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--July 25, 2016.
Historic and newly restored St. Mungo's Church in Cushing, Quebec, celebrated its 180th anniversary in grand style this past weekend, with a two-day homecoming event that attracted close to 200 visitors not merely from the local area but from many other parts of Canada and the U.S., as well.
The Saturday portion of the event included displays in the church hall and under tents set up on the grounds by heritage groups such as the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network, the Quebec Family History Society, the Dalkeith Historical Society, and others.
An interesting display of early local photography was on view in the church hall, and this attracted considerable interest from visitors.
An 18-piece Highland pipe and drum band (the Black Watch Association) provided some truly rousing pipe and drum music to accompany the Highland dancers who performed in the church during the opening ceremonies on Saturday.
At the start of the ceremony, officials were piped into church, and there were talks about the history of St. Mungo's, the restoration work, and the role of Patrimoine religieux du Québec, which has helped to fund the extensive restoration work on the church which was built entirely of local stone in 1836.
In the afternoon guests enjoyed a barbecue, and in the evening, a pork roast and square dancing.
On Sunday, a church service was followed by a brunch, Highland pipe music, and an afternoon strawberry social -- a fundraiser for the church restoration fund.
All in all, it was a very successful event, and despite a mid-afternoon thunder storm that dampened the outdoor displays somewhat on the Saturday, the visitors seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.
Click here for a short video of the event!
- Array