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Churches and Places of Worship

St. Martin de Tours Church, Martindale

St. Martin de Tours
St. Martin de Tours Church, Martindale

In 1870 a small wooden mission church was built on land donated by a local farmer, Patrick Sullivan. The church was blessed two years later by Bishop Guigues as "St. Martin de Tours". During the 1880s repairs were made to the church, an alter was added and a steeple.

The St. Martin Parish in Low was created and the St. Martin de Tours became the parish church. A rectory was built and a parish priest was appointed. The church was expanded and clad with brick in 1889. Many of the parishoners were Irish immigrants.

Around 1900, local residents Martin O'Mally and William Farrell donated land for a cemetery across the road from the church. The original cmetery to the south of the church from 1874 to around 1900 was abandoned. The abondoned cemetery would later become known as the Martindale Pioneer Cemetery.

Alcove United Church
St. Martin de Tours Church, 1900
Alcove United Church

Additional resources:

St. Martins Catholic Cemetery
Martindale Pioneer Memorial Cemetery

As Long as Love and Music Last published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 18.
Notes on the Early Days of the Parish of Martindale published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 21.


List of Gatineau Valley Churches.