Once again we take a look at one of the grand old churches in the city core. This one like Immaculate Conception, and St. Claire’s, were the victim’s of the Bishop’s “Great Church Purge of ’02™”
Back in 2002, the Bishop of London, passed down word that some of Windsor’s oldest and most historic churches were to be closed. St. Claire’s at Tecumseh & Victoria was slated to be demolished, and condos to rise on the site.
Luckily, Windsor’s various ethnic communities stepped forward and did more for historic preservation in Windsor in a matter of months, than the Catholic Church has done in this city in 30+ years.
St. Claire’s found a new life as St. Peter’s Maronite Church
Immaculate Conception became The Holy Family Iraqi Chaldean Church
Sacred Heart (above) was saved and became St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church
Without these groups stepping forward seven years ago, there is a real chance none of these churches would remain.
From the Border Cities Star – November 16, 1927:
Handsome New Catholic Church Nears Completion
Above is shown Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, now nearing completion at Ottawa Street and Benjamin Avenue. The Building is of Romanesque Style and will be the second large Catholic Church added to Windsor within a year. The other being Our Lady of Prompt Succor, which faces Wilson Park on McEwan Avenue.
The church, with rectory attached will cost $175,000.
Rev. Fr. D.L. Brisson is the rector of the parish. Assisting him are Rev. Fr. W.E. Dillon and Rev. Fr. W. Morneau.
Interesting to note that both churches mentioned in the 1927 article Sacred Heart (now St. Mary & St. Moses) and Our Lady of Prompt Succor (now Holy Name of Mary), were both designed by John Boyde of the firm Pennington & Boyde.
As a side note if there are any readers out there who are members at St. Mary & St. Moses or the Holy Family, please contact me, I’d love to see the inside of these beauties.
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cbourdeau -
I can’t believe that you are all so naive – to keep a chuch building open you need people –
The buildings are still open, and still churches.
That doesn't change the fact that the diocese wanted to demolish St. Clare so a developer could build condos.
These are not just great churches closing but great forms of architecture. Holy Name of Mary on the west end is another beautiful church on the outside as well as the inside. Our Lady of the Rosary too is a beautiful building. This city should do what other cities have done in Quebec and turn these find buildings into a useful space for the community. They are one of a kind and not just churches but beautiful form of art and culture.