Assumption Church continues renovation, parish applies for national heritage designation

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Assumption parish, which features the 176-year-old landmark church on the city’s west end, has applied to Parks Canada to be designated as a national heritage site.

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A historian with the federal agency has already been assigned to begin the process, which could take about two years to complete.

The church alone previously was declined in two similar attempts, the latest roughly 15 years ago. This current bid, however, now includes the entire parish, its Indigenous and French history, plus lands that include the riverfront’s Assumption Park.

In 1765, an 18-metre by nine-metre Catholic church was erected on the riverfront for the Hurons and 60 French settler families. It officially became Our Lady of Assumption parish two years later — the nation’s oldest west of Montreal.

“This (designation) would mean the church and properties would be entitled to be recognized on a national scale,” said local lawyer Paul Mullins, who has been leading efforts the last few years to save the church.

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We are very encouraged by progress we have made

“This would not be just because of the merits of the iconic church, but because of the parish’s history that includes the French and Indigenous communities that date back nearly 300 years. Very few institutions in Canada enjoy nearly 300 years of continuous existence.”

City council’s approval will be needed to include Assumption Park, he said.

As for ongoing restoration of Assumption Church, milestones continue to be achieved.

An update provided Friday featured completion of restoring the east side of the interior which includes plaster repairs, painting, new lighting, wiring, staircases and fire system. An earlier phase included a new copper roof, heating system and asbestos removal.

To date, $3.4 million has been spent on restoring the church — funds all generated through fundraising.

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The next phase of restoring the west side of the church’s interior will cost $1.1 million. That work will be launched in the coming weeks thanks to a recent $500,000 donation from a local “retired businessman” who has asked not to be identified.

“We are very encouraged by progress we have made,” Mullins said. “We have sufficient funds to begin work on west side (of the interior), but will need another $500,000 to $600,000 to complete that work.”

Several challenges with fundraising and restoring Assumption Church have been no secret. They include not only the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the Catholic church’s role in past sexual abuse cases and historic ties to residential schools that led to loss of life for countless Indigenous children.

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“The climate created by these issues do make people question whether this project is worthwhile,” Mullins said. “They need to balance (whether to help) with other needs we have in the community. I respect any decision people make in that regard.

“Generous people should be applauded regardless of what they choose to support, but when it comes to Assumption Church this just has to get done for the community at-large. We are very grateful for support to get us to this point, but I would hate what it would say about our community if we are not successful in completing this historic restoration.”

Although, the Windsor area had no residential schools, Assumption parish has formed a Truth and Reconciliation committee to study what it can do to amend for the past. Among early ideas are to rename the church’s Rosary Chapel or create a shrine in the church so the loss of lives could be recognized and mourned.

The committee is working with community Indigenous leaders so any actions are not just a token, but will remain ongoing, Mullins said.

dbattagello@postmedia.com