IMO, Assumption is the most beautiful church in the city. Built in 1845 by the architect T. Elliott, the sanctuary and steeple were added in 1874. The church was one of the first batch of buildings designated in Windsor in 1978. From 1859-1869 Assumption served as the cathedral of the see of Sandwich, before it was moved to London.
A view from the front entrance.
The interior decoration of the church is second to none in this city. It is truly a work of art.
A group on a tour during Doors Open
The West Altar with the statue of the blessed virgin. It was installed in 1850, and is possibly from the previous Church like the pulpit below.
A view of the light fixtures that grace the interior. They were installed to replace the gas lights in 1915.
A view of the paintings on the ceiling.
Looking back towards the choir loft.
This pulpit, was carved 1793, and was located in the previous church. It was moved to the present church once it was built, and was installed in its present location in 1848.
The communion rail was installed in 1925, and carved of Italian marble. It was a gift to the church from the McKee family.
The main altar was imported from Caen, France in 1887.
A view from the loft.
Another view looking towards the altar.
Some of the great artwork contained in the church includes this Pieta. It was donated to the Church by the family of Louis Mailloux in 1890.
The stations of the cross are all works of art as well. The oil paintings were acquired in 1883.
Another statue.
The information above came from the handout given at doors open, highlighting the history of the church.
Sadly the diocese in London claims the church is in need of over 9 million dollars in repairs. Given the track record of the diocese and their disregard of Windsor’s heritage, it is likely they would love nothing more than to close the church. Watch for the offer to sell this one for a dollar too…
I’m sure ME can chime in with some more information, as I know he is a member of the parish.
It’s going to be a fight to save this glorious, historic church.
First call in the fundraising drive goes to Paul Martin–who married his wife Sheila in this very church.
never been in this church until this past sunday and i have to tell you that i was completely blown away by it. i had no idea that we had something like this in our city.
Those are some wonderful pictures you took of the glorious Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
This is the fourth Church that stands on the once large tract of land that the Wyandot Nation gave to the Jesuits who were the first priests of the parish. In fact the land once stretched from the river all the way to the 3rd Concession. Most of the last remaining parcels of land have been given to the Univerisity Of Windsor for almost nothing for their educational purposes. However, the University has not offerd to help us in anyway…go figure.
Yes, the Diocese of London is looking to close this chruch due to the claim that the church needs $9.8 million in restoration. That is something the parish (oldest parish west of Montreal, founded as a Huron Mission in 1725, formally called a parish in 1748) has questioned; whether or not it will cost $9.8 million. We have had some architects look inot the issue as well as some builders and all have stated the $9.8 million price tag is too high.
The other issue is that the Diocese wants it all done at one time. We also question that decision as we know we can restore it in stages, though it will cost more to do it that way it is much more feasible.
The Parish is doing a feasibility study as to how much we can truly raise in the parish and the city of Windsor in these economic times. We do not believe we will be able to raise all of that money that the Diocese states is needed considering Assumption sits in one of the most poorest areas aof the city and most of our money goes to help the low-income families that surround Assumption.
This is something the Diocese doesn’t understand but seems to not truly care about. As I have stated before, their actions have spoken louder than their words (Sacred heart, Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Rose…)
Sure some of our best architecture is in churches but regardless of faith these are still architectural, historical and cultural treasures to the Canadian fabric. We must save these buildings from a diocese that has turned their backs on their parishioners and on all of us.
To voice your displeasure please call the London Diocese and tell them that you want Assumption to stay open under no circumstances: “Ask to speak to Bishop Fabbro.
519-433-0658 Ext 224 info@rcec.london.on.ca
You might also want to ask why they have neglected to upkeep the church since the 1980’s and have only done minimal maintenance despite the pleas from Assumption!
Another interesting tidbit is the fact that there are 9 burials beneath the church.
March 29, 1846 Rosalie Panet (wife of Charles Baby) the only lay minister to be buried underneath the church.
Sept. 24, 1850 Frs Potier (first priest of Assumption), Dufaux, Marchand and Sr. Clothilde Raizenne. These remains were transferred from the 1767 Church.
Jan. 24 1854 Sr. Connally of the Ladies of Sacred Heart who ere conducting a girls school and orphanage in the parish.
Aug. 3 1868 Sr. Marie Martine (Sirois) of the Congregation of the HOly Names of Jesus and Mary of St. Mary’s Academy, Windsor.
Aug. 18, 1905 Rev. A.P. Villeneuve who served as assistant rector when Assumption Church was the Cathedral of the Diocese of Sandwich. Bishop McEvay acceded to a death-bed request for burial under the church.
It is also interesting to note that the Diocese of London’s new book shows “When it all began in 1858” but we know the true diocese started with LaRichardie founding of the Huron Mission in 1725. This jsut shows the contempt that this diocese has for the Widnsor/Essex region, that they can wipe out over 100 years of history.
Andrew, I am surprised you didn’t add the painting of 1845 by the Canadian Plamandon of the Our Lady of The Virgin Mary. It is considered a national treasure by the Federal Gov’t and they even restored it for free back inthe 1980’s. If you have the picture it would be nice to post it if possible.
