REMEMBERING ST. SYLVIA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

REMEMBERING ST. SYLVIA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH OF BAR HARBOR


As far as Catholic Churches go, I can't name one I ever recall having been constructed of wood, but surely they must of been at one time, at least in some more remote locations, such as on Mount Desert Island.  As it turns out, just such a wooden Catholic church did once stand, along Kebo Street, near the site of the Malvern Hotel.  The first Baptism at the St. Sylvia's Church was held in 1883, by Rev. Thomas F. Bulter.  In October 1884, a 516-pound bell made by McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore arrived for St. Sylvia's. On one side, it bore the inscription "Sancta Sylvia Ora Pro Nobis."
In 1887 the wooden church was expanded but the church continued to be outgrown.
By 1894 St. Sylvia's was becoming outgrown, and in 1907 the Rev. O'Brien became permanent pastor of the St. Sylvia's Church on Kebo Street.  That year the wooden Catholic Church on Kebo Street was torn down and the construction of a new church was begun on a site closer to town.  The old church could only seat 250, while the new church would seat 900.
The new Catholic Church built at the corner of Ledgelawn and Mount Desert Street was named the Holy Redeemer Church.  The Holy Redeemer Church was constructed at a cost of $44,000.

 ST. SYLVIA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
KEBO STREET - BAR HARBOR