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This series contains the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario in the Parish of Belle River in Belle River, Ontario. There are historical summaries about the activities and events at the Convent of St. Joseph on Charles Street in Belle River, including the Sisters’ contribution to education as teachers and administrators at the Sacred Heart School and St. Jean Baptiste School in Belle River. There are also 1891 and 1893 land deeds within the Village of Belle River and various newspaper clippings documenting the Sisters’ long service in the Parish of St. Simon and St. Jude in Belle River. The Belle River Mission was operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of London when it was first established in 1889 until its closing in 1985. In addition, there are photo albums of the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Convent in Belle River. Photographs in the albums also document the Sisters participating in events such as the school choir and fair at St. John Baptist School in Belle River, and going on outings to Niagara Falls, Banff, and Lake Louise.

This subseries contains the legal documents and correspondence about the land ownership in the Village of Belle River, in the County of Essex, by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. There is an official folded document, a Deed of Land dated September 29, 1891, and an official Article of Agreement dated September 5, 1893, about the sale and purchase of property at Belle River. There are two handwritten letters addressed to the Reverend Mother Ignatia from Sister Josephine Gerard, one dated on March 9, 1892, and the other from August 11, 1899. The letters concern Mr. Murphy, the lawyer from London, and the Registry Office regarding the land transaction at Belle River.

This subseries contains several historical summaries on the Belle River Mission of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. This series includes a short history on the Belle River Parish from 1883 to 2000. There are the chronicles of St. Joseph’s Convent at Belle River from 1889 to 1974 that include a postcard of St. Jude and St. Simon Church; printed photographs and pictures of paintings of the Sisters in Le Puy, Lyons, and St. Didier, in France; and a St. Jean Baptiste School Graduation program brochure on June 21, 1956. This subseries contains a list of Sisters and Clergy stationed in Belle River from 1889 to 1983. The topics within the chronicles include the foundational history of the Parish of Belle River, the arrival of the Sisters to Belle River, renovations and building extensions to St. Joseph’s Convent and to St. Jude and St. Simon Church, influenza crisis, a fatalistic tornado, the Village of Belle River Council, the Roman Catholic Separate School Board, teachers’ strikes, school open houses, sport events, teacher-parent meetings, musical recitals, and graduation ceremonies. There are also chronicles also document the Sisters’ daily activities as well as religious retreats, conferences, travels, jubilees, and preparation for the centennial celebration. In addition, there is a typed draft of Loose Leafs’ of Belle River 1965 – Some Old, Some New, written by Sybil Little with a focus on the historical buildings during the founding and early history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Belle River from 1868 to 1965. Also included in the draft are printed pictures of buildings, statues, and an aerial photograph of Belle River.