Halifax Public Libraries

Archbishop Thomas Arthur Connolly (1814-1876) had a lot on his mind during the 1860's. St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, located near the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road, was undergoing significant renovations to give the aging 1820's granite church a more contemporary Neo-Gothic appearance. Work was completed a full 14 years later when, on September 7th, 1874, the Cross was installed atop the highest free-standing granite stone spire in Canada.

Archbishop Connolly was not a supporter of the Free School Act of 1864, and at first, this put him in conflict with Premier Charles Tupper until an agreement to create an informal separate Catholic school system was realized. He supported Confederation, seeing other examples of legalized Catholic school structures as a leading example for the Maritimes. He voiced his support in the Halifax Morning Chronicle, addressing concerns about the economic impact, and downplaying the threat of the Irish Fenian revolts experienced in Central Canada. He attended the London Conference to seek concessions for a separate school system but was unsuccessful.

Date: [19--]

Reference: Halifax Public Libraries Postcard Collection Halifax Central Library HPL-PC-F0117

For more information, please contact the Local History Room at the Halifax Central Library.