Assumption Parish celebrates 250th anniversary – Series of events planned to mark sestercentennial of oldest Catholic parish west of Montreal
Before Windsor, before Ontario, and before Canada, there was Assumption Parish.
As the country and the province prepare to celebrate 150 years, and the city 125, preparations are underway for another significant milestone in Windsor: the 250th anniversary of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish.
The roots of Assumption began in 1728, when Father Armand de la Richardie came from Quebec to establish “The Mission of Our Lady of the Assumption among the Hurons of Detroit.” In 1765, French families living on the south shore of the Detroit River petitioned for a Catholic parish of their own. Instead of erecting a second religious centre at the same location, it was decided that the Mission of the Assumption among the Hurons should become Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.
The parish was established on October 3rd, 1767. Two-hundred and fifty years later, Assumption remains the oldest continuous Catholic parish in the Province of Ontario, and the oldest continuous Catholic parish in Canada, west of Montreal.
As the population grew, so did the need for additional parishes to spring from Assumption Parish. In 1917, the parish of Our Lady of Prompt Succour was carved out of Assumption — it was later renamed Holy Name of Mary Parish. At the west end of Assumption Parish the mission chapel of The Blessed Sacrament Parish was established in 1937. In 1956, Holy Name of Mary Parish was divided and St. Patrick’s Parish was established.
Population shifts and declining numbers of priests led to the reunification of Assumption Parish in recent years. The sestercentennial year aims to celebrate the history of each of the four parishes.
In 2014, the landmark building associated with Assumption Parish, the historic Assumption Church, was closed pending a restoration campaign. While that campaign is currently on hiatus, hope remains that the parish will once again be able to use the building in the future.
Today, Assumption Parish maintains two locations for worship: Rosary Chapel continues to be used daily at the Parish’s historical site on the corner of University Avenue and Huron Church, while parishioners celebrate weekend masses and other Sacraments at the McEwan Campus of Assumption Parish at Holy Name of Mary Church.
Events are planned to mark the milestone year, starting with a mass to honour the former St. Patrick’s Parish on March 17th. Events are also planned to honour Blessed Sacrament in June and Holy Name of Mary in September.
On August 13th, a community celebration and BBQ will be held at the historic Assumption Parish site on University Avenue, and the doors to Assumption Church will also be open to the public that day. On October 1st, Assumption Parish will celebrate its founding day (October 3rd, 1767) with a mass with Bishop Fabbro and Bishop Dabrowski followed by a gala luncheon at the Caboto Club.
