St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church Arthur ON

St. John the Evangelist, Sacred Heart, and St. Mary’s are a family of Roman Catholic Parishes in Wellington County, and are part of the Diocese of Hamilton located in Ontario, Canada. We personally invite you to come join us for Mass, and become a part of our Parish Community!

 

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Through the Years

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was established in the year 1857 and continues on today. The following is a timeline of our Parish through the years.

1841 – marked the beginning of a Catholic denomination in the Arthur area. At this time Irish immigrants were settling in the surrounding townships. The first resident Pastor did not arrive until some twenty years later when Rev. Eugene Laussie was appointed. Prior to that time, missionary Jesuit priests from Guelph visited this area about three times a year. The earliest missionaries celebrated Mass in private homes. Prior to the year 1857, arrangements were made to celebrate Mass in a log school house about three miles from Arthur.

1857 – The first Catholic Church in Arthur was built under the care of the Jesuits from Guelph

1858 – Rev. J Farrell, Bishop of Hamilton blessed St. John Church August 24th

1873 – The Sisters of St. Joseph took charge of the school

1874 – The present Church was constructed while Father Laussie was Pastor

1878 – The Stations of the Cross were installed in the Church. On Ash Wednesday, Bishop Peter F. Crinnon blessed the Stations of the Cross. A.W Hassard sold land to Father Laussie for St. John Cemetary. His brother R. Hassard sold land for Greenfield Cemetary.

1882- Father Daherty came to Arthur, and during his 10 years here he built the school, the convent, and the rectory. The plaque in the front of St. John’s is of Father McIntosh, who was a brother of Margaret and Donald McIntosh

1884 – This year sow the completion of a four room brick school. Trustees of St. John school, were: J. O’Donnell, D. Driscoll, J. Kelleher, C.Healey, S. Farrell.

1887 – The convent was built. Prior to this the Sisters of St. Joseph lived in a private residence across from the school.

1892 – The bell in the Church was installed. The engraving on it is: “For the Glory of God, and to call the people to divine service.”

1894 – The rectory was built. Father resided in a private home accross from the school prior to building the rectory.

1903 – The bell at St. John’s Church rang to signify a fire at Skerritt & Mitchells stores.

1906 – Catholic Men’s Benevolent Association (CMBA) were meeting at the Agricultural rooms.

1907 – The May 30th Enterprise paper had a 1/2 page write up on Father Doherty and St. John Silver Jubilee.

1909 – St. John Church was desecrated. August 10th Father Laussie died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Guelph.

1915 – Fr. Doherty said his final Mass in Arthur on July 1st. The Arthur protestant ministers received congratulations from Ottawa for their ecumenical role in recognizing and celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Father Doherty.

1916 – Sunday evening army recruitment meetings were held in St. John.

1917 – Monsignor Ferguson was the Pastor at St. John’s. During his 5 years in Arthur, Father installed the pipe organ, added stained glazing to the windows, and electric lights in the Church.

1919- Net proceeds from the garden party were used to purchase and install the pipe organ

1920 – St. John’s Church shed was built. The land was bought from Charles Buschlen. The shed would hold 150 rigs and was paid for by the farmers of the Parish.

1921 – The first organ recital in St. John’s was a splendid affair.

1922 – Father Traynor arrived in Arthur, and would Pastor St. John’s for the next 32 years.

1924 – A fire broke out in St. John’s Church

1927 – A new oak floor was installed at St. John’s Chancel. In order to match the main alter which had been installed in 1887, side alters of oak were constructed. This was made possible through generous donations of the parishioners, who purchased the material from the continent.

1936 – Father Hill and Father Ed Gallagher said their first Mass in Arthur.

1939 – The Enterprise News reported that this was the largest crowd to attend the July 1st garden party

1941 – The October 2nd edition of the paper announced that Father Doherty died in North Carolina at the age of 97.

1942 – Father Traynor initiated a 4 year plan for St. John to clear their debt.

