Parish History
A Brief History of
St. Joan of Arc Parish
St. Joan of Arc parish was officially founded on July 26, 1929 by the Most Reverend William A. Hickey, D.D., Bishop of Providence and named Father David Brunelle as her first pastor. Before 1929, St. Joan's was a mission church of St. Joseph's church in Ashton.
Originally, the new parish of St. Joan of Arc encompassed more territory than it does today --- all of Northern Cumberland. It included the village of Diamond Hill, Arnold's Mills, and Grant's Mills until 1953 when St. John Vianney was founded. St. Joan's Church originally stood directly across the street from the top of Manville Hill Road.
The present rectory was built in 1956, with the current church and school being built shortly after in 1963. Rev. Norman Bourdon, was appointed in January of 1991 (A list of all previous pastors can be found in the front hall of the church) and retired on June 30, 2024. Rev. Michael J. McMahon was appointed pastor on July 1, 2024, previously serving as pastor of Saint Philip's in Greenville.
Originally, the new parish of St. Joan of Arc encompassed more territory than it does today --- all of Northern Cumberland. It included the village of Diamond Hill, Arnold's Mills, and Grant's Mills until 1953 when St. John Vianney was founded. St. Joan's Church originally stood directly across the street from the top of Manville Hill Road.
The present rectory was built in 1956, with the current church and school being built shortly after in 1963. Rev. Norman Bourdon, was appointed in January of 1991 (A list of all previous pastors can be found in the front hall of the church) and retired on June 30, 2024. Rev. Michael J. McMahon was appointed pastor on July 1, 2024, previously serving as pastor of Saint Philip's in Greenville.
ST. JOAN OF ARC RECTORY
ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH
