Assumption celebrating 250 years
Parishioners plan a number of events to commemorate church’s milestone
Our Lady of Assumption parish has long been recognized as the nation’s oldest west of Montreal.
The parish dates back to Oct. 3, 1767, when its first pastor was named and assigned to care for Huron and French settlers on what is now Windsor’s west end near the shores of the Detroit River.
That has Assumption’s parishioners this year poised to celebrate the 250th anniversary with several activities planned in the months ahead.
“Assumption (parish) is something that has always been in the hearts and minds of people in this community,” said Kevin Alexander, chairman of the parish council.
“Historically, it’s part of the first people who came here.
“Things change over time, but constantly for 250 years we have had this spiritual presence in place in the community,” he added.
The first church under Assumption parish was made of timbers and opened in 1787 on the eastern edge of parish property between University Avenue and Riverside Drive — today a park just east of the Ambassador Bridge.
The original wooden structure was replaced by the showpiece larger Assumption Church building that opened on University Avenue near the intersection of Huron Church Road in July 1845.
Due to disrepair, the aging landmark was shuttered in November 2014 for regular mass and its fate has remained in limbo.
Assumption Church is a nationally protected historic site. But the masonry, exterior support walls, roof, plaster, a storm drainage system, and the mechanical and electrical systems all need to be repaired or replaced.
The parish pastor, Rev. Maurice Restivo, remains hopeful the church can somehow generate funds and be repaired.
“There is no capital campaign right now, (but) if we were ever to get a major donor the diocese would reopen a campaign and we would hopefully be able to restore the church and return,” he said in an email.
“We hope that by being in the public eye for our 250th, someone might come forward.”
The parish has relocated about a dozen blocks away to Holy Name of Mary Church on McEwan Avenue which was opened in 1917 when Assumption’s congregation grew too large.
The parish’s 250th anniversary celebrations started with a potluck celebration held a few weeks ago to recognize the former St. Patrick’s parish. Next up are similar dinner celebrations on June 18 for the former Blessed Sacrament Parish and Holy Name of Mary Parish on Sept 12.
Assumption Church will reopen for a couple of days this summer for the annual Feast Day celebration and community barbecue on Aug. 13 and again on Aug. 15 for tours and prayers.
Several other activities are also being planned by the parish’s anniversary committee for the months ahead, but not yet been finalized, Alexander said.
On Sunday, Oct. 1, Holy Name of Mary will host the primary celebration for the actual Oct. 3 founding anniversary. Mass will occur at 11 a.m. with Bishop Ronald Fabbro and Bishop Joseph Dabrowski in attendance followed by a gala luncheon.
For more information on all of Assumption’s 250th anniversary celebration activities, check online at assumption.dol.ca.