The St. Patrick's Day Parade proceeding "from Holy Cross Cemetery to Saint Patrick's Church Parish" links two Irish sites of historical interest in Halifax.
Holy Cross Cemetery on South Park Sreet is a "rural cemetery" in the heart of Halifax. In this old cemetery with its unmistakable Hibernian character history is in every step.. Holy Cross is affectionately known for the "Chapel Built in a Day". On August 31st 1843 under the leadership of Archbishop William Walsh some 1800 volunteers walked to the Cemetery where "Our Lady of Sorrows" chapel was framed, roofed, shingled and painted all in a single day. The remains of many early Irish immigrants and their decendants rest in Holy Cross Cemetery including notables such as the first Catholic Prime Minister of Canada. Since 2006 with the help of committed volunteers and generous donors much of the physical restoration of the cemetery has been completed. Now the Holy Cross Historical Trust is starting a new phase of historical research and interpretative education. For more see holycrosshalifax.ca/
St. Patrick's Church on Brunswick Street opened on December 22, 1885. Built by Irish craftsmen and volunteers its cornerstone contains copies of the constitution of the Charitable Irish Society of Halifax. Archbishop Cornelius O'Brien took a very active role to hasten the new church along. He later became a key builder of Saint Mary's University. The Halifax Irish generously donated to building St. Patrick's. Those who could not give large amounts gave 25 cents per month. Those who could not give a donation gave their time, so there was ample manpower at the construction site. Completed during a progressive period the richly decorated church interior remains a remarkable intact example of numerous stylized highlights of French Gothic church architecture. The St Patrick's community established Saint Vincent de Paul's charities in 1867 and Hope Cottage in 1971. Today St. Patrick's continues to be a place where immigrants feel welcome. St. Patrick's Church, part of Nova Scotia's built heritage, is a gracious symbol of personal faith and a powerful marker of community history and culture. For more see givesaintpatrickahand.com