1946 – The debt was cleared off. On May 17th, a military honour roll was unveiled in St. John Church by Mrs. Clair Schmidt.

1948 – Father Ambrose Raftis said his first Mass in St. John Church.

1950 – Father McNamara was ordained. Because of an accident resulting in the heating system in the church, the congregation worshipped in the town hall on Sunday. Father J.J. Traynor was one of 45 priests chosen to go to Rome in recognition of the Holy Year.

1951 – Grace Heffernan entered the convent.

1952 – The St. John Parish picnic had to be cancelled because Father Traynor was ill.

1953 – St. John’s driving shed was sold to Roy Dobbs. – At a meeting held on September 27th, it was moved by Mrs. Robert McCabe and seconded by Mrs. Vincent Driscoll that a subdivison of the Catholic Womens League of Canada be formed. Under the direction of Father Traynor, an executive was formed and a membership fee of $1.00 was established. President – Mrs. Francis O’Donnell; 1st. Vice President – Mrs. James Stortz; 2md Vice President – Mrs. Murray McNamara; Secretary – Mrs. Roy McCullough; Treasurer – Mrs. Vincent Driscoll.

1954 – February 18th of Enterprise News carried an article on the history of the Catholic faith in Arthur. In June, Father Traynor moved to Elmira and Father Brick came to Arthur.

1955 – Father Brick decided to revive the St. John parish July 1st picnic & Father Brick supervised the complete renovation of the recotry inside and out.

1956 – The Orange Lodge celebrated July 1st in Arthur and Father Brick was asked to umpire the ball game.

1957 – St. John Parish celebrated 100 years. During this first 100 years there were 109 vocations: 36 priests, 5 brothers, 68 nuns

1958 – Father Brick became president of the local ball league – The Grand River Softball League. In September Father Brick was transferred to Elmira and Father Hoffarth came to Arthur.

1959 – The population of the Village in Arthur is 1215, and of that: United Church parishioners: 402 Roman Catholic parishioners: 317 Anglican parishioners: 172 Baptist parishioners: 22 Latter Day Saints parishioners: 3 – A 25 foot extention was put into the vestry. The contractor was Perry Wilson of Fergus. – After 18 years, Ed Dowdall resigned as a trustee of the school board. The president trustees are: Tom Stack, Jim Hollis, John Walsh, Joe Gainer, and Dan Callaghan.

1961 – Justice Wilfred Roach, originally of Arthur, would head the Roach inquiry on organized crime in Ontario

1962 – Father George Stortz and Father Ken Farrel said their first Mass in Arthur. Due to deterioration of the brick work at the top of the belfry, the Church steeple was replaced with a cross. The cross stands 7 feet high and the height now measures about 85 feet from the ground. The original steeple measured 150 feet above the ground.

1963 – Father Hoffarth was made monsignor. The July 11th issue of the Enterprise News had a photo of the interior of St. John’s Church. The new school opened on Georgina St.

1969 – The parishioners of St. John were extreamly distressed to learn of the sudden death of Father Hawkins while in the confessional of St. John’s Church. Father Noonan then came to Arthur.

1970 – May 2nd, we were honoured to have the prdination of Father Vincent Heffernan, by Bishop Ryan at St. John’s Church. The next week Father celebrated his first Mass at St. John’s.

1973 – After 4.5 years Father Noonan left for Paris. Father Jordan arrived in Arthur.

1975 – The Knights of Columbus and the Masons met in St. John’s School

1978 – St. John Catholic Women’s League celebrated their 25th Anniversary. The membership fee was $5.00. Presedent: Mrs. Dan Callaghan; 1st Vice President: Mrs. Ernie Heffernan; 2nd Vice President: Mrs.Gerald O’Neil; Secretary: Mrs. Don Green; Treasurer: Miss Julia Riordan.

1981 – Bishop Tonnos introduced the RENEW program to all parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton. St. John parish participated by holding small group meetings.

