The first pastor of St. Ann’s in Milton was Fr. Picard. He was appointed on November 3, 1859, with responsibility for Richmond, Underhill & Milton.
In 1875 land for a cemetery was purchased on the other side of town, and in June, Bishop De Goesbriand consecrated the new “burying ground”.
On July 26, 1882 Bishop De Goesbriand presented to St. Ann Parish a relic of St. Ann in the shape of a stone which he had detached from her house in Jerusalem.
The first church was completely destroyed by a fire that began in the adjacent schoolhouse (where the rectory now stands) on January 18, 1894. Construction began immediately on a new church, and was consecrated on St. Ann’s feast day in 1894. The dedication, which included laying the cornerstone & erecting the Stations of the Cross, was attended by 1,200 parishioners and pilgrims, plus 18 priests. The High Mass included (2) sermons, one in English, the other in French. The Bishop returned in November of that year to bless the new bell (tower). A new rectory was also constructed on the site of the former school house the following year.
By 1951 many crutches, glasses & other testimonials had been received due to favors received through the intercession of St. Ann at her shrine in Milton. A new shrine was built of Vermont redstone & marble, and a new statue of St. Ann was made in Italy. Accounts from 1954 noted that “The spring next to the shrine has been visited by hundreds of pilgrims who bottle the water and bring it home. This water has been regarded by some as having been instrumental in apparent cures”.
The Centennial of St. Ann’s Parish was celebrated by Bishop Joyce, Fr. Fournier & other priests and parishioners in 1959.
The population of Milton grew from 2,000 to 7,000 from 1960 to 1980. This growth brought increased demands on the now 90-year old church and it was showing its age, with settlement & structural deterioration having been built on soft soil. The decision was made to demolish the old church and build a new one. Construction began in May 1984; Masses were celebrated in the Milton High School auditorium, and weddings & funerals at the United Church of Milton during this time. The majority of the work was completed in February of 1985 and the first Mass was celebrated in our current church. It was officially dedicated on St. Ann’s Feast Day that year by Bishop Marshall.
To recognize our parish’s 150th anniversary in 2009, parish events were held in the months prior to St. Ann’s Feast Day in July. A special Mass was celebrated by Bishop Salvatore Matano on the Feast Day, and a dinner was held following the Mass.