History
A story of love and dedication
Nestled in the heart of our community, Stella Maris Church stands as a beacon of resilience and dedication. Through years of challenges and changes, our church has remained unwavering in its commitment to faith, hope, and unity. From its humble beginnings to the vibrant congregation it hosts today, Stella Maris’s story is one of enduring strength and collective spirit, a testament to the power of belief and the unbreakable bond of our community.
Our Patron Saint: Stella Maris
In the Catholic tradition, Stella Maris, meaning “Star of the Sea” in Latin, is a title bestowed upon the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. As Stella Maris, Mary is revered as a guiding light and protector of sailors and those who navigate life’s turbulent waters. She is depicted as a beacon of hope, offering solace and assistance to those in peril on the sea.
The Church
Stella Maris Church is a beautiful architectural masterpiece that was completed in 1906, just two years after the town’s incorporation. The first pastor of the church, Father Alex L. MacDonald, was dedicated to the construction of the church and made it his number-one priority. As the town grew rapidly, the demographics indicated a diverse mix of citizens, with a Roman Catholic population of almost 90%.
To accommodate the growing population, Father Alex L. modelled Stella Maris Church after St. Ninian’s Cathedral in Antigonish but a slightly limited version. The church was blessed and dedicated with a grand ceremony by Bishop John Cameron, a cousin of Father Alex L. The occasion was filled with pomp and pageantry, and fellow clergy from all over the diocese were present to witness the grand affair.
Events
Over the decades, Stella Maris Church has accommodated all the celebrations and rituals of a semi-urban church. Although it is rarely filled to capacity for everyday functions, it seems to burst at the seams for festivals such as Christmas midnight Mass, Easter vigils, and the special missions of the thirties. The builders sensed a busy future for Stella Maris Church; indeed, the building never let them down.
The Glebe House
The glebe house, which housed the pastor, assistants, etc., was built simultaneously with the church. Located north of the church, approximately 100 yards from the Stella Maris vestry, it provided quick access for the clergy. Its spacious grounds also served as a pathway home for Holy Family students who lived south of Railway Street.
The Cemetery
Stella Maris Cemetery, part of the park property, is located on the eastern end of the parish lot. Enough land has been set aside for many generations, and the cemetery has served the Catholic congregation for over a hundred years. The steady growth of crematoriums could last for the next 100 years.
Holy Family School
Father Alex L. MacDonald, the first pastor of the new Town of Inverness, was determined to provide quality education to the community. With his unwavering passion and dedication, he hired Colin MacDonald of Antigonish to build a convent school that opened its doors on December 6, 1904. The school was named Holy Family School and consisted of three buildings and a convent to house the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame.
The convent’s superior was Sister Mary Georgina, and the first teaching sister was Sister St. John. By the mid-twenties, the congregation had reached its optimal number, consisting of the superior, housekeeper, six teaching sisters, and one music teacher. The Holy Family School became a cornerstone of the community and a testament to Father MacDonald’s vision for the town’s future.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Psalm 77:11
Previous Incumbents
Stella Maris has been fortunate to have numerous parish priests devoted to serving God and the local community throughout the years.
Rev. Alex L. MacDonald (1904-1927)
Rev. Ronald L. MacDonald (1927-1936)
Rev. Alexander Joesph MacIsaac (1936-1950)
Rev. Peter Archibald MacLellan (1950-1959)
Rev. Roderick Colonel MacLeod (1967-1977)
Rev. Stanley MacDonald (1973-1984)
Rev. Bill Crispo (1984-1991)
Rev. Reginald Currie (1991-1996)
Rev. Alex MacLellan (1996-2001)
Rev. Hugh MacNeil (2001-2006)
Rev. Duncan MacIsaac (2006-2017)
Rev. Dan MacDonald (2017-2021)
Rev. Joby Moonjely (2021-)
Rev. Daniel Tshimbalanga (2021-)
Rev. Alex L. MacDonald (1904-1927)
Father MacDonald was the first pastor of the new Stella Maris Chapel and took up his duties on 31 May 1904. He was born at Fraser’s Mills (St. Andrew’s Parish), the son of Lauchlin MacDonald and Ann (Gillis) on April 16, 1858. Father Alexander MacDonald was educated at St. F.X. University and the Grand Seminary of Montreal. Bishop Cameron ordained him at St. F.X. University, Antigonish, on 1 August 1892.
