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St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church

2190 Church Road, Route 243, South Rustico, Prince Edward Island, C0A, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2002/01/15

Showing side elevation and gothic windows; St. Augustine's Parish, 2000
St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church
Showing front elevation with entrance on the side; Meacham's Illustrated Historical Atlas of PEI, 1880
St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church
Robert Harris drawing of Acadian nuns at prayer; Confederation Centre Art Gallery and Museum
"In Rustico Chapel, St. Augustine, Rustico, PEI"

Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1838/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2004/11/01

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

As one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in PEI, St. Augustine's stands as a landmark in the village of South Rustico. The wooden structure is predominately white with decorative gothic elements outlined in black. The registration includes the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The church was begun in the Fall of 1838 under the direction of Bishop Bernard MacDonald. The building is significant as the oldest parish church in the Diocese of Charlottetown. It also served as pro-cathedral for the diocese until a building was erected in Charlottetown. The building materials were local and the work was completed by local Acadian craftsmen. It replaced two former churches which had been built in 1795 and 1806. The three tower bells were cast in London, England and purchased during the tenure of Father Belcourt (1859-1869) who also founded the nearby Farmers' Bank of Rustico in 1864. An interior scene of the church was featured in a drawing by Robert Harris (1849-1919) showing Acadian nuns at prayer.

Source: PEI Heritage Advisory Committee Files

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the church is embodied in the following Gothic Revial style elements:
- the multi-paned, paired Gothic windows
- the quatrefoil motif of the decorative woodwork
- the central entrance tower on the front elevation which appears to have been moved from the side elevation sometime after 1880
- the symmetrical placement of the windows and doors
- the gabled roof with eave returns
- the corner finials and central cross on the top of the tower

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Prince Edward Island

Recognition Authority

Province of Prince Edward Island

Recognition Statute

Heritage Places Protection Act

Recognition Type

Registered Historic Place

Recognition Date

2002/01/15

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Building Social and Community Life
Religious Institutions

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Religious Facility or Place of Worship

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Located in the Culture and Heritage Division, PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 File #: 4310-20/S4

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

4310-20/S4

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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