St. Benedict Parish in Benedicta to celebrate 180th anniversary

    BENEDICTA, Maine — In 1834, a group of 45 pioneering families, united in faith, arrived in a wooded area in northeast Maine. Many were impoverished Irish immigrants who took up an offer from Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick, the second bishop of Boston, to purchase land at $1.25 per acre. Along with log homes, a dam, and a few small mills, a rugged log church was built and ‘Benedicta,’ named after the bishop, was born.
In 1890, a Gothic-style structure replaced the original log church, but the spirit of togetherness remains. On Sunday, July 6, the parish will celebrate 180 years of St. Benedict Parish, located on 1063 Benedicta Road, with a day of activities planned in the spirit of harmony that inspired the community’s creation itself. All are encouraged to attend this day of free events.
A schedule of events is as follows:
9-10 a.m. — Community breakfast.
10-11 a.m. — Rosary and the ringing of the bell. Twenty rings to celebrate 20 years of Vacation Bible School at the parish.
11 a.m. — Mass.
Noon — Community barbecue
1 p.m. — Softball tournament and family-friendly activities.
2:30 p.m. — Cemetery prayer
3 p.m. — Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction.
For more information about the anniversary celebration at St. Benedict Parish, contact the parish office at (207) 365-4294.