1982 – In June, Father Jordan was assigned to St. Mary’s in Elora. Father Busch arrived in Arthur. St. John Parish celebrated their 125th Anniversary.

1983 – Father Hartleib was transferred to Arthur from Sacred Heart Parish in Kenilworth.

1987 – St. John school parents request a new school to be built, due to increasing enrollment. St. Joseph’s convent taken down. Sister Loyola (Roach) celebrated her 90th birthday and 70 years in the convent.

1989 – A building fund was established to prepare for the necessary repairs to the Church. A vote was taken by parishioners to spend a considerable amount of money to renovate the Church.

1991 – Donations to the building fund were averaging $350.00 weekly. By August, $310, 000.00 had been donated. The alter society is now 100 years old. This is the oldest society in the Church.

1992 – Father Lardie, a former preist of St. Mary’s Parish in Mount Forest, was invited to speak to the parish on vocations. Renovations were completed and included repairs to the windows, the floor was carpeted, renovations to the sacristy, electrical work and painting the interior of the Church. The Church bells werereactivated, pointing and masonary work was done, the roof was repaired and shingled with slate, the enterance was renovated and the parking lot paved. The total renovations were in excess of $425,000.00.

1993 – June 6th, Father Hartleib celebrated his 45th Anniversary of ordination. St. John Catholic Womens League celebrated their 40th anniversary on September 27th.

1995 – At the end of July, after 6 years in Arthur, Sister Rose Gabriel left for an assignment in Red Lake. This ended a long era of service by the Sisters of St. Joseph to St. John’s Parish. Theirs spiritual guidance and their presence within the parish would be greatly missed. In November, Bishop Tonnos blessed the new school on Tucker St. ON November 21st, a break in at the Church resulted in considerable damage, theft, and desecration. It was decided that the Church will remain locked, except for Masses.

1997 – Father Hartleib retired and took up residence in Waterloo. Father Eugene Solecki came to Arthur. Fathe Eugene held our first annual Healing Mass and annointing of the sick. Pope John Paul II called upon all Churstians to start preparations for the Great Jubilee in the year 2000. Bishop Tonnos invited everyone in the Diocese of Hamilton to respond to the Pope’s challenge. Booklets were made available for all parishes to use as resources for small group gatherings. In November, St. John parishioners start a “Book of Life” for their deceased realitives and friends. It is placed at the front of the Church during the month. St. John Catholic Womens League started a “Book of Life” for all deceased members of the CWL.

1998 – St. John Parish was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Father Hartleib. September 5th, Father Eugene held the first annual cemetery Mass, on cemetery grounds, with Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki presiding. The new cemetery gates at the entrance were then blessed by the Bishop. Peter Broglio designed and constructed the gates.

1999 – January 31st the Arthur Ministerial Association invited all parishioners from all neighbouring churches to gather together at the Arthur United Church in an ecumenical worship worship service to begin the week of prayer for Christian Unity. Sunday June 20th St. John’s Parish hosted the Jubilee 2000, Wellington Deanery Celebration. The Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos, Bishop of Hamilton presided, and parish priests from the Wellington Deanery concelebrate with him. Choirs from all parishes in North Wellington were invited to join together to lead the faithful in this celebration of the Holy Eucharist. After Mass a picnic was held on the lawn beside the church for all those attending.

2000 – January 1st Together with all Christians worldwide we “opened wide the door” and celebrated the third millennium of Christianity, and the anniversary of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Sundahy January 23rd Father Eugene and parishioners of St. John Church, and Rev. Stephen Berryman and parisioners of Grace Anglican Church, joined together in a celebration of Common Ministry. In June it is announced that Fr. Eugene will now be the pastor at St. John in Arthur and Sacred Heart in Kenilworth. Furthermore, at the annual Catholic Womens League Diocesan Convention in May, Ann Brown was presented with the first ever Frances Lovering award.

2001 – In June the first annual parish picnic for Parishioners of St. John and Sacred Heart was held after the 10:30am Mass, on the grounds adjacent to the church.

