Immaculate Heart of Mary History

The history of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church dates back to 1870 when Father Halde, a Waterville priest, said Mass in a public hall. Twelve years later, the 104 French Canadian families were still without a church. At the request of Bishop Healy, the first Catholic Bishop of Maine, Farther Narcisse Charland, pastor of the St. Francis de Sales Church of Waterville, erected a small chapel on the grounds of the present church.

In 1891 Rev. Louis Bergeron became the first resident pastor. As the chapel was too small, he decided that a larger structure must be built and in due time a new building came into being.

On August 18, 1901, Bishop William O’Connell, Bishop of Portland, made his first visit to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and administered Confirmation and blessed the church bell.

In 1910, the Rev. Zenon Decary was sent to Fairfield and at once realized the need of sound Catholic teaching for the children and under his leadership a school staffed by Ursuline Sisters was opened in 1911.

The Rev. James Winnen came to this church in December 1925. During his administration the Ursuline Sisters were replaced by the Sisters of Mercy. Father Winnen worked hard on a musical training program, that young and old alike might be taught the Gregorian Chant; soon the whole congregation was singing the Proper of the Mass. Thus Father Winnen introduced an idea which today is growing in popularity throughout the world.

The Reverend Joseph E. McCaffrey, who replaced Father Winnen in September, 1941, took over the unfinished work and a building fund was started, resulting in a modern school building and auditorium. Unfortunately, due to the ills of times, lack of vocations and finances, the school was closed in June. 1969.

Father William McDonough succeeded Father McCaffrey and Father George Dulac, who as successor to Father McCaffrey, lived only ten months. Father McCaffrey died in 1953 and Father Dulac in 1954. Father McDonough made plans to remodel the church and rectory and the Most Reverend Daniel J. Feeney presided at the dedication exercises on September 13, 1959.