OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church is located at 350 Huron Church Road in Windsor, Ontario, and is the oldest continuous parish in Canada, west of Montreal.

The current church, which opened in 1845, is the fourth to be built on the site.

Our Lady of Assumption was originally a mission church among Hurons in Detroit, founded by the Jesuits in 1728.

Several churches have come and gone, but the one that he remains today, was built in 1842.

The cornerstone (of the present church) was laid on July 7, 1842, when Assumption was part of the newly erected diocese of Toronto.

In 1843 the restored Jesuits came from France to take charge of the parish, and completed the construction allowing for the opening of divine service on July 20, 1845.

At the time, it was a rectangular structure measuring approximately 60 x 120 ft.

In the mid 1800's, expansion plans were made to build a residence, however the adjoining cemetery was too close to the parish.

So in 1860, Bishop Pinsonneault had the cemetery moved to the present site at Huron Church Road and Wyandotte Street.

In 1874, the tower and sanctuary were added to the church. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary and apse were also added in the same period.

The windows in the church’s main part were erected in 1882 when the church interior was painted.

Over the decades, the church saw many changes and improvements.

The elaborate stone altar was imported from France in 1887.

The old sacristy and retreat chapel were demolished in 1907 due to their state of repair.

Italian marble and oak were added to the interior along with bronze doors at the main entrance.

In the 1930's the rotting wooden shingles were replaced with an asbestos slate roof.

The steeple and minaret were repaired and copperized while the old wooden balustrade at the roof's edge was replaced by stone which was previously used at the old Sandwich jail.

Renovations and improvements took place again in the 1940's and 1950's.

In 1968 an arrangement was made with the University of Windsor whereby they would develop a parking lot adjoining the church property. In return, the University agreed to maintain the church lot and to police the parking on it. The lease at a nominal fee was for ten years and renewable for another ten years.

In 1970, a one-storey new Rectory building was erected facing Huron Church Road at the cost of $150,000

In February 1976, Assumption Church was designated a historical building by the City of Windsor.

In September 1999, the parking lot lease with the University ended, and the parish assumed operations of the parking lot.

In the early 2000s, a building study reported the church needed millions of dollars in restoration work.

After two failed restoration and fundraising campaigns, Bishop Fabbro announced on Labour Day weekend 2014 that Assumption Church would close.

The parish community was moved to the former Holy Name of Mary Church on McEwan Avenue.

In 2017, Assumption Parish celebrated 250 years with several events and celebrations. It was then that a study was announced by Bishop Fabbo and Paul Mullins to determine what went wrong in the past two attempts to raise money to repair the church and where things could go in the future.

In March 2019, Bishop Fabbro approved the first phase of Restoration work to the church, and fundraising began.
In May of 2019, restoration began on the historic Assumption Church, including a new copper roof and heating system.
In September 2019, the building reopened to a full house and hundreds of people standing outside.

On September 6th, 2020, joined St. Angela Parish, St. Alphonsus Parish, Saint Benedict Tridentine Rite Community and Saint Daniel Comboni Community to form the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes.

Today, a four-phase restoration plan is underway to restore historic Our Lady of the Assumption Church.

Pupatello Construction along with Bedal's Plaster and Paint are working diligently on the restoration of this magnificent piece of architecture.

The project will not just bring an important heritage building back to life, but it will also confirm the importance of this architectural masterpiece to the Windsor-Essex region and to Canada.

Assumption Church played a distinct and important role in the early history and development of our region, and is today one the largest historically significant restoration projects of our time. Should you wish to contribute to this historical project, donations can be made at the following website;

https://assumptionparish.ca/restoration/donate/

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