Sainte-Anne Parish / Baie-Sainte-Anne
Established circa 1786
First church: 1911
First priest: 1915
The first settlers to the region were a few Portuguese, followed by Scots, the Irish and then the Acadians. The last to arrive in the area settled in Escuminac and Hardwick. Around 1896, several families from the Magdalene Islands migrated to Bay Saint Anne.
From 1800 to 1910, this region was served by the Village of Richibucto. Several missionaries served there. Most Rev. Plessis, bishop of Quebec, stopped here on June 19, 1812 while on a pastoral trip in Acadie.
The current parish was part of the Stella Maris parish in Escuminac, measuring thirteen miles in length. A new church was built between 1910 and 1915 at the current site. The church’s exterior and the sacristy were completed around 1917. The interior of the church and the sacristy were completed between 1920 and 1929. The imposing stone structure has two towers and a steeple. This church is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful churches in Northumberland County.