“La Paroisse de Saint Augustin” was founded in 1887 in response to the influx of workers and their families who came to Maine looking for a better life in a new place. The majority were from rural villages and towns in the provinces of Québec and New Brunswick, who were recruited to work at the Edwards Mill (which later became a division of Bates Mfg. Company after World War II). The mill was located at the foot of Northern Avenue and its primary purpose was weaving various cottons that were shipped to other manufacturers for their use. Work was plentiful and children as young as ten years old worked in the mills. Many of these immigrants found housing provided by and located near the mill.

They came in great numbers and soon settle in the north end area of Augusta later known as Cushnoc Heights and more popularly known as Sand Hill. Their lives were often very difficult; they were not welcomed by some of the locals and language was a great barrier. To these men and women from the Canadian provinces, Sunday was a day to worship God and rest, beginning with attending Mass, followed by getting together with friends and relatives, as well as getting ready for next week’s labor.

Because of the language barrier, they often found themselves in a quandary; their inability to understand and read English increased their dependence on the parish priest, particularly the Pastor (Monsieur Le Curé). These Frenchmen were often unwelcome by some members of neighboring parishes. With the Bishop’s permission, priests would occasionally visit from Québec and Waterville, Maine to celebrate Mass in the Christian Church, which was located at 132 Northern Avenue or at the Meonian Hall on Water Street. They would sometimes travel to North Whitefield to attend Mass at St. Denis Parish and on occasion even ride the train to Waterville’s French parish for Mass and seeking advice on weddings, baptisms and burials.
 
These early settlers who traveled down the Kennebec Road from St. George, Quebec, were looked after by their former priest, the Rev. Moise Fortier in 1841 at the direction of the Bishop of Quebec with the approval of Bishop Fenwick of Boston. In 1887, the Diocese of Portland granted permission to construct a church building to serve the French speaking population of Augusta. Construction of a wooden structure began, thus the birth of "La Paroisse de Saint Augustin" serving 160 families. 
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Diocesan records from 1887 reveal negotiations with the Edwards Manufacturing Company resulted in an arrangement for two lots of land, $600 for one lot and the other donated by the Company. Bishop Healy appointed the Rev. Telesphore Plante as the first pastor in October 1887.
 
In August 1888, Bishop James Augustine Healy came to dedicate and bless the cornerstone and appointed Rev. Telesphore Plante as its first pastor. Folklore has it that the parish was named after Bishop Healy. 

Construction of the new church began the following year in July on the Washington Street lots. Bishop Healy blessed and laid the cornerstone on August 28, 1888. The wooden structure served as a church as well as a school, taught by the Ursuline Sisters from 1892 until 1904 until they were replaced by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.
 
The Rev. Arthur Hamel was appointed pastor on November 27, 1889, following the retirement of Fr. Plante and had the responsibility of completing the second-story church [currently the Pastoral Center]. Land was purchased for a parish cemetery in 1893 and was formally opened in 1894 with a solemn blessing by Bishop Lafleche of Trois-Rivieres with permission extended by Bishop Healy. Fr. Hamel inherited a debt created by the construction of the Church building. Under his leadership, the parish was able to reduce its debt through various community fund-raisers such as bazaars. In 1896, Fr. Hamel purchased an ornate altar for $800 and the church was redecorated. Historian Charles Nash, deemed it to be the most elegant church interior in the city at the time. 

In 1897, an organization for the women of the parish was formed called "Les Dames de Sainte Anne" which is still active today. It's first officers were Emilie Rancourt, Sadie Laliberte, Elizabeth Lausier, Marie D'Auteuil, Julie Castonguay and Alice Dulac. Originally intended for the married women of the parish, it is now open to any adult woman practicing the Catholic faith. This dedicated group of women have been responsible for initiating many activities inside and outside the parish, often raising thousands of dollars not only for the betterment of the parish but also providing funds for scholarships and other school-related activities. 