2002 – November 25th the Parish was very shocked to learn that after a very breif illness, Father Eugene had died in the hospital in Hamilton. Father Kevin Cull, came to Arthur and Kenilworth to temporarily fill in as our parish priest. Father Mike Lehman and Father Vincent Heffernan celebrated Christmas Mass in Kenilworth and Arthur.

2003 – Recently ordained, Father Robert Love replaced Father Cull for the month of June. In June, Father Edward Hinsperger came to St. John and Sacred Heart parishes. Air conditioning was installed in the church and the interior was painted. On September 26th St. John Catholic Womens League celebrated their 50th Anniversary. The membership fee is $12.00. President – Mary Townsend; 1st Vice Presedent – Monica McLean; 2nd Vice President – Shirley Coffey; Secretary – Lynn Rawlins; Treasurer – Ruth Anne Staples. The Liturgy of the Eucharist was celebrated with the Most Reverend Matthew F. Ustrzycki, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton presiding. Later, dinner and a social time was enjoyed by all.

2004 – Nancy Foley gathered photos of parishioners who were in the priesthood or religious life and displayed them at the back of the church. In May, a meeting was held to discuss the possible building of a Parish Hall. Also, the cemetery board placed plagues in front of the newly planted trees at the cemetery. In the Fall, the Holy Shroud of Turin was on display at St. Anne’s church in Kitchener. Furthermore, the Food Bank of Arthur is now operating under a public board rather than the ministerial association.

2005 – In January, a meeting was held to organize the RENEW program at St. John and Sacred Heart parishes. A few months later Betty Boyd agreed to be the chairperson. The theme for the next three years would be: “A Whole New World – As We Journey Through Seeds, Stories and Stained Glass.” A banned was designed illustrating this theme. In April the first annual “Ladies Brunch” was held. It was catered and served by the men of the parish. Sunday September 25th, the first season of RENEW began with a 4 evening mission. Three evenings in Arthur, and the last evening was held in Kenilworth. Furthermore, the Diocese of Hamilton opened its sesquicentennial celebrations during 2005-2006 marking its 150th Anniversary. Bishop Tonnos dedicated this year to “Our Lord in the Eucharist.”

2006 – Sunday February 19th, Season II of RENEW began with a one evening mission at Sacred Heart Church. Planning started for the 150th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Parish. Louise Dingman volunteered to be the chairperson. St. John Paish took over the old St. John School on Georgina St. for their Parish Center. On Sunday September 24th, Season III of Renew began with a one evening mission at St. John Parish Center. Furthermore, on Sunday November 26th. on the “The Feast of Christ the King,” St. John the Evangelist parish opened their 150th Anniversary Year with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided by the Most Reverend Matthew F. Ustrzycki, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton. A brunch was then served in the parish centre for all parishioners.

2007 – Renovations began at the parish centre – a larger and updated kitchen was one of the main tasks, as well as repairs to the gymnasium, the electrical system, the washrooms, and making the facility handicap accessible. A great deal of volunteer hours was put in by many parishioners. They spent hours planning the work to be done, taking down walls, updating the electrical system, painting, and cleaning. The plan was for a completion date before the main celebrating of our 150th Anniversary in June.

On Tuesday March 6th Season IV of RENEW began with one evening mission at St. Johns Parish – ministers from various churches joined us to speak and share their views on the theme of “What Christians Have in Common.” March 29th, St. John and Sacred Heart Parishioners were invited to participate in a “Seder Meal” at St. John Parish Centre. This was part of the RENEW program. May 25th, the students and staff of St. John’s School presented Father Hinsperger with a banner thay had designed commemorating the 150th Anniversary of St. John Church. June 3rd, Father Hinsperger celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Ordination.

