Series 0003 - Barry’s Bay Annals

Reverend Monsignor Peter B. Biernacki, pastor of St. Hedwig’s Parish, Barry’s Bay, Ontario, established St. Hedwig’s Church and St. Joseph’s Convent in 1928. This was to be a residence for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke in Barry’s Bay. The village of Barry's Bay is west of Ottawa on the shores of Kamaniskeg Lake in the township of Madawaska Valley, Ontario, on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg Nation. The area was originally named Kuaenash Ne-ishing, Algonquin for “beautiful bay.”

The Sisters were asked to help develop religious and educational programs in the church and school. St. Joseph’s School, an eight-room separate building close to the church, convent, and rectory, was completed in 1929. Grades 1 to 10 were initially taught and as the students progressed, Grades 11 to 12 were introduced in 1934 and Grade 13 in 1936. In the mid-1960s, four additional classrooms were constructed close to St. Joseph’s School, and a new elementary school, St. John Bosco School, named after the patron saint of youth, was built in the eastern section of the village. The Sisters conducted a choir and taught music classes at the convent and trained altar boys for the church. In 1967, high school classes were transferred to the Madawaska Valley District High School, where the Sisters served as staff members.

In the early 1940s, Reverend Monsignor Biernacki initiated plans to build a hospital for the growing community in Barry’s Bay and the Sisters were requested to help develop healthcare, well-being programs, and later take care of hospital patients and senior citizens. Reverend Monsignor Biernacki raised capital by canvassing neighbouring parishes, township councils, heads of corporate bodies, individuals and interested government departments. In 1946, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed to lead the parish in a campaign for funds, and in 1947, land was purchased for the hospital. Sadly, Reverend Monsignor Biernacki became ill and died in December 1958, cutting short his endeavors. In August 1959, construction began after the sod turning ceremony, and on October 25, 1960, St. Francis Memorial Hospital officially opened with a 34-bed capacity. The Sisters were requested to manage the administration of the hospital and did so until November 1975. Sister Rosenda Brady was the Hospital Administrator from 1964-1975, and later from 1977-1990, took charge of Valley Manor, a senior’s home that opened in Barry’s Bay on June 23, 1978.

The x-ray filing room, operation room, obstetrical dressing rooms, and recovery room served as sleeping quarters for the Sisters, as there was no residence for the Sisters for the first four years of operation. St. Francis Convent was built adjacent to the hospital and opened in 1964 to house the Sisters who worked at the hospital until 2002.