St. Joseph’s marks 125 years serving Douro
Gathering held in village to celebrate the role the church has played in the community
A celebration to behold, we were certainly blessed with an awesome day. People gathered from near and far to join in the celebration of our St. Joseph’s Church Douro 125th anniversary. Our committee met last fall in order to make this a remarkable day. Our Mass was said by His Excellency Bishop Daniel Miehm of Peterborough Diocese, along with many other visiting priests and deacons. Some of the visiting priests were our own parishioners. There was an honour guard by the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.
Nearly 300 people gladly lined up to be fed roast beef, ham and pork on a bun, with salads, complete with cake, of course. One lady who often brings something to the table remarked, “What a nice treat when we don’t have to bring something to eat.” It was served and ready, while talented local entertainers performed on the veranda of the rectory.
A display board was set up with some unique photos and memorabilia. Some photos were from the Peterborough Museum, from the Roy Studio Collection, while other photos were from personal homes that have kept these extraordinary pictured carefully tucked away.
This display generated lots of interest. Rare pictures are a real pleasure to behold.
There is quite a rich history attached to this building. As a former Douro priest, Father J.J. McCarthy, mentioned when our church was a mere 50 years old in 1943, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Today that line might just be applied to St. Joseph’s Church, Douro. It stands a magnificent monument to the gentle little priest, Rev. Father Keilty, who planned and built the beautiful edifice.”
Construction of St. Joseph’s Church was begun in 1892, with plans to replace the wooden structure that had served Douro and surrounding areas since 1846, at which time our parish was established.
Father Keilty’s monumental achievement was the building of the beautiful church. The grey and red limestone was drawn nine miles from a quarry in Dummer Township, just north of Warsaw, and the white limestone trimming was brought from north of Orillia by rail to Nassau and then drawn to the site of the church.
J.E. Belcher was engaged as architect and construction was entrusted to John Hayes and R. McGregor.
On May 24, 1892, Bishop R.A. O’Connor blessed and laid the cornerstone of the new St. Joseph’s Church. One year later, on June 11, 1893, Bishop O’Connor blessed the church, completed at a cost of $16,000. The celebratnt of the Mass of dedication was by Monsignor McEvay, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hamilton.
The debt on the new church was liquidated by 1901, through the proceeds of a cattle fair and anumber of picnics.
The original church which occupied the site of the present church was moved to a site opposite the new church where it served as a parish hall until it was torn down in 1929. In 1897 Father Keilty acquired two additional acres for a cemetery and this was surveyed into lots and blessed in the same year. During his pastorate a second storey of brick was added to the kitchen part of the parish house.
Father Keilty died in December of 1909 and was buried in his native town of Prescott.
Father Michael J. McGuire, great-granduncle of many of the present Douro folk, became pastor of Douro’s growing parish in 1910. Father McGuire was from a family of 16 children. He was instrumental in having more decorum completed in our church. He also instituted many of the stained glass windows completed.
Hydro finally came to the village of Douro in late 1937, which was something Father McGuire had strived to achieve. Unfortunately, he died just before this came to fruition.
Our church is one of remarkable architecture. It is one of the finest churches in Ontario. As it was once stated by former parish priest Monsignor J.J. McCarthy, we can be proud to call this place of worship and prayer our home. Steeped in rich tradition, it comes with its own needs of financial and structural support.
We were certainly blessed with a perfect day to celebrate the 125th annivesary of St. Joseph’s Church, Douro. Stay tuned for our 175th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Paris in a mere three years, 2021. It will be a celebration to enjoy for sure.