Our Lady of the Assumption (Windsor, Ontario)

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

After a fundraising campaign, construction began in early 2019 on the first phase of a four phase restoration plan and included the installation of a long-term copper roof, a new heating system, major electrical work, and structural repairs.

[5] It was originally established as "The Mission of Our Lady of the Assumption among the Hurons in Detroit" in 1728 by the Jesuit missionary Fr.

In 1765, a 60 by 30 feet (18 m × 9 m) church was erected for the Hurons and some sixty French settler families.

Hubert, who had since relocated for his new post, contributed to the building of a new church and sent two women from Quebec to establish a school.

In 1870, the Basilian Fathers of Toronto took control of Assumption parish and college under their first superior, Fr.

François-Xavier Semande, an alumnus of Assumption College, became the pastor and installed a new tower bell.

Edmund Toussaint Burns, who expanded the side altars and added the communion rail of the present church.

Thomas Roland Janisse, Francis J. McCarty, and Clifford J. Crowley had terms as pastor.

Crowley's term witnessed the building of a new rectory, and ended in 1973 with the succession of Fr.

Lawrence J. Carney, during whose pastorate Assumption church was named a historical building by the City of Windsor.

In 2007, Assumption Church added to its schedule the celebration of the Tridentine Latin Mass on Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

The church's high altar, sanctuary, communion rail, and pipe organ make it well-suited to this type of liturgy, which attracts churchgoers from throughout southern Ontario and southeastern Michigan.

[7] In 2007, it was learned that Assumption church needed C$9.8 million in extensive restoration repairs.

Worship continued daily in the Rosary Chapel and on weekends at the former Holy Name of Mary Church.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of London has stated its commitment to the church's restoration and reopening if a donor comes forward.

[8] In 2017, Assumption parishioners began hosting a series of events to celebrate the parish's 250th year.

[8] In early 2019, local lawyer Paul Mullins spearheaded a fundraising campaign and four-phase restoration plan for the church building.

[3] The parish moved back into the church on September 8, 2019, and began celebrating weekend masses there again.

Interior of the Rosary Chapel, 2017
Interior of Assumption Church, looking toward the sanctuary, 2017
Exterior of the church and surroundings
The apse of the church