St. Laurence O'Toole Spencerville ON

The first Catholics to settle in Merrickville were the families of the Irish, Scottish, and French builders of the Rideau Canal (1826-1832). The area was originally served by priests visiting from Perth and Prescott and later from Smiths Falls and Kemptville.

​Today, St. Ann's Parish is home to Catholics in the Village of Merrickville-Wolford and parts of Montague, Marlborough, and Oxford townships. In 2023, we will celebrate 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville-Wolford.

 

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Our parish began in 1823 with priests visiting from Perth, Prescott, Smiths Falls, and Kemptville. A resident pastor was stationed at Merrickville in 1886, at which time it became a formal parish. The construction of the present church began in 1902. It was formally dedicated by the Most Rev. C.H. Gauthier, Archbishop of Kingston, on October 11, 1903.

Historical Highlights of Merrickville's Catholic Parish

c.1815

The British establish military settlements at Perth, Prescott and Richmond. Many Irish and Scottish Catholics being among the soldiers, a priest is assigned to the churches there. The mass immigration of 1816 brings many more Irish, and altogether there are 600 to 700 Catholics (including Canadians and Scots) in the Perth settlement. Missions spring up in the surrounding areas, and Fr. John MacDonald of Perth visits Merrickville to minister to area Catholics.

​c.1820

Catholic churches built at Prescott and Brockville are served by one pastor whose united mission is spread through fifteen townships. Merrickville area Catholics can now be served from four surrounding priests' stations: Perth, Richmond, Prescott, and Brockville.

1826-1832

The building of the Rideau Canal brings many Irish and French workers to the area. Many of them later settle in the vicinity (now Jasper and Kilmarnock) and join earlier Irish immigrants, becoming Merrickville's pioneer Catholic families.

​1827

Mass is said in the home of John Roche Sr. by Fr. John MacDonald of Perth. The Roche Farm was 7 miles from the Village. Sites of other Masses in the Mission include the homes of Michael Kelly, Mr. Fortier, and the blockhouse near the canal.

​1836

A former storehouse near the canal is purchased at a cost of 70 pounds and used for Masses once a month. This house was on the site of the parish's first church.

​1845

The cornerstone is laid for a new stone church (60x40 feet), built under Fr. Daniel Farrelly, Pastor of Kemptville and Merrickville. Mass was now said every second Sunday.

​1848

Bishop Patrick Phelan blesses the new church, dedicates it to St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Virgin, and consecrates the graveyard on the Maitland Road.

1861-1875

Fr. William Harty enhances the church by purchasing a beautiful altar in Montreal and erecting the Stations of the Cross.

1886

Fr. John P. Kelly becomes the first resident pastor for Merrickville. He had often served in the village before from his base in Smiths Falls.

​1887

The present brick rectory is built at a cost of some $4,000.

​1901

A fire seriously damages the old church. Archbishop Charles Hugh Gauthier approves the building of a new church at a cost of about $10,000.

​1902

The last Mass is celebrated in the burnt remains on April 6, 1902. On April 17, the foundation for a new church is laid out for excavating with the cornerstone of the new and present church laid on May 4. The first Mass is said in the new St. Ann's on December 14.

​1903

The church is dedicated by Archbishop C.H. Gauthier on October 11.

​1913

Archbishop Michael Joseph Spratt blesses the bell, giving it his own name: Michael Joseph.

​1914

The first separate school in the area, St. Francis de Sales, opens in Smiths Falls. Many Merrickville families begin sending their children there.

​1964

Fr. John Ferguson has a new main altar installed because of Vatican II calls for liturgical changes.

​1970s

Fr. William Powell has the church interior painted and redecorated.

​1991

The sacristy is transformed into a chapel for weekday Masses.

​1992

With leadership from Fr. Brian Hart and the Parish Council, the foundation is laid for the North Grenville Community Hospice. A Francophone separate school, Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, is established in the old Town Hall (present-day Royal Canadian Legion).

1995

The present Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys School is built at 306 Read Street.

​2002

On May 1, the parish opens the time capsule placed in St. Ann's cornerstone 100 years earlier. Planning begins for a 2003 time capsule to be assembled and placed in the same cornerstone niche.

2003

The parish celebrates the centennial of the present church.

2022

The altar and tabernacle are installed in the centre, under the crucifix, again.

Parish website is established and launched. Tourists and visitors can now easily connect with the Church, including joining us for worship, during their visit to the Village.

​Significant upgrades were made to the parish properties, including a new roof and front door for the rectory and the replacement of all exterior doors to the church building. New vestments and a new chalice and paten were purchased.

​2023

The parish community celebrates 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville. A parish logo is commissioned to celebrate our faith and the roots of our community.

Resident Pastors

2022-Present Fr. Mark Ruckpaul 2011-2021 Fr. Julius Nwagbara 2008-2011 Fr. Tom McDonald 2005-2008 Fr. Cosmas O. Ajawara 1997-2005 Fr. Andrew Shim 1993-1997 Fr. Sebastian Amato 1987-1993 Fr. Brian Hart 1985-1987 Fr. Daniel Ryan 1981-1985 Fr. James G. Manning 1972-1981 Fr. William Powell 1968-1972 Fr. Francis M. O'Connor 1965-1968 Fr. R. John Ferguson 1964-1965 Fr. Edward J. Keyes 1961-1964 Fr. Thomas J. Larkin 1948-1961 Fr. John J. O'Neill 1931-1948 Fr. Thomas Joseph Scott 1923-1931 Fr. Patrick J. Keaney 1923 Fr. Francis P. Quinn 1920-1923 Fr. Michael E. Crawley 1911-1920 Fr. W.A. McDonagh 1899-1911 Fr. Alexander J. Carson 1894-1899 Fr. M. John McCarthy 1891-1894 Fr. Morgan C. O'Brien 1888-1891 Fr. Charles Joseph Duffus 1886-1888 Fr. John P. Kelly

Non-Resident Pastors

1877-1886 Fr. Edmund Patrick Roche (Smiths Falls) 1877-1878 Fr. Edward J. Walsh (Kemptville) 1875-1877 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls) 1861-1875 Fr. William M. Harty (Kemptville) 1860-1861 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls) 1859-1860 Fr. John Quirk 1857-1859 Fr. Terence Smith (Smiths Falls) 1856-1857 Fr. Bernard Coyle (Kemptville) 1844-1856 Fr. Daniel Farrelly (Kemptville) 1838-1844 Fr. James Clarke (Prescott) 1837-1838 Fr. James Campion (Prescott) 1823-1837 Fr. John MacDonald (Perth)