June 24th, the Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos, DD, Bishop of Hamilton, will preside at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the occasion of our 150th Anniversary. July 1st, Arthur and Area 2007 Homecoming is celebrated at 2PM everyone is invited to participate in an ecumenical Sunday service on the grounds adjacent to St. John Church. October 7th, the fifth and final season of RENEW will begin. Sunday, November 25th, the Most Reverend Gerard P Bergie, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton will preside at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, for the closing of our 150th Anniversary year.

2016 – A renovation began on the rectory lead by Father Piotr Golinski.

2017 – Repairs to the sacristy, including the roof, were led by Father Golinski.

2020 – On March 11th the Covid19 Pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. On March 16th Bishop Crosby of the Diocese of Hamilton announced directives on Mass attendance, and gave the laity dispensation for attending Mass. Instead, Mass was only celebrated privately by the Pastor. Weekday Masses, funeral masses, and marriage preparation were not permitted, and baptisms to be held privately. Many Masses throughout the diocese were held virtually to parishioners at this time. June 12th, Churches in the diocese were able to open, but only at 30% capacity, following directives of social distancing, mandatory masks, and hand sanitizing.

Many changes were announced to the Mass on June 10th by Bishop Crosby, including number of lectors and ushers, singing only to be done by one cantor, no hymnals in the pews, all parishioners received communion in silence and only a host into the hand, physical distancing requirements, and no socializing after Mass. On December 26th, all public Masses were cancelled for a number of weeks in an attempt to limit the spread of covid19. It had been a difficult way to end a difficult year.

2021 – Churches were able to open again with 30% capacity and the same restrictions as before. The Diocese of Hamilton followed a reopening plan, outlined by the Government of Ontario. On July 19th, we entered Step 3 of the provinces reopening plan. Percentage capacity limits were lifted, provided that each person could still physically distance. Equally, hymnals were now allowed in pews, bulletins and paper handouts were allowed, singing was allowed, liturgical ministries were allowed, communion on the tongue was now permitted, however communion from the chalice was still not allowed at this time, and the celebration of sacraments was now able to take place. The use of Holy Water was still not permitted at this time. The dispensation from attending Sunday Mass was still in place, as per Bishop Crosby. Through the year 2021, Churches were asked to keep lists of attending parishioners for contact screening purposes.

2022 – February, contact tracing was no longer required in Churches, and churches were allowed at full capacity. Masks were still mandatory in Churches at this time. March 21st in Ontario masks were no longer mandatory due to a province wide reopening, and therefore many parishioners were able to choose to attend with our without a mask. The dispensation is still in effect at this time. Pastors of St. John’s

1843 – 1846 – Rev. Thomas Gibney 1846 – 1850 – Rev. Simon Sanderl C.SS.R. 1850 – 1852 – Rev. John Cullen 1852 – 1863 – Very Rev. John Holzer S.J 1852 – 1856 – Rev. Caspar Matoga S.J 1856 – 1858 – Rev. William Blettner S.J. 1859 – 1862 – Rev. George Laufhuber S.J. 1861 – 1862 – Very Rev. Eugene Laussie 1865 – Rev. Michael O’Shea 1867 – Rev. R. Maurice 1870 – Very Rev. Eugene Laussie 1882 – Rev. Peter Lennon 1882 – Rev. J.P. Doherty 1915 – Very Rev. John Kelly 1917 – Rev. Thomas Ferguson 1922 – Rt. Rev.J.J. Traynor 1954 – Rev. H. Brick 1958 – Rt. Rev. I. Hoffarth 1965 – Rev. F. Hawkins 1969 – Rev. K. Farrell (administrator) 1969 – Very Rev. J. Noonan 1973 – Rev. J. Jordan 1982 – Rev. A. Busch 1983 – Rev. Bruce Hartleib 1997 – Rev. Eugene Solecki 2002 – Rev. Kevin Cull (administrator) 2003 – Rev. Robert Love (administrator) 2003 – Rev. Edward Hinsperger 2016 – Rev. Piotr Golinski 2021 – Rev. Stephen Gilbert