Saint Benedict Parish

Since St. Benedict's Parish is so linked with the founding of the town of Benedicta, a brief background reviewing its history follows:

On July 7, 1834, Bishop Benedict Fenwick purchased a tract of land in northern Maine to establish a farming community for Irish immigrants. He expected many families would come to settle his new colony in the
southern part of Aroostook County. He envisioned a large Catholic rural settlement and a good location for a college seminary. However, families did not settle as numerous as expected. When Bishop Fenwick visited his
pioneer community three years later, just seventy families were there. Many who had subscribed for a lot in the township never came to settle on it. The bishop appealed for more immigrants but the move to the country was slow and gradual. In 1840, the population was 300. The greatest increase in population was during the 1860s when it was about 500. Most of the immigrants were Irish but there were also several German families and a few French Canadians. The town was named Benedicta in the bishop’s honor.

The bishop promised the first settlers that he would provide a priest for their spiritual needs. The first Mass was celebrated in a small cabin by Fr. James Conway of Old Town. He was the regional representative of Bishop Fenwick in this part of his diocese. Fr. Conway was a frequent visitor among the people in the early days of the settlement and Fr. Michael Lynch of Bangor also made occasional visits. The first church was built in 1838 from timbers in the local are of hewed logs fitted in cobble style.

When Bishop Fenwick established a new settlement in northern Maine, he also planned to have a college seminary built there. He sent Fr. William Tyler to the colony for several months in 1838. The college building, a
two-story wooden structure, was started in 1839 and a four-story building was constructed but never opened for a seminary. A lack of funds and the problem of obtaining a teaching faculty caused the bishop to abandon his plans for a college in Maine. In 1842, the bishop accepted the offer of an academy in Worcester,
Massachusetts which later became Holy Cross College.

From 1840 to 1850, the priests that served the community in Benedicta also administered the church in Houlton. Then Benedicta was a mission of the Jesuits until 1851 when it became a mission of Houlton. The second church, a larger wooden building, was built between 1865 and 1870. A rectory was constructed from the old college building which had been used for a parish hall. Since 1871, St. Benedict’s Parish has had resident pastors. The present church was built in 1892 and is a wooden structure of Gothic design.

In 1921, the construction of a new school was started north of the church. It opened the next year for elementary grades and high school in the same building. The pastor was fortunate to get the Sisters of Mercy for teachers and a house was purchased near the school for the convent. For fifty years, the Sisters of Mercy continued their dedicated service at St. Benedict’s School. Since the school closed, the building has been used for a Parish Center and the convent was sold.

For many years, the priest at St. Benedict’s Church had served the Catholics in Sherman and Mass was celebrated in a hall. St. Joseph’s mission Church was built in 1926 at Sherman Station. It was enlarged twenty years later to better accommodate the people of the area.

A large new rectory was built in 1927 west of St. Benedict’s Church. It was nearly fifty years old when it burned and was replaced with a modern deck house.

Restoration of St. Benedict’s Church was started in 1982 when it was insulated, and vinyl siding installed. The following year, the interior was renovated. Major alterations included painting of the interior, a new red oak
floor, pews and padded kneelers, and nine stained glass windows. In the sanctuary, a new red oak altar, pulpit, presidential chair, tabernacle enclosure and shelf, a wall crucifix, and a hand carved lindenwood statuary of the Holy Family.

The parish consists of 150 families, residing in Benedicta, Sherman Mills, Sherman Station, Sherman and Stacyville.

There have been sixteen vocations to the religious life from the parish: two priests, two who joined a Religious Order of Brothers, and twelve Sisters of Mercy.

In conforming with the liturgical changes parishioners now serve as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, CCD instructors, and the congregation sings with the choir.

The parish organizations are the Parish Council, St. Benedict’s Sodality, St. Joseph’s Sodality, and the Knights of Columbus.

Evelyn Cummings

Postscript: This brief history was written by Evelyn Cummings in 1984, for St. Benedict’s 150th Eucharistic Celebration of Thanksgiving & Rededication, 1834-1984.