Notre Dame is a dense neighborhood located along the Merrimack River on the west side of Manchester. It is bordered by Amory Street to the north, the Merrimack River to the east, Hecker and Gates Streets to the south, and the Piscataquog River to the west.
Notre Dame is anchored by Sainte Marie’s Parish. Sainte Marie’s Parish is a Catholic Church that was founded by French-Canadian immigrants. In 1908, Monsignor Pierre Hevey, Pastor of Sainte Marie’s Parish, organized what was soon to be known as the first credit union. The goal was to help the primarily Franco-American mill workers save and borrow money. On November 24, 1908 “La Caisse Populaire, Ste-Marie” (The People’s Bank) opened its doors as the first credit union in the nation. Today, the credit union is known as St. Mary’s Bank. Monsignor Pierre Hevey, along with the Sisters of Charity of St. Hyacinthe, was also instrumental in the establishment of Notre Dame Hospital in 1894, which is now known as Catholic Medical Center.
SOURCE: Manchester Historic Association