How did the Franciscans acquire the South Lands?

The portions of the “Cochrane Hill” currently owned by the Holy Spirit Province of Canada were formerly owned by Mr. Charles Wellington Fisher, who purchased the lands in 1907, and then by the McConachie family in 1931.

In 1949 the Franciscan Order’s statutes did not permit the members to own property. A Board of Trustees held the fiduciary responsibility to preserve and manage the Order’s physical assets and administer the property in conjunction with the Franciscans’ wishes and in promotion of their ministry. This Board of Trustees continues to perform this action on behalf of the Franciscan Order to this day.

At the Franciscans’ request, approximately 350 acres of land, including the South Lands, were purchased from the McConachie family through an intermediary agent and subsequently transferred to the Trustees in favour of the Franciscans.

For more information on the history of the lands, please click HERE.