The construction of the church began on August 9, 1883 in order to celebrate the first mass in the sacristy on January 13, 1884. The bell was acquired from the Ernest Chanteloup Company that same year. The church was blessed by Bishop DuhamelSeptember 4, 1884 and the first resident pastor, Joseph E. Coderre, arrived on June 9, 1885. In 1897, the construction of the transepts were completed, and the church acquired a Casavant Frères. In 1914 the interior was greatly enhanced through the paintings, executives and faux marble columns made by the painter Toussaint-Xénophon Renaud. In 1921, the cemetery was embellished with an angel of the resurrection of Louis Jobin. The interior restorations of 1958 and 2002 refreshed the colours of the church but several decorative elements were lost. The church has a painting by Toussaint-Xénophon Renaud representing the death of St. Joseph, which was restored in 2013.
Ste-Anne-de-Prescott is one of the few villages in Ontario that have retained many of its stations of the cross.
History
In the early nineteenth century, the area was occupied by a handful of settlers, mostly British. In 1847 the diocese of Bytown founded a settlement company that promotes immigration in eastern Ontario to combat the exodus of Canadians to the United States and to ensure the Catholic presence in Ontario. The parish received its official title in 1885. The reason for the choice of St. Anne as patron remains unknown but Prescott comes from the name given to the county. Prescott County is named for Robert Prescott, a distinguished soldier who was Governor-in-Chief of the Canadas from 1796-1799.
Economy
There are some 70 companies in Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott. The local economy is based on agriculture
Society
This community of about 500 residents is enterprising and committed. Through the work of its volunteers, Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott organizes community and sports activities every year. In addition, it is home to various regional and interprovincial activities such as the Ancient Day, the pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne, and the "Gala Folklorique", to name but a few. Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2010. Some organizations:
