A Brief History

On December 8, 1889, the parish of Sainte Agathe was founded. A Church was built in the spring of 1890 under the supervision of the first Pastor, the Reverend Ernest Etenaud. Rev. Etenaud administered the parish from 1889 to 1899. In September of 1899 the Rev. Henri Gori replaced Father Etenaud and remained its pastor until 1910, Father Gory, a French Priest, who had known the Daughters of Wisdom work in France and desired to have religion at work in his parish, made the initial contact with the Superior General of the Daughters of Wisdom at Ste. Laurent Sur Sevres in France. His request for sisters was granted, but final arrangements had to be worked out with Rev. P. Bouchet, the Father Provincial of the Sisters in Canada. Favorable events insured Father Gory's request.

The expulsion laws deprived the sisters of their right to teach in their own land; therefore, they encouraged the founding of missions abroad. In the summer of 1904 Rev. Gory received news that four sisters would be sent to Ste. Agathe in the fall of that year.

On September 16, 1904, Sister Marie Therese, Superior, Sister Anseleme, Sister Victorine and Sister Euphrone answered the call to establish a mission in Ste. Agathe, in the State of Maine.

On September 17, the four sisters boarded the ship "La Bretagne" at Le Harve and headed for America. On September 25, 1904 the sisters arrived in New York and continued their journey to the provincial house at Montfort, Canada. After a few days of rest, the four resumed their journey accompanied by Rev. Bouchet and arrived in Ste. Agathe on Saturday, Oct. 1, 1904. The outlook was more than disconcerting in a strange and undeveloped land with neither home nor money. That afternoon a large number of parishioners gathered in the church yard to greet the newcomers. The church bells rang and some people were on their knees thanking god for this blessing. Father Gory offered the sisters the hospitality of his rectory. This was quite an event for these good people and that day was to be remembered for many years to come.

During the winter of 1905, the sisters remained at the rectory helping Father Gory with the everyday tasks.Voctorine, a nurse, visited the sick throughout the parish, while Mother Marie Therese and Sister Anselme taught catechism and Sr. Euphrone was housekeeper.

During these winter months, the sisters purchased a parcel of land next to the church for $350.00. The plans for building a convent were being finalized. After much consideration it was agreed that the land the sisters had purchased was not adequate to build on. On April 12, 1905, Father Gory bought the farm of Mr. Israel Roy-dit Voisine for $3,225.00. This farm was situated across the road from the rectory and was donated to the sisters. In May, the sisters moved in the small house which was situated on that farm.

The walls of the new building were rising slowly. Later this building would house a District School, a boarding school, and a hospital with a home for the aged.

L-R: Mother Patrick, Mother Marie Superior at Ste Agathe Covent, Assistant Mother General-Rome Sr. Marie Therese Martin, Marie De Noel Mother General of the Daughters of Wisdom, touring the convent in 1965.

A contractor, Leonide Gagne of Edmundston, was put in charge of the construction. The work started on May 2, 1905 and part of the building was ready for occupancy on Oct. 22 of the same year. The main building with its facade 100 feet long and four stories above the basement comprised three divisions; the west end class rooms, the center with parlor and chapel and the sister's rooms; the east end reserved for the hospital and the elderly. This building, including the furnishings was constructed at a cost of $29,184.00. Some $22,000.00 was borrowed and the balance was donated by the Mother House. This building was demolished in March of 1968.

In 1906, more buildings were constructed. The sisters had built their farm, barn, hogstable, wood shed, fences, heating and water systemsand some landscaping for a total cost of $8914.20.

On June 16, 1906, more land was purchased for $100.00 from Mr. Sy Ayoob. Since this huge building's heating system consumed a great deal of firewood, the Sisters were oblidged to purchase some wood lots. On January 23, 1908, four lots were purchased from Mr. Israel Roy for $1000.00. These lots consisted of 716 acres.

In 1906, the school enrollment was 160 pupils. Due to a large demand for boarding students, the sisters decided to add a new wing to their building. In August of 1912, the service of Mr. Gagne was again required.

History tells us that on September 17, six stones were engraved with a cross by the contractors and were placed at the four corners of the building. Rev. Raoul Bourbeau who was Pastor at the time , blessed all the stones and placed a small jar full of medals in the foundation near the entrance. Some of our older sisters still remember the occasion.

This new addition contained an auditorium, a chapel, music rooms, a complete floor reserved for elementary grades and dormitories. The total cost of this new building with all furnishings amounted to $22,576.60. This building was torn down in the summer of 1953.

On May 24, 1940 another addtion was planned. This building was constructed in bricks and was to measure 140 feet on the facade and 65 feet wide with two stories above the basement. The two floors above the gym were identical. On each floor were three dormitories with large windows and a central washroom. The plans of this building were drawn by Mr. A Gravel and they were executed by contractor J. Delisle and J. Cyr of Fort Kent. The building still stands today and has been remodelled into an apartment complex.

The few sisters remaining have moved into a new modern building which was constructed in 1967 and which is situated near the little cemetary where two of the founders now repose in peace.