Alma School Picnic - Summer 1965

     I got this photo from Donna (Barbour) MacPhee the other day - she took it in the summer of 1965.  It shows Blanche Crockett, teacher, serving homemade ice cream to students, probably at Alma School closing for the summer. 

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Alma

     The little white Anglican Church at the top of the hill on the Western Road in Alma has always been closely connected with the families of Alma.  Construction of the church commenced in 1888 and was consecrated on October 20, 1890.  

     The following is a list of the founding families - Barnett, Bearisto, Boyle, Cannon, Currie, Jeffery, McLellan, McNeill, Murphy, Simmonds, Smith and Vincent.  The region served by the church also included the following communities: Elmsdale, Lauretta, Montrose, St. Lawrence, Woodvale, etc.

 These are the earliest known photos of the church - taken possibly just before WWI.

     Stephen E. Jeffery was the first Warden of Holy Trinity Alma.  Over the years the family has been closely connected to the church with Stephen's descendants also serving as Wardens - ie.  his son Spurgeon Jeffery; grandsons George Jeffery and Stanford McNeill; great-grandson Wilbert Jeffery and today his great-great-grandson Carter W. Jeffery.

     Below is an article which appeared in the West Prince Graphic on September 1, 2004 telling of a similar story.

     In 2007 Holy Trinity Church and the Cemetery were entered into the P.E.I. Rural Beautification Contest and won prizes for improvements carried out the previous two years.

     The Cemetery was established in 1887 with the first burial of the infant daughter (Elizabeth) of Spurgeon & Dorcas (Collicutt) Jeffery followed not long after by the second burial of Elizabeth (Vincent) Smith, wife of William Smith (second warden of Holy Trinity).

     The 1-1/2 acre parcel of land the church sits on was bought from the John Currie family next door for twenty dollars.  Below is a document outlining the transaction dated the 26th of March 1887.  ( This document cf. Diocese of NS & PEI Archives, Halifax, NS )

Lauretta ( Loretta ) School Kids - 1963

     On the back of this photo it says, "Loretta School Kids 1963".   
     Since Loretta School closed in 1960 with Shirley Barbour being the last teacher - maybe these were the school children from the Lauretta district who were then going to Alma School.

Photo cf. Donna (Barbour) MacPhee Collection

Above translated:

Loretta School Kids
Left to Right 1963
Back Row - Barry Arsenault; Burt Arsenault; Billy MacLellan; Leigh Arsenault.
2nd Row: Wayne MacLellan; Jimmy MacLellan
Seated:  Holly Arsenault; Beth Smallman; Debby McLellan; Judy Smallman; Doris Dunbar; 
Verna Smallman; Anne Barbour; Helen Barbour; Norma Smallman; Mary MacNeill
and Gail MacLellan.
On left seated - probably George MacNeill

Lauretta School Certificate of Promotion 1960

     We weren't sure when Lauretta (Loretta) School closed - some thought it was in the mid 1950's.  Well Donna (Barbour) MacPhee provides proof that it was 1960 with her Certificate of Promotion dated June 24th, 1960 - see her certificate below.  
     Lauretta School was closed in the mid 1950's, however, it was re-opened when Shirley Barbour (Donna's sister) took the teachers position in the fall of 1958 for two years.  Donna transferred from Alma School to Lauretta School for grades 8 and 9.

Thank-you Donna ( Barbour ) MacPhee

     Recently Donna ( Barbour ) MacPhee brought me a whole lot of photos, clippings, documents, etc. relating to the history of Alma and Lauretta.  I've started scanning them and will post them over the next few weeks.  She has a valuable collection and I sincerely thank her for sharing!!
     Donna is the daughter of Waldron & Daisy (Rix) Barbour of the Centerline Road, Alma.

Jennie ( Currie ) Galpin Obituary

1915 - 2014

     The death occurred peacefully and surrounded by her loving family at the Margaret Stewart Ellis Home, O’Leary, P.E.I. on Sunday, May18th , 2014 of Jennie Mae Galpin (nee Currie) of Summerside, P.E.I. and formerly of Alma, Lot 3, P.E.I. in her 100th year. 

     Jennie was born on April 13th, 1915 in Alma, Lot 3 to her late parents Nelson and Lily Belle (nee Brooks) Currie. Beloved wife of the late Arthur Galpin and loving mother of Viola (Maurice) Gallant of New Annan and Ernest (Theresa) Currie of Rosebank. Also lovingly remembered by her 4 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, Jennie was predeceased by her sisters Martha and Edith and brothers Gordon and William (in infancy). 

     Resting at the East Prince Funeral Home, 245 Pope Rd., Summerside until Tuesday, May 20th, for a funeral service in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 p.m.. Interment to take place in Floral Hill Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Valley. 

     Memorial donations in Jennie’s memory to the Prince County Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Visiting hours on Tuesday afternoon only from 1:00p.m. until time of service. 

     Online condolences can be sent to epfuneral@eastlink.ca Arrangements entrusted to the East Prince Funeral Home, Summerside, P.E.I. www.peifuneralcoops.com