Fr. Hamel was transferred to Lewiston in 1907 and Bishop Healy appointed the Rev. Alphonse C. LaRiviere who worked diligently until his death in 1914. His bequest of $20,000 to the parish provided the financial base for a much needed larger church.
 
In June 1913, Edwards Manufacturing Company donated a parcel of land at the crest of the hill (known then as Cushnoc Heights) for the new church. Built in a Romanesque style of local granite, the church measures 110 feet long and 65 feet wide and its steeple is 100 feet high. Prominent Boston architect, Thomas O’Connell who also designed Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Augusta and Saint Peter and Saint Paul Basilica in Lewiston, designed the Church. While a steeple was envisioned in the architect’s plan, it was not initially included in the completed church. The new St. Augustine Church could seat 1,400 worshippers. It needed to for the parish had grown to 553 families (2783 souls). The present steeple, along with the stained glass windows, were added in the 1930’s. In December 1916, the first Mass celebrated in the majestic edifice was the traditional Christmas Mass.
 
Rev. Zenon Decarie was primarily responsible for the building of the “Great Stone Church” but was unable to see the completion of the structure in his lifetime due to being forced to leave because of poor health. In May of 1919, Fr. Decarie, after suffering several months of declining health, reluctantly retired as Pastor. Amid much sadness, Father returned to his family in Dorval, near Montreal, Quebec. The exterior was completed years later under Rev. Joseph O. Casavant who was appointed pastor in 1919.
 
Father Decarie’s brief service to our Parish is nonetheless very important in our story. Father was considered a “saint” by many faithful who were familiar with the building of the new church. It was well-known that the architects were reluctant to continue building the foundation of the great stone church on the site Father had chosen because they feared the heavy church would “sink” into the sand. The builders could find no ledge. Facing this challenge with faith, Father kept an all-night vigil, with hands “out-stretched” to form a cross, in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The next day, ledge was found and construction continued.

In September of 1919, Father Joseph Ovila Casavant arrived as the new Pastor. He would remain in our parish until his death on December 18^th, 1960, and is the  only Pastor buried in St. Augustin’s cemetery. Father is remembered as “legendary” by many even to this day for his style of ministry and for the strength of his personality. Father Casavant, the administrator, was frugal and efficient. In the four decades plus as Pastor, his reputation for stability and fiscal responsibility with finances would spread throughout the Diocese.
 
By the late fifties. Father’s health had begun to fail, but the parish had continued to prosper. Over 5,000 souls worshipped in the Church. Consequently, Bishop Daniel Feeney appointed Father Roland Rancourt to be the Administrator of the parish. A native of Waterville, Father had been serving as a Curate since arriving in 1941.

Under Father Rancourt’s leadership, the school was completely renovated—brought up-to-date with modern heating, lighting and student necessities. A new cemetery was established further along Townsend Road on land the parish owned. And finally, the basement of the Church was remodeled into a much needed parish hall. Father Rancourt was tireless in his efforts to meet the needs of a growing parish.

Six months after Father Casavant’s death, Father Gerald Dugal arrived as the new Pastor. Father had served as a Curate here during the twenties. Soft-spoken and gentle, he was beloved and respected by the faithful. Sadly, he would not remain long as Pastor. He died suddenly on February 23, 1962. He had been with us only eight months.
 
On March 10, 1962, Bishop Feeney appointed Father John J. Curran, a Lewiston native, as the new Pastor. Father Curran expanded and modernized the church, convent and school. During Fr. Curran’s stewardship, he encouraged his faithful to join and engage themselves in the life of the community, whereas prior pastors had discouraged the faithful from joining civic organizations.

On Monday, November 25, 1963, the day of President John F. Kennedy’s burial, Bishop Daniel Feeney designated St. Augustine Church as the “Official Church” for the Diocese of Portland to invite state, county and local government officials to pay their respects for the United States first Catholic President. A Solemn High Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr.Curran that Monday morning. St. Augustine overflowed with official guests, clergy of all faiths, parishioners and priests from all over Maine. Augusta and the nation mourned. In declining health, he retired in September of 1972 to his home-town of Lewiston where he passed on in January of 1976.
 
