Catholic Parish

Holy Trinity Parish was formed in 2006 by merging the parishes of St. Agnes, St. Timothy and St. Matthew. Rev. Leo A. LeBlanc became the first pastor of the new parish. We have also been privileged to have Deacon Michael Guy helping with the pastoral duties in the parish. Of the three parishes that were merged, St. Agnes in Ashland is the oldest. T... he history goes back to the 1860's when Rev. Isidore Noiseux came from Lancaster once a year to hold services in private homes. In 1871 Ashland members were enrolled in St. Joseph Parish in Laconia with Rev. John Murphy as pastor. Then, in 1891, when Rev. John Finen was appointed pastor of Tilton and Ashland, services were held in the Ashland Town Hall. He also had missions in Plymouth and was responsible in 1899 for building the original church and rectory in Ashland; the buildings still stand today. Twenty Catholic families supported this effort. The March 1901 issue of Granite Monthly called it "a pretty frame structure of Roman design with a Campanille tower...beautifully furnished in mountain ash and hard pine...walls and ceilings are buff and terra." The land east of the church was acquired on October 4, 1923 for a church hall, and on September 18, 1927, the church bell, purchased from the Knights of Columbus Council of Laconia, was blessed by Bishop George Gertin. In February of 1910, Rev. John A. Casey acquired land on Squam Lake. A summer chapel was built and Mass was attended by campers, counselors and summer residents who came by boat and path to enjoy the serenity and simplicity. By 1968 the St. Agnes Parish church census recorded 141 families or 602 members. In 1992, under the direction of Rev. Jean M. Lemay, a massive renovation project was taken on to "repair, restore and renew" the church and rectory. The chairs that were added were custom made and parishioners learned to weave the rush seats. In 1991, with Rev. George H. Robichaud as pastor, 200 families and 475 persons celebrated their 100th Anniversary. Father Robichaud was the last priest to live ...Read More