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Rev. George MacConnachie, pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic church at
Redfield, where he took up his abode on the 1st of October, 1900, came from Edinburgh, Scotland, and is a native of Banffshire, Scotland, born
February 16, 1875. His parents were John and Jessie (MacDonald)
MacConnachie, who spent their entire lives in the land of hills and heather. The father conducted an extensive distillery business in
Scotland and was a prominent citizen of that part of the country in which he lived. It is said, moreover, that his name is frequently on
the lips of every old settler in the eastern part of the country. He passed away in 1887, while his wife survived until 1888.
At the usual age George MacConnachie began his education in the
schools of Scotland, which he attended until he reached his fourteenth year. He then entered Blair's National College of Scotland, in which he
spent five years, after which he became a student in the Royal Scotch College at Valladolid, Spain, where he remained for seven years. He was
then ordained to the priesthood in Spain, after which he returned to Scotland, where he remained for six months. He left that country for
America on the 24th of March, 1900, and, making his way into the interior of the country, settled at Redfield in October, taking up his
work as pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic church. His efforts here have resulted beneficially to the parish. He has erected the parish house
which he now occupies and in 1909 he was instrumental in building St. Bernard's church. Every rock in the church was blasted by him. The
church is an attractive edifice and stands as a monument to Father MacConnachie's devotion to the cause. Moreover in the fifteen years of
his connection with the church he has never missed a service. He enjoys fishing and hunting but the only recreation he has are trips of a few
hours around Redfield. He relates many amusing experiences of his boyhood in the hills of Scotland, has "the saving sense of humor" and
is a most interesting talker, but at all times his priestly duties are his first thought.
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