cemetery Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

The present church at the village of Griffith first came into being after 1887. Previous to that, mass was said in the homes in the area although there was a chapel built earlier around 1861, which fell into disuse. Until the new church was built, mass was offered again in private homes.

The land for the church was acquired from the Government by Bishop LORRAIN, on the sandy plains. It is a frame building in the shape of the cross 30′ X 35′. A chapel was constructed in the basement about 1900. Many renovations and repairs have since taken place inside and out so that the interior is completely modernized.

The cemetery is adjacent to the church on the north side, fenced and well cared for by Mr. Wilfred VARREN in 1991.

There are several families of French descent buried here, who came up the St. Lawrence and Madawaska Rivers from the Gaspé area of Quebec. Many young men who drowned in river accidents on log drives are buried here. Their sturdy boots
were left on top of the graves for several years after the burial. The majority of these rivermen have no tombstones to mark their graves, but are mainly situated between stones #128 and #129.

The church and cemetery are located approximately 1 Km. from Hwy 41S, after leaving Hwy 132 from Renfrew to Dacre. When approaching Griffith from the north (Renfrew) turn left onto Church Road, then right until the Flying Club Road. The church and cemetery overlook the Madawaska River at this intersection. Church Road continues south to Hwy. 41 at the Madawaska River.

(History from Mr. Wilfred VARREN, August 14, 1991 and from “Lift Up Your Hearts”)

Geraldine Kuehl.

This cemetery record contains a map with the location of the headstones shown. It also contains headstone inscriptions.