The people of the Cape Shore were primarily Catholic and
                             the church has always played a major role in their spiritual
                             and social lives.  Most of the early settlers came from
                             Ireland which probably explains why the Roman Catholic
                             Church is so well established on the Cape Shore.

                             The first church is St. Bride’s was built in 1850.  It had a
                             steeple at the front and a low peaked roof at the back.  The
                             ceiling is remembered to have been painted blue and white
                             to resemble a clouded sky.  The church was later dismantled
                             and the present day concrete structure was built with free
                             labour in 1956.  The church was then renovated again in
                             1982.  The costs were about $65,000.

                             St. Bride’s is considered the center of the Cape Shore, so,
                             the priests have always resided in this community.  The first
                             priest to have stationed here was Father Edward Martin.
                             Prior to this priest, another priest visited the area to say
                             mass once or twice a year.

                             On Tuesday, July 1st, 1982, Father Miller discovered the
                             following facts about the first priest in this area:
                                            NAME: The Reverend Edward Martin
                                            BORN: Kilkenny, Ireland in 1847
                                            POSTS: at first, Topsail, with Father O’Conner,
                                            from 1880-1883.  St. Bride’s, with Father Irvine.
                                            DIED: Father Martin died the last Sunday of
                                            May,1883.  He was 36.

                             Father Miller collected money to put a tombstone up for
                             Father Martin.  He collected $300, which was more than
                             enough to pay.  To this day, this monument still stands
                             presenting the memory of this priest.

                             The following is a time line showing what priest was
                             present in this parish and at what times:

                                            Father Martin - 1849
                                                     Father Irvin and Father Condon - 1872-1896
                                                     Father O’Driscoll - 1896-1900
                                            Father Rensuf - 1900-1908
                                            Father Meguire - 1909
                                            Father Coady - 1910
                                            Father Fyme - 1910-1914
                                            Father O’Callaghon - 1914
                                            Father McGuire - 1915
                                            No priest - 1915-1918
                                            Father Ryan - 1918-1932
                                            Father Collins - 1932-1934
                                            Father Miller - 1934-1953
                                            Father Lawlor - 1953-1961
                                            Father Murphy - 1961-1969
                                            Father McCarty - 1969-1973
                                            Father McGettigan - 1973-1977
                                            Father Charlie Kelly - 1977-1981
                                            Father Rick Singleton - 1982-1984
                                            Father Bennett - 1984-1986
                                            Father Jerome Hann - 1986
                                            Father Peter Muldowney to 1995
                                            Father Jeff Kolonel 1995 - 1996
                                            Father Tony McNulty 1996
                                            Father Edward Sutton 1997 to 1999
                                                     Father Pat Power 1999 to present

                                In 1952,  the Archbishop Skinner headed the Church.