In 1972, Rev. Paul M. Pare, another Lewiston native, arrived. Young and energetic, Father started conforming the sanctuary to the changes required by the Second Vatican Council. The Celebrant would face the congregation and the altar would be positioned closer to the assembly. Laypeople would share in the readings from the pulpit. Altar rails were removed, a parish council was initiated thereby further involving members in parish affairs. He was also responsible in relocating the organ from the loft onto the main floor of the church.
 
Fr. Valmont Gilbert, appointed pastor in 1976, did extensive renovations to the interior of the church as well. Under his guidance the altar (which had been purchased for $800 back in 1896) was removed and replaced with one where the celebrant faces the congregation during the entire Mass. Under his leadership, Eucharistic Ministers were appointed for the first time in the parish. He also purchased a new Rogers electronic pipe organ and placed it just below the sanctuary. He also had the challenge to keep the school open as enrollment had been declining steadily since the opening of the new Sylvio Gilbert Public School.
 
Under Fr. Marcel Dumoulin, pastor from 1985 to 1990, pews were placed in a diagonal manner to allow all participants to focus visually on the altar during Mass, also other various liturgical changes under Vatican II were carried out. Repair of one of the most badly deteriorated portions of the central section of the Church’s façade was made; but due to financial difficulties, other major work was postponed. In 1985, the parish celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Parish with Auxiliary Bishop Amedee Proulx as the principal celebrant.

Fr. Lionel G. Chouinard, pastor between 1990 and 2000, was not only instrumental in getting the parish out of enormous debts, he was also responsible for the extensive renovations to the convent building. This included removing the third and fourth floor, establishing a chapel which was used for weekday Mass celebration, named in honor of St. Augustine’s mother, St. Monica. Parish offices were moved from the rectory to the newly renovated convent building. A hall/meeting room on the lower level also became part of the convent building. The nun’s residence was also updated considerably.
 
Three years prior to his being transferred, he initiated a Restoration Campaign Committee to raise funds for much-needed restoration and reparation of the entire church building. Generous gifts were made by friends and former members of the parish who still cherished their memories of growing-up at St. Augustine. It was suggested that in lieu of sending flowers to express sympathy, donations be made in memory of loved ones. Dinners, bottle-drives, bake-sales, lawn-sales and even silent auctions. Under his leadership, over one million dollars were raised to do that. It should also be noted he envisioned a gymnasium becoming part of the future of the school and was instrumental in purchasing abutting properties for that purpose but was transferred before this became a reality.
 
In June 2000, Fr. Richard E. St. Cyr was appointed pastor and assumed the responsibility of completing restoration of the church building. By the end of 2001, the cost overrun on the restoration project was almost three times over the estimated cost of $600,000, because the actual damage to the exterior was more intense than first assessed. The exterior part of the over one million dollar project was completed in 2003.
 
Fr. St. Cyr also had to undertake raising funds necessary to update the school cafeteria. Asbestos tiles were removed, the floor was repaired and retiled, plumbing and related fixtures were replaced, extensive cleaning and painting were done. The cafeteria / hall became handicapped accessible through the installation of a special elevator. A restroom on the main floor of the church was also added. These many projects were part of the original goal of the Restoration Campaign but due to the prohibitive costs involved had to be undertaken separately.
 

French Masses were celebrated every Sunday. The first English Mass was held during Fr. Curran’s tenure. The number of French Masses decreased over the years and in 2002, the last French Mass was eliminated due to low attendance.

Fr. Lou Phillips arrived in 2004 and was charged with the immense task of forming a “cluster” that is, consolidating the parishes of Southern Kennebec County into one new parish with a new name. The Churches themselves would retain their proper names, but would be part of a cluster, or new parish, under a new name. Thus was born Saint Michael Parish—a name chosen by the faithful.