up to within a few days of his death and maybe said to have died at his post of duty."

Finally the entry was made on his behalf in the recordshe began and where he had so faithfully recorded thepassing of his parishioners one by one for 40 years:

Very Rev. M. Brennan

Rev. Michael Brennan, First Pastor of St.Michael's Church,died at his residence on Church Street on Sunday, the 31stof October, 1869, aged 73. There were present at the inter-ment on November 3rd the undersigned Very Rev. andRev. Gentlemen:

Very Rev. J.M. Bruyere, V.G. LondonVery Rev. F. Rooney, V.G. TorontoVery Rev. F. Proulx, TorontoVery Rev. O. Kelly, KingstonVery Ref. J. FarrellyVery Rev. M. LalorRev. E.B. RocheRev. M. LynchRev. J. O'BrienG.H. GauthierE. MurrayJ. HowardJ. KeiltyF.T. LeonardD.O'ConnellJ. QuinnT. DorisB. CoyleM. MackeyG. BrophyH. BrettarghM.TimlinJ. QuirkJ. BrownM. StaffordP. Brennan

J. Brennan

His remains still lie at the vestry door on the north sideof the present church.