PARISH HISTORY – IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH
The growth of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish parallels the
growth of its home community of Riverview. The needs of local Catholic families were being met in a variety
of ways in the 1950’s. Beginning in 1953, a small group of parents explored ways to unite
the families of Riverview, Gunningsville, Bridgedale and other areas of Albert
County’s Coverdale Parish. Sunday School was taught in the basement of a Riverview
school. Beginning in November 1955, Mass was celebrated in the library of the
present Riverview Junior High School, later moving to the school’s auditorium to support
growing numbers. This church community became a distinct parish a few years later
and Father Leo Hynes was our first pastor. On November 15, 1959, Mass was
celebrated for the first time in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, built on a high plot
of land on Fatima Drive overlooking the Riverview area. The church was expanded in
the 1970’s to accommodate the rapid population growth in Riverview. Seating
capacity was increased to 450, and more space was created in the children’s
room. Still, it wasn’t enough; in 1987 it was determined that a larger church was
needed. Our present Immaculate Heart of Mary Church was completed in the
spring of 1992. The Archbishop of Moncton, the Most Reverend Donat Chiasson,
dedicated the Church in a joyful celebration on Sunday, May 10th of that year.
There is a seating capacity of 700 in the main worship area. There are several
meeting rooms for church activities, and the parish offices are located here. The design is
beautiful, inspiring and unique. It incorporates wood, masonry and steel, the
simplicity of materials and the openness evoking a feeling of being part of
nature. The former church building has been converted into a spacious
parish hall. In 2003 it was renamed the Dan Bohan Family Centre in honor of a former
pastor. It is well used by the many groups within the parish as well as by many
community organizations. Today, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church enriches the life
journey of 900 to 1,000 families. Our story is deeply rooted in a love of faith
and a longing for spiritual growth.
 The Parish
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
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