Monday was an historic and emotional day in one of Cape Breton's First Nations communities.
A wooden altar that had been in a church for more than a century was returned to the Potlotek First Nation in Chapel Island, N.S.
According to legend, the altar was rescued during a British attack on Fortress Louisbourg in 1758. The English were burning down French churches.
“The natives took this from the church before it burned down and they hid it in the woods,” says Lillian Marshall, a Mi’kmaq historian who has been studying the history of the altar for years.
She says the altar was taken to Chapel Island, but it was later given or loaned to Fr. John MacDougall in Johnstown, N.S. in 1891.
Mi’kmaq leaders fought to have the altar returned to St. Anne’s Church on Chapel Island, and were finally able to see their dream come to fruition.
“It was a long time to wait. It's just like Christmas time when you're a little kid,” says Chief Wilbert Marshall. “You see the elders crying, it's very emotional. I'm just proud to be part of what happened today.”
In preparation for the return of the relic, the altar was in the hands of Parks Canada undergoing restoration work.
“Where there are paint chips missing, we saw gilding. Where there is raw wood, we saw original painted surfaces,” says Maura McKeough, of Parks Canada.
While the Mi’kmaq community was elated for the return of the altar, parishioners at Sacred Heart Church (where the altar spent the last 124 years) were sad to see it go.
“The people who had it loved it so much,” says Lillian Marshall. “Imagine having it for 125 years. That's how long the people had it in Johnstown.”
The altar will take centre stage again this weekend during the community's annual St. Anne's Mission.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald and Sarah Ritchie