If anyone has any questions about the church or it’s history I will be glad to answer them as they are posted.
i was a little surprised too that Andrew left out the photo of the painting.
Andrew left out the photo of the painting, because the photo he took didn’t really turn out very well, so he deleted it… 🙂
Are you aware that millions are being spent on the Cathedral Church in London? The church in London is not as old nor as important historically, yet that’s where the money is being spent. You also have to take the diocese’s estimate of repair costs with a grain of salt! They have a very peculiar “team of experts” who in my opinion are “on the take” since they only consider restoration firms “approved” by the diocese. Many other parishes in the diocese have had to fight the powers to get more accurate estimates of repairs.
It would be a SIN if this historical monument were to be left to fall into ruin. Then the diocese would have another reason to ignore Windsor.
I have a personal reason for my interest in this church. Oone of my ancestors signed off on his ownership of “Huron Church” property since he recognized that his ownership of the said parcel of land was due to an error in his purchase agreement with the famous Fr. Potier.
Anyone interested in the history of this parish should read E.J. Lajeunesse’s “The Windsor Border Region”.
I saw Handel’s Messiah there about 10 years ago great performance. It was an amazing place, beautiful church, and you could just smell the history in the place. Beautiful pictures Andrew!
I go to the Latin Mass there every Sunday afternoon and your pictures have given it an entirely new imeage for me. Thank you.
The Diocese only looks at Assumption as a building, and nothing else. That is the sad truth. The Diocese only looks at the money value of things and not the spiritual value . Its sad that glorious Assumption is going to fall.
Its truly sad the way the Diocese has treated Assumption…No regard for history at all…
Assumption is truly a marvel. Unfortunately the trend in the City of Windsor is to completely disregard anything of value in the West End. Destroy neighbourhoods such as Indian Road, close all the schools (Rooney, Sacred Heart, St. Edward’s…) and now the most historic building in the city.
If the Diocese of London, the city and the provincial government cannot get together to restore Assuption they should all be ashamed. It is stunning that Sandra Pupatello can sit in cabinet, yet sit on her hands when it comes to doing anything for her city. She is a disgrace and it is time she gets run out of Windsor.
Amen to that!
I don’t appreciate reading all the “Diocese bashing” in the comments. We need to pull together in prayer and be prepared to sacrifice as parishoners for the sake of our church, God’s Home. Money is not a big problem for God but division is the work of Satan. So thank-you for all the lovely pictures which express such beauty and peace. Let us pray for the right direction to take and for the right people to take us there. God Knows.
Like most of us, incl. the bishop and the priests, are grieving about the loss of our beautiful old churches, having to contend with hall-type buildings. When all is said and done, it is our Lord Jesus Christ alone who has reason for sadness at the incessant negativity of His children, tearing “the diocese” apart for this that and the other. Who is the diocese, if not all of us. We are the Body of Christ. We are the families that have not raised sufficient priests, holy priests, who teach us to glow with love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist!
No priests, no Eucharist, no Church. “Stay with us Lord, and help us to heal our hearts from bitterness and focus on the gift of Yourself in the life-giving sacraments of the Church and Your Word guiding us to forgive when we are injured.” Let us pray with loving/forgiving hearts so that God can work miracles. (2000years ago Jesus said that he could not work any miracles in Nazareth “because of the hardness of hearts”).
WOW….clearly this Paula chick works for the Diocese…what an attitude to have ………..
Hmm… “division is the work of Satan”. From where I’m sitting the diocese is the body causing most of the division…
I Agree Chet!!! Seems either this person works for the Diocese and is trying to paint them in a better picture, or is a very uniformed person.
For jesus sake please pray for Mufide and all family members and the soul of my mother Nedime
My entire family history on my father’ side is documented in Assumption Church Records dating back to the 1700’s. Assumption and St. Anne’s in Detroit are sister Parishes both
were built by the Jesuits. The original St. Anne’s church was built for French settlers of Detroit back in the early part of the 18th century. The Current St. Anne Church building was built in the late 19th century. Assumption was originally on Boblo Island and was a Mission church for the Natives. The Iriquois nation torched the church and the new parish was rebuilt where it currently is today. Both St. Anne’s and Assumption have all the records for the first French families of Windsor and Detroit in their archives.
In the 80’s, I was involved in a project to teach ‘CONSTRUCTION TRADES’ to people who had no skills and were running out of U.I.C. (as it was known then) or on Social Assistance. The “Archdiocese of Toronto” brokered a deal (60 / 40) with the government to renovate over 12 structures owned by the ‘Archdiocese’, geared to make people’s futures better, by teaching skills and restoring fantastic architecture, statuary, woodwork and other art. All this, while teaching people valuable skills. These folks went from being a weight on the system, to being proud and productive members of their city! Ontario does not stop at London, so please Archdiocese of London…We were here before you and most of us know 9.5 million is an over exaggeration, especially when you consider the role of regional people that know and love that edifice and will volunteer. DO THE RIGHT THING!!!.
So sad to hear about the closing of this historical property…a major loss