He served as Pastor of Lakevale from August 1892 to September 1894. He was Pastor of Port Hawkesbury and their Missions from September 14, 1894, until November 8, 1896. He became Pastor of Broad Cove Chapel from 8 November 1896 until 31 May 1904. He remained the Pastor of Stella Maris from 3r May 1904 until October 1927. He was responsible for building the C.N.D. Convent School on 6 December, Stella Maris Church and blessing of the bell on 8 December 1906 and the opening of St. Mary’s Hospital on 24 May 1925.
Father MacDonald became Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital on 1 October 1927 and remained in this posting until 23 May 1934 upon his death. He is buried in Stella Maris Parish Cemetery; Father MacDonald was the elder brother of Fathers Donald L. and Ronald L. MacDonald.
Rev. Ronald L. MacDonald (1927-1936)
Father Ronald L. MacDonald was the second pastor of Stella Maris Parish and he took up his duties on 15 October, 1927 when his brother, Rev. Alexander MacDonald resigned his duties. Father Ronald was born at Fraser’s Mills (St. Andrew’s Parish) on 6 June 1870. He was the son of Laughlin MacDonald and Ann Gillis. He was educated at St. F.X. University and the Grand Seminary of Quebec.
Father MacDonald was ordained on 22 September, 1900 by Bishop Cameron. He was a professor at his alma mater for a time and then transferred to become Pastor of Arisaig from 1 November 1900 to 17 March 1901, then Pastor of Brook Village 17 March, 1901 to January 1903. Father MacDonald was also Pastor of St. Peter’s from 24 January 1903 to 15 October 1927. He assumed his duties as Pastor of Stella Maris Inverness on 15 October, 1927 until his retirement to Antigonish on 11 November, 1936. Father Ronald. L. MacDonald died in St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, 20 April 1947 and is buried at St. Andrew’s.
Rev. Alexander Joesph MacIsaac
Rev. Alexander Joseph Maclsaac was the third pastor of Stella Maris Parish and he assumed his duties on November 1936 when Father Ronald L. MacDonald resigned his duties to retire in Antigonish. Father MacIsaac was born on 24 February, 1897 at Dunmore (St. Andrew’s Parish), N.S. to Angus Maclsaac and Mary Ann (Chisholm). Rev. Macisaac was educated at Dunmore Public School receiving his Grade X in 1913. He resumed his duties at St. F.X. High School graduating with Grade XI in 1914 then obtaining his B.A. from St. F.X. in 1918.
Father Maclsaac served with the Gnr. 10* Siege Battery, C.G.A. from 24 April until 30 November 1918. In 1919, he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto. Father Maclsaac was ordained by Bishop Morrison in Antigonish on 27 May 1923. From 27 August 1923 to 27 June 1926 Father Macisaac served as assistant at Lourdes, Stellarton after which time he became assistant at Sacred Heart, Sydney until is February 1928. After this assignment, Father Alexander Joseph Macisaac became Pastor of Thorburn and Egerton until November 1936 when he assumed his duties as Pastor of Stella Maris Parish, Inverness. He served in Inverness until 8 March 1950 when he became Pastor of St. Anne’s, Glace Bay, a posting he maintained until 1 July 1970 when he retired to the MacDonald Guest Home in Antigonish. Father Macisaac died on November 12, 1986.
Rev. Roderick Colonel MacLeod
Rev. Roderick Colonel MacLeod was born in Dunvegan, the son of Dan Joe and Mary Belle (Collins). Father Colonel studied for the priesthood at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax and was ordained by Bishop J.T. Mac Nallay D.D. on June 12, 1949. Father studied at Dunegan School, attended Holy Family Convent School for his grade 12, and graduated from St. F.X. University and Holy Heart Seminary. After his ordination, Father R.C MacLeod served as Assistant Pastor at Boisdale, Frenchvale, Bras d’Or, Florence, Boularderie, and St. Theresa’s, Sydney.
Rev. R.C. Mac Leod’s pastoral service was extensive, spanning many congregations such as Port Felix, St. Augustine’s, Sacred Heart, Stella Maris, Inverness, Arisaig, Lismore, Egerton, Stella Maris, Creignish. His tenure as Pastor of Stella Maris, Inverness from 1967-1977 was particularly noteworthy. Even after he retired to the Xavier Apartments, Sydney, he remained active at St. Joseph’s, North Sydney and served as Chaplain at Holy Redeemer Convent in Sydney. His final resting place is at Stella Maris Cemetery, Creignish. The diocese has lost a dedicated son and faithful servant with his passing.